2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S600 Owner's Manual

112 Control systems
COMAND audio CD/audio DVD/MP3
Safety precautions
Notes about MP3 mode
Permissible media for MP3 files

CD-R and CD-RW

DVD-R and DVD-RW

PCMCIA card (page 117)Permissible file systems

ISO9660/Joliet for CDs

UDF for DVDs

FAT16 or FAT32 for PCMCIA cards with
storage medium
Multisession CDs
For multisession CDs, the first session
type of the CD determines how COMAND
will process the CD.
For example, if the first session type is ac-
cording to the audio CD standard and the
second session type is according to the
data CD standard containing MP3 tracks,
COMAND will treat the CD as a conven-
tional audio CD. This means that it is only
possible to access the audio CD tracks.
Access to the MP3 tracks is not possible.
Similarly, if the first session type is accord-
ing to the data CD standard containing
MP3 tracks and the second session type is
according to the audio CD standard,
COMAND will treat the CD as a data CD.
Warning!G
COMAND is classified as a Class 1 laser
product. You must not open the casing.
There is a risk of exposure to invisible laser
radiation if you open the casing, or if the
casing is faulty or damaged.
COMAND does not contain any parts that
you are able to maintain yourself. For safety
reasons, all maintenance work must be car-
ried out by qualified technicians.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second.
Warning!G
Only carry out the following when the vehi-
cle is stationary:

Inserting a disc

Ejecting a disc
There is a risk of accident by being distract-
ed from road and traffic conditions if you
load a CD/DVD while the vehicle is in mo-
tion.

113 Control systems
COMAND audio CD/audio DVD/MP3
This means that it is only possible to ac-
cess the MP3 tracks. Access to the audio
CD tracks is not possible.
File structure on a disc
When you create an MP3 disc, the MP3
tracks can be organized in folders. A folder
can also contain other folders. A disc can
contain a maximum of 255 folders. Each
folder can contain a maximum of
255 tracks and 255 folders. A disc can
contain a maximum of 4 000 tracks. Usual-
ly this number will not be reached because
each minute of an MP3 track requires ap-
proximately 1 MB of storage space.
Track and folder names
When you create an MP3 disc, you can as-
sign names to the MP3 tracks and folders.
COMAND uses these names for the corre-
sponding display in MP3 mode. Empty fold-
ers or folders which contain data other
than MP3 tracks are not displayed by
COMAND.If MP3 files are saved in the root directory
itself (uppermost directory on storage me-
dium), the root directory will also be treat-
ed as a folder. COMAND will then show the
name of the root directory as the folder
name.
You must observe the following when as-
signing track names:

Track names must have at least one
character.

Track names must have the extension
“mp3”.

There must be a period between the
track name and the extension.
Example of a correct track name:
Track1.mp3
COMAND is unable to recognize an MP3
track if:

there is no period between the track ti-
tle and the extension

there is no extensionPermissible MP3 formats
COMAND supports the MPEG1 Audio Lay-
er 3 format.
Permissible bit and sampling rates

Fixed and variable bit rates up to
320 kbit/s

Sampling rates of 24 kHz – 48 kHz
Notes on copyright
The music tracks that you create for MP3
mode and can play back in MP3 mode are
generally subject to copyright protection in
accordance with the applicable interna-
tional and national regulations.
iCOMAND does not support ID3 tags.
iThis format is generally known as “MP3”.
iOnly use MP3 tracks with a bit rate of at
least 128 kbit/s and a sampling rate of at least
44.1 kHz. Smaller rates can cause a noticeable
deterioration in sound quality. This is especially
the case if you have activated a surround sound
function.

114 Control systems
COMAND audio CD/audio DVD/MP3
In many countries, reproductions are not
permitted without the prior consent of the
copyright holder, not even for private use.
Make sure that you know the applicable
copyright regulations and that you comply
with these.
If you own these rights yourself, e.g. for
your own compositions and recordings, or
the copyright holder has granted you per-
mission, these restrictions do not apply.
Notes about audio DVD operation
COMAND can playback commercially
available, prerecorded audio DVDs that
bear the following label. You will usually
find the label on the DVD booklet, the inlay,
or the DVD itself.Data on audio DVDs are stored either in
uncompressed format or in lossless com-
pressed format. The sound quality on au-
dio DVDs is therefore better than on
recordable DVDs that contain MP3 data
because the MP3 format uses a lossy type
of compression.
You cannot delete data from or record
additional data to commercially available,
prerecorded audio DVDs.
Please note the following information
about CDs/DVDs and pay special atten-
tion to the notes on copied and/or
self-written CDs/DVDs.
Notes about CDs/DVDsiAudio DVDs differ from recordable DVD-R
and DVD-RW discs.
iAudio CDs with copy protection are not
compatible with the CD audio standard and
therefore may not be able to be played by
COMAND.
There may be playback problems when playing
copied discs.
There is a large variety of discs, disc-writing soft-
ware and writers available. This variety means
that there is no guarantee that the system will be
able to play discs that you have written/copied
yourself.
There may be playback problems if you use CD-R
or CD-RW type discs you have copied yourself
with a storage capacity of more than 700 MB.
These CDs are not compatible with currently ap-
plicable standards.

