press the button to confirm. The list of categories you can search by appears. Artist searches by the artist name, Album searches by the album title, and Song searches by the song name.
(Initial Search), and then
Press the /// button to select a category, and then press the
A screen appears that enables you to select a character.
Press the /// button to select an initial character, and then
press the button to confirm. When the search finishes, the results are displayed. When you select Artist or Album, you can narrow the search results and select a specific song. When Artist or Album is selected and you press and hold the button, all songs on the item are played.

Playing a Playlist

You can play lists of songs (playlists). Also, you can create playlists using the supplied Windows Media Player 11, or another transfer capable software for creating playlists. However, some playlists may not be recognized by the player, depending on software. For details on operation, refer to Help of the software or ask its manufacturer.

Playlists

Press the /// button to select (Playlists), and then press the
The list of playlists appears.
Press the /// button to select a playlist, and then press the
Searching for Songs Based on the Currently Playing Song
You can search for other songs, albums, and artists by the song information of the currently playing song.
press the button to confirm. The Now Playing screen of the currently playing song appears.
Press the button to display a cursor and select an item in which
you want to search for songs, and then press the button to confirm. The following lists appear, depending on the item you selected. Artist: The album list of the currently playing artist. Album: The song list of the currently playing album. Genre: An artist list in the same genre as the currently playing artist. Release Year: An artist list from the same release year as the currently playing song.
You can display the detailed information about the song, such as playing time, audio format, bit rate*, and file name from the Now Playing screen. Press the OPTION/PWR OFF button to select Detailed Information on the Now Playing screen. * If the song has a variable bit rate, VBR is shown for the bit rate. You can display the cover art from the Now Playing screen. Press the OPTION/PWR OFF button to select Cover Art on the Now Playing screen.
When playing songs recorded using variable bit rate (VBR) recording, a progress bar that shows the elapsed playback time, and the time itself is displayed, however, this time data is not stable, which may result in incorrect information being displayed. If no cover art has been registered, a preinstalled image in the player appears. Some cover art is not displayed, depending on its file format.

Menu Index

When you start Intelligent Shuffle play, the play mode changes to Shuffle or Shuffle&Repeat. When you start the Time Machine Shuffle play, the playback range is set to Selected Range.
Setting the Playback Range
You can set the playback range of songs
Press the /// button to select Playback Range, and then
press the button to confirm. The screen used to select the playback range appears.
Press the /// button to select the playback range, and then
press the button to confirm. The player offers 2 types of playback range. All Range: Plays back the songs in the Music Library. When you want to play back albums in the Music Library in the song list order, select this. appears on the display, and plays back songs only in Selected Range: the lists from which the playback starts (album list, artist list, etc.). (Default setting)
You can select the playback range of songs from the Now Playing screen. Press the OPTION/PWR OFF button, and then select Playback Range from the option menu. The playback range differs, depending on the screen from which you start playback. For details, see The list of play modes ( page 34).
Setting the Album Display Format
The player offers 3 types of album list format from Title Only, Title & Cover Art, and Cover Art Only.
The cover art only appears if the cover art information is included. You can set cover art using the supplied Windows Media Player 11, or another transfer capable software for setting cover art. For details on operation, refer to Help of the software or ask its manufacturer. Some cover art is not displayed, depending on its file format.
the button to confirm. The list of Music Settings options appears. then press the button to confirm. The list of album display formats appears. press the button to confirm. The player offers 3 types of formats.

Title Only

Press the /// button to select Album Display Format, and Press the /// button to select the display format, and then
Title & Cover Art (Default setting) Cover Art Only
You can also select the album display format on the album list screen. Press the OPTION/PWROFF button on the album list screen, and select Album Display Format from the option menu.
Setting the Sound Quality (Equalizer)
You can set the sound quality according to the music genre, etc.
Changing the sound quality
You can customize the players sound quality.
Press the /// button to select Equalizer, and then press the
The list of equalizer settings appears.
Press the /// button to select the desired setting, and then
press the button to confirm. The selected sound setting is applied, and the list of Music Settings options reappears. For details of each equalizer option, see page 39.

