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The Sony DTC-77ES was introduced in 1991

The DTC-77ES was one of Sony's top of the range DAT recorder featuring 4 heads and a 4-DD Motor Mechanical Deck System.

The DTC-77ES featured a copper plated chassis and two separate power supply transformers, one the audio and one for the digital circuitry..

The 4-Head drum provided off-tape confidence monitoring.

Known as the DTC-87ES in the U.S.

Serial copy management system
This unit utilizes the serial copy management system that permits digital-to-digital recording tor one generation. You can record CD sound or other digital formats through a digital-to-digital connection.

4 Head, 4-DD Motor Mechanical Deck System
In addition to the standard two heads for recording and playback, this unit employs two additional heads for after-monitoring, forming a four-head system. This system allows after-monitoring of the recorded sound during recording in the same manner as with three-head cassette decks. In addition, the unit employs direct-drive motors for the drum, capstan, and reel drives, realizing silent and stable tape transport.

High Speed Search Function
Direct-drive reel motors and a software servo system enable you to locate tunes at high speeds up to 200-times the normal playback speed.

Three sampling frequencies
Recording/playback can be done with three sampling frequencies (48 kHz, 44.1 kHz and 32 kHz).
48 kHz: For analog and digital input signals in a standard mode.
44.1 kHz: For compact disc and pre-recorded DAT tape.
32 kHz: For analog input signals in a long-play mode.

Long play mode
This unit can operate in a long-play mode. Analog input signals can be recorded or playback for up to four consecutive hours when the DT-120 DAT cassette tape is used. The sampling frequency will be 32 kHz in the long play mode.

Visible cassette loading
You can view the tape operation through the lid of the cassette compartment. Due to a revolutionary new transport mechanism, cassette loading time has been significantly reduced.

Excellent sound quality
• 1-bit A/D converter - For the A/D converter section which converts analog input signals to digital signals, the unit employs a 1-bit A/D converter which theoretically generates no zero-cross distortion for a clear, elegant sound quality.
• Pulse D/A converter - Superior playback performance is achieved with a 1-bit D/A converter.

Independent Digital and Analog Power Sources
Since the design of the power source section is important for obtaining good sound quality, this unit incorporates two large-sized, large-capacity transformers for independently supplying power to the digital/mechanical deck sections and the analog section. This design eliminates from the source any interference introduced through the power supply.

Rich variety of subcode information
This unit can record subcode information such as Start IDs, program numbers, Skip IDs, and absolute time data, enabling you to quickly locate tunes and display the playback time in the same manner as when playing compact discs.

Post edit recording of sub codes
You can record or rewrite the following sub codes after the audio signal recording has been completed. Start ID: Signifies the beginning of a selection.
Program number: Gives a number to the selection.
Skip ID: Signifies the beginning of a portion to be skipped.
End ID: Signifies the end position of recording/ playback.
Since sub codes are written on the tape separately from audio signals, the audio signals are not affected.