Otherwise, the display does not turn off and this causes battery drain.
Card remote commander RM-X118
Note If the display disappears by pressing (OFF), it cannot be operated with the card remote commander unless (SOURCE) on the unit is pressed, or a disc is inserted to activate the unit first. Tip See Replacing the lithium battery on page 22 for details on how to replace the batteries.

REP SHUF

DISC +

SOURCE

SOUN D
The corresponding buttons of the card remote commander control the same functions as those on this unit. a DSPL button b Number buttons (1) REP 11 (2) SHUF 11 To store stations, receive stored stations. c DSO button d MENU button To display the menus. e SOURCE button f SEEK (</,) buttons In menu mode, to select a setting. g SOUND button h OFF button i VOL (+/) buttons j EQ7 button k MODE button l LIST button 12, 15 m DISC (M/m) buttons In menu mode, to select a menu. n ENTER button To enter a setting. o ATT button

Precautions

If your car has been parked in direct sunlight, allow the unit to cool off before operating it. Power aerials will extend automatically while the unit is operating.

Notes on discs

To keep the disc clean, do not touch the surface. Handle the disc by its edge. Keep your discs in their cases or disc magazines when not in use. Do not subject the discs to heat/high temperature. Avoid leaving them in parked cars or on dashboards/rear trays.

Caution

While driving, do not use the CUSTOM FILE feature or any other functions which may divert your attention from the road. If you have any questions or problems concerning your unit that are not covered in this manual, please consult your nearest Sony dealer.

Moisture condensation

On a rainy day or in a very damp area, moisture condensation may occur inside the lenses and display of the unit. Should this occur, the unit will not operate properly. In such a case, remove the disc and wait for about an hour until the moisture has evaporated.

Do not attach labels, or use discs with sticky ink/residue. Such discs may stop spinning when used, causing a malfunction, or may ruin the disc.
To maintain high sound quality
Be careful not to splash juice or other soft drinks onto the unit or discs.
Do not use discs with any labels or stickers attached. The following malfunctions may result from using such discs: Inability to eject a disc (due to a label or sticker peeling off and jamming the eject mechanism). Inability to read audio data correctly (e.g., playback skipping, or no playback) due to heat shrinking of a sticker or label causing a disc to warp. Discs with non-standard shapes (e.g., heart, square, star) cannot be played on this unit. Attempting to do so may damage the unit. Do not use such discs. You cannot play 8 cm CDs.
Before playing, clean the discs with a commercially available cleaning cloth. Wipe each disc from the centre out. Do not use solvents such as benzine, thinner, commercially available cleaners, or antistatic spray intended for analogue discs.

Resetting the unit

Before operating the unit for the first time, or after replacing the car battery or changing the connections, you must reset the unit. Remove the front panel and press the RESET button with a pointed object, such as a ballpoint pen.
Notes on CD-R/CD-RW discs
You can play CD-Rs (recordable CDs)/CDRWs (rewritable CDs) designed for audio use on this unit. Look for these marks to distinguish CD-Rs/ CD-RWs for audio use.
RESET button Note Pressing the RESET button will erase the clock setting and some stored contents.
These marks denote that a disc is not for audio use.
Some CD-Rs/CD-RWs (depending on the equipment used for its recording or the condition of the disc) may not play on this unit. You cannot play a CD-R/a CD-RW that is not finalized*.
* A process necessary for a recorded CD-R/CD-RW disc to be played on the audio CD player.
Detaching the front panel
You can detach the front panel of this unit to protect the unit from being stolen.
Attaching the front panel
Place hole A of the front panel onto the spindle B on the unit, then lightly push the left side in. Press (SOURCE) (or insert a CD) to operate the unit.

Caution alarm

If you turn the ignition switch to the OFF position without removing the front panel, the caution alarm will beep for a few seconds. If you connect an optional amplifier and do not use the built-in amplifier, the beep sound will be deactivated.
Press (OFF)*. CD/MD playback or radio reception stops (the key illumination and display remain on).
* If your car has no ACC position on the ignition switch, be sure to turn the unit off by pressing (OFF) until the display disappears to avoid car battery drain.