The settings of Custom 1 or Custom 2 are not applied while a video (NWZ-S615F/ S616F/S618F only) is playing or you are using the FM tuner (NWZ-S615F/S616F/S618F only).
Making the Sound More Vibrant (VPT(Surround))
You can choose from Studio, Live, Club, Arena, Matrix or Karaoke according to your song using the VPT*(Surround) function. Setting to Studio, Live, Club or Arena, simulates these sound fields in the headphones. Additionally, Matrix reproduces a rich acoustic sound field, and Karaoke suppresses the vocals.
Press and hold the BACK/HOME button until the Home menu
Press the /// button to select
Press the /// button to select Music Settings, and then press
Press the /// button to select VPT(Surround), and then
press the button to confirm. The list of VPT(Surround) settings appears.
Press the /// button to select the desired VPT(Surround)
setting ( page 42), and then press the button to confirm.
* VPT, which stands for Virtual Phone Technology, is a proprietary sound processing technology developed by Sony.
You can also set the VPT(Surround) setting from the Now Playing screen. Press the OPTION/PWROFF button, and select VPT(Surround) from the option menu.
The VPT(Surround) setting is not applied while a video (NWZ-S615F/S616F/S618F only) is playing or you are using the FM tuner (NWZ-S615F/S616F/S618F only).
List of VPT(Surround) settings The sound settings appear on the screen as the letters in parentheses. The sound may appear to become more vibrant in the progression from Studio, Live, Club to Arena.
None Studio ( ) Live ( ) Club ( ) Arena ( ) Matrix ( ) Karaoke ( )
VPT(Surround) setting is not activated. (Default setting) Creates the sound of a recording studio. Creates the sound of a concert hall. Creates the sound of a club. Creates the sound of an arena. Reproduces an additional surround effect, and creates a natural, yet richly enhanced sound. Creates a stage-like sound field by suppressing vocal sound, and adding a surround effect to the music.
Listening with Clear Stereo Sound (Clear Stereo)

Zoom (Auto) Zoom (Full) Zoom (Off)
The dotted line frame represents the original video image size.
The zoom setting can be set on the Now Playing screen of the video. Press the OPTION/PWROFF button, and select Zoom Settings from the option menu.
Playing Videos Continuously
You can play back all videos stored on the player continuously.
the button to confirm. The list of Video Settings options appears. then press the button to confirm.
Press the /// button to select Continuous Playback, and Press the /// button to select the desired setting, and then
press the button to confirm. On: Plays back all videos stored on the player. Off: Plays back one selected video. (Default setting)
If you set Continuous Playback to Off, the player records the position where each video was stopped the last time. Therefore, you can start playback from the position where you last stopped the video.
Setting the Video List Display Format
The player offers 3 display formats. You can set the display format of the video list as Title Only, Title With Thumbnail*, or Thumbnail Only.
Press the /// button to select Video List Format, and then Press the /// button to select the desired setting, and then
press the button to confirm. Title Only: Displays only a video title in the video list. Title With Thumbnail: Displays thumbnails, video titles, and the playing time. (Default setting) Thumbnail Only: Displays only thumbnails in the video list.
* Thumbnail refers to a reduced size image of one scene of a video.
The video list display format can be set on the video list screen. Press the OPTION/ PWROFF button, and select Video List Display Format from the option menu.
Thumbnails may not be displayed, depending on the file format.

Playing Only Video Sound

You can choose options while the player is on hold during the playback of videos, either by playing a video normally or by turning off the screen and listening only to the sound of those videos. Setting this option to No saves battery power and battery life will last longer.
Press the /// button to select On-Hold Display, and then Press the /// button to select the desired setting, and then
press the button to confirm. Yes: When the player is on hold, the button controls are deactivated, but videos can be played normally. (Default setting) No: When the player is on hold, the button controls are deactivated and the screen turns off, but the sound of the current video is played back.
Displaying the Video Option Menu
You can display the Video option menu by pressing the OPTION/PWR OFF button on a list screen (including the thumbnail screen), such as the video list, or on the video Now Playing screen. From the Video option menu, various video settings are available. The option items shown on the option menu vary, depending on the screen from which you display the option menu.

