Sony MHC-EC50 Operating Instructions

Mini HI-FI
Component System
Operating Instructions
Owner's Record
The model and serial numbers are located on the rear of the unit. Record these numbers in the space
provided below. Refer to them whenever you call upon your Sony dealer regarding this product.
Model No. ______________ Serial No. ______________
Printed on 100% recycled paper
using VOC (Volatile Organic
MHC-EC50
Compound)-free vegetable oil
based ink.
© 2005 Sony Corporation
Printed in China
Except for customers in the
WARNING
U.S.A. and Canada
This appliance is
To reduce the risk of fire or electric
classified as a CLASS
shock, do not expose this apparatus to
1 LASER product. This
rain or moisture. marking is located on the
rear exterior.
To reduce the risk of fire, do not cover the ventilation of
the apparatus with newspapers, tablecloths, curtains, etc.
For customers in the U.S.A.
And do not place lighted candles on the apparatus.
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not
place objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on the
apparatus.
Connect the unit to an easily accessible AC outlet.
Should you notice an abnormality in the unit, disconnect
the main plug from the AC outlet immediately.
Do not install the appliance in a confined space, such as
a bookcase or built-in cabinet.
CAUTION
The use of optical instruments with this product will
increase eye hazard.
Hooking up the system securely
Antennas
Keep the antennas away from the speaker cords to avoid
picking up noise.
FM lead antenna
(Extend it horizontally.)
AM loop antenna
Power
For models with a voltage selector, set VOLTAGE
SELECTOR to the local power line voltage.
Connect the power cord to a wall socket.
If the plug does not fit the wall socket, detach the
supplied plug adaptor (only for models equipped
with an adaptor).
Right speaker
Wall socket
This symbol is intended to alert the
2-639-174-12(1) user to the presence of uninsulated
"dangerous voltage" within the
product's enclosure that may be of
sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk
of electric shock to persons.
This symbol on the product or on its packaging indicates
that this product shall not be treated as household
This symbol is intended to alert the
waste. Instead it shall be handed over to the applicable
user to the presence of important
collection point for the recycling of electrical and
operating and maintenance (servicing)
electronic equipment. By ensuring this product is
instructions in the literature
GB
disposed of correctly, you will help prevent potential
accompanying the appliance.
negative consequences for the environment and human
health, which could otherwise be caused by inappropriate
WARNING
waste handling of this product. The recycling of
materials will help to conserve natural resources. For
This equipment has been tested and found to comply
more detailed information about recycling of this
with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant
product, please contact your local Civic Office, your
to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed
household waste disposal service or the shop where you
to provide reasonable protection against harmful
purchased the product.
interference in a residential installation. This equipment
Applicable accessories: Remote commander
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
U.S.A., Canadian and Australian
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
models only
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.
Note on DualDiscs
– Increase the separation between the equipment and
receiver.
A DualDisc is a two sided disc product which mates
– Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit
DVD recorded material on one side with digital
different from that to which the receiver is connected.
audio material on the other side. However, since the
– Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV
audio material side does not conform to the Compact
technician for help.
Disc (CD) standard, playback on this product is not
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
guaranteed.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
Music discs encoded with
(2) this device must accept any interference received,
copyright protection technologies
including interference that may cause undesired
operation. This product is designed to playback discs that
conform to the Compact Disc (CD) standard. Recently,
You are cautioned that any changes or modifications
various music discs encoded with copyright protection
not expressly approved in this manual could void your
technologies are marketed by some record companies.
authority to operate this equipment.
Please be aware that among those discs, there are some
that do not conform to the CD standard and may not be
playable by this product.
MPEG Layer-3 audio coding technology and patents
licensed from Fraunhofer IIS and Thomson.
When carrying this system
1
Remove all discs to protect the CD mechanism.
2
Hold down CD  (play/pause) on the unit, and press
 until "STANDBY" appears.
3
After "LOCK" appears, unplug the power cord.
Insert only the stripped portion of the cord.
Solid (Red/)
Solid (Black/)
Speakers
Attach the supplied speaker pads to the bottom of the
speakers to prevent slipping.
Disposal of Old Electrical & Electronic
Basic Operations
Equipment
(Applicable in the European Union
and other European countries with
separate collection systems)
ENERGY STAR ® is a U.S. registered
mark. As an ENERGY STAR ® partner,
Sony Corporation has determined that
this product meets the ENERGY STAR ®
guidelines for energy efficiency.
Before using the system
To use the remote

