JVC KW-XC550J, KW-XC550 Instructions Manual

CD/CASSETTE RECEIVER KW -XC550

RECEPTOR-REPRODUCTOR

ENGLISH

DE CD-CASSETTE KW-XC550

RADIOCASSETTE/CD KW -XC550

AUX

/ ATT

SPECTRUM
ANALYZER

S

A

SOUND
CONTROL

S

O

MEMORY

U

N

D

SEL

AUX

MULTI MODE SPECTRUM ANALYZER

40w 4

S

S

M

7

8910

CD CHANGER CONTROL

DOLBY B NR

CD / CASSETTE RECEIVER

COMPACT

DIGITAL AUDIO

11 12

MO
RPT

B.SKIP
RND

KW-XC550

SCAN

DIRECT
SOURCE
SELECT

DISP

H

C

-

D

C

CD

BAND

TUNER

PROG

TAPE

COMPACT

ESPAÑOL

FRANÇAIS

For installation and connections, refer to the separate manual.
Para la instalación y las conexiones, refiérase al manual separado.
Pour l’installation et les raccordements, se référer au manuel séparé.

INSTRUCTIONS

MANUAL DE INSTRUCCIONES

MANUEL D’INSTRUCTIONS

DIGITAL AUDIO

For customer Use:

Enter below the Model No. and
Serial No. which are located on
the top or bottom of the cabinet.
Retain this information for future
reference.

Model No.
Serial No.

VNN3828-631

[J]

INFORMATION (For USA)

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a

ENGLISH

particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or tele vision
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
– Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
– Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
– Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiv er

is connected.

– Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Identification and
Certification Labels

Bottom of the main unit

NAME/RATING PLATE

US JVC CORP. 41 SLATER DRIVE
ELMWOOD PARK, N.J. 07407
MANUFACTURED AT
MADE IN

Product complies with DHHS Rules 21
CFR Subchapter J in effect at date of
manufacture.
MANUFACTURED

*1

*3

Notes:

*1 The date of manufacture.
*2 The ID code of manufacturing plant.
*3 Marking of country origin.

*2

IMPORTANT FOR LASER
PRODUCTS (For USA only)

Precautions:

1. CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT

2. DANGER: Invisible laser radiation when
open and interlock failed or def eated. Avoid
direct exposure to beam.

3. CAUTION: Do not open the top cover.
There are no user-serviceable parts inside.
Leave all servicing to qualified service
personnel.

4. CAUTION: This CD player uses invisible
laser radiation, however, is equipped with
safety switches to prevent radiation
emission when unloading CDs. It is
dangerous to defeat the safety switches.

5. CAUTION: Use of controls, adjustments or
performance of procedures other than
those specified herein may result in
hazardous radiation exposure.

CAUTION on Volume Setting

CDs produce very little noise compared with other sources. If the volume level is adjusted for the
tuner , for e xample, the speakers may be damaged by the sudden incr ease in the output level. Ther efore,
lower the volume before playing a CD and adjust it as required during playback.

2

Thank you for purchasing a JVC product. Please read all instructions carefully before operation, to
ensure your complete understanding and to obtain the best possible performance from the unit.

CONTENTS

BASIC OPERATIONS .................................................... 5

RADIO OPERATIONS ...................................................6

Listening to the radio .....................................................................6

Storing stations in memory............................................................7

FM station automatic preset: SSM ...............................................7

Manual preset.............................................................................. 8

Tuning into a preset station ...........................................................9

Other convenient tuner functions................................................10

Scanning broadcast stations ......................................................10

Selecting FM reception sound....................................................10

CD OPERATIONS ....................................................... 11

Playing a CD .................................................................................11

Locating a track or a particular portion on a CD .....................12

Selecting CD playback modes......................................................13

ENGLISH

TAPE OPERATIONS.................................................... 14

Listening to a tape ........................................................................14

Finding the beginning of a tune...................................................16

Other convenient tape functions..................................................17

Skipping the blank portions on the tape.....................................17

Playing the current tune repeatedly ........................................... 17

SOUND ADJUSTMENTS .............................................18

Selecting preset sound modes ...................................................... 18

Adjusting the sound...................................................................... 19

Storing your own sound adjustments ......................................... 20

SPECTRUM ANALYSER ............................................... 21

Selecting spectrum analyzer patterns ......................................... 21

CONTINUED TO THE NEXT PAGE

3

OTHER MAIN FUNCTIONS .........................................23

Changing general settings (PSM)................................................23

Setting the clock ........................................................................ 23

Selecting the name of the auxiliary source ................................ 24

ENGLISH

Turning on or off the key-touch tone function............................. 24

Selecting the dimmer mode .......................................................25

Changing the AM/FM channel intervals .....................................25

REMOTE OPERATIONS ............................................... 26

Installing the batteries..................................................................26

Using the remote controller .........................................................26

CD CHANGER OPERATIONS ......................................27

Playing CDs ................................................................................... 27

Selecting CD playback modes......................................................29

LISTENING TO AN EXTERNAL DEVICE ........................ 30

Listening to the auxiliary source .................................................30

MAINTENANCE......................................................... 31

Handlings cassettes ....................................................................... 31

Handling CDs................................................................................32

How to Reset your unit .............................................................. 32

TROUBLESHOOTING .................................................33

SPECIFICATIONS ....................................................... 35

BEFORE USE

* For safety....

