MERCEDES-BENZ R-Class 2006 W251 Comand Manual
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69 Audio
CD operation
Explanation of the playback modes
Normal sequence
Tracks are played in ascending order 
(e.g. 1, 2, 3 and so on). If just one CD is 
inserted, the first track is played when 
the last one is over. 
If more than one CD is available, the 
first track of the next CD is played 
when the last track of the current CD is 
over. The CDs are changed in normal 
order.
Track mix
Tracks are played in random order. If 
more than one CD is available, the next 
available CD is played when the current 
CD is over. The CDs are changed in 
normal order.
CD mix (CD changer* only)
At least 4 tracks of any CD are played 
in random order. Then follows the next 
available CD. The CDs are changed in 
random order.
Repeat track 
The system repeats the current track 
until you switch the function off.
Repeat CD (CD changer* only)
The system repeats the current CD 
until you switch the function off. 
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MP3 CD operation
 MP3 CD operation
Safety instructions
WarningG
In order to avoid distraction which could 
lead to an accident, the driver should insert 
CDs with the vehicle at a standstill and 
operate the audio system only if permitted 
by road, weather and traffic conditions.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph 
(approximately 50 km/h), your car covers a 
distance of 44 feet (approximately 14 m) 
every second.
WarningG
The CD drive is a Class 1 laser product. 
There is a danger of invisible laser radiation 
when you open or damage the cover.
Do not remove the cover. The CD drive does 
not contain any parts which can be serviced 
by the user. For safety reasons, have any ne-
cessary service work performed by qualified 
personnel.
Tips on data storage media
!
Do not attach labels of any type to the 
CD. They may become detached and 
damage the drive.
!
Your CD drive has been designed to 
play CDs which correspond to the IEC 
60908 standard. Therefore only CDs 
not exceeeding a thickness of 1.3 mm 
can be used.
If you insert thicker data carriers, e.g. 
ones that have data on both sides (one 
side with DVD data, the other side with 
audio data), they will become stuck and 
damage the drive.
Do not play single CDs (80mm) with an 
adapter. An adapter could become 
stuck and damage the drive. Only use 
12 cm diameter CDs. 
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MP3 CD operation
Only touch the CD on the edges.
Clean the CD with a dry, lint-free cloth. 
Wipe the CD a straight line from the 
center. Never wipe the CD in a circular 
motion.
Do not use rubbing alcohol or solvents 
to clean CDs.
Do not expose the CDs to cold, heat or 
direct sunlight.
Do not write or put labels on CDs.Permissible MP3 CDs 
In MP3 mode COMAND can read CD-R and 
CD-RW CDs.
Permissible file systems
The permitted file system for COMAND is 
ISO9660/Joliet for CD-R and CD-RW.
Multi session CDs
Multi session CDs include mixed file types 
(e.g. MP3 and audio CD) in either 
successive or random order on the disc. In 
MP3 mode, COMAND will integrate audio 
CD tracks into the disc’s folder structure. 
The audio CD track folder will appear first 
followed by folders containing MP3 tracks.
Tips on caring for your MP3 CDsTips on creating MP3 CDs
i
CDs, software and hardware for writing 
audio data to CDs vary widely. 
Therefore, we cannot guarantee that 
COMAND will be able to play every 
user-written CD. Problems may also be 
encountered during playback of user-
written CDs with a storage capacity of 
more than 700 MB. 
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MP3 CD operation
File structure
When creating a MP3 CD, you can organize 
MP3 tracks into folders. A folder can also 
contain additional folders.
A CD may have a maximum of 255 folders 
in total.
A maximum of 255 tracks are permissible 
per folder.
Mathematically a maximum of 65025 
tracks would result. However, this amount 
is usually not reached since MP3 requires 
approx. 1 MB storage per minute recorded.Track names and folder names
When creating an MP3 CD, you can assign 
names to the MP3 tracks and folders. 
COMAND uses these names in MP3 mode 
for the corresponding display.
Please note the following when assigning 
folder and track names:
Track and folder names must contain 
at least 1 character.
Track names may contain up to fifty 
characters. If a name exceeds this 
character limit, COMAND will not be 
able to display it in full.
Track names must have the extension 
“mp3”.
A period must appear between the 
track name and the file extension.
Example of a correct track name: 
Track1.mp3
In the example, the track name con-
tains six characters, followed by a peri-
od and the file extension “mp3”.
Empty folders or folders containing data 
other than MP3 tracks will not be dis-
played by COMAND. 
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MP3 CD operation
If MP3 or audio CD files are stored in the 
root directory itself, the root directory also 
counts as a folder. COMAND will then 
display the root directory name as a folder 
name.
Permissible MP3 formats
COMAND supports the MPEG1 
AudioLayer3 format.Permissible bit and scan rates 
Fixed and variable bit rates up to 320 
kbps
Scan rates from 24 kHz - 48 kHzThe music tracks that you can create for 
play back in MP3 mode are generally 
copyright-protected under applicable in-
ternational and national laws. 
In many countries, the reproduction of 
copyrighted material is not permitted, 
even if only for personal use, without the 
express prior consent of the copyright 
holder.
Please check the current copyright laws 
for your country and comply with them.
These restrictions do not apply for exam-
ple to your own compositions and record-
ings, or for recordings for which 
authorization has been obtained from the 
copyright holder.
i
COMAND does not support ID3tags.
Tips on creating MP3 tracks 
i
In everyday speech, this format has 
been replaced by the designation 
“MP3”.
i
It is recommended to use MP3 tracks 
with a bit rate of128 kbps or higher and 
with a scan rate of 44.1 kHz or higher. 
Lower rates may impair quality. This is 
particularly true if the sound function 
LOGIC7 Surround has been 
activated.
Tips on copyright 
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MP3 CD operation
Activate the MP3 CD main menu 
(
page 75).
or
Load a MP3 CD into the CD drive 
(
page 53).Loading a MP3 CD into the CD drive is the 
same as described for audio CDs.
Load a MP3 CD (page 53).
After inserting a MP3 CD into the CD drive 
the COMAND loads the data. It may take a 
while to load the data, depending on the 
number of folders and tracks.
After loading, COMAND plays the MP3 CD.Ejecting a MP3 CD out of the CD drive is 
the same as described for audio CDs.Eject a MP3 CD (page 53).
Switching to MP3 CD mode
i
A MP3 CD is played in the same drive 
as a audio CD. The CD drive is located 
behind of the display unit (
page 54).
Loading a MP3 CDEjecting a MP3 CD 
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MP3 CD operation
Activate the Audio menu (page 42).
Press the MP3 soft key.
It may take a while to load the data 
depending on the number of folders 
and tracks.
If the MP3 CD is loaded, the MP3 main 
menu will appear.
MP3 main menu
1Current folder
2Current MP3 track
3Track number within the current fold-
er/number of tracks in current folder
4Elapsed playback time of the current 
trackIf the MP3 can not be read, the 
message 
CD error will appear.MP3 main menu
i
The MP3 soft key is visible if a MP3 
CD is already loaded. If not, the 
CD 
soft key will appear. In this case, load a 
MP3 CD first.
i
On MP3 tracks with variable bit rates, 
the elapsed track time displayed may 
deviate from the actual time elapsed. 
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MP3 CD operation
If the MP3 tracks are organized into folders 
on the CD, you can select a folder from the 
COMAND control unit.
The following options are available:
Selecting via folder list
Selecting via extended folder listSelecting via folder list
Only one folder can be viewed at a time.
1Current folder
Activate the MP3-CD main menu. 
(
page 75).
Push the joystick to H or h to 
select a folder.
Wait approx. 3 seconds.
The COMAND changes the folder and 
loads the data from the new folder. It 
may take a while to load the data, de-
pending on the number of folders and 
tracks.
Playback of the first track of the 
selected folder will begin.
The track list displays the tracks of the 
selected folder.
Selecting a folder
i
The folder list only contains folders in 
which MP3 or audio CD tracks are 
stored.
After inserting a MP3 CD, the COMAND 
loads the data. After loading, you can 
use this function. 
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MP3 CD operation
Selecting via extended folder list
In the MP3 main menu (page 75), 
press the 
Folder soft key. The 
extended folder list appears.
Push the joystick to G or g to 
select a folder.
Press E.
COMAND changes the folder and loads 
the data from the new folder. It may 
take a while to load the data de-
pending on the number of folders and 
tracks.If a folder was selected:
A list of MP3 tracks appears.
If a folder was selected:
The next level of the folder structure 
will appear.
Push the joystick to G or g to 
select a track or another folder. Repeat 
until desired track or folder appears.
If the 
Play soft key is available:
When pressed, playback of the 
highlighted track or the first track in 
the selected folder will begin.
To go up one level in the folder structure:
Press the  soft key.
i
The extended folder list only contains 
folders in which MP3 or audio CD 
tracks are stored.
After inserting a MP3 CD the COMAND 
begins loading the data. The 
Folder 
soft key may be greyed out during that 
time. Once loaded the folder soft key is 
available.
i
Folder contains MP3 tracks
Folder contains subfolders 
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MP3 CD operation
You can select a track:
by using G or g in the track list of a 
selected folder
with g or h
with the number keypad
with ScanIn the track list
The track list includes all tracks of the CD 
or currently selected folder. Only one list 
entry is visible at a time.
1Current folder
Activate the MP3 main menu 
(
page 75).
Push the joystick G or g to move 
forward or backward through the track 
list.
Press E or the Play soft key to begin 
playback.
Using Skip track 
Activate the MP3 main menu 
(
page 75).
Forward
Press D.
The next track from the track list is 
played.
Track select
i
If there are tracks on the MP3 CD that 
can not be read, you will not see any 
error messages. The audio output will 
be muted and a search will begin to the 
next readable position.
i
At any time during playback an 
expanded view of a track title can be 
displayed by pressing the 
Detail soft 
key.