PORTABLE MINIDISC RECORDER MODEL MD-MT20H OPERATION MANUAL * MD-MT20H FOR UK(F/R) 1 99.3.
SPECIAL NOTES NOTE FOR USERS IN THE U.K. SERVICE INFORMATION In the unlikely event of your equipment requiring repair, please contact the dealer or supplier from whom it was purchased. Where this is not possible, please contact the telephone number listed below. You will then be given details of how to obtain service. – 0345-125387 – Please note; all calls will be charged at local rate. Certain replacement parts and accessories may be obtained from our main parts distributor. WILLOW VALE ELECTRONICS LTD.
● The letters in brackets contained in the model number indicate the colour of the product only. Operation and specifications are unaffected. CAUTION Use the Portable Minidisc Recorder only in accordance with the instructions given in this manual and do not attempt to interfere with the interlock switch or make any other adjustment as this may result in exposure to hazardous radiation. ● US and foreign patents licensed from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.
INTRODUCTION Thank you for purchasing this SHARP product. For the best performance, read this manual carefully. It will guide you in operating your SHARP product. CONTENTS Page ACCESSORIES ..................................... 3 PRECAUTIONS .................................. 4-5 NAMES OF CONTROLS AND INDICATORS ................................... 5-6 POWER SOURCE .............................. 7-8 BEFORE RECORDING .................... 9-10 RECORDING USING THE ANALOGUE CABLE ...................
PRECAUTIONS ■ Important ■ Storing the unit ● Do not wear your earphones when you are crossing streets or near traffic. ● Do not use your earphones whilst driving a motor vehicle, it may create a dangerous traffic hazard and may be illegal. Remember to obey all of the safety rules in your area. ● Do not play the unit at a high volume. Hearing experts advise against extended listening at high volume levels. ● If you experience ringing in your ears, reduce the volume or discontinue use.
ABOUT THE RECHARGEABLE BATTERY Since the rechargeable battery is vulnerable to damage, please note the following. ● Do not carry the battery in your pocket or a bag together with metal objects (keys, coins, jewelry, etc.). The battery may short out and generate significant amounts of heat. ● Do not short-circuit the terminals as they will become very hot and will damage the battery. ● Do not dip the battery in water, do not dispose of it in a fire, and do not take it apart.
■ Main unit 1 2 3 4 5 1. Monaural Long-Play Mode Indicator 2. Record Indicator 3. Level Meter 4. Repeat Indicator 5. TOC Indicator 6. Battery Indicator 7. Random Indicator 8. Track Number Indicator 9. Character/Time Information Indicator 10. Synchro Recording Indicator 11. Disc Mode Indicator 12. Disc Name Indicator 13. Track Name Indicator 14. Remaining Recording Time Indicator 15. Total Track Number Indicator 6 10 11 12 13 7 8 9 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 16. Edit/Auto Mark/Time Mark Button 17.
POWER SOURCE This unit can be used with the following power sources: a rechargeable battery, an AC adaptor, commercially available alkaline batteries, and a separately available car adaptor (AD-CA20X). ■ Rechargeable battery power 1 When the rechargeable battery is used for the first time or when you want to use it after a long period of disuse, be sure to charge it fully. 1 Open the battery cover. 2 Insert the rechargeable battery according to the polarity marked on the bottom of the unit.
■ Alkaline batteries power 1 This unit can be used with alkaline batteries in place of a rechargeable battery. ● Use two commercially available alkaline batteries (LR6, “AA” size). 1 Open the battery cover. 2 Insert two alkaline batteries according to the polarity marked on the bottom of the unit. ● Installing the batteries incorrectly may cause the unit to malfunction. 2 3 Close the battery cover. Precautions for alkaline battery use: ● Replace all old batteries with new ones at the same time.
BEFORE RECORDING ■ Type of recording (2) Digital recording Connect the unit to equipment that has an optical output socket using the optical digital cable included with this unit. Using an optical signal to transfer the music to a MiniDisc allows very high quality recording. Two types of recording are possible: “Digital recording” and “Analogue recording”. There are different cables and connections for each type of recording, depending on the sockets on the equipment being connected to the unit.
