NWZ-A844, NWZ-A845, NWZ-A846, NWZ-A847 - Sony Audio Service Manual (repair manual)

2010G05-1

© 

2010.07

Note:
Be sure to keep your PC used for service and 
checking of this unit always updated with the 
latest version of your anti-virus software.
In case a virus affected unit was found during 
service, contact your Service Headquarters. 

Photo: NWZ-A845

– Continued on next page –

*1

Audio Formats 
(Codec)

MP3

Media File format: MP3 (MPEG-1 Layer3) file format
File extension: .mp3
Bit rate: 32 to 320 kbps (Supports variable bit rate (VBR))
Sampling frequency

*2

: 32, 44.1, 48 kHz

WMA

Media File format: ASF file format
File extension: .wma
Bit rate: 32 to 192 kbps (Supports variable bit rate (VBR))
Sampling frequency

*2

: 44.1 kHz 

* Compatible with WM-DRM 10

AAC-LC

*3

Media File format: MP4 file format
File extension: .mp4, .m4a, .3gp
Bit rate: 16 to 320 kbps (Supports variable bit rate (VBR))

*4

Sampling frequency

*2

: 8, 11.025, 12, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48 kHz

Linear PCM

Media File format: Wave-Riff file format
File extension: .wav
Bit rate: 1,411 kbps
Sampling frequency

*2

: 44.1 kHz

*1

Video Formats 
(Codec)

Frame rate: Max. 30 fps
Resolution: Max. 720 × 480

*5

AVC
(H.264/AVC)

Media File format: MP4 file format, “Memory Stick” video format
File extension: .mp4, .m4v
Profile: Baseline Profile
Level: 1.2, 1.3, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 3
Bit rate: Max. 10 Mbps

MPEG-4

Media File format: MP4 file format, “Memory Stick” video format
File extension: .mp4, .m4v
Profile: Simple Profile
Bit rate: Max. 6 Mbps

Windows 
Media Video 
9

*6

Media File format: ASF file format
File extension: .wmv
Profile: VC1 simple profile, main profile
Bit rate: Max. 6 Mbps

Audio Formats 
(Codec)

AAC-LC
(for AVC, 
MPEG-4)

Channel number: Max. 2 channels
Sampling frequency

*2

: 24, 32, 44.1, 48 kHz

Bit rate: Max. 288 kbps / channel

WMA
(for Windows 
Media Video 
9)

Bit rate: 32 to 192 kbps (Supports variable bit rate (VBR))
Sampling frequency

*2

: 44.1 kHz

* Compatible with WM-DRM 10

File size

Max. 2 GB

The number of files

Max. 2,000

*7

Photo Format 
(Codec)

JPEG

Media File format: Compatible with DCF 2.0/Exif 2.21 file format
File extension: .jpg
Profile: Baseline Profile
Number of pixels: Max. 4,096 × 4,096 pixels (16,000,000 pixels)

The number of files

Max. 20,000

*1

  The maximum recordable number of podcasts is 10,000.

*2

  Sampling frequency may not correspond to all encoders.

*3

  Copyright protected AAC-LC files cannot be played back.

*4

  Non-standard bit rates or non-guaranteed bit rates are included depending on the sampling frequency.

*5

  These numbers indicate the maximum resolution of playable video, and do not indicate the player’s 

display resolution. The display resolution is 400 × 240.

*6

  Some WMV files can be played back only by transferring using Windows Media Player 11.

*7

  Some photo files cannot be played back, depending on their file formats.

The approximate times are based on the case in which you transfer or record only 4 
minute songs (not including videos and photos) in the MP3 format. Other playable audio 
file format song numbers and times may differ from MP3 format.

Bit rate

Number

Time

Number

Time

48 kbps

4,950

330 hr. 00 min.

10,000

666 hr. 40 min.

64 kbps

3,650

243 hr. 20 min.

7,450

496 hr. 40 min.

128 kbps

1,800

120 hr. 00 min.

3,700

246 hr. 40 min.

256 kbps

925

61 hr. 40 min.

1,850

123 hr. 20 min.

