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Features
External Device Controls
Features
Overview: The Kenwood KDC-MP242
AM/FM CD receiver features a detachable face, front auxiliary input, selectable
rear/subwoofer 2-volt preamp output and front 2-volt preamp output, CD changer
controls, Satellite radio functions and MP3/WMA playback.
The CD player also comes with an IR wireless remote control. The unit's amplifier
is rated at 22 watts x 4 channel RMS and 50 watts x 4 channel peak.
Detachable Face:
The unit features a single front loading CD face that detaches from the chassis
to deter theft. The CD player comes supplied with a soft black fabric, draw
string face case to protect the detachable face when you have it off the
chassis.
MP3/WMA Playback: The KDC-MP242 can play MP3 and WMA files
recorded on CD-ROM, CD-R, and CD-RW discs in ISO9660 Level 1/Level 2, Joliet,
Romeo, and Long file name formats. Each disc should have a maximum of 8
directory levels, 50 folders, and 255 files per folder
with a maximum of 512 files and folders. During MP3/WMA
playback, the unit displays any recorded ID3 Tag
(Ver.1) information. The headunit will display up to 30 characters.
Supreme Setting: When MP3 or
WMA files encoded at a low bit rate (less than 96 kbps, 44.1k, 48kHz) are
played, the Supreme Setting function restores their high frequencies so the
sound quality is closer to files encoded at a high bit rate. The processing is
optimized for the compression format and the bit rate used. When the Supreme
Setting is Off, the unit plays the original sound stored in the audio file.
AUX Input: The
KDC-MP242 is equipped with a front panel 3.5mm mini-jack auxiliary input for
connecting external portable audio devices such as an MP3 player.
Auxiliary Display: The
KDC-MP242 allows you to select the source type displayed when using the
auxiliary input. You can choose from AUX, DVD, Portable, Game, Video or TV.
Selectable Preamp Output: The
KDC-MP242 features front and rear preamp outputs. The rear preamp output allows
you to adjust from a full-range rear
speaker preamp output to a low-pass non-fading subwoofer preamp output.
Low Pass Filter: The receiver
features a built-in Low Pass Filter control for the preamp-output when the
output is set to Sub. You can select from 80, 120, 160 or off.
Subwoofer Level: Once you have
switched the preamp output to "subwoofer" you can independently control the
subwoofer preamp output level from the CD receiver. You select levels between
-15 to +15.
Rotary Volume Control: The CD receiver uses a rotary volume
control that increases and decreases the volume of the stereo from 0 to 35. The
rotary knob also controls other audio settings such as Balance, Fader, Bass,
Mid, Treble and preset EQ settings. In addition, the rotary knob allows you to
scroll through and select your music tracks when the Music Search function is
activated.
Speaker Settings: The Speaker
Setting function tailors the System Q Sound Control settings according to the
type of speakers in your vehicle. You may select a Speaker Setting of "SP Off"
(flat), "SP OEM" (for OEM factory speaker systems), "SP 6x9/6"
(for systems with
6" and 6"x9" speakers), or "SP 5/4" (for systems with 4"
and 5" speakers).
System Q Sound Control: Six EQ curves are preset into
memory, allowing you to recall the best preset EQ curve for different types of
music. Each preset has its own level settings for bass (100Hz), midrange (1kHz),
and treble (10kHz). You can choose from the following preset EQ curves - Rock,
Pops, Easy, Top 40, Jazz, and Natural.
Bass/Treble/Mid Control: The
KDC-MP242 features independent Bass, Treble and Midrange control. You can adjust
each one from -8 to +8db. The bass frequency is adjusted at 100 Hz, the treble
frequency is adjusted at 10 kHz and the midrange frequency is adjusted at 1 kHz.
Bass Boost: The Kenwood CD
receiver also features a Bass Boost control that can be set to the following
levels - BB1, BB2 or Off.
