2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class ESP

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC does not take
responsibility for any damage to external
devices.
Never connect more than one device at a
time. You will otherwise not be able to play
back from the external device.
:Four-pin socket for ⅛ inch stereo jack,
e.g. for MP3 players (audio and video)
;iPod® plug, to connect an iPod®=USB socket, to connect USB devices?Example of device, iPod®XConnect the external device with suitable
socket :, ; or =.
COMAND activates the device.
If you remove a device, the No device
connected message appears.
iA connected iPod® or MP3 player should
not be simultaneously operated via the
Media Interface and the remote control
(e.g. Bluetooth® remote control), as this
may produce unpredictable results.
iConnecting a fully discharged iPod® or
MP3 player can result in an extended
initialization period.
Error messages appear while the device is
being activated if:
RCOMAND does not support the device
connected.
Rtwo devices are connected.
Rthe connected device consumes too much
power.
Rthe Media Interface connection is faulty.
iWhere necessary, consult an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Switching on Media Interface mode
General notes
In extreme cases, starting up individual
functions can take up to several minutes –
this depends on the external device and its
content (e.g. video podcasts).
Only use the original programs to populate an
iPod or MP3 player. Otherwise, some or all
functions may not be available.
Option 1
XConnect an external device (Y page 229).
COMAND activates the device. The basic
display then appears if there are playable
files stored on the medium.
or
XSelect Audio in the main function bar by
sliding ZV and turning cVd the COMAND
controller and press W to confirm.
If you had previously selected Media
Interface mode, this will now be activated.
If another audio source is switched on, you
can now switch to Media Interface in the
audio menu.
230AudioCOMAND

XSelect Audio by sliding ZV and turning
cVd the COMAND controller and press
W to confirm.
The audio menu appears.
XSelect Media Interface and press W to
confirm.
Option 2
XSelect Audio by sliding ZV and turning
cVd the COMAND controller and press
W to confirm.
The audio menu appears.
XSelect Media Interface and press W to
confirm.
Option 3
XIn the media list, (Y page 221) turn cVd
the COMAND controller to select the entry
under the corresponding position and
press W to confirm.
COMAND activates the connected device.
You will see a message to this effect. The
basic display then appears.
If no device is connected, you will see the
Media Interface entry instead of a
device name.
Example display: iPod mode
:Date medium type;Track number=Track name?Graphic time displayATrack timeBVisual track displayCCurrent playback settings (no symbol for
"Normal track sequence")
DSound settingsEMedia listFAlbum name (if available)GCategories, playlists and/or foldersHArtist (if available)IPlayback options
Type of device : connected is indicated by
the corresponding icon for iPod®, MP3 player
or USB mass storage device.
iIf the device connected does not contain
any playable tracks, a message appears to
this effect.
Selecting music files
Notes
COMAND displays the data stored on the
iPod®, MP3 player or USB mass storage
device according to the filing structure used
in the respective medium.
Selecting by skipping to a track
XTo skip forwards or back to a track: turn
the COMAND controller cVd when the
display/selection window is active.
The skip forward function skips to the next
track. The skip back function skips to the
beginning of the current track if the track
has been playing for more than eight
seconds. If the track has been playing for
less than eight seconds, it skips to the start
of the previous track. If you have selected
a playback option other than Normal
track sequence, the track sequence is
random.
Audio231COMANDZ

XOn the multifunction steering wheel:
switch on Media Interface mode in
COMAND ( Y page 230).XOn the multifunction steering wheel, press
the = or ; button to select the
Audio menu.XOn the multifunction steering wheel, press
9 or : to select a track.
Selecting using the number keypad
XTo make an entry: press the Ä button.
The input menu appears. The number of
characters available for input depends on
the number of stored tracks.XTo enter a track number: press a number
key, e.g. q.
The digit is entered in the first position in
the input line.
i COMAND will ignore and not display an
invalid digit.
XEnter more numbers if desired.
The selected track is played.
Fast forward/rewind
XWhile the display/selection window is
active, slide XVY and hold the COMAND
controller until the desired position has
been reached.
i On an iPod ®
, fast rewind only functions
within the current track.
Selecting a category/playlist/folder
iPod ®
and certain MP3 players
For an iPod ®
or MP3 player, you can select
tracks using categories or folders.
Depending on the device connected, the
following categories may be available, for
example:
R Current Track List
R Playlists (e.g. All)
R Artists
R Albums
R
Track
R Podcasts
R Genres
R Composers
R Audiobooks
i Some playback categories contain the
entry All. If this entry has been selected,
the entire content of the category selected
will be played.
USB devices
For USB mass storage devices, you can select
both folders as well as any existing playlists.
COMAND can also display the album name
and artist (metadata) during playback, if this
information has been entered into the
system.
Playlists are indicated in the display by a
special icon. When you open the playlist, the
corresponding tracks are opened and
playback begins. You can now select
Category mix instead of Random folder as
a playback option.
For USB mass storage devices, you can
choose to display the metadata contained in
the tags of the encoded music data, or to
display the file and directory names during
playback.XTo display the album and artist name:
select Media Interface in the basic
display by sliding VÆ and turning cVd the
COMAND controller and press W to
confirm.XSelect Display Metadata and press W to
confirm.
Selecting a category and opening a folder
XPress W the COMAND controller when the
display/selection window is active.XSelect Folder by sliding VÆ and turning
cVd the COMAND controller and press
W to confirm.
The available categories or the folder
contents (e.g. further folders) are232AudioCOMAND

