Just Kenwood Car Audio
Kenwood car audio delivered carriage-free to your home
MD Receivers: Key Features Glossary

Kenwood car audio

ATRAC-3 digital processor

Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding - the data compression standard that enables approx 650MB of audio data to be compressed and fitted into the 140MB available on a MiniDisc, without discernable loss of listening quality.

Aux Audio Input 

An input on the rear of the receiver that enables you to connect a portable CD, MP3, cassette, or MD player to the receiver. This will require an additional connecting cable.

Bass Boost

This sound enhancement control allows you to boost the lower frequencies in your music to keep it full-sounding, even at lower volumes. 

B.M.S. with Remote Control Capability

The B.M.S. (Bass Management System) greatly enhances the bass control effect and its' operation.  The parametric equaliser with adjustable boosting level (+6dB/+12 dB) effectively boosts the low-frequency range from 50 Hz to 100 Hz. 

   

bass management system

 

Buffer memory

Kenwood MiniDisc players have a memory circuit which stores several seconds of musical data as it's read off the disc. If the player is jolted and the laser mistracks, the unit plays from this reservoir of data so you don't hear the skip.

  

Changer Control 

Receivers with changer control are capable of operating Kenwood CD or MiniDisc multi-disc changers. 

CD-R & R/W

Use of a three-beam optical laser capable of reading both recordable and re-recordable CD media.

 

   

CD Text from changer

Some compact discs contain CD Text data that include artist name, disc name, and track name. CD Text-capable CD changers automatically read and store this information for display on the front panel of compatible receivers. Convenient auto-scrolling allows you to scan all the information easily.

D.R.I.V.E. Technology

With Kenwood's exclusive D.R.I.V.E. (Dynamic Resolution Intensive Vector Enhancement) technology, your CDs will deliver crystal-clear fidelity. Located at the front stage of the system, D.R.I.V.E. greatly reduces the quantization noise from small signals. In combination with special low-ass filters, an extra high resolution (equivalent to 20 bits) is achieved. Thanks to the bitstream digital / analogue converter, you can enjoy every musical nuance with the lowest possible distortion.

   

DRIVE technology

DAB Ready

Head units with this capability can be connected to a decoder box and receive the growing number of very high quality digital audio broadcasting (DAB) radio station. (National coverage not yet in place)

DNPS

Disc name preset.  The names or titles of CDs can be manually entered into the head unit.  Whenever that disc is subsequently played, the head unit will display the text you have entered.

Dual Zone

The dual zone feature allows simultaneous playback of two different sound sources for the front and rear of the vehicle. Fr example, a radio station can be listened to in the front of  the vehicle whilst sound from the auxiliary input can be listened to in the rear, on headphones. This is particularly useful in the growing number of vehicles equipped with rear view TV screens.

      

EON

When a traffic announcement is broadcast, the radio will automatically switch from a station which does not transmit traffic information to one that does in the same broadcasting network (e.g. from BBC R3 to BBC R4).
See also RDS below.

MASK-KEY

In addition to the 'blank-face' MASK system and removable front panels, the MASK-KEY system further tightens security for your receiver.

If your D-MASK+ receiver is stolen (or disconnected from it's power supply), it is completely useless unless the correct MASK key is also used to re-activate the radio.

Using extremely long multi-digit codes and sophisticated encryption, this key is a further step towards protecting your investment.

   

Max power output

Maximum or peak power is measured during a brief musical burst, such as a sudden drum beat. Some manufacturers display peak power ratings on the face of their products. The RMS power rating is considered a more significant measurement, but is not often quoted as it is always lower than the max power figure. 

MDLP: Minidisc long play

This MD mode gives extended record / replay times by a factor of two or four

Memory Calendar

A display of today's date can be displayed in several formats.

Receivers with the memo feature can have up to 30 memo items entered (of up to 32 characters each) - linked to a particular date.  The text you input automatically appears on the selected date, when the radio's power is is first turned on.

Panel angle adjust

Panel angle adjustment is provided for improved visibility of the display according to your dashboard layout. The panel can be set to be angled up by as much as 20 degrees of tilt. This is designed to improve visibility when the radio is positioned low down in the vehicle.