Slide and remove the battery compartment lid
insert the two R6 (size AA) batteries (not supplied), 
side first, matching the polarities shown below.
Notes on using the remote
• With normal use, the batteries should last for about six months.
• Do not mix an old battery with a new one or mix different types of
batteries.
• If you do not use the remote for a long period of time, remove the
batteries to avoid damage from battery leakage and corrosion.
To set the clock
1
Turn on the system.
Press  (power)  .
2
Select the clock set mode.

Press CLOCK/TIMER SET on the remote. If the
current mode appears on the display, press /

on the remote repeatedly to select "CLOCK," and

then press ENTER on the remote.
3
Set the time.

Press / on the remote repeatedly to set

the hour, and then press ENTER on the remote.
Use the same procedure to set the minutes.
The clock settings are lost when you disconnect the
power cord or if a power failure occurs.
Left speaker
Selecting a music source
Press the following buttons (or press FUNCTION
repeatedly).
To select Press

CD CD on the remote.
Tuner TUNER/BAND

Tape TAPE on the remote.

Component* (connected FUNCTION
using an audio cord) repeatedly until "AUDIO
IN" appears.
* If the component has the AVLS (Automatic Volume Limiter System)
or BASS BOOST function, turn off the function to avoid distorted
sound from the speakers.
Notes on playing multisession discs
Adjusting the sound
• If the disc begins with a CD-DA (or MP3) session, it is recognized
as a CD-DA (or MP3) disc, and playback continues until another
session is encountered.
To adjust the volume • A disc with a mixed CD format is recognized as a CD-DA (audio)
disc.
Press VOLUME +/– on the remote (or turn the

VOLUME control on the unit) .
To add a sound effect Listening to the radio
To Press
1
 Select "FM" or "AM."
Generate a more dynamic DSGX on the unit.
sound (Dynamic Sound
Press TUNER/BAND
Generator X-tra)
2
Select the tuning mode.

Set the sound effect EQ .
Press TUNING MODE
appears.
3
Tune in the desired station.
Playing a CD/MP3 disc
Press +/– on the remote (or TUNING + or – on the

unit) . Scanning stops automatically when a station
1 is tuned in.
Select the CD function.
Press CD on the remote (or FUNCTION repeatedly) To stop automatic scanning

.
Press  (stop) 
2
Place a disc.
To tune in a station with a weak signal
Press  (eject)  on the unit, and place a disc with
Press TUNING MODE
the label side up on the disc tray. To place additional
appears, and then press +/– on the remote repeatedly (or
discs, slide the disc tray with your finger as shown
TUNING + or – on the unit)
below.
station.
To close the disc tray, press  
on the unit.
To reduce static noise on a weak FM stereo
Do not force the disc tray closed with your finger, as
station
this may damage the unit.
Press FM MODE
"MONO" appears to turn off stereo reception.
Playing a tape
Use buttons on the unit for the operation.
1
Select a tape function.
Press FUNCTION repeatedly (or TAPE on the

remote) .
3
Select a disc.
2
Insert a tape.
If the discs are currently stopped, press DISC SKIP
Press  (stop/eject)
on the remote (or DISC SKIP/EX-CHANGE on the
tape into the cassette holder. Make sure there is no
unit)  . To change discs while in other functions,
slack in the tape to avoid damaging the tape or the

press DISC 1 – 3 on the unit.
tape deck.
4
Start playback.
3
Start playback.
 
