Zeppelin

Owners manual

1
Contents Topic Page

Welcome 3

iPod/iPhone compatibility 4

Correct handling 5

A tour of Zeppelin 6

Turning on the remote 7

Setting up 8

Docking an iPod/iPhone 9

Controlling the volume level 10

Navigating tracks on your iPod/iPhone 11

Outputting video 12

Streaming content from the Internet 13

Connecting a second source 14

Playback from a second source 15

Remote handset summary 16

LED signal summary 17

Taking calls on an iPhone 18

Adjusting the sound 19

Cleaning Zeppelin 20

Upgrading Zeppelin software 21

Environmental information 22

Troubleshooting 23
Welcome Thank you for purchasing Zeppelin and welcome to Unlike most other one-piece iPod docking devices,
B&W Bowers & Wilkins. Zeppelin incorporates a full 3-way stereo speaker
The iPod® and iPhone™ are great music sources system. Left and right channels have individual
on the move, but when you’re at home or in the midrange and tweeter drivers, while the bass of
office, or you want to share your music with friends both is handled by a single central bass driver.
and family, earphones are not convenient. There Together with the efficient and cool running
are many products on the market that allow you to switching amplifier, this ensures extremely high
dock your iPod or iPhone and hear your favourite quality, room filling sound.
music without earphones, but it’s usually a choice The unique universal support bracket securely
between hi-fi separates with their bulk and trailing holds all compatible iPods/iPhones without
wires or one-box solutions that don’t do justice to adaptors or adjustment and gives the user freedom
the player’s capabilities. to operate the player’s own controls as easily as if it
Zeppelin is different. It’s a one-box product with were in the hand.
the Bowers & Wilkins name. That means you’ll Video iPods and iPhones benefit from Zeppelin’s
experience impact and clarity, involving spatial video output sockets, allowing the user to transfer
qualities most often missing when listening through images to a television.
headphones or less-capable loudspeaker systems. Additional music sources such as MP3 players,
And it’s ‘Made for iPod’, which means that Apple portable CD players and laptops may be played
Inc. has certified it for seamless use with today’s through Zeppelin using the AUX socket at the
most popular music source. rear. Both analogue and digital connections are
With its airship-inspired shape, distinctively styled supported by the same socket.
by Native Design, London, Zeppelin is simple and There are different hardware versions of
intuitive to use. But before you immerse yourself Zeppelin, which may be identified by referring to
in its great sound, please take a moment to read the serial number label (see page 6 for location),
through this manual. You should also familiarise and there are some differences in operation.
yourself with the safety instructions supplied with This manual applies to all versions of
the product. Zeppelin, but assumes that the software has
been upgraded to version 2.1. It supersedes any
printed manual supplied with the product and any
previous on-line versions.

3
iPod/iPhone compatibility We have separated the different types of iPod/
iPhone into groups, which we will use throughout
the manual to describe differences in the way the
various models interact with Zeppelin.
Group A Use this table to identify which group your iPod/
iPhone belongs to.
Group A models lack the standard 30-pin socket
and will not dock with Zeppelin at all. Although
the iPod 3rd generation of Group B has the 30-
pin socket, Zeppelin cannot charge it because
Group B it requires Firewire® and Zeppelin supports only
the latest USB charging. There are also software
conflicts between this iPod and Zeppelin software
v.2.0 and later. However, you can play these
models through Zeppelin by connecting their
headphone output to Zeppelin’s AUX socket. See
Group C the section Connecting a second source.
To ensure maximum functionality, we
recommend you keep your iPod/iPhone software
up to date. Check for upgrades in iTunes.
Zeppelins with serial number beginning Z-2 are
‘Works with iPhone’ certified. Earlier versions are
Group D not and, when you dock an iPhone on these, a
message pops up on the screen asking if you wish
to switch to Airplane Mode. There are no major
noise interference issues between these Zeppelin
versions and the iPhone, so press the No button
and continue operation. Refer to page 6 for the
location of the serial number label.
Group E
There are differences in the video and streaming
operation of Group E devices, depending on the
hardware version of Zeppelin and its software.
Please refer to the sections Outputting video
and Streaming content from the Internet.
4
Correct handling When lifting Zeppelin, use two hands on the body.
Never use the iPod support bracket as a handle.

5
A tour of Zeppelin Although Zeppelin is exceptionally easy to use,
please spend a few moments getting to know
Zeppelin is shown with the grilles removed
so you can see what’s behind. Do not try to
where its controls and connectors are and what remove the grilles. They are deliberately difficult
they do. to get off to limit access and avoid damage to
exposed drivers.

