The Sony DTC-M100 was a Digital Audio Tape recorder released in 1988. Built as a compact domestic DAT deck, the Sony DTC-M100 was described as using almost the same structure as the Sony DTC-500ES, but condensed into a mini-component size. It provided two-channel stereo digital recording and playback, with 48kHz recording and playback, 44.1kHz playback only, and 32kHz recording and playback via digital input.
The Sony DTC-M100 arrived during the early period of domestic DAT, when Sony was positioning the format as a high quality digital alternative to analogue tape. The deck used 16-bit linear quantisation and supported the core DAT subcode functions that made the format more practical than conventional cassette tape for track access and programme navigation. These included Start ID, Skip ID, programme number, renumbering and erase functions, along with absolute time and time search operation.
A key design feature of the Sony DTC-M100 was its converter and digital filter arrangement. Both the A/D and D/A sections used a 2fs converter system with digital filtering, intended to double the sampling frequency and reduce the load on the low-pass filter. The converters were integrated into a newly developed LSI, while the digital filter used an A/D/A method that allowed the same circuit to be used for both A/D and D/A conversion. Because recording and playback could use the same circuit, phase correction and time axis correction were simplified within the design.
The Sony DTC-M100 also included a digital peak margin display, allowing the remaining recording margin to be shown in digital dB values. The display data was derived from the digital processing circuit, using the same data as the level meter display, so the recorder could indicate the available headroom during recording. Metering was provided by a 24-segment digital peak meter for each channel, covering -60dB to 0dB.
The subcode system was central to the Sony DTC-M100’s operation. The recorder could use Start ID codes to mark the beginning of selections, Skip ID codes to pass over unwanted sections, and programme numbers for track identification. It also supported rehearsal, renumbering and erase functions, RMS play by remote control, and repeat operation. A linear counter was also fitted and could be switched between four modes alongside the absolute time display provided by subcode.
The transport and control functions included cue and review at approximately 2x and 16x speeds, blank search for locating unrecorded areas of tape, memory play for rewinding to the counter 0:00 position and then playing back, and autoplay for playback immediately after rewind. When used with a separately sold timer, the Sony DTC-M100 could also be used for timer-based recording and playback.
The Sony DTC-M100 included analogue line input and output using pin jack connections, plus digital input through EIAJ-compliant coaxial and optical terminals. Digital output was provided optically. A variable headphone output was also fitted for direct monitoring. The side wood panels were removable, and the deck was supplied with the RM-N500 wireless remote control.
One important limitation of the Sony DTC-M100 is that 44.1kHz operation was playback only. The recorder could record and play back at 48kHz, and it could record and play back at 32kHz through digital input, but it did not record at 44.1kHz. This made the Sony DTC-M100 suitable for domestic DAT recording and 48kHz digital copying, but less suitable where direct 44.1kHz recording was required.
Features
- 48kHz recording and playback, 44.1kHz playback only
- 32kHz recording and playback via digital input
- 16-bit linear quantisation
- 2fs A/D and D/A converter system with digital filtering
- Newly developed LSI integrating the converter system
- Digital peak margin display showing recording headroom in dB
- 24-segment digital peak meter for each channel
- Start ID, Skip ID and programme number subcode functions
- Renumber, erase, rehearsal, repeat and RMS play by remote control
- Cue and review at approximately 2x and 16x speeds
- Blank search, memory play and autoplay functions
- Analogue line input and output
- EIAJ-compliant coaxial and optical digital input
- Optical digital output
- Variable headphone output
- Removable side wood panels
- Supplied with RM-N500 wireless remote control