Sony ICD-BX800 Manual

This Class B digital apparatus complies with 

Canadian ICES-003.

The following FCC statement applies only to the 

version of this model manufactured for sale in the 

USA. Other versions may not comply with FCC 

technical regulations.

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.

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 Civic Office, your household waste 

disposal service or the shop where you purchased 

the product.

This symbol on the battery or on the 

packaging indicates that the battery 

provided with this product shall not 

be treated as household waste.

On certain batteries this symbol 

might be used in combination with a 

chemical symbol. The chemical symbols for mercury 

(Hg) or lead (Pb) are added if the battery contains 

more than 0.0005% mercury or 0.004% lead.

By ensuring these batteries are disposed of 

correctly, you will help prevent potentially negative 

consequences for the environment and human health 

which could otherwise be caused by inappropriate 

waste handling of the battery. The recycling of the 

materials will help to conserve natural resources.

In case of products that for safety, performance 

or data integrity reasons require a permanent 

connection with an incorporated battery, this battery 

should be replaced by qualified service staff only.

To ensure that the battery will be treated properly, 

hand over the product at end-of-life to the applicable 

collection point for the recycling of electrical and 

electronic equipment.

For all other batteries, please view the section on how 

to remove the battery from the product safely. Hand 

the battery over to the applicable collection point for 

the recycling of waste batteries.

For more detailed information about recycling of this 

product or battery, please contact your local Civic 

Office, your household waste disposal service or the 

shop where you purchased the product.

The manufacturer of this product is Sony 

Corporation, 1-7-1 Konan Minato-ku Tokyo, 

108-0075 Japan. The Authorized Representative for 

EMC and product safety is Sony Deutschland GmbH, 

Hedelfinger Strasse 61, 70327 Stuttgart, Germany. 

For any service or guarantee matters, please refer to 

the addresses given in separate service or guarantee 

documents.

Before taking the IC recorder for repair, 

check the following sections. Should any 

problem persist after you have made these 

checks, consult your nearest Sony dealer.

Please note that recorded messages may be 

erased during service or repair work.
The IC recorder cannot be turned off.

Slide the HOLD switch in the direction of 

the arrow when the IC recorder is in the 

stop mode.

The HOLD switch is set. Slide the HOLD 

switch in the direction opposite that of the 

arrow.

Remove the protective film on the display 

window before you use the IC recorder.

The batteries have been inserted with 

incorrect polarity.

The batteries are weak.

The power to the IC recorder is off. Slide the 

HOLD switch in the direction opposite that 

of the arrow.

The HOLD function is activated. Slide the 

HOLD switch in the direction opposite that 

of the arrow.

The volume is turned down completely.

Headphones are plugged in.

If you plug in the headphones not securely 

during playback, the sound may come from 

the speaker. Unplug the headphones, and 

then insert them securely.

“LED” is set to “OFF.” Display the menu and 

set “LED” to “ON.”

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The memory is full. Erase some of the 

messages.

99 messages have been recorded in the 

selected folder or 495 messages (when there 

are 5 folders) in total have been recorded. 

Therefore you cannot record another 

message, or move a message. Select another 

folder, or erase some of the messages.

The VOR function is activated. Set “VOR” to 

“OFF” in the menu.

An object, such as your finger, etc., 

accidentally rubbed or scratched the IC 

recorder during recording so that noise was 

recorded.

The IC recorder 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.

The 



 (headphones) plug is dirty. Clean 

the plug.

“SENS” (microphone sensitivity) is set to  

“

.” Display the menu and set “SENS” to 

“

.”

You need a certain amount of free space in 

the memory to divide a message.

If 99 messages have been recorded in a 

folder, you cannot divide a message in that 

folder. 99 messages have been recorded 

in the selected folder. Erase some of the 

messages.

You may not be able to divide a message at 

the beginning or at the end of the message 

because of system limitations.

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If you divide a message frequently, the unit 

may become unable to divide the message 

further.

You selected a message that has been locked. 

Set “LOCK” to “OFF” in the menu before 

dividing the message.

Connect the headphone jack of other 

equipment to the 



 (microphone) jack 

of the IC recorder and adjust the volume 

level on the equipment connected to the IC 

recorder.

The playback speed is adjusted in DPC. 

Adjust the speed in DPC again in the menu.

You have not set the clock.

The date of recording will not be displayed 

if you recorded the message when the clock 

was not set.

The clock setting will be reset within about 

1 minute. When you replace the batteries, 

please provide new batteries.

If the clock is not set, you cannot set the 

alarm.

You cannot set the alarm at the same date 

and time previously set on another message.

