
WWW.KENWOODUSA.COM IN-DASH CD RECEIVERS 7
While the USB cable that comes with the iPod works just fine,
it’s not an automotive-rated device and isn’t designed to
withstand the hot temperatures of a car interior.
We recommend your customer use our KCA-
iP100iPoddirect1-wirecable.It’sinexpensive and
and it can take the heat.
Inadditiontotheconvenience,thereareaudiobenefitsto1-wireiPod
connection. Because the audio signal leaves the iPod as a digital signal,
the D toAconversion takes place on the high quality D toAconverters in
the Kenwood head units as opposed to the D toAconverter in the iPod.
Most other manufacturers are still using the old analog serial bus cables
which are not as fast and offer ho-hum sound quality.
Think Outside the Port
USB direct connect works on iPods and media devices but there are
other benefits. The USB input is also a power source that can charge cell
phones,Palm Pilots,Bluetoothheadsets andcaneven workonin-car de-
vices like mini coolers and portable fans (the limit is 500mV of current).
EnoughwiththeOneLiners
Kenwood is leading the pack with dis-
plays that are better in color, readability, and functionality. Many Ken-
wood and eXcelon head units offer 3 or 4 lines of text that make it easier
for customers to use. Our competitors are offering one and two lines of
text,butwhenyou thinkofallthestufffolksareusingwiththeirheadunits
thesedays—cellphones,satelliteradio,Bluetoothadaptors—twolines
just ain’t enough.
Display andAmplifier On and Off Function
With the exception of the KDC-X991, all models KDC-MP338U or higher
includeanoptionaldisplayofffunctionthattemporarilyturnsoffthedisplay
when buttonsareidle.Anytime thedisplaysensesidletime(not pushinga
button),itturnsoff,butthelightingsurroundingtheradiostayson.Thisisa
greatfeatureatnightwhenyoudon’twantthelightsonbutneedtoseethe
radio to operate it.As soon as you operate the radio, it lights back up!
Amplifier Shut off
Amplifier shut off is available on KDC-MP438U and higher and can be
adjustedinthestand-by.Ifyouareusingtheradioasapreampheadunit
withamplifiers, ithelpsreduce noiseandkeeps theradiocooler because
theinternalamplifierisnoton.Ifit’snotbeingused,whyturniton?
External Media Control
With the exception of the KDC-MP208 and KDC-138, all 2008 Kenwood
receivers have External Media Control for iPod connectivity with the
KCA-iP500 iPod interface. The Kenwood receiver’s disc up and down
buttonselectsplaylists;theScanbuttonchangesthesearchmode,Play-
list,Artist,Album,andGenre.InadditiontoiPodconnectivity,External
Media Control allows hook up of satellite and HD Radio. (Keep in mind
that units with USB inputs offer superior iPod control.)
Our PC Is PC
Kenwood’s PC Editor (Music
Editor) program is included in the KDC-X991 and Ken-
wood models KDC-MP538U and higher. This year
we’re doing something different and including the
owner’smanualson discfor modelsthathave the
PC Editor disc. We figure the disc is already in
thebox,sowhynotsaveatreeortwo?
Music Editor is an optional PC desktop program
that allows you to search, manage and select
music files from your PC, so no matter what
you’re in the mood to hear, Kenwood makes it even
easiertofind.Originaldesktopsoftware,KenwoodMusicEditor
performs powerful search functions on USB mass storage
devices orportables thatcanbe configuredas massstorage
devices.SearchformusicfilesfromyourentirePClibrary;
searchbyGenre,Artist,AlbumandPlaylist.KenwoodMusic
EditoralsoincludesPlaylistGenerationtechnologythatana-
lyzeseachsongbasedonthetempoandcategorizesthem
into familiar genres like Pop, Rock, etc.
TheKCA-iP200cableisstillavailableforcustomerswith2007
Kenwoodheadunits.Thisinexpensive2-wirecableenableshigh-
speediPoddataat12MB/bpsandhasa30-pincablethattermi-
nates at the receiver by USB and stereo mini.
Onceconnected,digitalcontrol,text
from the files, etc., passes through
USB;theaudiopassesthroughthe
analog(stereo mini) cable.
IfacustomerhasanolderiPodthatcan’tbecontrolledbyourUSB,
they can purchase the KCA-iP500 that plugs into our 5Lchanger
bus.Ifheorshewantstobuyaunitthatdoesn’thaveUSBcontrol
like the KDC-MP338 or KDC-MP238, they’ll need the KCA-iP500
aswell.This adapteris oneofthe smallestandeasiestto connect
onthemarket.ItplugsintothechangerportofKenwoodradios
2002 and newer. Our iPod adapter doesn’t require extra
power and ground connections, so it’s easy to
install.(Note:theKCA-iP500does
nothaveapassthroughforother5L
connected devices.)