Alpine W205

[jdc753 10+ year member]

Looking to order this unit sometime soon but I have a few questions about the "options" that are available for it. I would like to have some sort of Aux inputs in either 3.5mm headphone style, RCA or USB or all three if possible but I can't tell what is available or what is standard with the unit. Crutchfield lists an aux input as rear and optional, so does the unit come with a standard rear aux input or do I have to get one of the external add ons? Kinda thinking thats what it is seeing how most of alpines things are extras.

Has anyone used one of these units with the add on USB input? I would ultimately be looking at adding an external hard drive? Would I be better off just getting an ipod cable and a big ipod? kinda trying to avoid it as I am anti apple, but also was thinking I could use any of the inputs to feed audio from a laptop computer as well.

Most of the units I have seen for sale used included a Pac-7 module, I don't really need to watch movies while driving nor do I ever actually plan on watching movies even when parked but I would like to get everything in one shot and installed one shot. I just can't seem to find it for sale anywhere. Is there a special site that I have to order it from?

Last question what would be the best place to buy from? Hoping to get all the add on units from the same place in one order as well?

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[BringDaBoom 10+ year member]

Looking to order this unit sometime soon but I have a few questions about the "options" that are available for it. I would like to have some sort of Aux inputs in either 3.5mm headphone style, RCA or USB or all three if possible but I can't tell what is available or what is standard with the unit. Crutchfield lists an aux input as rear and optional, so does the unit come with a standard rear aux input or do I have to get one of the external add ons? Kinda thinking thats what it is seeing how most of alpines things are extras.
Has anyone used one of these units with the add on USB input? I would ultimately be looking at adding an external hard drive? Would I be better off just getting an ipod cable and a big ipod? kinda trying to avoid it as I am anti apple, but also was thinking I could use any of the inputs to feed audio from a laptop computer as well.

I'm also going to get this head unit.

The Auxillary rear input listed sounds like the "Versatile link" input. This from Alpine.com:

Plug It In Your Alpine There’s a simple and inexpensive way to connect extra devices to your Alpine Ai-NET head unit. With the KCA-121B (Versatile-Link Cable), you can connect the audio output of your DVD player, or video game console and listen through your entire Alpine system. You can even connect to your MP3 player. All you need is the KCA-121B and a RCA to mini jack adapter cable - connect one end to the head unit and you can plug the mini jack into your MP3 player and enjoy your music.

Also, if you go to Alpine's website and download the owner's manual, You can read up on some specifics not mentioned on the websites. For instance, I found out that even if wired correctly, there is a "rear" option for the DVD player to send the signal to monitors installed in the head rest or hanging from the roof while you drive. Viewers in the back would watch, and listen via head phones while your music plays and you drive. Other wise, the DVD will be displayed on the W205 while you're parked only.

 

[jdc753 10+ year member]

Yea I noticed that in the manual about getting the rear output. Looks to be pretty good, main thing I am concerned about is getting external audio sources hardwired into the unit whether it be iPod, laptop or just straight up external hard drive. Looks like I am going to have to get that KCA-121B unit.

dayuum just check ipods, definitly don't wanna spend $250+ for a glorified hard drive.

Is there anything spcecial I would need to control the H701 processor with this unit? Thinking it would be a nice expansion in the future.

 

[SSon22s 10+ year member]

I love my w205!!!As for options you are asking about Alpine is suppose to be coming out with a newer processor in the near future that will work with their head units and will be much easier than the H701...You can get USB input through their adapter or you can get an Aux-Input through the Ai-Net to Rca plug which is only about $20 if you wanted to go that route....I have a brand new in the box w205 for cheap if ur interested as well //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[jbl_marshall21 10+ year member]

the 205 comes with an aux input on the back (composite) My friend had the usb deal and he couldn't get it to work. It only works with if ur files are a certain way and idk what that is. I don't believe it can control a processor, but it does have an opticical out.

 

[jdc753 10+ year member]

bleh that stinks on the usb option, well I will probably just use the AUX in for now then and maybe see about getting an iPod or something instead.

The W205 isn't listed as being able to control the H701 on alpines website, I was pretty sure it could though. Gonna hunt through the W205 manual and see if I can find any more information. I know it shows the optical out connecting to an Ai-net audio processor, doesn't say it can control it though //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 

[BringDaBoom 10+ year member]

Yea I noticed that in the manual about getting the rear output. Looks to be pretty good, main thing I am concerned about is getting external audio sources hardwired into the unit whether it be iPod, laptop or just straight up external hard drive. Looks like I am going to have to get that KCA-121B unit.
dayuum just check ipods, definitly don't wanna spend $250+ for a glorified hard drive.