Play from beginning Detailed Information Go to the song playback screen
Finds the beginning of the video ( page 48). Displays file information, such as file size, resolution, video/audio compression format, and file name, etc. The Now Playing screen of the last played song appears.
Now Playing Video List Display Format Most Recent Video
Displays the Now Playing screen. Sets the video list display format ( page 66). Starts playback of the video that was played most recently.
Zoom Settings Video Orientation Display Brightness
Sets the zoom function ( page 52). Sets the video orientation ( page 49). Sets to display/not display video information ( page 51). Adjusts the brightness of the screen ( page 80).

Playing Photos

Displaying a Photo
You can display photos by transferring photo files to the player using Windows Explorer, or another transfer capable software. You can either display one photo fully on the screen (single display) or play back a number of photos continuously (slide show play) ( page 63).

Photo Library

press the button to confirm. The list of photo folders appears. button to confirm. The photo lists appear.
(Photo Library), and then
Press the /// button to select a folder, and then press the
Press the /// button to select a photo, and then press the
button to confirm. The selected photo is displayed. Press the / button to display the previous or next photos.
A playback of songs or FM tuner reception (NWZ-S615F/S616F/S618F only) continues even while you are searching for photos in the photo folder lists, or photo lists or the Now Playing screen of the Photo is displayed. You can play back the photos in a selected folder continuously (slide show play) ( page 63). You can arrange photos transferred to the player by folder. Select the player (as [WALKMAN]) using Windows Explorer, drag and drop a new folder just under the PICTURES, PICTURE or DCIM folder. For details on data hierarchy, see page 97. To delete photo files from the player, use the software you used to transfer the photo files, or Windows Explorer.
Up to 1,000 photo folders can be displayed in the photo folder lists, and up to 10,000 photos can be displayed in the photo lists. If there are photos stored in several folders, up to a maximum of 10,000 photos can be displayed. If the size of the photo is too large, or the photo file is damaged, appears, and the photo cannot be played back. If photos are not compliant with DCF 2.0 (or folder/file name is long., etc), operation time (to display photos or slideshow) may take more time.

Setting the Photo Orientation
You can set the photo orientation from among Vertical, Horizontal (right), or Horizontal (left).
Press the /// button to select Photo Settings, and then
press the button to confirm. The list of Photo Settings options appears. press the button to confirm.
Press the /// button to select Photo Orientation, and then
press the button to confirm. Vertical: Displays at pixels. (Default setting) Horizontal (right) or Horizontal (left): Displays at pixels. The operation of the 5-way button is switched according to the setting of Photo Orientation ( page 16).

Vertical Horizontal

The photo orientation can be set on the Now Playing screen of the photo. Press the OPTION/PWROFF button, and select Photo Orientation from the option menu.
Setting the Display of the Photo Screen
You can display or hide the detailed information of a photo, such as an icon that shows playback status, etc., while playing back a photo.
press the button to confirm. The list of Photo Settings options appears.
press the button to confirm. On: Displays the title of the current photo, the shooting date, playback status, photo number, etc. Off: Hides the information of the current photo. (Default setting)
The display setting can be set on the Now Playing screen of the photo. Press the OPTION/PWROFF button, and select Display from the option menu.
If Photo Orientation is set to Horizontal (right), or Horizontal (left) ( page 60), the title of the photo is not displayed, even if Display is set to On.

