USB/iPod/Aux Connectivity
Radio Functions
Disc Playback
Audio Section
Display Features
Remote Control

USB/iPod/Aux Connectivity

USB Port: The receiver's front-panel Type-A USB port can be used for plugging in a (MSC) Mass Storage Class or MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) type USB device. The head unit can play music files stored on the USB device in MP3, WMA, or AAC formats (up to 320 kbps). The head unit can recognize up to 128 folders with 500 tracks each when connected to a USB Mass Storage Device. The CDX-GT550UI offers the following USB search, playback, and display functions.

• Search Modes:
  • Quick-BrowZer: allows you to search for a track on a connected USB device easily by category (Genre, Artist, Album, or Playlist)
  • Jump Mode: gets you closer to the song you want by allowing you to fast forward through a music category in 10 percent increments
  • Zappin: play music (files or folders) in 6, 15, or 30-second clips until you find the song you are looking for on your connected USB device
• Playback Modes:
  • Repeat: repeat a single track or repeat an entire album
  • Random: shuffle all tracks or a specific album
• Display Information:
  • Numeric Text: track number and elapsed playing time
  • Alphanumeric Text: song title, artist name, and album label

USB 1-Wire iPod/iPhone Control:  The GT550UI's front-panel USB port allows you to connect your iPod/iPhone via a single cable (iPod dock connector-to-USB cable; not included with the head unit). This USB 1-Wire for iPod/iPhone connection lets you directly connect, charge, and control select iPod/iPhones via the USB jack on the front of the unit, as well as view metadata like song title and artist on the front display.

• USB Connection: The USB connection allows your iPod/iPhone's stored music to be loaded instantly to the head unit and sound quality to be maximized through the head unit's 24-bit D/A converter, allowing for a Signal to Noise ratio up to 120dB.
• Audio Playback: The Sony head unit supports audio playback of music files stored on your iPod or iPhone.
• Music Navigation: You can choose to control the iPod/iPhone from the head unit or from your iPod/iPhone's clickwheel or touchscreen. You can browse your iPod/iPhone's music library by Artist, Album, Song, Genre, Playlist, or Podcast. In addition you can search within each category alphabetically. You can also select random and repeat functions for a certain song or specific folder.
• Information Display: The head unit will also display your iPod/iPhone's music file information, including - Track number, Elapsed playing time, Song Title, Artist Name, and Album Title.
• Charging: While connected and the ignition switch is set to ACC or ON, the head unit's USB connection will power and charge your iPod/iPhone.

iPod/iPhone Compatibility Chart: The Sony GT550UI is "Made for iPod/iPhone" compatible and supports the following iPod/iPhone model features (as of  1/12/2012):

Front Panel Auxiliary Input: A front panel stereo 3.5mm mini-jack is provided to allow the connection of a portable audio source. Just connect your portable digital music player to this unit, and you can listen to the audio from the portable player through the speakers in your mobile audio system. The volume level of the auxiliary input is adjustable from -8 to +18 dB to compensate for any difference between the unit and your portable device.

Radio Functions

SSIR-EXA AM/FM Tuner with RDS: The Sony CDX-GT550UI features a built-in SSIR-EXA AM/FM Tuner with RDS. Radio Data System (RDS) feature displays radio broadcast information such as artist, title, and album when listening to compatible AM/FM stations. The CDX-GT550UI offers manual, seek and preset tuning.

Preset Tuning: The radio features 5 memory bands to store and receive AM/FM stations. You can store up to 6 presets each in FM1, FM2, FM3, AM1 and AM2 (total: 18 FM/12 AM). Preset tuning can be done manually or automatically.

• Best Tuning Memory (BTM): This feature selects stations with the best signals within the selected band and stores them in order of their frequency. You can select from FM1, FM2, FM3, AM1, and AM2.
• Manual Tuning: You can manually tune and find your favorite radio stations one by one for FM1, FM2, FM3, AM1, and AM2.

Auto Tuning: You can use the seek button to help you search quickly through the available stations and then choose your own presets from these available stations.

Local Seek Mode: In the Local Seek Mode, the unit will only tune in stations with very strong signals during Seek tuning.

Mono Mode: The Mono Mode allows you improve poor FM reception by selecting a monaural signal instead of a stereo signal.