At the front At the back

1 Left channel tweeter 1 Power input socket
2 Left channel midrange driver 2 USB slave socket for software
3 Multicolour status LED. updates to Zeppelin
4 Bass driver 3 AUX analogue/digital mini jack
5 Infrared remote control receiver. input socket
6 Right channel midrange driver 4 S-Video output socket
7 Right channel tweeter 5 Composite video output socket
8 Volume up/down rocker button 6 Serial number label
9 Combined on/standby and source
selector button
10 Spring-loaded iPod/iPhone connector port 6
Turning on the remote control

Before using the remote handset for the first time, Release the battery. Press down on the edge of Remove and discard the insulator.
you must remove the clear plastic insulating tab the battery between the two black lugs and the
Replace the battery, first locating one side under
that prevents the battery draining. opposite side next to the metal spring will flip up.
the small lugs opposite the metal spring.
Rotate the battery cover anticlockwise 1/8 full turn
Replace the cover.
and remove.

7
Setting up

Connect Zeppelin to the power supply. When To turn Zeppelin fully on, press the button, either
plugged in, Zeppelin will go through a system on the remote handset or on Zeppelin itself. When
check for a couple of seconds, during which it will fully on, the LED colour will depend on the selected
not accept commands, and then assume standby source – blue for iPod/iPhone or green for a second
mode. In standby, the LED at the front will glow red. source plugged into the AUX socket.

To totally disconnect Zeppelin from the power

supply, you will have to remove the plug from or
switch off the wall outlet.

8
Docking an iPod/iPhone

To dock your iPod/iPhone, simply angle it, locate As soon as you dock your iPod/iPhone, Zeppelin All the time your iPod/iPhone is docked and
the long socket over the connector on the support automatically selects it as the source. If Zeppelin Zeppelin is plugged into the power supply, your
bracket and push down fully. is in standby, it will automatically turn itself fully on iPod/iPhone will charge (except for Group A and
The spring-loaded design automatically adjusts without you having to press either button. The Group B devices). If that’s all you want it to do,
for all models and causes the iPod/iPhone to rest LED will glow yellow for a couple of seconds while put Zeppelin into standby to reduce power
on the back support. the amplifier initialises and then turn to blue when consumption using the button, either on
There’s plenty of room to get your hand round Zeppelin is ready to play. Zeppelin or on the remote handset.
the back of the support to operate the player’s own If your iPod/iPhone was turned off or in pause If you remove your iPod/iPhone while it is the
controls in the normal way. Note that, because the mode when you docked it, it will end up in paused selected source, Zeppelin will automatically go
socket in the base of 1st, 2nd and 4th generation mode. If it was playing, it will continue to play. into standby after 5 minutes to reduce power
nanos is offset to one side, they will not sit centrally consumption.
on the support bracket. 9
Controlling the volume

– +

– +
There are three ways to adjust Zeppelin’s volume. On Zeppelin itself, press on the upper section of As you alter the volume level, Zeppelin’s LED will
If your iPod/iPhone is docked, and it is a Group the long button, marked + to increase the volume flash. As you approach the maximum level, the LED
D or Group E device, its own volume control can be and the lower section, marked - to decrease it will turn white. Once you reach either the maximum
used to alter Zeppelin’s volume level, which is also On the remote, press the + button to increase or minimum level, the LED will turn red.
displayed on the iPod/iPhone’s screen. the volume and the - button to decrease it.
For the touch screen of devices in Group E, In both cases, a short press will make a small
use the slider volume control at the bottom of the change, or you can press and hold to ramp up or
screen. For Group D iPods, use the click wheel. down.
When using the volume control of a docked
iPod/iPhone, its own internal volume level is not
affected, but is retained at its original level for
when you remove the iPod/iPhone and go back
to using headphones.
The click wheel and display of Group B and
Group C iPods will not function in this way. 10
Navigating tracks on If you are close to Zeppelin, it is easy to use the All the controls on your iPod/iPhone continue
navigation controls on your iPod/iPhone as normal. to work as normal. If you press Play on your
your iPod/iPhone However, for distant operation, the play/pause, iPod/iPhone while it is docked, Zeppelin will
forward and back controls that you are familiar with automatically select it as the source.
on your iPod/iPhone are duplicated on Zeppelin’s For complex operations, such as selecting a
remote handset. playlist, you will need to be close to Zeppelin in
order to read the iPod/iPhone’s screen. Zeppelin’s
design makes it so easy to use the iPod/iPhone’s
own controls that there is no need for these
operations to be duplicated on the remote
handset. As a consequence, Zeppelin’s remote
handset has deliberately been kept simple.

