IRiver astell & kern AK100 User Manual

INSTRUCTION BOOK

User Guide

What's in the Box?

AK100 at a Glance

Powering Up & Charging

Connecting & Syncing

Using iriver Plus 4

02

02

04

05

09

Getting Started

_01

Basic Operation

Listening to Music

Bluetooth Setup

Settings

13

13

15

17

Basics

_02

Safety Precautions

Troubleshooting

Copyright

Certification

Registered Trademarks

Addendum

19

20

21

22

22

22

Troubleshooting
and Other Resources

_03

CONTENTS

User Guide

Pouch: Use the pouch to protect the AK100 from scratches.
Micro USB cable: Connect the Micro USB cable to a

PC to charge the AK100.

Quick start guide: Basic guide to using the AK100.
Warranty information: Please keep the AK100 warranty

in a safe place in the event your AK100 needs servicing.
Manual: Please read the manual saved as a PDF file in
the AK100 before use.

Components may be changed without notice to
improve the performance or quality of the product.

What's in
the Box?

Product appearance, printed and engraved information
may vary depending on the model.

AK100 at
a Glance

Earphone /
OPTICAL OUT Port

Power

Micro SD Card slot

OPTICAL IN Port Micro USB Port

Getting Started

02

AK100

Quick start guide &

warranty information

Micro USB cable

Pouch

Play/Pause

Next/
Fast forward

Previous/
Rewind

Volume

Touch
LCD

Earphone / OPTICAL OUT Port:

Plug in the earphone and output sound through the
earphone jack.
Use an optical cable to play music stored in the product
on an external device with a SPDIF-IN (Optical Audio) port.
Power: Short Press - Power the LCD screen on and off.
Long Press - Power the device on and off.
OPTICAL IN Port: Use an optical cable to play music
stored in an external device with a SPDIF-OUT (Optical
Audio) port on the device.
Micro SD Card Slot: Insert a Micro SD card into the
device to access its stored files.
Micro USB Ports: Connect the product to the computer
and/or to charge the AK100.
Previous/Rewind: Short Press - Replay previous track.
Long Press - Rewind.
Play/Pause: Short Press - Play/Pause.
Long Press - Display the playback screen.
Next/Fast Forward: Short Press - Play the next track.
Long Press - Fast forward.

Volume: Turn the wheel to adjust volume.
Touch LCD: Display and touch the screen start.

User Guide

Getting Started

03

User Guide

This product has an automatic power saving function to
prevent excessive battery consumption. If there is no key
operation within the prescribed period [Settings - power
settings - automatically turn off], the device will be
automatically powered off. (See page 18)

This product has an automatic screen off function to
prevent excessive battery consumption. According to the
[Settings - power settings - turn off the screen] setting, the
screen will be automatically powered off if there is no key
operation within the prescribed period. (See page 18)

When using the reset function, the current time and
memory data will not be deleted. Do not use the reset
function while the product is in use. Doing so may
seriously damage the memory.

Power on/off the screen

1. During stand-by mode, press and hold the [ ]
power on/off key to power off.

2. Briefly pressing the [ ] power on/off key once to
power on the screen.

Using the reset function

1. Should the product stop unexpectedly during
operation and the keys are no longer responsive,
press the [ ] previous/rewind key and [ ] power

on/off key simultaneously for 7 seconds to reset the product.

Power on/off

1.

Press and hold the [ ] power on/off key to power on.

2. During stand-by mode, Press and hold the [ ]
power on/off key to power off.

Powering
Up &
Charging

Getting Started

04

Connecting
& Syncing

Connecting the earphone

1. Plug in the earphone to the earphone jack of the AK100.

Connecting to a computer

1. Power on the AK100 and PC or Mac.

2. When using the Micro USB cable to connect AK100
to the computer. The connection mode selection
window will be displayed on the screen.

- Charging & playing: The AK100 can function normally
while being recharged.

User Guide

Use only the Micro USB cable included with the product to
ensure safe operation.
Check that it is connected to a high-power USB 2.0 port.
Connecting to a low-power USB port (some keyboards,
USB hubs without their own power supply, etc.), may
prevent normal charging.
Once the computer goes into standby mode, the device
may not be charged.
Complete charging time is about 5 hours and 30 minutes.
(Fully discharged, with power off)
Charge the product while it is powered off. When charging
during normal operation, the full charge display may not be shown.
Using the product during charging may require additional
time for a full charge or the battery may not fully recharge.
Charge and keep the product at room temperature.
Exposure to excessive heat or cold may adversely affect
charging performance.
Battery performance may decline with age and number of recharges.

