About the Kenwood Sovereign Entré Entertainment Hub
Why call it an "entertainment hub"? At heart, the Kenwood Sovereign Entré is a digital media manager for CDs and DVDs (stored in a connected Kenwood Sovereign 400+3 disc changer), digital audio files (MP3, WMA), iRadio (Internet radio), and AM/FM radio (from a Kenwood Sovereign receiver).
The Entré includes a 20GB hard drive and a CD-R/RW drive. Once you've popped in a favorite CD, you can rip the entire disc or just your favorite tracks for storage on the hard drive as compressed MP3 files. It's easy to search through all your MP3s using the Entré's on-screen display (requires a TV with direct input); you can even create, store, and edit customized playlists for hours of uninterrupted listening.
The CD-R/RW drive also lets you burn your own discs! You can burn MP3 CDs for playback in Kenwood's MP3-compatible car head units and portables. Or you can copy tracks from CDs as uncompressed WAV files to create standard audio discs that will play on almost all newer home, car, and portable CD players. (Note: unlike MP3 files copied from CD tracks, WAV files can only be stored temporarily on the hard drive). Dub copies of your favorite CDs to take on the road, or make compilation discs creating custom mix CDs is super-easy when you connect the Entré to a Kenwood Sovereign DV-5050M or DV-5900M DVD/CD changer!
Thanks to the built-in modem, you can access online services provided by OpenGlobe. There's no monthly fee, and no PC is required all you need is a compatible Internet Service Provider (ISP). Through the OpenGlobe website, you can tune in a wide variety of Internet radio content. For DVDs and CDs in your compatible Kenwood Sovereign changer (see links above), and audio stored on the built-in hard drive, the Entré automatically downloads cover art, titles, and more from MovieDB and Gracenote CDDB® (extensive Internet movie and CD databases). It all displays on your TV for easy point-and-click control! And for even faster online access, you can connect the Entré to a DSL or cable modem using an Ethernet adapter (click on the "Crutchfield Hands-on Research" tab, above, for more details).
The Entré takes a high-tech yet convenient approach to home networking. It uses HomePNA (Home Phoneline Networking Alliance) protocol to stream MP3s, WMAs, and iRadio across existing phone lines to Kenwood Axcess Remote Portals for listening in other areas of your home. Phone calls and Internet sessions are not interrupted. And no need for the hassles and expense of rewiring your home!
Note: Component CD recorders let you record on two different types of discs: CD-R discs are write-once, recordable CDs which play back in almost all newer home, car, and portable CD players. CD-RW discs can be erased and re-recorded again and again, but aren't as widely compatible when it comes to playback. Check your specific model of CD player for disc compatibility. Remember, blank computer CDs cannot be recorded using a home CD-R deck, so be sure to use blank audio discs (the logo on the disc's packaging must include the words "Digital Audio").
Details:
- HomePNA 2.0 telephone line networking
- on-screen display (requires TV with direct video input)
- built-in 56k V.90 modem
- 3 USB ports (1 front-panel)
- 2 RS-232C ports
- 3 RJ11 phone jacks
- component/composite/S-video input/output
- digital inputs: 1 optical, 1 coaxial
- optical digital output
- stereo analog input/output
- can connect to cable or DSL modem with optional Ethernet adapter
- remote control
- 17-5/16"W x 4-9/16"H x 13"D
- warranty: 2 years
What's in the box:
Kenwood Sovereign Entré Entertainment Hub owner's manual
- Entre digital audio server
- RC-P0101 Wireless remote control
- 2 "AA" batteries
- Two 38" digital optical cables (each cable has a standard Toslink connector on each end)
- 37" Mono mini-jack cable
- 40" RS232C cable
- 37" S-video cable
- Two 36" RCA stereo audio cables
- 6.5' RJ14 telephone cable
- User's Guide
- Connection and Setup Guide
- Important Safeguards
- Kenwood SmartCard product registration/survey
- US Warranty sheet
- Sheet with Kenwood support telephone number
- "Welcome to Kenwood Sovereign Entre" sheet
- Silica gel packet
More details on the Kenwood Sovereign Entré Entertainment Hub
Product Research
Features
Remote Control
Inputs and Outputs
Features Overview: The Entre Entertainment Hub allows you to enjoy and manage various types of digital media, such as MP3 files, WMA files, Internet Radio, cable and DSS programs, CDs, and DVDs. The Entre consists of a 20GB high-capacity music storage system, built-in CD-R/RW recorder, internal v.90 56k modem, USB connections, support for an optional Ethernet port, RS-232 terminals, and HomePNA 2.0 connections for expanded functionality.