You cannot set the alarm when the time has 

already passed.

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The menu items displayed are different 

depending on the operation modes (stop 

mode, playback mode and recording mode).

The battery life is based on playback with 

the volume level set to 27. The battery life 

may shorten depending on the operation of 

the IC recorder.

Even if you do not use the IC recorder, 

the batteries are consumed slightly. The 

battery life in this case varies depending 

on humidity or other environmental 

conditions. Usually, the batteries last about 

2 months. If you do not intend to use the IC 

recorder for an extended period of time, it is 

recommended that you turn the power off or 

remove the batteries.

If the batteries are removed just after the 

menu setting is changed, the menu setting 

may not function.

If the IC recorder is required to process a 

large amount of data, it may take longer 

for the IC recorder to start. This is not a 

malfunction of the IC recorder. Wait until 

the start-up display disappears.

Take out the batteries and insert them again.

You selected a message that has been locked. 

Set “LOCK” to “OFF” in the menu before 

erasing the message.

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Batteries are exhausted. Replace the old 

batteries with new ones.

Set the clock; otherwise, you cannot set the 

alarm.

The remaining memory capacity of the IC 

recorder is insufficient. Erase some messages 

before recording.

As there are already 99 messages in the 

current folder, you cannot record a new 

message. Erase some messages before 

recording.

As there are already 99 messages in the 

folder to which you want to move a message, 

you cannot move the message. Erase some 

messages before moving.

The selected folder does not have any 

messages. You cannot move a message or set 

the alarm, etc., because of this.

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You set the alarm to play back a message at 

a date and time previously set on another 

message. Check the setting and set the 

appropriate date and time.

You set the alarm when the time has already 

passed. Check it and set the appropriate date 

and time.

You selected a message that has been locked. 

You cannot move it, erase it, add a new 

message to it, add an overwritten message to 

it, or divide it. Set “LOCK” to “OFF” in the 

menu before editing the message.

You cannot add a recording or overwrite a 

recording because “REC-OP” is set to “OFF.” 

Set it to “ON.”

A system error other than the above has 

occurred. Remove the batteries and re-insert 

them.

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There are some system limitations of the IC 

recorder. Troubles as mentioned below are 

not malfunctions of the IC recorder.
You cannot record messages up to the 

If you record messages in a mixture of 

SHQ, HQ, SP and LP modes, the recordable 

time varies from the maximum SHQ mode 

recording time to the maximum LP mode 

recording time.

The sum of the number on the counter 

(elapsed recording time) and the remaining 

recording time may be less than the IC 

recorder’s maximum recording time.

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You cannot specify the finishing point B 

before the starting point A has been set.

Depending on the files, the set positions 

may move.

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Remove the film on the display window 

before you use the IC recorder.

 

 

The stereo headphones, carrying pouch 

and stereo microphone with shirt-clip are 

supplied with some models in some regions 

only.

You are cautioned that any changes or 

modifications not expressly approved in 

this manual could void your authority to 

operate this equipment.

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 Built-in microphone
 Operation indicator
 Display window
 DIVIDE button
  REC/PAUSE button
 – (review/fast backward) button
  (stop) button
 Speaker
  (microphone) jack*
  (headphone) jack
 ERASE button
 VOL (volume) +*/– button
 FOLDER/MENU button
   (repeat) A-B button
  PLAY/STOP•ENTER button*
 + (cue/fast forward) button
 Strap hole (A strap is not supplied.)

These buttons and the jack have a tactile dot. 

Use it as a reference point for operations, or 

to identify each terminal.

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 Battery compartment
 HOLD switch
Display window

 Folder indicator

Displays the folder ( ,  ,  ,  , or 

 ) you have selected.

 Microphone sensitivity

Displays the microphone sensitivity.

For details about the settings, see 

“Menu settings” on the reverse side of 

this paper.

 Alarm indicator

Appears when the alarm is set for a 

message.

 Repeat play indicator

Appears when a message is played back 

repeatedly.

 Selected message number
 REC DATE (recorded date) indicator

The recorded date or time is displayed 

with the REC DATE indicator.

 REMAIN indicator

When the IC recorder is in the 

recording or stop mode, the remaining 

recording time is displayed with the 

REMAIN indicator, or when the IC 

recorder is in the playback mode, 

the remaining time of the current 

message is displayed with the REMAIN 

indicator.

 Remaining memory indicator

Displays the remaining memory and 

decreases one by one during recording.

 Battery indicator

Displays the remaining battery power.

 Recording mode indicator

Displays the recording mode set using 

the menu when the IC recorder is in the 

recording or stop mode, and displays 

the current recording mode when the 

IC recorder is in the playback mode.