• Do not raise the volume level too much, as this will
block outside sounds, making driving danger ous.

• Stop the car before performing any complicated
operations.

4

* Temperature inside the car....

If you have parked the car for a long time in hot
or cold weather, wait until the temperature in the
car becomes normal before operating the unit.

BASIC OPERATIONS

1

2

1

3

H

C

-

CD

D

C

D

N

A

B

TUNER

PROG

TAPE

/ ATT

2

2

Note:

When you use this unit for the
first time, set the built-in
clock correctly, see page 23.

Tur n on the power.

Note on One-Touch Operation:

When you select a source in step 2 below, the power automatically comes on.
You do not have to press this button to turn on the power.

Select the source.

or

AUX

To operate the tuner, see pages 6 – 10.
To operate the CD player, see pages 11 – 13.
To operate the tape deck, see pages 14 – 17.
To operate the CD changer, see pages 27 – 29.
To operate an external device, see page 30.

ENGLISH

3

To turn up the
volume

Adjust the volume.

To turn down
the volume

4

Adjust the sound as you want (see pages 18 – 20).

• If you need to change the spectrum analyser pattern, see page 21.

To drop the volume in a moment

Press
the volume level will drop in a moment.
To resume the previous volume level, press the button briefly again.

To turn off the power

Press

/ ATT

briefly while listening to any source. “ATT” starts flashing on the display, and

/ ATT

for more than 1 second.

Volume level appears.

5

RADIO OPERATIONS

Listening to the radio

ENGLISH

2

1

1

FM1 FM2 FM3 AM

BAND

TUNER

2

To search stations of
higher frequencies

To search stations of
lower frequencies

Select the band (FM1, FM2, FM3 or AM).

You can select any one of FM1, FM2, and FM3 to listen to an
FM station.

Start searching a station.

When a station is received, searching stops.

To stop searching before a station is received, press the same button you have pressed
for searching.

To tune in a particular frequency manually:

1 Press TUNER/BAND repeatedly to select the band (FM or AM).
2 Press and hold ¢

Now you can manually change the frequency while “MANU” is flashing.

3 Press ¢

• If you hold down the button, the frequency keeps changing until you release the button.

6

or 4 repeatedly until the frequency you want is reached.

or 4 until “MANU” flashes on the display.

Storing stations in memory

You can use one of the following two methods to store broadcasting stations in memory.

• Automatic preset of FM stations: SSM (Strong-station Sequential Memory)

• Manual preset of both FM and AM stations

FM station automatic preset: SSM

You can preset 6 local FM stations in each FM band (FM1, FM2, and FM3).

1

2

ENGLISH

1

BAND

TUNER

Select the FM band number (FM1, FM2 or
FM3) you want to store FM stations into.

FM1 FM2 FM3 AM

2

Press and hold both buttons for more than 2

S

S

M

Local FM stations with the strongest signals are searched and stored automatically in the
band number you hav e selected (FM1, FM2 or FM3). These stations are preset in the number
buttons — No. 1 (lowest frequency) to No. 6 (highest frequency).
When automatic preset is over, the station stored in number button 1 will be automatically
tuned in.

seconds.

“SSM” appears, then disappears when automatic
preset is over.

7

Manual preset

You can preset up to 6 stations in each band (FM1, FM2, FM3 and AM) manually.
EXAMPLE: Storing an FM station of 88.3 MHz into the preset number 1 of the FM1 band

ENGLISH

1

2

3

1

2

3

BAND

TUNER

Select the FM1 band.

Tune into a station of 88.3 MHz.

See page 6 to tune into a station.

Press and hold the button for more than 2
seconds.

4

Repeat the above procedure to store other stations into other
preset numbers.

Notes:

• A previously preset station is erased when a new station is stored in the same preset number.

• Preset stations are er ased when the po wer supply to the memory circuit is interrupted (for example,
during battery replacement). If this occurs, preset the stations again.

8

\

“P1” flashes for a few seconds.

Tuning into a preset station

You can easily tune into a preset station.
Remember that you must store stations first. If you have not stored them yet, see pages 7
and 8.

1

2

ENGLISH

1

2

BAND

TUNER

Select the band (FM1, FM2, FM3 or AM) you
want.

FM1 FM2 FM3 AM

Select the number (1 – 6) f or the preset station
you want.

9

Other convenient tuner functions

ENGLISH

MO RPT

SCAN Ÿ

Scanning broadcast stations

When you press SCAN Ÿ while listening to the radio, station scanning

SCAN

starts. (“SCAN” appears on the displa y.) Each time a broadcast is tuned in,
scanning stops for about 5 seconds (tuned frequency number flashes on
the display), and you can check what program is now being broadcasted.