320 kbps

740

49 hr. 20 min.

1,500

100 hr. 00 min.

Bit rate

Number

Time

Number

Time

48 kbps

20,000

1,333 hr. 20 min.

41,000

2,733 hr. 20 min.

64 kbps

15,000

1,000 hr. 00 min.

30,500

2,033 hr. 20 min.

128 kbps

7,500

500 hr. 00 min.

15,000

1,000 hr. 00 min.

256 kbps

3,750

250 hr. 00 min.

7,650

510 hr. 00 min.

320 kbps

3,000

200 hr. 00 min.

6,150

410 hr. 00 min.

The approximate recordable times are estimated in the case where only videos are 
transferred. The time may differ, depending on the conditions under which the player is 
used.

Bit rate

Time

Time

Time

Time

Video Format: 384 kbps

29 hr. 20 min.

59 hr. 40 min.

120 hr. 20 min.

244 hr. 00 min.

Audio Format: 128 kbps

Video Format: 768 kbps

16 hr. 40 min.

34 hr. 00 min.

68 hr. 40 min.

139 hr. 20 min.

Audio Format: 128 kbps

ATRAC is trademark of Sony Corporation.

t
t  “WALKMAN” and “WALKMAN” logo are registered trademarks of Sony 

Corporation.

t  

 is trademark of Sony Corporation.

t  Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and Windows Media are trademarks or 

registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other 
countries.

t  Adobe, Adobe Reader and Adobe Flash Player are trademarks or registered 

trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other 
countries.

t  MPEG Layer-3 audio coding technology and patents licensed from Fraunhofer 

IIS and Thomson.

t  IBM and PC/AT are registered trademarks of International Business Machines 

Corporation.

t  Apple, Macintosh and iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. 

and other countries.

t  Pentium is a trademark or a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
t  This software is based in part on the work of the Independent JPEG Group.
t  THIS PRODUCT IS LICENSED UNDER THE MPEG-4 VISUAL PATENT 

PORTFOLIO LICENSE FOR THE PERSONAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL 
USE OF A CONSUMER FOR
(i)  ENCODING VIDEO IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE MPEG-4 VISUAL 

STANDARD (“MPEG-4 VIDEO”) AND/OR

(ii) DECODING MPEG-4 VIDEO THAT WAS ENCODED BY A CONSUMER 

ENGAGED IN A PERSONAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY 
AND/OR WAS OBTAINED FROM A VIDEO PROVIDER LICENSED BY 
MPEG LA TO PROVIDE MPEG-4 VIDEO.

NO LICENSE IS GRANTED OR SHALL BE IMPLIED FOR ANY OTHER USE. 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCLUDING THAT RELATING TO 
PROMOTIONAL, INTERNAL AND COMMERCIAL USES AND LICENSING 
MAY BE OBTAINED FROM MPEG LA, LLC. SEE  HTTP://WWW.MPEGLA.

t  THIS PRODUCT IS LICENSED UNDER THE AVC PATENT PORTFOLIO 

LICENSE FOR THE PERSONAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL USE OF A 
CONSUMER TO
(i)  ENCODE VIDEO IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AVC STANDARD 

(“AVC VIDEO”) AND/OR

(ii) DECODE AVC VIDEO THAT WAS ENCODED BY A CONSUMER 

ENGAGED IN A PERSONAL AND

NON-COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY AND/OR WAS OBTAINED FROM A 
VIDEO PROVIDER LICENSED TO PROVIDE AVC VIDEO. NO LICENSE IS 
GRANTED OR SHALL BE IMPLIED FOR ANY OTHER USE. 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM MPEG LA, L.L.C. 
SEE HTTP://MPEGLA.COM 

t  THIS PRODUCT IS LICENSED UNDER THE VC-1 PATENT PORTFOLIO 

LICENSE FOR THE PERSONAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL USE OF A 
CONSUMER TO 
(i)  ENCODE VIDEO IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE VC-1 STANDARD 

(“VC-1 VIDEO”) AND/OR

(ii) DECODE VC-1 VIDEO THAT WAS ENCODED BY A CONSUMER 

ENGAGED IN A PERSONAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY 
AND/OR WAS OBTAINED FROM A VIDEO PROVIDER LICENSED 
TO PROVIDE VC-1 VIDEO. 

