4-241-664-12(1) Compact Disc Recorder Operating Instructions Owner’s Record The model and serial numbers are located on the rear panel. Record the serial number in the space provided below. Refer to them whenever you call upon your Sony dealer regarding this product. Model No. RCD-W3 ©2002 Sony Corporation RCD-W3 Serial No.
WARNING To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture. To avoid electrical shock, do not open the cabinet. Refer servicing to qualified personnel only. This appliance is classified as a CLASS 1 LASER product. The label is located on the rear exterior. CAUTION The use of optical instruments with this product will increase eye hazard. As the laser beam used in this CD player is harmful to eyes, do not attempt to disassemble the cabinet.
Precautions On safety • Should any solid object or liquid fall into the cabinet, unplug the recorder and have it checked by qualified personnel before operating it any further. • The use of optical instruments with this product will increase the risk of eye hazard. On cleaning • Fingerprints or dust on the disc may cause poor sound reproduction or sound dropout. • Before playing a disc, clean it with a cleaning cloth. Wipe the disc from the center out.
Contents Getting Started Unpacking ............................................. 5 Hooking Up the System ........................ 5 This Recorder Can Use the Following Discs ................................................ 6 Basic Operations Playing a CD ......................................... 7 Using the display ................................... 8 Locating a Specific Track .................... 10 Locating a Particular Point in a Track ......................................
Getting Started Unpacking Hooking Up the System • Audio connecting cord (2) • Remote commander (remote) (1) • Size AA (R6) batteries (2). Inserting batteries into the remote You can control the recorder using the supplied remote. Overview This section describes how to hook up the CD recorder to an amplifier. Be sure to turn off the power of each component before making the connections. Use the audio connecting cord (supplied) (2).
Hookups This Recorder Can Use the Following Discs Connecting the recorder to an amplifier Connect the amplifier to the ANALOG IN/ OUT jacks using the audio connecting cords (supplied), making sure to match the colorcoded cords to the appropriate jacks on the components: red (R) to red and white (L) to white. Be sure to make connections firmly to prevent hum and noise.
Basic Operations Playing a CD In this manual, the CD player section is just called DECK A, and the CD-R and CD-RW recording section is called DECK B. POWER OPEN/CLOSE A Do the following: Stop playback Press x. Pause playing Press X. Press the button again or press H to resume playing. Select a track Press AMS* >. Go to the beginning of the current track or the preceding track Press AMS ..
Using the display When you check the total number of tracks and total playing time of the disc while the recorder is stopped, the information appears as follows: DECK A Checking the information of the disc Each time you press the TIME button while the recorder is playing, the front panel display for any deck that has a disc inside shows information as follows: DECK A The track number and playing time are displayed.
Checking the remaining recordable time The TOC indicator For details on finalizing, refer to page 19, and page 20 for unfinalizing. Note Before using the remote, set SELECT to CDR for operations on DECK B. Each time you press TIME, the front panel display is change as below. When you put a CD or finalized CD-R disc in a disc tray, the CD indicator lights up as “CD.” Basic Operations When you placed an unfinalized CD-R or CDRW in the DECK B, you can also check the remaining recordable time.
Locating a Specific Track You can quickly locate any track while playing a disc by using the AMS . and > (Automatic Music Sensor) on the deck, . and > buttons on the remote, or number buttons on the remote. Before using the remote, set SELECT to CD for operations on DECK A, or to CDR for operations on DECK B. AMS ./> To locate Do the following: Stop playback Press x. The next or succeeding tracks During playback, press AMS* > until you find the track. The beginning During playback, press AMS .
Locating a Particular Point in a Track Before using the remote, set SELECT to CD for operations on DECK A, or to CDR for operations on DECK B. You can play tracks repeatedly in any play mode. Before using the remote, set SELECT to CD for operations on DECK A, or to CDR for operations on DECK B. Basic Operations You can also use the m and M buttons to locate a particular point in a track during playback or playback pause.
Playing in Random Order (Shuffle Play) You can have the recorder “shuffle” tracks and play them in random order. Before using the remote, set SELECT to CD for operations on DECK A, or to CDR for operations on DECK B. Creating Your Own Program (Program Play) You can specify the playback order of the tracks on a disc to create your own programs containing up to 20 tracks. Before using the remote, set SELECT to CD for operations on DECK A, or to CDR for operations on DECK B.
To erase the last programmed track Press CLEAR on the remote. Each time you press the button, the last programmed track is erased. The program remains even after Program Play ends. When you press H, you can play the same program again. Notes • “Full” appears on the front panel display when you program over 20 tracks. Erase the unnecessary tracks to enter other tracks. • The program is erased when you press POWER to turn off.
