
Black plate (32,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
7-32 Infotainment System Before Driving The RSE is designed for rear seat
passengers only. The driver cannot
safely view the video screen while
driving and should not try to do so.
In severe or extreme weather
conditions, the RSE system might
not work until the temperature is
within the operating range. The
operating range for the RSE system
is above − 20°C ( − 4°F) or below
60°C (140°F). If the temperature of
the vehicle is outside this range,
heat or cool the vehicle until the
temperature is within the operating
range of the RSE system.
Parental Control The RSE system may have a
Parental Control feature, depending
on which radio the vehicle has. To
start Parental Control, press and
hold the radio power button for more
than two seconds to stop all system
features such as: radio, video
screen, Rear Seat Audio (RSA), DVD, and/or CD. While Parental
Control is on, a padlock icon
displays.
The radio can be turned back on
with a single press of the power
button, but the RSE system will
remain under Parental Control.
To turn Parental Control off, press
and hold the radio power button for
more than two seconds. The RSE
returns from where it was previously
left and the padlock icon disappears
from the radio display.
Parental Control can also be turned
off by inserting or ejecting any disc,
pressing the play icon on the radio
DVD display menu, or changing an
ignition position. Headphones
A. Battery cover
B. Channel 1 or 2 switch
C. Power button
D. Volume control
E. Power indicator light
The RSE includes two 2-channel
wireless headphones that are
dedicated to this system. Channel 1
is dedicated to the video screen,
while Channel 2 is dedicated to
Rear Seat Audio (RSA) selections.

Black plate (33,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
Infotainment System 7-33These headphones can be used to
listen to the radio, CDs, DVDs,
MP3s, DVD ‐ As, or any auxiliary
source connected to A/V jacks or
the auxiliary input jack, if the vehicle
has this feature. The wireless
headphones have a power button,
channel 1 or 2 switch, and a volume
control.
If the vehicle has a third row video
screen display, it has two additional
headphones.
Push the power button to turn on
the headphones. An indicator light
located on the headphones comes
on. If the light comes on, but there
is intermittent sound and/or static on
the headphones, or if the indicator
light does not come on, the batteries
might need to be replaced. See
“ Battery Replacement ” later in this
section for more information. Switch
the headphones to Off when not
in use. Infrared transmitters are located at
the rear of the overhead console.
The headphones shut off
automatically to save the battery
power if the RSE system and RSA
are shut off, or if the headphones
are out of range of the transmitters
for more than three minutes. If you
move too far forward or step out of
the vehicle, the headphones lose
the audio signal.
To adjust the volume on the
headphones, use the volume control
located on the right side.
For optimal audio performance, the
headphones must be worn correctly.
Headphones should be worn with
the headband over the top of the
head for best audio reception. The
symbol L (Left) appears on the
outside bottom edge of the ear cup
and should be positioned on the left
ear. The symbol R (Right) appears
on the outside bottom edge of the
ear cup and should be positioned on
the right ear. Notice: Do not store the
headphones in heat or direct
sunlight. This could damage the
headphones and repairs will not
be covered by the warranty.
Storage in extreme cold can
weaken the batteries. Keep the
headphones stored in a cool, dry
place.
If the foam ear pads attached to the
headphones become worn or
damaged, the pads can be replaced
separately from the headphone set.
To purchase replacement ear pads,
call 1 ‐ 888 ‐ 293 ‐ 3332, then prompt
zero (0), or contact your dealer.

Black plate (34,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
7-34 Infotainment System Battery Replacement
To change the batteries on the
headphones:
1. Turn the screw to loosen the
battery door located on the left
side of the headphones. Slide
the battery door open.
2. Replace the two batteries in the
compartment. Make sure that
they are installed correctly, using
the diagram on the inside of the
battery compartment.
3. Replace the battery door and
tighten the door screw.
If the headphones are to be stored
for a long period of time, remove the
batteries and keep them in a cool,
dry place. Audio/Video (A/V) Jacks
Yellow: Video Input
White: Left Audio Input
Red: Right Audio Input
The A/V jacks, located on the rear
of the floor console, allow audio or
video signals to be connected from
an auxiliary device such as a
camcorder or a video game unit to
the RSE system. Adapter
connectors or cables (not included)
may be required to connect the auxiliary device to the A/V jacks.
Refer to the manufacturer ’ s
instructions for proper usage.
Power for auxiliary devices is not
supplied by the radio system.
To use the auxiliary inputs of the
RSE system, connect an external
auxiliary device to the color-coded
A/V jacks and turn both the auxiliary
device and the video screen power
on. If the video screen is in the DVD
player mode, pressing the AUX
(auxiliary) button on the remote
control switches the video screen
from the DVD player mode to the
auxiliary device. The audio of the
connected source can be listened to
over the speakers by sourcing the
radio to the auxiliary device or by
sourcing the RSA to the Rear Aux
and listening with the wireless
headphones on Channel 2 or with
the wired headphones. See “ Using
the Auxiliary Input Jack ” under
Auxiliary Devices on page 7 ‑ 30 for
more information about changing
the source.