If you want to listen to that program, press the same button again to stop
scanning.

Selecting FM reception sound

When an FM stereo broadcast is hard to receive:

Press MO RPT (Monaural/Repeat) while listening to an FM stereo broadcast. The sound y ou
hear becomes monaural but reception will be improved.

MO
RPT

To restore the stereo effect, press the same button again.

When using this unit in an area other than North or South America:

You need to change the AM/FM channel intervals. See “Changing the AM/FM channel
intervals” on page 25.

10

Lights up when receiving an FM broadcast in stereo.

J

Playing a CD

CD OPERATIONS

1

ENGLISH

1

S

A

S

O

U

N
D

S

E

4

L

0

w

4

7

Insert a disc into the loading slot.

The unit turns on, draws a CD and starts playback
automatically.

• Insert the CD with the printed face facing upside.

Total track number
of the inserted disc

Total playing time of
the inserted disc

\

Current track

Elapsed playing time

\

Note on One-Touch Operation:

When a CD is already in the loading slot, pressing CD/CD-CH turns on the unit and starts
playback automatically.

To stop play and eject the CD

Press 0.
CD play stops and the CD automatically ejects from the loading slot (“CD EJECT” appears on
the display). The source changes to the last selected source.
If you change the source, the CD play also stops (without ejecting the CD this time).

• If the ejected disc is not removed for about 15 seconds, the disc is automatically inserted again into
the loading slot to protect it from dust. (CD play will not start this time.)

• You can eject the CD even when the unit is turned off.

11

Locating a track or a particular portion on a CD

AUX

ENGLISH

¢
4

Number buttons

To fast-forward or reverse the track

Press and hold ¢ while playing a CD, to fast-forward the track.

Press and hold 4 while playing a CD, to reverse the track.

To go to the next track or the previous track

Press ¢ briefly while playing a CD, to go ahead to the beginning of
the next trac k. Each time y ou press the button consecutiv ely, the beginning
of the next track is located and played back.

Press 4

briefly while playing a CD, to go back to the beginning of the
current track. Each time you press the button consecutively, the beginning
of the previous track is located and played back.

To go to a particular track directly

7

8910

Press the number button corresponding to the track number to star t its
playback.

• To select a track number from 1 – 6:

Press 1 (7) – 6 (12) briefly.

• To select a track number from 7 – 12:

Press and hold 1 (7) – 6 (12) for more than 1 second.

11 12

12

Selecting CD playback modes

MO RPT B.SKIP RND

To play back tracks at random (Random Play)

You can play back all tracks on the CD at random.

B.SKIP
RND

Each time you press B.SKIP RND (Blank Skip/Random) while playing a
CD, CD random play mode turns on and off alternatively.
When the random mode is turned on, the RND indicator lights up on the
display and a track randomly selected starts playing.

ENGLISH

To play back tracks repeatedly (Repeat Play)

You can play back the current track repeatedly.

MO
RPT

Each time you press MO RPT (Monaural/Repeat) while playing a CD, CD
repeat play mode turns on and off alternatively.
When the repeat mode is turned on, the RPT indicator lights up on the
display.

To prohibit CD ejection

You can prohibit the CD ejection and can “lock” a CD in the loading slot.
Press and hold CD and 0 for more than 2 seconds. “EJECT” flashes on

CH

CD-

CD

(at the same time)

the display for about 5 seconds, and the CD is “locked.”
To cancel the prohibition and “unlock” the CD, press and hold CD

and 0 f or more than 2 seconds again. “EJECT” flashes on the displa y f or
about 5 seconds, and the CD is “unlocked.”

13

TAPE OPERATIONS

Listening to a tape

ENGLISH

1

Note on One-Touch Operation:

When a cassette is already in the cassette compartment, pr essing TAPE/PROG turns on the
unit and starts tape play automatically.

3

21

Insert a cassette.

The unit turns on and tape play starts automatically.

7

8

9

1

0

1

1

When one side of the tape reaches its end during play, the

other side of the tape automatically starts playing. (Auto

Reverse)

2

3

SCAN

PROG

TAPE

Turn on or off the Dolby B NR* as needed.

Each time you press the button, the Dolby B NR tur ns on and
off.

This indicator
lights up when
the Dolby B NR
is turned on.

Select the tape direction.

Each time you press the button, the tape direction changes
alternatively.

j

* Dolby noise reduction manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing

Corporation. “Dolby” and the double-D symbol Ÿ are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories
Licensing Corporation.

14

To stop play and eject the cassette

Press 0.
Tape play stops and the cassette automatically ejects from the cassette compartment.
If you change the source, the tape play also stops (without ejecting the cassette this time).

• You can also eject the cassette with the unit turned off.

Tape direction

To fast-forward and rewind a tape

• Press ¢ for more than 1 second to fast-forward the
tape.
When the tape reaches its end, the tape is reversed and
playback starts from the beginning of the other side.

Tape direction

• Press 4 for more than 1 second to rewind the tape.
When the tape reaches its end, playback of the same side
starts.

