background image

When playing back a previously recorded message, start from Step 1.
When playing back a message you have just finished recording, start from Step 3.

1

Select the folder.

See “Selecting the Folder”.

2

Select the message number.

* The display selected with the MENU/DISPLAY button appears (see the reverse side).

3

Start playback.

After playing back one message, the unit stops at the beginning of the next
message. When the continuous play function is set to “ON” (see the reverse
side), the unit stops after playing all messages in a folder.
When the last message on a folder has been played back, the unit stops at the
beginning of the last message.

For private listening

Connect an ear receiver or headphones (not supplied) to the 

i

 (earphone) jack.

The built-in speaker will be automatically disconnected. If noise is heard, wipe
the headphones plug.

Other operations

To

Do this

stop at the current position

Press 

Nx

PLAY/STOP or 

x

STOP.

To resume playback from that point,
press 

Nx

PLAY/STOP again.

go back to the beginning

Press – 

once.

of the current message

skip to the next  message

Press 

>

+

 

once.

go back to previous

Press – 

.

 or 

>

+

 

repeatedly.

messages/skip to succeeding

(During stop mode, keep the button

messages

pressed to skip the messages
continuously.)

1

Slide and lift the battery
compartment lid.

2

Insert two LR03 (size AAA)
alkaline batteries with
correct polarity, and close the
lid.

Clock setting display appears when you insert batteries for the first time, or
when you replace the batteries with new ones. Please refer to Steps 2 to 3 in
“Step 2: Setting the Clock” to set the date and time.

IC Recorder

Operating Instructions

2005 Sony Corporation        Printed in China

ICD-B120

Owner’s Record

The model number is located at the rear and the serial number is located inside the battery
compartment. Record the serial number in the space provided below. Refer to these numbers
whenever you call upon your Sony dealer regarding this product.

Model No. ICD-B120

Serial No. _____________________________________

Step 1: Installing the Batteries

Replacing the batteries

The battery indicator in the display
window shows the battery
condition.
When 

 flashes, replace the

batteries with new ones.
When 

 flashes, the batteries are

exhausted and the unit will stop
operation.

Battery life*

With continuous use, approx. 11 hours
recording/7.5 hours playback in the
HQ mode, and approx. 22 hours
recording/11 hours playback in the SP
and LP modes is possible.
* Using Sony alkaline batteries LR03

(size AAA)

* When playing back through the

internal speaker with the medium
volume level

The battery life may shorten
depending on the operation of the
unit.

Notes

• Do not use manganese batteries for

this unit.

• When you replace the batteries with

new ones,  the clock setting display
appears. In this case, set the date
and time again. The recorded
messages and alarm setting,
however, will remain.

• When replacing the batteries, be

sure to replace both batteries with
new ones.

• Do not charge dry batteries.
• When you are not going to use the

unit for a long time, remove the
batteries to prevent damage from
battery leakage and corrosion.

• The unit is accessing data while

“ACCESS“ appears in the display
window. While accessing, do not
remove the batteries. Doing so may
damage the data.

Clock setting display appears when you insert batteries for the first time, or when you replace the batteries with new ones. In
this case, proceed from step 2.

1

Display the clock setting display.

2

Set the date.

3

Set the time.

Tip

This unit does not have a power on/off switch.  The display is shown at all times.

2

Press 

Nx

PLAY/STOP.

The month digits will flash.

3

Set the month and day in sequence,
then press 

Nx

PLAY/STOP.

The hour digits will flash.

2

Press – 

.

 or 

>

+ to display

“SET DATE”.

3

Press 

Nx

PLAY/STOP.

The year digits will flash.

Tip

To set the date to Year 2005, display
“05Y”.

Step 2: Setting the Clock

Recording Messages

You can record up to 99 messages in each of the four folders (A, B, C, and D).
Since a newly recorded message is automatically added behind the last recorded
message, you can start recording quickly without searching for the end of the
last recording.

e.g.

Message 1

Message 2 Newly recorded message

Blank space

Note

Before making a long recording, be sure to insert new batteries and check the battery
indicator.

1

Select the recording mode.

See “Changing the Recording Mode” on the reverse side.