Black plate (35,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
Infotainment System 7-35How to Change the RSE Video
Screen Settings
The screen display mode (normal,
full, and zoom), screen brightness,
and setup menu language can be
changed from the on screen setup
menu. To change any feature:
1. Press the
z (display menu)
button on the remote control.
2. Use the remote control
n ,
q ,
p ,
o (navigation) arrows and
the
r (enter) button to use the
setup menu.
3. Press the
z button again to
remove the setup menu from the
screen.
Audio Output
Audio from the DVD player or
auxiliary inputs can be heard
through the following possible
sources: .
Wireless headphones .
Vehicle speakers .
Vehicle ‐ wired headphone jacks
on the RSA system, if the
vehicle has this feature.
The RSE system always transmits
the audio signal to the wireless
headphones, if there is audio
available. See “ Headphones ” earlier
in this section for more information.
The DVD player is capable of
outputting audio to the wired
headphone jacks on the RSA
system, if the vehicle has this
feature. The DVD player can be
selected as an audio source on the
RSA system. See Rear Seat Audio
(RSA) System on page 7 ‑ 60 for
more information.
When a device is connected to the
A/V jacks, or the radio's auxiliary
input jack if the vehicle has this
feature, the rear seat passengers
are able to hear audio from the
auxiliary device through the wireless
or wired headphones. The front seat
passengers are able to listen to
playback from this device through
the vehicle speakers by selecting
AUX as the source on the radio. Video Screen(s) The video screen(s) are located in
the overhead console.
To use the video screen(s):
1. Push the release button located
on the overhead console.
2. Move the screen to the desired
position.
When the video screen is not in
use, push it up into its locked
position.
If a DVD is playing and the screen
is raised to its locked position, the
screen remains on. This is normal,
and the DVD continues to play
through the previous audio source.
Use the remote control power button
or eject the disc to turn off the
screen.
The overhead console contains the
infrared transmitters for the wireless
headphones and the infrared
receivers for the remote control.
They are located at the rear of the
console.

Black plate (40,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
7-40 Infotainment System Tips and Troubleshooting Chart (cont'd)Problem Recommended Action
Sometimes the wireless headphone audio cuts out or
buzzes. Check for obstructions, low batteries, reception range,
and interference from cellular telephone towers, or use
a cellular telephone in the vehicle.
Check that the headphones are on correctly using the
L (left) and R (right) on the headphones.
The remote and/or the headphones are lost. See your dealer for assistance.
The DVD is playing, but there is no picture or sound. Check that the RSE video screen is sourced to the DVD
player.
DVD Display Error Messages The DVD display error message
depends on the radio that is in the
vehicle. The video screen can
display one of the following:
Disc Load/Eject Error: This
message displays when there are
disc load or eject problems.
Disc Format Error: This message
displays if the disc is inserted with
the disc label wrong side up, or if
the disc is damaged. Disc Region Error: This message
displays if the disc is not from a
correct region.
No Disc Inserted: This message
displays if no disc is present when
Z is pressed on the radio.
DVD Distortion
Video distortion can occur when
operating cellular phones, scanners,
CB radios, Global Positioning
Systems (GPS)*, two-way radios,
mobile fax machines, or walkie
talkies. It might be necessary to turn off the
DVD player when operating one of
these devices in or near the vehicle.
*Excludes the OnStar ®
System.
Cleaning the RSE Overhead
Console
When cleaning the RSE overhead
console surface, use only a clean
cloth dampened with clean water.