Display items

When the disc/album/track changes, any prerecorded title*1 of the new disc/album/track is automatically displayed (if the Auto Scroll function is set to ON, names exceeding 8 characters will be scrolled (page 18)). Displayable items Album name*1 Disc name*3 Track title*1 ID3 tag*1

(With optional unit)

Press (SOURCE) repeatedly to select CD or MD (MS*1). Press (MODE) repeatedly until the desired unit appears. Playback starts.
Displayable items Source Clock
Skip discs Disc selection
(DISC/PRESET) (+/) [once for each disc] Displayable Track number items Disc number Album number*2

Elapsed playing time

Skip albums*2 (DISC/PRESET) (+/) Albums selection [hold to desired point]
*1 MS: MG Memory Stick System-up Player MGS-X1 *2 Available only when an MP3 file is played. Albums are folders of a CD containing MP3 files. Cautions when connecting MGS-X1 and MD unit(s) This unit recognizes MGS-X1 as an MD unit. When you want to play MGS-X1, press (SOURCE) to select MS or MD. If MS appears in the source display, MGS-X1 starts to play. If MD appears in the source display, press (MODE) to select MS, to start playback. When you want to play an MD unit, press (SOURCE) to select MD or MS. If your desired MD unit appears in the source display, it starts to play. If MS or another MD unit appears in the source display, press (MODE) to select your desired MD unit, to start playback. Notes when connecting MP3 playable CD unit(s) If a disc with no MP3 files (tracks) is inserted, NO MUSIC appears in the display and playback of the next disc starts. Before playing a track, this unit reads all track and album information on the disc. Depending on the track structure, it may take more than a minute before playback begins. During this time, READ is displayed. Please wait for play to start automatically when the reading is complete.

Switch display item

(DSPL)
Scroll display item (SCRL)
*1 When pressing (DSPL), NO NAME indicates that there is no disc name, album name, or track title and NO ID3 indicates that there is no ID3 tag. *2 While displaying an ID3 tag, the album number does not appear. *3 If the disc has been labelled by this unit using the CUSTOM FILE function, Disc Memo is displayed preferentially. Notes Some characters cannot be displayed. Characters and signs which cannot be displayed appear as *. For some ID3 tags with very many characters, information may not scroll. This unit cannot display the artist name for each track of an album. Tip When A.SCRL (Auto Scroll) is set to OFF and the disc/ album/track name is changed, the disc/album/track name does not scroll.

Playing tracks repeatedly

Repeat Play

The disc in the main unit will repeat a track, the entire album, or the entire disc when it reaches the end. For repeat play, you can select: REP-TRACK to repeat a track. REP-ALBM*1 to repeat an album. REP-DISC*2 to repeat a disc.
*1 Available only when optional CD unit with the MP3 file control function is connected. *2 Available only when one or more optional CD/MD units are connected.

Labelling a CD

Disc Memo (For a CD unit with the CUSTOM FILE function)
You can label each disc with a custom name (Disc Memo). You can enter up to 8 characters for a disc. If you label a CD, you can locate the disc by name (page 12).
During playback, press (1) (REP) repeatedly until the desired setting appears in the display. Repeat Play starts. To return to normal play mode, select REPOFF.
Start playing the disc you want to label in a CD unit with the CUSTOM FILE function. Press (MENU), then press (DISC) (+) or (DISC) () repeatedly until NAMEEDIT appears. Press (ENTER).
Playing tracks in random order

Shuffle Play

You can select: SHUF-ALBM*1 to play the albums in the current optional CD unit with the MP3 file control function in random order. SHUF-DISC to play the tracks on the current disc in random order. SHUF-CHGR*2 to play the tracks in the current optional CD (MD) unit in random order. SHUF-ALL*3 to play all the tracks in all the connected CD (MD) units (including this unit) in random order.
*1 Available only when optional CD unit with the MP3 file control function is connected. *2 Available only when one or more optional CD (MD) units are connected. *3 Available only when one or more optional CD units, or two or more optional MD units are connected.
The unit will repeat the disc during the labelling procedure.
Enter the characters. 1 Press (DISC) (+)*1 repeatedly to select the desired character.
A t B t C. t 0 t 1 t 2. t + tt. t *2 t A

Receiving the stored stations
Press (SOURCE) repeatedly to select the radio. Press (MODE) repeatedly to select the band. Press the number button ((1) to (6)) on which the desired station is stored.
When tuning in stations while driving, use Best Tuning Memory to prevent accidents.
Storing stations automatically

Best Tuning Memory (BTM)