Fader/Balance Control: The
KDC-MP242 CD receiver feature balance and fade controls from Left15 to Right15
and Rear15 to Front15. The CD receiver uses a Type 5 and Type 2 fader. When the
rear preamp output is set to "Rear" the receiver allows you to fade between the
front speaker channels, the rear speaker channels along with both sets of preamp
outputs. When the rear preamp output is set to "Subwoofer" the receiver only
allows fading between the front and rear speaker channels along with the front
preamp output while the subwoofer preamp output is non-fading. If your are only
using the preamp outputs without the use of the speaker leads you can also fade
between the front and rear preamp outputs only when the rear preamp is set to
"rear".
Source Tone Memory: This feature allows you to store System
Q bass, middle and treble tone settings
for each source (CD, Tuner, and Aux).
Volume Offset: The level of
each source may be independently adjusted to prevent radical leaps in output
volume when switching from one source to another. The available settings range
from -8 to 0.
Remote Control: The KDC-MP242
comes with the RC-557 IR wireless remote control with a full numeric keypad. The
remote will control Audio, CD, Tuner and Satellite radio functions. The remote
control allows direct access of your music tracks and direct access to discs
loaded in a connected CD-changer (sold separately). It is
powered by 2 "AA" batteries (supplied). The dimensions of the remote are: L =
5.359", W = 1.968", D = 1.105".
Attenuator: The CD receiver
features an Attenuator button on the supplied remote control that turns the
volume down very quickly with one touch of the button.
Text/Title Scroll: The
KDC-MP242 will display CD text, Audio file text and Satellite radio
text. You can turn the
scrolling feature "on" to scroll longer titles across the screen.
Music Search: The Kenwood AM/FM CD receiver features a Music Search
feature which allows you to scroll through and select your MP3/WMA music folders
and files, as well as scroll through your audio CD's music tracks using the
headunit's rotary knob.
Last Position Memory:
If the unit is shut off or switched to the tuner mode while a CD is playing, the
next time CD is selected as the source, playback will resume from the point
where it left off.
Off Eject: The KDC-MP242 allows
you to eject your disc for 10 minutes after switching off the vehicles engine.
CD Force: When there is a
problem with playing a CD with a special format, this setting plays the CD by
force. Some CDs still may not play in the CD Force mode.
CR-2 Advanced Tuner: This unit
uses Kenwood's CR-2 Advanced tuner for clear radio reception. You can choose one
of three tuning modes: Auto 1 (seek tuning), Auto 2 (cycles through and tunes
the selected band's preset stations only with each button press), or Manual.
Auto Memory Tuning: Not only
does the CD receiver's tuner allow you manually enter your desired presets you
can choose to have the unit automatically put stations with good reception in
the memory banks automatically; this is a handy feature when traveling. The
tuner features 3 FM banks (1, 2, 3) and 1 AM bank. You can store 6 presets for
each AM/FM bank giving you a total of 18 FM presets and 6 AM presets.
Clean Reception System Circuit
(CRSC): This circuit controls multi-path distortion by reducing stereo
separation. As stereo separation is reduced, multi-path has less effect on the
radio signal, improving reception in areas with tall buildings and mountains.
The CRSC circuit can be turned on or off.
Tel Mute: The KDC-MP242
features a cell-phone mute wire (brown) in its harness that when hooked up to
your car's phone system mute wire will automatically mute the receiver's audio
signal when a call comes in.
Security Code: You can enter a
4-digit security code which must be used when the unit is removed from the
vehicle, or the constant power source is disconnected from the unit. When
constant power is restored to the unit, the security code must be entered before
the unit becomes operational.
Display Illumination/Clock
Display: When the unit is in Standby mode, the face/button illumination
is "keyed." In addition, while the unit is in Standby mode, you can turn the
clock display on or off. When the Clock Display is turned on and the unit is in
Standby mode, the Clock Display is also "keyed." Pressing and holding the source
button turns the unit off completely.
Display Dimmer: The display has
two brightness settings. You can change this setting within the menu.
Demo Mode: This unit features a
Demo mode which can be turned "on" or "off" within the menu.