To stop fast-forward and rewind at any position on the tape, press TAPE/PROG.
Tape play starts from that position on the tape.

About Automatic Tape Type Detection

With the Automatic Tape Type Detection mechanism provided for this unit, you can listen to
type I, II and IV tapes without changing any settings.

ENGLISH

To prohibit tape ejection

PROG

TAPE

(at the same time)

You can prohibit the tape ejection and can “lock” a tape in the cassette
compartment.

Press and hold TAPE/PROG and
flashes on the display for about 5 seconds, and the tape is “locked.”

To cancel the prohibition and “unlock” the tape, press and hold
TAPE/PROG and
on the display for about 5 seconds, and the tape is “unlocked.”

0 for more than 2 seconds. “EJECT”

0 for more than 2 seconds again. “EJECT” flashes

15

Finding the beginning of a tune

Multi Music Scan allows you to automatically start playback from the beginning of a specified
tune. You can specify up to 9 tunes ahead or before the current tune.

ENGLISH

1

1

During playback

Specify how many tunes ahead of or

T o locate a tune ahead
of the current tune on
the tape

before the current tune the tune you
want is located.

T o locate a tune bef ore
the current tune on the
tape

When the beginning of the specified tune is located, playback starts automatically.

Notes:

• While locating a specified tune:
– If the tape is rewound to its beginning, playback starts from the beginning of that side.
– If the tape is fast-forwarded to the end, it is reversed and played from the beginning of the other

side.

• In the following cases, Multi Music Scan may not operate correctly.
– Tapes with tunes having long pianissimo passages (very quiet parts) or non-recorded portions

during tunes.
– Tapes with short non-recorded sections.
– Tapes with high level noise or humming between tunes.
– The Dolby NR setting does not match. For example, if the tape is recorded with the Dolby C NR.

Each time you set the tune, the number changes
up to ±9.

16

Other convenient tape functions

ENGLISH

MO RPT

B.SKIP RND

Skipping the blank portions on the tape

B.SKIP
RND

You can skip blank portions between the tunes. (Blank Skip)
Each time you press B.SKIP RND (Blank Skip/Random) while playing a

tape, the blank skip function turns on and off alternatively.
When this function is on, the B.SKIP indicator lights up on the displa y and
the unit skips blank portions of 15 seconds or more, fast-forwards to the
next tune, then starts playing it.

• When the tape reaches its end while fast-forwarding, the tape direction will be
changed automatically.

Playing the current tune repeatedly

MO
RPT

You can play the current tune repeatedly. (Repeat Play)
Each time you press MO RPT (Mono/Repeat) while pla ying a tape, Repeat

Play turns on and off alternatively . When this fonction is on, the RPT indicator
lights up on the display.

Note:

In the following cases, Blank Skip and Repeat Play may not operate correctly.
– T apes with tunes having long pianissimo passag es (very quiet parts) or non-recor ded portions during

tunes.
– Tapes with short non-recorded sections.
– Tapes with high level noise or humming between tunes.
– The Dolby NR setting does not match. For example, if the tape is recorded with the Dolby C NR.

17

SOUND ADJUSTMENTS

Selecting preset sound modes

You can select a preset sound adjustment suitable to the music genre.

ENGLISH

Sound mode indicators

1

1

SOUND

Select the sound mode you want.

Each time you press the button, the sound mode changes
as follows.

Indication For: Preset values

Bass Treble Loudness
SCM OFF (Flat sound) 00 00 On
BEAT Rock or disco music +02 00 On
SOFT Quiet background music +01 –03 Off
POP Light music +04 +01 Off

Notes:

• You can adjust the preset sound mode to your preference, and store it in memory.
If you want to adjust and store your original sound mode, see “Storing your own sound adjustments”
on page 20.

• T o adjust the bass and treble r einfor cement levels or to turn on/off the loudness function tempor arily ,
see “Adjusting the sound” on page 19.

18

Adjusting the sound

You can adjust the sound characteristics to your preference.

2

1

1

Select the item you want to adjust.

SEL

ENGLISH

Indication To do: Range

BAS Adjust the bass –06 (min.) — +06 (max.)
(Bass)

TRE Adjust the treble –06 (min.) — +06 (max.)
(Treble)

F AD Adjust the front and rear speaker R06 (rear only) — F06 (front only)
(Fader)* balance

BAL Adjust the left and right speaker L06 (left only) — R06 (right only)
(Balance) balance

LOUD Turn on or off the loudness function** ON — OFF
(Loudness)

VOL Adjust the volume 00 (min.) — 50 (max.)
(Volume)

Notes:

* If you are using a two-speaker system, set the fader level to “00” (center).
** The loudness function can boost low and high frequencies to pr oduce a well-balanced sound at

low volume levels. When the loudness function is “ON,” the LOUD indicator lights up.

2

Adjust the level.

Note:

Normally the + and – buttons work as the volume control buttons.
So you do not have to select “VOL” to adjust the volume level.

19

Storing your own sound adjustments

You can adjust the sound modes (BEAT, SOFT, POP: see page 18) to your preference and
store your own adjustments in memory.

