COWON PLENUE V User's Guide

Precautions

Please read and understand the following precautions for correct use and user safety. Failure to heed these may result in accidents, for which the company will not be held responsible.

• Do not use the product for purposes other than those described in this manual.
• Handle manuals, packaging, and accessories with care to prevent cuts and injuries.
• For safety, do not view videos, pictures, or texts while driving. Operating other features while driving is also dangerous.
• Wearing earphones while operating a vehicle, exercising, or walking may impair your awareness of important signals and announcements, and may be unlawful in some regions.
• Avoid using detergents or chemicals on the product surface, as they may cause fading. Clean with a soft cloth if soiled.
• Do not expose the player to temperatures below 0°C (32°F) or above 40°C (104°F), such as inside a car. This can cause fatal damage.
• Do not expose the player to water or keep it in damp/humid locations for extended periods. Damage from moisture is considered user misuse.
• Take extra care not to apply external shock or pressure to the display (LCD, AMOLED, Touch Pad). Such damage may void the warranty.
• Do not attempt to disassemble the player. This will void the warranty and disqualify it from service.
• Connect cables correctly to avoid damaging the player or PC. Do not bend or press connection cables with heavy objects.
• Avoid charging near heating apparatus or in high-temperature environments. Never cover the device while charging or operating to ensure proper heat dissipation and prevent fire risk.
• If you smell burning or feel excessive heat, press the RESET button to stop operation and contact the place of purchase.
• Handle the player with dry hands. Touching with wet hands can cause damage or malfunctions. Handle the power plug only with dry hands to avoid electric shock.
• Listening at high volume (85dB and above) for extended periods may harm your hearing.
• Use the player in a well-lit area to avoid straining your eyes on the LCD screen.
• Using the player in areas with high static electricity may cause malfunctions.
• If using the device primarily as storage, back up all data before use. The company is not responsible for any data loss.
• All data stored in the player may be deleted during servicing. Back up data before sending for repairs.
• Keep the player in cool, ventilated places away from direct sunlight to prevent deformation and damage to internal circuitry or the LCD screen.
• Always use genuine cables and chargers provided by COWON.
• When connecting to a PC, use USB ports on the motherboard or a USB Host card. External USB hubs may not guarantee proper operation.
• When formatting the built-in memory, select the file system specified in the manual (e.g., FAT32, FAT16, NTFS).
• Disconnect power to the PC and USB adapter during lightning or thunder storms to prevent danger or fire hazards.
• Keep the player away from magnets and direct magnetic fields, as they can cause malfunctions.
• Do not drop or expose the product to hard impact, as this may result in malfunctions, unit failure, or voiding the warranty.
• If you notice battery abnormalities (e.g., swelling), press the RESET button immediately and contact the place of purchase.
• Product prices may fluctuate due to commercial conditions. COWON is not obligated to provide cash compensation.
• For MAC OS users: Always perform the 'EJECT' procedure before removing the product from the Mac.

Package Contents

The package typically includes:

• PLENUE V Player
• Micro USB Cable
• Quick Guide
• Warranty Information

* Actual package contents may differ from the images.

Names of Parts and Functions

The PLENUE V features the following parts:

• Micro USB Port: For charging and PC connection.
• microSD Card Slot: For expandable storage.
• Power Button / LED: Powers the device on/off and indicates status.
• Earphone Jack (3.5mm): For audio output.
• Volume Up (+) Button: Increases volume.
• Volume Down (-) Button: Decreases volume.
• Play / Pause Button: Controls playback.
• REW / Previous Track Button: Goes to the previous track or rewinds.
• FF / Next Track Button: Goes to the next track or fast forwards.
• Touch Display: The main interface for interaction.

