Features
On-Screen Menu
Connections

Features

Overview: Kenwood's KOS-V500 Advanced Integration A/V Controller lets you build an A/V system in your vehicle without replacing your factory radio. You will be able to enjoy navigation, satellite radio, Bluetooth technology, and HD Radio through your factory audio system when using this device. You also get high-speed iPod control of both audio and video. In addition, the KOS-V500 is capable of outputting a 4-line text display for Satellite Radio, iPod, HD-Radio and RDS information.

Radio Compatibility: The KOS-V500 can be installed to any factory or aftermarket deck by hardwiring the supplied harness to your existing audio system. The KOS-V500 features a sophisticated menu system and comes with an IR remote for complete control. To view this on-screen display and menu system you will need the optional touch-screen Kenwood monitor (KOS-L702/KOS-L432, sold separately) or a special Kenwood adapter (sold separately) that converts the 20-pin proprietary monitor output to a standard composite video output so you can hookup your factory monitor or navigation screen.

Remote Control: This unit is equipped with an IR remote control and an IR emitter attached to a cable that plugs into the KOS-V500 and then is run to the front of the vehicle so you can use the supplied wireless remote control. The remote can operate the power, source, playback and menu functions of the KOS-V500.

Built-In Amplifier: The Kenwood KOS-V500 features an integrated Mosfet 22 watt RMS x 4 channel amplifier that you can choose to use instead of your factory radio's amplifier to upgrade your factory audio sound. A speaker-level adapter harness is provided to supply connection for the audio signal from your factory radio to the KOS-V500. The built-in amplifier utilizes a separate gain control to match your factory radio's speaker-level output.

Preamp Outputs: The KOS-V500 also features three sets of 2-volt preamp outputs (Front, Rear, Subwoofer) for connecting external amplifiers to your factory system for added audio performance. The speaker-level adapter harness will also be used in this type of application as well.

Built-In Tuner With RDS: The KOS-V500 has a built-in Kenwood CR-2 tuner which provides high signal strength for clear radio reception. The tuner features the Clean Reception System Circuit (CRSC) for improved rejection of distortion due to multi-path. You can choose one of three tuning modes: Auto 1 (seek tuning), Auto 2 (cycles through and tunes the selected band's preset stations only with each button press), or Manual. The unit's tuner features RDS (Radio Data System). RDS is a service used by some radio stations to transmit data outside of normal radio broadcast signals. When an RDS station is received, you can immediately find out what kind of data is being transmitted by looking at the program service name which appears in the display after the frequency on the optional Kenwood monitor or your factory screen. RDS features an emergency transmission function which interrupts regular programming to broadcast an emergency announcement (such as a tornado or severe storm). There is also a switchable Traffic Information function, which will automatically tune a traffic bulletin when it is broadcast, even when you're not listening to the radio. The unit utilizes a female Motorola plug attached by a 6" pigtail to the chassis and 19.5' foot antenna extension cable is provided for installation.

Source Compatibility: You can listen to various sources through your factory car stereo by using the KOS-V500. Below is a list of available sources that can be connected.

• Portable or 12-Volt Audio/Video: The unit features a set of audio/video 3.5mm inputs on the front panel of the unit. There is one stereo 3.5mm input for audio and another 3.5mm input for video. The A/V AUX input can be used to transfer audio and video signal from your portable MP3/Photo/Video player. The unit also features 2 sets of RCA A/V inputs that can be used to hook up an external DVD, VCR or Video Game system.
• AAC-LC/MP3/WMA/JPEG: The Kenwood KOS-V500 features a front panel 2.0 USB type-A port and 11.5' USB cable that supports the transfer of AAC-LC, MP3, WMA and JPEG files. The USB port enables connection to portable USB mass-storage players, USB thumb drives and audio control of MP3 players. The USB port is compatible with all USB mass storage class devices that support the FAT16 or FAT32 file system. A single or multi-slot card reader can also be connected the USB port, allowing your music or photos to be put neatly into different types of memory cards. Your USB device's rechargeable battery will recharge while it's connected to the USB port and when the KOS-V500 is turned on.

  Note: The iPod nano and iPod video can be hooked up directly via USB, but without the Kenwood adapter cable (KCA-iP300V), you will not be able to play iTunes or other copyright protected content and you will lose any audio/video file browsing control.

• iPod Control: The USB port and A/V AUX input are also compatible with iPod devices when used with the optional KCA-iP300V adapter (part number 113IP300V, sold separately). The USB Direct Connection enables high-speed iPod data communications of 12MB/bps via the optional KCA-iP300V (3-Wire) interface. One end of the cable plugs directly into your iPod's dock connector while the other end of the cable uses three connectors that plug into the front of the KOS-V500. The USB type-A connector portion of the cable plugs into the unit's USB port and handles the control and charging of your iPod, so you can navigate through your music and video files using the supplied remote control or optional touch-screen monitor and view song and movie info on the optional display. The two 3.5mm miniplug connectors of the cable plug into the unit's A/V 3.5mm inputs and transfer the music and video from your iPod to your factory audio system and optional monitor. By using the Auxiliary input, the music travels to the receiver as an analog signal, so you can even play the Digital-Rights-Protected files you've stored on your iPod. The controls of the unit's on-screen display when used with Kenwood's optional touch-screen monitor (KOS-L702/432, sold separately) are seamless when used with the optional KCA-iP300V and include metadata browsing and playback of DRM contents, as well as the ability to choose any iPod playback mode to suit your listening application. The following iPods are compatible with this unit - iPod video (5th generation), iPod nano (3rd/4th generation), and iPod classic (80/120/160GB).

