Trouble using audio-out with BCR-NWU3

[Finn88]

I've had my BCR-NWU3 for about 2 months now, and just recently I've found I'm having problems getting the audio in and out working (previously worked). Is anyone else had this problem? I've tried all sorts of combinations with different speakers etc. I can't get the recording function to work (I've tested this before and it has worked). I've unplugged the wm-port cable and it doesn't make a diffence.

Any help on the matter is welcome.

Finn

[Shinji Ikeda]

(in error)

Edited September 28, 2007 by Shinji Ikeda

[Shinji Ikeda]

I've had my BCR-NWU3 for about 2 months now, and just recently I've found I'm having problems getting the audio in and out working (previously worked). Is anyone else had this problem? I've tried all sorts of combinations with different speakers etc. I can't get the recording function to work (I've tested this before and it has worked). I've unplugged the wm-port cable and it doesn't make a diffence.

Any help on the matter is welcome.

Finn

So it is correct to assume that you are using the NW-S706F as your ATRAC device with the BCR-NWU3.

First ensure that they NW-S706F is turned off. Connect the DC cable into the port labeled DC IN 5V this is the smaller port, which is located to the far right of the BCR-NWU3. Connect the DC cable to the AC power adaptor. Ensure the the NW-S706F is secured in the BCR-NWU3. Now turn on the NW-S706F and let me know if the audio out is working.

Please note; when the WM-PORT cable is connected to the BCR-NWU3 the audio out will not work.

[Finn88]

Hi Shinji,

I followed those instructions and nothing happens other than the unit begins to charge (the wm-port cable is not plugged in at this time).

Yes I am using the NW-s706F.

When I do plug the wm-port cable, files transfer perfectly.

I must have a defective unit. Shame I bought it from the UK and I live in Australia.

Finn

[Shinji Ikeda]

Hi Shinji,

I followed those instructions and nothing happens other than the unit begins to charge (the wm-port cable is not plugged in at this time).

Yes I am using the NW-s706F.

When I do plug the wm-port cable, files transfer perfectly.

I must have a defective unit. Shame I bought it from the UK and I live in Australia.

Finn

So as it is charging when you press play nothing comes out of your speakers, even though the icon has change to a triangle from a square.

Have you tried a spare set of headphone in the audio out jack, to see that the problem is not the speakers?

[Finn88]

Correct.

So as it is charging when you press play nothing comes out of your speakers, even though the icon has change to a triangle from a square.

I've tried two sets of speakers, and a pair of headphones, and I get the same result.

Have you tried a spare set of headphone in the audio out jack, to see that the problem is not the speakers?

[Finn88]

Sorry, I did that wrong.

I have tried two sets of speakers, and a pair of headphones with the same result.

Finn

So as it is charging when you press play nothing comes out of your speakers, even though the icon has change to a triangle from a square.

Have you tried a spare set of headphone in the audio out jack, to see that the problem is not the speakers?

[Shinji Ikeda]

Sorry, I did that wrong.

I have tried two sets of speakers, and a pair of headphones with the same result.

Finn

So we have concluded that the sound is not coming out of the Audio Out jack on the BCR-NWU3. Is sound coming out of the mini-port on the NW-S706F, using the AC adapter setup?

[Finn88]

Yes, I can play sound from the unit through the mini-port connection using the AC adapter setup. I'll have sonic stage open on the computer, look at the contents of the unit (ie ATRAC Audio Device) and double click on a song, which will then proceed to play through the computers speakers. The unit will come up with the message "DATA ACCESS Don't Disconnect" every 10 seconds as the song is being played.

Finn

So we have concluded that the sound is not coming out of the Audio Out jack on the BCR-NWU3. Is sound coming out of the mini-port on the NW-S706F, using the AC adapter setup?

[Shinji Ikeda]

Yes, I can play sound from the unit through the mini-port connection using the AC adapter setup. I'll have sonic stage open on the computer, look at the contents of the unit (ie ATRAC Audio Device) and double click on a song, which will then proceed to play through the computers speakers. The unit will come up with the message "DATA ACCESS Don't Disconnect" every 10 seconds as the song is being played.

Finn

Unfortunately, now I am confused.