The unit selects the stations with the strongest signals within the selected band, and stores them in the order of their frequency.
Tip Press (DISC) (+) or (DISC) () to receive the stations in the order they are stored in the memory (Preset Search function).
If preset tuning does not work
Press (SEEK) (+) or (SEEK) () to search for the station (automatic tuning). Scanning stops when the unit receives a station. Repeat until the desired station is received.
Tips If automatic tuning stops too frequently, turn on the Local Seek to limit seek to stations with stronger signals (see Changing the sound and display settings on page 18). If you know the frequency of the station you want to listen to, press and hold (SEEK) (+) or (SEEK) () to locate the approximate frequency, then press (SEEK) (+) or (SEEK) () repeatedly to fine adjust to the desired frequency (manual tuning).
Press (SOURCE) repeatedly to select the radio. Press (MODE) repeatedly to select the band. Press (MENU), then press (DISC) (+) or (DISC) () repeatedly until BTM appears. Press (ENTER). A beep sounds when the setting is stored.
Notes If only a few stations can be received due to weak signals, some number buttons will retain their former settings. When a number is indicated in the display, the unit starts storing stations from the one currently displayed.
If FM stereo reception is poor
Select monaural reception mode (see Changing the sound and display settings on page 18). The sound improves, but becomes monaural (ST disappears).
Note If interference occurs, this unit will automatically narrow the reception frequency to eliminate noise (IF AUTO function). In such cases, some FM stereo broadcasts may become monaural while in the stereo reception mode. Tips To always hear FM stereo broadcasts in stereo, you can change the IF AUTO setting and widen the frequency signal reception (see Changing the sound and display settings on page 18). Note that some interference may occur in this setting. If FM broadcasts are difficult to hear, set DSO to OFF (page 20).

Storing only the desired stations
You can manually preset the desired stations on any chosen number button.

Storing station names

Station Memo
You can assign a name to each radio station and store it in memory. The name of the station currently tuned in appears in the display. You can assign a name using up to 8 characters for a station.
Press (SOURCE) repeatedly to select the radio. Press (MODE) repeatedly to select the band. Press (SEEK) (+) or (SEEK) () to tune in the station that you want to store. Press the desired number button ((1) to (6)) for 2 seconds until MEM appears. The number button indication appears in the display.
Storing the station names (With the card remote commander)
Tune in a station whose name you want to store. Press (MENU), then press (DISC) (+) or (DISC) () repeatedly until NAMEEDIT appears. Press (ENTER).
Note If you try to store another station on the same number button, the previously stored station will be erased.
If you press (SEEK) (), you can move back to the left.
3 Repeat steps 1 and 2 to enter the entire name.
Tips Simply overwrite or enter to correct or erase a name. There is another way to start storing station names: Press (LIST) for 2 seconds instead of performing steps 2 and 3. You can also complete the operation by pressing (LIST) for 2 seconds instead of step 5.
Tuning in a station through a list
List-up (With the card remote commander)
Erasing the station name (With the card remote commander)
During radio reception, press (MENU), then press (DISC) (+) or (DISC) () repeatedly until NAME DEL appears. Press (ENTER). Press (DISC) (+) or (DISC) () repeatedly to select the station whose name you want to erase. Press (ENTER) for 2 seconds. The name is erased. Repeat steps 3 to 4 if you want to erase other names. Press (MENU) twice. The unit returns to normal radio reception mode.
During radio reception, press (LIST) momentarily. The frequency or the name assigned to the current station appears in the display.

Press (DISC) (+) or (DISC) () repeatedly until you find the desired station. If no name is assigned to the selected station, the frequency appears in the display. Press (ENTER) to tune in the desired station.
Note If you have already erased all of the station names, NO DATA appears in step 4.

By rotating the control

You can also control the unit (and optional CD/ MD units) with a rotary commander (optional).

SEEK/AMS control

Using the rotary commander
First, attach the appropriate label depending on how you want to mount the rotary commander. The rotary commander works by pressing buttons and/or rotating controls.

Rotate and release to:

Skip tracks. Tune in stations automatically.
Rotate, hold, and release to:
Fast-forward/reverse a track. Find a station manually.
By pushing in and rotating the control
SOUND MODE DSPL DSPL MODE SOUND

By pressing buttons

(ATT) (SOUND) (MODE) (SOURCE)

PRESET/DISC control

Push in and rotate the control to:
Receive preset stations. Change discs during CD (MD) playback*1.
During playback of a CD containing MP3 files*3 Push in and repeat rotating quickly to:
(DSPL) Rotate the VOL control to adjust the volume.

Change discs one by one.

Push in, then rotate and hold to:

Change albums.

*1 Only if the corresponding optional equipment is connected. *2 If your car has no ACC (accessory) position on the ignition key switch, after turning off the ignition, be sure to press and hold (OFF) until the display disappears. *3 Available only when optional CD unit with the MP3 file control function is connected.

(SOURCE) (MODE)

Change source (radio/CD/MD*1)/Power on Change operation (radio band/CD unit*1/MD unit*1) Attenuate sound Stop playback or radio reception/Power off Adjust the sound menu Change the display item
(ATT) (OFF)*2 (SOUND) (DSPL)
Changing the operative direction
The operative direction of controls is factory-set as shown below.