2

Select the folder.

See “Selecting the Folder”.

3

Start recording.

You do not need to keep pressing 

zX

REC/PAUSE while recording.

4

Stop recording.

If you do not change the folder after you stop recording, the next time you
record you will record in the same folder.

To

Do this

pause recording*

Press 

zX

REC/PAUSE.

During recording pause, the OPR indicator flashes in
red and “PAUSE” flashes in the display window.

release pause and

Press 

zX

REC/PAUSE.

resume recording

Recording resumes from that point.
(To stop recording after pausing recording, press

x

STOP.)

listen to the current

Press 

x

STOP to stop recording, then press

recording

Nx

PLAY/STOP.

review the current

Press 

Nx

PLAY/STOP during recording.

recording instantly

search backward during

Hold down – 

.

 during recording or recording

recording (Review)

pause. Recording mode will be released, and
reviewing of the current recording starts. If you
release the button, playback starts from that point.

select the microphone

You can select the microphone sensitivity using the

sensitivity

menu. See “Selecting the Microphone Sensitivity”.
H (high): To record at meeting or in a quiet and/or
spacious place.
L (low): To record for dictation or in a noisy place.

* About one hour after you pause recording, recording pause is automatically released

and the unit goes into the stop mode.

Selecting the Folder

1

Press MENU/DISPLAY for more than 1 second until
“MODE” appears in the display window.

2

Press – 

.

 or 

>

+ to select “FOLDER” and press

Nx

PLAY/STOP.

3

Press – 

.

 or 

>

+ to select the folder you want

and press 

Nx

PLAY/STOP.

4

Press MENU/DISPLAY to exit the menu mode.

Current folder 

B

Basic Operations

Information

IN NO EVENT SHALL SELLER BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT,
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY
NATURE, OR LOSSES OR EXPENSES RESULTING FROM ANY
DEFECTIVE PRODUCT OR THE USE OF ANY PRODUCT.

For the customers in the U.S.A.

INFORMATION

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the
FCC Rules.  These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation.  This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur
in a particular installation.  If this equipment does cause
harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can
be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of
the following measures:
– Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
– Increase the separation between the equipment and

receiver.

– Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different

from that to which the receiver is connected.

– Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician

for help.

You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not
expressly approved in this manual could void your authority
to operate this equipment.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.  Operation
is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may
not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept
any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.

If you have any questions about this product, you may call:
Sony Customer Information Services Center 1-800-222-7669 or
http://www.sony.com/

Disposal of Old Electrical & Electronic
Equipment (Applicable in the European Union
and other European countries with separate
collection systems)

This symbol on the product or on its packaging
indicates that this product shall not be treated
as household waste. Instead it shall be handed
over to the applicable collection point for the
recycling of electrical and electronic equipment.
By ensuring this product is disposed of
correctly, you will help prevent potential
negative consequences for the environment and

human health, which could otherwise be caused by
inappropriate waste handling of this product. The recycling of
materials will help to conserve natural resources. For more
detailed information about recycling of this product, please
contact your local city office, your household waste disposal
service or the shop where you purchased the product.

Note on recording

Noise may be recorded if an object,
such as your finger, etc., accidentally
rubs  or scratches the unit during
recording.

Maximum recording time

The maximum recording time of all
the folders is as follows.  You can
record messages for the maximum
recording time in a single folder.

HQ*

1 h. 45 min.

SP**

4 h. 40 min.

LP***

7 h. 45 min.

(h.: hours/min.: minutes)
* HQ: High quality recording mode

(monaural sound)

** SP: Standard play recording mode

(monaural sound)

***LP: Long play recording mode

(monaural sound)

Notes

• To record in better sound quality,

select the HQ mode.  For switching
the recording mode, see “Changing
the Recording Mode” on the reverse
side.

• Before making a long recording, be

sure to check the battery indicator.

• The maximum recording time and

the number of messages you can
make vary depending on the
conditions of use.

• When you record messages in the

mixture of HQ, SP and LP mode, the
maximum recording time will be
between those for the HQ and LP
modes.

