Power
Selecting the Source
Volume
Attenuator
Loudness
System Q
Audio Control
Speaker & Woofer Setting
Switching Display Type
Display switching part for "Display Type
A" and "Display Type B"
Display switching part for "Display Type
C" and "Display Type D"
Wallpaper selecting
Auxiliary Input Display Setting
Picture downloading
Non-fading Output
Theft Deterrent Faceplate
TEL Mute
Dual Zone System
Tuner features ...........................22
Tuning
Direct Access Tuning
Station Preset Memory
Auto Memory Entry
Preset Tuning
SNPP (Station Name Preset Play)
RDS features .............................25
Traffic Information
Radio Text Scroll
PTY (Program Type)
Program Type preset
Changing Language for PTY Function
CD/MP3/WMA/External disc
control features .....................28
Playing CD & MP3/WMA
Playing External Disc
Fast Forwarding and Reversing
Track Search
Album Search
Direct Track Search
Direct Album Search
Track/Album Repeat
Track Scan
Random Play
Magazine Random Play
Album Select
Disc Naming (DNPS)
Text/Title Scroll
DNPP (Disc Name Preset Play)
Menu system.............................34
Menu System
Security Code
Touch Sensor Tone
Manual Clock Adjustment
Date Adjustment
Date Mode
Synchronize Clock
DSI (Disabled System Indicator)
Selectable Illumination
Contrast Adjustment
Dimmer
System Q
Switching preout
Built-in Amp Mute Setting
Dual Zone System Setting
B.M.S. (Bass Management System)
B.M.S. Frequency Offset
News Bulletin with Timeout Setting
Local Seek
Tuning Mode
Auto Memory Entry
AF (Alternative Frequency)
Restricting RDS Region
(Region Restrict Function)
Auto TP Seek
Monaural Reception
Display Output Select
Text Scroll
Power OFF Timer
Picture downloading
Basic Operations of remote......42
Accessories ...............................44
Installation Procedure ..............44
Connecting Wires to Terminals 45
Installation ................................46
Troubleshooting Guide .............48
Specifications ...........................54
— 2 —
Safety precautions
2WARNING
To prevent injury and/or fire, take the
following precautions:
• Insert the unit all the way until it is fully
locked in place. Otherwise it may fly out of
place during collisions and other jolts.
• When extending the ignition, battery, or
ground wires, make sure to use automotivegrade wires or other wires with a 0.75mm
(AWG18) or more to prevent wire
deterioration and damage to the wire
coating.
•To prevent short circuits, never put or leave
any metallic objects (e.g., coins or metal
tools) inside the unit.
• If the unit starts to emit smoke or strange
smells, turn off the power immediately and
consult your Kenwood dealer.
• Make sure not to get your fingers caught
between the faceplate and the unit.
• Be careful not to drop the unit or subject it to
strong shock.
The unit may break or crack because it
contains glass parts.
2
2CAUTION
To prevent damage to the machine,
take the following precautions:
• Make sure to ground the unit to a negative
12V DC power supply.
• Do not open the top or bottom covers of the
unit.
• Do not install the unit in a spot exposed to
direct sunlight or excessive heat or humidity.
Also avoid places with too much dust or the
possibility of water splashing.
• Do not subject the faceplate to excessive
shock, as it is a piece of precision
equipment.
• When replacing a fuse, only use a new one
with the prescribed rating. Using a fuse with
the wrong rating may cause your unit to
malfunction.
•To prevent short circuits when replacing a
fuse, first disconnect the wiring harness.
• Do not place any object between the
faceplate and the unit.
• During installation, do not use any screws
except for the ones provided. The use of
improper screws might result in damage to
the main unit.
• Do not apply excessive force to the moving
faceplate. Doing so will cause damage or
malfunction.
• Do not apply excessive force to the open
faceplate or place objects on it. Doing so will
cause damage or breakdown.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
About the disc changer/CD player to
be connected:
To connect a disc changer having the "O-N"
switch to this unit, set the "O-N" switch to "N".
