JVC KD-AVX44 El Kameleon Vehicle Multimedia Receiver w/ 3.5" Monitor Review

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(More customer reviews)I was searching around trying to find something that I could use as my central "media" center without having to install a mac mini in my Pt Cruiser.
My needs were/are: Ipod integration (including video playback), Dvd Playback, CDs, Bluetooth and of course am/fm. After a long hard search of single-din units I choose this model.
[...]
What I liked about this unit is you have a video out. You can hook up your headrest monitors and if you have a game system (Xbox, PS, Wii...what have you) you can hook it up to the video in that it has to offer as well (with full playback to your headrests). This just allows you to have direct connection to your cars speakers.
Dvd Playback. It is very good. Turn the car off, it'll start right back up where it left off.
Bluetooth. My boyfriend has a Pioneer DEH-P9800BT which I installed as well (A great unit if you don't require Dvd play back). Unlike the pioneer unit there is no mic to install anywhere and the quality still sounds pretty good on both ends. Doesn't matter what source you are using Bluetooth will alert you when someone is calling by pausing your music/video and showing the caller Id. You can accept or decline.
AM/FM. I was a bit disappointed that the unit didn't have RDS. I have been using a factory unit that had it and kind of miss that feature. Seemed like a feature they could have added.
Ipod. Heres where I am on the fence. I had been using a fm transmitter for my ipod and finally wanted direct connect because I could not take the quality anymore. I purchased an Apple Composite AV Cable (THIS WORKS JUST AS GOOD AS A JVC KSU20 CABLE) Of course, The quality was 300% better than before. However, The Interface is a bit slow. I really hope that JVC comes out with a firmware upgrade that speeds it up a bit. When I go to play "The Killers" it takes me approx. 1 minute to get to the letter "K". But for the most part I keep it on shuffle. The unit charges the Ipod as well.
Ipod Video. This is a cool feature. With either the JVC KSU20 or the Ipod Composite AV cable. You can watch any video off your ipod and direct the signal to the headrest monitors as well.
Pros: Great Bluetooth, DVD, Ipod Video integration with a sleek (no button look). Love the 4 setting tilt screen (great for stereo units closer to the ground)And Love the Proximity motion light as well.
Cons: For a single din unit JVC did a decent job, Ipod interface is really my only complaint. I had looked at the JVC KD NX5000. But didn't like the look of the unit or felt the need for crappy navagation. The menu interface feels like it should be more user friendly (getting to the ipod artists list has to be done by hitting about 5 buttons)
I have not used satellite or the back-up camera (which I plan to install soon).
[...]
Good luck and have fun with this great little unit.*UPDATE*
A few new things.
Satellite Radio - Bought the Sirius Adapter through ebay. Though it's not as fast as a stand-alone unit, It sounds great and it's nice to have it integrated into the radio.
Iphone Compatibility - I was a little disappointed to see that, unfortunately, the Iphone does not seem to be compatible with the unit. Maybe with either an update from Apple or JVC this will change in the future. For now, I use my usable Ipod touch just as a music jukebox in the car and Iphone for everything else (gym, work, etc...). It's actually not a bad setup.
HD Radio - Buying the HD Adapter fixed my RDS problem. Any stations that send out artist info is now displayed. Without excellent reception, those extra HD stations are hit or miss. It's a nice feature to have. Quality can be exceptional at times.
I will keep those interested up-to-date if I come across any new info on the unit.
Have Fun,
Mary

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JVC KW-NT1 Double-DIN Navigation with 6.4-Inch Widescreen Receiver with Detachable Touch-Panel Monitor, DVD/CD/USB/SD Card, iPod/iPhone/USB 2.0/Bluetooth Review