Recording on CDR Recording a CD to CD-R or CD-RW disc at Normal Speed (Normal Speed Synchro-Recording) You can easily make digital recordings from a CD to a CD-R, or CD-RW, making track numbers in the same sequence as the original CD. Before recording, see “Notes” on page 16. After recording, you must finalize the disc. Until the disc is properly finalized, it cannot be played on any other machine. See “Finalizing a CD-R or CD-RW disc” on page 19.
Recording a CD to CD-R or CD-RW disc at High Speed (High Speed Synchro-Recording) Before recording, see “Notes” on page 16. After recording, you must finalize the disc. Until the disc is properly finalized, it cannot be played on any other machine. See “Finalizing a CD-R or CD-RW disc” on page 19. CD SYNCHRO HIGH CD SYNCHRO HIGH 3 Press A of DECK A and place a CD on the disc tray. Press A of DECK A again to close the disc tray. 4 Press CD SYNCHRO HIGH.
Notes • You cannot record over existing material. The recorder automatically starts recording from the end of the existing material. • Make sure that the remaining recordable time on the CD-R or CD-RW is longer than the playing time of the CD, especially if you want to record all the tracks on the CD. • You cannot pause recording in Synchro-Recording. • If the play mode is set to Repeat Play, it automatically switches to normal play in step 4.
Recording on a CD-R or CD-RW disc Manually You can start recording from the end of the existing material. To perform Synchro-Recording, see “Recording a CD to CD-R or CD-RW disc at Normal Speed” on page 14 or “Recording a CD to CD-R or CD-RW disc at High Speed” on page 15. only), if necessary. For details, see “Adjusting the Recording Level” on page 18. 6 Press H. 7 Start playing the sound source you want to record. Recording on CDR When using the remote, set SELECT to CDR for operations on DECK B.
Adjusting the Recording Level (ANALOG IN only) You can adjust the recording level using the REC LEVEL control on the front panel. Adjust the recording level so that the “OVER” indicator on the level is not normally appears. Auto/Manual Track Increment Press LEVEL SYNC to select how tracks will be numbered on the recorded disc. The “OVER” indicator If rec level is too loud, “OVER” appears in the front panel.
Finalizing a CD-R or CDRW disc When using the remote, set SELECT to CDR for operations on DECK B. indicator is flashing. Finalizing starts. During finalizing, “ TOC WRITE” appears in the display and the remaining time for finalizing appears in the display. When the finalizing process is finished, the total track number and the total playing time appear in the display and the TOC (red) indicator lights off. Recording on CDR Finalizing completes the recording of a disc.
Unfinalizing a CD-RW disc A CD-RW disc is both recordable and rewritable. However, the process of rewriting or erasing is different from of cassette tapes. Unfinalizing a CD-RW disc A finalized CD-RW is neither recordable nor rewritable. If you want to add new tracks or erase single tracks, you must first unfinalize the disc. When using the remote, set SELECT to CDR for operations on DECK B. ERASE ERASE 1 Press the ERASE button.
Erasing a single track of CD-RW disc Erasing the entire contents of a CD-RW disc is easy, and it does not matter whether the disc has been unfinalized or not. When using the remote, set SELECT to CDR for operations on DECK B. Recording on CDR You can erase one track on a CD-RW at a time. This process starts with the last track on the disc. Please note that before erasing a track, you must unfinalize the disc.
Additional Information Error Messages The following table explains the error messages that appear in the display. Message Explanation CHECK DISC • A record-related button has been pressed when a finalized disc is in the DECK B. • A record-related button has been pressed when a standard CD is in the DECK B. DATA DISC A non-audio CD-ROM or a CDVideo disc has been placed in the machine. DISC ERROR • An unfinalized disc has been placed in the DECK A. • There is a problem with the disc.
Troubleshooting If you experience any of the following difficulties while using the recorder, use this troubleshooting guide to help you remedy the problem before requesting repairs. DECK A (the CD player section) • • • • • Insert a disc. Place the disc properly. Clean the disc. Place the disc with the label side up. Moisture condensation has formed inside the recorder. Take the disc out and leave the recorder turned on for about an hour until the moisture evaporates.
Specifications DECK A (the CD player section) System Laser Frequency response Signal-to-noise ratio Dynamic range Compact disc and digital audio system Semiconductor laser (λ = 780 nm) Emission duration: continuous 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz (±0.