displayed. The display's status bar shows
the selected category or the folder name.
i The Music menu item is not available until
the device has been activated.
XSelect the category/folder by turning
cVd the COMAND controller and press
W to confirm.
The contents of the selected category or
folder are displayed.
i If the data needs to be read from the
connected device, the Please wait...
message appears.
XIf necessary, repeat this step until the
tracks in the desired folder/album appear.XSelect the track by turning cVd the
COMAND controller and press W to
confirm.
The track is played back.XTo select one folder higher: select the
U icon and confirm with W.
i
The U icon is always shown at the top
of the respective folder.
Playing back the contents of a category
or folder
XSelect the category or folder by turning
cVd the COMAND controller.XPress W the COMAND controller for longer
than two seconds.
The content of the category or folder
selected is played in accordance with the
playback option ( Y page 224) selected.
Alphabetical track selection
iPod ®
and MP3 players
This function is available for alphabetically
sorted categories and folders. This function
is not available within albums or playlists, for
example.
XSelect a category, e.g. Artists, by turning
cVd the COMAND controller and press
W to confirm.
The available artists are displayed.XPress the corresponding number key once
or several times to select the first letter of
the artist's name (e.g. for an artist
beginning with the letter "C", press number
key l three times).
The available letters are listed at the lower
edge of the display.
After a message, the first entry in the list
which matches the letter entered is
highlighted.
i If no corresponding entry exists, the last
entry corresponding to a previous letter is
highlighted instead.
i For iPods ®
and MP3 players, the quality
of the search results is highly dependent on
the version and language variant of the
software (e.g. iTunes ®
version) used to
populate the device.
USB mass storage device
This function is available for alphabetically
sorted directories. This function is not
available within albums or playlists, for
example.
XIn a directory, press the corresponding
number key once or several times to select
the first letter of the artist's name (e.g. for
an artist beginning with the letter "C", press
number key l three times).
The available letters are listed at the lower
edge of the display.
If the directory only contains folders,
COMAND searches for folders. After a
message, the first entry which matches the
letter entered is shown at the top of the list.
If no entry matches the entered letter, the
first item in the list is the last entry to
correspond to a selection.Audio233COMANDZ

If COMAND is equipped with a Media
Interface, external audio sources are
connected using the associated cable set.
The audio cable set then replaces the audio
AUX socket.
iYou can find more information on the
Internet at http://www.mercedes-
benz.com/connect and in the "Media
Interface mode" section (Y page 229).
Activating audio AUX mode
When you connect an external audio source,
audio AUX is not selected automatically.
XSelect Audio in the main function bar by
sliding ZV and turning cVd the COMAND
controller and press W to confirm.
XSelect Aux using cVd and press W to
confirm.
The audio AUX menu appears. The medium
in the external audio source is played, if the
source is connected and playback
selected.
Please see the respective operating
instructions for how to operate the external
audio source.
You will find details on volume (Y page 132)
and sound (Y page 133) settings in the "At a
glance" section.
GWarning!
External audio sources may have different
volumes, which can mean that system
messages such as traffic announcements and
navigation system announcements are much
louder. If necessary, please deactivate the
system messages or adjust their volume
manually.
Increasing the volume
In some cases, the volume of the external
audio device may be quieter or louder, or the
usual maximum possible volume may be
lower. On some devices, it is possible to
adjust the volume separately. In this case,
start at a medium volume and increase it
gradually. This enables you to determine
whether the system is able to play tones at
high volume without distorting them.
Video
Vehicle equipment
iThese Operating Instructions describe all
standard and optional equipment available
for your vehicle at the time of purchase.
Please note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all features described.
General information
Automatic picture shutoff
If the vehicle is traveling at speeds above
approximately 3 mph (5 km/h), the picture
is shutoff in video DVD mode.
The video is only displayed when the
transmission selector lever is in position P.
If the transmission selector lever is moved out
of position P, the In order not to
distract the driver, the picture is
faded out while the vehicle is in
motion. message appears.
As soon as the vehicle speed falls below
approximately 3 mph (5 km/h), the picture is
switched on again.
Video235COMANDZ

