(Credit:
Alpine USA)
Alpine has just released its DPR-RDS1, which allows users to add iPod and iPhone playback to any car stereo with an FM stereo.
At its core, the DPR-RDS1 is essentially an FM modulator hide-away box, which converts a line input into an FM signal. The box is hardwired to the stereo's antenna input to reduce interference from competing FM broadcast signals. FM modulators aren't exactly new tech; my first CD changer was installed using an FM modulator back in the early '90s. However, the DPR-RDS1 differs from your general purpose FM modulator in a few critical ways.
Firstly, it's made for iPod/iPhone; which means that it features a 30-pin dock connector, instead of generic RCA inputs. The dock connector supports 12-volt and 5-volt power, so the DPR-RDS1 will also charge your iPod/iPhone while in use.
The dock connection cable also pulls the currently playing song's metadata and converts it to an Radio Data System (RDS) signal. FM radios that support RDS for displaying text can show the song, artist, and album title on their car stereo's display. OEM car stereo manufacturers haven't exactly been consistent about implementing RDS support into their units--and even less consistent about documenting it when they do--so, double check that your radio supports the protocol before making a purchase.
Because the DPR-RDS1 relies on FM modulation to relay audio data to your car's stereo, you can expect sound quality to be about as good as a strong radio station, which is noticeably lower in quality than CD audio, but still better and more reliable than wireless FM transmitters. Also, FM modulation is a one-way interface and there is no way to control the media player from the headunit, so you'll have to make your song selections from the iPod itself. Try not to spend too much time staring down at your iPod's screen in a moving vehicle.
The DPR-RDS1 Factory Radio Interface for iPod and iPhone is listed at an MSRP of $100 in Alpine's press release and $120 on Alpine's website, so expect to pay something in that range.
Check out the video of the DPR-RDS1 in action after the jump.
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Check out our full Alpine CDE-102 review.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)These days, even the most entry level car stereos need to have a few tricks up their sleeves to even be worth considering. The Alpine CDE-102 is no exception.
In addition to spinning basic audio CDs and receiving AM/FM radio transmissions, the CDE-102 also features MP3, AAC, and WMA playback from data CDs or its front-facing USB port.
However, the CDE-102's best features require additional purchases. For example, Bluetooth hands free and audio streaming can be added with Considering the "Made for iPod" and "Works with iPhone" badges slapped all over the box, we were disappointed to find that iPod/iPhone playback required an additional cable, but users who aren't loyal to Apple probably won't mind.
Check out the full review of the Alpine CDE-102 CD/MP3 receiver.
The Alpine iXA-W404 shows plenty of promise, but needs a bit more polish to really shine.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)Our experiences with Alpine's "mechless" car audio receivers have been mostly positive. So, when we received the iXA-W404, which ups the ante with the inclusion of a larger display and touch sensitivity, we naturally assumed that bigger would be better.
During testing, we found that everything that we liked about Alpine's single DIN mechless units was still intact in the W404, such as the snappy high-speed USB/iPod connection that allowed us to quickly scrub through large digital-audio collections using the double-action encoder. We also liked that the W404's larger screen and dedicated iPod video cable allowed the playback of movies and video podcasts from capable iPods.
However, the touch-screen interface is unintuitive at times, relying on an iTunes CoverFlow-like paradigm to navigate its menus. The additional eye candy of the interface seems to have adversely affected the Alpine's menu responsiveness when compared with its simpler siblings.
The unit features the capability to add modules to expand its admittedly limited feature set, but doing so can be prohibitively expensive. For example, it costs about $500 to add navigation ($300 for the GPS module and $200 for an adapter cradle to connect it) and $230 to add Bluetooth wireless, bringing your total investment to about $1,280. At that point, you may as well be looking at Alpine's superior IVA-W505/P1, which packs more functionality into a single box, without the need for additional modules.
If you want a simple, "mechless" receiver and can live without iPod video playback, we'd suggest you look at Alpine's single-DIN iDA-X305.
We just completed one of the most interesting installations that we've done in awhile. The owner of this brand-new Tesla roadster is a client of the Al & Ed's Autosound location in West Hollywood. The vehicle was in serious need of some mobile audio goodies, and also an update to the interior and some of the trim. The store has done a number of his vehicles over the years, and when he showed up in this all-electric roadster, nobody knew that there were some challenges ahead.