Just as on the iPod/iPhone, the button toggles A single press on the button moves you to A single press on the button moves you to the
between play and pause. the start of the next track. Press and hold to fast start of the current track. A double press takes you
If you are playing a second source through forward through the current track. to the start of the previous track. Press and hold to
Zeppelin’s AUX socket, the play/pause button This button has no effect when playing a second fast reverse through the current track.
toggles mute on and off. source through Zeppelin’s AUX socket. This button has no effect when playing a second
source through Zeppelin’s AUX socket.
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Outputting video If you want to feed images from a video iPod or When you play a video on devices in Group E,
iPhone to your television, use either an S-video or Zeppelin software (except v.2.0) forces the video
composite video cable between Zeppelin and your content to be routed out to its S-VIDEO and COMP
set. If you have a choice, S-video offers slightly sockets for display on a TV and the picture may not
better quality. be viewed on the iPhone/touch screen.
If your iPod/iPhone is already playing a video
as you dock it, the picture may not automatically Note: Zeppelin software v.2.0 allows the
transfer to the TV screen. In that case, stop the operation of the pop-up message “Display on
video, go back a step in the iPod/iPhone’s menu, TV? Yes/No”, but was superseded due to a bug
re-select the video and start it again. in Apple iPhone/touch software v.3.0 that can
cause the iPhone/touch to freeze if the pop-up is
allowed.

With other video iPods, you can set the video

output state on the iPod itself (Video > Settings
> TV Out >) to be always displayed on the iPods
screen (Off), or always output to a TV (On), or to
pop up a choice message (Ask).

Note: 4th generation nanos display some video

content only at right angles on their own screen.

Zeppelins with serial numbers beginning with

Z-0 and having the originally installed software
will not output video from Group E devices. To
enable video output with these devices, upgrade
Zeppelin’s software on our web site
www.bowers-wilkins.com
Download the Zeppelin Connectivity Guide from
our web site for more details.

Composite video cable S-video cable 12

Streaming content from the internet The devices of Group E – iPod touch and iPhone
– can connect to the Internet and stream both
video and audio content. While streaming, their
iPod function is paused and Zeppelin’s LED will
slowly flash blue. In this state Zeppelins with serial
numbers starting Z-0 and with the original software
installed mute their amplifier and the streamed
audio content will not be heard.
To enable streamed content to be heard via this
2 SEC
Zeppelin version, first upgrade the software, which
you can access from the Zeppelin page of our web
site www.bowers-wilkins.com. The later software
by default will still mute-on-pause with Z-0 models,
but this may be defeated by first placing Zeppelin
into standby (when the LED will glow red). Press
and hold the remote’s play/pause button until the
LED blinks (approximately 2 seconds). A single
off/on indicates that the mute-on-pause has been
defeated and streamed audio may be heard. A
double off/on/off/on indicates that mute-on-pause
has been restored.
Zeppelins with serial numbers starting with Z-1
or higher will stream Internet content as delivered.
When streaming from the Internet (eg from You
Tube), the play/pause, forward and back buttons of
Zeppelin’s remote will not duplicate the on-screen
controls of the touch/iPhone. Pressing the remote’s
play button will cause the current iPod-stored
audio/video file to start playing.

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 Connecting a second source You can connect a second source to Zeppelin
using the AUX socket at the rear, which accepts
both analogue and digital signals. Zeppelin will
automatically know which type it is receiving.
Analogue sources will need a 2-core coaxial
cable terminated at the Zeppelin end by a mini
stereo jack plug, just like the plug used for your
iPod headphones. The plug required at the other
end will depend on the source.
If the source is an early generation iPod, shuffle,
MP3 player, laptop computer or portable CD player,
the output will probably be from a headphone
socket and the same style mini jack will be needed.
If the source has its own volume control, set it to
approximately 75% full scale.
If the source has a line output – a standard
‘stacking’ CD player, for example – you will
probably need two RCA Phono plugs at the source
end. If the source has its own volume control, set it
to approximately 90% full scale.
Sources with an optical digital output use a
fibre-optic cable, sometimes called a TOSLINK™.
The standard TOSLINK™ termination has a stubby,
block-ended shape, but some devices, including
Zeppelin, Apple Macintosh®, Apple TV® and Apple
Airport Express®, use an optical mini jack plug.
These optical mini jacks have the same outline
shape as the analogue version, but have no black
stripes and have a clear tip for the light to pass
through.
Download the Zeppelin Connectivity Guide from
our web site for more information.

