NWZ-E443, NWZ-E443K, NWZ-E444, NWZ-E444K, NWZ-E445 - Sony Audio Service Manual (repair manual)

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*

1

: 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*

1

: 44.1 kHz 

* Compatible with WM-DRM 10

AAC-LC*

2

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

3

Sampling frequency*

1

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

Linear PCM

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

1

: 44.1 kHz

Video Formats 
(Codec)

Frame rate: Max. 30 fps
Resolution: Max. QVGA (240 × 320)

AVC
(H.264/AVC)

Media File format: MP4 file format
File extension: .mp4, .m4v
Profile: Baseline Profile
Level: Max. 1.3
Bit rate: Max. 768 kbps

MPEG-4

Media File format: MP4 file format
File extension: .mp4, .m4v
Profile: Simple Profile
Bit rate: Max. 1,024 kbps

Windows 
Media Video 
9*

4

Media File format: ASF file format
File extension: .wmv
Profile: Main Profile, Simple Profile
Bit rate: Max. 768 kbps
* Compatible with WM-DRM 10

Audio Formats 
(Codec)

AAC-LC
(for AVC, 
MPEG-4)

Channel number: Max. 2 channels
Sampling frequency*

1

: 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*

1

: 44.1 kHz

File size

Max. 2 GB

The number of files

Max. 1,000

Photo Format 
(Codec)

JPEG

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

The number of files

Max. 8,000

Codec: MP3
Bit rate: 160 kbps, 128 kbps, 96 kbps
Sampling Frequency*

1

: 44.1 kHz

*

1

  Sampling frequency may not correspond to all encoders.

*

2

  Copyright protected AAC-LC files cannot be played back.

*

3

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

*

4

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

*

5

  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 
minutes 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

Songs

Time

Songs

Time

48 kbps

2,450

163 hr. 20 min.

5,050

336 hr. 40 min.

64 kbps

1,850

123 hr. 20 min.

3,750

250 hr. 00 min.

128 kbps

925

61 hr. 40 min.

1,850

123 hr. 20 min.

256 kbps

460

30 hr. 40 min.

945

63 hr. 00 min.

320 kbps

370

24 hr. 40 min.

755

50 hr. 20 min.

Bit rate

Songs

Time

48 kbps

10,000

666 hr. 40 min.

64 kbps

7,700

513 hr. 20 min.

128 kbps

3,850

256 hr. 40 min.

256 kbps

1,900

126 hr. 40 min.

320 kbps

1,550

103 hr. 20 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

Video Format: 384 kbps

14 hr. 30 min.

30 hr. 10 min.

61 hr. 40 min.

Audio Format: 128 kbps

Video Format: 768 kbps

8 hr. 20 min.

17 hr. 10 min.

35 hr. 10 min.

Audio Format: 128 kbps

Max. 8,000
Recordable number of photos may be less depending on file sizes.

NWZ-E443/E443K: 4 GB (Approx. 3.5 GB = 3,758,096,384 bytes)
NWZ-E444/E444K: 8 GB (Approx. 7.1 GB = 7,623,566,950 bytes)
NWZ-E445: 16 GB (Approx. 14.4 GB = 15,461,882,266 bytes)

*

1

  Available storage capacity of the player may vary.

 A 

portion of the memory is used for data management functions.

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

FM Frequency range
87.5 to 108.0 MHz
The frequency is changed by 0.1 MHz.

Not applicable

Headphone: Stereo mini-jack
WM-PORT (multiple connecting terminal): 22 pins
Version: 1.1
Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0 compliant)

5 °C to 35 °C (41 ºF to 95 ºF)

x Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery

x USB power (from a computer via the supplied USB cable)

USB-based charging
Approx. 2 hours (full charge), Approx. 45 minutes (approx. 80 %)

Music

Playback at MP3 128 kbps

Approximately 30 hours

Video

Playback at MPEG-4 384 kbps

Approximately 6 hours

Playback at AVC Baseline 384 kbps

Approximately 4 hours

FM radio

At Receiving FM broadcasting

Approximately 13 hours

FM radio program recording  
(at representative bit rate: MP3 128 kbps)

Approximately 5 hours

Voice recording

Voice recording at MP3 128 kbps

Approximately 8 hours

Actual battery life may vary depending on settings. The above estimated battery usage 
hours 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 

Settings for screen [Brightness]*

1

[3]

[3]

[Type] of [Screensaver]*

2

  [Blank]

[Blank]

Settings for sound 
effect*

3

[Equalizer]

[None]

[None]

[Clear Stereo]

[Off]

[Off]

[Dynamic Normalizer] 

[Off]

[Off]

Setting for speaker 
output

[SP Output Optimizer]*

4

  [SRS-

NWGT014E]*

5

[Off]

*

1

  When [Brightness] is set to [5], battery life may shorten by about 50%.

