We uncover the newest mobile audio/video products at the 2007 CES Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.
If you ask the variety of manufacturers who were displaying their newest products at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada, the word of the show was “connectivity.” This describes the ability for multiple products to be used with your vehicle’s audio and video system. Items such as iPods, Blackberrys and Bluetooth connections, to cell phones and PDAs can now be connected to you vehicle’s head unit with high-quality sound and video.
This type of connectivity means that your vehicle’s head unit can plug right into your iPod and have access to your entire playlist. Head units with this new capability can also operate in the same manner as an iPod, mimicking all of the search and display functions. Likewise, aftermarket vehicle navigations systems can also connect to your other electronic media. For example, a new head unit can tap into your phone’s data and find addresses and even make calls from its touch-screen monitor, giving you hands-free operation.
Aside from integration of media devices, some advancement has also been made in subwoofer technology. New suspension systems allow big bass sound from slimmer sized subwoofers. The advantage is that thinner subwoofers can fit into smaller spaces, specifically trucks and SUVs that have limited room for huge enclosures as cargo space cannot be sacrificed for sound.
Although the CES show is a bundle of new electronic gadgetry from robots to 100+ inch LCD and Plasma TV screens, we’ve gathered some of the more notable items from the CES show that can give you a glimpse of what is available for your vehicle to keep it up to date and improve its overall audio and video capabilities.
Full iPod Integration
Alpine Electronics
Alpine’s newest in-dash head unit, iDA-X001 has full iPod integration built in, which allows consumers to quickly navigate through all of the digital content on their iPod via the head unit. The iDA-X001 featues a color 320x240 pixel TFT screen that displays the artist, album and track information, plus song name and larger album art. A high-speed USB connection allows fifth-generation iPods with the latest firmware to link directly to the head unit and provides full audio and has a built in 18-watt x 4 amplifier and three pre-outs. The USB connection speed has a transfer rate of 480 mBps. Earlier generation iPods can also connect to the iDA-X001 with an optional KCE-422i cable which has a transfer rate speed of 19.2 kBps.
Alpine’s iDA-X001 also connects to a variety of other media sources including XM or SIRIUS satellite radio, HD Radio and USB-based MP3 players. The unit is also Bluetooth ready and the “phone” button allows access to the user’s address book, missed, dialed and received calls. The iDA-X001 will be available in the spring and will retail around $450. Alpine Electronics, 19145 Gramercy Place, Dept. TEN, Torrance, CA 90501. (310) 326-8000.
Next Generation Navigation Head Unit
Pioneer Electronics
When it comes to in-dash head units with navigation, Pioneer Electronics jumps to the forefront with its newest AVIC-D3 head unit. The AVIC-D3 combines navigation, entertainment and connectivity, allowing it to play MP3, WMA, AAC, DivX and DVD-video discs. The unit can also connect to an iPod with fast control of its audio and video players, as well as expanded Buetooth capabilities for hands-free cellular phone conversations and wireless audio streaming.
The AVIC-D3 also provides detailed mapping and guidance with detailed lane information. It also includes nearly 11-million points of interest, including ATMs gas stations, hotels and restaurants, with more than 50 brand icons for easy identification. Furthermore, an optional traffic tuner and a subscription to XM NavTraffic service allows the unit to alert drivers of current traffic incidents and suggests alternate routes.
You can also connect an iPod with the optional CD-I200 cable that connects at the rear of the AVIC-D3, and can be operated by the head-unit’s touch-screen monitor. Bluetooth-enabled cell phones are also synched to the system with the optional adaptor and when a connected cell phone call is received, the information displays on the screen and the audio is muted. Phone numbers stored in the phone can also be searched and displayed on the AVIC-D3’s touch-screen monitor.
According to Pioneer, the AVIC-D3 will be available in March of 2007 and pricing has not been finalized. Pioneer Electronics, 1925 E. Dominguez St., Dept. TEN, Long Beach, CA 90810. (800) 421-1404.
Restoring Your Bass
Mitek Corporation
The distribution of power is one of the most common problems facing a good audio system. As power levels and volume increases, power is robbed from the subwoofer and your system’s bass suffers. For this reason, the Mitek Corporation developed the re-Q Bass Restoration device. The re-Q levels out the power from your audio system, allowing full power to reach the subwoofer no matter how loud you like to play your music. Mitek Corporation, One Mitek Plaza, Dept. TEN, Winslow, Il 61089. (815) 367-3000.
A Link To Your Vehicle’s Thunder
MTX Audio
MTX’s newest subwoofer enclosure, the Tunnder Link, is a fully integrated subwoofer and amplifier system with a unique approach to installation. The Thunder Link has an adjustable mounting bracket system that allows it to be mounted in several different angles in the truck of any vehicle. The Tunder Link can face out towards the rear of the trunk, up towards the package tray or at any angle in between, optimizing sound and space. Mitek Corporation, One Mitek Plaza, Dept. TEN, Winslow, Il 61089. (815) 367-3000.