The Tesla is an all-electric roadster capable of 0-to-60 mph times in less than four seconds, and has a top speed of 125 mph. You've got about 240 miles of driving before the vehicle needs charging, which takes under four hours. While it is a pretty technically amazing vehicle, it lacks in the interior appointments for a car of this price ($101,500 base, plus charging equipment) and the sound system is pretty anemic (JVC-branded AVN single-DIN radio plus four 4-inch speakers).
(Credit:
Al & Ed's Autosound)
The first challenge in selecting equipment came from Tesla Motors. Because this is an all-electric vehicle, the factory was very concerned about any equipment that would add excessive weight or would draw too much current from the electrical system, both of which could actually reduce performance in the vehicle. Al & Ed's got around all of this with a clever solution. The entire audio system is powered by its own Stinger (made by Odyssey) battery with its own charging system.
The factory head unit was replaced with a Kenwood KVT514 motorized monitor with the Garmin-based Kenwood navigation system. They also added a Kenwood Bluetooth hands-free system, an XM Radio tuner, and a cable to plug in the client's iPod. The head unit's functions and all of the accessories are all controlled by the Kenwood touch screen, which has a very consumer-friendly GUI.
(Credit:
Al & Ed's Autosound)
The amplifier is a single Alpine PDX4.100 digital amplifier, which powers the door speakers and the Pioneer shallow-design 10-inch subwoofer. The sub enclosure was constructed from fiberglass in the passenger foot well, and is not visible when the floor mat is in place. The amp is also tucked away, out of sight. The doors went under major reconstruction, and instead of the factory 4-inch speakers, a set of Focal 165KRX2 6.5-inch components were installed. A set of 4-inch Focals were installed in the factory locations, behind the seats.
The entire interior was gutted and recovered in a combination of German premium-grade leather and stitched Alcantara suede. Plastic trim pieces, such as the rocker panels, were hand-constructed in carbon fiber to match the factory carbon pieces. The interior was transformed to a more luxurious cockpit, more appropriate to the vehicle's design. Carbon fiber was also used to replace some of the factory body pieces, such as the front diffuser and rear wing.
(Credit:
Al & Ed's Autosound)
The vehicle also received an Escort 9500ci "ticket avoidance system," providing the driver with front and rear laser shifters and 360-degree radar detection coverage. This Escort system comes with a GPS system that is preloaded with known speed traps and red light cameras. Current information can be downloaded online and flashed to the unit as desired.
The install came off very well and the owner was completely satisfied. All of the work was done at the Al & Ed's Autosound, West Hollywood location.
John Haynes, aka Mr. Mobile of Al & Ed's Autosound, contributes articles from the shop floor about car stereo and electronics to CNET. Al & Ed's Autosound is a multistore professional installer of car audio systems and electronics.
I hope you've enjoyed all of this week's video of amazing World Rally Championship racing. I thought a good way to close this series would be this tribute video dedicated to the history of WRC and how it's changed throughout the years--how the cars have changed, and it even includes historical data at the end detailing what cars have won the title and in which year. It's great for knowledge hounds as well as anybody who just wants to see some fine automobiles kickin' up dust and sliding on the asphalt.
Alpine Electronics broke from the pack a couple of years ago and launched a new series of in-dash radios designed specifically for the iPod user. The company's studies had shown that iPod listeners rarely listened to the CD format in their vehicles, and almost exclusively used their iPods for listening to their favorite artists.
Alpine reasoned that if it dispensed with the CD mechanism and focused on features that iPod users would appreciate, it would have a hit. It was only partially right, but momentum is gaining.
These "mechless" head units were a real break from tradition, and many of the Alpine dealers ran into a mental stumbling block selling radios that could not play the CD format. Their iPod customers didn't care, though, and soon the "IDAX" series of products were some of Alpine's best sellers. They keep getting better and better each year, and recently I had the opportunity to test drive the newest unit, the IXAW404.