115 Control systems
COMAND audio CD/audio DVD/MP3
Notes about handling CDs/DVDs

Only hold discs by the edge.

Handle discs carefully to prevent play-
back problems.

Avoid getting scratches, fingerprints
and dust on discs.

Clean discs from time to time with a
commercially-available cleaning cloth.
Do not wipe them with a circular mo-
tion, but only in straight lines from the
center outwards.

Only use a pen designed for such a pur-
pose to label discs.

Place discs back in their boxes after
use.

Protect discs from heat and direct sun-
light.
Inserting CDs and DVDs !Do not affix stickers or labels to the discs.
These could peel away and damage COMAND.
COMAND is designed to hold discs which com-
ply with the IEC 60908 standard. You can there-
fore only use discs with a maximum thickness of
1.3 mm.
If you insert thicker discs, e.g. those that contain
data on both sides (DVD on one side and audio
data on the other), they cannot be ejected and
can damage COMAND.
Do not use discs with an 8-cm diameter, even if
they have an adapter.
Only use round discs with a 12-cm diameter.
Warning!G
Only insert a CD or DVD when the vehicle is
stationary. There is a risk of accident by be-
ing distracted from road and traffic condi-
tions if you load a CD/DVD while the vehicle
is in motion.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second.
iIf the CD/DVD has a printed side, this must
face upwards when the CD/DVD is inserted. If
neither side is printed, the side to be played
should face downwards.

116 Control systems
COMAND audio CD/audio DVD/MP3
Loading the CD/DVD changer
The CD/DVD changer can hold up to a to-
tal of 6 audio CDs or DVDs.
1Disc slot
2Load button (all magazine trays)
3Magazine tray buttons 1 – 6Loading an individual magazine tray
Press desired magazine tray button 3.
If a disc is loaded, it will be ejected.
Take disc out of slot 1.
Wait until LED for magazine tray
button3 which you pressed flashes
quickly.
Insert disc into slot 1.
The DVD changer draws the disc in and
begins playback if:

it has been loaded correctly

it is a permissible type of discLoading all six magazine trays
Press load button 2.
The DVD changer checks the load sta-
tus of all magazine trays and switches
to the first empty tray.
Wait until LED for corresponding maga-
zine tray button 3 flashes quickly.
Insert disc into slot 1.
The DVD changer switches to the next
empty magazine tray.
Repeat last two steps until all trays are
loaded.
The DVD changer will play the last disc
you loaded if:

it has been loaded correctly

it is a permissible type of disc
iEach magazine tray button3 indicates the
status of the corresponding magazine tray by
means of an LED.

LED off = magazine tray is empty

LED constantly lit = magazine tray is loaded

LED flashes = CD/DVD changer requesting
disc to be loaded
iIf a disc is not inserted within approximately
15 seconds COMAND resumes playback of the
last disc.

117 Control systems
COMAND audio CD/audio DVD/MP3
Inserting a PCMCIA card
1Slot for PCMCIA card
Insert PCMCIA card into slot 1.
The side with the contact must point
towards the slot.If the PCMCIA card contains a storage
medium with MP3 tracks, COMAND
switches to MP3 mode.
Ejecting CDs and DVDs Ejecting from the DVD changer
1Disc slot
2Magazine tray buttons 1 – 6
3Eject button (all discs)
Ejecting one disc: Press desired mag-
azine tray button 2.
Take disc out of slot 1.
If you do not take the disc out of
slot1, the DVD changer will draw it
back automatically in approximately
15 seconds.
iCOMAND supports commercially available
PCMCIA cards or PCMCIA card adapters with
storage media that may not be designed for the
temperatures which occur in the vehicle. You
should therefore remove the PCMCIA card from
the vehicle when not in use since extreme tem-
peratures could damage these devices.
Warning!G
Only eject a disc when the vehicle is station-
ary. You may otherwise be distracted from
the traffic conditions and could cause an ac-
cident.
iIf you eject one disc while playing another
disc, the DVD changer interrupts playback. Play-
back continues once the disc has been ejected.


118 Control systems
COMAND audio CD/audio DVD/MP3
Ejecting all discs: Press eject
button3.
The DVD changer switches to the first
loaded tray and ejects the disc.
Take disc out of slot 1.
The DVD changer switches to the next
loaded magazine tray and ejects the
disc.
Repeat last step until magazine is
empty.
Ejecting a PCMCIA card
1Eject button
2Slot for PCMCIA card
Press eject button 1 twice.
The PCMCIA card is ejected.
Take PCMCIA card out of slot 2.


119 Control systems
COMAND audio CD/audio DVD/MP3
Submenu overview
iThe components and operating principles of
COMAND can be found on (
page 85).
CD or DVD-A or MP3Pause/Stop/Play
(audio DVD mode only)Tracks/Track
List/Tracks A-ZFolders
(MP3 mode only)ChangerSound
Normal Track SequencePause playbackShow track list
(audio CD mode and
audio DVD mode)Select folderSelect mediumTreble
Random TracksStop playbackDisplay alphabetical
track listing
(MP3 mode only)Bass
Random folder
(MP3 mode only)Restart playbackBalance/Fader
Repeat folder
(MP3 mode only)3D Sound
Group
(DVD-Audio mode only)