To increase

Adjusting the sound characteristics
You can adjust the bass, treble, balance, fader, and subwoofer volume.

To decrease

If you need to mount the rotary commander on the right hand side of the steering column, you can reverse the operative direction.
Select the item you want to adjust by pressing (SOUND) repeatedly. Each time you press (SOUND), the item changes as follows:
BAS (bass) t TRE (treble) t BAL (left-right) t FAD (front-rear) t SUB (subwoofer volume)

Adjust the selected item by pressing the volume +/ button. When adjusting with the card remote commander, press (SOUND), then press (SEEK) (+) or (SEEK) (). When adjusting with the rotary commander, press (SOUND) and rotate the VOL control.
Note Adjust within 3 seconds after selecting the item.
Press (SOUND) for 2 seconds while pushing the VOL control.
Tip You can also change the operative direction of these controls with the unit (page 18).
Quickly attenuating the sound
Press (ATT). After ATT-ON momentarily appears, ATT appears in the display. To restore the previous volume level, press (ATT) again.
Tip When the interface cable of a car telephone is connected to the ATT lead, the unit decreases the volume automatically when a telephone call comes in (Telephone ATT function).
Changing the sound and display settings
The following items can be set:

P/M (Play Mode)

LOCAL (Local Seek mode) (page 13) Select ON to only tune into stations with stronger signals. MONO (Monaural mode) (page 13) Select ON to hear FM stereo broadcast in monaural. Select OFF to return to normal mode. IF AUTO/WIDE (page 13)

SET (Set Up)

CLOCK (page 9) BEEP to turn the beeps on or off. RM (Rotary Commander) to change the operative direction of the controls of the rotary commander. Select NORM to use the rotary commander at the factory-set position. Select REV when you mount the rotary commander on the right side of the steering column.

SND (Sound)

EQ7 TUNE (page 19) to adjust the equalizer curve. HPF (High pass filter) (page 21) LPF (Low pass filter) (page 21) LOUD (Loudness) to enjoy bass and treble even at low volumes. The bass and treble will be reinforced.
(With the card remote commander) DSPL (Display)
D.INFO (Dual Information) to display the clock and the play mode at the same time (ON). M.DSPL (Motion Display) the demonstration mode which appears when no source is selected (e.g., tuner is turned off). A.SCRL (Auto Scroll) Select ON to scroll all automatically displayed names exceeding 8 characters. When A.SCRL is set to off and the disc/track name is changed, the disc/track name does not scroll.
Press (MENU). To set A.SCRL, press (MENU) during CD/ MD playback. Press (DISC) (+) or (DISC) () repeatedly until the desired item appears. Press (SEEK) (+) to select the desired setting (Example: ON or OFF). Press (ENTER). After the mode setting is completed, the display returns to normal play mode.
Note The displayed item will differ depending on the source. Tip You can easily switch among categories (SET, DSPL, P/M, SND, and EDIT) by pressing (DISC) (+) or (DISC) () for 2 seconds.

The unit may not function properly if the connectors between the unit and the front panel are not clean. In order to prevent this, detach the front panel (page 8) and clean the connectors with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Do not apply too much force. Otherwise, the connectors may be damaged.

Notes on lithium battery

Keep the lithium battery out of the reach of children. Should the battery be swallowed, immediately consult a doctor. Wipe the battery with a dry cloth to assure a good contact. Be sure to observe the correct polarity when installing the battery. Do not hold the battery with metallic tweezers, otherwise a short-circuit may occur.

WARNING

Main unit
Battery may explode if mistreated. Do not recharge, disassemble, or dispose of in fire.

Back of the front panel

Removing the unit
Remove the protection collar. 1 Detach the front panel (page 8). 2 Engage the release keys together with the protection collar.
Orient the release key correctly.
3 Pull out the release keys to remove the protection collar.
Remove the unit. 1 Insert both the release keys together until they click.

Face the hook inwards.

