Features
External Device Controls

Features

Advanced Drive S HX: The MEX-BT5100 features the Drive S HX chassis platform. Drive S HX includes the CD mechanism, audio stages, 12 V power supply, and tuner section. The CD mechanism includes a suspension to resist shocks, a motor that draws less power, a fast low-current pickup that improves CD playback accuracy and advanced audio grade capacitors that improve audio signal stabilization. The 52W Peak x 4-channel S-MOSFET Power IC produces clearer, more accurate sound, less distortion, and a higher signal-to-noise ratio than previous designs.

Amplifier Section: The head-unit's amplifier is CEA-2006 compliant and rated at 17 watts RMS x 4 channels at 4 Ohms and 1% THD. The unit is also rated at 23.2 watts per channel minimum continuous average power into 4 ohms, 4 channels driven from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with no more than 5% THD. Peak power is rated at 52 watts per channel.

Disc Compatibility: The CD receiver will play CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RW discs. The headunit also supports CD Text.

ATRAC CD Playback: The MEX-BT5100 plays ATRAC3plus/ATRAC3 files recorded on CD-R and CD-RW discs. Each ATRAC disc can have a maximum of 255 groups and 999 files. During playback, the unit displays any recorded folder/file name and text information.

MP3/WMA Capability: The CD receiver will also play MP3 and WMA files stored on a CD-R or CD-RW. Below are the following requirements for MP3/WMA playback.

• ISO: The unit is compatible with the ISO 9660 level 1 / level 2 format, Joliet/Romeo in the expansion format, and Multi Session.
• The Maximum number of:
  • folders or albums is 150 including root and empty folders
  • MP3/WMA files or tracks and folders contained in a disc (300 if a folder/file names contain many characters, this number may become less than 300).
  • Displayable characters for a folder/file name is 32 (Joliet), or 64 (Romeo).
  • ID3 tag versions 1.0, 1.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4 apply to MP3 only. ID3 tag is 15/30 characters (1.0 and 1.1) or 63/126 characters (2.2, 2.3. and 2.4). WMA tag is 63 characters.

Compressed Audio Display Information: The CD receiver's display can display the following information: Track number/Elapsed playing time, Disc/Artist Name, Album/Group Number, Album/Group Name, Track Name, Text Information and Clock.

BBE MP: When playing back MP3 files, the BBE MP circuit recovers and recreates harmonics, restoring the detail, warmth and nuances that existed in the original recording.

EQ3 Parametric: EQ3 Parametric offers 7 EQ presets, each of which has a preset value for 3 bands: Low, Middle, and High. You can choose from two center frequencies for each band: Low (60Hz or 100Hz), Mid (500Hz or 1kHz), and High (10kHz or 12.5kHz). The EQ presets and the band values are as follows:

• Xplod: Low: +10, Middle: +4, High: +4
• Vocal: Low: +4, Middle: +8, High: +2
• Edge: Low: +6, Middle: -2, High: +7
• Cruise: Low: +3, Middle: +4, High: +2
• Space: Low: +4, Middle: +5, High: +8
• Gravity: Low: +8, Middle: 0, High: +2
• Custom: Adjustable -10dB to +10dB for each band

Dynamic Soundstage Organizer (DSO): Sony's Dynamic Soundstage Organizer uses proprietary circuitry to induce subtle phase shifts, simulating a sound source that is placed higher than the actual speakers in the vehicle. For example, when the DSO function is used in a vehicle equipped with speakers mounted low in the front doors, it creates virtual speakers in the dash to raise the soundstage. This unit offers three levels of DSO, each with a larger and higher soundstage. You can store the DSO setting for each source.