Playing a Slide Show

You can play back photos in a selected folder continuously.
press the button to confirm. The list of photo folders appears. and hold the button. A slide show starts.
Press the /// button to select a photo folder, and then press
You can start playback of a slide show by any of the following operations: Press and hold the button in the photo lists. Press the button on the Now Playing screen of the photo. Press the OPTION/PWROFF button on the photo folder lists, or the photo lists, and then select Begin slide show from the option menu.
The screen does not turn off automatically or change to a screensaver ( page 78) while a slide show is playing.
Setting the Slide Show Play Mode
You can play back photos as a slide show repeatedly.
Press the /// button to select Slide Show Repeat, and then Press the /// button to select the desired setting, and then
press the button to confirm. On: Displays photos in a photo folder continuously and continues displaying them repeatedly. Off: Displays photos in a photo folder continuously, to the last photo, returns to the first photo, and playback pauses. (Default setting)

Press and hold the BACK/HOME button until the Home menu appears. Press the /// button to select
the button to confirm. (Settings), and then press
Press the /// button to select Common Settings, and then
press the button to confirm. The list of Common Settings appears. the button to confirm.
Press the /// button to select Screensaver, and then press Press the /// button to select Type, and then press the
button to confirm. The list of screensaver type appears.
Press the /// button to select a desired type, and then press
the button to confirm. After confirming, the screen in step appears again. Clock: When there is no operation for a while, a clock appears as a screensaver. (Default setting) Blank: When there is no operation for a while, the screen goes off. None: The screen does not change to a screensaver.
While characters are scrolling on the screen, the screen does not change to the screensaver.
Setting a Screensaver Time
You can set the time for the screensaver to activate from 15, 30, or 60 seconds.
Press the /// button to select Screensaver, and then press Press the /// button to select Screensaver Timing, and then
press the button to confirm. The list of screensaver time appears.
the button to confirm. After confirming, the screen in step appears again. You can select the setting time as After 15 sec, After 30 sec (default setting) or After 60 sec.
Adjusting the Brightness of the Screen

(Brightness)

You can set the display brightness to one of 5 levels.
press the button to confirm. The list of Common Settings appears.
Press the /// button to select Brightness, and then press the
The brightness adjustment screen appears.
Press the /// button to select a level, and then press the
button to confirm. 3 is set by default.
To return to the previous menu Press and hold the BACK/HOME button. If you return to the previous menu before confirming setting, the setting is canceled.
You can adjust the brightness of the screen while you are playing a video (NWZ-S615F/ S616F/S618F only) or photo. Press the OPTION/PWROFF button, and then select Brightness from the option menu.

Upgrading the Players Firmware
You can update the players firmware, ensuring you to add new features for the player by installing the latest players firmware to the player. For details about the latest firmware information and how to install it, visit the following web site:
For customers in the USA: http://www.sony.com/walkmansupport For customers in Canada: http://www.sony.ca/ElectronicsSupport/ For customers in Europe: http://support.sony-europe.com/DNA For customers in Latin America: http://www.sony-latin.com/index.crp For customers in other countries/regions: http://www.css.ap.sony.com For customers who purchased the overseas models: http://www.sony.co.jp/overseas/support/
Download the update program to your computer from the web site. Connect the player to your computer, and then start up the update

program.

Follow the on-screen instructions to update the players firmware.
Firmware update is complete.
If the player does not function as expected, try the following steps to resolve the issue.
1 Find the symptoms of the issue in the following troubleshooting tables,
and try any corrective actions listed. pin, etc. If you press the RESET button while operating the player, stored data and settings on the player may be deleted.
2 Press the RESET button with a small
3 Connect the player to your computer
to charge the power. You may be able to resolve some issues by charging the power. For customers in the USA, visit: http://www.sony.com/walkmansupport For customers in Canada, visit: http://www.sony.ca/ElectronicsSupport/ For customers in Europe, visit: http://support.sony-europe.com/DNA For customers in Latin America, visit: http://www.sony-latin.com/index.crp For customers in other countries/regions, visit: http://www.css.ap.sony.com For customers who purchased the overseas models, visit: http://www.sony.co.jp/overseas/support/ nearest Sony dealer.
4 Look for information about the issue on one of the support Web sites.

appears for a title.

Characters that cannot appear on the player are included in the title. Rename the title with appropriate characters on the computer. The data has no data information, such as an album or artist name, etc. The wrong language is selected. Correct the setting of Language Settings ( page 90), and then transfer data to the player again.
Unknown is displayed for an album or artist name, etc. Garbled characters are displayed.
The screen darkens while There was no operation attempted for the time displaying a photo. selected in Screensaver Timing ( page 79). Press any button.
Troubleshooting Display (continued)

The screen turns off.

