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Display Features
HD Radio
Built-in Bluetooth
USB/iPod/Aux Connection
Disc Playback
Audio Section
Remote Control

Display Features

Detachable Face Security: This unit features Detachable Face Security. If the front-panel is not detached from the head unit within five seconds of turning off the ignition, a warning tone will sound. The warning tone can be turned off in the menu, if desired. A face-fixing screw is supplied for making the face non-detachable, if desired.

Note: No face case is included with this unit. An optional soft face case (142DFC1X, sold separately) can be purchased for this unit.

Large Full-Dot LCD: The Pioneer DEH-P8400BH features a 3-line, full-dot LCD which makes it easier to see what is playing in most lighting conditions. You can easily view file/folder lists from your MP3, WMA, AAC, and CD Text-encoded discs, HD Radio presets, or data from your connected iPod/iPhone. The contrast of the display can be set between 0 and 15.

Color Customization: Color Customization lets the user match their receiver illumination to their vehicle's interior lighting. Over 210,000 colors are available to match the illumination of almost any car. The button illumination and display illumination colors can be customized separately for an endless number of color combinations. You can select from 27 preset colors (White to Rose), customize an illumination color (by adjusting Red, Blue, and Green brightness levels), or scan through various color settings (All/Warm/Ambient/Calm/Custom).

MIXTRAX: MIXTRAX is an innovative Pioneer technology that creates a non-stop mix of your music library complete with a range of DJ-inspired effects. Drawing from Pioneer's rich DJ heritage and passion for music, MIXTRAX delivers a unique DJ infused listening experience to listeners in the car. MIXTRAX takes the music from your USB-connected iPod, iPhone, or other flash memory device and plays it back with added transitions and effects, creating a virtual DJ inside the DEH-P8400BH head unit (not compatible with iPod/App mode). The in-dash receiver's cool Club-Style Illumination function enhances the mood with a dynamic dance club-like lighting effects. As MIXTRAX begins, lights on the receiver start pulsing to the beat of the music, livening up your in-car entertainment. You can choose among six patterns of lighting color variation.

Note: The MIXTRAX feature automatically turns the unit's Sound Retriever function Off. MIXTRAX includes a illumination feature that when switched on changes the illuminated colors in time with the audio track. If you find this feature distracting while driving, please turn this feature Off.

Ever Scroll: When the Ever Scroll feature is set to On, recorded text information scrolls continuously on the display. It will auto-scroll up to 64 characters. Set this feature to Off if you prefer the information to scroll only once.

Multi-Language Display: For your convenience, this unit is equipped with a multiple language display. You can select the language which is best suited to your first language - English, French, or Spanish.

Entertainment Displays: You can enjoy entertainment displays while listening to each sound source. You can choose from the following: Background Visual, Genre, Background Picture (1/2/3/4), Simple Display, Movie Screen, or Calendar.

Calendar/Clock Display: The Pioneer DEH-P8400BH provides time, date, month, and year display. You can choose to have the head unit display the calendar and clock even when the unit is powered off (your vehicle must be running or in the accessory position.

Engine Time Alert: This setting allows you to measure the length of time that elapses from when the head unit is turned on and display the amount of elapsed time per set period (15 min., 30 min., or Off). There will also be an audible alarm. This function is handy if you are listening to the radio with the vehicle' ignition is in the accessory position, and the engine off.

Dimmer: To prevent the display from being too bright at night, the display is automatically dimmed when the car's headlights are turned on. You can turn the dimmer on or off. The automatic dimmer function only works when the orange/white illumination wire in the wiring harness is connected to the vehicle's headlight circuit.

HD Radio

HD Radio: The Pioneer DEH-P8400BH's built-in HD Radio tuner lets you listen to the radio with the same fidelity as your digital music. HD Radio features high quality audio, FM multi-casting, and data services. With HD Radio, your FM stations offer near CD-quality sound, AM stations provide FM-like sound, and there is crystal-clear reception with no audio distortion. Best of all, HD Radio is 100% subscription free. The unit's tuner also supports analog AM/FM broadcasts.