For details about the settings, see 

“Menu settings” on the reverse side of 

this paper.



 (recording) indicator

Appears while the IC recorder is 

recording.

 N-CUT (noise cut) indicator

Appears when “N-CUT” is set to “ON” 

in the menu.

 Lock indicator

Appears when “LOCK” is set to “ON” 

in the menu.

 EASY-S (easy search) indicator

Appears when the “EASY-S” is set to 

“ON” in the menu.

 DPC (Digital Pitch Control) indicator

Appears when the “DPC” is set to “ON” 

in the menu.

 Total number of messages in the folder/

DPC setting

 Elapsed time/Remaining 

time/Recorded date or time 

indication/Message

Remove the film on the display window 

before you use the IC recorder.

Slide and lift the battery compartment lid, 

insert LR03 (size AAA) alkaline batteries 

with correct polarity, and close the lid.

   

If the battery compartment lid is 

accidentally detached, attach it as 

illustrated.

When replacing the batteries, messages 

recorded or alarm settings are not erased 

even when you remove the batteries.

When replacing the batteries, the clock 

continues moving for a certain period of 

time after you remove the batteries.

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Do not use manganese batteries for this IC 

recorder.

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 IC 

recorder for a long time, remove the 

batteries to prevent damage from battery 

leakage and corrosion.

Clock setting display appears and the year 

section flashes when you insert batteries for 

the first time, or when you insert batteries 

after the IC recorder has been without 

batteries for a certain period of time. See 

“Setting the clock after preparing a power 

source” to set the date and time.

The battery indicator in the display window 

shows the battery condition.

: Replace the old batteries with new 

ones.

  

: “LO BATT” flashes and the IC 

recorder will stop operation.

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Slide the HOLD switch in the opposite 

direction from that of the arrow. The IC 

recorder turns on, and “ACCESS” flashes.

When you are not using the IC recorder, 

you can prevent the batteries from getting 

weak quickly by turning the power off.

Slide the HOLD switch in the direction of

HOLD switch in the direction of 

the arrow in the stop mode. “OFF” flashes. 

The IC recorder turns off within a few 

seconds.

When you are not going to use the IC 

recorder for a long time, we recommend to 

turn off the IC recorder.

When 10 minutes have passed after you 

have turned on the IC recorder and leave it 

without doing anything, the display goes off 

automatically. (Press any button to show the 

display.)

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 PLAY/STOP•ENTER

FOLDER/MENU



–, +

You need to set the clock to use the alarm 

function or record the date and time.

Clock setting display appears when you 

insert batteries for the first time, or when 

you insert batteries after the IC recorder 

has been without batteries for a certain 

period of time, the year section flashes in 

the display window.

  Press – or + to set the 

year, month, day, hour, and minute 

in sequence, and then press 

 PLAY/STOP•ENTER.

  Press  (stop) to return to the stop mode 

display.

While the IC recorder is in the stop mode, 

you can set the clock using the menu.

  Press and hold FOLDER/MENU to enter 

the menu mode.
The menu mode will be displayed.

  Press – or + to select 

“SET DATE,” and then press 

 PLAY/STOP•ENTER.

  Press – or + to set the 

year, month, day, hour, and minute 

in sequence, and then press 

 PLAY/STOP•ENTER.

  Press  (stop) to return to the stop mode 

display.

Press FOLDER/MENU to return to the 

previous operation.

You can set the time display for the clock to 

“12H” (12-hour display) or “24H” (24-hour 

display) in the “HOUR” menu. When “12H” 

(12-hour display) is set, “AM” or “PM” 

appears in the display window.

If you do not press  PLAY/STOP•ENTER 

within 1 minute of entering the clock setting 

data, the clock setting mode is cancelled and 

the window will return to the stop mode 

display.

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Slide the HOLD switch in the direction

HOLD switch in the direction 

of the arrow in the recording or playback 

mode.

“HOLD” will flash, indicating that all the 

functions of the buttons are locked.

Slide the HOLD switch in the opposite 

direction from that of the arrow so that all 

buttons will be unlocked.

When the HOLD function is activated during 

recording, all the functions of the buttons are 

locked to prevent accidental operation. To stop 

recording, cancel the HOLD function first.

Even if the HOLD function is activated, you 

can stop the alarm playback by pressing any 

button. (You cannot stop normal playback.)

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Before making a recording, exit HOLD mode and turn on the power.

