DUAL XDVD8183 Review (XDVD-8183)

A versatile and new way of watching movies in your car, the Dual XDVD8183. Imagine having the ability to play your favorite DVD movies in your vehicle without a ceiling-mount LCD monitor or a bulky double DIN DVD head unit. The XDVD8183 features a retractable 7" LCD monitor that is both touchscreen and wide 16:9 resolution.Display
The great thing about the XDVD8183 is its ability to retract the large 7" LCD monitor neatly and seamlessly into a standard single DIN chassis. This is advantageous for a few reasons. The first is its ability to be installed virtually in any vehicle with or without a double DIN installation space. The second advantage to having a retractable screen is for its own protection. While it tucks safely in the chassis, the screen is protected from any incidental bumps, scratches, or potential punctures. In addition, it protects the LCD screen from direct sunlight, which is a known cause for LCD damages. One last great advantage is its function as a passive theft-deterrent measure. If no one can see it, then no one will be attracted to it. When the screen is retracted, the receiver looks like a plain single DIN car stereo.

Built-in Bluetooth and iPod
For Californian drivers, having Bluetooth is probably one of the most important things to do since the law comes into effect July 1, 2008. Don't worry, the XDVD8183 will feature its own Bluetooth hands-free technology, enabling drivers to make phone calls and receive calls with just one button. The unit includes a built-in microphone and an on screen call status which displays the caller ID and the phone status.

Moreover, the unit features an iPod port that will allow any dockable iPods to be interfaced into the unit, giving users full access and control of the iPod through the onscreen display. The menus and controls mimic iPod controls, making usage much more familiar and easy.

The Dual XDVD8183 even includes a remotely-mountable auxiliary input unit so that plugging in all your external audio and video sources much easier and accessible, even for the rear seat passenger.

Clarion VRX785BT Review (VRX-785BT)

Clarion released a single-DIN multimedia receiver with a retractable 7" LCD touchscreen monitor that is also navigation ready. This top-tier product showcases one of the most attractive front-panel design with reliability and performance that is virtually second to none.The Clarion VRX785BT features a high-contrast LCD display that is perfectly beyond just "suitable" for watching movies, in fact, it's superb. The screen is capable of displaying your favorite DVDs and DivX file formats. It will also display other media information that is currently playing such as AAC, MP3, and WMA tags that contains artist, title, and album information. The unit will process all digital media files with its built-in 24-Bit D/A converter that could be classified as premium quality digital to analog processor, ensuring near loss-less audio and video quality.In addition, the Clarion VRX785BT has excellent audio adjustment controls featuring bass and subwoofer level adjustments along with a 3-band equalizer. It also has high pass filters and dual zone outputs allowing rear seat passengers to listen to something else that is playing in the front seat listening area. You could also expand the unit through its front, rear, and subwoofer channels RCA preamp outputs.

The VRX785BT does have built-in Bluetooth capabilities, eliminating the need for additional accessories and modules to conduct hands-free cellular phone operation. If you have XM Radio subscription, the VRX785BT could receive XM Radio signal with additional accessories. Control and operation of Satellite Radio is done from the VRX785BT's LCD screen. In addition, the Clarion VRX785BT features a USB port that is capable of receiving direct connection of any current dockable iPod models, effectively supporting playback and controls of the iPod. The additional rear RCA audio and video inputs are also capable of receiving additional source units such as remote mounted DVD players or even video game systems.To top it all off, the already incredible Clarion VRX785BT is fully compatible with Clarion's add-on navigation module. Upon installation of the NAX980HD, the VRX785BT becomes a single DIN in-dash GPS navigation unit. It will then feature over 10 million points of interest available as well as a built-in gyro sensor, turn-by-turn voice command in three languages, a 12-channel GPS receiver, and an additional front USB port for map or firmware updates. Moreover, the navigation unit adds to the VRX785BT an excellent graphical user interface menus with multiple navigation viewing angle.It is to no surprise that the Clarion VRX785BT could be considered one of the best single DIN receiver available. It has plenty of features for users to be satisfied with for years to come and has the ability for it to be converted into a navigation device. Clarion stands for great quality, and with that great quality, they've packaged great features into the very excellent Clarion VRX785BT.

Jensen VM9212N Review (VM-9212)

The Jensen VM family of single DIN in dash multimedia receiver are all specialized in various needs of the consumer. The Jensen VM9212N is specially designed to satisfy the need for navigation functionality in the vehicle without spending an astronomical amount of money in the attempt to do so. With the VM9212N, consumers are able to purchase an additional navigation module that will allow the unit to operate as a navigation receiver-- all of which will cost less than $600.The Jensen VM9212N is a single DIN receiver with a motorized flip-out / retractable 7" LCD touchscreen monitor. It features a nice and easy-to-use graphical user interface with attractive on-screen button designs. It truly gives the unit a more futuristic and high-tech look. It definitely saves a lot space since it is only a single DIN unit, capable of being mounted in more vehicles than double DIN units. The retractable mechanical function also serves as a passive security system, keeping the nice 7" screen out of sight and out of mind of curious onlookers.It is fully capable of playing DVDs, CDs, VCDs, with AVI, MPEG1, MPEG2, JPEG, MP3, and WMA file formats. All of these media formats are fully supported and covers almost every audio and video formats out there for you to use. If you're looking to use an iPod with the unit, they have you covered with an included audio and video to 3.5mm AV adapter, giving you full playback from iPod (note: does not allow for control through the VM9212 unit itself)

If you have an existing audio system set up in your vehicle, or are looking to expand your car audio, the Jensen VM9212 is equipped with 3 RCA preamp outputs, giving users the ability to expand the front, rear, and subwoofer channel into amplifiers or equalizers. In addition, there are also audio and video RCA inputs for the VM9212N to receive additional media sources such as a rear view camera, a remote mount source unit, or even a video game console like the Xbox 360, Wii, or PlayStation. Of course, we wouldn't feature just an average receiver. The VM9212 has the capability to function as a GPS navigation unit with the additional purchase of the NAV101 navigation expansion module. The combined total of the two units will set consumers to well under $650, a price that is very rare for an in-dash navigation unit. With the NAV101 module, the VM9212 will be able to receive up to 20-channels of GPS signal, thus allowing it to lock on to 20 individual orbital global positioning satellites-- giving maximum coverage and accuracy to the navigation feature. In addition, the module has 2 million POIs (points of interest) built-in with an upgradeable database through the SD Card reader.

If you are looking for an interactive in-dash multimedia player with navigation capabilities, you will save a lot of money with the purchase of the VM9212N and the NAV101 module. Besides the benefit of the low cost, the unit is fully capable of delivering all of your favorite audio and video medias with the best experience you'll ever have.