Black plate (41,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
Infotainment System 7-41Cleaning the Video Screen When cleaning the video screen,
use only a clean cloth dampened
with clean water. Use care when
directly touching or cleaning the
screen, as damage could result.
Rear Seat Entertainment
(RSE) System
(Headrest DVD) Vehicles with an RSE system
include two head restraint video
display screens with integrated DVD
players, auxiliary inputs, two
wireless headphones, and a remote
control. This system works
independently from the vehicle's
Overhead DVD RSE system. See
Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE)
System (Headrest DVD) on
page 7 ‑ 41 or Rear Seat
Entertainment (RSE) System
(Overhead) on page 7 ‑ 31 for
information about the Overhead
DVD RSE system. The vehicle has a feature called
Retained Accessory Power (RAP).
With RAP, the RSE system can be
played even after the ignition is
turned off. See Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) on page 9 ‑ 26 for more
information.
Video Display Screens
The video display screens are
located on the back of each head
restraint. Notice: Avoid directly touching
the video screen, as damage can
occur. See “ Cleaning the Video
Screens ” later in this section for
more information.
Overview RSE Base System Some DVDs do not allow fast
forwarding or skipping of the
copyright information or previews.
If the DVD does not begin playing at
the main title, refer to the on-screen
instructions.
The DVD player can be controlled
by using the buttons located below
the video display screen or by using
the buttons on the system ’ s remote
control. See “ Remote Control ” later
for more information.
The following discs are compatible
with the DVD player: .
DVD-Video: A DVD that has
video. .
CD-DA: A CD that has music or
sound content only.

Black plate (43,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
Infotainment System 7-43display information from
both DVD players and both
A/V inputs.
F. AV OUTPUT (Audio/Video
Output Jack) .
Wired headphones or
video output can be
plugged in with a 3.5 mm
(1/8 in) jack to listen to
music or show the video
on another device.
G. Video Input .
The yellow connector is
used for video input.
H. Left Audio Input .
The white connector is
used for the left side audio.
I. Right Audio Input .
The red connector is used
for the right side audio.
J. 3.5 mm (1/8 in) Output Jack .
Wired headphones can be
plugged in with a 3.5 mm
(1/8 in) jack. K. PLAY
r .
Press this button located
below the video display
screen to start playback
of a disc. On DVDs and
video CDs with playback
control (PBC), menu
screens can display
automatically. It might be
necessary to press the
play button again to
begin play.
There is a play position
memory feature for DVD
and video CD only. If the
DVD player is turned off
and then turned back on,
the DVD player resumes
playback where the disc
stopped. The play position
memory is erased if the
disc is removed. L. STOP
c .
Press once to stop playing
a DVD.
There is a pre-stop feature
for DVD and video CD
only. This feature resumes
playback of the disc where
it was stopped. Press the
stop button once during
disc playback and
c displays on the DVD
startup screen. This icon
disappears after a few
seconds. Press the stop
button a second time,
or eject the disc, to cancel
the pre-stop feature and to
clear the disc position
memory.

Black plate (44,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
7-44 Infotainment System M. EJECT
X .
Press to eject a disc from
the DVD slot.
If a disc is ejected from the
player, but not removed, it
will automatically reload
into the player. Another
way to reload a disc that
has been ejected, but not
removed from the DVD
player, is to press the eject
button or the play button.
Infrared Remote Sensor: Located
in the top center of the video display
screen. Do not block the signal from
the remote to the sensor.
Infrared Transmitters: Located in
the top center of the video display
screen. Do not block the signal from
the headphones to the transmitter. Using the Base RSE
On-Screen Display (OSD)
Menus Use the OSD setup display
menus for: .
Initial setup .
Display setup .
Parental control setup .
Adjusting the picture quality .
Setting the various outputs .
On-screen display language
To use the OSD menus while using
the DVD player or an auxiliary
device:
1. Press the SETUP button on the
remote control to display the
icons and pages on the display
screen.
2. Select the desired page by using
the left/right navigation arrows to
move the cursor. 3. Press the SETUP button again
on the remote control to cancel
use of the setup display.
Not all DVDs support all of the
feature defaults in the setup menus.
If a feature is not supported, the
defaults are provided by the DVD
media.
To set the language for the OSD:
1. Press the SETUP button on the
remote control.
2. Use the left/right navigation
arrows to navigate the General
Setup Page, then use the down
navigation arrow to select the
OSD language.
3. Press the right navigation arrow
and then use the up/down
navigation arrows to select
English, French, or Spanish.