Charging

1. Turn on your PC or Mac.

2.

Use the Micro USB cable and connect the AK100 to the

computer to automatically charge the built-in battery.

Getting Started

05

User Guide

Disconnecting from a computer

1. Click the icon displayed in the task bar or desktop of
the computer to safely disconnect the AK100.

2. Click [Ok] to ensure the AK100 can be safely removed.

The icon may be hidden in the task bar depending on the
operating system. For example: For Windows XP, click the
expand icon to display it on the screen.
When using application programs like Windows Explorer
or Windows Media Player, it may be unsafe to remove the
while using the program.
Only remove the AK100 only after exiting all applications
and programs. Failure to do so may result in loss of stored
data.

Connect the computer and the AK100 when all functions
are stopped.
Use only the Micro USB cable provided with the AK100 to
ensure safe operation.
Connect the computer and the Micro USB cable only after
all functions of the AK100 have been stopped.
Check that the AK100 is connected to a high-power USB

2.0 port. Connecting to a keyboard or a USB hub without
its own power supply may prevent normal operation.
Only the FAT32 file system is supported. Please format the
AK100 accordingly.

- Connect a removable disk: Transfer data while
connected to a computer.

Getting Started

06

Please connect the Micro USB cable properly.
Please use caution when copying or moving files. If the
computer or product is powered off or the Micro USB
cable is removed while the file/folder is being copied or
moved, data may be lost or become seriously damaged.
Transmission speed may vary depending on the computer
and the OS environment.
Save media files through iriver plus4. If the files were
saved in the removable disk through file copy, re-generate
the DB in the Settings menu. [Settings -> Advanced -> Auto
Library Scan]. (See page 18)

Delete files & folders in the AK100

1. Select the file/folder to delete, right-click, and select
[Delete].

2. Click [Yes] in the [check file/folder/deletion] window
to delete the selected file/folder.

User Guide

Copy files & folders to the AK100

1. To copy a file/folder from the computer, select the
file and use the drag & drop method to add the files
to the device.

Getting Started

07

User Guide

Insert/remove the Micro SD card when the product is
powered off.
To avoid damage, do not apply excessive force when
inserting the Micro SD card.
Do not remove the Micro SD card while in use. Doing so
may delete data, damage the AK100 or cause damage to
the Micro SD card.
Do not repeatedly insert/remove the Micro SD card.

Recommended SD Cards

Brand: SanDisk, Transcend

Insert/remove the Micro SD card

1. Gently push to insert the SD card in the SD card slot
as shown in the figure while the product is powered off.

2. Gently press the Micro SD card again to remove it.

Getting Started

08

Slot1

Slot2

iriver plus4 is an integrated software that can manage
multiple multimedia files. Use iriver plus4 to save files
to the AK100 or automatically upgrade the software.

Installing
iriver
plus 4

Connecting OPTICAL OUT

1. Use the optical cable to connect an external device
with a SPDIF-IN port, to the AK100 to listen to music
through an external device.

Connecting OPTICAL IN

1. Use the optical cable to connect an external device
with a SPDIF-IN port, to listen to music through the
AK100.

Improper handling of the Micro SD card may cause
damage to the AK100 or to the Micro SD card.
Use of an unauthorized Micro SD card may result in
malfunction of the AK100.
Transfer speed of the Micro SD card may vary depending
on the PC status.
Formatting the Micro SD card deletes all data. Please back
up the card before formatting it.
Please format the Micro SD card as FAT.
Please format any Micro SD card that is not recognized or
may cause damage to the AK100 or to the Micro SD card.
The Micro SD card is not included in the components and
must be purchased separately.
Micro SD cards up to 32GB are supported with the AK100.

User Guide

Getting Started

09

Optical In supported sample rate: 44.1kHz ~ 192kHz
except for 176.4kHz

User Guide

Adding media to the library

1. Follow the media wizard when running iriver plus 4
for the first time.

2. Follow the instructions on the screen to add media
files like music, video, photographs and text files
from the computer to the library.

Installing

1. Run the iriver plus 4 installation program stored in
the internal memory of the device. The program
installation instruction dialog will be displayed.

2.

Follow the instructions to complete the iriver Plus 4 installation.

iriver plus 4 may also be downloaded from the iriver
homepage (www.iriver.com).
The computer must have the following specifications:
Windows® XP specifications

- Intel® Pentium®Ⅱ 233MHz or faster

- 64MB memory or larger

- 30MB or more free space

- Sound card and speaker with 16-bit support

- Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6.0 or newer

- SVGA or high-resolution monitor (at least 1024x768)
Windows® Vista specifications (Windows® Vista supports
only the 32-Bit version.)