• Satellite Radio Ready: There are several options for connecting an optional satellite radio tuner to this receiver:
  • SIRIUS: To receive SIRIUS Satellite Radio, you can connect the optional SC-C1 SiriusConnect vehicle tuner (item number 607SCC1) and the Kenwood/SIRIUS adapter (item number 113KCASR50).
  • Dock: Select dock-and-play and portable SIRIUS radios can be controlled using the Kenwood/SIRIUS adapter (item number 113KCASR50) and the SC-VDOC1 dock (item number 607SCVDOC1).
  • Auxiliary Input: A portable satellite radio receiver, such as the Delphi SkyFi3 or SIRIUS Sportster, can be connected to the head unit via the auxiliary input (adapter may be required).
    • Note: A subscription is also required to receive satellite radio programming.
• HD Radio Ready: With an optional Kenwood HD Radio tuner (item number 113HR100TR), you will be able to receive digital AM/FM broadcasts from local stations where available. This new technology will significantly improve audio quality and reception, as well as include information such as artist name and song titles or traffic news, viewable on the optional Kenwood monitor (KOS-L702/432) or your factory monitor using a Kenwood adapter.
• TV Tuner Compatible: This unit is compatible with the Kenwood KTC-V300N TV tuner (sold separately, item number 113KTCV300).
• Navigation Ready: The unit is compatible with the following Kenwood navigation systems: KNA-G510 (item 113KNAG510), KNA-DV4100 (item 113KNADV41), KNA-DV3100, and KNA-DV2100. The navigation system can be connected via the 13-pin I/F jack on the front of the integrated A/V controller (I/F cable supplied with the navigation system). Third party navigation systems with composite video and stereo RCA outputs can also be connected via the AV input. You can select which speakers are used for navigation voice guidance: front left, front right, or both front speakers through the unit's menu. You can also set the volume for the voice guidance audio.
• CD-Changer Compatible: This unit is compatible with Kenwood changers manufactured in 1998 or later. If the changer has an O-N switch, the switch will need to be set to the "N" position.

Audio/Video Output: The unit has a single audio/video output consisting of a pair of composite RCA terminals for audio and one composite RCA terminal for video to hook-up an external monitor such as a head-rest monitor. The A/V output is used only to output a connected video source and does output the unit's menu system.

Bluetooth Ready: The unit is also Bluetooth compatible using the optional Kenwood KCA-BT300Bluetooth adapter. Using this adapter you can make and answer phone calls from the optional touch-screen monitor (KOS-L702/432) or supplied IR remote. You can even download your Phonebook information from your compatible mobile phone into the KOS-V500. You are able to register up to five compatible Bluetooth cell phones when using the KCA-BT300adapter.

Steering Wheel Remote Compatibility: The KOS-V500 has a steering remote control lead attached to the main-harness. When used with the optional SWI-JACK interface (item number 127SWIJACK), you can retain the use of your steering wheel and/or rear seat radio controls when connecting additional audio/video equipment to your factory radio via the KOS-V500. The SWI-JACK is compatible with over 95% of the vehicles made from 1986 to the present. Compatible vehicles include many Acura, Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hummer, Infiniti, Isuzu, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury, Mini, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Oldsmobile, Plymouth, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Suzuki, Toyota, and Volkswagen vehicles and Harley Davidson motorcycles. Please consult the Crutchfield Vehicle Selector to see if your vehicle is compatible.

Stand Alone Compatible: In addition to connecting this unit to your factory system, the KOS-V500 can act as a stand alone unit due to its built-in tuner and amplifier along with its various source inputs when used with Kenwood's optional KOS-L702 or KOS-L432 touchscreen monitor.

Security Code: You may program the unit with a 4 digit security code. Once the unit has been programmed with a security code, the code must be entered to use the unit after it has been disconnected from power.

