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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 (4
1
/2 × 3
5
/8 × 1
1
/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, Ni-
Cd)
(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.
Maintenance
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.
Playing a Tape
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.
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 Press or slide
Stop playback/stop p STOP
fast forward or rewind
Pause playback PAUSE c in the direction of the
arrow
To release pause playdack, release
PAUSE c*.
Search forward Press and hold ) FF/CUE and
during playback (CUE)
release it at the point you want
Search backward Press and hold 0 REW/REVIEW
during playback and release it at the point you want
(REVIEW)
Fast forward** ) FF/CUE during stop
Rewind** 0 REW/REVIEW during stop
Start recording r REC
during playback
* 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 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.
SPEED CONTROL
( PLAY
PAUSE
VOL
p STOP
0 REW/REVIEW
) FF/CUE
Recording from Various Sound
Sources
The sound is recorded in monaural.
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.
Recording from Another Equipment
Connect another equipment to the MIC jack using the
RK-G64HG connecting cord (not supplied).
MIC (PLUG IN POWER)
z Additional Information
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.
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 nickel-
cadmium batteries in household or
business trash may be prohibited.
For the Sony Service Center nearest you call 1-800-222-
SONY (United States only)
For the Factory Service Center nearest you call 416-499-
SONY (Canada only)
Caution: Do not handle damaged or leaking nickel-
cadmium batteries.
If you have any questions or problems concerning your
unit, please consult your nearest Sony dealer.
Troubleshooting
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 simultane-
ously 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
CrO
2 (TYPE II) or metal (TYPE IV) tape.
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 (1
7
⁄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
This warranty is valid only in the United States.
Erase head Capstan
Record/playback
head
Pinch-roller
Cotton swab