About MP3 files

MP3 (MPEG 1 Audio Layer-3) is a standard technology and format for compressing a sound sequence. The file is compressed to about 1/10 of its original size. Sounds outside the range of human hearing are compressed while the sounds we can hear are not compressed.

Notes on discs

You can play MP3 files recorded on CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, and CD-RWs.

The disc must be in the ISO 9660*1 level 1 or level 2 format, or Joliet or Romeo in the expansion format*2.

You can use a disc recorded in Multi Session*3.

*1 ISO 9660 Format

The most common international standard for the logical format of files and folders on a CD-ROM.

There are several specification levels. In Level 1, file names must be in the 8.3 format (no more than 8 characters in the name, no more than 3 characters in the extension “.mp3”) and in capital letters. Folder names can be no longer than 8 characters. There can be no more than 8 nested folder levels. Level 2 specifications allow file names up to 31 characters long.

Each folder can have up to 8 trees.

For Joliet or Romeo in the expansion format, make sure of the contents of the writing software, etc.

*2 Expansion format

Joliet: The maximum number of characters for album (folder) names/track (file) names that can be displayed is 32 each.

Romeo: The maximum number of characters for album (folder) names/track (file) names that can be displayed is 64 each.

*3 Multi Session

This is a recording method that enables adding of data using the Track-At-Once method. Conventional CDs begin at a CD control area called the Lead-in and end at an area called Lead-out. A Multi Session CD is a CD having multiple sessions, with each segment from Lead-in to Lead-out regarded as a single session.

CD-Extra: The format which records audio (audio CD data) as tracks on session 1, and records data as tracks on session 2.

Mixed CD: In this format, data is recorded as track 1, and audio (audio CD data) is recorded as track 2.

Notes

•With formats other than ISO 9660 level 1 and level 2, folder names or file names may not be displayed correctly.

•When naming, be sure to add the file extension “.mp3” to the file name.

•If you put the extension “.mp3” to a file other than MP3, the unit cannot recognize the file properly and will generate random noise that could damage your speakers.

•The following discs take a longer time to start playback.

–a disc recorded with complicated tree structure.

–a disc recorded in Multi Session.

–a disc to which data can be added.

•If you play a high-bit rate MP3 file such as 320 kbps, sound may be intermittent.

Cautions when playing a disc that is recorded in Multi Session

•When the first track of the first session is audio CD data:

Only audio CD data of the first session is played back.

Any data in subsequent sessions is skipped.

•When the first track of the first session is not audio CD data:

–If an MP3 file is in the disc, only MP3 file(s) is played back and other data is skipped. (Audio CD data is not recognized.)

–If no MP3 file is in the disc, “NO Music” is displayed and nothing is played back. (Audio CD data is not recognized.)

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