Note: HD Radio is the system for digital AM and FM broadcasting in the U.S. More than 2,000 radio stations are broadcasting their primary signals in digital HD Radio technology, as a free service. Go to HDRadio.com to check for HD Radio stations in your area.

Multicasting: In addition to conventional broadcasts, with HD Radio broadcasting it is possible to choose from up to 3 multicast programs (HD1 to HD3, and analog). There are also data programs for each program.

RDS: The Radio Data System (RDS) feature displays radio broadcast information such as artist, title, and album when listening to compatible analog or HD AM/FM stations.

iTunes Tagging: It is possible to save the song's information (tag) from a HD Radio or RDS FM broadcasting station to your USB-direct connected iPod/iPhone. The songs will show up in a playlist called "Tagged" in iTunes the next time you sync your iPod/iPhone. Then you can directly buy the songs you want from the iTunes Music Store.

Supertuner IIID: The Supertuner IIID features Feed Forward Control, which avoids multi-path interference. This pre-detection of interference enables quick filter control and results in less distortion. In addition, the Supertuner IIID creates enhanced stereo during multi-path interference, unlike conventional tuners that collapse to mono. Digital processing reduces distortion, and improves Signal-to-Noise Ratio and stereo separation. Advanced analog technology improves signal processing sensitivity.

Reception Blending: If a digital broadcast reception condition gets poor, this unit automatically switches to the analog broadcast of the same frequency level. If this function is set to "On", the tuner switches between digital broadcast and analog broadcast automatically. If this function is 'Off', reception will be conducted within an analog broadcast.

BSM (Best Stations Memory): The BSM (Best Stations Memory) function lets you automatically store the six strongest analog or HD stations under preset buttons 1-6 of the currently tuned band. The tuner has 3 FM banks and 1 AM bank. You can store 6 presets for each bank giving you a total of 18 FM presets and 6 AM presets.

Local Tuning: Local seek tuning lets you tune in only those radio stations with sufficiently strong signals for good reception. There are 4 level of sensitivity for FM and two levels for AM. The higher settings allow reception of only the strongest stations, while lower settings let you receive progressively weaker stations.

XM Satellite Radio Ready: You can connect and control Pioneer's GEX-P920XM XM tuner (130P920XM, sold separately).

Note: A subscription to XM, plus the proper antenna is required in order to receive satellite radio programming.

Built-in Bluetooth

Bluetooth Technology: The DEH-P8400BH is equipped with built-in Bluetooth ver. 3.0 (powered by Parrot) allowing to make and receive phone calls wirelessly through the receiver; as well as stream music wirelessly from your smartphone to the head unit. Bluetooth Technology is a short-range wireless radio connectivity technology that was developed as a cable replacement for mobile phones and other electronic devices. Bluetooth operates in 2.4 GHz frequency range and transmits voice and data at speeds up to 1 megabit per second.

Bluetooth Profiles: In order to use Bluetooth wireless technology, your phone must also be Bluetooth compatible and be able to interpret certain profiles. This unit is compatible with the following Bluetooth Profiles:

• Hands-Free Communication: HFP (Hands Free Profile), HSP (Head Set Profile), OPP (Object Push Profile), PBAB (Phone Book Access Profile).
• Audio Streaming: A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile), AVRCP (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile).

Phone Pairing: Up to 5 Bluetooth-compatible devices can be registered to this head unit. Only one device can be used at a time.

Note: Due to the differences in Bluetooth technology, some Bluetooth enabled devices may be incompatible, function improperly, or may not support all features when used with the Pioneer DEH-P8400BH.