On-Screen Menu

On-Screen Menu: The Kenwood KOS-V500 features an on-screen menu that is output from its 20-pin monitor-out connector. You will need the optional Kenwood touch-screen monitor (KOS-L702/432) or an optional Kenwood interface that adapts the proprietary 20-pin monitor output connector to a standard composite video output so you can connect the KOS-V500 to your factory monitor or navigation screen. The on-screen menu can be controlled through the touch-panel of the optional Kenwood monitor (KOS-L702/432) or through the remote when connected to a factory or non-touch-screen display. You can view and control the following audio and video settings through the unit's on-screen menu:

• Audio Settings:
  • System Q EX Sound Control: Six EQ curves are preset into memory, allowing you to recall the best preset EQ curve for different types of music. The preset curves are named "Natural", "Rock", "Pops", "Easy", "Top 40", and "Jazz". In addition, you may store your own settings under the "User Memory" EQ curve. In the User Mode you can make manual adjustments for the bass center frequency (40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 100, 120, or 150Hz), bass level (-8 to +8), bass Q factor (1.00, 1.25, 1.50 or 2.00), bass extension (On or Off), middle center frequency (500Hz, 1.0kHz, 1.5 or 2.0kHz), middle level (-8 to +8), middle Q factor (1.0 or 2.0), treble center frequency (10.0, 12.5, 15.0 or 17.5kHz), and treble level (-8 to +8). The System Q EX can be turned off in the menu, still allowing you to adjust the bass, middle and treble levels only.
  • Speaker Type Setting: This feature tailors the System Q EX Sound Control settings according to the type of front speakers in your vehicle. You may select Standard (for speakers with a general diameter), Narrow (for speakers with a small diameter), Middle (for speakers with a medium diameter), or Wide (for speakers with a large diameter).
  • System E's+ Advanced Crossover System: The System E's+ Advanced Crossover system allows you to tailor your system with selectable crossover points for all channels. For the front and rear channels, there is a high-pass filter with independently selectable crossover points of 40Hz, 60Hz, 80Hz, 100Hz, 120Hz, 150Hz, 180Hz, 220Hz or Thru (no filter). The non-fading preamp output, for use with subwoofer amplifiers, has a low-pass filter with a selectable cutoff frequency of 50Hz, 60Hz, 80Hz, 100Hz, 120Hz or Thru (no filter). You can also switch the phase of the subwoofer output from normal to reverse, and adjust the level of the output from -50 to +10 in 1dB steps.
  • Bass DC Extension: When this feature is turned on it extends the bass center frequency to the low register by approximately 20% adding additional bass response to your system.
  • Bass Management System (B.M.S.): This unit is equipped with an interface (pink/black wire in the wiring harness) which controls certain special features of B.M.S.-equipped Kenwood eXcelon amplifiers. This unit, when properly connected, can remotely activate and adjust the amount of bass boost in the amplifier. You can choose between +6dB, +12dB, or +18dB bass boost, or flat (no boost). In addition, you can lower the bass boost center frequency by 20%, switching between "Normal" and "Low".
• Video Settings:
  • Selectable Screen Modes: You can choose from the following Screen Modes for the display monitor for each of the video inputs (iPod Video, Video 1 and Video 2).
    • Normal: displays 16:9 widescreen format pictures that fill the entire screen width, and 4:3 (conventional TV) pictures display with black bars on either side
    • Full: expands 4:3 pictures horizontally to fill the entire width of the screen, distorting the picture slightly but retaining full image height
    • Just: expands 4:3 pictures horizontally only at the edges
    • Zoom: expands 4:3 pictures both horizontally and vertically, filling the screen without distorting the picture but cutting off the top and bottom edges
  • Display Adjustment: You can adjust the display's brightness, contrast, and black level.
  • Backgrounds: The unit features backgrounds that can be selected from readily available patterns or you can create your own by using original pictures or images downloaded from your portable USB device.

Connections

Rear Panel:

• Antenna In: female Motorola antenna input for connection for connection of your factory antenna when using the KOS-V500's built-in tuner
• Power: 22-pin power connector input to supply power to the unit and send signal to your factory audio system
• Monitor I/F: 20-pin jack that connects to an optional Kenwood monitor (KOS-L702/432, sold separately) or a Kenwood 20-pin to composite RCA adapter
• Monitor Power: 2-pin plug that connects the supplied power/ground harness which provides power to the connected, optional Kenwood monitor (KOS-L702/432)
• R-Cam: RCA composite video jack for use with an optional rear-view camera (CCD-2000)
• A/V Output: left and right RCA audio jacks and an RCA composite video jack to supply video to an optional universal monitor
• A/V Input 1&2: two sets of left and right RCA audio jacks and an RCA composite video jack for inputting an audi0/video signal from an external source
• Pre-Out: left and right RCA audio jacks for the front, rear and sub-channels that connect to optional amplifiers in your system

Front Panel:

• Relay Unit: 4-pin input for supplied relay harness
• Remote: 3.5mm input for supplied wired emitter to control the supplied IR remote and a 3.5mm output to link another you to IR remote controller
• TV-Tuner I/F: 20-pin proprietary jack that allows you to connect an optional Kenwood TV tuner
• USB: USB connection for audio digital devices
• iPod: 3.5mm stereo audio and video jack for connection of iPod or other portable audio device
• Speaker-Level Input: 10-pin jack for connection of supplied speaker-level adapter to transfer the audio signal from your factory head-unit to the KOS-V500 when using the unit's internal amplifier or external amplifiers
• Navigation I/F: 13-pin jack that allows you to connect an optional Kenwood navigation unit
• 5L I/F: 13-pin jack that allows you to connect an optional Kenwood changer