Buttons

• Power On / Off: Press and hold the power button to turn the product on. Press and hold again to turn it off.
• Display On / Off: Briefly press the power button to turn the screen on or off. (When the screen is off, the touchscreen is inactive, and the LED blinks blue.)
• Volume Up / Down: Adjusts volume in 140 levels. Press and hold the buttons for quick adjustment.
• Play / Pause: Press to play a track. Press again while playing to pause.
• Previous Track / Next Track: Briefly press to select the previous or next track.
• Rewind / Fast Forward: Press and hold to rewind or fast forward within the current track.

Notes:

• Sleep mode can be adjusted in 'Settings > System > Sleep mode'.
• If buttons or the touchscreen do not respond, press and hold the Volume + and – buttons simultaneously for 6 seconds to reset the device.
• All physical buttons can be locked except the Power button. 'Button lock' can be adjusted in 'Settings > System > Button lock'.

Power Connection and Charging

Connect the PLENUE V to a PC using the Micro USB cable to charge the battery and transfer files.

• The LED indicator shows charging status: Red for Charging, Green for Charging Complete.
• The device can also be charged using a compatible smartphone Micro USB DC adapter (5V/2A or higher recommended for ~2-hour charging). Charging time may vary if the product is in use.
• Connect directly to a USB port on the back of the PC for stable power supply. Front USB ports or unpowered external hubs may be unstable.
• Fully charge the product before first use or after a period of disuse.
• For safety, charge the product in an open space, not in enclosed areas like under a blanket or inside a bag.

Connecting and Disconnecting from the PC

Follow these steps to connect and transfer files:

1. Connect PLENUE V to your PC using the Micro USB cable.
2. Press and hold the power button to turn on the product.
3. The connection image will appear on the PLENUE V screen. Verify connection in My Computer or Windows Explorer.
4. Copy desired music tracks to the PLENUE V.
5. When finished, click the system tray icon (usually a USB symbol) to safely remove the device.
6. Click the popup message confirming safe removal.
7. Ensure PLENUE V has been safely disconnected before removing the USB cable from the PC.

File and Folder Limits:

• Built-in Memory: 8,000 files + 4,000 folders
• microSD Card: 16,000 files + 8,000 folders

Important Notes:

• Always perform the 'Safely remove hardware' function before disconnecting.
• An error message like "Cannot stop 'Generic Volume' device" may appear randomly; this does not indicate a malfunction. Try again.
• If your operating system doesn't show the 'Safe To Remove Hardware' window, disconnect after all transfers are complete.
• Simple file transfer is available for Linux and Mac OS.
• For cards 64GB or larger, formatting with an FAT32 tool (e.g., guiformat) is recommended for proper recognition. A 32KB allocation unit size is suggested.

Inserting and Removing the microSD Card

Expand storage using a microSD card:

1. Properly place the microSD card into the microSD card slot and gently press to insert.
2. The database will refresh, making music files on the card viewable.
3. To remove the card: Turn off the player's power, then gently press the card again to eject it.

Data Protection: Always turn off the player's power before removing the microSD card.

Formatting: Large-capacity microSD cards (64GB or more) must be formatted using an FAT32 formatting tool (e.g., guiformat) for proper recognition. A 32KB allocation unit size is recommended.

Firmware Upgrade

Firmware upgrades improve product capabilities and fix bugs. PLENUE V may adjust performance or usage methods without prior notice.

How to Upgrade:

1. Download the latest firmware from the SUPPORT section of the COWON website (http://www.COWON.com).
2. Connect PLENUE V to your PC using the Micro USB Cable.
3. Unzip the downloaded firmware and copy it to the root folder of PLENUE V.
4. Safely disconnect the product from the PC and remove the Micro USB cable.
5. Turn on the product; the firmware upgrade process will start automatically.
6. After the upgrade is complete, turn on the power and navigate to 'Settings > System > Information' to check the installed firmware version.

Important Notes:

• Fully charge the player before upgrading.
• Do not turn off the player during the firmware update, as it may damage the product and void the warranty.
• Back up important data before upgrading, as data stored on the device may be deleted during the process. COWON is not liable for any data loss.