- Intel® Pentium®Ⅱ 800MHz or faster

- 512MB memory or bigger

- 20MB or more free space

- Sound card and speakers supporting 16bit

- Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6.0 or newer

- SVGA or high-resolution monitor (at least 1024x768)
Windows® 7 specifications

- 1GHz or faster 32-Bit processor

- 1GB memory or larger

- 16MB or more free storage space

- DirectX 9 graphic device using WDDM 1.0 or newer driver

- SVGA or high-resolution monitor (at least 1024x768)
Only files smaller than 4 Gigabytes can be transferred.

Getting Started

10

Extracting media from CD

Initializing the disk

1. Use the Micro USB cable to connect the AK100 to
the computer’s USB terminal and run iriver plus 4.

2. Select [Device - Initialize disk], when the window
displayed prompts whether you want to continue, click [Start].

3. When initialization is completed, the completion

window will be displayed and the computer will be
disconnected.

Sending media to the product

1. Use the Micro USB cable to connect the AK100 to

the computer’s USB terminal and run iriver plus 4.

2. Select the file’s check box to send from the computer

to the AK100, then click the [Send] button or drag &
drop the file to the device icon or AK100 window at
the bottom. Check the file transfer progress in the
[File transfer] tab.

3. When transfer is completed, check that the selected

music has been added to the AK100's library.

User Guide

1. Insert a music CD in the CD drive, and run iriver plus 4.

2. Select the check box for the music to extract from

the [CD] tab of iriver plus 4, and select [CD ripping]
at the bottom of the window.

3. When music extraction is completed, select

[All music] to check that the extracted music has
been added to the library.

Getting Started

11

When using External SD card, support slot1 only.

User Guide

If the battery is low, software update may not be
completed.
Do not disconnect the AK100 from the computer while the
software update file is being downloaded.
Disconnect the Micro USB cable after download is
complete.
When the software of the AK100 is up to date, the latest
version will be shown on the information window.
If the software needs to be updated when the AK100 is
connected to the computer, the information window will be
displayed automatically.

Upgrading the firmware

1. Use the Micro USB cable to connect the AK100 to

the USB terminal of the Internet connected computer,
and run iriver plus 4.

2. Select [Device - Update firmware], and update the

software according to the information window.

Getting Started

12

Once files in the AK100 are deleted, they cannot be recovered.
Please back up all files before initializing the disk.

Basic
Operation

Using the touch LCD

Listening
to Music

1. The AK100 incorporates a touchscreen LCD that

operates by touching the screen.
Simply touch the desired icon on the screen to
execute.

Moving up/down in the list

1. Change the list order by dragging the list screen

[down up] / [up down].

Selecting Music

1. Touch the screen to display the function window.

2. Press the [ ] in the lower left corner of the screen

to display the track list.

3. Press the desired song in the list.

Using a sharp object or applying excessive force when
touching the screen may cause serious damage.

Search music by folder in [Folder].
Continuous play time: about 16 hours
(MUSIC : FLAC, 16bit, 44KHz, volume 37, EQ Off, LCD Off)
Supported file formats: FLAC, WAV, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE
FLAC, WAV[8~192kHz(8/16/24bit), MP3(8~320kbps), WMA
(8~320kbps), APE(supported compression level: Normal,
Fast, High)
Use iriver plus 4 to manage the play list.

User Guide

Basics

13

User Guide

Music play screen

Listening to music

- Turn the [Volume wheel] to adjust the volume.

- Press [ ] during playback to pause, press [ ] to restart.

+ Press the AK100's [ ] key to pause/restart.

- Press [ / ] during playback to play the previous

/next music.
+ Alternatively, press the AK100's [ / ] key to play
the previous/next music.

- Press and hold the [ / ] key during playback to

rewind/fast forward.
+ Alternatively, press the AK100's [ / ] key to rewind
/fast forward.

- The status bar can be moved to the desired section

during playback.

- To display lyrics, press [LYRIC] during playback, press

[CONTROL], to discontinue lyrics.

Album Art

LyricsTrack List

Progress Music Time

Option

Filename

Battery

Previous/

Rewind

Status Bar

Play/Pause

Artist Name
Next/Fast Forward

Total Music
Playtime

Basics

14

Mirco SD card
connection status

Bluetooth
connection status

Current Time

Music option

1. Press [ ] in the waiting screen or during playback

to display the list of options.