Analogue Mini jack RCA Phono Optical mini jack TOSLINK™ 14

Playback from a second source

3 SEC

You can switch between the iPod/iPhone and a When AUX is selected, Zeppelin’s LED glows green. The play/pause button on Zeppelin’s remote
second (AUX) source by using the button on the handset toggles mute on and off. The fast forward
remote handset or by pressing and holding the and fast reverse buttons have no effect.
combination button on the top of Zeppelin itself. If Zeppelin is manually switched to standby and
See the tables below for details. on again, it automatically selects the last used
source. If that source is no longer connected,
Zeppelin will switch to the alternative. If no source
at all is connected, Zeppelin will return to standby
after 5 minutes. Your iPod/iPhone only overrides
source selection as it is docked or if you press its
own Play button while it is docked. 15
Remote handset summary

Button Action Effect

Press once when Zeppelin in standby Zeppelin turns on and selects last used source.
See also section Playback from a second source.
Press once when Zeppelin on Zeppelin goes to standby.
A docked iPod/iPhone is paused and turned off.

+ Press once
Press and hold
Volume increases by small increment.
Volume ramps up and LED flashes.
White LED indicates approaching maximum volume.
Red LED indicates maximum level.

– Press once
Press and hold
Volume decreases by small decrement.
Volume ramps down and LED flashes.
Red LED indicates minimum level.
Press once Toggle play/pause (if iPod/iPhone is source)
Toggle mute on/off (if AUX is source)
Press once Go to start of next track (no effect for AUX)
Press and hold Scan forward through current track (no effect for AUX)
Press once Go to start of current track (no effect for AUX)
Press twice Go to start of previous track (no effect for AUX)
Press and hold Scan backwards through current track (no effect for AUX)
Press once Toggle between iPod/iPhone and AUX.
If AUX selected, a docked iPod/iPhone will pause.
If iPod/iPhone selected, it will play.
If no alternative source is connected, a red LED indicates invalid command.

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LED signal summary

LED state Meaning

Steady red Zeppelin in standby
Steady yellow Zeppelin powering up from standby (2 sec)
Steady blue Zeppelin on, iPod/iPhone selected
Steady green Zeppelin on, AUX selected

Slow flashing blue iPod is paused (Group D & E devices only)

Slow flashing green AUX is muted

Rapid flashing blue Volume changing, iPod/iPhone selected

Rapid flashing green Volume changing, AUX selected
Rapid flashing white Volume approaching maximum
Rapid flashing red Volume at maximum or minimum

Single off/on blue or green Acknowledge valid button command

Single flash red Command not available

Continuously flashing red Warning - if no button is being pressed, there is a system fault

17
Taking calls on an iPhone

If you have an incoming call while the iPhone is To take the call you can either remove the iPhone If you were playing music when the call came in, it
docked, the iPhone will ring through Zeppelin and from Zeppelin and replace it when the call is will resume playing when you terminate the call and
mute the music. finished or leave it docked and turn on the iPhone’s the iPhone is docked.
The iPhone does not send call audio to the internal Speaker to use it as a speakerphone.
30-pin docking connector, so you cannot hear the
caller through Zeppelin.
18
Adjusting the sound If you place Zeppelin with its back against a wall, In the default position, Bass 0, the balance is
the bass level is boosted, and more so if it is in adjusted for when Zeppelin is on an open table.
a corner. Zeppelin’s own bass output may be Bass -1 lowers the bass to match a single wall
adjusted to compensate. and Bass -2 a corner. Personal preference is
When you dock a Group D iPod into Zeppelin, important too, so we provide extra settings at each
an extra item called Speakers appears in its end, Bass +1 and Bass -3. Choose whichever
top-level menu. If you select this option and then sounds best to you. The change happens as soon
choose Tone Control, you will get a list of Bass as you highlight the option.
level options. The selected EQ setting is retained for any
With Group E devices, tap the Settings icon other iPod you dock and to any second source
on the touch screen. The Speakers item is added connected to the AUX input. So, if you have an
to the list, but is hidden below the bottom of the earlier model iPod, you can still adjust Zeppelin’s
screen. Stroke the list upwards with your finger to bass by borrowing a Group D or E device and it
reveal the hidden items on the list. will remain set for other models.
When using Zeppelin, we recommend that
you turn off any EQ in the iPod/iPhone itself
(Settings > iPod > Music EQ > Off for iPhone,
Settings > Music > EQ > Off for touch or
Settings > EQ > Off for other iPods).

19
Cleaning Zeppelin Use a clothes brush or vacuum cleaner with nozzle
attachment to clean the grille cloth. Wipe other
surfaces with a clean lint-free cloth. If you wish to
use a cleaning agent, apply it onto the cleaning
cloth, not directly onto the product. Test a small
area first, as some cleaning products may damage
some of the surfaces. Avoid products that are
abrasive, or contain acid, alkali or anti-bacterial
agents.