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(More customer reviews)This is my JVC KW-NT1 GPS navigation REVIEW -- written on June, 26, 2009.
First off guys, This is my very first review, so I apologize in advance if I missed anything.
I have this unit for a TOYOTA CAMRY '06 and I was like everyone else when I was trying to decide which model to buy. There were NO reviews online ANYWHERE other than the video reviews from Sonic Electronix and Crutchfield (but they both did an okay job).
I am satisfied with my purchase. I bought it mid June 2009
The screen is nice, but when it is really sunny outside, the DVD video seems washed out because of the touchscreen layer. The GPS, radio, and ipod/iphone screens look fine. It's just the DVD playback that is not bright enough under extreme sunlight. When the sun is a bit more forgiving, like during sunset, the brightness is fine. And when your car is under any shade, the brightness is fine. Overall, the resolution and colors look good and the brightness adjusts to your headlights.
On other notes... The left side controls are touch sensitive, not physical PUSH buttons.
If you have a USB cord connected to the front, it'll block some of the screen view, depending on the height of the unit.
The bluetooth function works great with the iphone. Fast and responsive.
GPS options include 2D and 3D angle views. Includes useful Points of Interest (POI) locations with phone numbers you can easily dial to over bluetooth.
I have not installed HD radio, Satelite radio, or a Rear view camera.... So I can't comment on that.
I did not install this unit myself... .... So I also can't comment on that.
If you decide to keep your steering wheel controls, you'll have to buy a separate module. Using it will take some getting used to. --- This is NOT the fault of JVC, but of the makers of the steering wheel controls module/adapter. The steering wheel control module is a little slow for the volume control. Instead of a light push or tap of the steering wheel buttons, you'll have to give is a medium/hard push. Or you can hold the button down, but then the volume increases rapidly until you release the button.
Pros:
--Detachable faceplate - for added security. Includes soft case pouch for faceplate.
--Easy slot loading disc access - No motorized CD/DVD tilt (my personal preference).
--Works with iphone. Fast load times. Takes under 10 seconds to load.
--Fast GPS. Fast SD card reads. Fast iphone controls. Fast CD/DVD reads.
--FRONT AV and USB ports - USB charges the iphone while being able to use.
--Reads burned CD and DVD+R discs.
--Allows album art from iphone and SD cards.
--GPS reads out street names. GPS shows split screen detailed turns and directions. Has GPS voice lane guidance ("get on the left lane" , "prepare to turn left", etc.)
--Can listen to music while being directed by the GPS navigation voice
--Can play audio books at normal and above average speeds.
--Has a simple adjustable equalizer settings
--Reads my Sandisk 16GB (class 2) SD memory card - this is not official by JVC though
Cons:
--No volume knob.
--Low brightness in DVD video playback under extremely sunny days. --Doesn't automatically tag song or band names from the RADIO.
--No real time traffic GPS updates.
--No video playback from an SD card.
--No button color light choices (a choice of blue, green, or red would have been nice). No screensaver choices or customizable menus.
--Removing the faceplate takes getting used to. Not a big deal...
--NOTE:(press the button to eject the faceplate, then lift UP towards the sky then out)
--must remove faceplate to access SD card slot
--must keep SD card in the slot if you plan on adding your own customizable Points of Interest (POI) locations.
--Speed limits are not always displayed... depends on your city
--bluetooth phonebook transfer not compatible with the iphone
By law you're not allowed to use navigation while driving. In order to use navigation and the hands free dialing (as well as DVD playback) while driving, you need to bypass the parking brake switch built in to EVERY IN-DASH car navigation.
Go to a car stereo installation shop and have them connect the "parking brake" wire to a ground source. This will fix your problems!Overall, I really like the unit. This is my first GPS in-dash unit. I would recommend it. Do not pay retail prices for this model or any model. I would try calling different local car audio installation shops and see if they have it in stock. Places like Walmart, Crutchfield, and Sonic Electronix overcharge! This model is not available at Best Buy or Mobile One.
I give it a 9 out of 10. A+
The overriding decision for me to buy it was:
-- IPHONE compatible
-- built-in Bluetooth
-- fast loading times (music, GPS, startup time)
-- DETACHABLE FACEPLATE
-- no motorized CD tilt mechanism
-- front USB input
I hope this helps!