There was no operation attempted for more than 30 seconds while the player was in the pause mode. Press any button. There was no operation attempted for the period you set in Screensaver Timing when Screensaver is set to Blank ( page 79). Press any button. Set Screensaver to other than Blank. On-Hold Display is set to No. Slide the HOLD switch to the opposite position ( page 10). Set On-Hold Display to Yes ( page 56). You can play back a video (NWZ-S615F/S616F/S618F only) even when the HOLD function is activated. See the Messages ( page 114).

A massage appears. Power

Symptom

Cause/Remedy

Battery life is short.
The operating temperature is below 5 C (41 F). Battery life becomes shorter due to the battery characteristics. This is not a malfunction. Battery charging time is not sufficient. appears. Charge the battery until By adjusting the settings or managing the power supply properly, it is possible to save the battery power and use the player for a longer time ( page 93). You have not used the player for a prolonged period. The efficiency of the battery will be improved by repeatedly charging and discharging it. When usable battery life becomes half the usual time, even after charging the battery fully, the battery should be replaced. Consult your nearest Sony dealer. Copyright-protected contents are played. When copyright-protected contents are played, battery life may be shorter.
Troubleshooting Power (continued)
The player cannot charge The USB cable is not connected to a USB port on the battery. your computer properly. Disconnect the USB cable, and then reconnect it. Use the supplied USB cable. The battery is charged in an ambient temperature out of the range of 5 C (41 F) to 35 C (95 F). Charge the battery in an ambient temperature of 5 C (41 F) to 35 C (95 F). The computer is not on. Turn on the computer. Your computer enters Sleep or hibernation status. Release the computer from Sleep or hibernation status. The player turns off To avoid unnecessary battery consumption, the automatically. player automatically turns off. Press any button to turn the player on. Charging completes very If the battery is already almost fully charged when quickly. charging begins, little time is needed to reach full charge. Connection with a computer

Library error encountered. Please The database for songs, connect to compliant software or videos (NWZ-S615F/ device and transfer again. S616F/S618F only) or photos is damaged.
LOW BATTERY. Please Charge.
The players battery is running low.
No items found starting with this No songs exist that start with the selected initial letter. letter, hence the result of the Initial Search function. No Library exists. Please connect Even after data is to compliant software or device transferred, there is no information about data and transfer again. transferred to the player. There are no photos that No photos are available for can be displayed on the display. player. You are trying to display a No photos are available for photo when there are no display. Please connect to compliant software or device and photos stored on the player. transfer photos. No playable songs are available. You are trying to start playback by selecting Play from the option menu, but there are no songs in the selected folder.
No playlists available. Please connect to compliant software or device and transfer playlists. No preset stations exist. Please select Auto Preset from Options menu. No songs available for playback. Please connect to compliant software or device and transfer songs. No songs in selected item.
When you select (Playlists) from the Home menu, and there are no playlists on the player, this message appears. You are trying to select a broadcast station using a preset number when no frequency has been added as a preset station. You are trying to start playback even when there are no songs on the player, or no songs in the selected playlist. There are no songs in the selected folder.
Transfer playlists to the player using Windows Explorer, or another software for transferring. Preset any frequency as the preset station ( page 69). Transfer songs to the player.
No videos available for playback. Please connect to compliant software or device and transfer videos. (NWZ-S615F/S616F/S618F only) Not enough free space in memory. Please connect to compliant software or device and delete files.
You are trying to start playback when there are no videos stored on the player. The players available capacity is insufficient.

On the LCD

Do not apply strong force to the surface of the LCD. This may cause a distortion in colors or brightness, or cause a malfunction of the LCD. If you use the player in a cold location, images may appear with black bands around them. This is not a malfunction of the player.