● Recordable MiniDisc: Notes: ● When making important recordings, it is recommended that you use the AC adaptor. A fully charged rechargeable battery or alkaline batteries should be loaded into the unit. Then, even if a power failure occurs, the power source will switch over to the battery automatically. ● When using the rechargeable battery or the alkaline batteries, if the volume level is set to “0”, the battery consumption will be less than when listening to the recording whilst it is being made.
RECORDING USING THE ANALOGUE CABLE ■ Recording from CDs or MDs (Synchro recording) 0dB –4dB Synchro recording is a method that detects the playback sound from the source equipment. When sound is present, it automatically starts the recording. When the source is silent, the recording will be paused. ● Adjust the recording level so that the maximum sound volume from the source makes the reading swing somewhere between -4 dB and 0 dB. ● To record from a CD, first adjust the recording level.
To turn off the power: Press the ■/:OFF button whilst in the stop mode. ● After the track number has been written on the disc, the power will shut off automatically. (For details about the TOC, see page 21.) Recordings can not be made in the following situations: ● Recording on a playback-only MiniDisc (commercially available music). ● If a MiniDisc is protected against accidental erasure.
RECORDING USING THE OPTICAL DIGITAL CABLE This is the method used for recording digital signals from CDs or MDs exactly as they are stored on the original. Compared to recordings made from analogue inputs, digital recordings have extremely high-quality sound. When you attempt to make a new digital recording from a track that was digitally recorded on a MiniDisc. ● MiniDiscs are designed so that only first generation digital copies can be made.
RECORDING FROM THE MICROPHONE ■ Recording from the microphone (Mic synchro recording) 3 Press the REC button. ● A monaural, long-play recording mode is available. (Page 18) ● Timed identification marks can be created whilst recording. (Page 16) The recording will begin automatically in response to a noise or a person speaking. When the sound stops, the recording will pause. This function is convenient when recording lectures, conferences, etc. 4 Press the 5 or 4 button to adjust the recording level.
6 When a sound, such as a person speak- Notes: ● If you want to use a microphone, be sure it is a plug-in-power type microphone. ● When a plug-in-power type microphone is plugged in, the main unit will provide power for the microphone’s operation. ● If a different type of microphone is plugged in, it may not operate properly or it may cause the unit to malfunction. ● Insert the plug firmly. If you don’t, the recording will not be made properly. ● Use a microphone with a 3.
CONVENIENT RECORDING FUNCTION ■ Creating marks whilst making a mic recording (Timed auto mark function) About the timed auto mark: Whenever a recording begins, a track number will be created automatically. ● : Track number which is created when a silence lasts for 3 seconds or more during synchro recording. ● : Track number which is created by the timed auto mark function. Marks can be created at a fixed interval (every 5 minutes is the default setting) so that the beginning of any track can be found.
■ To start recording from the middle of an existing track You can erase a portion of a track that has been already recorded and make a new recording. Caution: ● All of the tracks that follow the newly recorded track will be erased. 1 During playback, press the 06 button ■ Recording tracks as a single track at the point where you want to begin rerecording. You can record several pieces of music as a single track, disable the auto marker function. 2 Press the REC button.
■ To check the remaining disc time ■ Double time recording in monaural mode Whilst recording, you can check the remaining time available on the disc. When recording in the monaural long-play mode, it can be about twice as long as the recording time available for a stereo recording. The monaural long-play mode is very useful for recording conferences or lectures. Press the DISPLAY button whilst recording or whilst in the recording pause mode. Press the MODE button whilst the recording is paused.
■ To erase tracks To erase all of the tracks at once: 1 Whilst in the stop mode, press the EDIT button to select “ALL ERASE”. ● “ALL ERASE” can also be selected by holding down the EDIT button for at least 2 seconds. 2 Press the ENTER/SYNC button. ● To cancel the operation, press the ■/:OFF button. 1 2 To erase tracks one at a time: 1 Start playing the track you want to erase, and press the 06 button. ● The unit will enter the pause mode.
ABOUT TRACK NUMBERS When recording, track numbers will be created automatically. (Auto marker function/Synchro marker function) When recording from digital inputs: (CDs/MiniDiscs only) Track numbers will be created automatically for each track at the same point where track numbers already exist on the CD or MiniDisc.