Try this. Connect your speakers to the BCR-NWU3 stand, ensuring that neither the WM-PORT nor NW-S706F are connected. Ensure that the NW-S706F is off and then remove the headphones from the mini-port on the NW-S706F. Prepare the AC adapter setup using the AC cable, and not the WM-PORT cable (ie. turn your computer off). Attach the NW-S706F which has to be off. Turn on the NW-S706F and listen for sound. Hopefully, this will work. If it does then I will explain why.

[Finn88]

I think we are getting our terminology for parts of the unit mixed up. Sorry, I thought when you said 'mini-port', you mean't the wm-port. I'm guessing you mean the headphone jack.

I have done what you have described below. The AC adapter is plugged in, and there is a cable connecting the audio-out on the BCR-NWU3 to a set of speakers. The wm-port is not plugged in. The unit is off before I push it into the BCR-NWU3 slot. I press play, and nothing happens. What I do get even before I push my NW-s706F into the slot is a buzzing noise through the speakers. If I disconnect the AC cable it goes away.

Unfortunately, now I am confused.

Try this. Connect your speakers to the BCR-NWU3 stand, ensuring that neither the WM-PORT nor NW-S706F are connected. Ensure that the NW-S706F is off and then remove the headphones from the mini-port on the NW-S706F. Prepare the AC adapter setup using the AC cable, and not the WM-PORT cable (ie. turn your computer off). Attach the NW-S706F which has to be off. Turn on the NW-S706F and listen for sound. Hopefully, this will work. If it does then I will explain why.

[Shinji Ikeda]

I think we are getting our terminology for parts of the unit mixed up. Sorry, I thought when you said 'mini-port', you mean't the wm-port. I'm guessing you mean the headphone jack.

I have done what you have described below. The AC adapter is plugged in, and there is a cable connecting the audio-out on the BCR-NWU3 to a set of speakers. The wm-port is not plugged in. The unit is off before I push it into the BCR-NWU3 slot. I press play, and nothing happens. What I do get even before I push my NW-s706F into the slot is a buzzing noise through the speakers. If I disconnect the AC cable it goes away.

So, if you ignore the buzzing without disconnecting the AC cable, does sound come out when you press play following my instructions.

Where did you get the BCR-NWU3 stand from? There should be no sound coming from the BCR-NWU3 when you connect the stand to the AC outlet. This may be the source of your problem.

[Finn88]

No, I do not get any sound.

I bought the unit through amazon in the UK. It was posted to a friends place, and he forwarded it on to me in Australia.

So, if you ignore the buzzing without disconnecting the AC cable, does sound come out when you press play following my instructions.

Where did you get the BCR-NWU3 stand from? There should be no sound coming from the BCR-NWU3 when you connect the stand to the AC outlet. This may be the source of your problem.

[Shinji Ikeda]

No, I do not get any sound.

I bought the unit through amazon in the UK. It was posted to a friends place, and he forwarded it on to me in Australia.

Either the BCR-NWU3 is defective or you need to get a converter. Try different outlets.

The buzzing sound, that you hear when connecting to your speakers before attaching the NW-S706F, suggests that the problem is the BCR-NWU3.

I have one more thing for you to try. On the bottom of the stand there is a switch. Try moving this to the other position, and do some tests.

[Finn88]

I had already tried both those tests. No difference.

It's annoying, because when I first obtained the unit, it worked fine. I had to make sure the wm-port wasn't pluggedin, but it worked great, and then one day it didn't.

It still charges and transfers files and looks nice on my desktop.

Either the BCR-NWU3 is defective or you need to get a converter. Try different outlets.

The buzzing sound, that you hear when connecting to your speakers before attaching the NW-S706F, suggests that the problem is the BCR-NWU3.

I have one more thing for you to try. On the bottom of the stand there is a switch. Try moving this to the other position, and do some tests.

[Finn88]

Well, what an intresting development. I've managed to get my hands on a second nw-s706f, plugged it into my bcr-nwu3 and viola, it plays music through my speakers without being hooked up to my computer. I've tried my original one another time, and nothing!!! So there must be something wrong with my mp3 unit, and not the cradle. Hmmmm!!!!! Any ideas?

I've had a real close look to the port on the bottom of my mp3 player, and I've noticed a bit of greenish residue around the middle tines, which suggest to me a little copper rust has developed there. Must have got some water on it at some stage. I've tried cleaning it as best as I can, but no difference to the performance in the cradle. It doesn't affect anything else on the player, just the playing of music though the cradle.

Finn