AK1 - Mp3 player COWON - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	Portable MP3 Player
Brand	Cowon
Model	AK1
Storage Capacity	1 GB (Flash Memory)
Dimensions (WxHxD)	Approx. 70 x 30 x 15 mm
Weight	Approx. 30 g (without battery)
Audio Formats Supported	MP3, WMA, OGG, WAV
Power Source	1x AAA Battery (Alkaline or NiMH)
Battery Life	Up to 20 hours (MP3 playback)
Display	Monochrome LCD, 128x64 pixels
Connectivity	USB 1.1 (Mini-USB)
Headphone Output	3.5 mm stereo jack, 16mW per channel
Playback Modes	Normal, Repeat, Shuffle, Intro
Equalizer Presets	Normal, Rock, Classic, Pop, Jazz, User EQ
FM Radio	FM Tuner with presets (requires earphone antenna)
Voice Recording	Built-in microphone, MP3 format
Maintenance and Cleaning	Wipe with a dry, soft cloth. Do not use solvents. Keep away from moisture and extreme temperatures.
Safety Warnings	Do not disassemble. Avoid dropping. Do not expose to water. Use only recommended batteries.
Spare Parts and Repairability	Battery and earphone are user-replaceable. For other repairs, contact Cowon service center.
General Information	Supports Windows/Mac via USB mass storage. No driver needed. Manual available in PDF.

Frequently Asked Questions - AK1 COWON

How do I transfer music to the Cowon AK1?

Connect the AK1 to your computer using a mini-USB cable. The device appears as a removable drive. Drag and drop audio files (MP3, WMA, etc.) into the Music folder. Safely eject the device before disconnecting.

What type of battery does the AK1 use?

The AK1 uses a single AAA battery (alkaline or rechargeable NiMH). To replace, slide the battery cover open and insert the battery with correct polarity.

How long does the battery last?

Battery life is approximately 20 hours of MP3 playback. Actual duration may vary based on volume level, equalizer settings, and battery type.

Why is my AK1 not recognized by my computer?

Ensure the USB cable is fully inserted. Try a different USB port. If using Windows, the device should appear under 'My Computer' as a removable disk. No driver is needed for Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7/8/10 or macOS.

Can I use the AK1 to record voice?

Yes, the AK1 has a built-in microphone. Press the Record button on the main menu to start recording. Files are saved in MP3 format in the Record folder.

How do I reset the device if it freezes?

If the AK1 becomes unresponsive, press and hold the Play/Pause button for 5 seconds to force a restart. Alternatively, remove the battery and reinsert it.

What audio formats are supported?

The AK1 supports MP3, WMA, OGG, and WAV files. It does not support DRM-protected WMA files.

How to set the equalizer?

From the main menu, go to Settings > Equalizer. Choose a preset like Rock, Classic, Pop, Jazz, or create a custom EQ with 5 bands. Press the Volume button to confirm.

Can I listen to FM radio?

Yes, plug in a headphone (acts as antenna), go to the Radio menu. You can auto-scan and store up to 20 presets. Adjust frequency manually if needed.

The display shows 'No File' error. What should I do?

This usually means there are no compatible audio files in the Music folder. Ensure files are in a supported format and properly transferred. Reformat the player via Settings > Format if necessary (backup files first).

USER MANUAL AK1 COWON

• Auto Capsule and COWON are the trademarks of COWON SYSTEMS Inc.
• All content in this manual are protected under copyright laws.
• All the other product(s) and service(s) listed in this manual are registered trademark and service of the corresponding copyright owner(s).
• All rights to this program are reserved by COWON SYSTEMS Inc. and protected under copyright laws.
• This manual is based on the specifications of the product available at the point of publishing it. Note that the sample sentences, charts, pictures given as an example, detailed functions of a product, specifications of H/W and S/W recorded in this manual are subject to change without notice.

Precautions

This device is for recording the driving image of cars. Recording may fail depending on given situations. The videos recorded with this product can only be used as a reference to examining the driving image.

• This manual is based on the product available at the point of publishing it. It thus may contain errors or omissions in its technical editing.
• Always back up any important video files.
• COWON SYSTEMS, Inc, shall not be held accountable for any data loss, poor recording or recording errors.