ABOUT THE TOC The TOC (an abbreviation for Table of Contents) is information about the track numbers and recorded areas that allow the unit to find musical selections or sounds. The entire MD is controlled by the information in this TOC, which enables the unit to find the beginning of a track quickly or to record automatically in a vacant area. ● The TOC is recorded in a specific area on a MiniDisc, which is not used for sound recording.
PLAYING A MINIDISC ● After playback of the last track has finished, the unit will stop automatically. Earphones For the For the left right (L) (R) Playback does not start when a MiniDisc is inserted: Press the 06 button. In the following cases, the auto-play function will not work.
To interrupt playback: To remove the MiniDisc: Press the 06 button during playback. ● To resume playback, press the 06 button again. Turn off the power and move the OPEN lever in the direction indicated by the arrow. Resume auto play function: ● When you press the ■/:OFF button to stop playback, or when you turn the power off and then you resume playback, it will resume at the point on the MiniDisc where the playback was halted.
CONVENIENT PLAYBACK FUNCTIONS ■ Cue and review 1 Load a MiniDisc and begin playback. 2 Press and hold down the 4 button for audible fast forward, or press and hold down the 5 button for audible fast reverse. 3 Normal playback will resume when the 5 or 4 button is released. ■ APSS (Auto Program Search System) Notes: ● When the end of the last track is reached during fast forward, the unit will enter the pause mode.
■ Random play or repeat play During playback or whilst in the stop mode, press the MODE button repeatedly to select the playback mode. RANDOM RANDOM Random play Repeat play of tracks in random order Repeat play of all of the tracks 1 Repeat play of a single track No display ■ To play at double speed (Mono recording only) Normal playback ● If the playback mode is selected whilst stopped, press the 06 button to start playback.
■ To check the elapsed time and remaining time of the track During playback, press the DISPLAY button. ● Each time the button is pressed, the display will change as follows: Track number Track name Note: If character information was not originally recorded on the MiniDisc, “NO NAME” will be displayed. Elapsed playback time ■ To check the remaining recording time and the total playing time Whilst in the stop mode, press the DISPLAY button.
EDITING ■ What the editing function can do You can create original discs using the MD editing function, on which you can change the order of the tracks and you can create disc or track names. ● Playback-only MiniDiscs cannot be edited. Move (Page 28) A designated track can be moved to any desired position. ● The numbers assigned to the tracks following the track which is moved will be adjusted automatically.
■ Move ■ Divide 1 Play the track to be moved, and press 1 Start playing the track you want to dithe 06 button. ● The unit will enter the pause mode. vide into two. Press the 06 button at the point where you want to divide the track. ● The unit will enter the pause mode. 2 Press the EDIT button to select “MOVE”. 1 2 Press the EDIT button to select “DI- 2 VIDE”. 1 2 To move the fifth track 3 Press the ENTER/SYNC button. ● To cancel the operation, press the ■/:OFF button.
■ Combine ■ Disc name 1 Start playing the last of the two tracks ● Discs can be named using a maximum of 100 characters. ● Up to 1,700 characters (approximately) can be used in the disc and track names on a single MiniDisc. you want to combine, and press the 06 button. ● The unit will enter the pause mode. 2 Press the EDIT button to select “COM- 1 Whilst in the stop mode, press the BINE”. EDIT button to select “DISC NAME”. 2 1 2 Press the ENTER/SYNC button.
5 When the letter you want is displayed, ■ Track name press the ENTER/SYNC button. ● To enter more letters in the name, repeat steps 3 - 5. Up to 100 characters can be entered for each name. the track which you want to name, 6 When the disc name has been com- 1 Play and press the 06 button. pletely entered, press the EDIT button. 5 6 ● The unit will enter the pause mode. 2 Press the EDIT button to select “TRACK Lights up NAME”.
■ To change disc names or track names ■ Name/stamp Master MiniDisc (Prerecorded MiniDisc) Some MiniDiscs created on other equipment may have more than 100 characters in a track name or disc name. The characters from the 101st character and on cannot be corrected or changed. Recordable MiniDisc To delete characters: 1. The sound is recorded. 2. The character information, such as the disc name and track names is transferred 1 Put the unit in the character input mode.