Is there anything spcecial I would need to control the H701 processor with this unit? Thinking it would be a nice expansion in the future.

I don't think you have to get anything. I believe it already is there. You just have to get the monitors and wire them in. The manual said you select a "rear" option on the screen and it would do it. Just gotta have the monitors.

 

[jdc753 10+ year member]

I don't think you have to get anything. I believe it already is there. You just have to get the monitors and wire them in. The manual said you select a "rear" option on the screen and it would do it. Just gotta have the monitors.

Yea I picked up on that. I'm not overly concerned about vidou output, but more about audio input from an external source such as a USB hard drive, or laptop/generic mp3 player.

 

[gravelunit 10+ year member]

It has an RCA aux input on the rear. The blackbird works great with the w205 as well. If you get have an ipod get the full speed adaptor. You can get the usb adaptor if you want to go that route.

 

[doitor 10+ year member]

I have the W205 with the H701 processor. It can be totally controled via the touch screen. You need the PAC-TR7 in order to access the H701 setting. Otherwise you need to make the "BREAK DANCE" sequence to have access. It's a great combo for SQ with a LOT of options.

I was also "anti apple", but decided to buy an 80 GB Ipod to get all my music in there. First used it with a Pioneer radio, and the interfase was so slow, I hated it. When I got the W205, also got the cable and let me tell you WHAT A DIFFERENCE. It displays the same menu as the Ipod, and the search functions and interfase is really fast. Just as if you where using the ipod directly.

I think this is a great combo, and you can still add a lot more gadgets.

 

[BringDaBoom 10+ year member]

I have the W205 with the H701 processor. It can be totally controled via the touch screen. You need the PAC-TR7 in order to access the H701 setting. Otherwise you need to make the "BREAK DANCE" sequence to have access. It's a great combo for SQ with a LOT of options.I was also "anti apple", but decided to buy an 80 GB Ipod to get all my music in there. First used it with a Pioneer radio, and the interfase was so slow, I hated it. When I got the W205, also got the cable and let me tell you WHAT A DIFFERENCE. It displays the same menu as the Ipod, and the search functions and interfase is really fast. Just as if you where using the ipod directly.

I think this is a great combo, and you can still add a lot more gadgets.

Educate me please on what this is and what it does. Is it s seperate accessory? Thank you

 

[doitor 10+ year member]

Hi BringDaBoom, the pxa-h701 is a processor that you can connect to some alpine stereos via the AINet cable and a Toslink optical cable. It can also be run with non alpine radios using a controler. What it's intended to do is basically to have a 5.1 system in your car with Dolby and DTS decoding. If I would have to guess maybe 70-80% of all the people competing in SQ have this processor, because it also gives you the opportunity to have an active system. You can do anything from a 2 way active plus sub, 2 way active plus center channel plus sub, 3 way front way active plus sub. It also has digital time correction, 31 band EQ. It basically let's you adjust your system almost any way you want.

I just have 2 weeks with this setup, and haven't finished my install, but I've been playing a lot with it and basically the only limitation I can see is your knowledge and your ear.

This is the link from alpine's web. You can also download the manual or do a search in any forum, and you will find a lot of info on the H701.

http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=PXA-H701

 

[BringDaBoom 10+ year member]

Hi BringDaBoom, the pxa-h701 is a processor that you can connect to some alpine stereos via the AINet cable and a Toslink optical cable. It can also be run with non alpine radios using a controler. What it's intended to do is basically to have a 5.1 system in your car with Dolby and DTS decoding. If I would have to guess maybe 70-80% of all the people competing in SQ have this processor, because it also gives you the opportunity to have an active system. You can do anything from a 2 way active plus sub, 2 way active plus center channel plus sub, 3 way front way active plus sub. It also has digital time correction, 31 band EQ. It basically let's you adjust your system almost any way you want.I just have 2 weeks with this setup, and haven't finished my install, but I've been playing a lot with it and basically the only limitation I can see is your knowledge and your ear.

This is the link from alpine's web. You can also download the manual or do a search in any forum, and you will find a lot of info on the H701.

http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=PXA-H701

Thank you very much. Great post //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif