3-5369
Mini Cassette Recorder/Player
with Automatic Voice Activation
and Variable Speed Playback
User’s Guide
FCC INFORMATION
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.
In accordance with FCC requirements, changes or modifica-
tions not expressly approved by Thomson Consumer Electron-
ics could void the user’s authority to operate this product.
HEADPHONES USE
When you attach headphones (not included), the speaker is
automatically silenced for private listening.
Make sure you turn down the volume on the unit before you
put on headphones. Increase the volume to the desired level
only
after
headphones are in place.
POWER
There are two ways to supply power to your recorder:
B
ATTERY
I
NSTALLATION
1. Press down on the battery door and slide in the direction of
the arrow.
2. Insert two "AA" batteries - included- as shown in the dia-
gram on the back of the unit.
3. Replace the battery door.
I
MPORTANT
B
ATTERY
I
NFORMATION
• Alkaline batteries are recommended for best results. Using
nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries may result in shorter
playing time.
• If you do not intend to use the unit for a month or more,
remove the batteries to avoid leakage or subsequent
damage.
• Dispose of batteries in the proper manner, according to
federal, state and local regulations.
• Any battery may leak electrolyte if mixed with a different
battery type; if inserted incorrectly; if all batteries are not
replaced at the same time; if disposed of in fire; or if an
attempt is made to charge a battery not intended to be
recharged.
• Discard leaky batteries immediately to avoid possible skin
burns or other personal injury.
AC/DC P
OWER
C
ONVERTER
(N
OT
I
NCLUDED
)
You can use an AC/DC power converter to operate your re-
corder. Plug the barrel end of the converter into the recorder's
3V DC jack - automatically disconnecting the batteries - and
then plug into an AC household outlet.
TO INSERT OR REMOVE A CASSETTE
Make sure all buttons are in their "off" (up) position before
attempting to open the cassette compartment door.
1. Grasp both sides of the cassette compartment door and lift up.
2. Gently slide in a cassette with the exposed tape facing out
and the side you want to hear/record on showing through
the cassette door window.
3. Close cassette compartment door.
MIC SENSITIVITY SWITCH
Select HI sensitivity for recording at conferences or for general use.
Select LO sensitivity for close dictation.
NORMAL RECORDING
1. Slide AVR switch to the OFF position.
2. Select MIC sensitivity (HIGH or LOW).
3. Press the RECORD button. (The PLAY button will automati-
cally depress at the same time).
NOTE: If the RECORD button does not depress, see "Preventing
Accidental Erasure."
4. Speak normally into the microphone. To obtain optimum
recording quality, place the recorder with the microphone
freely exposed to sound source and as close as conveniently
possible.
5. When you finish recording, press the STOP button.
NOTES: The ALC (Automatic Level Control) will set the record level for
optimum recordings, regardless of volume setting.
Avoid recording near unwanted noise sources, such as air conditioners,
fans, etc.
AUTOMATIC VOICE-ACTIVATED RECORDING
The AVR feature allows the unit to sense and record sound
only when you are speaking into the microphone. When no
sound is detected for approximately 3 seconds, the unit will
stop recording. Recording will automatically begin again when
speaking resumes.
R
ECORDING
W
ITH
T
HE
AVR F
EATURE
1. Insert a blank cassette.
2. Slide AVR switch in the ON position.
3. Select MIC sensitivity (HIGH or LOW).
4. Push the RECORD button. (The PLAY button will automati-
cally depress at the same time.)
NOTE: If the RECORD button does not depress, see "Preventing
Accidental Erasure."
5. Use the VOLUME control to adjust the microphone's
sensitivity to a setting where recording starts without
missing more than a fraction of the first syllable of the
initiating sound.
NOTE: The first syllable of the first word may partially lost since it is
needed to activate the AVR feature. To prevent this loss, precede
your actual recording with some type of sound. Variations in voice
level during recording will not cause the unit to stop recording.
6. When you finish recording, press the STOP button.
P
AUSE
The PAUSE feature allows you to momentarily stop tape
activity in any mode without resetting the control buttons.
To use, simply slide the PAUSE switch to the ON position to
stop activity. Slide the switch back to the OFF position to
resume activity.
P
LAYBACK
To listen to a prerecorded cassette:
1. Insert a cassette as explained above.
2. Press the REW button to rewind the tape to its starting point
if necessary.
3. Press the PLAY button.
4. Adjust VOLUME to desired level.
V
ARIABLE
S
PEED
P
LAYBACK
During the Play mode, you can adjust the speed of prerecorded
tapes by rotating the Variable Speed Playback knob towards the
MAX (maximum) position. Tape playback will be approximately
30-50 percent faster than normal at the full MAX position.
F.
FWD
AND
R
EW
When not in the Play mode, you can use these buttons to
adjust the tape position. Press F.FWD to move the quickly
forward. Press REW to move the tape quickly backward.
C
UE
/R
EVIEW
This feature is helpful in finding the beginning or the end of
the recorded segment on the tape.