Precautions when connecting disc
changers/CD players released in 1997 or
earlier.
When you connect a model with no "O-N"
switch, the converter cord CA-DS100
available as an option may be required. For
details, consult your Kenwood dealer.
A disc changer doesn't work when it is
connected without using these options.
If a model with no "O-N" switch is
connected, some unavailable functions and
information that cannot be displayed are
generated.
Note that none of the KDC-C100, KDC-C302,
C205, C705, and non-Kenwood CD changers
can be connected.
You can damage both your unit and the CD
changer if you connect them incorrectly.
Do Not Load 8-cm (3-in.) CDs in the CD
slot
If you try to load an 8-cm CD with its adapter
into the unit, the adapter might separate from
the CD and damage the unit.
— 3 —
Safety precautions
NOTE
• If you experience problems during
installation, consult your Kenwood dealer.
English
• If the unit fails to operate properly, press the
Reset button. The unit returns to factory
settings when the Reset button is pressed.
If the unit still fails to operate properly after
the Reset button has been pressed, contact
your local KENWOOD dealer for assistance.
•Press the reset button if the Disc auto
changer fails to operate correctly. Normal
operation should be restored.
Reset button
•We strongly recommend the use of the
Code Security function (see p.35) to prevent
theft.
• The illustrations of the display and the panel
appearing in this manual are examples used
to explain more clearly how the controls are
used. Therefore, what appears on the display
in the illustrations may differ from what
appears on the display on the actual
equipment, and some of the illustrations on
the display may represent something
impossible in actual operation.
Lens Fogging
Right after you turn on the car heater in cold
weather, dew or condensation may form on
the lens in the CD player of the unit. Called
lens fogging, CDs may be impossible to play.
In such a situation, remove the disc and wait
for the condensation to evaporate. If the unit
still does not operate normally after a while,
consult your Kenwood dealer.
Cleaning the Faceplate Terminals
If the terminals on the unit or faceplate get
dirty, wipe them with a dry, soft cloth.
Cleaning the Unit
If the faceplate of this unit is stained, wipe it
with a dry soft cloth such as a silicon cloth.
If the faceplate is stained badly, wipe the stain
off with a cloth moistened with neutral
cleaner, then wipe neutral detergent off.
Applying spray cleaner directly to the unit may
affect its mechanical parts. Wiping the
faceplate with a hard cloth or using a volatile
liquid such as thinner or alcohol may scratch
the surface or erases characters.
Cleaning the CD Slot
As dust can accumulate in the CD slot, clean it
occasionally. Your CDs can get scratched if
you put them in a dusty CD slot.
— 4 —
The marking of products using lasers
(Except for some areas)
CLASS 1
LASER PRODUCT
The label is attached to the chassis/case and
says that the component uses laser beams
that have been classified as Class 1. It means
that the unit is utilizing laser beams that are of
a weaker class. There is no danger of
hazardous radiation outside the unit.
About RDS
RDS (Radio Data System)
When listening to an RDS station, the program
service name of the station is displayed,
advising you quickly which station is being
received.
RDS (Radio Data System) stations also
transmit alternative frequency data for the
same station. When you are making long trips,
this function automatically switches to the
particular frequency with the best reception
for the particular network of stations that you
want to listen to. The data is automatically
stored, allowing you to switch quickly to
another RDS stations, broadcasting the same
program, that has better reception. These
include stations stored in the station preset
memory that you often listen to.
Enhanced Other Network
Stations that offer <Enhanced Other
Network> also transmit information about
other RDS stations that have traffic
information. When you are tuned to a station
that is not transmitting traffic information, but
another RDS station starts transmitting a
traffic bulletin, the tuner automatically
switches to the other station for the duration
of the bulletin.
Alarm
When an emergency transmission (announcing
disasters, etc.) is sent, all current functions are
interrupted to allow the warning to be
received.