Radio Tuning: The MEX-BT5100 allows you to manual tune or seek tune AM/FM stations. In the Local Seek Mode, the unit will only tune in stations with very strong signals during Seek tuning. The Mono Mode allows you improve poor FM reception by selecting a monaural signal instead of a stereo signal. The radio features 5 memory bands to store and receive AM/FM stations. You can store up to 6 presets each in FM1, FM2, FM3, AM1 and AM2. The headunit also features a Preset List feature which lists 3 preset stations of a selected band on the unit's FL display. Other tuner features include:

• Best Tuning Memory (BTM):This feature selects stations with the best signals within the selected band and stores them in order of their frequency. You can select from FM1, FM2, FM3, AM1, and AM2.
• Manual Tuning: You can manually tune and find your favorite radio stations one by one for FM1, FM2, FM3, AM1, and AM2.
• Auto Tuning: You can use the seek button to help you search quickly through the available stations and then choose your own presets from these available stations.
• IF (Intermediate Frequency): You can choose "Auto" to narrow automatically the reception frequency to eliminate noise, or "Wide" to always hear FM stereo broadcasts in stereo and with full frequency signal reception.

Preamp Outputs: The MEX-BT5100 contains three pairs of RCA preamp outputs for the front and rear channels and for subwoofer operation. The subwoofer output is non-fading with a low pass filter with a selectable cut-off frequency of 125Hz, 78Hz, or Off. The subwoofer volume is adjustable from -10 to +10.

Auxiliary Input: The MEX-BT5100 has a UniLink input on the rear panel, consisting of the UniLink control bus and RCA audio jacks. If you're not using the UniLink port for another source (CD changer, satellite tuner, etc), this Aux Lite input allows you to directly connect an auxiliary unit (portable MiniDisc, MP3 player, the audio output from a mobile/portable DVD player, etc) to the receiver's stereo RCA input jacks.

Flip-Down/Detachable Face: The MEX-BT5100 features a manual fold-down face which provides a larger display and greater protection for the player's CD-slot and your CD discs. In addition, the unit features a detachable face for theft prevention. The radio also comes with a protective face case.

3D Fluorescent Display: The receiver has a 3-dimensional fluorescent motion display with selectable images. You can display up to 3 motion displays (movie), up to 3 spectrum analyzer patterns, up to 3 wallpaper modes, rotate all displays, or turn off the display. You can also set the display to SpaceProducer mode which creates animated on-screen patterns in time with the music being played.

Display Illumination/Clock Display: Pressing the Off button once will turn off audio output, but the clock display and button illumination remain on. This makes the clock display and face/button illumination "Keyed" instead of "Unit On" only. To turn the unit off completely, you must press the Off button for two seconds.

Dimmer: To change the brightness of the display you can set the MEX-BT5100 to one of three dimmer modes - Dimmer Auto (dims the display automatically when you turn your vehicle's lights on), Dimmer Off (deactivates the dimmer), and Dimmer On (display always dim).

Eject: The CD disc can be ejected with the power off. The CD player will automatically reinsert the disc if it's ejected but not removed for 15 seconds or more.

45-Degree Installation: For flexibility of installation, this unit can be mounted between 0 (horizontal) and 45 degrees.

Remote Control: The MEX-BT5100 comes with the RM-X304 wireless remote commander for operating the basic audio functions of this unit, as well as the Bluetooth Communication functions.

Optional Wired Remote Control: This unit also has a 3.5mm minijack input for the optional RM-X4S wired rotary commander. In addition, the PAC SWI-PS steering wheel remote interface is compatible with this head unit. The SWI-PS interface allows you to retain the use of your steering wheel and/or rear seat radio controls when replacing the factory head unit in select vehicles with a Sony head unit with wired remote capability. In some GM vehicles, this adapter allows you to retain heater control buttons as well.

External Device Controls

Bluetooth: The MEX-BT5100 has built-in Bluetooth hardware to integrate with Bluetooth enabled cellular phones and audio players, including the Apple iPhone. Bluetooth (Standard Bluetooth version 2.0) is a two-way wireless communication system allowing you to make and receive cell phone calls, and listen to a Bluetooth audio device. Up to six phones and six audio devices can be registered with the MEX-BT5100.  You can adjust the volume for each connected Bluetooth audio device from -8 to +18dB. This unit can be set to automatically reconnect to the last connected Bluetooth device when the ignition is turned on. Bluetooth wireless technology operates on a 2.4GHZ frequency band within a range of about 10 meters (about 33 feet). The MEX-BT2600 supports the following Bluetooth profiles:

