Alpine Audio/Video/Navigation
Since this is our first post on alpine I’ll throw out their new all-in-one audio/video/navigation solution. The IVA-W203/P1.
This head unit has almost everything. It brings you audio, video, navigation and is Bluetooth enabled, Ipod ready, Satellite Radio ready, HD Radio Ready, not to mention a basic AM/FM tuner.
Audio
This thing will play your CD’s, your MP3 files from your Ipod via the dedicated source, accepts HD radio signals, is Satellite Radio ready, and is Bluetooth enabled for hands free talking on your cell phone. You will of course need to purchase separate accessories in order to take advantage of the Satellite Radio, HD Radio and Ipod capabilities. It pumps all this out a 50wX4. The full specs are below.
Video
What can I say really, but I plays your favorite DVD’s on a high quality 6.5 inch screen.
Navigation
The navigation feature is simple to use with easy to follow menus and clear maps with turn by turn voice commands also. The removable drive allows you connect to your home computer via USB to update maps and points of interest.
All in all the IVA-W203/P1 looks like a killer piece. It ought to be for the $1,200.00 suggested retail price, but it does have just about everything. I would have like to have seen a USB port to access music files from a flash drive and if you want satellite radio, HD radio or to be able to hook your Ipod to it you will have to spend extra, but I guess most other players out there require extra gear too. Visit alpine-usa.com to learn more. Read more
Fusion iPod In-Dash Reciever
I’m torn about what I think of this in-dash receiver from Fusion. You actually plug your iPod inside of the receiver. At first I thought it was cool; however, I kind of like being able to put hands on the iPod. And, sometimes I’ve been known to drop a new CD into my car stereo.
I’d say this is a certainly a niche product. Don’t worry, it’s not compatible with the iPhone . . . yet. I guarantee you I won’t be stuffing my iPhone into this device. 
Docking your iPod inside the head unit not only provides a secure, protected location for your iPod inside your vehicle, but also eliminates unnecessary cables and installation hassle.
With your iPod docked and charging inside the CA-IP500, a completely integrated user-interface mirrors the menu system of the iPod, ensuring simple control of your iPod directly from the head unit. Additionally, a dual function rotary knob / joystick replicates the function of an iPod click-wheel, making it effortless to navigate.
This 50W x 4 MOSFET iPod Receiver also combines the benefit of an AM/FM tuner and RDS, and features an OLED screen. Providing a greater brightness and contrast as well as a significantly wider viewing angle than conventional LCD screens, the OLED screen displays excellent graphics and improves menu navigation. SRS Wow Sound Shaping produces simulated surround sound to greatly enhance the audio experience.
CD Quality MP3 Audio From Pioneer
I am sure there are a lot of you audio buffs out there like me that are disappointed at times in the audio quality of our mp3 players. Pioneer has a patented technology in many of there products that restores much of the clarity of the compressed audio of our mp3’s called Advanced Sound Retriever.
A typical compressed audio track from your iPod is usually encoded at 128 or 256kbps. To scale down the size of each song, much of the high frequency information and harmonic frequencies is often cut out. This means that, depending on the bit rate of the compressed audio file, you’re usually only listening to a fraction of the information present in the original studio recording.
Onkyo TX-SR506 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver
The Onkyo TX-SR506 is 7.1 channel A/V receiver that packs in 75 watts per channel. You get 2 component video inputs and 3 HDMI inputs, along with 2 optical and 2 coax digital audio inputs. The 506 includes dual-source Powered Zone 2 capability, which allows the receiver’s rear surround amplifier channels to power stereo speakers in a second room while still listening to 5.1-channel sound in the main zone. The TX-SR506 also includes HDMI pass-through, which has the ability to transmit 1080p video and Deep-Color data, but requires a separate connection for audio signals. Onkyo is a clear leader in the AV receiver realm and the TX-SR506 is no exception to this rule. Check out some of the reviews below for more on this great receiver.