— 5 —
Notes on playing MP3/WMA (Z838W)
This unit can play MP3(MPEG1, 2, 2.5 Audio Layer 3)/WMA. Note,
however, that the MP3/WMA recording media and formats
acceptable are limited. When writing MP3/WMA, pay attention to
the following restrictions.
English
Acceptable media
The MP3/WMA recording media acceptable to this unit are CD-ROM,
CD-R, and CD-RW.
Please use the full format when using CD-RW. If you use the quick
format, media may not be played.
Acceptable medium formats
The following formats are available for the media used in this unit. The
maximum number of characters used for file name including the
delimiter (".") and three-character extension are indicated in
parentheses.
• ISO 9660 Level 1 (12 characters)
• ISO 9660 Level 2 (31 characters)
• Joliet (64 characters)
• Romeo (128 characters)
Up to 200 characters can be displayed in the long file name format.
For a list of available characters, see the instruction manual of the
writing software and the section Entering file and folder names below.
The media reproducible on this unit has the following limitations:
• Maximum number of directory levels: 8
• Maximum number of files per folder: 255
• Maximum number of characters for folder name: 64
• Maximum number of folders: 100
MP3/WMA written in the formats other than the above may not be
successfully played and their file names or folder names are not
properly displayed.
Settings for your MP3/WMA encoder and CD writer
Do the following setting when compressing audio data in WMA data
with the WMA encoder.
•Transfer bit rate: 48 k —192 kbps
• Sampling frequency: 32k, 44.1k 48k Hz
When you use your CD writer to record MP3/WMA up to the
maximum disc capacity, disable additional writing. For recording on an
empty disc up to the maximum capacity at once, check Disc at Once.
Entering ID3 tag and Contents
Description
The Displayable ID3 tag is ID3 version
1.x.
For the character code, refer to the List
of Codes.
Entering file and folder names
The code list characters are the only file
names and folder names that can be
entered and displayed.
If you use any other character for entry,
the file and folder names are not displayed correctly. They may neither
be displayed correctly depending on the CD writer used.
The unit recognizes and plays only those MP3/WMA which have the
MP3/WMA extension (.MP3/.WMA).
A file with a name entered with characters not on the code list may not
play correctly.
Writing files into a medium
When a medium containing MP3/WMA data is loaded, the unit checks
all the data on the medium. If the medium contains a lot of folders or
non-MP3/WMA files, therefore, it takes a long time until the unit starts
playing MP3/WMA.
In addition, it may take time for the unit to move to the next
MP3/WMA file or a Track Search or Album Search may not be
performed smoothly.
Loading such a medium may produce loud noise to damage the speakers.
• Do no attempt to play a medium containing a non-MP3/WMA
with the MP3/WMA extension.
The unit mistakes non-MP3/WMA
they have the MP3/WMA extension.
• Do not attempt to play a medium containing non MP3/WMA.
— 6 —
files for MP3/WMA data as long as
file
MP3/WMA playing order
4 Button ¢ Button AM Button FM Button
Operation of the button
Current
folder number
AM Button FM Button
Operation of the button
Current
folder number
Current
file number
4 Button
¢ Button
Operation of the button
Beginning of file
Folder
Example of a medium's folder/file hierarchy
Level 2Level 4
Level 1Level 3
File
Root
When selected for play, Album Search, Track Search, or for Album
Select, files and folders are accessed in the order in which they were
written by the CD writer.
Because of this, the order in which they are expected to be played
may not match the order in which they are actually played. You may be
able to set the order in which MP3/WMA are to be played by writing
them onto a medium such as a CD-R with their file names beginning
with play sequence numbers such as "01" to "99", depending on your
CD writer.
For example, a medium with the following folder/ file hierarchy is
subject to Album Search, Track Search, or Album Select as shown
below.
When a Track Search is executed with file ¡$ being played ...
When an Album Search is executed with file ¡$ being played ...
When Album Select is selected with file ¡$ being played to move
from folder to folder ...