NO LICENSE IS GRANTED OR SHALL BE IMPLIED FOR ANY OTHER USE. 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM MPEG LA, L.L.C. 
SEE HTTP://WWW.MPEGLA.COM

t  All other trademarks and registered trademarks are trademarks or registered 

trademarks of their respective holders. In this manual, 

TM

 and ® marks are not 

specified.

This product is protected by certain intellectual property rights of Microsoft Corporation. 
Use or distribution of such technology outside of this product is prohibited without a license 
from Microsoft or an authorized Microsoft subsidiary.

Content providers are using the digital rights management technology for Windows Media 
contained in this device (“WM-DRM”) to protect the integrity of their content (“Secure 
Content”) so that their intellectual property, including copyright, in such content is not 
misappropriated.  
This device uses WM-DRM software to play Secure Content (“WM-DRM Software”). If the 
security of the WM-DRM Software in this device has been compromised, owners of Secure 
Content (“Secure Content Owners”) may request that Microsoft revoke the WM-DRM 
Software’s right to acquire new licenses to copy, display and/or play Secure Content. 
Revocation does not alter the WM-DRM Software’s ability to play unprotected content. A list 
of revoked WM-DRM Software is sent to your device whenever you download a license for 
Secure Content from the Internet or from a PC. Microsoft may, in conjunction with such 
license, also download revocation lists onto your device on behalf of Secure Content Owners.

Program ©2009 Sony Corporation
Documentation ©2009 Sony Corporation

Max. 20,000
Recordable number of photos may be less depending on file sizes.

NWZ-A844: 8 GB (Approx. 6.99 GB = 7,513,243,648 bytes)
NWZ-A845: 16 GB (Approx. 14.1 GB = 15,224,668,160 bytes)
NWZ-A846: 32 GB (Approx. 28.5 GB = 30,699,978,752 bytes)
NWZ-A847: 64 GB (Approx. 58.0 GB = 62,290,034,688 bytes)

*1

  Available storage capacity of the player may vary.

  A portion of the memory is used for data management functions.

“S-Master” digital amplifier

Frequency response 
20 to 20,000 Hz (when playing data file, single signal measurement)

Digital Noise Canceling function
Environment setting: Bus/Train / Airplane / Office
Noise Canceling Modes: Normal Mode / Quiet Mode / External Input Mode

Approx. 17 dB

*2

*1

  Under the Sony measurement standard.

*2

  Equivalent to approx. 98.0% reduction of energy of sound compared with not wearing 

headphones. ([Select NC Environment]: [Airplane])

FM Frequency range
87.5 to 108.0 MHz

128 kHz

Headphone cord antenna

Headphone: Stereo mini-jack
WM-PORT (multiple connecting terminal): 22 pins
Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0 compliant)

5 °C to 35 °C (41 ºF to 95 ºF)

Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery
USB power (from a computer via the supplied USB cable)

USB-based charging
Approx. 3 hours (full charge), Approx. 1.5 hours (approx. 80 %)

Actual battery life may vary depending on settings. The estimated battery usage hours 
shown below are based on typical usage conditions with “Basic setting of battery life 
measurement (Longer battery life setting)” as shown in the table below. Note that even if 
the player is turned off for an extended period, a small amount of battery power is still 
consumed. Battery life may vary depending on volume setting, conditions of use, and 
ambient temperature.