Hands-Free Communication: The DEH-P8400BH supports wireless hands-free communication (HFP/HSP/OPP/PBAB) for your Bluetooth enabled mobile phone. The head unit will display the caller's information and an audible ring tone will be heard through your vehicle's speaker during an incoming call. You can manually answer an incoming call or have the unit automatically answer the call. The DEH-P8400BH allows you to carry on a phone conversation from your Bluetooth enabled mobile phone using the head unit's external microphone and your car audio speakers. During a conversation you can adjust the volume, as well as switch between the Private Mode (talking directly on your cell phone) and the Hands Free Mode. Using the DEH-P8400BH, you can dial a phone number in one of the following ways:

• Phone Book: The phone book in your Bluetooth enabled cellular phone will be transferred automatically when the phone is paired to this unit. After finding the number you want to call in the phone book from the head unit, you can select the entry and make the call. If a lot of numbers are registered in the phone book, you can search for a phone number by the contact person's name alphabetically (A-Z).
• Call Log: The 80 most recent calls dialed, received, and missed are stored in memory. You can browse them and call numbers from these lists.

External Microphone: During your wireless phone call, you can talk into the head unit's included external microphone, and listen to the other party through the vehicle's speaker system. The external microphone provides better performance in noisy environments than the integrated microphone found on the front-panel of many aftermarket or factory radios. The microphone features a 13' cord that plugs into the back of the radio, and comes with an adjustable visor-mount clip. The microphone measures 0.475" (diameter) x 1.445" (depth).

Note: The unit is not equipped with an integrated microphone. The external microphone must be installed for Bluetooth hands-free communication.

Wireless Audio Streaming: The Pioneer DEH-P8400BH also supports wireless audio playback (AD2P) and control (AVRCP) of a Bluetooth enabled audio player or smartphone. The DEH-P8400BH will be able to control basic playback features; such as Play, Pause, Stop, Previous track, and Next track. When an incoming call or outgoing call is in progress from your Bluetooth enabled mobile phone, audio streaming will be paused so you can take your call. Once the call is finished, your streaming music will resume.

Note: The Pioneer head unit requires an optional Bluetooth firmware update (HW05-SW01.27.20) to enable Bluetooth AVRCP control and metadata display for the iPhone 5 or other Apple iOS6 device. If you do not own an iPhone 5 or iOS6 device, there is no need to install this update.

USB/iPod/Aux Connection

Rear-Panel USB Port: The Pioneer head unit's rear-panel USB (type-A) port and 5' USB extension cable allows you to connect a USB portable audio player or USB flash memory device that is USB Mass Storage Class compliant. Your USB memory device must be formatted in FAT 12/16/32. Up to 8 directories; 1,500 folders; and 15,0000 files per USB device are recognized by this unit. You can search for MP3, WMA, and AAC music files by category - Artist, Album, Song, or Genre. Once you have selected a category, you can search the list alphabetically (A-Z). The unit is compatible with ID3 Tags and will display artist, folder, file, and album name.

• MP3/WMA Files: MP3 files with a bit rate from 8-320 kbps, WMA files with a constant bit rate from 48-320 kbps, and WMA files with a variable bit rate from 48-384 kbps are supported.
• AAC Files: MPEG-4 AAC files with a bit rate of 16-320 kbps and encoded by iTunes (not containing DRM protection) are supported. The unit's USB port is not compatible with Apple Lossless.
• WAV Files: 8-bit and 16-bit WAV (LPCM) files with a sampling frequency between 16 to 48 kHz are supported.

Note: USB portable audio players that can be charged via USB will be charged when plugged into the CD receiver's USB port (1A) and the vehicle's ignition switch is set to ACC or On. This unit cannot recognize USB devices via a USB hub.

iPod Direct Connection: The Pioneer DEH-P8400BH's rear-panel USB port can also be used to connect your iPod/iPhone to the head unit, via Pioneer's dock connector-to-USB cable (130CDIU50 / 130CDIU51, sold separately) or the dock connector-to-USB cable which comes with your iPod/iPhone. The DEH-P8400BH supports audio playback, music navigation, information display, and charging of your compatible iPod/iPhone.