2. Select the desired menu and set upto your preference.

3. Press [ ] to display the previous screen, and press

[ ] to display the music playback screen.

- Equalizer: Set up the equalizer as desired.

+ Set up the equalizer by adjusting its add/gain levels.

-

Playlist: Add the currently playing music to the playlist.

+ Press [ ] to add to a playlist.

- Music Information:

Display information on the music currently playing.

- Repeat Mode - Change the repeat mode.

+ :

Repeat - Replay the entire list of currently playing music.
+ : Repeat - Replay the currently playing music.
+ : Release - Cancel the repeat play mode.

- Play Mode - Change Repeat play mode.
+ : Play in sequence the music saved in memory.
+ : Play music saved in memory in random order.

1

Using
Bluetooth

Use Bluetooth-supported devices to enjoy music wirelessly.

Connecting Bluetooth

1. Press [ ] in the home screen, and select [Settings ­ Set Up Bluetooth].

2. Set Bluetooth to [ON] to display the list of Bluetooth
supported devices.

3. Select the desired device to connect via Bluetooth.

4. Turn on the device to enjoy music wirelessly.

User Guide

Basics

15

User Guide

Bluetooth Specifications

- Profile: HFP, A2DP

- High-quality music files may slow down the products
(Recommend 48KHz or below)

- EQ does not apply.
Do not turn off the AK100 while connected to Bluetooth.
If Bluetooth support malfunctions, power off the Bluetooth
device and power it back on.
As registration methods may vary for different Bluetooth
devices, please read the user manual for each device
before connecting to the AK100.
When you connect the AK100 to a Bluetooth device, the
distance must be within 20cm.
If the distance between the AK100 and the Bluetooth
device increases, the sound quality will deteriorate. Beyond
3 meters, the devices will disconnect. (Distance may vary
depending on the use environment and Bluetooth device type.)
Crosstalk may occur while Bluetooth is in use.
When using a mult-point supported audio deivce, please
connect the device to enjoy the music.
Connection to car audio is not supported.

Dial and receive calls while Bluetooth is connected

Receiving: After displaying the information, it

automatically disconnects when accepting calls.

Calling: Automatically disconnects it when making a call.

Disconnecting Bluetooth

1. Press the connected device to disconnect.

Deleting Bluetooth

1. Select Bluetooth from the Bluetooth list and drag it
to the left to display the menu list.

2. Press [ ] to delete Bluetooth from the list and press
[ ] to hide the menu list.

Basics

16

Settings

Users can set up the AK100 according to their desire.
The structure of the settings menu may vary depending
on the version of the software.

Setup

1. Press [ ] in the home screen and select [Settings].

2. Select the desired item and set up to the user’s
preferences.

3. Press [ ] to display the previous screen and press
[ ] to display the music play screen.

Date and time

- Set up the current date and time.

User Guide

Basics

17

The following malfunctions or noise may occur depending
on the use environment and its charging state.

- When the user is wearing a Bluetooth headset while
holding the AK100 or holding the AK100 in one hand
and a cell phone in the other.

- When a part of the body touches the radio sender and
receiver of the AK100 or a Bluetooth headset

- When the received power is changed by obstacles like
walls, corners and partitions

- When there is radio interference from devices using the
same frequency band for example: medical devices,
microwave ovens and wireless LAN devices.

- In areas with a great deal of interference for example,
inside elevators and basements.

User Guide

Basics

18

Advanced

- System information: The AK100's system information
will be displayed.

- Auto Library Scan : The DB of the file will be regenerated.

- Tutorial: View the tutorial on using the AK100.

- Bluetooth Device Name : Change the Bluetooth
device name.

- Lock Settings: To lock and unlock the product.

- Reset All Settings: Reset to default settings.

Bluetooth

- Use a Bluetooth supported devices to enjoy music
wirelessly. (For details on setup, see [Connecting
Bluetooth] on page 15.)

Display

- Adjust the screen brightness.

Power

- Auto Power Off: If the AK100 stays idle for a certain
amount of time, power will be automatically turned off.

- Backlight Off: If the device stays idle for a specified
period of time, the screen will be turned off.

Languages

- Select the preferred language

Safety
Precautions

Related to the AK100

- Failure to change the screen image may result in
permanent discoloration.

- Do not put or drop metals or flammable foreign
materials on the AK100
(coins, hairpins, matches, lighter fluid).

- Do not put heavy objects on the AK100.

- If the AK100 becomes wet (beverages, medicines,
sweat), DO NOT power on the AK100. Wipe the AK100
dry with a soft cloth and take it to the nearest iriver
service center.
(Problems resulting from exposure to moisture will be
repaired for a fee regardless of the warranty period,
and in some instances, may not be repairable.)

