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Acura RL. Manual - part 182

Fig. 4: Audio System - System Diagram
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

ITEM DEFINITION CHART

NOTE:

All items may not apply to this vehicle. See the Owner's Manual for more
information.

Item

Definition

Active Noise
Control

The active noise control system cancels some of the vehicle noise. This occurs in the
1,500-2,400 RPM range. Microphones detect the low frequency sound, and the
system outputs a canceling sound from the audio speaker.

AM (Amplitude
Modulation)

The type of transmission used in the standard radio broadcast band from 530 to
1710 kHz.

Amplifier

A device that increases the level of a signal by increasing the current or voltage.

Antenna

A device used to send or receive electromagnetic waves through the air.

ATA (PC card)

A type of card that has been tested for use in playing WMA, and MP3 music files in
the PC card slot. Sizes of up to 1 GB have been tested.

Auxiliary jack

Allows the client to use a portable audio device to input music recordings.

Balance

A control that changes the relative volume of the left and right channels.

Band

A range of frequencies between two definite limits. Bands are assigned by the
Federal Communications Commission for specific uses.

Bass

An adjustment for the low frequency sounds of around 160 Hz and below.

A unit of storage for computer files and memory. A CD holds approximately 700

2007 Acura RL

2005-08 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Audio System - RL

Friday, June 05, 2009 3:53:06 PM

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Audio Glossary

ITEM DEFINITION CHART

Byte

million bytes.

Cassette

Audio or video magnetic tape container having two reels. Clients can insert it for
recording or play back.

Compact Flash

A standard for small-size (3x4 cm), memory cards used in mobile computers, PDAs,
digital cameras. Compact flash memory cards are available in size of 32 Mb up to 4
GB or more and can be played in the audio PC slot. Sizes above 1 GB has not been
tested.

CD (Compact
Disc)

A 4.5-inch plastic disc containing digital audio recording that is played optically on
a laser equipped player. Never use discs with a paper label. In a hot car, labels can
curl up and jam the unit.

CD (audio disc)
Changer

CD player that can store and play more than one CD. Two types are available. Some
units accept CDs fed into the changer one at a time, and others accept a magazine
(with CD's stacked in a container).

CD player

A component designed to play compact disc CD recording using a laser optical
pickup. The signal from a CD player usually requires amplification.

Distortion

Inexact reproduction of an audio signal caused by playing music at levels the audio
system cannot handle.

Dolby (noise
reduction)

A processing system developed by Dolby Laboratories that reduces the background
noise on recording media. The result is a clearer playback from the audio system.

DVD (Digital
Versatile Disc)

A 4.5-inch CD-like format used for storing movies with digital audio and video
features. The DVD-A format is a DVD format designed for DVD audio systems.
Some vehicles can play DVD and DVD-A formats.

Equalizer

A device that changes the relative volume of individual frequency bands to suit
personal tastes of the listener.

Fader

The control that adjusts the relative volume levels of front and rear speakers in a
four-speaker system.

Format

To prepare a PC card to receive files. This function is performed on a PC. Always
choose either FAT or FAT32 as the format type-NTSF format is not accepted by the
system. Pick the default sectors for the format method selected.

FM (Frequency
Modulation)

The form of modulation used for radio and television sound transmission in most of
the world. Less prone to interference than AM. The FM broad cast band covers
roughly 87 to 108 MHz.

GB (Gigabyte)

A unit of memory or disk storage equal to one billion bytes (1000 million bytes).

Item

Definition

HDD

Abbreviation for hard disc drive. They are sensitive to heat and it is not
recommended that they be used in the PC card slot for playing audio files.

Hertz (HZ)

The unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second (CPS). One kilohertz (kHz)
equals 1,000 CPS; one megahertz (MHz) equals 1 million CPS.

Integrated Amplifier

A component that combines a pre amp and a power amp into a single unit. A
receiver combines an integrated amp and a tuner into a single unit.

Jewel Case

The hard plastic case that contains a compact disc or DVD. Always use a jewel
case to prevent scratches on the underside of a CD or DVD.

LCD (Liquid Crystal
Display)

A type of digital display that changes reflectance or transmittance when an
electrical field is applied to it.

