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How do I perform basic operations on the faceplate of the KENWOOD KDC-BT278U?
You can perform the following basic operations using the faceplate of your KENWOOD KDC-BT278U:
Turn on the power: Press the SRC button.
Turn off the power: Press and hold the SRC button.
Adjust the volume: Turn the volume knob.
Select a source: Press the SRC button repeatedly. Alternatively, press the SRC button, then turn the volume knob within 2 seconds.
Change the display information: Press the DISP button repeatedly. You can also turn off the display information by pressing DISP repeatedly.
How do I attach or detach the faceplate and reset the KENWOOD KDC-BT278U?
To attach the faceplate: Align the faceplate with the unit and click it into place.
To detach the faceplate: Press the detach button, then pull the faceplate off.
How to reset: After detaching the faceplate, press the reset button on the main unit. You must reset the unit within 5 seconds of detaching the faceplate.
How do I perform the initial setup for the KENWOOD KDC-BT278U?
When you turn on the power for the first time or after a factory reset, you need to set the display language and cancel the demonstration mode.
1. The display shows: “SEL LANGUAGE” → “PRESS” → “VOLUME KNOB”.
2. Turn the volume knob to select [ENG] (English) / [SPA] (Spanish) / [FRE] (French), then press the knob. [ENG] is selected for the initial setup.
3. The display then shows: “CANCEL DEMO” → “PRESS” → “VOLUME KNOB”.
4. Press the volume knob again. [YES] is selected for the initial setup.
5. Press the volume knob again. “DEMO OFF” appears.
How do I set the clock and date on my KENWOOD KDC-BT278U?
1. Press the volume knob to enter the [FUNCTION] menu.
2. Turn the volume knob to select [CLOCK], then press the knob.
To adjust the clock:
3. Turn the volume knob to select [CLOCK ADJUST], then press the knob.
4. Turn the volume knob to make the settings, then press the knob. Set the time in the order of “Hour” → “Minute”.
5. To set the format, turn the volume knob to select [CLOCK FORMAT], then press the knob.
6. Turn the volume knob to select [12H] or [24H], then press the knob.
To set the date:
7. Turn the volume knob to select [DATE FORMAT], then press the knob.
8. Turn the volume knob to select [DD/MM/YY] or [MM/DD/YY], then press the knob.
9. Turn the volume knob to select [DATE SET], then press the knob.
10. Turn the volume knob to make the settings, then press the knob. Set the date in the order of “Day” → “Month” → “Year” or “Month” → “Day” → “Year”.
11. Press and hold the back button (marked with a curved arrow) to exit.
How do I change the optional settings on the KENWOOD KDC-BT278U?
You can only set the following items while the unit is in STANDBY source.
1. Press SRC repeatedly to enter STANDBY.
2. Press the volume knob to enter [FUNCTION].
3. Turn the volume knob to select an item from the table below, then press the knob.
4. Repeat step 3 until the desired item is selected or activated.
5. Press and hold the back button to exit.
| Setting | Option | Description |
|---|---|---|
| [AUDIO CONTROL] | [SWITCH PREOUT] | [REAR]/[SUB-W]: Selects whether rear speakers or a subwoofer are connected to the line out terminals on the rear. |
| [TUNER SETTING] | [PRESET TYPE] | [NORMAL]: Memorizes one station for each preset button in each band (FM1/FM2/FM3/AM). [MIX]: Memorizes one station or SiriusXM channel for each preset button, regardless of the selected band. |
| [SYSTEM] | [KEY BEEP] | [ON]: Activates the keypress tone. [OFF]: Deactivates. |
| [FACTORY RESET] | [YES]: Resets the settings to default (except the stored station). [NO]: Cancels. | |
| [ENGLISH]/[ESPANOL]/[FRANCAIS] | Select the display language for [FUNCTION] menu and music information if applicable. | |
| [CD READ] | [1]: Automatically distinguishes between audio file disc and music CD. [2]: Forces to play as a music CD. | |
| [SOURCE SELECT] | [PANDORA SRC] | [ON]: Enables PANDORA/PANDORA BT in source selection. [OFF]: Disables. |
| [SPOTIFY SRC] | [ON]: Enables SPOTIFY/SPOTIFY BT in source selection. [OFF]: Disables. | |
| [BT AUDIO SRC] | [ON]: Enables BT AUDIO in source selection. [OFF]: Disables. | |
| [BUILT-IN AUX] | [ON]: Enables AUX in source selection. [OFF]: Disables. |
How do I listen to the radio on my KENWOOD KDC-BT278U?