External Device Controls
iPod Ready: This receiver is compatible with the optional
Kenwood KCA-iP500 iPod control interface (113IP500,
sold separately). When an iPod is
connected to the interface, all of the iPod's controls will be disabled and it
will be controlled from the receiver. With this interface, you'll be able to
play your iPod music files through your Kenwood receiver and in most cases have
all the titling information appear on the receiver's display. The Kenwood
KDC-MP242 and the KCA-iP500 iPod control interface are "Made for iPod"
compatible and support the following iPod model features (as of Nov. 2009):
| iPod/iPhone
Model |
Media Type |
Control |
Display |
Charge |
| Audio |
Video |
Unit |
iPod |
Song/Artist |
Track |
| dock-connector (3 gen) |
Y |
N |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| click-wheel/color-display
(4 gen) |
Y |
N |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| mini (1/2 gen) |
Y |
N |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| video (5 gen) |
Y |
N |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| classic (80/120/160
GB) |
Y |
N |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| nano |
1 gen |
Y |
N |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| 2 gen |
Y |
N |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| 3 gen |
Y |
N |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| 4 gen |
Y |
N |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
| 5 gen |
Y |
N |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
| touch |
1 gen |
Y |
N |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| 2 gen |
Y |
N |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
| 3 gen |
Y |
N |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
| iPhone |
2G |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
| 3G |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
| 3GS |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Note: This adapter will not charge the iPod nano
(4th/5th generation), and iPod touch (2nd/3rd generation). Apple
firmware updates may change functionality results.
Bluetooth Ready: The unit is also Bluetooth compatible using
the optional Kenwood KCA-BT200 Bluetooth adapter (113BT200,
sold separately). Using this adapter you can make and answer phone calls from
the Kenwood headunit. You can even download your Phonebook information from your
compatible mobile phone into the headunit. You are able to register up to five
compatible Bluetooth cell phones when using the KCA-BT200 adapter. Visit
Kenwood.com for a complete list of compatible Bluetooth enabled phones.
HD Radio Ready: With an optional Kenwood HD Radio tuner (113KTCHR20
or
113HR300, sold separately), you will be able to receive digital AM/FM
broadcasts from local stations where available. This new technology will
significantly improve audio quality and reception, as well as include
information such as artist name and song titles or traffic news, viewable on the
receiver's display.
Satellite Radio Ready: There are several options for
connecting an optional XM or SIRIUS Satellite Radio tuner to this receiver:
- XM Satellite Radio: To receive XM Satellite Radio, you
can connect the optional CNP2000UCA XM Mini Tuner and the CNP-KEN1 Kenwood
adapter cable (package item number 700XMKEN2).
- SIRIUS: To receive SIRIUS Satellite Radio, you can
connect the optional SC-C1 SiriusConnect vehicle tuner and the Kenwood
KCA-SR50 adapter (package item number
700SIRKENW).
- Dock: Select dock-and-play and portable SIRIUS radios
can be controlled using the Kenwood KCA-SR50 adapter and the SC-VDOC1 dock
(package item number
700SIRPKEN).
- Auxiliary Input: A portable satellite radio receiver,
such as the Delphi SkyFi3 or SIRIUS Sportster, can be connected to the front
panel auxiliary input.
Note: A subscription is also required to receive
satellite radio programming from SIRIUS or XM.
Changer Controls: This unit is directly compatible with Kenwood changers
manufactured in 1998 or later. If the changer has an O-N switch, the switch will
need to be set to the "N" position. In addition to basic disc navigation features, this
unit has the following changer controls: direct disc access (using the remote),
direct track access (using the remote), track intro scan, track repeat, disc
repeat, disc random, and magazine disc random. When connected to a CD Text capable
CD changer this unit can display disc and track titles for discs encoded
with disc and track title information. The text information can be scrolled
manually or automatically.
Rear Auxiliary Input "Ready": The unit already features a
front panel auxiliary input, but if you need a second auxiliary input, one can
be added to the rear of the unit. When used with an optional adapter, this unit
can accept a rear input from an auxiliary source. When the CA-C1AUX adapter (113CAC1AX,
sold separately) is used, you cannot connect a CD changer to the head unit
because the adapter plugs into the DIN changer control connection on the head
unit. When the KCA-S220A 2-changer switch (113KCAS220,
sold separately) is used, you can connect a CD changer and an auxiliary audio
source at the same time. When an auxiliary audio source is connected, you can
choose from one of six names for the source: AUX, DVD, Portable, Game, Video or
TV.