ENGLISH

1,4

2

3

1

2

3

SOUND

Within

5 seconds

SEL

Within

5 seconds

Within

5 seconds

Call up the sound mode you want to adjust.

See page 18 for details.

Select “BAS (bass),” “TRE (treb le)” or “LOUD
(loudness).”

Adjust the selected item.

See page 19 for details.

4

SOUND

5

Repeat the same procedure to store other settings.

To reset to the factory settings

Repeat the same procedure and reassign the preset values listed in the table on page 18.

20

Press and hold SOUND until “MEMO” flashes
on the display.

Your setting is stored in memory.

SPECTRUM ANALYZER

Selecting spectrum analyzer patterns

You can select any one from 8 different spectrum analyzer patterns or a demonstration of all
the mode.

1

1

SA

Select the spectrum analyzer pattern you
want.

Each time you press the button, the pattern changes as
follows:

ENGLISH

∞

1. ALL DEMO (default setting)
Demonstrate all the spectrum analyzer patterns (2 to 9), each
for 10 seconds.

2. PEAK HOLD 1

Hold the peak for about 2 seconds, dipslayed from the top.

3. STANDARD 1

Standard spectrum analyser, displayed from the top.

4. PEAK HOLD 2

Same as PEAK HOLD 1, but displayed from the bottom.

5. STANDARD 2

Same as STANDARD 1, but displayed from the bottom.

6. PEAK

Display only the peak and the two segments below it from the
top.

7. TALKING MOUTH

Display the upper and lower peaks together.

8. MIRROR

Symetrical display.

9. SIDE WINDER

Spectrum analyser displayed horizontally. In this case the
frequency indications at the bottom of the display disappear.

10.OFF

No pattern displayed

21

Spectrum Analyser Examples:

2. PEAK HOLD 1

ENGLISH

3. STANDARD 1

6. PEAK

7. T ALKING MOUTH

8. MIRROR

9. SIDE WINDER

22

The lower freguencies are shown on the top and the higher ones
at the bottom. (From 60 Hz, 150 Hz, 400 Hz, 1 kHz...12 kHz.)

OTHER MAIN FUNCTIONS

Changing general settings (PSM)

You can change the follo wing settings for this unit b y using the PSM (Preferred Setting Mode)
control.

• CLOCK (H/M): Adjusts the built-in clock (see below).

• AUX: Selects the name which will be displayed when you press AUX (see page 24).

• BEEP: Turn on or off the key-touch tone function (see page 24).

• DIMMER: Selects the dimmer mode (see page 25).

• AREA: Selects the area you use this unit — when using this unit in an area other than North
or South America (see page 25).

¢
4

+/–

ENGLISH

SEL

Setting the clock

After installation, set the built-in clock correctly.
1 Press SEL for more than 2 seconds.

One of the PSM items appears on the display.

2 If “PSM CLOCK H” does not appear, press ¢

or 4 repeatedly until it appears.

\

The current setting appears.

3 Press + or – to adjust the hour.
4 Press ¢ or 4 until “PSM CLOCK M” appears on the display.
5 Press + or – to adjust the minute.
6 Press DISP to start clock.

DISP

To check the current clock time (changing the display mode)

Press DISP repeatedly . Each time you press the b utton, the display mode changes as f ollows.

During tuner operation: During tape operation:

Frequency Clock Play mode Clock

• If the unit is not in use when you press DISP, the power turns on, the clock time is shown for
5 seconds, then the power turns off.

During CD operation:

Elapsed
playing time

Clock

23

Selecting the name of the auxiliary source

When shipped from the factory, the auxiliarty source name appears as “AUX” on the display.
You can change it to “MD” or “TV.”

1 Press SEL for more than 2 seconds.

ENGLISH

One of the PSM items appears on the display.

2 If “PSM AUX” does not appear, press ¢

or 4 repeatedly until it appears.

\

The current setting appears.

3 Press + or – to select the name you want to use.

Each time you press the button, the name changes as follows:

Turning on or off the key-touch tone function

When shipped from the factory, the key-touch tone function is on so that you can hear a
“beep” each time y ou press a button. If you want to turn off this function, follow the procedure
below .

1 Press SEL for more than 2 seconds.

One of the PSM items appears on the display.

2 If “PSM BEEP” does not appear, press ¢

or 4 repeatedly until it appears.

\

The current setting appears.

3 Press – to turn off this function (or press + to turn on the function again).

24

Selecting the dimmer mode

When you turn on the car head lights, the display automatically dims (Auto Dimmer).
When shipped from the factory, Auto Dimmer function has been activated.
If you want to cancel this function, follow the procedure below and select “OFF.”

• AUTO: Activates Auto Dimmer

• OFF: Cancels Auto Dimmer

1 Press SEL for more than 2 seconds.

One of the PSM items appears on the display.

2 If “PSM DIMMER” does not appear, press ¢

or 4 repeatedly until it appears.

\

The current setting appears.