+ CONTENTS

Before You Start 5

Product Overview

Safety Precautions

Package Components

Name of Part and Functions

Installation

Basic Functions 14

Start Recording

Driving Mode Recording

Parking Mode Recording

End Recording

Occurrence of Event

Motion Detection

LED Status Indicator

Button Operation

+ CONTENTS

Other Functions 18

PC Manager

Auto Shutdown Timer

Setting Auto Shutdown Voltage

Sensitivity of G Sensor

Motion Sensor

Additional Description 22

Product Specification

Before You Start

+ Product Overview

HD-quality video recording

+ MEGA pixels image sensor is used to record a video in HD / 30fps / 16:9 wide.

Intelligent image sensor algorithm optimized for car black box

+ Operation is optimised by swift and stable adjustment to different conditions (daytime, night-time, entering and leaving a tunnel, etc.)

Multiple recording options and easy search

+ There are multiple options for driving-mode and parking-mode recordings, and recorded videos can easily be searched by category of event or motion file.

Built-in G sensor

+ This detects the external impact via the 3-axis acceleration sensor for auto recording.

Built-in motion sensor

+ This detects motion during parking mode recording and starts recording automatically.

Built-in backup supercapacitor

+ The last recorded file is safely saved thanks to a built-in supercapacitor, even with unexpected power outage.

Before You Start

+ Product Overview

Video-out

+ A video-out feature is available for checking the video being recorded from an external device in real time.

Multiple indicators for smooth operation

+ Operational status of Auto Capsule is easy to monitor through voice messages, sound effects, and LED indicators.

PC Manager

+ With the PC Manager, you can manage and capture recorded videos and examine the intensity of an impact on the G sensor.

Automatic parking mode recording 1)

+ Automatically senses parking voltage and initiates parking mode recording.

Auto shutdown timer available during parking mode recording

+ According to pre-set time, this automatically turns off the recording to protect the vehicle battery.

Connection with external GPS

+ When connected with an external GPS receiver, vehicle location and speed information are recorded and can be checked later via the PC Manager.

1) Available only when uninterrupted power connected.

Before You Start

+ Safety Precautions

This section regards precautions to prevent users from compromising safety or experiencing property damage. Please read the followings carefully before use. (COWON SYSTEMS has nothing whatever to do with any accident caused by a user who failed to conform to warnings and precautions.)

• Changing the installation location of the product may result in a change in the camera angle. Adjust the camera angle after installing the product and test the recorded images. Proper normal recording cannot be guaranteed if the product is wrongly installed.
• This product is a device that uses a camera to record video as you drive, therefore, the quality of the recorded videos may deteriorate when taken at the point of entering/exiting a tunnel, when the shadow contrast and counter light to the subject are severe in broad daylight, or when there is no light.
• Avoid excessive car window tinting. It deteriorates the recording quality. The white balance of the video may vary depending on the degree of tinting.
• In the event a product is damaged or disconnected from power due to a critical and impactful accident, the product may not work and fail to record the accident.
• Do not disassemble or alter the product at your discretion. It may cause electric shock, product damage or loss of recorded data.
• Always keep the front window clean and free from dust before recording to guarantee the most optimal recording quality.

Before You Start

+ Safety Precautions

• Foreign matters (e.g. fingerprints) on the lens of the black box may adversely affect the recorded videos. Always keep the lens clean and free from dusts.
• Avoid inserting metals or flammables into the MicroSD card slot. It may cause a fire or electric shock.
• If liquid spills onto the product, disconnect the power immediately and contact the customer center.
• Refrain from operating the product while driving. It may cause a car accident.
• Do not use voltage other than the rated voltage specified by the product. It may cause an explosion, fire or mechanical failure.
• Do not use the product in a place where there is flammable or explosive gas. Otherwise, ignition or explosion may ensue.
• Keep the product away from the reach of babies, children, or pets.
• Avoid high temperatures such as inside the closed car under hot weather or a place with direct sunlight. It may adversely affect the exterior or internal parts of the product, causing a fire.
• Be cautious not to apply too much strength to the lens and the exterior of the black box, or a mechanical failure may ensue.
• Install the product in an area that doesn't disrupt a driver's visibility. Otherwise, it may cause an accident.
• If you use the product for a long time, it heats up inside. So be cautious not to get burned by touching it. Avoid touching the metal area when removing the MicroSD card after using the product for long hours.
• Do not cover the black box with a cloth or other type of cover. It may contain the heat inside the product, resulting in an exterior deformation or a fire.

