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3-242-997-

12

 (1)

IC Recorder

Operating Instructions

Sony Corporation 

2002     Printed in Japan

ICD-B5

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-B5

Serial No.

Step 1: Installing the Batteries

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

2

1

Slide and lift the battery
compartment lid.

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

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

1

2

1

2

Clock setting display appears when you insert batteries for the first time, or
when you insert batteries after the unit has been without batteries for a certain
period of time. Please refer to Steps 2 to 3 in “Step 2: Setting the Clock” to set the
date and time.

Replacing the batteries

The battery indicator on 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. 10 hours
recording/8 hours playback is
possible.
* Using Sony alkaline batteries LR03

(size AAA)

* When playing back through the

internal speaker with VOL control at
around 4

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,

insert the new ones within 3
minutes after you removed the
exhausted ones. Otherwise, the
display may show the clock setting
display or incorrect date and time
when you reinsert the batteries. 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.

Clock setting display appears when you insert batteries for the first time, or when you insert battery after the unit has been
without battery for a certain period of time. In this case, proceed from step 2.

Display the clock setting display.

Set the date.

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.

1

2

Press – 

.

 once to display “SET

DATE”.

3

Press 

Nx

PLAY/STOP.

The year digits will flash.

1

Tip

To set the date to Year 2002, display
“02Y”.

2

Step 2: Setting the Clock

Set the time.

3

3

Set the minute.

4

Press 

Nx

PLAY/STOP at the time

signal.

The display will return to “SET
DATE”.

5

Press MENU to exit from the menu
mode.

Recording Messages

You can record up to 99 messages in each of the two folders (A and B).
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.

Note

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

Select the folder.

Start recording.

You do not need to keep pressing 

z

REC/STOP while recording.

1

Press 

z

REC/STOP.

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

stop recording

Press STOP instead of 

z

REC/STOP.

pause recording*

Press 

X

PAUSE.

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

release pause and

Press 

X

PAUSE or 

z

REC/STOP.

resume recording

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

listen to the current

Press 

z

REC/STOP or STOP to stop recording,

recording

then press 

Nx

PLAY/STOP.

review the current

Press 

Nx

PLAY/STOP during recording.

recording instantly

select the microphone

You can select the microphone sensitivity to display

sensitivity

the following by pressing MIC SENS.
HIGH: To record at meeting or in a quiet and/or
spacious place.
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.

3

2

e.g.

X

PAUSE

STOP

Press 

z

REC/STOP again.

The unit stops at the
beginning of the current
recording.

B

Basic Operations

Remaining
memory
indicator

* The display selected with

the DISPLAY button
appears.

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.

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.

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

Precautions

On power

• Operate the unit only on 3 V DC. Use two LR03 (size AAA)

alkaline batteries.

On safety

• Do not operate the unit while driving, cycling or operating

any motorized vehicle.

On handling

• 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 and have the unit checked by qualified
personnel before operating it any further.

On noise

• Noise may be heard when the unit is placed near an AC

power source, a fluorescent lamp or a mobile phone during
recording or playback.

• Noise may be recorded when an object, such as your finger,

etc., rubs or scratches the unit during recording.

On maintenance

• To clean the exterior, use a soft cloth slightly moistened in

water. Do not use alcohol, benzine or thinner.

Keep personal credit cards using magnetic coding or spring-
wound watches, etc., away from the unit to prevent possible
damage from the magnet used in the speaker.

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

Backup recommendations

To avoid potential risk of data loss caused by accidental
operation or malfunction of the IC recorder, we recommend
that you save a backup copy of your recorded messages on
a tape recorder, etc.

Current folder

Press FOLDER to
display the folder in
which you wish to
record messages.

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

You can record for up to 150
minutes. You can check the
remaining amount of recording
time by selecting the remaining
recording time display mode.

Notes

Due to the limitation of the IC
recording system, this unit records in
the minimum recording unit of
approx. 9 seconds, therefore the
following symptoms may occur:
• When a message is shorter than the

minimum recording unit, it is still
counted as approx. 9 seconds 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 (150
minutes).

Remaining memory
indication

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

When the remaining time of
recording reaches  5 minutes, the
last one of the indication flashes.
When the remaining time of
recording reaches 1 minute, the
selected display mode and
“REMAIN” will flash one after the
other in the display window. When
the memory is full, recording
automatically stops and “FULL”
will flash in the display window
with an alarm sound. To continue
recording, first erase some of the
messages.

Notes

• If you press 

z

REC/STOP 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 

z

REC/STOP after you

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

Flashing

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

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.

Select the folder.

Select the message number.

1

Press FOLDER to display
the folder you wish to
play back.

Press – 

or 

>

+ to

display the desired
message number.

>

+: for larger

message number

– 

.

: for smaller

message number

Selected message number

Current folder

Counter
display*

Playing Back Messages

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 earphone or headphones (not supplied) to the EAR jack. The built-in
speaker will be automatically disconnected. If you plug in headphones, you will
get output from the left channel only.  If noise is heard, wipe the headphones
plug.

Other operations

To

Do this

stop at the beginning of

Press STOP.

the current message

stop at the current position

Press 

Nx

PLAY/STOP.

(Playback Pause function)*

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.)

* You can also pause playback by pressing 

X

PAUSE instead of 

Nx

PLAY/STOP.

The OPR indicator will flash in green.  After about one hour, the unit goes into the
stop mode at the current position.

3

2

 Turn VOL to adjust the

volume.

EAR jack

1

 Press 

Nx

PLAY/STOP.

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 three
times.)

No sound comes from the speaker.

• The earphone 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 has 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.

• Earphone/headphones plug is dirty. Clean the

plug.

Recording level is low.

• Press MIC SENS to display “HIGH”.

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.

“-M--D ---:--” is displayed.

• You have not set the clock.

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

• The date of recording will not be displayed if you

recorded the message when the clock was not set.

You cannot add an index.

• You cannot add an index in a folder which has 99

messages.

• If you add indexes frequently, the unit may

become unable to add indexes.

• You cannot add an index in the first or the last 1

second of a message.

You cannot erase the index.

• If you erase indexes frequently, the unit may

become unable to erase indexes.

You cannot record messages up to the
maximum recording time (150 minutes).

• No more recording can be made when 99 messages

each have been recorded in both A and B folders.

• Due to the limitation of the IC recording system,

this unit records in the minimum recording unit of
approx. 9 seconds. 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 battery and insert it again.

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

2

Counter display (or the
selected display mode)

STOP

Nx

PLAY/STOP

MIC SENS

* The “ALARM” display

may appear instead of
the “BEEP” display .

Current
message
number

Counter
display*

1

Tip

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

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 STOP.

Playing the beginning of
each message
— Scanning Play

During stop mode, press

Nx

PLAY/STOP for more than

one second.
“SCAN” will be displayed in the
display window and the first 5
seconds of each message in the
selected folder will be played back.
When you find the desired
message, press 

Nx

PLAY/STOP.

The message will be played back
until the end.

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

for more than 10 seconds, 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.

¡

Tip

When fast playback is done to the end
of the last message,  “END” flashes 3
times. (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 MENU to enter the menu
mode.

1

Press – 

.

 or 

>

+ to select

the digits of the year.

1

Press – 

.

 or 

>

+ to select

the digits of the hour.

2

Press 

Nx

PLAY/STOP.

The minute digits will flash.

2

Speak to the built-in
microphone.

OPR indicator

(lights in red during
recording.)

Message 1

Message 2

Blank space

Newly recorded message

OPR indicator

(lights in green during
playback.)

The memory is
nearly full.

1

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