• Hands-Free Talk (HFP/OPP): You can dial out using the headunit's phone book, history of dialed numbers (last ten), history of received calls (last ten), dial directly using the joystick or numeric keypad on the remote, or program up to six numbers using the radio preset buttons. The phone rings, and you hear the caller's voice through the front speakers (left, right, or both). The noise and echo cancelling microphone is built into the front of the radio. You can answer incoming calls manually or automatically.
• Music Streaming (A2DP/AVRCP): You can also listen to music from an audio device that supports A2DP Bluetooth technology. Cellular phones that support A2DP and have music stored in its memory can be played through this head unit. You can listen to and perform some operations on an audio device that supports AVRCP Bluetooth technology. On some devices, you can pause and resume playback and skip tracks by pressing buttons on the head unit. The following Bluetooth profiles are supported:

Satellite Radio Ready: There are several options for connecting an optional satellite radio receiver to this receiver:

• XM Satellite Radio: To receive XM Satellite Radio, you can connect the optional CNP2000UC XM Mini Tuner (220CNP20UC) and the Sony CNP-SON1 adapter cable (package item number 700XMSON1).
• SIRIUS Satellite Radio: To receive SIRIUS Satellite Radio, you can connect the optional SIRIUS SIR-SNY1 Satellite Tuner for Sony (item # 607SIRSNY1).
• Auxiliary Input: A portable satellite radio receiver, such as the XM Delphi SkyFi3 or SIRIUS Sportster, can be connected via the headunit's rear-panel auxiliary input or Sony's XA-300 UniLink Auxiliary Input Adapter--158XA300.

  Note: A subscription is also required to receive satellite radio programming from SIRIUS or XM.

HD Radio Ready: The MEX-BT5100 is compatible with Sony's optional XT-100HD add-on HD Tuner (sold separately) through its UniLink Bus connection. HD Radio technology, where available, offers higher quality sound than conventional analog broadcasts and receives text data. HD Radio provides FM broadcasts that are equal to CD sound quality and AM broadcasts that are as good as analog FM stereo broadcasts. HD Radio also provides a variety of data, including station name, song title, artist name, album name, etc. Once connected, all AM and FM broadcasts are received by the XT-100HD. HD appears as an additional source, with five preset banks; HD1 (FM1), HD2 (FM2), HD3 (FM3), HD4 (AM1), and HD5 (AM2). In addition to conventional broadcasts, with HD Radio broadcasting it is possible to choose from up to 8 multicast programs (HD1 to HD8 and analog). There are also data programs for each program.

iPod Ready: The optional Sony XA-110IP iPod Control Interface (sold separately) allows an iPod (3rd generation or newer, but not the iPod shuffle) digital music player with a dock connector to be connected to and controlled by the Sony headunit. All the iPod buttons will be disabled when connected to this adapter and it will be controlled from the Sony receiver. With this interface, you'll be able to play your iPod music files through the Sony receiver and have all the titling information appear on the headunit's display. Using the optional XA-C40 (item number 158XAC40), this adapter and two other compatible Sony UniLink devices (satellite tuner, CD changer, etc) can be controlled by the same receiver.

Changer Controls: This unit is compatible with Sony UniLink CD/MP3 changers, MD changers, satellite tuners, and other UniLink devices. A maximum of 5 CD changers, 5 CD/MP3 changers, or 5 MD changers may be connected to this receiver. When connecting CD, CD/MP3 and MD changers, you may connect up to a total of 7 changers (but there must not be more than 5 of one type of changer). When connecting more than one changer to this receiver, you must use the Sony XA-C40 source selector.

Optional Auxiliary Input: You can connect an auxiliary audio device (such as a portable digital memory player, cassette, MiniDisc, or VCR) when used with the optional XA-300 UniLink Auxiliary Input Adapter. The XA-300 uses the UniLink and Bus Audio inputs on the back of the receiver, and allows you to connect an optional CD/MD changer in addition to the auxiliary audio source.