Navigation Ready
Along with the the plethora of features already highlighted on the previous posts, the Alpine IVA-W505 also features the ability to dock the Alpine PMD-B200 Black Bird II portable GPS navigation device. The front screen flips down and the GPS navigation unit is stored in a fitted location. Users could then use the Alpine IVA-W505 7" screen to control and navigate with the unit. Since the Alpine PMD-B200 has built-in Bluetooth, you could use the Bluetooth technology through the IVA-W505 controls! 
So with the Alpine PMD-B200, users could integrate GPS navigation and Bluetooth technology into the double DIN receiver and enjoy full functions of the Black Bird II.
Summary
The Alpine IVA-W505 is a very nice in-dash multimedia receiver with a lot of rare and unique high-tech features. The graphic user interface is both high-quality and modern, and is thoroughly enhanced by the clarity and vivid colors of the large 7" screen. It is compatible with a plethora of media file formats and optional additional components like HD Radio or Satellite Radio. Its audio features will surely impress any audio enthusiasts and could definitely be categorized as an audiophile product.
The one thing we find lacking in the IVA-W505 is a built-in navigation. It seem as if they have everything multimedia-related featured in the unit, but missed a key factor in today's mobile electronics market: the demand for GPS navigation functionality. It's also relatively expensive at around $1000, and that's before GPS navigation or any other additional purchases for optional accessories such as XM or Sirius Satellite Radio tuners or Bluetooth module.
If you're willing to cough up the cash, you will be rewarded with a great audio/video receiver at a premium audiophile-grade level-- there's no doubt about that. Just don't expect this unit to be a cheap investment because you'll need additional accessories to keep up with the latest technology and services.
Back to Part II: Audio Features
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Alpine IVA-W505 Review, Part III: Navigation and Summary
Alpine IVA-W505 Review, Part II: Audio Features
Audio Features
This double DIN receiver features a few audio enhancement technologies that is sure to please any audiophile out there. We've already mentioned its 5.1 Dolby Digital capability with an optical digital output. In addition to that, the Alpine IVA-W505 features a high-pass filter that channels all high-frequency sounds to the appropriate tweeter or speaker, allowing your subwoofer or low-frequency capable speaker to properly produce low-frequency sounds without any high-frequency signals interference.
There are also 5 equalizer bands that users could adjust, including bass width, bass center, and subwoofer level adjustments. The double DIN headunit even features a high 24-Bit D/A converter that ensures optimal audio quality from various media files that you play through the unit. Since CDs, DVDs, and media files are digital mediums, the D/A converter converts the digital data to analog data that eventually becomes what you hear and see. A 24-Bit D/A converter is considered excellent in the car audio world, especially when compared to standard 1, 6, 8, or 12-Bit converters.
Let's not forget its 50 watts max per channel power output, 3 pairs of preamp outputs set at 2 volts, providing RCA outputs for front, rear, and subwoofer channels; and its optional ability to use the KTX-H100 Imprint tuner.
With the Alpine IVA-W505's Imprint Sound Manager, the system will analyze various listening locations from each seat and will determine the best setting for the vehicle. Since each vehicle is different acoustically, this Alpine innovation will greatly improve sound reproduction quality.
Back to Part I: Multimedia
Continue to Part III: Navigation and Summary
Alpine IVA-W505 Review, Part I: Multimedia
Alpine has competed well with Pioneer and Kenwood in the car audio industry, especially with in dash receivers. Coming soon to retailers summer 2008 is another one of Alpine’s arsenal in the receiver battle, the IVA-W505 double DIN receiver.
Display
First look of the Alpine IVA-W505 reveals a very stylish display that is both clear and full of color depth. The graphical user interface looks very modern and gives a high-tech feel to the unit. The Alpine IVA-W505 features a large 7" that is designed with motorized mechanisms that will allow it to adjust viewing angle according to user presets and controls. The screen is about the biggest any in-dash multimedia receiver could ever feature and certainly sets it apart from most other in-dash receivers.
Viewing anything on this 7" screen will definitely be enjoyable as it offers crystal clear contrasting display, perfect for movies or just simple media display. It even features a versatile S-Video input which could be used for laptop, portable media devices, or even some video game consoles.