Playback Screen

The playback screen displays current track information and controls:

• 1. Play / Pause: Press to play or pause the track.
• 2. Previous Track / Rewind: Briefly press for the previous track; press and hold to rewind.
• 3. Next Track / Fast Forward: Briefly press for the next track; press and hold to fast forward.
• 4. Seek Bar: Drag the bar to navigate to a specific point in the track.
• 5. Music Selection: Navigate to the Music Selection Screen.
• 6. Playback Settings: Access playback options.
• 7. Lyrics/Album Info: If available, click the album artwork to view lyrics or album information.

Music Selection

Select how you want to view and choose your music:

• View track lists by folder.
• View track lists added to Favorites (⭐).
• View all tracks saved in the product.
• View track lists by artist.
• View track lists by album.
• View track lists by genre.
• View track lists by song year.
• View track lists by new files.
• View playlists.

* In the Track List Screen, press and hold the [Initial Track List] button to navigate to the Initial Track List Screen.

Playback Settings

Customize your listening experience:

• 1. Loop: Enable looping for the current track or playlist.
• 2. Shuffle: Enable random playback.
• 3. Play Mode: Choose to play a single track, all tracks, or a folder.
• 4. Detailed Settings: Navigate to advanced settings.
• 5. Add to Favorites: Add the current track to your favorites list (⭐).
• 6. Replay Section: Set a section of the track to loop.
• 7. JetEffect 5 Preset: Select a preset from the JetEffect 5 sound enhancement suite.
• 8. Matrix Browser: Start the Matrix Browser for file navigation.
• 9. Time Display: Show elapsed time or time remaining for the track.
• 10. Playback Speed: Adjust playback speed (50% to 150%).
• 11. Seek Speed: Set the speed for Rewind/Fast Forward operations.
• 12. Skin: Select a visual skin for the playback screen.

PLENUE V supports Gapless Playback, which removes gaps between tracks for a seamless listening experience.

Detailed Settings

Access and configure various system and audio settings.

JetEffect 5 Settings

JetEffect 5 is a sophisticated sound technology offering advanced audio enhancements.

Accessing JetEffect 5: In Detailed Settings, select JetEffect 5.

• User Presets: Select User 1, User 2, User 3, or User 4 to set and save custom sound profiles.
• EQ (Equalizer): Adjust the tone by modifying levels for each frequency band (e.g., 80Hz, 220Hz, 780Hz).
• BBE: Select and apply BBE sound effects for refined sound quality (e.g., BBE, Mach3Bass, 3D Surround, MP Enhance).
• SE (Special Effect): Select and apply Reverb and Reverb modes (e.g., Reverb Room, Reverb Hall, Reverb Stadium).

Available Presets: Over 44 presets are available, including Normal, various BBE modes, Rock, Jazz, Classic, Pop, Dance, Rap, and multiple Reverb modes.

Effect Descriptions:

• BBE: Refines sound quality (Phase correction).
• Mach3Bass: Provides deeper, tighter bass frequencies.
• 3D Surround: Creates a three-dimensional surround sound effect.
• MP Enhance: Restores and enhances harmonics lost through compression.
• Reverb (9 modes): Maximizes the natural and live presence of the sound.

* Note: Extreme settings may cause distortion or noise. High-resolution music files may affect overall operation speed.

* For detailed BBE information, visit www.COWON.com.

Other Settings

• Display: Language (17 options), Font, Time Display, Auto display off, Brightness, Show song change.
• Timer: Set current time, date, auto-off, and sleep timer.
• Music: Skip interval, Seek interval, Resume playback, Playback Speed (50%-150%), DAC filter.
• System: Hearing Protection, Button lock, Sleep mode, Audio L/R balance, LED status, Database update, Load defaults, Information (firmware version, memory usage).

Product Specification

¹⁾ Actual capacity may vary due to system memory used by the product.
²⁾ Partial formats such as DSD will not be supported and the smoothness of the playback speed control may vary in reference to music tracks.

Product Specification (Continued)

³⁾ The playback time is based on the company's own test standards, thus it may differ from the actual playback time.