Search for a station:
1. Press SRC repeatedly to select RADIO.
2. Press BAND repeatedly to select FM1/FM2/FM3/AM.
3. Press the track forward/back buttons to search for a station.
Store and select a station:
You can store up to 18 stations for FM and 6 stations for AM.
To store a station: Press and hold one of the number buttons (1 to 6).
To select a stored station: Press one of the number buttons (1 to 6).
How do I adjust the tuner settings on the KENWOOD KDC-BT278U?
1. Press the volume knob to enter [FUNCTION].
2. Turn the volume knob to select an item from the table below, then press the knob.
3. Repeat step 2 until the desired item is selected/activated.
4. Press and hold the back button to exit.
| Setting | Option | Description |
|---|---|---|
| [SEEK MODE] | [AUTO1]/[AUTO2]/[MANUAL] | Selects the searching method for the track forward/back buttons. [AUTO1]: Automatically search for a station. [AUTO2]: Search for a preset station. [MANUAL]: Manually search for a station. |
| [AUTO MEMORY] | [YES]/[NO] | [YES]: Automatically starts memorizing 6 stations with good reception. Selectable only if [PRESET TYPE] is [NORMAL]. |
| [MONO SET] | [ON]/[OFF] | [ON]: Improves the FM reception, but the stereo effect will be lost. |
| [TI] | [ON]/[OFF] | [ON]: Allows the unit to temporarily switch to Traffic Information if available. |
| [TIME SYNC] | [ON]/[OFF] | [ON]: Synchronizes the unit’s time to the Radio Broadcast Data System station time. |
How do I play music from a CD, USB device, or iPod/iPhone on the KENWOOD KDC-BT278U?
Insert a disc:
Insert the disc with the label side up into the loading slot. The source changes to CD automatically and playback starts.
Connect a USB device:
Connect the USB device to the USB input terminal. The source changes to USB automatically and playback starts.
Connect an iPod/iPhone:
Connect your iPod/iPhone to the USB input terminal using a compatible cable. The source changes to iPod USB automatically and playback starts. You can also connect your iPod/iPhone via Bluetooth.
What are the playback controls for CD, USB, and iPod sources on the KENWOOD KDC-BT278U?
| Action | On the faceplate |
|---|---|
| Play back/pause | Press button 6. |
| Reverse/Fast-forward | Press and hold the track forward/back buttons. |
| Select a track/file | Press the track forward/back buttons. |
| Select a folder | Press the up/down arrow buttons (2 or 1). |
| Repeat play | Press button 4 repeatedly. Options vary by source: [TRACK REPEAT]/[FILE REPEAT]/[FOLDER REPEAT]/[ALL REPEAT] or [REPEAT ONE]/[REPEAT ALL]/[REPEAT OFF]. |
| Random play | Press button 3 repeatedly. Options vary by source: [DISC RANDOM]/[FOLDER RANDOM]/[RANDOM OFF] or [SHUFFLE ON]/[SHUFFLE OFF]. |
How do I search for a specific file to play from a CD or USB source on the KENWOOD KDC-BT278U?
From a folder or list:
1. Press the search button (Q).
2. Turn the volume knob to select a folder/list, then press the knob.
3. Turn the volume knob to select a file, then press the knob. The selected file starts playing.
Quick search (CD/USB only):
If you have many files, you can search through them quickly.
1. Press the search button (Q).
2. Turn the volume knob to select a folder/list, then press the knob.
3. Turn the volume knob quickly to browse through the list quickly.
4. Turn the volume knob to select a file, then press the knob. The selected file starts playing.
How do I listen to Pandora on my KENWOOD KDC-BT278U?
Preparation:
1. Install the latest version of the Pandora application on your device (iPhone/iPod touch or Android device), then create an account and log in.
