SONY TCM-454VK
Owner's Manual

z Additional Information

Recording from Various Sound Sources
The sound is recorded in monaural.
MIC (PLUG IN POWER)

Playing a Tape
VOL

Troubleshooting Precautions
On power �Operate the unit only on 3V DC. For AC operation, use the AC power adaptor recommended for the unit. Do not use any other type. For battery operation, use two size R6 (AA) batteries. On the unit �Do not leave the unit in a location near heat sources, or in a place subject to direct sunlight, excessive dust or mechanical shock. �Should any solid object or liquid fall into the unit, remove the batteries or disconnect the AC power adaptor, and have the unit checked by qualified personnel before operating it any further. �Keep personal credit cards using magnetic coding or spring-wound watches etc. away from the unit to prevent possible damage from the magnet used for the speaker. �If the unit has not been used for a long time, set it in the playback mode and warm it up for a few minutes before inserting a tape. On tapes longer than 90 minutes We do not recommend the use of tapes longer than 90 minutes except for a long continuous recording or playback. They are very thin and tend to be stretched easily. Should any problem persist after you have made these checks, consult your nearest Sony dealer. You cannot press r REC. m The tab on the tape has been removed. You cannot press ( PLAY. m The tape has reached the end. Rewind the tape. The unit does not operate. m The batteries have been inserted with incorrect polarity. m The batteries are weak. m PAUSE c is slid in the direction of the arrow. m The AC power adaptor or car battery cord is not firmly connected. m The batteries have been inserted, but simultaneously the AC power adaptor is connected and not to be done to the wall outlet. No sound comes from the speaker. m The earphone or headphones is plugged in. m The volume is turned down completely. Tape speed is too fast or too slow in the playback mode. m SPEED CONTROL is set at a point other than the center. The sound drops out or comes with excessive noise. m The volume is turned down completely. m The batteries are weak. m The heads are contaminated. See �Maintenance.� Recording cannot be made. m Connection is made incorrectly. m The batteries are weak. m The record/playback head is contaminated. m VOR has been set to the improper position when VOR function works. Recording is interrupted. m VOR is set to H or L. When you do not use VOR, set it to OFF. Recording cannot be erased completely. m The erase head is contaminated. m Recording or erasing is being made using recorded CrO2 (TYPE II) or metal (TYPE IV) tape.

Output TCM-473V: 2 (headphones) jack (stereo minijack) for 8-300 ohms headphones TCM-455V/454VK/453V: Earphone jack (minijack) for 8 - 300 ohms earphone Variable range of the tape speed from +30% to �15% Power requirements � Two size R6 (AA) batteries (TCM-455V for U.S.A.: supplied. Other models: not supplied): 3V DC � Two NC-AA rechargeable batteries (1.2 V) (supplied to TCM-454VK) DC IN 3 V jack accepts: � Sony AC power adaptor (supplied to TCM-454VK) or AC-E30HG AC power adaptor (not supplied) suitable in the country where the unit is to be used. � Sony DCC-E230 car battery cord (not supplied) for use on 12 V car battery. Dimensions (w/h/d) (incl. projecting parts and controls) 113 � 91 � 37 mm (41/2 � 3 5/8 � 11/2 in.) Mass (not incl. batteries) TCM-473V: 185g (6.6 oz.) TCM-455V/454VK/453V: 170g (6.0 oz.) Supplied accessories Hand strap (1) (attached to the unit) AC power adaptor (1) (TCM-454VK) Battery charger adaptor (1) (TCM-454VK) Rechargeable batteries (TCM-454VK) (2) (Models for U.S.A. and Canada: NC-AA, 1.2V, 600mAh, NiCd) (Model for Europe: NC-AA, 1.2V, 700mAh, Ni-Cd) Cassette tape DC-90 (TCM-455V for U.S.A.) (1) Sony alkaline battery LR6 (SG) (TCM-455V for U.S.A.) (2) Microphone (TCM-455V for U.S.A.) (1) Carrying pouch (TCM-455V for U.S.A.) (1) Headphones (1) (TCM-473V) Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