Playback at MP3 128 kbps

Approx. 29 hours

Playback at WMA 128 kbps

Approx. 29 hours

Playback at AAC-LC 128 kbps

Approx. 29 hours

Playback at Linear PCM 1,411 kbps

Approx. 31 hours

Playback at MPEG-4 384 kbps

Approx. 9 hours

Playback at AVC Baseline 384 kbps

Approx. 8 hours

Playback at WMV 384 kbps

Approx. 8 hours

Approx. 14 hours

Noise Canceling

[Noise Canceling: On/Off]

*1

 

[On]

[Off]

Common settings

[Screen Off Timer] 

[After 30 Sec]

[After 30 Sec]

[Brightness]

*2

[3]

[3]

[Battery Care]

*3

[Off]

[Off]

Music settings

[Equalizer]

*4

[None]

*8

[None]

[VPT(Surround)]

*4

[None]

[None]

[DSEE(Sound Enhance)]

*4

[Off]

[Off]

[Clear Stereo]

*4

[Off]

[Off]

[Dynamic Normalizer]

*4

[Off]

[Off]

[DPC (Speed Control)]

*5

[Off]

[Off]

[TV Output(Music)]

*6

[Off]

[Off]

Video Settings

[TV Output(Video)]

*7

[Off]

[Off]

*1

  The [On] setting shortens the battery life about 25% compared with the [Off] setting.

*2

  The [5] setting shortens the battery life about 30% compared with the [3] setting.

*3

  The [On] setting shortens the battery life about 10% compared with the [Off] setting.

*4

  Setting [Equalizer] to other than [None], [VPT(Surround)] to other than [None], [DSEE(Sound 

Enhance)] to [On], [Clear Stereo] to [On] and [Dynamic Normalizer] to [On] shortens the battery life 
about 40 % compared with setting them to [None] or [Off].

*5

  The [x2.0] setting shortens the battery life about 65% compared with the [Off] setting.

*6

  The [On] setting with displaying the player’s screen on a television shortens the battery life about 40% 

compared with the [Off] setting.

*7

  The [On] setting with displaying the player’s screen on a television shortens the battery life about 50% 

compared with the [Off] setting.

*8

  The default setting for players sold in the Latin America region is [Custom 1]. The [Custom 1] setting 

shortens battery life of music playback by about 20% compared with the [None] setting.

2.8-inch, OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) color display,  
WQVGA (400 × 240 pixels), 262,144 colors

46.8 × 104.9 × 7.2 mm (1 7/8 × 4 1/4 × 5/16 inches)

47.4 × 104.9 × 7.7 mm (1 7/8 × 4 1/4 × 5/16 inches)

Approx. 62 g (2.2 oz)

 Headphones (1)
 Earbuds (Size S, L) (1)
 USB cable (1)
 Attachment (1)  

Use when connecting the player to the optional cradle, etc.
Audio input cable (1)
Plug adaptor for in-flight use (single/dual) (1)

 Quick Start Guide (1)

Software (1) 
The software is stored in the built-in flash memory of the player, and includes the 
following items. For details on how to install, refer to “Quick Start Guide.”

 Content Transfer

WALKMAN Guide

 Operation Guide, etc.

Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

−

−

−

  .............................................   3

2-1.   Disassembly Flow ...........................................................   5
2-2.   Rear Assy ........................................................................   5
2-3.   Support (PWB) ...............................................................   6
2-4.   SVX Battery Assy (BAT1) ..............................................   6
2-5.   MAIN Board ...................................................................   7
2-6.   SVX HP Jack Assy (HPJ1) .............................................   8
2-7.   Main Chassis Block, SVX VOL Key FPC .....................   8
2-8.   Sheet Key (7Key), Front Panel Assy ..............................   9

TEST  MODE 

 ............................................................   10

4-1.  Rear Panel Section ..........................................................   20
4-2. Main 

Section 

...................................................................  21

4-3.  Front Panel Section .........................................................   22

  .......................................................   23

FLEXIBLE  CIRCUIT  BOARD  REPAIRING
• 

Keep the temperature of soldering iron around 270 °C during 
repairing.

• 

Do not touch the soldering iron on the same conductor of the 
circuit board (within 3 times).

• 

Be careful not to apply force on the conductor when soldering 
or unsoldering.

ABOUT  THE  REPAIRING  OF  BOARD
When electric parts installed by this machine are defective, replace 
the entire board.
Individual electrical parts that the mount is done cannot be ex-
changed.