2. Select [ON] for [PANDORA SRC] in [SOURCE SELECT].
Start listening:
1. Start up the Pandora application on your device.
2. Connect your device. For iPhone/iPod touch, you can use the USB input terminal. For both iPhone and Android, you can connect via Bluetooth.
3. Press SRC repeatedly to select PANDORA (for iPhone/iPod touch) or PANDORA BT (for Android device). Broadcast starts automatically.
Playback Controls:
Play back/pause: Press button 6.
Skip a track: Press the track forward button.
Select thumbs up or thumbs down: Press the up/down arrow buttons (2 or 1). If thumbs down is selected, the current track is skipped.
How do I listen to Spotify on my KENWOOD KDC-BT278U?
Preparation:
1. Install the latest version of the Spotify application on your device (iPhone/iPod touch or Android device), then create an account and log in.
2. Select [ON] for [SPOTIFY SRC] in [SOURCE SELECT].
Start listening:
1. Start up the Spotify application on your device.
2. Connect your device. For iPhone/iPod touch, you can use the USB input terminal. For both iPhone and Android, you can connect via Bluetooth.
3. Press SRC repeatedly to select SPOTIFY (for iPhone/iPod touch) or SPOTIFY BT (for Android device). Broadcast starts automatically.
Playback Controls:
Play back/pause: Press button 6.
Skip a track: Press the track forward/back buttons.
Select thumbs up or thumbs down (Radio only): Press the up/down arrow buttons (2 or 1).
Save favorite song information (Radio only): Press and hold the volume knob. “SAVED” appears. To unsave, repeat the procedure.
How do I pair and connect a Bluetooth device to the KENWOOD KDC-BT278U for the first time?
1. Press SRC to turn on the unit.
2. On your Bluetooth device, search for and select “KDC-BT278U”.
3. The display on the receiver will show “PAIRING” → “PASS XXXXXX” → “Device name” → “PRESS” → “VOLUME KNOB”. For some devices, you may need to enter the PIN code immediately after searching.
4. Press the volume knob on the receiver to start pairing.
5. “PAIRING OK” appears when pairing is completed, and the Bluetooth connection is established automatically. The “BT1” and/or “BT2” indicator on the display will light up.
This unit supports Secure Simple Pairing (SSP). Up to five devices can be registered (paired) in total.
How do I handle phone calls using the KENWOOD KDC-BT278U?
| Action | On the faceplate |
|---|---|
| Answer an incoming call | Press the phone button or the volume knob or one of the number buttons (1 to 6). |
| Reject an incoming call | Press the back button. |
| End a call | Press the back button. |
| Answer a second call and hold the first | Press the phone button. |
| Reject a second incoming call | Press the back button. |
| End the current call and activate the held call | Press the back button. |
| Swap between current and held calls | Press the phone button. |
| Adjust the phone volume | Turn the volume knob during a call. Volume range is [00] to [35]. |
| Switch between hands-free and private talk modes | Press button 6 during a call. |
How do I make a phone call with the KENWOOD KDC-BT278U?
1. Press the phone button to enter Bluetooth mode.
2. Turn the volume knob to select a calling method:
[CALL HISTORY]: (Requires PBAP support) Select a name or number from the list and press the volume knob to call.
[PHONE BOOK]: (Requires PBAP support) Turn the knob to select a name, press to see the number, then press again to call.
[NUMBER DIAL]: Turn the knob to select numbers, press the track buttons to move the entry position. When finished, press the volume knob to call.
[VOICE]: Speak the name of the contact you want to call or a voice command to control phone functions.
3. To use a preset number, press one of the number buttons (1 to 6) in Bluetooth mode, then press the volume knob to call.
How do I manage Bluetooth settings on the KENWOOD KDC-BT278U?
1. Press the volume knob to enter [FUNCTION].
2. Turn the volume knob to select [BT MODE], then press the knob.
3. Select an item from the table below and press the knob to adjust.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| [PHONE SELECT] | Selects a phone to connect or disconnect. “*” appears next to a connected device. |
| [AUDIO SELECT] | Selects an audio device to connect or disconnect. “▷” appears next to the current playback device. You can connect a maximum of two Bluetooth phones and one audio device at a time. |
| [DEVICE DELETE] | Select a device and choose [YES] to delete it from the paired list. |
| [PIN CODE EDIT] | Changes the PIN code (up to 6 digits). |
| [RECONNECT] | [ON]: The unit automatically reconnects to the last connected device. [OFF]: Cancels. |
| [AUTO PAIRING] | [ON]: Automatically pairs with a supported iPhone/iPod touch when connected via USB. [OFF]: Cancels. |
| [INITIALIZE] | [YES]: Initializes all Bluetooth settings (pairing, phonebook, etc.). [NO]: Cancels. |
How do I listen to Bluetooth audio on the KENWOOD KDC-BT278U?