MP3 Encoder: The Entre has an MP3 encoder that allows you to encode MP3 or WMA files from a CD to the unit's internal music storage system. Recording quality settings allow you to select a bit rate of 90, 128, 160, 192, or 320kbps. Additionally, you can transfer MP3 files to a portable MP3 player via the Entre's USB connection. During MP3 playback, the optical digital output is not active; the RCA analog audio outputs are active during MP3 playback.
Internal CD Recorder: The internal CD recorder allows you to record MP3 files to CD-R/RW discs.
Managing Your Music: The Entre provides many powerful features to organize, record, and listen to your favorite music. The Music mode allows you to browse your music collection, record music, or transfer music to a portable player. You can control the order that Groups, titles, or Playlists play in from the Music Play mode. You can repeat a Group, title, or Playlist, or shuffle the tracks in random order.
Recording from a CD to the Entre's Storage System: You can record music from a CD to the Entre's Storage System, whether it's a conventional CD, or a custom CD-R/RW containing MP3 files.
Copying from One CD to Another: You can copy a CD whether it's located in a connected changer or in the Entre's CD recorder. The Entre stores the CD files temporarily on its hard drive, then records the files onto the CD-R.
Managing Music Playlists: In a Playlist, you can create a mix of tracks from your favorite CDs, MP3s, or other Playlists in whatever order you choose and play it back any time you want. It's like creating virtual CDs on the Entre. You can create, edit, and delete Playlists whenever you wish.
Managing Music Groups: When you create a custom Group, you create a Playlist of titles, including entire CDs, MP3 Playlists, or even custom Playlists. For example, you can create a Group containing all the albums from your favorite artist. You can create, edit, and delete Groups at any time to help you find your favorite music quickly.
Managing Your Movies: The Entre provides many powerful features to organize and watch your favorite movies. The Movie mode allows you to browse your movie collection, organize movies in custom groups, or download information about your collection from the Internet.
Managing Your Radio Stations: The Entre provides many powerful features to organize and listen to your favorite radio stations. The Radio mode allows you to add new AM, FM, or Internet radio stations to the Entre, or browse through available stations.
Internet Radio: The Entre's Open Globe portal allows it to access over 1000 stations through Radio Free Virgin and Net Radio. These stations offer programming from all over the world in a variety of music genres.
Graphic User Interface: GUI information is displayed on your television via the Entre's video output.
Automatic CD and DVD Titling: The Entre uses the CDDB and MovieDB Internet databases to automatically title CDs and DVDs in compatible Kenwood changers through the RS-232 terminal. In addition to downloading disc and track titles, the Entre will also download available disc cover art, which will be displayed on-screen while the disc is playing.
Kenwood Sovereign Receiver Control: The Entre can control the AM/FM tuner of a Kenwood Sovereign receiver that is connected to it via the RS-232 terminal.
Multi-room Capability: The Entre can send digital audio information to an Axcess Remote Portal located in another room, using existing phone lines.