• Due to the limitation of the IC

recording system, this unit records
in the minimum recording unit of
approx. 2 seconds at most, therefore
the following symptoms may occur:
– When a message is shorter than

the minimum recording unit, it is
still counted as approx. 2 seconds
at most so the remaining
recording time will decrease by
more than the actual length of the
message.

– When the message is longer than

the minimum recording unit, the
remaining recording time will
decrease by more than the actual
length of the message if it cannot
be divided by the minimum
recording unit without a
remainder.

– The sum of the number on the

counter (elapsed recording time)
and the remaining recording time
may be less than the unit’s
maximum recording time.

Remaining memory
indication

During recording, the remaining
memory indicator decreases one by
one.

The memory is
nearly full.

Flashing

When the remaining time of
recording reaches 5 minutes, the
last one of the indication flashes.
If the remaining recording time
display mode is selected,
“REMAIN” and the counter display
flash when the remaining time
reaches 1 minute.
To continue recording, first erase
some of the messages.

Notes

• If you press 

zX

REC/PAUSE when

the memory is full, “FULL” will flash
with an alarm sound. Erase some of
the messages before you start
recording again.

• If you press 

zX

REC/PAUSE after

you have recorded 99 messages,
“FULL” will flash with an alarm
sound. Select another folder or erase
some of the messages.

Starting recording
automatically in response
to the sound — Advanced
VOR function

When VOR (voice operated
recording) is set to ON in the menu,
recording starts when the recorder
detects sound. (“VOR” is displayed
in the display window.)

Recording stops when no sound is
heard. (“VOR PAUSE” flashes in
the display window.)

Note

VOR function is affected by the sound
around you.  Set the microphone
sensitivity to “H (high)” or  “L (low)”
using the menu. If recording is not
satisfactory after you have changed
the microphone sensitivity, or for
important recording, set VOR to OFF.

Playing Back Messages

B

Getting started

Troubleshooting

Before taking the unit for repair, check the following
sections.  Should any problem persist after you have
made these checks, consult your nearest Sony dealer.

The unit does not operate.

• The batteries have been inserted with incorrect

polarity.

• The batteries are weak.
• The buttons are locked with the HOLD switch. (If

you press any button, “HOLD” will flash for 3
seconds.)

No sound comes from the speaker.

• The ear receiver or headphones are plugged in.
• The volume is turned down completely.

“FULL” is displayed and you cannot start
recording.

• The memory is full. Erase some of the messages.
• 99 messages have been recorded in the selected

folder. Select another folder or erase some of the
messages.

Noise is heard.

• An object, such as your finger, etc., accidentally

rubbed or scratched the unit during recording so
that noise was recorded.

• The unit was placed near an AC power source, a

fluorescent lamp or a mobile phone during
recording or playback.

• Plug of the connected microphone was dirty when

recording. Clean the plug.

• Ear receiver/headphones plug is dirty. Clean the

plug.

Recording level is low.

• Set the microphone sensitivity to “H (high)” using

the menu.

Recording is interrupted.

• The advanced VOR function is activated.  Set VOR

to “OFF”.

Recording level is unstable (when recording
music, etc.).

• This unit is designed to automatically adjust the

recording level when recording meetings, etc., and
is not suitable for music recording.

“--Y--M--D” or “--:--” is displayed.

• You have not set the clock.

“--Y--M--D” or “--:--” is displayed on the REC
DATE display.

• The date and time of recording will not be

displayed if you recorded the message when the
clock was not set.

You cannot divide a message.

• You cannot divide a message in a folder which has

99 messages.

• If you divide messages frequently, the unit may

become unable to divide a message.

• You cannot divide a message in the first or the last

1 second of a message.

It takes longer for the unit to start
operation.

• If you divide messages too frequently while the

unit is recording them, the following phenomenon
may occur: The OPR indicator keeps flashing, and
you cannot operate the unit for a certain period.
This is not a malfunction. Wait until the OPR
indicator goes off.

You cannot record messages up to the
maximum recording time.

• If you record messages in a mixture of HQ, SP and

LP modes, the recordable time varies from the
maximum HQ mode recording time to the
maximum LP mode recording time.

• No more recording can be made when 99 messages

each have been recorded in a folder.