Before You Start

+ Safety Precautions

• Do not spray water or wax directly onto the product when cleaning the inside of a car. It may cause mechanical failure or electric shock.
• Always use the genuine products and parts from COWON SYSTEMS Inc. COWON SYSTEMS Inc. shall not be held accountable whatsoever for failures or accidents caused by using the product and parts from other sources.
• In accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act and other relevant regulations, users are held liable for data stored using the product's video/audio recording features. You are advised to take due precaution in storing recorded data.
• Memory card is an expendable item which needs to be periodically examined and changed. Use a COWON-authorized memory card.
• If storage space on the memory card is insufficient, previously-recorded files can be deleted in a pre-set order. You can also transfer important recorded files to a separate storage device for safe-keeping.
• The backup supercapacitor is an expendable item, and its lifespan can be affected by the environment around it. Replace it with a new one when operation becomes unstable.
• If you don't intend to use the product for a long while, unplug the power cable of the product. Otherwise, it may cause electric discharge of a car battery or fire. A user shall be held accountable for the product damage or car breakdown.
• Do not use wet hands when plugging/unplugging the cigar jack cable. It may cause an electric shock.
• Do not remove the MicroSD card when the product is in use. It may cause mechanical malfunction.
• Plug the power cord completely with no looseness. Otherwise, it may cause a fire.
• Do not use the damaged cigar jack cable. It may cause a fire or an electric shock.

Before You Start

+ Package Components

Auto Capsule AK1

Product Holder Cigar Jack Cable Memory Card & Card Adapter

Manual & PC viewer CD, Quick Guide

Video-out Cable (Optional)

Uninterruptible Power Equipment (Optional)

External GPS Receiver (Optional)

• Note that the included items may vary according to the product specifications and may look different from the images provided in the manual.
• If you connect the Video-out cable to an AV-in terminal of the navigation, you can view real-time video.

Before You Start

+ Name of Part and Functions

No.	Names Functions No.	Names Functions
1	GPS	External GPS terminal	6	Memory card slot	Slot for inserting the memory card.
2	VIDEO OUT Video-out terminal	7 AUDIO button			Press once - Audio recording On/OffPress and hold - Video out function On (3seconds)
3	Power terminal	Cigar jack cable / Uninterrupted power cable terminal	8 REC button		Press once - Occurrence of event (manual recording)Press and hold - Format the memory card (7seconds)
4	Camera lens	Records the front direction of a vehicle.	9 POWER button Press and hold - Power On/Off (3seconds)
5	LED Status Indicator	Displays the operational status of the device.

COWON AK1 — 11

Before You Start

+ Installation

1. Insert the memory card into the device.
2. Place the AK1 in the device holder.

3. Remove the release paper on the tape.

4. Choose the location where you want to attach the device to the vehicle. Wipe any foreign matter or moisture completely from the location before installing the device.

5. Connect cigar jack cable.
6. Adjust the direction of the camera lens.
7. Tighten the nut of bracket to fix the AK1.

* A space behind the rearview mirror is recommended for installation.
* Select a location carefully as repositioning the device after removing may weaken adhesiveness significantly. Double-check the chosen location before fixing the device.
* Adjust the camera lens so that about 10-20% of your vehicle's hood appears on the recording screen.

Before You Start

+ Installation

When connected with uninterrupted power, recording continues even when the vehicle is parked and the engine is turned off.

• Make sure that fully understand how to set up uninterrupted power before connecting the device.
• Each wire must be fixed to a specific dedicated location, otherwise inverse voltage can occur seriously damaging the device.

Diagram of a surveillance camera connected to three cables and connectors (no text or symbols)

Black wire (GND)

Fix it to a bolt attached to the metal of the vehicle's body.

Yellow wire (BATT+)

Connect it to the uninterrupted power fuse of the vehicle's fuse box (hazard flasher, dome light, taillight, etc.)

Red wire (ACC+)

Connect it to the ACC(cigarette lighter, etc.) fuse of the vehicle's fuse box.

• Connect it to the ACC(cigarette lighter, etc.) fuse of the vehicle's fuse box ※ Uninterrupted power cable may be purchased separately.

COWON AK1 — 13

Basic Functions

+ Start Recording

When power is turned on, the voice message announces the start-up of the Auto Capsule. The voice message also announces the start of driving mode recording; recording begins.

+ Driving Mode Recording

When power is connected, the voice message announces driving mode recording, and recording begins. Driving mode recording files are stored as normal files or event files.

+ Parking Mode Recording 1)

When the car engine is turned off and battery voltage drops to parking mode, the device's driving mode recording stops and switches into a standby mode. It automatically starts recording for a certain period of time only when external impact or motion is detected.