DVD playback conditions
If video DVDs do not correspond to the NTSC
or PAL TV playback standards, there may be
picture/sound interference or other playback
problems.
COMAND can play back video DVDs
produced according to the following
standards:
Rregion code 1 or region code 0 (no region
code)
iIf you insert a video DVD with a different
region code, you will see a message to this
effect.
RPAL or NTSC standard
You will generally find the relevant details
either on the DVD itself or on the DVD case.
iCOMAND is set to region code 1 at the
factory. This setting can be changed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. This will
allow you to play video DVDs with a
different region code, provided that they
are produced in accordance with the PAL
or NTSC standard. The region code can be
changed a maximum of five times.
Function restrictions
Depending on the DVD, it is possible that
certain functions or actions will be
temporarily blocked or may not function at all.
As soon as you try to activate these functions
or actions, you will see the K symbol in the
display.
Inserting and removing DVDs
XProceed as described in the "Inserting and
ejecting CDs and DVDs" section
(Y page 217).
Activating video DVD mode
Option 1
XInsert a video DVD.
COMAND loads the medium inserted and
starts to play it.
Option 2
XSelect Video in the main function bar by
sliding ZV and turning cVd the COMAND
controller and press W to confirm.
Video DVD mode is switched on.
Hiding/showing the control menu
XTo show: turn cVd or slide ZVÆ the
COMAND controller.
iThis function is not available while the
DVD's own menu (Y page 240) is being
displayed.
XTo hide: slide ZVÆ the COMAND
controller.
or
XWait for approximately eight seconds.
Control menu displayed
:Date medium type;Current track=Current scene?Track timeATo show the menuVideo237COMANDZ

Showing/hiding the menu
This function is not available while the DVD's
own menu (Y page 240) is being displayed.
XTo show: press W the COMAND
controller.
or
XSelect Menu while the navigation menu is
shown and press W to confirm.
XTo hide: slide ZV the COMAND controller
and confirm Full screen by pressing W.
Menu shown
:Video DVD options;Pause function=Stop function?Full-screen functionAMedia selectionBSound settings
Fast forward/rewind
XSlide XVY and hold the COMAND
controller until the desired position is
reached.
You see the navigation menu.
Selecting a video DVDXPress W the COMAND controller to show
the menu.
XSelect Media by sliding VÆ and turning
cVd the COMAND controller and press
W to confirm.
The media list appears. The # dot
indicates the medium currently playing.
Video DVDs are indicated by the ý icon.
:Icon ý for a video DVD;Video DVD currently playingXSelect DVD-V by turning cVd the COMAND
controller and press W to confirm.
COMAND loads the video DVD and starts
playback.
iIf you select a CD, an audio DVD or an
MP3 medium, you switch to the respective
audio mode. You can find further
information about the media list on
(Y page 221).
238VideoCOMAND

XSelect Title selection by turning cVd
the COMAND controller and press W to
confirm.
XSelect a film/title and press W to confirm.
DVD menu
Calling up the DVD menu
The DVD menu is the menu stored on the DVD
itself. It is structured in various ways
according to the individual DVD and permits
certain actions and settings.
In the case of multi-language DVDs, for
example, you can set the language in the DVD
menu.
XPress W the COMAND controller to show
the menu.
XSelect DVD-V in the menu by turning cVd
the COMAND controller and press W to
confirm.
XSelect DVD functions and press W to
confirm.
XSelect Menu and press W to confirm.
The DVD menu appears.
Selecting menu items in the DVD menu
XSelect a menu item by sliding ZVÆ or
turning XVY the COMAND controller and
press W to confirm.
The menu appears.
iMenu items that cannot be selected are
grayed out.
XTo reconfirm your selection: confirm
Select by pressing W.
COMAND executes the action.
Make a selection from the further options,
if necessary.
COMAND then switches back to the DVD
menu.
iDepending on the DVD, it is possible that
the Back (to the movie), Play,
Stop, ., / or Go up menu item may
not be operative or operative only at certain
points of the DVD. To indicate this, the
K symbol is shown in the display.
Stopping a film or skipping to the
beginning or end of a scene
XSelect any menu item from the DVD menu.
The menu appears.
XTo stop the film: select the Stop menu
item and press W to confirm.
XTo skip to the end of a scene: select
the / menu item and press W to
confirm.
XTo skip to the beginning of a scene:
select the . menu item and press W to
confirm.
Moving up one level in the DVD menu
XPress the % back button.
or
XSelect the corresponding menu item in the
DVD menu and press W the COMAND
controller to confirm.
or
XSelect any menu item in the DVD menu and
press W the COMAND controller to
confirm.
XSelect Go up and press W to confirm.
Back to the film
XPress the % button repeatedly until you
see the film.
or
XSelect the corresponding menu item in the
DVD menu.
240VideoCOMAND