• Due to the limitation of the IC recording system,

this unit records in the minimum recording unit. If
the length of each message cannot be divided by
the minimum recording unit, the remaining
recording time may decrease by more than the
total length of the messages.

The unit does not operate correctly.

• Take out the batteries and insert them again.

Please note that recorded messages may be erased
during service or repair work.

Playing back a message
repeatedly
— Repeat Play

During playback, press

Nx

PLAY/STOP for more than

one second.

“ will be displayed and the

selected message will be played
back repeatedly.
To resume normal playback, press

Nx

PLAY/STOP again. To stop

playback, press 

x

STOP.

Playing back all messages
in a folder continuously
— Continuous Play

You can select the continuous play
mode with the CONT in the menu.
When you set CONT to ON, you
can play back all messages in a
folder continuously.

Searching forward/
backward during playback
(Cue/Review)

To search forward, keep 

>

+

pressed during playback and
release the button at the point you
wish to resume playback.
To search backward, keep – 

.

pressed during playback and
release the button at the point you
wish to resume playback.

If you keep 

>

+ or – 

.

pressed,

the unit starts to search at higher
speed.
For the first 10 seconds of cue/
review, fast playback sound can be
heard. When searching at a higher
speed, playback sound will not be
heard.
During cue/review, the counter
will be displayed, regardless of the
display mode setting.

1

Tip

When fast playback is done to the end
of the last message,  “END” flashes for
5 seconds. (You cannot hear the
playback sound.) If you keep – 

.

pressed while “END” is flashing, the
messages are played back rapidly, and
normal playback will start at the point
you release the button.
When “END” stops flashing and the
OPR indicator goes off, the unit will
stop at the beginning of the last
message.
If the last message is long and you
wish to start playback at a later part of
the message, keep 

>

+ pressed to

play back the message to the end and
then press – 

.

 while “END” is

flashing to go back to the desired
point.
(For messages other than the last one,
go to the beginning of the next
message and play backward to the
desired point.)

1

Press – 

.

 or 

>

+ to select

the digits of the year.

Make sure to insert both
of the batteries from
their – ends.

Printed on 100% recycled
paper using VOC (Volatile
Organic Compound)-free
vegetable oil based ink.

1

Press MENU/DISPLAY for more
than 1 second until “MODE”
appears in the display window.

The unit enters the menu mode.

Selecting the Microphone Sensitivity

1

Press MENU/DISPLAY for more than 1 second until
“MODE” appears in the display window.

2

Press – 

.

 or 

>

+ to select “SENS” and press

Nx

PLAY/STOP.

3

Press – 

.

 or 

>

+ to select “H (high sensitivity)”

or “L (low sensitivity)”  and press 

Nx

PLAY/STOP.

4

Press MENU/DISPLAY to exit the menu mode.

If the battery compartment lid is
accidentally detached,  attach it as
illustrated.

Press – 

or 

>

+ to

display the desired
message number.

>

+: for larger

message number

– 

.

: for smaller

message number

Counter
display*

Selected message number

Number of
messages in
a folder

2

 Adjust the volume

with the VOL control.

i

 (earphone) jack

1

 Press 

Nx

PLAY/STOP.

Counter display (or the
selected display mode)

x

STOP

OPR indicator

(lights in green during
playback.)

1

Press 

zX

REC/PAUSE.

* The display selected

with the MENU/
DISPLAY button
appears.

Current message
number
Counter display*

2

Speak to the
built-in
microphone.

OPR indicator

(lights in red during
recording.)

Remaining memory
indicator

Recording mode

Press 

x

STOP.

The unit stops at the
beginning of the current
recording.

Nx

PLAY/STOP

– 

.

(Review)

zX

REC/PAUSE

3

Set the minute.

4

Press 

Nx

PLAY/STOP at the time

signal.

The display will return to “SET
DATE”.

5

Press MENU/DISPLAY to exit from
the menu mode.

If the unit is left unused for more
than 3 seconds in the stop mode, the
display will show the current time.

1

Press – 

.

 or 

>

+ to select

the digits of the hour.

2

Press 

Nx

PLAY/STOP.

The minute digits will flash.

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