Yet another "please help me find the best headunit" thread

[Teek5449]

Yes, yes, another one of those threads but I have tried searching these and other forums with limited success for an answer to my question.

I am looking for a headunit that will play MP3 DVDs but does not necessarily need to play DVD video. I just want it for the increased storage that the DVD discs offer. Yea, I know about hard drive units but they are not for me.

What I would like in a head unit is:

-CD and DVD MP3 playback compatibility.

-single DIN is preferred.

-simple and clean look to the unit. I can't stand all of the different colors and fancy designs that some HUs have but not a black out unit.

-bigger display area is preferred for multiline text output.

-I'm sure that I am forgetting something but it's a start.

Also, are there HUs that offer a fully customizable interface out there? One that can be programmed from an outside source like a computer then uploaded into the HU? I am a computer programmer and love this type of control over devices.

I have also been reading these forums and see a lot of posts about people who are having issues playing MP3s that they burned to DVDs. Is this something that I need to look for in a HU? Are there some that do not allow you to playback DVD data discs?

Thank you for your help.

Click to read more...

 

[PerformanceAuto 10+ year member]

Hi. Finding a head unit with the features you specified above should be fairly simple. Nearly all new head units & receivers read burned CDs. If a head unit does not, it was clearly not engineered with the consumer in mind.

Do you want a roll out DVD screen or just a simple display?

You can obtain a good head unit like you are looking for, for less than $300 easily.

Bottom line, I personally would recommend a high end Kenwood unit. You will get more product for your buck, better customer support, better functionality, & better quality. Let me know if I can be of any additional help or you need to purchase, shoot me an email.

 

[fmueller]

Hi. Finding a head unit with the features you specified above should be fairly simple. Nearly all new head units & receivers read burned CDs.

If I understand the OP correctly, he wants a HU that can read burned DVDs - not just burned CDs. I believe that's quite a different kettle of fish. Unfortunately I don't have a solution to this problem, but since I am interested in the answer, I thought it might be worth pointing this out.

 

[ngsm13 5,000+ posts]

Single din with DATA dvd? Hmmm...

not that I know of off the top of my head currently... JVC had a few called "giga mp3" units that could read dvd mp3 data discs...

nG

 

[PerformanceAuto 10+ year member]

I just went out and tested it in my vehicles...

I burned a DVD with all my music on it in MP3 format and stuck it in the drive. It took a few good seconds to load up, but worked and read it fine.

I tested it on both of these units:

http://base.google.com/base/a/5767663/D916223247155570654

&

http://base.google.com/base/a/5767663/D4539907426698171700

 

[Teek5449]

I do not want a roll out screen, or any screen at all really. Just what is on the unit itself. So basically it would just be a 2.5 or 3 inch screen for a display. I am hoping for some specific recommendations. I know there are units out there that are single DIN DVD players that you need to add an external screen for display. This fits my basic needs but was hoping for some advice from users who own / have owned a unit like this.

Plus most are so awful looking I wonder who gets paid to design these, monkeys with finger paint?

 

[fmueller]

I think what we are looking for is a HU that looks like a car stereo, not like a TV set, but can play burned DVDs containing MP3s. That is not common, but it appears ngsm13 points us in the right direction with JVC's giga mp3 feature, which they offer even in some base models:

http://www.woofersetc.com/p3776/KDDV4200--JVC-Indash-DVD-CD-MP3-Player.htm

IMHO that unit is not all that bad looking and you can't complain about $149!

As an aside, I just ordered myself a HU that has a front USB input. This will allow me to play MP3s straight from a USB stick, without the need to burn them on CD or DVD. I haven't received the unit yet, so I can't speak about how that will work out for me. I think it's a more common feature than what you are looking for, but the unit I ordered is this one.

 

[PerformanceAuto 10+ year member]

Check these two options out, I think you will like one of these:

http://base.google.com/base/a/5767663/D5783233408438059264

or

http://base.google.com/base/a/5767663/D737688374152724215

 

[fmueller]

Check these two options out, I think you will like one of these:http://base.google.com/base/a/5767663/D5783233408438059264

or

http://base.google.com/base/a/5767663/D737688374152724215

I admire your loyalty to Kenwood, but your first recommendation doesn't have DVD capability, and the USB port is on the rear...

The second recommendation holds more promise in that it is capable of playing DVDs and MP3s, which hopefully means it can play MP3s that are recorded on DVDs, even though it doesn't expressly say so. The design of that unit is not exactly my taste. Compare for example to this absolutely gorgeous looking unit - so simple and elegant, but $$$ //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crying.gif.ec0ebefe590df0251476573bc49e46d8.gif

http://www.woofersetc.com/p7618/KDAVX77--JVC-DVD-Reciever-with-Wide-Touchscreen-Monitor-Bluetooth-USB-and-Bluetooth.htm

 

[PerformanceAuto 10+ year member]

Right, the first unit would not have your DVD capability, but you would have the USB options.

For the USB support on the rear, I normally just run an extension cable into the glove box anyways because you do not really want a stick or wires hanging out the front if not necessary...

If I had the Power Acoustik unit to test, I would, but I have none at this time.

If you need additional help, tech support, or purchasing; simply email me at PerformanceAutoAcc@GMail.com. Happy to help!

 

[Teek5449]

http://www.woofersetc.com/p3776/KDDV4200--JVC-Indash-DVD-CD-MP3-Player.htmIMHO that unit is not all that bad looking and you can't complain about $149!

Very close to what I am after. My only issue is the display, or lack there of. It only has a single 8 character display. That is my only problem with this deck.
More detail: I am coming from a JVC KD-SH909, which I love. Simple look while being functional. I think that the KD-DV4200 is on my short list but the 8 character one line display is a step back from my current 10 character 2 line dot matrix display which I think is too small sometimes as it is now.

Any similar units to the SH909 which play DVD MP3 discs that fit into a single DIN without a slide out screen (or any at all).

I am open to double DIN but I think that these are even worse looking overall than the single DIN units and I will lose some storage space that I have above my HU now. Just don't hit me up with those awesome, break the bank, units that I would love but just can not afford.

Thank you again for all of your suggestions.

 

[andrewmoore13 10+ year member]

would the Alpine 9886 fit the bill?

 

[ngsm13 5,000+ posts]

would the Alpine 9886 fit the bill?

How would it, it's a CD player...

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

nG

 

[Teek5449]

I'm still on the search. I have to say this though, I know of all the major names in HUs but since I have started looking I have realized that there are sooooo many no name brands out there.

I think that I might have to just wait a few months until the next round of HUs are released. Hopefully I can find something right for me. Thanks again for all of your suggestions and I'm still hoping that someone will post that perfect HU here.