2 When the recording is complete, remove 8 Press the ENTER/SYNC button. ● The unit will finish recording the character information and enter the stop mode. the newly recorded MiniDisc and load the master MiniDisc into the MD-MT20H. ● Do not mistake the master MiniDisc for the newly recorded MiniDisc. 3 Whilst in the stop mode, press the EDIT button to select “NAME STAMP”. 4 Press the ENTER/SYNC button. ● To cancel the operation, press the ■/:OFF button.
USING WITH OTHER EQUIPMENT ● Before connecting any other equipment, turn off the power to all units. ● Connect the plugs securely. Improper connections may cause noise or malfunctions.
CONVENIENT OPERATION OF THE UNIT ■ Checking the remaining amount of battery charge ■ To prevent the unit from being operated by mistake The remaining amount of battery charge is shown by the battery indicator ( ) during operation. Battery indicator To avoid accidental operation of the unit, use the hold function. Move the HOLD switch to the safety position (direction indicated by the arrow). ● When the unit is in the hold mode, pressing the buttons will have no affect.
■ To cancel the auto-play function When a MiniDisc is inserted, the power will be turned on automatically, and playback will begin. You can cancel automatic playback. 1 Whilst in the stop mode ... Hold down the MODE button until “SET UP” appears. ● When you release the button, “BEEP ON” or “BEEP OFF” will appear. ■ To eliminate the confirmation sound Every time a button is pressed, a “beep” will be heard in the earphones.
About the sound skip guard memory: During playback, approximately 10 seconds of information is stored in the semiconductor memory. Therefore, even when the pickup cannot read information for a second or two due to an external shock, the sound will continue without interruption because the information stored in memory is used. About the auto power save function: This is a function used to save power when using the unit with the rechargeable battery or the alkaline batteries.
WHAT IS A MINIDISC? A MiniDisc is a disc inside a protective cartridge. You can handle it freely without worrying about dust, fingerprints, etc. However, if dust enters the opening of the cartridge, or there is excessive dirt on the cartridge, or the cartridge becomes warped, you may experience malfunctions. Please note the following. ■ Where not to store discs ■ Handling the MiniDisc Do not store discs in places with high temperatures or humidity.
Many potential “problems” can be resolved by the owner without calling a service technician. If something seems to be wrong with this product, check the following before calling your authorised SHARP dealer or service centre. PROBLEM CAUSE The unit does not turn on. ● ● ● ● ● No sound is heard from the earphones.
MINIDISC SYSTEM LIMITATIONS MiniDiscs are recorded using a different system than is used for cassette tapes or DAT recordings. Therefore, the following conditions may be encountered, depending on how the disc has been recorded or edited. These are due to system limitations, and should be considered normal. Even if the maximum recording time of a MiniDisc has not been reached, “DISC FULL” or “TOC FULL” may be displayed.
ERROR MESSAGES Error messages Meaning ● The battery run down. BATT EMPTY BLANK DISC Can’t COPY Can’t EDIT Can’t REC Can’t WRITE ● Nothing is recorded. ● No copy can be made because of the SCMS copyright system. ● A track cannot be edited. ● Recording cannot be performed correctly due to vibration or shock in the unit. ● Editing is impossible. ● The disc is scratched.
MAINTENANCE ■ Cleaning When the unit becomes dirty Clean it with a soft cloth. When the unit is excessively dirty, use a soft cloth dampened in water. (External surfaces only) Notes: ● Do not use chemicals for cleaning (petrol, paint thinner, etc.) It may affect the quality or colour. ● Do not apply oil to the inside of the unit. It may cause malfunctions. Clean the earphone plug and the connecting cable plug. This will prevent noise.
● The continuous recording time is for analogue inputs when the volume level is set to “VOL 0”. ● The continuous play time shows the value when the volume level is set to “VOL 15”. ● The above values are the standard values when the unit is charged and used at an ambient temperature of 20°C (68°F). ● The operating time when using an alkaline batteries may be different, depending on the type and manufacturer of the battery, and on the operating temperature.
TERMS OF GUARANTEE Subject to the terms listed below, Sharp Electronics (U.K.) Ltd. (hereinafter called “the Company”) guarantee to provide for the repair of, or at its option replace this Sharp Equipment, or any component thereof, (other than batteries), which is faulty or below standard, as a result of inferior workmanship or materials. The conditions of this guarantee are: 1.