+ End Recording

When the car engine is turned off or the power cable is unplugged during the operation, the last recording file is stored using the backup supercapacitor and then the device is powered off. ^2)

1) Uninterrupted power connection is needed for parking mode recording.
2) The last recorded file may not be stored if backup supercapacitor is low.

Basic Functions

+ Occurrence of Event

When one of the events described below takes place, it records for a total of 30\~90 seconds and stores it as an event file.

1. When an impact is detected during driving/parking mode recording.
2. When the REC button is pressed once briefly during driving/parking mode recording.
   ※ If you press the button during event recording the voice guidance comes after the event recording ends.

+ Motion Detection

When a motion is detected during parking mode recording, it records a total of 30 seconds and stores it as a parking file.

Basic Functions

• LED Status Indicator

Category Status	Front LED Rear LED (Blue)	Rear LED (Red)
Recording	Driving mode recording Blinking On Off
	Standby during parking mode	Slow Blinking Blinking Off
	Motion detecting during parking mode	Fast blinking Off On
	Occurrence of event Fast blinking Off On
System	Booting / No memory card	Blinking On Off
	Firmware Upgrade Fast	blinking Fast blinking Off
	Format Off On On

Basic Functions

+ Button Operation

AUDIO button

Press once Press and hold (over 3 seconds)
Turns audio recording On/Off Turns video-out On.

REC button

Press once Press and hold (over 7 seconds)
Records manually and stores it as an event file. Format the memory card.

* It is recommended to periodically format the memory card for proper recording.
* Formatting memory card will delete all recorded files. Please backup(save) the necessary files to other devices.

POWER button

Press and hold (Off : over 3 seconds, On : briefly)

Turns Auto Capsule On/Off.

Other Functions

+ PC Manager

The PC Manager can be downloaded from the bundle CD.

1. Video playback screen
2. G sensor information.
3. Playback buttons
4. GPS location map
5. Video list
6. Open video files
7. Setting buttons

Other Functions

+ PC Manager

	Open recoded video files.
	Plays a selected file.
	Stop the video playback.
	Plays the previous/next file.
	Seek the video in 1-second.
	Adjust the brightness of the video during playback.
	Adjusts the volume.
	Users can set their preferences.
	Capture the current image.
	Shows informations of firmware and PC manager.
	Format the memory card.

Other Functions

+ Auto Shutdown Timer

After parking mode recording commences, the device operates for a pre-set time, after which the power is turned off automatically.

+ Setting Auto Shutdown Voltage

When battery voltage falls below the pre-set voltage value after going into parking mode recording, power is turned off automatically to protect the battery.

• When standby operation time becomes shorter in parking mode recording, set the range of auto shutdown voltage lower.
• The lower the pre-set voltage value, the longer the standby time in parking mode recording, and the higher the pre-set voltage value, the shorter the standby time in parking mode recording.
• If voltage falls below the pre-set auto shutdown voltage value during operation while auto shutdown timer is set, power is turned off regardless of the auto shutdown timer.

* Parking mode recording, auto parking mode voltage, and auto shutdown voltage settings are accessible only during uninterrupted power connection.
* The lower the pre-set auto shutdown voltage value, the greater the risk of battery discharge; the higher the pre-set auto shutdown voltage value, the more effective it is for preventing battery discharge. Set the voltage value to suit your vehicle battery condition before use.

Other Functions

+ Sensitivity of G Sensor

Sensitivity of the G sensor which detects external impacts when driving or parked can be adjusted.

+ Motion Sensor

Sensitivity of motion detection made by the device while parked can be adjusted.

Additional Description

+ Product Specification

Item Specification
Dimension and weight 102	mm(W) X 34mm(H) X 21mm(T) / 45g
Image sensor 1M pixels CMOS image sensor
Recording resolution 720p	HD (1280X720), 30fps
Recording angle Diagonal angles of 110°/ Horizontal angles of 92.1°/ Vertical angles of 48.4°
Recording type Normal / Manual / Event (Impact) / Parking (Motion)
Audio recording Built-in microphone
Video-out AV-Out output terminal supporting
Video encoding H.264
Audio encoding PCM
Channel 1 Ch
Status indicator LED, Voice guide
Button 3 buttons
Storage memory 8GB / 16GB microSD Card (Max. 32GB memory card supporting)
Power DC 12V ~ 24V
Others	Speaker, microphone, microSD card slot, external GPS terminal

DIGITAL PRIDE.

©OWON