*

2

  When [Type] of [Screensaver] is set to [Clock], battery life may shorten by about 20%.

*

3

  When [Equalizer] is set to [Custom 1], [Clear Stereo] is set to [On], and [Dynamic Normalizer] is 

set to [On], battery life may shorten by about 50%.

*

4

  [SP Output Optimizer] may not be displayed in the case of models without the supplied speaker.

*

5

  When your player includes the supplied speaker SRS-NWGT014E, the default setting of [SP 

Output Optimizer] is [SRS-NWGT014E]. When your player does not includes the supplied 
speaker, the default setting of [SP Output Optimizer] is [Off].

2-inch, TFT color display with white LED-backlight, QVGA (240 × 320 pixels), 
262,144 colors

44.0 × 86.8 × 9.3 mm (1 3/4 × 3 1/2 × 3/8 inches)

44.6 × 86.8 × 9.8 mm (1 13/16 × 3 1/2 × 13/32 inches)

Approx. 54 g (1.9 oz)

x Headphones (1)

x USB cable (1)

x Attachment (1)  

Use when connecting the player to the optional cradle, etc.

x Quick Start Guide (1)

x 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”.

Č  Content Transfer

Č  WALKMAN Guide

   Operation Guide, etc.

Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

48 kHz

frequency.

temperature.

Continuous RMS power output (reference)*

1

:  1 W +1 W (1 kHz, 10% THD)

Input: WM-PORT*

2

 (22 pin)

Speaker: 

39 mm dia.

Dimensions (w/h/d): Approx. 152 × 109 × 21 mm 

(6 × 4 

3

/

8

 × 

27

/

32 

inches)

Dimensions (w/h/d, upright position): Approx. 152 × 109 × 60 mm 

(6 × 4 

3

/

8

 × 2 

3

/

8

 inches)

Mass: Approx. 142 g (5 oz)
Operating temperature: 5°C 

to 35°C (41 °F to 95 °F)

Power requirements: 

DC 5.2 V (100-240 V)

Power source (2 way power supply): 

AC power adaptor AC-E5212 
(supplied)/Battery supply from the 
“WALKMAN”

Rated current consumption: 

500 mA (“WALKMAN”)

Rated current consumption:
Supplied accessories:

 

1.25 A (speaker)

Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

*1 

When using the AC power adaptor.

*2 

The WM-PORT is a dedicated multi-terminal connector, used to connect a 
“WALKMAN” to its accessories.

x  “WALKMAN”

x  Headphones (1)

x  USB cable (1)

x  Attachment (1) 

Use when connecting the 
“WALKMAN” to the optional 
cradle, etc.

x  Quick Start Guide (1)
x  Speaker*

3

 (1)

x  AC power adaptor AC-E5212*

3 

*

4

 (1)

x  Operating Instructions*

3

 (1)

*

3

 The items (speaker, etc.) bundled with this kit are not described in “Supplied Items” in the 

“Quick Start Guide” supplied with the “WALKMAN.”

*

4

 The shape of the AC power plug varies depending on the country or region.

2010F05-1

© 

2010.06

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. 

•  NWZ-E443K/E444K bundles SRS-NWGT014E (speaker kit).

Photo: NWZ-E445

COMPONENTS  IDENTIFIED  BY  MARK  0  OR  DOTTED  LINE  
WITH  MARK  0  ON  THE  SCHEMATIC  DIAGRAMS  AND  IN  
THE  PARTS  LIST  ARE  CRITICAL  TO  SAFE  OPERATION.
REPLACE  THESE  COMPONENTS  WITH  SONY  PARTS 

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.

 ATRAC is trademark of Sony Corporation.
 “WALKMAN” and “WALKMAN” logo are registered trademarks of Sony Corporation.

 

 is trademark of Sony Corporation.

 Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and Windows Media are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the 

United States and/or other countries.

 Adobe, Adobe Reader and Adobe Flash Player are trademarks or registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United 

States and/or other countries.

 MPEG Layer-3 audio coding technology and patents licensed from Fraunhofer IIS and Thomson.
 IBM and PC/AT are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation.
 Apple, Macintosh and iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
 Pentium is a trademark or a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
 This software is based in part on the work of the Independent JPEG Group.
 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.COM

 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 

 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

 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.

