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CNET editors' review
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CNET editors' rating:
stars
Excellent
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 10/12/2005
- Released on: 01/01/2005
Touch the screen
The unit's centerpiece is a retractable 7-inch active-matrix touch-screen display with a resolution of 480x234 (336,960 pixels) and a 16:9 aspect ratio for watching DVD movies in wide-screen mode. It impressed us: colors looked vibrant, and the overall picture quality was very good when viewed from an extreme angle--a key feature, since most units are mounted in the center of the dash and viewed at an angle, from the driver and passenger seats. Even in the brightest light, the screen remained sharp. It's important to note that the Sony XAV-A1 has a built-in safety feature that disables video playback and other touch-screen controls unless the vehicle's parking brake is set.
Three buttons along the display's lower bezel adjust the tilt of the LCD and slide the whole panel forward and backward for optimal viewing. A fourth switches the front and rear outputs, offering quick zone control. For example, the driver might listen up front to audio from the radio or the CD player while rear-seat passengers watch a movie on a remote screen. The fifth button selects audio or video sources. Two buttons on the top bezel open and retract the monitor and tilt it forward.
Many playback sources
You can use the responsive touch-screen and onscreen controls to adjust DVD- and CD playback, JPEG viewing, and other audio and video options. Alternately, you can use the included wireless remote. A single tap on the touch screen brings up an onscreen menu with access to settings screens for each source (CD/DVD, Tuner, TV, Auxiliary). While in DVD mode, you can adjust brightness and contrast levels, set audio properties for the DVD player, and select the aspect ratio for viewing movies. The Sony XAV-A1 has a built-in equalizer with seven presets, and you can create and store your preferences for each mode of play. The screen doesn't have to be open while you're using the radio or CD player, but if it is, it displays all available tracks and lets you choose them via the touch screen if you don't want sequential play. The player also provides shuffle and repeat commands and displays ID3-tag information when playing MP3 files. The XAV-A1 stores up to 18 FM and 12 AM radio stations or 18 VHF/UHF TV channels if you're using a TV-tuner box.
Most helpful user reviews
- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 4 reviews
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1 out of 1 people found this helpful
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1 out of 1 people found this helpful
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"This deck is alot better than my previous7W,the screen is crisp and clean.Looks proffesional."
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