20
Upgrading Zeppelin software From time to time it may be necessary to update
Zeppelin’s software. Upgrades and instructions on
how to install them will be posted on our web site:
www.bowers-wilkins.com
To install upgrades, you will need to connect
Zeppelin to a USB output on your computer using
a standard USB device cable. This is the same type
of cable that is used to connect USB printers, for
example. If Zeppelin’s current software version is
1.3 or later, you can display the version number on
the screen of a docked iPod/iPhone of Group D or
Group E.
For devices in Group E, navigate
Settings > General > About and scroll to
the bottom of the page.
For 1st and 2nd generation nanos and 5th
generation iPod, navigate Settings > About and
scroll to the bottom of the page.
For 3rd and 4th generation nanos and classic,
navigate Settings > About and tab to the 4th
page using the track forward or back buttons,
either on the iPod or Zeppelin’s remote.

21
Environmental information All B&W products are designed to comply with
international directives on the Restriction of
Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in electrical and
electronic equipment and the disposal of Waste
Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).
These symbols indicate compliance and that the
products must be appropriately recycled or
processed in accordance with these directives.
Consult your local waste disposal authority for
guidance.

22
Troubleshooting If Zeppelin does not perform as expected, there A continually flashing red LED indicates a
may be nothing intrinsically wrong. Check through system fault.
this table for possible remedial action.
Additional topics are covered in the Zeppelin Before calling for assistance first try rebooting
FAQ section of our web site: Zeppelin by disconnecting it from the power supply
www.bowers-wilkins.com for a minimum of 5 seconds and reconnecting.

Symptom Possible cause

No LED Power cord not properly plugged in or damaged.
(UK, Ireland or Hong Kong only) Fuse blown in fused plug of power cord.
Internal fault. Consult your dealer.
Upgrade iPod/iPhone software
No sound from any source Volume set to minimum
No sound on iPod/iPhone source only iPod/iPhone not in play mode.
No sound on AUX source only Zeppelin muted.
AUX cable not properly connected or damaged.
AUX source takes several seconds to sound Poor compatibility between TOSLINK™ cable and optical mini jack cable adaptor/converter.
Dirty TOSLINK™ cable ends. Clean as recommended by cable manufacturer.
Track up/down commands do not work Upgrade iPod/iPhone software.
Cannot control volume from iPod/iPhone interface Upgrade iPod/iPhone software. (Group D & E devices only)
Speakers menu item does not appear when Upgrade iPod/iPhone software. (Group D & E devices only)
iPod/iPhone docked
Buttons on remote do not work. Infrared receiver on Zeppelin obscured.
Zeppelin buttons OK Battery not correctly seated.
Battery insulating tab not removed.
Battery needs replacing
23
Troubleshooting continued

Symptom Possible cause

iPod does not respond to Zeppelin commands iPod/iPhone badly seated on connector.
Dirty or worn contacts.
Buttons on Zeppelin do not work. Remote OK. Dirty or worn contacts.
Consult your dealer.
Cannot output video images to TV Upgrade Zeppelin software.
Cannot display video images on the touch screen Upgrade Zeppelin software
of a Group E device
Cannot hear audio streamed from Internet Upgrade Zeppelin software.
iPod/iPhone back light will not re-brighten Re-boot iPod/iPhone and upgrade Zeppelin software.
iPod/iPhone alarm does not sound when docked Upgrade Zeppelin software.
Source change between iPod/iPhone Upgrade Zeppelin software.
and AUX not reliable
iPod/iPhone freezes Search “How to reset iPod” on the Internet.
If caused by a known conflict between Zeppelin software v.2.0 and iPhone/touch software v.3.0,
upgrade Zeppelin software.

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 Issue 5
B&W Group Ltd T +44 (0) 1903 221800 B&W Group (UK Sales) iPod, Macintosh, Airport Express, Apple TV and
Dale Road F +44 (0) 1903 221801 T +44 (0) 1903 221 500 Firewire are trademarks of Apple Inc. registered
Worthing West Sussex [email protected] E [email protected] in the US and other countries. iPhone and Shuffle
BN11 2BH England www.bowers-wilkins.com are trademarks of Apple Inc. TOSLINK is a trademark
B&W Group North America
of Toshiba Corporation. Zeppelin is a trademark of
T +1 978 664 2870
B&W Group Ltd.
E [email protected]

B&W Group Asia

T +852 3 472 9300
E [email protected]