3 Press – to select “OFF” (or press + to select “AUTO” again).

Changing the AM/FM channel intervals

When using this unit in an area other than North or South America:

When this unit is shipped from the factory, the channel intervals are set to 10 kHz for AM and
200 kHz for FM. You can change the channel intervals by following the procedure below.
1 Press SEL for more than 2 seconds.

One of the PSM items appears on the display.

2 If “PSM AREA” does not appear, press ¢
3 Press +.

“AREA EU” appears and the channel intervals are set to 9 kHz for AM and 50 kHz (for
manual tuning) / 100 kHz (for searching) for FM.

or 4 reapeatedly until it appears.

ENGLISH

T o reset to the factory setting, f ollow the abov e step 1 and 2, then press – in step 3 (“AREA

US” appears on the display).

AREA EU: Select this when used in an area other than North and South America.
AREA US: Select this when used in North or South America.

\

25

REMOTE OPERATIONS

Before using the remote controller:

• Aim the remote controller directly at the remote sensor on

ENGLISH

the main unit. Make sure there is no obstacle in between.

• Do not expose the remote sensor to strong light (direct
sunlight or artificial lighting).

Installing the batteries

R03(UM-4)/AAA(24F)

Remote sensor

Insert the ·
ends first.

Using the remote controller

1 Selects the source.

Each time you press FUNC (function), the source

1

2

3

4

5

6

changes.

2 Functions as the +/– button on the main unit.

• Does not function for the PSM adjustments.

3 Functions as the SEL button on the main unit.

• Does not function for the PSM adjustments.

4 • Functions as the TUNER/BAND button while listening

to the radio.

• Functions as the TAPE/PROG button while listening to
a tape.

• Functions as the +DISC button while listening to the
CD changer.
Each time you press the button, the disc number
increases, and selected disc starts playing.

5 • Functions as the station searching button while listening

to the radio.

• Functions as the fast forward or rewind button or Multi
Music Scan button while listening to a tape.

• Functions as the fast forw ard or rev erse button or tr ack
selecting button while listening to a CD.

6 Turns on or off the power.

When the controllable
range or effectiveness of
the remote controller
decreases, replace the
batteries — R03(UM-4)/
AAA(24F).

26

CD CHANGER OPERATIONS

We recommend that you use one of the CH-X series with your KW-XC550.
If you hav e another CD automatic changer, consult y our JVC car audio dealer for connections.

• F or example , if your CD automatic changer is one of the KD-MK series, you need a cor d (KS-U15K)
for connecting it to this unit.

Before operating your CD automatic changer:

• Refer also to the Instructions supplied with your CD changer.

• If no discs are in the magazine of the CD changer or the discs are inserted upside
down, “NO DISC” will appear on the displa y. If this happens , remov e the magazine and
set the discs correctly.

• If “RESET 1 - RESET 8” appears on the display , something is wrong with the connection
between this unit and the CD changer. If this happens, check the connection, connect
the connecting cord(s) firmly if necessary, then press the reset b utton of the CD changer.

Playing CDs

¢
4

ENGLISH

1

Number buttons

CH

CD-

CD

Note on One-Touch Operation:

When you press CD/CD-CH, the power automatically comes on. You do not have to press

/ ATT

to turn on the power.

Select the CD automatic changer.

If there is one CD in this unit, press the button twice.
Play back starts from the first track of the first disc.
All tracks of all discs are played back.

Elapsed playing time (The clock time
is shown if you have pressed DISP to

Disc number

see the clock time. See page 23.)

Track number

1

27

To fast-forward or reverse the track

Press and hold ¢ while playing a CD, to fast-forward the track.

ENGLISH

Press and hold 4 while playing a CD, to reverse the track.

To go to the next track or the previous track

Press ¢ briefly while playing a CD, to go ahead to the beginning of
the next trac k. Each time y ou press the button consecutiv ely, the beginning
of the next track is located and played back.

Press 4 briefly while playing a CD, to go back to the beginning of the
current track. Each time you press the button consecutively, the beginning
of the previous track is located and played back.

To go to a particular disc directly

7

8910

11 12

Press the number button corresponding to the disc number to start its
playback (while CD changer is playing).

• To select a disc number from 1 – 6:
Press 1 (7) – 6 (12) briefly.

• To select a disc number from 7 – 12:
Press and hold 1 (7) – 6 (12) for more than 1 second.

Ex. When disc number 3 is selected.

Track numberDisc number

28

Selecting CD playback modes

ENGLISH

MO RPT

B.SKIP RND

To play back tracks at random (Random Play)

B.SKIP
RND

Mode RND indicator Plays at random

RND1 Lights All tracks of the current disc, then the tr acks of the ne xt

RND2 Flashes All tracks of all discs inserted in the magazine.

Each time you press B.SKIP RND (Blank Skip/Random) while playing a
CD, CD random play mode changes as follows:

RND1 RND2 Canceled

(Random1) (Random2)

disc, and so on.