ABOUT  THE  HANDLING  OF  THE  SVX  BATTERY  ASSY 
(BAT1)
When the SVX battery assy (BAT1) is removed, insulate the end 
of wire by a tape etc. to prevent short-circuited of the wire part of 
SVX battery assy (BAT1).

t  Computer  

IBM PC/AT or compatible computer preinstalled with the following Windows operating 
systems

*1

: 

Windows XP Home Edition (Service Pack 2 or later) / Windows XP Professional 
(Service Pack 2 or later) / Windows Vista Home Basic (Service Pack 1 or later) / 
Windows Vista Home Premium (Service Pack 1 or later) / Windows Vista Business 
(Service Pack 1 or later) / Windows Vista Ultimate (Service Pack 1 or later) / Windows 7 
Home Basic / Windows 7 Home Premium / Windows 7 Professional / Windows 7 
Ultimate 
Supported 64 bit version OS for Windows Vista and Windows 7. 
Not supported by OSs other than above. 

*1

 Excluding OS Versions not supported by Microsoft.

t  CPU: Pentium III 450 MHz or higher for Windows XP, Pentium III 800 MHz or higher 

for Windows Vista, Pentium III 1 GHz or higher for Windows 7

t  RAM: 256 MB or more for Windows XP, 512 MB or more for Windows Vista, 1 GB or 

more for Windows 7 32-bit version, 2 GB or more for Windows 7 64-bit version

t  Hard Disk Drive: 400 MB or more of available space
t  Display:

–  Screen Resolution: 800 × 600 pixels (or higher) (recommended 1,024 × 768 or higher)
–  Colors: 8 bit or higher (16 bit recommended)

t  CD-ROM drive (supporting Digital Music CD playback capabilities using WDM)
t  Sound board
t  USB connector (Hi-Speed USB is recommended)
t  Internet Explorer 7 or later and Windows Media Player 11 or later are required.
t  Broadband Internet connection is required to use Electronic Music Distribution (EMD) 

or to visit the web site.

We do not guarantee operation for all computers even if they meet the above System 
Requirements.

Not supported by the following environments:

–  Personally constructed computers or operating systems
–  An environment that is an upgrade of the original manufacturer-installed operating 

system

– Multi-boot environment
– Multi-monitor environment
– Macintosh

CAUTION
Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced.
Replace only with the same or equivalent type.

NOTE  THE  MAIN  BOARD  REPLACING
When the MAIN board is replaced, process it according to the fol-
lowing.

You can format the built-in flash memory of the player.

t  If the memory is formatted, all data (songs, videos, photos, etc., including sample data 

installed at the factory, bundled software installer, and the Operation Guide) will be 
erased. Be sure to verify the data stored in memory prior to formatting, and export any 
important data to the hard disk of your computer.

t  Be sure not to initialize (format) the built-in flash memory of the player using Windows 

Explorer. If you have formatted with Windows Explorer, format again using the player.

1

i

i

i

[All data including songs will be deleted. Proceed?] appears.

2

[All data will be deleted. Proceed?] appears.
t  To cancel the operation, select [No].

3

When initialization finishes, [Memory formatted.] appears.
t  To cancel the operation, select [No].

Note: NWZ-A844 (MX: Latin American model) must do the following 

setting after the factory settings.

3. Wallpapers setting
It is necessary to install the Wallpapers. Confi rm details to each 
service headquarters.

NWZ-A844

AEP, UK

z

–

z

East European

z

z

–

E, Australian, Tourist

–

–

z

Latin American

z

–

–

Indian

z

z

z

Chinese

–

z

z

NWZ-A845

AEP, UK

z

–

z

East European

z

–

–

E, Australian, Tourist

z

–

–

Indian

z

–

–

Chinese

z

–

–

NWZ-A846

AEP, UK

z

–

–

E, Australian, Tourist

z

–

–

NWZ-A847

AEP, UK

z

–

–

You can reset the player to the default settings. Resetting the player will not 
delete data such as music, video, and photo data.

 If you select this function during playback, the player pauses playback before performing 

the reset process.

 The default setting of [Equalizer] for players sold in the Latin America region is different 

from the factory setting.











[Restored factory settings.] appears.
 To cancel the operation, select [No] on the confirmation screen.