(Credit:
Alpine)
The Alpine IXAW404 is the company's first double-DiN offering in the iPod lineup. Most cars built today use this size of radio, and it offers a lot of advantages over the aftermarket's standard single-DIN design. Besides looking more factory-like when installed, the double-DIN format provides more physical real estate for the designers to work with, so the consumer gets the benefit of a larger display screen, larger and easier-to-use knobs and buttons, and a generally less cluttered appearance.
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(Credit:
Corinne Schulze/CNET)
We're big fans of Alpine's line of car audio receivers, particularly the mech-less media receivers like the iDA-X305 that we recently reviewed. These receivers have great interfaces and work extremely well with iPods and removable drives, but they don't really offer very many features out of the box. This is where Alpine's line of add-on modules comes in, such as the Alpine KCE-400BT Bluetooth Interface Module.
The KCE-400BT is a hideaway black box that connects to your Alpine headunit via a high-speed, proprietary Ai-NET connection to add Bluetooth connectivity. Powered by Parrot--makers of the excellent sounding Minikit Slim--the KCE-400BT features an external microphone and Active Echo Cancellation technology for clear voice transmission. The additional benefit of using your vehicle's speakers and amplifiers for audio output means that callers' voices come through loud and clear.
Alpine has taken advantage of the addition of Bluetooth connectivity to a car stereo by also including support for the A2DP audio streaming protocol, effectively giving users a bonus audio source for connecting music phones and Bluetooth-enabled MP3 players.
Check out the full review of the Alpine KCE-400BT Bluetooth Interface Module. To add even more functionality to your Alpine receiver take a look at the Alpine TUA-T550HD HD Radio add-on module.
Read the full Alpine iDA-X305 review.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)As the saying goes, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!" That seems to be the approach taken by Alpine Electronics when designing its new iDA-X305 digital media receiver.
Based on the already impressive iDA-X100 receiver, the X305 keeps the same single-DIN size, rotary encoder-based interface, and lightning quick browsing of digital media while adding Apple iPhone support and a few more watts of power to boot.
On the surface, the X305 also receives a visual refresh with a new matte-finish faceplate that blends better with many vehicles' dash panels and a brushed metal control knob that adds a bit of bling. Compact disc aficionados need not apply as the iDA-X305 also continues the X100's formula of omitting a CD-slot and moving parts in favor of a purely USB-based input scheme.
Scion's new stereo looks well-designed for iPod browsing.
(Credit: Scion)In a response to tough economic times, Scion announced a new stereo for its 2010 xB model and a price unchanged from the current model year. The new stereo head unit is by Pioneer, and comes standard with the xB.
We've been impressed by Scion's early adoption of standard iPod connectivity, which continues in the 2010 model. The new stereo features a redesigned interface to the one it replaces, with controls that seem more appropriate for browsing music on an iPod and a better-looking display.
The outgoing xB stereo looks drab compared to the new one.
(Credit: Scion)The sound system output, 160 watts, remains the same as the previous electronics. Beyond the improved interface, the major change seems to be new sound processing technology from Pioneer called Advanced Sound Retriever, which tries to restore depth to compressed audio tracks.
Scion also offers a new premium audio system, this one from Alpine, with an optional navigation component. The 200 watt Alpine stereo offers HD radio, Media Expander sound processing technology, and a 4.3 inch color touch screen.
Unlike other automakers, Scion's reliance on aftermarket stereo makers gives it an edge in upgrading its model line-up. Instead of major changes on the production line, a new, standard double-DIN stereo can be swapped in more easily.
Scion announced that the base price of a manual transmission 2010 xB will be $15,750, the same as the current model. With upcoming competition from the Kia Soul and Nissan Cube, Scion needs to keep up. But the new technology availability gives prospective buyers an incentive to hold of on an xB purchase until the 2010 models come out.
(Credit:
Corinne Schulze/CNET)
We've had a good number of good vehicles roll through the CNET garage that have impressed us with their performance, yet left us wanting in the cabin tech department. For example, the Volkswagen Tiguan S has great acceleration and handling, but lackluster dashboard tech at the S trim level.
Instead of leaving well enough alone, we've decided to create our ideal setup for a high-tech Tiguan. We replace the stereo, add navigation, and a few extra touches to make the Tiguan the ultimate active lifestyle vehicle.
Check us out as we Upgrade a Car and tech-out the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan S for an active lifestyle.