To play back tracks repeatedly (Repeat Play)

MO
RPT

Each time you press MO RPT (Monaural/Repeat) while playing a CD, CD
repeat play mode changes as follows:

Mode RPT indicator Plays repeatedly

RPT1 Lights The current track (or specified track).
RPT2 Flashes All tracks of the current disc (or specified disc).

RPT1 RPT2 Canceled

(Repeat1) (Repeat2)

29

LISTENING TO AN EXTERNAL DEVICE

You can listen to an external unit connected to the AUX jack on the front panel.

Listening to the auxiliary source

ENGLISH

1

3

1

AUX

Select the auxiliary source.

Note on One-Touch Operation:

When you press AUX, the power automatically comes on. You do not have to press

/ ATT

to turn on the power.

2

Turn on the connected device and start playing the source.

3

To turn up the
volume

To turn down
the volume

Notes:

• For the external device connection, see the separate manual.

• See also “Selecting the name of the auxiliary source” on page 24 if you want to match the name
shown on the display with the name of the connected device.

Adjust the volume.

30

MAINTENANCE

Handling cassettes

The cassette deck built in this unit requires v ery little attention, but y ou will be ab le to extend
the life of the cassette deck if you follow the instructions below.

To clean the heads

• Clean the heads after every 10 hours of use
using a wet-type head cleaning tape (availab le
at an audio store).
When the head becomes dirty , you may realize
the following symptoms:

– Sound quality is reduced.
– Sound level decreases.
– Sound drops out.

• Do not play dirty or dusty tapes.

7

8

9

1

0

1

1

• Do not touch the highly-polished head with any
metallic or magnetic tools.

ENGLISH

To keep the tape clean

• Always store the tapes to their storage cases
after use.

• Do not store tapes in the following places:
– Subject to direct sunlight
– With high humidity
– At extremely hot temperatures

CAUTIONS:

• Do not play the tapes with peeling labels; otherwise, they can damage the unit.

• Tighten tapes to remove slack since loose tape may become entangled with the mechanism.

• Do not leave a cassette in the cassette compartment after use, as the tape may become slack.

The function below is also provided to ensure the longer life of the cassette deck.

Ignition key-off Release/Ignition key-on play

• When you turn off the ignition key with a cassette in the compartment, the unit automatically
releases the tape from its head.

• When you turn on the ignition key with a cassette in the compartment, playback automatically
starts.

31

Handling CDs

COMPACT

The CD player buit in this unit has been designed only to play back the CDs bearing the
Other discs cannot be played bac k.

ENGLISH

How to handle CDs

When removing a CD from its case, press down the center holder of the case
and lift the CD out, holding it by the edges.

• Always hold the CD by the edges. Do not touch its recording surface.
When storing a CD into its case, gently insert the CD around the center

holder (with the printed surface facing up).

• Make sure to store CDs into the cases after use.

To keep CDs clean

A dirty CD may not play correctly. If a CD does becomes dirty, wipe it with a soft
cloth in a straight line from center to edge.

To play new CDs

New CDs may have some rough spots around the inner and outer edges. If such
a CD is used, this unit may reject the CD.
To remove these rough spots, rub the edges with a pencil or ball-point pen, etc.

Moisture condensation

Moisture may condense on the lens inside the CD player in the following cases:

• After starting the heater in the car.

• If it becomes very humid inside the car.
Should this occur, the CD pla yer ma y malfunction. In this case, eject the CD and leave the unit turned on
for a few hours until the moisture evaporates.

DIGITAL AUDIO

Center holder

mark.

CAUTIONS:

• Do not insert any CD of unusual shape — like a heart or flower; otherwise, it will malfunction.

• Do not expose CDs to dir ect sunlight or any heat source or place them in a place subject to high temper ature
and humidity. Do not leave them in a car.

• Do not use any solvent (for example, conventional record cleaner, spray, thinner, benzine , etc.) to clean CDs.

About mistracking:

Mistracking may result from driving on extremely rough roads. This does not damage the unit and
the CD, but will be annoying.
We recommend that you stop CD play while driving on such rough roads.

How to Reset your unit

Press and hold both the SEL and
This will reset the built-in microcomputer.
NOTE: Your preset adjustments — such as preset channels or sound adjustments —

will also be erased.

/ ATT

buttons at the same time f or sev eral seconds.

/ ATT

SEL

32

TROUBLESHOOTING

What appears to be trouble is not alwa ys serious. Check the following points before calling a
service center.

Symptoms

• CD cannot be played back.

• CD sound is sometimes
interrupted.

• “NO DISC” appears on the
display.

• A cassette tape cannot be
inserted.

• Cassette tapes become hot.

• Tape sound is at very low
level and sound quality is
degraded.

Causes

CD is inserted upside down.
You are driving on rough

roads.
CD is scratched.
Connections are incorrect.

No CD is in the loading slot.
(or in the magazine).

CD is inserted incorrectly.
You have tried to insert a

cassette in the wrong way.
This is not a malfunction.
The tape head is dirty.

Remedies

ENGLISH

Insert the CD correctly.
Stop CD play while driving on

rough roads.
Change the CD.
Check the cords and

connections.
Insert CD.