Compatiblity/Integration
What the Alpine IVA-W505 does best is integration of many of today's popularly used technology. An obvious demographic to target are iPod users. As of April of 2007, there were over 100 million iPods sold since its first release. The IVA-W505 is designed for maximum compatibility with iPod audio and video playback. This means that all of your iPod-stored media files could be played in this unit seamlessly.
The IVA-W505 will display all media information such as artist, albums, etc. and even the accompanying album art. You have the choice of either connecting your iPod to the USB connection or a an optional direct iPod connection. You could even connect two iPods simultaneously! Don't have an iPod? Don't worry! Through its USB port and any loaded discs, users could play DVD, DVD±R/RW, VCD, CD, CD-R/RW with MP3, AAC, and WMA support.
With additional accessories, the Alpine IVA-W505 is capable of receiving Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio sources as well as HD Radio and Bluetooth Hands-free technology. The IVA-W505 is capable (with additional accessories) of hands-free calling, with call status and caller ID display as well as phonebook synchronization. The unit also features a very rare optical digital audio output with Dolby Digital encoding that could be used with the optional PXA-H701 Multimedia Manager module, allowing for complete 5.1 surround sound playback.
If you do decide to integrate HD Radio with the Alpine IVA-W505, Alpine has provided a way for you to "tag" a song you hear on HD Radio so that you can check them out when you get home on iTunes-- where you can listen to the song's preview or purchase it:
The IVA-W505 features iTunes Tagging in collaboration with HD Radio, which makes it easy for you to discover new music you hear while you’re driving. Simply add the Alpine TUA-T550HD HD Radio Tuner (sold separately, available summer). Now when you’re on the road, and hear a song you like from an HD Radio station that broadcasts metadata, just press a button on the IVA-W505 to “tag” the song. Info about the tagged songs are stored and transferred to your iPod. Later, connect your iPod into your computer, iTunes will automatically present the tagged songs in a new Tagged playlist giving you the option to preview, buy, and download the songs.
-- Alpine IVA-W505 iTunes Tagging Overview
Continue to Part II: Audio Features
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Alpine iDA-X100 / iDA-X200 Review
Alpine has always been a trusted company when it has come to car audio. They have constantly and consistently produced quality units for the needs of the people. The newer in-dashes from Alpine are no different. The Alpine iDA-X100 and the iDA-x200 continue the Alpine legacy of superior products.
Both the Alpine iDA-X100 and the Alpine iDA-X200 are fully iPod compatible and house a USB/full speed direct connection made specifically for the iPod. They allow full access to the iPod from the in-dash and Alpine has made it easy for the user to navigate and search through the iPod. The iPod connection is becoming more and more popular among in-dash units and Alpine has really done it right. Along with being iPod ready, the Alpine iDA-X100 and Alpine iDA-X200 come ready for all of the following: Bluetooth, SIRIUS or XM radio, HD radio, and CD changer. These in-dashes are ready to do just about anything.
The Alpine iDA-X100 and the iDA-X200 are very similar digital media receivers and they only have a few differences between them. The first and major difference is the 2.2” full color display on the Alpine iDA-X100. The Alpine iDA-X200 has a 2.2”, two line LCD display that offers 2 colors. Obviously the Alpine iDA-X100 is going to look a lot better and more vibrant (as well as come with a bigger price tag). The really nice thing about the 2.2” full color display of the Alpine iDA-X100 is that when the iPod is connected it will show the album art of what is playing in a format that is strikingly similar to that of the newer iPods.
Of all the notable differences, the major variation is the full color display verses the two line display. That’s why the Alpine iDA-X100 is about a hundred more dollars than the Alpine iDA-X200. Of course that is the suggested retail for the Alpine iDA-X100 and the Alpine iDA-X200 is $400.00 and $300.00 respectively. If you are lucky then you might be able to find them cheaper somewhere. Some stores have somehow lowered their prices on the Alpine iDA-X200 to the low $200’s. It seems as though the Alpine iDA-X100 is sticking around the $400 range though.
After reviewing the details on both the Alpine iDA-X100 and the Alpine iDA-X200, it is clear that Alpine is still putting quality and excellence into the production of each and every one of their products. No one can make a wrong choice when choosing between either of these to in-dash receivers.
Written by Associate Writer Seth Wilde
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