— 7 —
About CDs
Handling CDs
• Don’t touch the recording surface of the CD.
English
• CD-R and CD-RW are easier to damage than
a normal music CD. Use a CD-R or a CD-RW
after reading the caution items on the
package etc.
• Don’t stick tape etc. on the CD.
Also, don’t use a CD with tape stuck on it.
When using a new CD
If the CD center hole or outside rim has burrs,
use it after removing them with a ball pen etc.
Burrs
Burrs
CD cleaning
Clean from the center of the disc and move
outward.
Removing CDs
When removing CDs from this unit pull them
out horizontally.
CDs that can’t be used
• CDs that aren’t round can’t be used.
• CDs with coloring on the recording surface
or that are dirty can’t be used.
• Don’t use CDs without disc mark
.
•A CD-R or CD-RW that hasn’t been finalized
can’t be played. (For the finalization process
refer to your CD-R/CD-RW writing software,
and your CD-R/CD-RW recorder instruction
manual.)
CD accessories
Don’t use disc type accessories.
CD storage
• Don’t place them in direct sunlight (On the
seat or dashboard etc.) and where the
temperature is high.
• Store CDs in their cases.
— 8 —
General features
¢
SRC
ATT/
LOUD
Q/
AUD
S.A
FM
4
AM/
NF
DISP
u
d
/
MENU
Release button
Power
Turning ON the Power
Press the [SRC] button.
When the power is ON, the <Security Code> (page 35) is displayed
as "CODE ON" or "CODE OFF".
• For Auxiliary input one of the below optional accessories is
necessary.
- KCA-S210A
- CA-C1AX
- CD changer with an Auxiliary input function installed.
• This unit automatically turns full power OFF after 20 minutes
lapses in Standby mode in order to save the vehicles battery.
The time until full power OFF can be set in <Power OFF Timer>
(page 41).
The display above is an example when Display type is set to "Display Type A".
The function indicator is displayed only if it is "Display Type A".
— 9 —
General features
Volume
Increasing Volume
English
Press the [u] button.
Decreasing Volume
Press the [d] button.
Attenuator
Turning the volume down quickly.
Press the [ATT] button.
Each time the button is pressed the Attenuator turns ON or OFF.
When it's ON, "ATT ON" is displayed.
Loudness
Compensating for low and high tones during low volume.
Press the [LOUD] button for at least 1 second.
Each time the button is pressed for at least 1 second the
Loudness turns ON or OFF.
When it's ON, "LOUD ON" is displayed.
System Q
You can recall the best sound setting preset for different types of
the music.
1 Select the source to set
Press the [SRC] button.
2 Select the Sound type
Press the [Q] button.
Each time the button is pressed the sound setting switches.
Sound settingDisplay
Flat"FLAT"
User memory"User Preset"
Rock"ROCK"
Pops"POPS"
Easy"EASY"
Top 40"TOP 40"
Jazz"JAZZ"
• User memory: The values set on the <Audio control> (page 10).
• Each setting value is changed with the <Speaker & Woofer
Setting> (page 12).
First, select the speaker type with the Speaker setting.
Audio Control
1 Select the source for adjustment
Press the [SRC] button.
2 Enter Audio Control mode
Press the [AUD] button for at least 1 second.
— 10 —
3 Select the Audio item for adjustment
Press the [FM] or [AM] button.
Each time the button is pressed the items that can be adjusted
switch as shown below.
• According to the Bass Q Factor setting value, the frequencies that
can be set in Bass Center Frequency change as shown below.
Bass Q FactorBass Center Frequency
1.00/1.25/1.5060/70/80/100
2.0060/70/80/150
• When the bass extend is set to ON, low frequency response is
extended by 20%.
•Volume offset: Each source's volume can be set as a difference
•
*: This mode is available only when <Non-fading Output> (page
21) is ON.
from the basic volume.
5 Exit Audio Control mode
Press the [AUD] button.
— 11 —
General features
Speaker & Woofer Setting
Speaker setting allows the System Q settings to be fine-tuned
according to the type of speakers.