   

Radio Text

Along with RDS & EON data, some radio stations are also transmitting further information called radio text. This usually gives information on the programme being transmitted and other useful information, phone numbers etc. When selected, this information is scrolled across the radio's display.

RCA preouts

Sockets on the rear of the receiver that allow you to use a standard RCA cable to add an external amplifier. Some receivers have two sets (front & rear), which are useful if you plan to add a 4-channel or second amplifier. Some receivers have three sets, one of which is usually intended to be used for a subwoofer amplifier.

Some receivers offer a "non-fading" set of preamp outputs. Connect your subwoofer amplifier to the non-fading outputs, and you can fade the normal speakers front to rear without affecting the sound of the subwoofer. Or, if you connect the amplifier for your main speakers to the non-fading set and your subwoofer amplifier to the set that fades, you can use the receiver's fader to control the sub's volume. 

Sometimes, an output voltage for the receiver's preamp outputs is quoted. Generally, the higher the preamp output voltage, the better the sound from your amplifier (an improved signal to noise ratio). 

RDS

RDS tuners can automatically tune in stations according to the style of music (or talk) they broadcast. RDS also enables your receiver to display text messages (usually station names and programme format information) that many FM stations include on a subcarrier signal within their normal broadcast signal. Some RDS tuners can even break in with traffic alerts or emergency broadcasts when you're listening to a CD. There are other useful features too, many of which are offered by the growing number of RDS stations. 
See also EON.

Remote Option

For remote option receivers, a wired or infrared wireless remote is either included with a receiver, or available as an accessory. 

RMS power output

The amount of continuous power, measured in watts, that an amplifier produces is called RMS power. The higher the RMS figure, the louder and cleaner your music sounds. 

Selectable Font

see '3-D Display' above

System E's+

System E's is designed to remove very low bass signals from reaching relatively small door and rear shelf speakers. This results in lass distortion and a cleaner sound. It also helps to integrate a proper subwoofer and amplifier setup that is there to replace the bass diverted from smaller speakers.

In addition to this, System E's adds control of subwoofer level, phase and frequency to give complete system setup via the head unit. It also allows rapid system adjustment for different types of music.

   

As the successor to the highly regarded D-Boost system, System Q features significant improvements including 3-band (Bass, Midrange, and Treble) sound control capability with preset tone curves.

In D-MASK+ models, users can control Q and centre frequency as well as select subwoofer type.

Five preset curves are integrated in all head units, and in some models, user preset memory is also available. The convenient 'speaker-type matching function' featured in the old D-Boost system is also available with System Q.

      

TDF Anti-theft system

A removable front panel to deter thieves on non-MASK equipped receivers.

 

face-off TDF

Telephone 2-way muting

When connected to a mobile telephone car kit, the output of the CD, tape or radio is paused while a call is made or received, and continued at it's conclusion.

In addition, a connection is available for Kenwood navigation units so that when an instruction is given, receiver volume is lowered.

Vauxhall Display Option

Some Vauxhall models come equipped with a display unit in the dashboard that shows clock, temperature and certain radio functions. Now, even if you replace your Vauxhall's factory-fitted radio, you can still enjoy the convenience of this display.

You will need to select a 'Vauxhall display enabled' radio and combine it with the interface  KPA-SD100.

  

Vauxhall display interface

Amplifier
Information Centre
How to Buy
FAQ
Key Features Glossary
How to Install
Cassette Receiver
Information Centre
How to Buy
FAQ
Key Features Glossary
How to Install
CD Receiver
Information Centre
How to Buy
Introduction to MP3
FAQ
Key Features Glossary
How to Install
CD/MD Changer
Information Centre
How to Buy
FAQ
Key Features Glossary
How to Install
MiniDisc Receiver
Information Centre
How to Buy
FAQ
Key Features Glossary
How to Install
Speaker
Information Centre
How to Buy
FAQ
Key Features Glossary
Intro to Imaging
How to Install


Subwoofer
Information Centre
Key Features Glossary
How to Buy
FAQ

Just Kenwood E-mail   |   View Order/Checkout   |   Privacy Policy   |   Contact Us
Copyright 1998-2008,   Borehams Limited
E&OE.  All trade marks acknowledged.  Kenwood logos and part numbers used for identification purposes only.

Comment on this page