2 Pull the release keys to unseat the unit.
3 Slide the unit out of the mounting.

Specifications

CD Player section
Signal-to-noise ratio Frequency response Wow and flutter 90 dB 10 20,000 Hz Below measurable limit

General

Outputs Audio outputs (front/rear) Subwoofer output (mono) Power aerial relay control terminal Power amplifier control terminal Telephone ATT control terminal BUS control input terminal BUS audio input terminal Remote controller input terminal Aerial input terminal Bass 8 dB at 100 Hz Treble 8 dB at 10 kHz +8 dB at 100 Hz +2 dB at 10 kHz 12 V DC car battery (negative earth) Approx. 180 mm (w/h/d) Approx. 161 mm (w/h/d) Approx. 1.2 kg Card remote commander RM-X118 Parts for installation and connections (1 set) Front panel case (1) Rotary commander RM-X4S BUS cable (supplied with an RCA pin cord) RC-61 (1 m), RC-62 (2 m) CD changer (10 discs) CDX-757MX, CDX-656X CD changer (6 discs) CDX-T70MX, CDX-T69X MD changer (6 discs) MDX-66XLP MG-MS System-up Player MGS-X1 DVD Changer DVX-100S Source selector XA-C30 AUX-IN Selector XA-300

Tuner section

The ambient temperature exceeds 50C.
The operation buttons do not function. CD will not be ejected.
The RESET button has been pressed. t Store again into the memory. The power cord or battery has been disconnected. The power connecting cord is not connected properly.

No beep sound.

Press the RESET button.
The sound skips from vibration.
The unit is installed at an angle of more than 60. The unit is not installed in a sturdy part of the car.

The sound skips.

The beep sound is cancelled (page 18). An optional power amplifier is connected and you are not using the built-in amplifier.
The display disappears from/does not appear in the display window.

Dirty or defective disc.

Radio reception
Preset tuning is not possible.
The display disappears if you press and hold (OFF). t Press and hold (OFF) until the display appears. Remove the front panel and clean the connectors. See Cleaning the connectors on page 22 for details.
Stored stations and correct time are erased. The fuse has blown. Makes noise when the ignition key is in the ON, ACC, or OFF position.
Store the correct frequency in the memory. The broadcast signal is too weak.
The stations cannot be received. The sound is hampered by noises.
The leads are not matched correctly with the cars accessory power connector.
No power is being supplied to the unit.
Check the connection. If everything is in order, check the fuse. The car does not have an ACC position. t Press (SOURCE) (or insert a disc) to turn on the unit.
The power is continuously supplied to the unit.
Connect a power aerial control lead (blue) or accessory power supply lead (red) to the power supply lead of the cars aerial booster. (Only when your car has built-in FM/AM aerial in the rear/side glass.) Check the connection of the car aerial. The auto aerial will not go up. t Check the connection of the power aerial control lead. Check the frequency. When the DSO mode is on, the sound is sometimes hampered by noises. t Set the DSO mode to OFF (page 20).

Automatic tuning is not possible.
The car does not have an ACC position.
The power aerial does not extend.
The Local Seek mode is set to ON. t Set the Local Seek mode to OFF (page 18). The broadcast signal is too weak. t Perform manual tuning.
The power aerial does not have a relay box.
Cannot turn off the -------- indication.
You entered the name edit mode. t Press (LIST) for 2 seconds.
The ST indication flashes.
Tune in the frequency accurately. The broadcast signal is too weak. t Set to the monaural reception mode (page 18).
A programme broadcast in stereo is heard in monaural.

Error displays/Messages

Error displays
(For this unit and optional CD/MD changers)
The unit is in monaural reception mode. t Cancel monaural reception mode (page 18).
Interference occurs during FM reception.
The following indications will flash for about 5 seconds, and an alarm sound will be heard.

BLANK*1

No tracks have been recorded on an MD.*2 t Play an MD with recorded tracks on it.

ERROR*1

The wide mode is selected. t Set the IF mode to IF AUTO (page 18).
An inserted CD is dirty or inserted upside down.*2 t Clean or insert the CD correctly. An inserted CD/MD cannot play because of some problem.*2 t Insert another CD/MD.

FAILURE

The connection of speakers/amplifiers is incorrect. t See the installation guide manual of this model to check the connection.

HI TEMP

The ambient temperature is more than 50C. t Wait until the temperature goes down below 50C.

NO DISC

No disc is inserted in the CD/MD unit. t Insert discs in the CD/MD unit.

NO MAG

The disc magazine is not inserted in the CD/ MD unit. t Insert the magazine in the CD/MD unit.

NO MUSIC

A CD which is not a music file is inserted in the MP3 playable CD unit. t Insert a music CD in the MP3 playable CD unit.

NOTREADY

The lid of the MD unit is open or the MDs are not inserted properly. t Close the lid or insert the MDs properly.

OFFSET

ERROR *1

c 50S |c 50S

NO DISC NO MAG

CD/MD | t CD/MD

| CD/MD CD/MD CD

n MP3 CD CD t CD

n MP3 MD X t X

MD | MD V

CD/MD RESET X

CD/MD | =

n Sony A

L.SEEK+/-

Local Seek 2

Sony Corporation Printed in Thailand