Note: If you have an iPod nano (7th gen), iPod touch (5th gen), or iPhone 5; use the Lighting-to-USB cable that came with your Apple device to connect to the head unit.

iPod DAC Bypass: The USB connection allows your iPod/iPhone's stored music to be loaded instantly to the head unit and sound quality to be maximized through the head unit's 24-bit D/A converter, allowing for a Signal to Noise ratio up to 94dB. The Pioneer head unit supports audio playback of music, podcasts, audiobooks, and music apps stored on your iPod or iPhone.

iPod Control: You can choose to operate your iPod/iPhone through the head unit's front-panel controls, from its clickwheel/touchscreen, or via a streamed app from your iPhone.

• Head Unit: From the head unit, you can browse your iPod/iPhone's music library by Artist, Album, Song, Genre, Playlist, Composer, Podcast, or Audiobook (your iPod/iPhone's clickwheel or touchscreen will be locked). Once you have selected a category, you can search each category alphabetically. In addition, the head unit offers Link Search, which allows you to play songs related to the currently playing song. Link Search lets the head unit create an album list of the currently playing artist, a song list of the currently playing album, or an album list of the currently playing genre. You can also select Random & Repeat functions for a certain song or specific folder.
• iPod: In iPod mode, you can navigate the stored music on your iPod/iPhone from its clickwheel or touchscreen. This is very useful for the person riding in your passenger seat.
• App Mode: App mode lets you listen to your favorite music apps, such as iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, Last.fm, Rhapsody, & Slacker from your iPhone (iOS 3.0+) through the Pioneer head unit and your vehicle's speakers. Not all apps will be compatible with App Mode and App Mode will provide only limited (basic), if any, control over the app. Available controls may include - Play/Pause & Skip Previous/Next.

iPod Display: The head unit will display your iPod/iPhone's stored music file information, including - Track number, Folder number, Elapsed playing time, Song title, Artist name, and Album title.

Note: There is no music information displayed when this unit is set to 'App Mode'. Instead, all music information will be displayed on your iPod/iPhone's LCD screen. The head unit's LCD will only display the text - 'App Mode'.

Pandora App: The free Pandora App lets you play music from the Pandora music service through the Pioneer DEH-P8400BH using your connected Apple iPhone, via the Pioneer CD-IU50/CD-IU51 iPod connector cable (sold separately) or the USB/iPod dock cable that came with your iPhone. To access Pandora you must have an Apple iPhone (iOS.3.0+) with the latest version of the Pandora Radio application from Apple's iTunes App Store. Your iPhone will need an active Data Plan account with connection to the Internet via 3G, EDGE, or WiFi. You will also need a Pandora music service account. The Pioneer head unit will provide control over the Pandora music service & display Artist, Album, & Song information.

• Station List: You can select Pandora stations from your Station List by date or alphabetically (A-Z).
• QuickMix: QuickMix allows you to listen to songs played on one or more Pandora stations in your Station List randomly. You will need to edit your QuickMix station selections on the iPhone before connection.
• Skip Songs: You can skip song tracks within a station. You cannot skip back to a previous song. Pandora limits the number of skips allowed.
• Thumbs Up/Down: You can give songs a thumbs up or thumbs down to help Pandora personalize stations to suit your preferences.
• Bookmarking: The song or artist currently being played can be bookmarked & stored in your Pandora account.

Note: Access to the Pandora service will depend on the availability of a cellular and/or WiFi network for purposes of allowing your iPhone to connect to the Internet. Pandora is not supported in Canada & only available in the United States.

iPod Charging: The head unit's USB connection provides 1A of current to power and charge your connected iPod/iPhone when your vehicle's ignition switch is set to the 'ACC' or 'On' position. This unit will not charge the Apple iPad.