1. Press SRC repeatedly to select BT AUDIO. Pressing the phone button also enters BT AUDIO directly.
2. Operate the audio player via Bluetooth to start playback.
While in BT AUDIO source, you can connect to five Bluetooth audio devices and switch between them by pressing button 5.
Playback Controls:
| Action | On the faceplate |
|---|---|
| Play back/pause | Press button 6. |
| Select group or folder | Press the up/down arrow buttons (2 or 1). |
| Reverse skip/Forward skip | Press the track forward/back buttons. |
| Reverse/Fast-forward | Press and hold the track forward/back buttons. |
How do I use Amazon Alexa with my KENWOOD KDC-BT278U?
Preparation:
1. Create an account at amazon.com or use the Alexa mobile application.
2. Install the latest version of the Alexa mobile application on your device and log in.
3. Enable the internet connection on your smartphone.
Setup for the first time:
1. Pair your device with the unit via Bluetooth.
2. Start the Alexa mobile application on your device.
3. Search and select “KDC-BT278U” on the SETUP section of the Alexa mobile application to complete the one-time setup process.
Basic Operations:
1. Press the voice button (marked with a head icon) on the unit to speak with Alexa. The display shows: “ALEXA” → “LISTENING…”.
2. Communicate with Alexa via the connected microphone.
How can I clean and maintain my KENWOOD KDC-BT278U?
Cleaning the unit:
Wipe off dirt on the faceplate with a dry silicone or soft cloth.
Cleaning the connector:
Detach the faceplate and clean the connector on the reverse side gently with a cotton swab. Be careful not to damage the connector.
Handling discs:
• Do not touch the recording surface of the disc.
• Do not stick tape or other accessories on the disc.
• Clean the disc from the center and move outward with a dry silicone or soft cloth. Do not use solvents.
• When removing a disc, pull it out horizontally.
What information is shown on the display when I press the DISP button on my KENWOOD KDC-BT278U?
Each time you press DISP, the display information changes. If information is unavailable, “NO TEXT”, “NO INFO”, or other similar messages will appear. The display sequence for each source is as follows:
STANDBY: Source name/Clock → Clock → Turns off the display → back to the beginning
RADIO: Source name/Clock → Frequency → Clock → Turns off the display → back to the beginning
CD (CD-DA): Source name/Clock → Disc title/Artist → Track title/Artist → Playing time → Clock → Turns off the display → back to the beginning
CD/USB (MP3/WMA/AAC/WAV/FLAC): Source name/Clock → Song title/Artist → Album title/Artist → Folder name → File name → Playing time → Clock → Turns off the display → back to the beginning
iPod USB/iPod BT: Source name/Clock → Song title/Artist → Album title/Artist → Playing time → Clock → Turns off the display → back to the beginning
PANDORA/PANDORA BT: Source name/Clock → Station name → Shared/Radio → Title → Artist → Album title → Playing time → Clock → back to the beginning
SPOTIFY/SPOTIFY BT: Source name/Clock → Context title → Song title → Artist → Album title → Playing time → Clock → Turns off the display → back to the beginning
BT AUDIO/ALEXA: Source name/Clock → Song title/Artist → Album title/Artist → Playing time → Clock → Turns off the display → back to the beginning
AUX: Source name/Clock → Clock → Turns off the display → back to the beginning
What should I do if my KENWOOD KDC-BT278U is not working correctly?