 Information on Expat 

Copyright ©1998, 1999, 2000 Thai Open Source Software Center Ltd and Clark Cooper. 
Copyright ©2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 Expat maintainers. Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person 
obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the “Software”), to deal in the Software without restriction, 
including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, 
and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions: 
The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software. 
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED “AS IS,” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT 
NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRIN
GEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR 
OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN 
CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.

Program ©2009 Sony Corporation
Documentation ©2009 Sony Corporation

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

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

2-1.   Disassembly Flow ...........................................................   13
2-2.   Button Sheet, Ring Ornament .........................................   14
2-3.   SVX Key Cover Assy, Cover Reset SW .........................   14
2-4.   Back Cover, Knob VOL, Knob Hold ..............................   15
2-5.   HP Jack Assy (HPJ1) ......................................................   15
2-6.   KEY Board ......................................................................   16
2-7.   Battery Assy (BAT1) .......................................................   16
2-8.   Top Cover........................................................................   17
2-9.   VOL SW Assy (VSW1) ..................................................   17
2-10.  MAIN Board, LCD Assy (LCD1) ...................................   18

TEST  MODE 

 ............................................................   19

4-1.  Key Cover Section ..........................................................   26
4-2.  Top Cover, KEY Board Section ......................................   27
4-3.  MAIN Board, LCD Assy Section ...................................   28

  .......................................................   29

 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) / Windows Vista 
Home Premium (Service Pack 1) / Windows Vista Business (Service Pack 1) / Windows 
Vista Ultimate (Service Pack 1) 
Supported 64 bit version OS for Windows Vista. 
Not supported by OSs other than above. 
*

1

 Excluding OS Versions not supported by Microsoft.

 CPU: Pentium III 450 MHz or higher (Pentium III 800 MHz or higher for Windows 

Vista)

 RAM: 256 MB or more (512 MB or more for Windows Vista)
 Hard Disk drive: 380 MB or more of available space
 Display: 

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

 CD-ROM drive (supporting Digital Music CD playback capabilities using WDM)
 Sound board
 USB connector (Hi-Speed USB is recommended)
 Internet Explorer 7.0 and Windows Media Player 11 are required.
 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

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NWZ-E443 and NWZ-E444 have the model to whom the speaker is at-
tached (NWZ-E443K/E444K).
However, the model name of the main unit of WALKMAN of NWZ-
E443K and E444K are NWZ-E443 and NWZ-E444.
The setting of the fi rmware is different in the WALKMAN for single sales 
model and the WALKMAN to which the speaker is attached.
Therefore, it is necessary to distinguish whether the WALKMAN brought 
in to the repair is the WALKMAN to which the speaker is attached.

Distinguish by the serial number referring to “F-number and Serial number 
range List” (page 8).

In the WALKMAN for supplied speaker model, marking is given on the 
MAIN board.
Note: Execute marking at the same position when you exchange the 

MAIN board.

MAIN BOARD

Marking: WALKMAN for supplied speaker model.
No Marking: WALKMAN for single sales model.

NOTE  THE  EACH  BOARDS  REPLACING
When the each boards are damaged, exchange the entire mounted 
board. The individual electrical parts which were mounted cannot 
be exchanged.

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

1. Firmware writing
Execute the fi rmware writing with the set assembled to the state of 
the fi gure below after the MAIN board is replaced.

Note: If the set is not assembled to the state of the fi gure below, the fi rm-

ware cannot be written.

•  The set is assembled to the state before the SVX KEY COVER 

ASSY and BUTTON SHEET are attached

Refer to the following procedures for the fi rmware writing meth-
od. 

Note 1: Confi rm the method of obtaining the “Write information tool” 

used here to the service headquarters.

Note 2: Assemble the set completely after confi rming writing the fi rm-

ware ended.

1-1. Preparation
Prepare the following tools beforehand.

•  PC (Windows XP or Windows Vista)
•  USB cable supplied to WALKMAN (WM-PORT)
•  Write information tool

1-2. Installing the write information tool
Procedure:
1.  Unzip the supplied zip fi le to get the following folders.

 • 

Write 

Informatiom1.5

 • 

LabVIEW_Runtime_Engine_82

2.  Open the folder in order of “LabVIEW_Runtime_Engine_82” 

→ “lv82rte”. Then, start up “lv82runtime”.

3.  Click “Next” button.