-

Do not expose the product to dusty or moist environments.

- Do not attempt to disassemble, repair or alter the AK100.

- Avoid exposure to direct sunlight or temperatures
exceeding -5℃ ~ 40℃.

- Do not keep the AK100 next to magnets, TVs, monitors
or speakers.

- Do not expose the AK100 to chemical or detergents.
Doing so may damage the surface of the AK100.

- Do not drop the AK100 or expose it to strong impacts
or vibrations.

- Do not press two or more keys simultaneously.

-

Do not remove the Micro USB cable while transferring data.

- When connecting the Micro USB cable, please use
the USB port on the back of the PC.
Some PC USB ports may be damaged during assembly.

- Never connect anything other than earphones to the
earphone jack.

- Defective screen protection flims or stickers attached
to the screen may dim the image.

User Guide

Troubleshooting and Other Resources

19

User Guide

Other

- Do not use the headphone/earphone or operate the
product while operating a bicycle, automobile or
motorcycle. It is not only dangerous but violates the
law in some regions.

- Do not use the AK100 while driving, walking or hiking.

- To avoid accidents, only use the AK100 in a safe place.

- Do not use the AK100 during thunderstorms.

- Use the lowest volume setting that is comfortable.

Prolonged exposure to high volume may cause hearing loss.

- Make sure that the headphone/earphone does not
get stuck in another object or get caught between
other objects.

- Do not fall asleep while using the earphone.

Trouble­shooting

Please try the following if you are having problems
with your AK100

+ The device does not power on.

- Check the battery power level.
Use the Micro USB cable for charging and recheck.
+ The AK100 is not charging even when the AK100 is
connected to the computer with the Micro USB cable.

- Check that the Micro USB cable is properly
connected to the computer.
+

An error occurs on the PC when the Micro USB is connected.

- Check that the Micro USB cable is properly
connected to the computer.
+ The volume is changed after formatting.

- The volume may vary slightly depending on the OS
of your PC.

Troubleshooting and Other Resources

20

+ The screen turns off repeatedly.

- To reduce power consumption during file playback,
the screen will be turned off after a certain period.

Set up time in [Settings - Power setting - Turn off the screen].

+ The screen does not look normal.

- Check for any foreign material on the screen.
+ There is no sound or there is static.

- Check if the volume is set to [0].

- Check if the earphone terminal is properly connected
and remove any foreign material from the terminal.

- Check the media file for disruptions and integrity.
+ AK100 cannot be connected to the computer.

- Connect the AK100 to the USB port on the back of
the computer.

Differences may occur in the output voltage of USB ports.
+ The file is not played back or the AK100 is unstable
when a certain file is used.

- The following may occur depending on the file,
quality, and damage.
Playback may not be smooth or become difficult.
The AK100 may not function normally.
It may look different than on the PC.
There may be differences in playback speed or
other performance.
There may be differences in the playable specs.

- Convert the file or try another file.

Copyright

iriver has the patent, trademark right, copyright and other
intellectual property rights related to this instruction book
so no contents may be copied or duplicated in any format
or by any means without the prior approval of iriver.

User Guide

Troubleshooting and Other Resources

21

User Guide

Unauthorized use of all or part of this document may
result in legal action. Copyrighted contents like software,
sound sources and video are protected by relevant laws
like the Copyright Act. The user accepts full legal
responsibility for the use of this product to copy or
distribute copyrighted contents without permission.
The names of companies, institutions, products persons
and incidents in this manual are fictional. iriver has no
intention to be associated with any company, institution,
product, person or incident through this instruction book,
and no such inference should be made. The user is
responsible for complying with the Copyright Act.
©1999~2012 iriver Limited. All rights reserved.

Certifi­cation

KCC / FCC / CE / TELEC
Class B device (broadcasting and communication
equipment for homes):
This device is EMC equipment for homes (class B).
It can be used in all regions.

Registered
trademarks

Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7,
and Windows Media Player are registered trademarks
of Microsoft Corp.

Addendum

The manufacturer, importer importer, agent, distributor,
and retailer will not be responsible for contingent damage
including injury or other damage due to improper use
and operation of this iriver device. The information
contained in this instruction book is based on the current
iriver device specifications. iriver, the manufacturer of
this device, is adding new functions and will continue
to apply new technologies in the future. Specifications
are subject to change without any prior notice to the user.
There is no warranty against data loss due to the use of
this device.

Troubleshooting and Other Resources

22