| Symptom | Remedy |
|---|---|
| Sound cannot be heard. | Adjust the volume. Check cords and connections. |
| “MISWIRING CHECK WIRING THEN PWR ON” appears. | Turn the power off, check that speaker wire terminals are insulated properly, then turn power on again. |
| “PROTECTING SEND SERVICE” appears. | Send the unit to the nearest service center. |
| Source cannot be selected. | Check the [SOURCE SELECT] setting. |
| The unit does not work at all. | Reset the unit. |
| Correct characters are not displayed. | This unit can only display uppercase letters, numbers, and limited symbols. Depending on the selected display language, some characters may not display correctly. |
| Radio reception is poor. / Static noise. | Connect the antenna firmly. |
I’m having issues with CD, USB, or iPod playback on my KENWOOD KDC-BT278U. What should I do?
| Symptom / Message | Remedy |
|---|---|
| Disc cannot be ejected. | Press and hold the eject button to forcibly eject the disc. If this fails, reset the unit. |
| “PLEASE EJECT” appears. | Reset the unit. If the problem persists, consult your nearest service center. |
| “READING” keeps flashing. | Do not use too many hierarchical levels and folders. Reload the disc or reattach the device. |
| “UNSUPPORTED DEVICE” appears. | Check if the connected USB device is compatible and uses a supported file system. Reattach the device. |
| The iPod/iPhone does not turn on or does not work. | Check the connection. Disconnect and reset the iPod/iPhone using a hard reset. |
| “NO DISC” | Insert a playable disc into the loading slot. |
| “TOC ERROR” | Make sure the disc is clean and inserted properly. |
| “NA FILE” | Make sure the media contains supported audio files. |
| “NO DEVICE” or “NO MUSIC” | Connect a device (USB/iPod/iPhone) that contains playable audio files. |
| “iPod ERROR” | Reconnect the iPod. Reset the iPod. |
Why am I having trouble with Pandora or Spotify on my KENWOOD KDC-BT278U?
| Source | Symptom / Message | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Pandora | “CONNECT ERROR” | Communication is unstable. |
| “CHECK DEVICE” | Check the Pandora application on your device. | |
| “STATION LIMIT” | The number of registered stations has reached its limit. Retry after deleting unnecessary stations. | |
| “UPGRADE APP” | Make sure you have installed the latest version of the Pandora application on your device. | |
| Spotify | “DISCONNECTED” | USB is disconnected. Please make sure the device is connected properly through USB. |
| “CONNECTING” | If via USB, the device is connecting; please wait. If via Bluetooth, the connection is lost; please check the Bluetooth connection and pairing. | |
| “CHECK APP” | The Spotify application is not connected properly or the user is not logged in. End the application and restart it, then log in to your Spotify account. |
I’m having Bluetooth connectivity issues with my KENWOOD KDC-BT278U. What can I do?
| Symptom | Remedy |
|---|---|
| Sound is interrupted or skipped during playback. | Reduce the distance between the unit and the audio player. Turn the unit off and on again. Other Bluetooth devices might be trying to connect. |
| No Bluetooth device is detected. | Search from the Bluetooth device again. Reset the unit. |
| Bluetooth pairing cannot be made. | Ensure you have entered the same PIN code on both devices. Delete pairing information from both devices and try pairing again. |
| Echo or noise is heard during a phone conversation. | Adjust the microphone’s position. Check the [ECHO CANCEL] setting. |
| Phone sound quality is poor. | Reduce the distance between the unit and the device. Move the car to a place with better signal reception. |
| “ERROR” appears. | Try the operation again. If “ERROR” persists, check if the device supports the function you tried. |
| “HF ERROR XX” / “BT ERROR” | Reset the unit and try the operation again. If this does not solve the problem, consult your nearest service center. |
| The Bluetooth connection is unstable. | Delete the unused registered Bluetooth device from the unit. |
What should I do if Amazon Alexa isn’t working on my KENWOOD KDC-BT278U?
| Symptom | Remedy |
|---|---|
| No response from Alexa after the voice input. | Amazon cloud was unable to analyze the voice input. |
| Wrong response from Alexa. | Alexa misunderstood what was said. Please try again. |
| “DISCONNECTED” | Be sure to connect your smartphone to the unit via Bluetooth. |
| Not able to connect or reconnect to Alexa mobile application. | Be sure the audio device is connected via Bluetooth. Select the audio device from [AUDIO SELECT] in [BT MODE]. Perform the one-time setup process again. Turn the unit off, then on and try to connect again. |
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