HD Radio Ready: The CDX-GT550UI is compatible with Sony's optional XT-100HD add-on HD Tuner (158XT100HD, sold separately) through its UniLink Bus connection. HD Radio technology, where available, offers higher quality sound than conventional analog broadcasts and receives text data. HD Radio provides FM broadcasts that are equal to CD sound quality and AM broadcasts that are as good as analog FM stereo broadcasts. HD Radio also provides a variety of data, including station name, song title, artist name, album name, etc. Once connected, all AM and FM broadcasts are received by the XT-100HD. HD appears as an additional source, with five preset banks; HD1 (FM1), HD2 (FM2), HD3 (FM3), HD4 (AM1), and HD5 (AM2). In addition to conventional broadcasts, with HD Radio broadcasting it is possible to choose from up to 8 multicast programs (HD1 to HD8 and analog). There are also data programs for each program.

Satellite Radio Ready: There are several options for connecting an optional  satellite radio receiver to this head unit:

• SIRIUS Satellite Radio: To receive SIRIUS Satellite Radio, you can connect the optional SCC1 SiriusConnect Vehicle Tuner and the optional Sony SNYSC1 interface module (package item number 700SIRSONY, sold separately). You can also connect select dock-and-play and portable SIRIUS radios to the head unit via the Sony SNYSC1 interface module (607SNYSC1, sold separately) and the SiriusConnect Plug & Play Dock (607SCVDOC1, sold separately).
• XM Satellite Radio: A portable XM Satellite Radio receiver can be connected to the head unit via the auxiliary input or the Sony XA-300 UniLink auxiliary input adapter (158XA300, sold separately).

Disc Playback

Disc Compatibility: The unit features a single disc player that will playback CD-Audio, CD-Text, and finalized CD-R/CD-RW audio discs.

MP3/WMA/AAC Playback: The Sony CDX-GT550UI allows you to playback CD-Rs or CD-RWs loaded with MP3, WMA, or AAC songs (up to 320 kbps) recorded in ISO 9660 level 1 or 2, Joliet/Romeo, or Multi-Session. The CDX-GT550UI can support up 128 folders, and a combined 500 folders and files on a disc. The head unit will also display song information for MP3, WMA, and AAC music files (Joliet: up to 32 characters, Romeo: up to 64 characters).

Compressed Audio Display Information: The CD receiver can display the following CD-TEXT or ID3/WMA-tag information - Track number, Elapsed Playing Time, Song Title, Artist Name, or Album Label.

Quick-BrowZer: The unit's Quick-BrowZer feature allow you to search for a track on a CD, iPod, or from your connected USB Mass Storage Device easily by category (Genre, Artist, Album, or Playlist).

Jump Mode: Jump Mode gets you closer to the song you want by allowing you to fast forward through a music category in 10 percent increments.

Zappin: With the Zappin feature, you can play music (files or folders) in 6, 15, or 30-second clips until you find the song you are looking for on your CD or connected USB device.

Off Insert/Eject: A CD disc can be inserted or ejected with the power off.  The CD player will automatically reinsert the disc if it's ejected, but not removed for 20 seconds or more.

Auto Playback: The head unit will automatically begin disc playback, when a disc is inserted with the receiver set to a different source or powered off.

Mounting Angle: For proper CD playback, this unit must be mounted between 0 (horizontal) and 45 degrees

Audio Section

True Fidelity Sound Construction: The Sony Xplod CDX-GT550UI FM/AM compact disc player features a newly developed sound processor for less distortion, an S-MOSFET IC for smooth signal transmission, and a large-sized capacitor for deep bass sound.

Dynamic Reality Amp: The CDX-GT550UI is equipped with Sony's Dynamic Reality Amp to produce 3 dimensional sound staging for more realistic sound inside your vehicle.

24 Bit D/A Converter: The Sony CDX-GT550UI utilizes a 24-bit digital to analog converter for superior CD sound quality.

CEA2006 Compliant Amplifier: The power specifications for the Sony Xplod CDX-GT550UI are compliant with the CEA2006 Mobile Amplifier Power Testing and Measurement standards from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). These standards were developed as a way to equitably compare power specs from model to model and between manufacturers. The power output specs for the CDX-GT550UI are as follows:

• Continuous Power Output: 17 watts RMS x 4 channels (at 4 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 1% THD-N)
• Peak Power Output: 52 watts x 4-channels (208 total watts)

Two Pairs Of 2V Preamp Outputs: The CDX-GT550UI contains two pairs of 2-volt RCA preamp outputs - a front pair and another pair that can be set for the rear channels or for subwoofer operation.