  Press FOLDER/MENU to select the folder in which you 

want to record messages ( ,  ,  ,  , or  ).
There are 5 folders already available when you purchase 

the IC recorder.
If you do not change the folder after you stop recording, 

the next time you record you will record in the same 

folder.

FOLDER/MENU

  Press  REC/PAUSE in the stop mode.

The operation indicator lights in red. (When “LED” is 

set to “OFF” in the menu, the operation indicator does 

not light.)
You do not need to press and hold  REC/PAUSE while 

recording.
The new message will be automatically recorded after 

the last recorded message.

Operation 

indicator

 REC/PAUSE

  Turn the built-in microphone in the direction of the 

source to be recorded.

Built-in 

microphone

  Press  (stop).

The IC recorder stops at the beginning of the current 

recording.



pause recording*

Press 



 REC/PAUSE. During recording pause, the operation indicator 

flashes in red and “PAUSE” flashes in the display window.

release pause and resume 

recording

Press 



 REC/PAUSE again. Recording resumes from that point. (To 

stop recording after pausing recording, press 



 (stop).)

review the current 

recording instantly

Press  PLAY/STOP•ENTER. Recording stops and playback starts 

from the beginning of the message just recorded.

review during recording

Press and hold –



 during recording or recording pause. Recording 

stops and you can search backwards while listening to fast playback 

sound. After you release –



, playback starts from that point.

1 hour after you pause recording, recording pause is automatically released and the IC recorder 

enters the stop mode.

Messages recorded using this IC recorder will be recorded as MP3 files.

You can record up to 99 messages in each folder. 

Before you start recording, we recommend you make a trial recording first, or monitor the 

recording.

While recording you can lock all the functions of all the buttons so that you can prevent 

inadvertent operations by sliding the HOLD switch in the direction of the arrow.

While the operation indicator is flashing in orange, do not remove the batteries. Doing so may 

damage the data.

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

recorder during recording.

Before making a recording, be sure to check the battery indicator.

The maximum recording time varies if you record messages in mixed recording mode.

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

The memory is nearly 

full.

Flashing

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When the remaining time of recording reaches 10 minutes, the last one of the indication 

flashes. 

If the remaining recording time display mode is selected, the remaining recording time 

display will also flash when the remaining time reaches 1 minute. The display will be changed 

automatically to the remaining time display.

When the memory is full, recording automatically stops and 

 and “FULL” will flash 

in the display window for about 3 seconds. To continue recording, first erase some of the 

messages.

Before playback starts, exit HOLD mode and turn on the power.

  Press FOLDER/MENU to select the folder ( ,  ,  , 

, or  ).

FOLDER/MENU

  Press – or + to select the message you want to 

play.

–, +

  Press  PLAY/STOP•ENTER.

Playback will start soon, and the operation indicator

operation indicator 

will light in green. (When “LED” is set to “OFF” in the 

menu, the operation indicator does not light.)

Operation 

indicator

 PLAY/

STOP•ENTER

  Press VOL +/– to adjust the volume.

VOL +/–

  Press  (stop).



stop at the current position 

(Playback Pause function)

Press  PLAY/STOP•ENTER or 



 (stop). To resume playback from 

that point, press  PLAY/STOP•ENTER again.

go back to the beginning of 

the current message

Press –



 once*.

go back to previous 

messages

Press –



 repeatedly. (During stop mode, keep the button pressed to 

go back the messages continuously.)

skip to the next message

Press 



+ once*.

skip to the succeeding 

messages

Press 



+ repeatedly. (During stop mode, keep the button pressed to 

skip the messages continuously.)

These operations are for when “EASY-S” (Easy Search function) is set to “OFF.”

During playback you can lock all the functions of all the buttons so that you can prevent 

inadvertent operations by sliding the HOLD switch in the direction of the arrow.

Once a recording has been erased, you cannot retrieve it.

Before erasing a message, exit HOLD mode and turn on the power.

If the message you want to erase is locked in the menu, the message is not erased.

  Select the message you want to erase when the IC 

recorder is in the stop or playback mode.

  Press ERASE while you are playing back the message 

you want to erase, or press and hold ERASE during the 

stop mode.
A beep will sound and the message number and 

“ERASE” will flash.
When “BEEP” in the menu is set to “OFF,” no beep 

sound will be heard.

ERASE

  Press ERASE again.

“ERASE” appears in the display window and the 

selected message will be erased.
When a message is erased, the remaining messages will 

advance and be renumbered so that there will be no 

space between messages.

  Press  (stop) before step 3 of “Selecting a message and 

erasing it.”



Proceed with the same steps again from the beginning.

Divide the message into two messages first, and then proceed with the same steps from the 

beginning.

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