When in the Play mode, press and hold the F.FWD or REW
button and listen for a change from noise to silence (signaling
the end of the recording) or from silence to noise (beginning of
recording).
When you reach the portion of tape you want to hear, release
the F.FWD or REW button. Use the same procedure if you want
to skip a prerecorded portion or if you want to hear the same
portion again.
D
IGITAL
T
APE
C
OUNTER
The Digital Counter is used to quickly determine the approxi-
mate location of specific recording selections.
1. Rewind to the beginning of the tape.
2. Push the RESET COUNTER button until the readout window
shows "000". After material is recorded or played back,
make note of the numbers in the readout window. This will
serve as a reference for the start of the next selection or
recording.
3. To locate a selection of material, either rewind or fast
forward until the readout window shows the numbers you
noted in connection with that selection.
NOTE: The Digital Counter will not indicate actual distance in units
of measure; it determines only the relative location of each
selection.
A
UTOMATIC
S
TOP
When the unit is operating in the Play or Record mode and the
tape reaches its end, the unit will automatically shut itself off
and return all buttons to their off position.
ERASING CASSETTES
To erase a tape or a portion of a tape, simply rewind and
record over the unwanted material.
PREVENTING ACCIDENTAL ERASURE
Whenever you make a recording, any previous material on the
tape is automatically erased.
When you have a recording you want to keep permanently, break
out the rear left tab of the side you want to save.
When a cassette with the tab broken out is inserted in the cassette
compartment, accidental erasure is prevented by a lever in the
mechanism that keeps the RECORD button from depressing.
Cellophane tape can be placed over the broken tab if you decide
later that you want to record over the material on that side.
NOTE: This unit is equipped with a cassette sensing mechanism.
This mechanism prevents the RECORD button from being depressed
when a cassette is not present.
CAUTION/CARE
Do not expose the unit to extreme temperatures, such as those
caused by a hot stove or the inside of a car parked in the
summer sun. Such conditions can damage the unit. Always
clean with a soft cloth, dampened with water only.
Cleaning the Heads: Iron oxide particles eventually build up
on parts that touch the tape. This can cause a muffled sound.
Use liquid head cleaner or a head cleaning tape to clean the
heads.
SERVICE
This product should be serviced only by those specially trained
in appropriate servicing techniques. For instructions on how to
obtain service, refer to the warranty included in this Guide.
Attach your sales receipt to the booklet for future reference, or
jot down the date this product was purchased or received as a
gift. This information will be valuable if service should be
required during the warranty period.
Purchase Date ______________________
Name of Store ______________________
LIMITED WARRANTY
What your warranty covers:
• Any defect in material or workmanship.
For how long after the original purchase:
• One year.
(The warranty period for rental units begins with the first
rental or 45 days from date of shipment to the rental firm,
whichever comes first.)
What we will do:
• Provide you with a new or, at our option, a refurbished unit.
• The exchange unit is warranted for the remainder of your
product’s original warranty period.
How to make a warranty claim:
• Properly pack your unit. Include any cables, etc., which were
originally provided with the product. We recommend using
the original carton and packaging materials.
• Remove cassette tapes or CDs from unit before shipping as
these will not be returned.
• Include in the package evidence of purchase date, such as
the bill of sale. Also print your name and address and a
description of the defect. Send standard UPS or its equiva-
lent to:
Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
Product Exchange Center
11721 B Alameda Ave,
Socorro, TX 79927
• Pay any charges billed to you by the Exchange Center for
service not covered by the warranty.
• Insure your shipment in case of loss or damage. Thomson
accepts no liability in case of damage or loss.
• A new or refurbished unit will be shipped to you prepaid
freight.
What your warranty
does not
cover:
• Customer instruction. Your owner's manual provides
information regarding the operating instructions and user
controls. For additional information, ask your dealer.
• Installation and setup service adjustments
• Batteries
• Damage from misuse or neglect
• Products that have been modified or incorporated into other
products.
• Product purchased or serviced outside the USA
• Acts of God, such as but not limited to lightning damage.
How state law relates to this warranty:
• This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may
also have other rights which vary from state to state.
If you purchased your product outside of the U.S.A.:
• This warranty does not apply. Contact your dealer for
warranty information.
Quit Slacking-A little bit of slack in your tapes
can cause scratches on the tape, or worse
yet, the tape could break. If you notice some
slack in the tape, use a pencil to tighten it up
before you insert it.
A
©2000 Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
10330 N. Meridian St.
Indianapolis, IN 46290
Trademark(s) ® Registered
Marca(s) © Registrada(s)
Marque(s) © Deposée(s)
www.rca.com
Model 3-5369
55109430 (Rev. 0, EN/E)
The descriptions and characteristics given in this document are given as a general indication
and not as a guarantee. In order to provide the highest quality product possible, we reserve
the right to make any improvement or modification without prior notice. The English version
serves as the final reference on all product and operational details should any discrepancies
arise in other languages.
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