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Enjoy precise navigation with built-in high sensitivity WAAS GPS, and 6.1-inch widescreen touch panel. The double-DIN front panel can be detached for anti-theft precaution. The unit features voice guidance and Text-to-Speech in 3 languages, 6 million P.O.I., Lane Guide, and Speed Limit Display. With the StreetDirector Assistant feature, you can search P.O.I. data on your PCs Google Maps, and easily add to the unit via an SD card. Features include USB and AV-In on the front panel, iPod/iPhone connectivity, and Bluetooth Wireless Technology. Add SAT Radio with an optional tuner.


Precise Navigation The KW-NT-1 gives you full-featured GPS touchscreen navigation on its detachable 6.1-inch wide screen, with coverage of the U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, Canada and Puerto Rico, and over 6 million points of interest.
This isn't just a dumbed-down GPS slapped on a stereo either. The KW-NT-1 includes competitive features like voice guidance, text-to-speech, lane guide, and powerful search/routing options.
Select Navigation Features:
Search destinations by POI, Address, Zip Code, Coordinates, Previous search, or Favorites.
Store up to 100 favorite destinations, the last 50 destinations, and 4 via points in Destination Memory.
Calculate routes by fastest/shortest route, or choose to avoid freeways/toll roads/etc.
Street Director Assistant lets you easily update your P.O.I. data from Google Maps using your computer, and save to the KW-NT-1
Lane Guide so you're in the correct lane for an exit.
Speed Limit Display and speed alert


Quality Entertainment
CD/DVD Playback Play back your favorite CDs, CD-R/RWs, and MP3 CDs to take advantage of the four channels of 50-Watt sound.
If you're taking a break from driving, enjoy some DVD video, along with all the standard DVD controls you'd expect. Use the composite video output to send video to an external monitor.
Enjoy Dolby Digital sound and a 7-band EQ to dial things in.
MP3/WMA Playback With ID3 Tag Display Enjoy MP3 or WMA files from CD, DVD, USB devices or SD cards. ID3 tag info such as artist/track is displayed on the monitor.
AM/FM Radio Tune into the radio and store your favorite preset stations for quick access.
iPod/iPhone Ready Add the KS-U29 cable to enjoy the contents of your iPod or iPhone in your vehicle. Plug directly into the front of the stereo.
The KW-NT-1 provides full charging and video display for iPod video and iPhone. Allows full audio category and song function operation with the stereo controls.
A/V Input Check out content from an external device--camera, DVD player, video game device, etc.-- with the included A/V input.
SAT Radio Ready Purchase an add-on adapter and easily add SIRIUS/XM radio to your entertainment options.

Bluetooth Technology The KW-NT-1 features built-in Bluetooth Wireless technology for hands-free calling.
Transfer your phonebook via Bluetooth to the KW-NT-1 (up to 100 numbers). Enter a number directly from the unit's screen, or dial by phonebook, dialed calls, received calls, or POI info.
Included is a high-sensitivity external wired microphone to get you set up right away.

Plenty of Power and Room to Grow You'll get a wild ride out of the on-board MOS-FET amplifier, with 50 Watts peak through four channels (20W RMS x 4). But if you do want more, six gold-plated preamp outputs are included (front, rear, and subwoofer) for connecting to external amps.
On the video front, you'll get a composite output. Add a second monitor to the back seat and you're set.
You can also make things more safe and convenient with a rear-view camera or steering wheel remote.
What's in the Box KW-NT-1 Main Unit, Sleeve, Brackets, Monitor Panel and Soft Case, Trim Plate, Power Cord, AV I/O Cord, Crimp Connector, GPS Antenna, 3.5mm A/V Mini Cord, Microphone, Microphone Clip, Microphone Holder, Installation Hardware, User's Manual, Installation Manual

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