RSVCHAD
10+ year member
Member
First I want to apologize for what will be a very long and drawn out post. I’ve been searching for my answers, but don’t come up with what I’m looking for. For those that take the time to read into and provide useful help on this, thank you for taking the time. For those not interested in my dilemmas thus far you can scroll past all of my ramblings regarding flaws of systems I've already contemplated and look into my needs/wants and make suggestions.
I’m looking to put a nice system into my 2006 Legacy GT. My first inclination was to go with an IVA-W200 and PXA-H701 processor, as I wanted to do video for the back seat (kids). This package offered the time alignment and EQ capabilities that I wanted and allowed 2-zone (front/rear) and 2-source (IE DVD to the rear with headphones and XM up front through speakers simultaneously.) I also liked the fact that this unit had the full-speed iPod connection. After considering the cost of re-fabbing the dash to accommodate this unit plus the actual cost of components, I became overwhelmed and started to re-think my requirements.
Down the next path I found myself looking at the Alpine DVA-9861 and the PXA-H701 combo, but realized that it didn’t offer dual-zone capability, meaning that if the kids wanted to watch a movie in the back seat that we’d all be listening to it. I also came to realize that using the PXA-H701/iPod on a deck with such a basic display could be a real PITA.
Okay, so I don’t really need a DVD player up front or the front and rear systems to integrate with each other, so I could run the CDA-9857 deck, which offers a superior display over the DVA-9861 (better for operating iPod and processor), with the PXA-H701. I could purchase this unit for ~ half of what the DVA-9861 cost and put that money into an inexpensive DIN sized DVD player I could mount under one of the front seats to go with head-rest monitors OR use something like the Alpine PKG-RSE2 all-in-one 10.2” overhead with DVD built in. Does anyone think this 10.2” unit is too large to be used in a mid-sized sedan? My car has a power moon roof , but has a domelight directly behind the moon roof opening. Would it even be possible to properly mount a large overhead monitor in my car? Does anyone have a suggestion for a nice all-in-one DVD/display unit that is around 7-8 inches that may work well in this application? I would prefer to use the overhead mounted approach to reduce wiring complexity and I feel it is less noticeable from the outside of the car vs. headrest monitors. Now I’ve just realized that the CDA-9857 CD deck doesn’t offer any optical output and
I’m not willing to run analog inputs into this processor, so this method is out the window.
On to the next design. The Alpine DVA-9865 sure looks tempting, although expensive, it offers enough of the processing (EQ, time alignment, X-over) capabilities built-in that I would forego purchasing the PXA-H701 processor. This unit also offers dual-zone/dual source capability making integrating the front sound system and rear video system a possibility, as well as a very nice display, making iPod operation easy, but it looks like it does not offer the full-speed iPod connection. Is this true? If this is true then this deck is out.
Now I’m basically in the dark looking for ideas and suggestions. This is what I want/need:
I’m looking for SQ and I need to be able to have some EQ control with at least two-way crossovers and a rear channel output. IE F/R/SUBW. I also need time alignment that is user adjustable for each channel of output. An auto correction will not work for me! I must be able to control this function manually. This processing can be done in the headunit or via external processor as long as the connection between the two units is digital.
The unit MUST be DIN sized to avoid chopping up my dash, although I’m not opposed to flip-out screens with DVD players built-in.
I need a unit that will control/display the input from an iPod OR any other MP3 player/Hard Drive as long as it will play recognize and play lossless files. The faster the interface, the better.
I would like something that will play back MP3/WMA encoded CD and/or DVD’s.
Dual zone/dual source capability would be nice to have, but not necessary in a DVD unit.
If it is a CD unit it MUST have AUX IN to route sound from the video system in the rear.
I would like to have the ability to hook-up satellite radio.
Bluetooth capability for my phone would be nice, although not necessary. An interface that is simple to operate is better.
I’m currently employed by a company that is an authorized dealer for Alpine products, therefore I can purchase these at a discount relative to other brands, although I’m open to other brands that are of similar quality and would be willing to spend a bit more if my needs are met better with another brand.
With these requirements in mind I’ve recently investigated a couple of promising possibilities. Can someone confirm or deny that these may be a good fit for me, taking into consideration my above listed requirements?
Clarion DRZ-9255 (how is the iPod interface? Does Clarion offer a Bluetooth interface that is compatible?)
Premier DEH-P880PRS (Can I manipulate the time alignment or is it only an automatic calibration with the microphone?)