Note: If your iPod/iPhone has no initial battery charge, then the unit will not recognize it.

iPod Compatibility Chart: The Pioneer DEH-P8400BH is "Made for iPod/iPhone" compatible and supports the following iPod/iPhone model functions (as of 9/25/2012):

Note: Apple iPod/iPhone software updates may change functionality results. If you download a newer software version, you may need to reset the head unit and your iPod/iPhone to regain functionality. If this doesn't work, you may need to wait until a newer software update is available.

Auxiliary Input: The DEH-P8400BH is equipped with a front-panel 3.5mm stereo minijack auxiliary input for connecting external components, such as a portable MP3 player. AUX must be turned on in the setup menu in order to be selected as a source.

2nd Auxiliary Input (optional): In addition to the front-panel minijack Aux input (AUX 1), you can connect a second auxiliary component by connecting an IP-Bus/RCA connector (AUX 2). The optional CD-RB10 (130CDRB10, sold separately) lets you connect an additional auxiliary component via the IP-Bus connector on the back of the head unit.

Disc Playback

Compatible Discs: The Pioneer DEH-P8400BH supports playback of CD-Audio, CD-Text, CD-R, and CD-RW discs.

MP3/WMA Playback: This unit can play MP3 and WMA files recorded on, CD-R and CD-RW discs in ISO9660 Level 1/Level 2, Joliet, and Romeo formats. MP3 files with a bit rate from 8-320 kbps, WMA files with a constant bit rate from 48-320 kbps, and WMA files with a variable bit rate from 48-384 kbps are supported. The unit is compatible with ID3 Tags and will display artist, folder, file, and album name. Up to 8 directories, 99 folders and 999 files per disc are recognized by this unit.

AAC Decoding: This unit will playback AAC files with a bit rate of 16-320 kbps (encoded by iTunes) recorded onto CD-R and CD-RW discs.

Note: The AAC file (.m4a) must originate from iTunes. The AAC file must also not contain DRM protection. Not compatible with Apple Lossless.

WAV File Playback: The DEH-P8400BH offers playback of audio WAV files recorded onto CD-R and CD-RW discs. The head unit supports 8-bit and 16-bit LPCM (Linear PCM) WAV files with a sampling frequency between 16 to 48 kHz.

File/Track Name List: The Name List feature displays a list of MP3/WMA folders and tracks on a loaded CD or connected USB device, so you can easily access your music. The Name List will also display the list of track titles on a CD Text disc.

Repeat & Random: The Pioneer DEH-P8400BH offers Repeat (disc/track/folder) and Random (disc/folder) playback modes.

Off Insert/Eject: A CD disc can be inserted or ejected with the power off. When a disc is inserted with the power off, the unit will automatically power up and begin playback.

Auto Off Eject: When you eject a disc, the unit will automatically power off (unless you switch sources before ejecting the disc).

Installation Angle: Optimum CD playback performance is obtained when the unit is installed at an angle of less than 60-degrees.

Audio Section

24 Bit D/A Converter: The Pioneer in-dash head unit utilizes a 24-bit digital to analog converter for superior CD sound quality.

MOSFET Amplifier: The DEH-P8400BH is equipped with a MOSFET amplifier. Compared to conventional power supplies, the MOSFET amplification circuit is smaller and more efficient, and it delivers increased power with less distortion and absolutely zero on/off switching noise. More power means louder and cleaner music at higher volumes because you're not pushing the limits of the amplification circuit.