This warranty is valid only in the United States.

p STOP ( PLAY SPEED CONTROL 0 REW/REVIEW ) FF/CUE

Recording with an External Microphone
Connect a microphone to the MIC jack. The raised dot near the MIC jack identifies as the jack for a microphone, not an earphone. For TCM-455V for U.S.A.: Use the supplied microphone. For other models: Use a microphone of low impedance (less than 3 kilohms) such as ECM-T110 (not supplied). When using a plug-in-power system microphone, the power to the microphone is supplied from this unit. Note
When recording with an external microphone, the VOR system may not work properly because of the difference in sensitivity.
PAUSE

1 Insert a cassette with the side to start playing facing
the cassette holder.

2 Adjust the tape playback speed.
Set SPEED CONTROL to: SLOW (slow) to play back a tape slower. Center position to playback a tape at normal speed. FAST (fast) to play back a tape faster.

Recording from Another Equipment
Connect another equipment to the MIC jack using the RK-G64HG connecting cord (not supplied).

3 Press ( PLAY then adjust the volume. There is a

raised dot to show the direction to turn down volume beside VOL.

At the end of the tape, playback stops and the unit turns off automatically.
To Stop playback/stop fast forward or rewind Pause playback Press or slide p STOP PAUSE c in the direction of the arrow To release pause playdack, release PAUSE c*. Press and hold ) FF/CUE and release it at the point you want Press and hold 0 REW/REVIEW and release it at the point you want ) FF/CUE during stop 0 REW/REVIEW during stop r REC

For the customers in the USA and Canada RECYCLING NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERIES (Supplied to TCM-454VK only)
NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERY. BATTERY MUST BE RECYCLED OR DISPOSED OF PROPERLY. Nickel-Cadmium batteries are recyclable. You can help preserve our environment by returning your unwanted batteries to your nearest Sony Service Center or Factory Service Center for collection, recycling or proper disposal. Note: In some areas the disposal of nickelcadmium batteries in household or business trash may be prohibited. For the Sony Service Center nearest you call 1-800-222SONY (United States only) For the Factory Service Center nearest you call 416-499SONY (Canada only) Caution: Do not handle damaged or leaking nickelcadmium batteries.

Maintenance
Erase head Capstan

Pinch-roller Record/playback head Cotton swab

Search forward during playback (CUE) Search backward during playback (REVIEW) Fast forward** Rewind** Start recording during playback

Specifications
Recording system 2-track 1 channel monaural Frequency range TCM-473V: Recording: 250-6,300Hz TCM-473V: Playback: 100-8,000Hz TCM-455V/454VK/453V: 250-6,300Hz Speaker Approx. 3.6 cm (17�16 in.) dia. Power output TCM-473V: 130mW (at 10 % harmonic distortion) TCM-455V/454VK/453V: 300mW (at 10 % harmonic distortion) Input TCM-473V: Microphone input jack (minijack) sensitivity 0.2 mV for 3 kilohms or lower impedance microphone TCM-455V/454VK/453V: Microphone input jack (minijack) sensitivity 0.14 mV for 3 kilohms or lower impedance microphone

* PAUSE c will be also automatically released when p STOP is pressed (stop-pause-release function). ** If you leave the unit after the tape has been wound or rewound, the batteries will be consumed rapidly. Be sure to depress p STOP.

To clean the tape heads and path Wipe the heads, pinch rollers, and the capstans with a cotton swab moistened with alcohol every 10 hours of use. To clean the exterior Use a soft cloth slightly moistened in water. Do not use alcohol, benzine or thinner. Note (TCM-473V only)
Clean the headphones plug periodically.

To play back a tape recorded in stereo (TCM-473V only) The built-in speaker on this unit is monaural. To enjoy stereo sound, use the supplied headphones.

If you have any questions or problems concerning your unit, please consult your nearest Sony dealer.