Onkyo TX-SR506 Reviews
The latest incarnation of Onkyo’s budget AV receiver remains every bit as desirable thanks to superb cinema sound.
OK, you have a game room, bedroom or other location where you want the benefits of a good receiver but don’t want to bust the bank. This is it.
So you can have 10 Wonderbras or an Onkyo 506 - either way, you’ll have lots of fun with the installation!
Where to Buy the Onkyo TX-SR506
reAmped recommends Amazon.com for AV gear. They’ve typically got the best legitimate prices around and offer excellent customer service. Order the Onkyo TX-SR506 at Amazon by clicking here.
Onkyo TX-SR605 7.1 Channel AV Receiver
The Onkyo TX-SR605 AV receiver sits just under Onkyo’s outstanding SR705 as the more affordable, and perhaps practical, sibling. The TX-SR605 provides emodies versatility with features such as multi-room playback, a full connectivity suite (with switching and upconversion), satellite radio connectivity, room calibration and integrated system control.
As for features, the TX-SR605 offers two HDMI v1.3a input, three component video, five S-Video, and five composite video inputs. There is upconversion of all composite and S-video inputs to both HDMI and HD-quality component video to eliminate the need for multiple redundant video connections to modern video displays. For displays that are not compatible with 480i video, the receiver also provides Faroudja DCDi de-interlacing circuitry to convert 480i signals to progressive scan. There are a total of five digital audio inputs, as well as five A/V and two audio-only analog inputs. Front panel A/V inputs, including optical digital jack, allow easy connection of A/V or audio devices such as a camcorder or portable mp3 player. Read more
Sony STR-DG820 AV Receiver
Sony Europe has announced a trio of new AV receivers, led by the powerful DG820. The headline features for this new AV receiver are as follows:
- High Definition Audio decoding: Dolby True HD, dts Master Audio and eight-channel Linear PCM
- HDMI v1.3 capability: four inputs, one output, with support for 1080p 24fps, Deep Colour/x.v. Colour
- Complete system control via BRAVIA Sync HDMI connection
- Digital Cinema Auto Calibration for fast, simple and accurate automatic set-up
- Digital Media Port connection for portable devices, plus Portable Audio Enhancer
- Enhanced surround modes: Digital Cinema EX, plus Neural-THX® Surround
- 7x 100W amplification
For more details on the DG820 AV receiver and its smaller siblings, check out the press release below. Read more
Sony STRDG720 7.1 AV Receiver
The Sony STRDG720 7.1 AV receiver is a feature-packed, reasonably priced home theater receiver. The receiver features HDMI with “Active Intelligence” and 1080/24p signal capability, making it compatible with Blu-ray Disc, the Playstation 3 and other HD sources. The STR-DG720 features 3 HDMI inputs and decodes uncompressed audio (LPCM via HDMI) so you can hear the original mix of Blu-ray Discs. Read more
Pioneer Premier FH-P800BT Double-DIN CD Receiver
The picture speaks for itself with Pioneer’s top double-din receiver with great looks, a large control wheel and easy to read display. The suggested retail is $350.00, but one can be had for about $250 at sources such as Amazon. On to the highlights…
Features
- Bluetooth Wireless Technology - Hands-free calling;Stream music via your AVRCP and A2DP compatible devices
- Advanced Sound Retriever - Equipped with Pioneer’s Advanced Sound Retriever technology, the FH-P800BT enhances audio reproduction from all of your highly compressed MP3, WMA and AAC files stored on USB memory device, iPod and portable digital players.
- USB Direct Control for iPod and more - With the FH-P800BT’s USB 2.0 port directly connect you iPod, jump drive and other portable music players.
- Satellite and HD Radio Ready - Get clear digital audio through the antenna with XM, Sirius and HD radio
- 7-Way Rotary Commander - File search and access are quick and convenient with the large rotary control.