PC Interface: The Entre will also work with an upcoming PC application that enables remote administration of the Entertainment Hub and movement of content between systems over a home network. This PC application will allow you to do the following:
- add, delete and/or edit music by importing Playlists and copying files from the PC into the Entre
- modify CD jacket cover artwork files
- transfer MP3 files from the PC to the Entre
- add, delete and/or edit Internet Radio Stations
- manage your OpenGlobe customer account information
OpenGlobe Services: The services provided by OpenGlobe complement the Entre by simplifying access to entertainment media. Kenwood has worked with OpenGlobe to develop a user interface that's simple to use, yet allows complete management of the Entre's functions and delivery of the full benefits of the following services:
- OpenGlobe provides access to Internet Radio content
- OpenGlobe taps into Internet databases that allow you to download graphics and information pertaining to CDs, DVDs, artists and related content
- OpenGlobe provides ongoing electronic commerce (CE-Commerce) services that are friendlier than currently available services through the Internet on computers
GraceNote's CDDB Music Recognition Service: With over 1,000 licensees in 35 countries, 20 million users a month, and more than 800,000 albums and 10 million songs in its database, GraceNote's signature CDDB Music Recognition Service is the industry standard for music recognition, and is the largest online database of audio CD and song titles in the world.
MovieDB DVD-Video Movie Recognition Service: MovieDB is a database that contains disc and chapter title information as well as cover art, genre, rating, and descriptions for over 6,500 DVD-Video titles, with an average of 100 new titles added each week.
Optional Axcess Remote Portal: Sold separately, the Axcess Remote Portal consists of a 20-watt per channel stereo amplifier with speaker outputs and a HomePNA 2.0 port. Once connected to the Entre via the phone line, Axcess can access Internet Radio and compressed audio files on the Entre's high-capacity music storage system for use in a second room. Up to four Remote Portals can be networked, allowing four different MP3 or WMA audio streams to be listened to simultaneously throughout the house from a single Entre.
HomePNA 2.0: HomePNA 2.0 is a specification that uses the existing telephone lines to network a variety of consumer electronics devices together. Via its HomePNA 2.0 connection, the Entre can securely deliver data through existing phone lines without interrupting or interfering with telephone and DSL service.
Ethernet Connection: The Ethernet connection can be used to connect the Entre to a cable modem, bypassing the internal v.90 56k modem and enabling high-speed Internet access. The Netmate Link (U-ETH-NMO2) or other compatible Ethernet adapter is required.
Multibrand Remote: The supplied remote is pre-coded to control the Entre and other brands of components, including televisions, digital satellite tuners, and cable boxes. In addition to the standard source, power, numeric keypad, navigation, volume, and player controls, the remote has mode and programming buttons that allow you to do the following:
- select and play MP3 files and CDs
- select and play DVDs
- select and listen to radio broadcasts
- access the OpenGlobe website
Kenwood Sovereign Receiver Compatibility: If you have a Kenwood Sovereign receiver connected to the Entre, you can use the remote supplied with the receiver to control the Entre.
Front Panel:
- USB port
Rear Panel:
- Optical In: Toslink optical digital input with a protective plastic cover
- Optical Out: Toslink optical digital output with a protective plastic cover (this output is not active during MP3 playback; only the analog outputs are active during MP3 playback)
- Coaxial Digital In: gold-plated coaxial digital jack
- Rec In: gold-plated stereo RCA jacks
- Play Out: gold-plated stereo RCA jacks
- Analog Monitor Out: gold-plated stereo RCA jacks
- Video Input: gold-plated RCA composite video jack, S-video jack and component video jacks (3 RCA jacks labeled "Y", "CB" and "CR")
- Video Output: gold-plated RCA composite video jack and S-video jack
- Video Monitor Out: component video jacks (3 RCA jacks labeled "Y", "CB" and "CR")
- For Future Use (input/output): gold-plated RCA composite video jacks
- 2 USB ports
- To AV Receiver: RS-232C terminal
- To CD/DVD Changer: RS-232C terminal
- IR Repeater In: mini-jack input
- Wall: RJ11 jack
- Phone: RJ11 jack
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