Press  (play) (or CD  (play/pause) on
Press  (play)
the unit).
To exchange other discs during playback, press DISC
To
SKIP/EX-CHANGE  on the unit.
Pause playback
To Press
Stop playback
, and

Pause playback  (pause) on the remote
(or CD   Rewind or fast
on the unit). To
forward*
resume play, press it again.
 (stop)  * Be sure to press  (stop/eject)
Stop playback .
been wound or rewound to the end.

Select a folder on an +/– .
Note
MP3 disc
Do not turn off the system during playback or recording.
Select a track or file  (go back/go forward)
on the remote (  on the

unit) .
Changing the display
Hold down / (rewind/fast
Find a point in a

track or file forward) during playback, and
To change
release it at the desired point.
 Information on
Select Repeat Play REPEAT on the remote
the display
1)
repeatedly until "REP" appears.
Display mode
(Clock)
To change the play mode

Press PLAY MODE repeatedly while the player is
stopped. You can select normal play (no display for all
1) For example, you can view CD/MP3 disc information, such as the
track or file number or folder name during normal play, or the total
discs or "1 DISC" for a disc or " " for all MP3 files
play time while the player is stopped.
in the folder on the disc), shuffle play ("SHUF" for
2) The STANDBY indicator
all discs shuffle, "1 DISC SHUF" for one disc shuffle
off.
or " SHUF*" for folder shuffle), or program play
Notes on the display information
("PGM").
• The following are not displayed correctly;
* When playing a CD-DA disc, (SHUF) Play performs the same
– total playing time for a disc with MP3 files.
operation as 1 DISC (SHUF) Play.
– elapsed playing time and remaining time of an MP3 file encoded
Notes on Repeat Play using a VBR (variable bit rate) when the file is played or is shifted
with fast forward or fast reverse.
• All tracks or files on a disc are played repeatedly up to five times.
– folder and file names that do not follow either the ISO9660 Level
• You cannot select "REP" and "SHUF" (all discs shuffle) at the same
1 or 2 standard.
time.
• The following are displayed;
• "REP1" indicates that a single track or file is repeated until you stop
– ID3 tag information for MP3 files when ID3 version 1 and version
it.
2 tags are used.
Notes on playing MP3 discs
– up to 15 characters of ID3 tag information using uppercase letters
• Do not save other types of tracks or files or unnecessary folders on a
(A to Z), numbers (0 to 9), and symbols ('< > * + , – / @ [ \ ] _).
disc that has MP3 files.
• Folders that have no MP3 files are skipped.
• MP3 files are played back in the order that they are recorded onto
Using optional audio
the disc.
• The system can only play MP3 files that have a file extension of
 components
".MP3".
• If there are files on the disc that have the ".MP3" file extension,
but that are not MP3 files, the unit may produce noise or may
malfunction. To connect an optional headphones
• The maximum number of:
Connect headphones to the PHONES jack
– folders is 150 (including the root folder).
unit.
 – MP3 files is 255.
.
– MP3 files and folders that can be contained on a single disc is
To connect an optional component
256.
Connect additional audio source components to the
– folder levels (the tree structure of files) is eight.
AUDIO IN jack 
• Compatibility with all MP3 encoding/writing software, recording
device, and recording media cannot be guaranteed. Incompatible
supplied). Turn down the volume on the system, and then
MP3 discs may produce noise or interrupted audio or may not play
select the AUDIO IN function.
at all.

repeatedly.

repeatedly until "AUTO"
.

repeatedly until "MANUAL"

to tune in the desired

on the remote repeatedly until
 on the unit, and insert the

on the unit.
Press

 (pause) on the unit. To resume
play, press it again.
 (stop/eject) 
on the unit.
/ 
on the unit.

on the unit after the tape has
Press

DISPLAY repeatedly when the
system is on.

DISPLAY when the system is
off . The clock is displayed for eight
2)
seconds.
 lights up when the system is turned
 on the
on the unit using an audio cord (not