Insert it correctly.
Insert the cassette with the

exposed tape facing right.

———————

Clean it with a head cleaning
tape.

• Sound is sometimes
interrupted.

• Sound cannot be heard from
the speakers.

• SSM automatic preset does
not work.

• Static noise while listening to
the radio.

• “NO MAG” appears on the
display.

Connections are not good.

The volume control is turned
to the minimum level.

Connections are incorrect.

Signals are too weak.

The antenna is not connected
firmly.

No magazine is in the CD
changer.

Check the cords and
connections.

Adjust it to the optimum level.

Check the cords and
connections.

Store stations manually.

Connect the antenna firmly.

Insert the magazine.

CONTINUED TO THE NEXT PAGE

33

Symptoms

Causes

Remedies

• “RESET 8” appears on the
display.

ENGLISH

• “RESET 1-RESET 7”
appears on the display.

• CD can neither be played
back nor ejected.

• This unit does not work at
all.

• The CD changer does not
work at all.

This unit is not connected to
a CD changer correctly.

———————

The CD player may function
incorrectly.

The built-in microcomputer
may function incorrectly due
to noise, etc.

Connect this unit and the CD
changer correctly and press
the reset button of the CD
changer.

Press the reset button of the
CD changer.

While holding SEL, press CD/
CD-CH for more than 2
seconds. Be careful not to
drop CD when it is ejected.

While holding SEL, press

for more than 2

/ ATT

seconds to reset the unit. (The
clock setting and preset
stations stored in memory are
erased.) (See page 32.)

34

SPECIFICATIONS

AUDIO AMPLIFIER SECTION

Maximum Power Output:

Front: 40 watts per channel
Rear: 40 watts per channel

Continuous P ower Output (RMS):

Front: 16 watts per channel into 4 Ω, 40

to 20,000 Hz at no more than 0.8%
total harmonic distortion.

Rear: 16 watts per channel into 4 Ω, 40

to 20,000 Hz at no more than 0.8%

total harmonic distortion.
Load Impedance: 4 Ω (4 to 8 Ω allowance)
Tone Control Range:

Bass: ±10 dB at 100 Hz

Treble:±10 dB at 10 kHz
Frequency Response: 40 to 20,000 Hz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 70 dB
Line-Out Level/Impedance:

2.0 V/20 kΩ load (full scale)
Output Impedance: 1 kΩ
Input: AUX (3.5 mm dia. stereo mini jack)

CD PLAYER SECTION

Type: Compact disc player
Signal Detection System: Non-contact optical

pickup (semiconductor laser)
Number of channels: 2 channels (stereo)
Frequency Response: 5 to 20,000 Hz
Dynamic Range: 96 dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 98 dB
Wow and Flutter: Less than measurab le limit

CASSETTE DECK SECTION

Wow and Flutter: 0.11% (WRMS)
Fast-Wind Time: 100 sec. (C-60)
Frequency Response:

Metal/CrO

Normal Tape: 30 to 16,000 Hz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Normal Tape):

Dolby B NR ON: 65 dB

Dolby B NR OFF: 56 dB
Stereo Separation: 40 dB

2 Tape: 30 to 18,000 Hz

ENGLISH

TUNER SECTION

Frequency Range:
FM: 87.5 to 107.9 MHz

(with channel interval set to 200 kHz)

87.5 to 108.0 MHz
(with channel interval set to 50 kHz)

AM: 530 to 1,710 kHz

(with channel interval set to 10 kHz)

531 to 1,602 kHz

(with channel interval set to 9 kHz)

[FM T uner]

Usable Sensitivity: 11.3 dBf (1.0 µV/75 Ω)
50 dB Quieting Sensitivity:

16.3 dBf (1.8 µV/75 Ω)

Alternate Channel Selectivity (400 kHz):

65 dB

Frequency Response: 30 to 15,000 Hz
Stereo Separation: 35 dB
Capture Ratio: 1.5 dB

a

GENERAL

Power Requirement:

Operating Voltage: DC 14.4 volts (11 to

16 volts allowance)
Grounding System: Negative ground
Allowabe Working Temperature:

0°C to +40°C (32°F to 104°F)
Dimensions (W x H x D):

Installation Size: 178 x 100 x 150 mm

(7-1/16" x 3-15/16" x 5-15/16")

Front Panel Size: 170 x 92 x 13 mm

(6-3/4" x 3-5/8" x 9/16")

Mass: 2.4 kg (5.3 lbs) (e xcluding accessories)

Design and specifications subject to change
without notice.

If a kit is necessary for your car, consult
your telephone directory for the nearest
car audio speciality shop.

[AM T uner]

Sensitivity: 20 µV
Selectivity: 35 dB

35

Having TROUBLE with operation?

Please reset your unit

Refer to page of How to Reset

Still having trouble??

USA ONLY

Call 1-800-252-5722

http://www.jvcservice.com

W e can help you!

EN, SP, FR

VICTOR COMPANY OF JAPAN, LIMITED

1298MNMMDWJES

JVC