English
Woofer setting allows for Network configuration according to the
type of subwoofers.
1 Enter Standby
Press the [SRC] button.
Select the "ALL OFF" display.
2 Enter Speaker & Woofer Setting mode
Press the [Q] button.
"Speaker Setting" is displayed.
3 Select the Setting mode
Press the [FM] or [AM] button.
Each time the button is pressed it switches between Speaker
setting mode and Woofer setting mode.
4 Select the Speaker and Woofer type
Press the [4] or [¢] button.
Each time the button is pressed the setting switches as shown
below.
In Speaker setting mode
Speaker typeDisplay
OFF"OFF"
For 5 & 4 in. speaker"5/4 inch"
For 6 & 6x9 in. speaker"6*9/6inch"
For the OEM speaker"O.E.M."
In Woofer setting mode
Woofer typeDisplay
OFF"Woofer OFF"
12 in. A type"12in type A"
10 in. A type"10in type A"
12 in. B type"12in type B"
10 in. B type"10in type B"
12 in. C type"12in type C"
10 in. C type"10in type C"
8 in. type"8inch"
12 in. D type"12in type D"
10 in. D type"10in type D"
5 Exit Speaker & Woofer Setting mode
Press the [Q] button.
Switching Display Type
Setting the Display type.
Press the [DISP] button.
Each time the button is pressed the Display type switches as
shown below.
DisplayDisplay mode
Picture
"Display Type D"
— 12 —
Character
information display
"Display Type A"
Character
information display
"Display Type B"
Source type icon
Picture
Character
"Display Type C"
The display of each part can be changed.
- Picture:
<Display switching part for "Display Type C" and "Display Type
D"> (page 16)
- Character information display:
<Display switching part for "Display Type A" and "Display Type
B">: (page 13)
<Display switching part for "Display Type C" and "Display Type
D">(page 16)
information display
Display switching part for "Display Type A" and
"Display Type B"
When Display Type is set to "Display Type A" or "Display Type
B", the displayed contents are changed.
"Display Type A"
Character information display part a
Character information display part b
1 Select the Display Type
Press the [DISP] button.
2 Enter Display Control mode
Press the [S.A] button.
"Display Control" is displayed.
3 Switch character information display part b
Press the [FM] or [AM] button.
Switch character information display part c
(Only when Display Type is "Display Type A")
Press the [4] or [¢] button.
Each time the button is pressed the display switches.
The Reference for the display content is after this operation's
explanation.
4 Exit Display Control mode
Press the [S.A] button.
Character information display part c cannot display the same
information as character information display part b.
"Display Type B"
Character information display part c
Character information display part a
Character information display part b
— 13 —
General features
In Tuner source
Character information display part b Display
English
InformationDisplay
Program Service name or Frequency"PS"
Radio text"R-TEXT"
Date & Clock"DATE+CLOCK"
(Only when Display Type is "Display Type B")
Date"DATE"
Blank (Only when Display Type is "Display Type A")
The Frequency is displayed during Program Service name
reception
Press the [DISP] button for at least 1 second.
The frequency for the RDS station will be displayed for 5
seconds instead of the Program Service name.
Character information display part c Display
InformationDisplay
Spectrum Analyzer & Clock "S/ANA+CLOCK"
Radio text "R-TEXT"
Blank
Date"DATE"
Date & Clock"DATE+CLOCK" or "CLOCK"
The band display is always displayed on the a part display.
In CD/ External disc source
Character information display part b Display
InformationDisplay
Disc name"DNPS"
Disc title"DISC-TITLE"
Track title"TRACK-TITLE"
Date & Clock"DATE+CLOCK"
(Only when Display Type is "Display Type B")
Date"DATE"
Blank (Only when Display Type is "Display Type A")
Character information display part c Display
InformationDisplay
Spectrum Analyzer & Clock"S/ANA+CLOCK"
Track Title"TRACK-TITLE"
Disc Title"DISC-TITLE"
Disc name"DNPS"
Blank
Date"DATE"
Date & Clock"DATE+CLOCK" or "CLOCK"
• The Track Time is always displayed on the a part display.