It’s Best To Be Shallow
Pioneer Electronics
Slim and shallow is in when it comes to subwoofer technology. Pioneer now has its second generation of slim subwoofers that are available in 8, 10 and 12-inch versions. The new subwoofers can be used in an enclosure that is less than one –cubic foot allowing them to fit in limited space areas. The subwoofer is only 3-1/4-inch deep and features a spider-less design which keeps the speaker’s coil centered while it moved in the magnetic gap. A sealed air suspension with dual cones allows the speaker to have increased reliability and is the key to reducing its overall depth. The TS-SW2541D 10-inch subwoofer has a suggested retail price around $180, while the 12-inch, TS-SW3041D will retail around $200. Pioneer Electronics, 1925 E. Dominguez St., Dept. TEN, Long Beach, CA 90810. (800) 421-1404.
It’s All In Your Head-Rest
Vizualogic
Connecting your iPod to your head-rest monitor, video system is now possible with Vizualogic’s new A-1250 unit. The A-1250 is Vizualogic’s head rest monitor and DVD player that now has a simple plug in to your iPod, allowing it to play songs and video by simply plugging in the iPod to the front of the monitor. The A-1250 features a 7-inch screen and DVD/CD player. The monitor also features full iPod functionality, allowing you to search and scroll through play lists from the monitor’s push-button controls. Vizualogic, 1493 Bentley Drive, Dept. TEN, Corona, CA 92879. (800) 624-7960.
Improve Your LAT-itude
Alpine Electronics
Linear Array Transducer technology (LAT), is a new design that allows the creation of a new style of subwoofer. The LAT subwoofers are based on Tymphany LAT technology created by Whise Automotive. Instead of displacing air across a single diaphragm from a traditional cone-frame design, the LAT subwoofer displaces air using a linear array of multiple, cylindrical diaphragms. The LAT subwoofers are also smaller and are housed in a cutting-edge, Ultra-Reflex enclosure that delivers ground-pounding bass with no mechanical vibration, distortion and high efficiency for a cleaner sound.
The Alpine PLV-7 LAT subwoofer enclosure is a result of this new technology and features six 7-inch cones and a 500-watt RMS digital mono amplifier. This enclosure produces the same output as two 12-inch subs while using only 30 percent less space. The Alpine PLV-5 unit has a built-in 250-watt amp and six 5-inch cones and compares to two 10-inch subs while using 20-percent less space.
For truck and SUV enthusiasts, the LAT subwoofer enclosures allows big bass sound without sacrificing valuable cargo space. The LAT subwoofer enclosures will be available in March and have a suggested retail price of, $750 for the PLV-7, and $650 for the PLV-5. Alpine Electronics, 19145 Gramercy Place, Dept. TEN, Torrance, CA 90501. (310) 326-8000.
Easy and Complete Integration
Scosche Integration Interfaces
Scosche has solved a problem facing late-model vehicles with accessories that are tied into the vehicle’s audio/video source. On many vehicles, the ACC power is lost when the factory head-unit is removed. This deactivates items such as OnStar, warning chimes, parking assist chimes and more. The new Scosche interfaces allow the use of an aftermarket head unit while retaining all of the vehicle’s factory accessories.
Scosche also has an Auxiliary Input Interface that allows integration with a factory head-unit, enabling connectivity with an external audio or video source. Depending on the interface, the inputs can include standard RCA inputs or inputs for iPod and USB adaptors. With Scosche’s new Bluelife car kit and receiver, Bluetooth integration is also possible allowing a direct connect to a vehicle’s auxiliary input jack. The BlueLife transmitter and receiver plugs into a 12-volt charger and allows music or hands-free cellular calls to play through a vehicle’s speakers. Scosche, 1550 Pacific Ave., Dept. TEN, Oxnard, CA 93033. (800) 363-4490.
Home Entertainment Goes Mobile
Vizualogic VMOD Operating System
Wouldn’t it be cool to play all of your favorite, music, videos games satellite radio all from your vehicle’s entertainment system? You can with Vizualogic’s new VMOD system. The unit operates a 40GB hard drive that allows you to transfer your downloaded files, including podcasts, movies, etc. and pay them through Visualogic’s head rest monitors. The VMOD also integrates navigation, digital images from your home computer or other media devices. The VMOD uses an Intel Celeron M processor and has a simple plug-n-play operating system. Vizualogic, 1493 Bentley Drive, Dept. TEN, Corona, CA 92879. (800) 624-7960.