On cleaning

Clean the players case with a soft cloth, such as cleaning cloth for eyeglasses. If the players case becomes very dirty, clean it with a soft cloth slightly moistened with water or a mild detergent solution. Do not use any type of abrasive pad, scouring powder, or solvent, such as alcohol or benzene, as it may mar the finish of the case. Be careful not to let water get into the player from the opening near the connector. Clean the headphone plug periodically. If you have any questions or problems concerning the player, please consult your nearest Sony dealer.

Important Notice

Copyright laws prohibit reproducing the software or the manual accompanying it in whole or in part, or renting the software without the permission of the copyright holder. In no event will SONY be liable for any financial damage, or loss of profits, including claims made by third parties, arising out of the use of the software supplied with this player. In the event a problem occurs with this software as a result of defective manufacturing, SONY will replace it. However, SONY bears no other responsibility. The software provided with this player cannot be used with equipment other than that which is so designated. Please note that, due to continued efforts to improve quality, the software specifications may be changed without notice. Operation of this player with software other than that provided is not covered by the warranty. The ability to display the languages on supplied software will depend on the installed OS on your computer. For better results, please ensure that the installed OS is compatible with the desired language you want to display. We do not guarantee all the languages will be able to be displayed properly on supplied software. User-created characters and some special characters may not be displayed. The explanations in this manual assume that you are familiar with the basic operations of Windows. For details on the use of your computer and operating system, please refer to the respective manuals.

Cover art.. 36 Custom... 39, 40
D Data.. 100 Date-Time..81, 83, 84 Date Display Format. 83 Display... 51, 62 DSEE(Sound Enhance).. 44 Dynamic Normalizer.. 46 E Equalizer.. 38 Explorer.. 100 F Firmware... 101. FM tuner.. 68 Format (Initialize).. 88 H Headphones.. 8, 121. Heavy.. 39 HOLD switch. 10 Home menu.. 6. I Information.. 85 Initialize (Format).. 88 Initial Search.. 6, 25 Intelligent Shuffle.. 6, 28 Interval.. 65 J Jazz... 39. JPEG..99, 127 K Karaoke... 42
L Language.. 90 Linear PCM.98, 127 Live... 42 M Matrix.. 42. Messages.. 114 Model.. 86 Mono/Auto.. 74 MP3..98, 127 MPEG-4..99, 127 Music Library.. 6, 19 N Normal.. 34 Now Playing.. 7 Now Playing screen. 17 O On-Hold Display.. 56 OPTION/PWROFF button. 10, 18 Option menu.18, 32, 57, 67 P Photo format.. 99 Photo Library.. 6, 58 Photo List Display Format. 66 Photo Orientation.. 60 Playback Range.. 35 Playlists.. 7, 26 Play Mode..6, 33, 34 Pop.. 39 Power..10, 93, 108. R Radio.. 68 Recharging.. 92. Release Year.. 23 Remaining battery.. 92 Repeat.. 34 RESET (the player).. 102 Reset all Settings. 87 RESET button.. 9
S Scan Sensitivity.. 73 Screensaver.. 78 Search for songs.. 19
Selected Range.. 34, 35 Serial number.. 8 Set Date-Time.. 81 Settings.. 7 Shuffle All.. 30 Shuffle play.. 28 Slide show.. 63
album..20. artist..21 genre..22 initial letter..25 playlists..26. release year..23 song name..19
Shuffle All..30 Time Machine Shuffle..28 Slide Show Interval..65 Slide Show Repeat.64.
Sound quality. 38 Studio.. 42
T Thumbnail.. 13, 55, 66, 107 Time Display Format.. 84 Time Machine Shuffle. 28. Time setting.. 81. Total photos.. 86 Total songs... 86 Total videos.. 86 Troubleshooting.. 102. Turning off the player manually.. 93 U Unique.. 39 Upgrading.. 101. USB cable.. 8
V Video format.. 99 Video Library.. 6, 47 Video List Display Format. 55 Video Orientation.. 49 VOL+/ button.. 10 Volume.. 46 VPT(Surround).. 41 W Windows Explorer.47, 100. WM-PORT. 9, 86 WMA...98, 127 Z Zoom.. 52