• For Disc name registration refer to <Disc Naming (DNPS)> (page
32).
— 14 —
Function of the Z838W
In MP3/WMA source
Character information display part b Display
InformationDisplay
Disc name"DNPS"
Folder name"FOLDER NAME"
File name "FILE NAME"
Song title & Artist name"TITLE/ARTIST"
Album name & Artist name"ALBUM/ARTIST"
Date & Clock"DATE+CLOCK"
(Only when Display Type is "Display Type B")
Date"DATE"
Blank (Only when Display Type is "Display Type A")
Character information display part c Display
InformationDisplay
Spectrum Analyzer & Clock"S/ANA+CLOCK"
Album name & Artist name"ALBUM/ARTIST"
Song title & Artist name"TITLE/ARTIST"
File name "FILE NAME"
Folder name"FOLDER NAME"
Disc name"DNPS"
Blank
Date"DATE"
Date & Clock"DATE+CLOCK" or "CLOCK"
• The Track Time is always displayed on the a part display.
• For Disc name registration refer to <Disc Naming (DNPS)> (page
32).
• The Album name cannot be displayed during WMA play.
In Auxiliary input source
Character information display part b Display
InformationDisplay
Blank (Only when Display Type is "Display Type A")
Date"DATE"
Date & Clock"DATE+CLOCK"
(Only when Display Type is "Display Type B")
Character information display part c Display
InformationDisplay
Spectrum Analyzer & Clock"S/ANA+CLOCK"
Blank
Date"DATE"
Date & Clock"DATE+CLOCK" or "CLOCK"
The Auxiliary input name is always displayed on the a part display.
— 15 —
General features
In Standby mode
Character information display part b Display
English
InformationDisplay
Blank (Only when Display Type is "Display Type A")
Date"DATE"
Date & Clock"DATE+CLOCK"
(Only when Display Type is "Display Type B")
Character information display part c Display
InformationDisplay
Blank
Date"DATE"
Date & Clock"DATE+CLOCK" or "CLOCK"
The "ALL OFF" is always displayed on the a part display.
Display switching part for "Display Type C" and
"Display Type D"
When Display Type is set to "Display Type C" or "Display Type
D", the displayed contents are changed.
"Display Type C"
Picture part a
Character information display part b
"Display Type D"
Picture part a
1 Select the Display Type
Press the [DISP] button.
2 Enter Display Control mode
Press the [S.A] button.
"Display Control" is displayed.
3 Switch character information display part b
Press the [AM] button.
Each time the button is pressed the display switches.
The Reference for the display content is after this operation's
explanation.
Switch the Picture part a
Press the [FM] button.
Each time the button is pressed the display switches.
Display
Demonstration
Movie 1
Movie 2
Downloaded movie (Z838W only)
Spectrum Analyzer 1
Spectrum Analyzer 2
Spectrum Analyzer 3
Spectrum Analyzer 4
Spectrum Analyzer 5
Wallpaper
4 Exit Display Control mode
Press the [S.A] button.
— 16 —
•Wallpapers can be changed.
This unit comes with 5 types of wallpaper registered.
(Z838W) A downloaded wallpaper is added to the place after the
last original wallpaper of this unit.
Refer to <Wallpaper selecting> (page 18).
• (Z838W) A downloaded movie can be selected when it has been
downloaded into this unit.
Refer to <Picture downloading> (page 20).
In Tuner source
Character information display part b Display
InformationDisplay
Program Service name or Frequency"BAND+ch+PS"
Date"DATE"
Date & Clock"DATE+CLOCK"
Radio text"R-TEXT"
The Frequency is displayed during Program Service name
reception
Press the [DISP] button for at least 1 second.
The frequency for the RDS station will be displayed for 5
seconds instead of the Program Service name.