- Premier Two-Year Warranty
- 3 RCA Hi-Volt preouts
- Two-Way Crossover with separate High and Low Pass settings.
- Built-in MOSFET 50 W x 4 amplifier
- Supertuner® IIID advanced analog and digital processing assure superior imaging, less distortion and noise, and stronger, smoother broadcast signal reception.
Kenwood KDC-BT838U In-dash CD Receiver with Bluetooth
Kenwood has just announced the flagship of there new in-dash CD collection. It’s the KDC-BT838U and it’s loaded with lots of great features like integrated Bluetooth by Parrot and enhanced multi-line display capabilities. Other features include USB Direct Control for portable music devices, interactive illumination effect, and a multi-control wheel that makes finding music fast and easy.
Key Features
- Built-in Bluetooth Interface with AD2P Music Streaming
- USB Direct Connection for best control over music storage devices
- Simple 1-wire Connection to iPod
- Interactive Illumination Effect and Three Lines of Text
- Aux input for portable players like iPod
- Multi-function Control Wheel for easier operation
- 3 - 2.5V RCA pre-outs for system expansion
- Satellite Radio and HD Radio Ready
- Remote control included
Press Release
Long Beach, CA, (May 30, 2008) - Kenwood USA Corporation announced the delivery and immediate availability of the new KDC-BT838U, a premium-level in-dash CD receiver with integrated Bluetooth and enhanced multi-line display capabilities.
“Entry-level integrated Bluetooth solutions have not always met consumer expectations,” said Keith Lehmann, Senior Vice President of Kenwood’s Consumer Electronics Sector. “Consumers demand more from today’s new technologies, and Kenwood’s new KDC-BT838U delivers full Bluetooth functionality, convenience and safety that the higher-end customer requires. By partnering with industry-leader Parrot, Kenwood now delivers the best in Bluetooth as well as the best in audio performance and connectivity.”
The KDC-BT838U is ideal for use with Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and capable of supporting streaming wireless audio from another Bluetooth device through A2DP compatibility. A highly visible, three-line full-dot display provides the ability to view address book names and call status as well as full telephone numbers. High-speed USB connectivity allows seamless control and integration of iPod, USB mass storage and many other portable media devices.
The KDC-BT838U is Satellite Radio and HD Radio Ready and is available now.
Harman Kardon New AVR 354, AVR 254 and AVR 154 Receivers
Harman Kardon has released two new 7.1-channel audio/video receivers, the AVR 354 and AVR 254, along with a new 5.1-channel audio/video receiver, the AVR 154. Also new, are the HK 3490 and HK 3390 stereo receivers. The 7.1 channel models feature HDMI 1.3a capability, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding and a new graphical on-screen menu system.
Harman Kardon AVR 354 Key Features
- 75 watts per channel
- 3 HDMI inputs
- 3 component inputs
- 1080p upscaling
- Bridge II docking station for iPod
- XM Ready
Harman Kardon AVR 254 Key Features
- 65 watts per channel - Stereo Mode
- 50 watts per channel - Surround Sound Mode
- 3 HDMI inputs
- 2 component inputs
- 1080p upscaling
- XM Ready
Harman Kardon AVR 154 Key Features
- 40 watts per channel - Stereo Mode
- 30 watts per channel - Surround Sound Mode
- 3 HDMI inputs
- 2 component inputs
HK 3390 Key Features
- 80 watts per channel
- Front panel inputs for video games and MP3 players
HK 3490 Key Features
- 120 watts per channel @ 8 ohms (150 watts @ 4 ohms)
- digitial-audio inputs
- The Bridge II docking station compatible (not included)
- XM Ready
- video switching
- dual subwoofer outputs
- Dolby Virtual Speaker technology
Suggested retail pricing for the new Harman Kardon receivers is as follows: AVR 354, $899; AVR 254, $649; AVR 154, $399 (available late spring 2008); HK 3490 , $499; HK 3390, $399 (available May 2008).