2007 Acura RL

2005-08 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Audio System - RL

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Memory

Circuitry or devices that hold information in electrical or magnetic form, such
as the AM/FM radio presets.

MB (Megabyte)

One million bytes. Written as 1 Mb. Megabytes are used as a measure of digital
storage space. For example, a CD can hold 650 Mb.

Mic

An abbreviation for microphone. For vehicles with navigation, the microphone
accepts navigation voice commands to control audio and navigation functions.

MP3 music files

MP3 is an audio coding format. MP3 is a popular audio compression format on
the Internet and computers. CDs, and PC cards with these files can be played on
some vehicle's audio system.

Mute

When the navigation gives guidance, the front speakers are muted (no music).
When you use the voice control system, all of the speakers are muted.

Noise

Unwanted random sounds like buzzing, hiss, pops, static, whine, etc.

PC Card

The slot used for playing MP3 and WMA music files. The PC card is usually a
combination of a small flash card in a PCMCIA adaptor that slides into the slot.
The ATA, SD, and compact flash types of cards have been tested up to 1 GB.

PCMCIA

A computer standard for the slot that the PC card slides into. Another term for
the PC card slot.

Processor

The part of an audio device that performs tasks/calculations. In the audio unit
the processor handles muting to allow the navi to speak voice commands, and
the decoding/playback of the sound files etc.

Radio

A head unit that combines a tuner, a preamplifier, and often a power-amplifier.

Audio Remote
switch

The switches on the steering wheel that control the audio system.

SCF (Cold Start Fix)
screens

These screens are displayed if the system requires a GPS initialization. The
vehicle should be moved outside into an open area away from buildings/power
lines.

Stereo

A recording of at least two channels where you can hear sound or music from
the left or right side.

SD (Secure Digital)
card

This compact type of memory card allows for fast data transfer and has built-in
security functions. SD cards have a small write-protection switch on the side.

Shield

A metallic foil or braided wire layer surrounding conductors which are
designed to prevent electrostatic or electromagnetic interference (noise) from
external sources such as buzzing, or popping sounds heard on the speakers.

Speaker
(Loudspeaker)

A device that converts electrical energy into acoustical energy (sound).

Speed-sensitive
Volume
Compensation (SVC)

The SVC increases the audio volume to compensate for increased interior noise
when the vehicle drives at freeway speeds.

Sub-woofer

A loudspeaker made to reproduce the lowest audio frequencies, approx 25 Hz
to 125 Hz.

Track

A sound recording on a CD, tape, or PC card.

Treble

An adjustment for the high frequency sounds of around 2.5 kHz to 20 kHz.

Tuner

A component (or part of a component) that receives radio signals and selects
one broadcast from many.

Tweeter

A speaker designed to reproduce the higher frequencies (treble) only.

Voice Coil

A coil of wire wrapped around a tube and then attached to the speaker cone or
diaphragm. When an audio signal is applied, the coil becomes an electromagnet

2007 Acura RL

2005-08 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Audio System - RL

Friday, June 05, 2009 3:53:06 PM

Page 8

AUDIO UNIT CONNECTOR FOR INPUTS AND OUTPUTS

When replacing an audio unit connector, match the wires to the cavities listed in the following tables.

and interacts with the permanent magnet causing the cone or diaphragm to
vibrate. We interpret this vibration as sound.

Volume Control

Allows you to control the loudness of the music.

WMA music file

Windows Media Audio File. This is an accepted format for music files to be
played on either a CD or a PC card.

Woofer

A speaker that is designed to reproduce bass frequencies only.

XM Radio

Satellite based radio transmission, which also uses a ground based repeater
network to ensure seamless reception. The channels originate from XM's
broadcast center, in Washington, DC, and uplink to two satellites. These
satellites transmit the signal across the entire continental United States.

XM Receiver

The external component that receives and processes the XM signals from the
XM satellites, and terrestrial (land) stations. The audio unit communicates to
the XM receiver over the GA-Net bus.

2007 Acura RL

2005-08 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Audio System - RL

Friday, June 05, 2009 3:53:06 PM

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