I’m trying to keep pricing for this front-end at less than $2,000 including all ancillary components (Bluetooth, iPod, processors etc.), but excluding the video system for the rear. I will deal with that issue separately. I’m open to purchasing through non-retail channels and again I can purchase Alpine products at cost, if not less through accommodation.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
I’m looking to put a nice system into my 2006 Legacy GT. My first inclination was to go with an IVA-W200 and PXA-H701 processor, as I wanted to do video for the back seat (kids). This package offered the time alignment and EQ capabilities that I wanted and allowed 2-zone (front/rear) and 2-source (IE DVD to the rear with headphones and XM up front through speakers simultaneously.) I also liked the fact that this unit had the full-speed iPod connection. After considering the cost of re-fabbing the dash to accommodate this unit plus the actual cost of components, I became overwhelmed and started to re-think my requirements.
Down the next path I found myself looking at the Alpine DVA-9861 and the PXA-H701 combo, but realized that it didn’t offer dual-zone capability, meaning that if the kids wanted to watch a movie in the back seat that we’d all be listening to it. I also came to realize that using the PXA-H701/iPod on a deck with such a basic display could be a real PITA.
Okay, so I don’t really need a DVD player up front or the front and rear systems to integrate with each other, so I could run the CDA-9857 deck, which offers a superior display over the DVA-9861 (better for operating iPod and processor), with the PXA-H701. I could purchase this unit for ~ half of what the DVA-9861 cost and put that money into an inexpensive DIN sized DVD player I could mount under one of the front seats to go with head-rest monitors OR use something like the Alpine PKG-RSE2 all-in-one 10.2” overhead with DVD built in. Does anyone think this 10.2” unit is too large to be used in a mid-sized sedan? My car has a power moon roof , but has a domelight directly behind the moon roof opening. Would it even be possible to properly mount a large overhead monitor in my car? Does anyone have a suggestion for a nice all-in-one DVD/display unit that is around 7-8 inches that may work well in this application? I would prefer to use the overhead mounted approach to reduce wiring complexity and I feel it is less noticeable from the outside of the car vs. headrest monitors. Now I’ve just realized that the CDA-9857 CD deck doesn’t offer any optical output and
I’m not willing to run analog inputs into this processor, so this method is out the window.
On to the next design. The Alpine DVA-9865 sure looks tempting, although expensive, it offers enough of the processing (EQ, time alignment, X-over) capabilities built-in that I would forego purchasing the PXA-H701 processor. This unit also offers dual-zone/dual source capability making integrating the front sound system and rear video system a possibility, as well as a very nice display, making iPod operation easy, but it looks like it does not offer the full-speed iPod connection. Is this true? If this is true then this deck is out.
Now I’m basically in the dark looking for ideas and suggestions. This is what I want/need:
I’m looking for SQ and I need to be able to have some EQ control with at least two-way crossovers and a rear channel output. IE F/R/SUBW. I also need time alignment that is user adjustable for each channel of output. An auto correction will not work for me! I must be able to control this function manually. This processing can be done in the headunit or via external processor as long as the connection between the two units is digital.
The unit MUST be DIN sized to avoid chopping up my dash, although I’m not opposed to flip-out screens with DVD players built-in.
I need a unit that will control/display the input from an iPod OR any other MP3 player/Hard Drive as long as it will play recognize and play lossless files. The faster the interface, the better.
I would like something that will play back MP3/WMA encoded CD and/or DVD’s.
Dual zone/dual source capability would be nice to have, but not necessary in a DVD unit.
If it is a CD unit it MUST have AUX IN to route sound from the video system in the rear.
I would like to have the ability to hook-up satellite radio.
Bluetooth capability for my phone would be nice, although not necessary. An interface that is simple to operate is better.
I’m currently employed by a company that is an authorized dealer for Alpine products, therefore I can purchase these at a discount relative to other brands, although I’m open to other brands that are of similar quality and would be willing to spend a bit more if my needs are met better with another brand.
With these requirements in mind I’ve recently investigated a couple of promising possibilities. Can someone confirm or deny that these may be a good fit for me, taking into consideration my above listed requirements?
Clarion DRZ-9255 (how is the iPod interface? Does Clarion offer a Bluetooth interface that is compatible?)
Premier DEH-P880PRS (Can I manipulate the time alignment or is it only an automatic calibration with the microphone?)
I’m trying to keep pricing for this front-end at less than $2,000 including all ancillary components (Bluetooth, iPod, processors etc.), but excluding the video system for the rear. I will deal with that issue separately. I’m open to purchasing through non-retail channels and again I can purchase Alpine products at cost, if not less through accommodation.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