Subwoofer Controls: When the unit's subwoofer output is activated, the preamp output becomes non-fading and a low pass filter is activated with a selectable cut-off frequency of 50Hz, 60Hz, 80Hz, 100Hz, 100Hz, 120Hz, or Off. You can also adjust the slope (1/2/3) of the high-pass crossover. You can adjust the subwoofer preamp output's volume level independently from the head unit's volume control from -10 to +10 in 1dB increments. In addition, you can select the phase of the subwoofer output from Normal or Reverse.

High-Pass Filter: The front and rear speaker outputs offer a selectable high-pass crossover frequency of 50Hz, 60Hz, 80Hz, 100Hz, 100Hz, 120Hz, or Off. You can also adjust the slope (1/2/3) of the high-pass crossover.

Advanced Sound Engine: Sony's Advanced Sound Engine creates an ideal in-car sound field with digital signal processing. Advanced Sound Engine contains the following features: EQ7, Listening Position, DM+ Advanced, Rear Bass Enhancer, and Dynamic Loudness.

• EQ7: You can select an equalizer curve from eight music types - Xplod, Vocal, Edge, Cruise, Space, Gravity, Custom, or Off (Flat). The Custom EQ7 mode allows  you to make  your own equalizer settings. You can adjust the level (+/-6dB) of seven different frequency bands - Band1 (63Hz), Band2 (160Hz), Band3 (400Hz), Band4 (1kHz), Band5 (2.5khz), Band6 (6.3khz), and Band7 (16.0kHz).
• Listening Position: This unit can change the localization of sound by delaying the sound output from each speaker to suit your position, and simulate a natural sound field with the feeling of being in the center of it wherever you sit in the car. You can choose from Front Right, Front Left, Front Center, or Off. You can also set the subwoofer distance of the subwoofer to Near, Normal, or Far
• RBE (Rear Bass Enhancer): RBE enhances the bass sound by applying the low-pass filter setting to the rear speakers. This function allows the rear speakers to work as a subwoofer even if there is no subwoofer connected.
• Dynamic Loudness: Dynamic Loudness refers to compensating for volume level and signal gain.
• DM+ Advanced: DM+ Advanced improves digitally compressed sound by restoring high frequencies lost in the compression process (works only for USB).

Beep Tone: The in-dash head unit provides an audible beep to confirm button operation. This function can be turned On or Off.

Display Features

Detachable Face: The CDX-GT550UI features a detachable face for theft prevention. A face-fixing screw is supplied for making the face non-detachable, if desired.

Caution Alarm: If you turn the ignition switch to the Off position without detaching the front-panel, the caution alarm will sound for a few seconds. The alarm will only sound if the built-in amplifier is used.

Black 1-Line LCD Display: The Sony Xplod CDX-GT550UI features a single-line black LCD with a negative display (white text) for viewing information.

Motion Display: This feature shows moving patterns and a spectrum analyzer on the display when turned on.

Auto Scroll: This feature allows long displayed items to scroll automatically across the display when the track is changed on a disc.

Display Illumination/Clock Display: Pressing the Source/Off button once will switch sources. Pressing and holding the Source/Off button for one second will turn off audio output, but the clock display and button illumination remain on. To turn the unit off completely, you must press and hold the Source/Off button for two seconds.

Dimmer: The CDX-GT550UI feature a dimmer mode to dim the brightness of the display. You can choose from either "Dim On" or Dim Off".

Selectable Button Illumination: The Sony CDX-GT550UI offers selectable blue or green key illumination to compliment your vehicle's interior lighting.

Auto Off: When installing in a vehicle without an accessory power wire at the radio location, you can set the unit to turn off all lighting a set amount of time after you turn the power off. The Auto Off feature can be set to 30 seconds, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, or No.

Remote Control

Wireless Remote Control: The head unit comes supplied with an IR wireless remote control (RM-X151) for easy operation. The included wireless remote allows you to control the basic functions of the Sony Xplod head unit while keeping your eyes on the road.

Steering Wheel Remote Compatibility: The head unit features an OEM steering wheel remote control input on the rear of the unit to allow you to keep your vehicle's radio steering wheel remote controls when used with the optional PAC SWI-RC Steering Wheel Control Interface Adapter (541SWIRC, sold separately); or the optional Metra ASWC Steering Wheel Control Interface Adapter (120ASWC, sold separately).