CEA2006 Compliant: The power specifications for the DEH-P8400BH are compliant with the CEA2006 Mobile Amplifier Power Testing and Measurement standards from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). These standards were developed as a way to equitably compare power specs from model to model and between manufacturers. The power output specs for the DEH-P8400BH are as follows:

• CEA2006 Specs: 14 watts RMS x 4 channels (at 4 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 1% THD-N)
• Continuous Power Output: 22 watts RMS x 4 channels (at 4 ohms, 50Hz-15kHz, 5% THD)
• Maximum Power Output: 50 watts x 4 channels (or 50 watts x 2 channels at 4 ohms + 70 watts x 1 channel at 2 ohms for subwoofer)

3-Way Rotary Knob: The Pioneer DEH-P8400BH features a 3-way rotary knob combined with a 4-way lever for easy control. You can scroll through your music and audio settings with greater ease using the 3-way rotary knob and 4-way lever.

Advanced Sound Retriever: The Advanced Sound Retriever automatically enhances compressed audio and restores the original richness of the recording. Hear the detail, warmth, and clarity, the way the artist intended it, from all of your highly compressed MP3 and WMA files stored on your USB device, iPod/iPhone, and portable media players. By restoring data (especially higher frequencies) that tends to get lost in the digital compression process, Pioneer's Advanced Sound Retriever technology enhances audio reproduction nearly all the way up to 20 kHz frequencies

Preset EQ: The Pioneer DEH-P8400BH is equipped with seven EQ presets. You can choose from Powerful, Natural, Vocal, Super Bass, Flat, Custom 1, or Custom 2.

Graphic EQ: The DEH-P8400BH's two Custom EQ modes (1 & 2) let you adjust the head unit's 5-band graphic EQ (100Hz, 315Hz, 1.25kHz, 3.15kHz, & 8kHz). You can adjust each band between +6 to -6.

Bass Boost: The Bass Boost function raises the level of sounds lower than 100Hz. You can select a desired level of bass boost between 0 and 6 (Gain: 0dB to +12dB).

Loudness: The Loudness feature compensates for deficiencies in the low and high sound ranges at low volume. You can set the Loudness feature to Low, Mid, High, or Off.

Source Level Adjustment (SLA): This function lets you adjust the volume level of each source to prevent radical changes in volume when switching between sources. Settings are based on the volume level of the FM tuner, which remains unchanged. Each source can be independently adjusted from -4dB to +4dB.

Three Pair of 4.0-Volt Preamp Outputs: The Pioneer DEH-P8400BH features three pair of 4.0-volt preamp outputs (Front/Rear/Subwoofer). The unit's front and rear preamp output can be faded (front/rear), while the subwoofer preamp output is non-fading.

Crossovers: The DEH-P8400BH employs high pass and low pass crossovers to tailor the head unit to your connected speakers.

• High Pass: The head unit's 12dB/octave high pass filter only allows frequencies higher than those in the selected range (50, 63, 80, 100, 125Hz) to your front and rear speakers through the unit's speaker-level or line-level outputs.
• Low Pass: The subwoofer preamp output features an18dB/octave low pass filter so only frequencies lower than those in the selected range (50, 63, 80, 100, 125Hz) are output to your connected subwoofer.

Subwoofer Controls: The Pioneer DEH-P8400BH lets you adjust the subwoofer preamp output's phase (normal/reverse) and volume (+6 to -24).

Rear Channel Speaker Output: You can choose to use the rear channel output (speaker and preout) for full-range speaker or subwoofer. If you select "subwoofer", you can connect a 4-ohm subwoofer directly to each rear speaker lead, or a 2-ohm subwoofer to one of the rear speaker leads, without using an external amplifier.

Remote Control

Wireless Remote Control: The DEH-P8400BH comes with an IR wireless remote control. The remote allows you to control the volume, switch between sources, pause the CD, change the display, and adjust the audio. The mute button allows you to quickly lower the volume by about 90% (function that cannot be performed from the front panel). In addition, the remote provides answer/end phone controls for Bluetooth.

Steering Wheel Remote Compatibility: The head unit features an OEM steering wheel remote control input on the rear of the unit that lets you keep your vehicle's factory radio steering wheel remote controls when used with an optional steering wheel audio control adapter (sold separately). Please consult Crutchfield's Outfit My Car to see if your vehicle is compatible.