CES 2009

(Credit: Alpine USA)

The Alpine iXA-W404 takes the fantastic interface of Alpine's line of digital media receivers, stretches it vertically, and adds a new feature: a touch screen.

Now, you can control the unit using the lightning fast double-encoder knob or by lightly dragging your finger across and tapping the 4.3-inch QVGA color touch-screen monitor. The interface more or less apes Apple's coverflow, so users of iPods and iTunes should find it familiar.

The unit, like all of Alpine's digital media receivers, features a full-speed USB connection that's optimized for iPod, which you'll be getting a great deal of mileage out of due to the iXA-W404's lack of an optical drive.

Bluetooth handsfree, HD Radio with iTunes tagging, and satellite radio add-on modules are available, as is Alpine's IMPRINT digital-audio processing module. Final pricing for the unit is still up in the air.

In other news, Alpine has also released its iDA-X305. This is, for all intents and purposes, identical to the current iDA-X100 with the exceptions of an updated aesthetic, 5 more watts of max power (now 50 watt by 4 channels), and a "Works with iPhone" sticker on the box, which is interesting because, if we're not mistaken, the previous iDA-X100 and iDA-X100 already unofficially supported the iPhone.

Sony stopped by the Car Tech booth at CES 2009 to install its MEX-BT3700U Bluetooth-enabled CD receiver, which features hands-free calling and A2DP stereo audio streaming.

However, this isn't a one trick pony, with neat features such as a front panel USB port that offers full iPod control, Quick BrowZer searching that helps to quickly locate the desired song, and Zappin technology, which lets you choose songs by simply listening to snippets.

(Credit: Pioneer USA)

Pioneer didn't bet too big this year at CES 2009 in Las Vegas, and has only incrementally updated its full line of car audio receivers, amps, and speakers.

Pioneer's line of audio/video head units gains three models benefiting from better iPod integration compared with its outgoing models. The double DIN AVH-P3100DVD and AVH-P4100DVD and the single DIN, motorized AVH-P5100DVD give users a variety of options for controlling their iPod, such as the Alphabet Search feature, which allows for quick navigation to large music collections. A cool feature called Link Search selects music of a similar artist, album, or genre to whichever song you're listening to in random play. iPod Passenger Mode takes the Pioneer's interface out of the picture by allowing the passenger to control the iPod directly from the device. All three devices are capable of playback from DVD/CD discs and USB connected devices containing DivX, MP3, WMA, and AAC files and have 7-inch touch screens (5.8-inches for the AVH-P3100DVD).

The DEH-P7100BT is the cream of Pioneer's new 2009 crop.

(Credit: Pioneer USA)

On the single DIN, single CD players, Pioneer has released 12 new receivers across its standard and Premier lines with feature and cosmetic enhancements made to ensure improved ergonomics and in-dash integration to all of the units, from the entry level model DEH-11E to the flagship model DEH-P7100BT.

Beginning with the middle tier DEH-P3100UB model and up, USB inputs were implemented for quick connections to portable devices. In four units, the DEH-P5100UB, Premier DEH-P510UB, DEH-P7100BT, and Premier DEH-P710BT, two sets of USB inputs were employed. This powerful feature gives users great flexibility to connect an iPod and iPhone, or two iPods, and much more simultaneously.

At the top of the line, the DEH-P7100BT and Premier DEH-P710BT feature advanced Bluetooth 2.0 from Parrot, dual USB connections, iTunes tagging, and voice control. Both units include a twin beam microphone for improved sound quality and noise reduction when making Bluetooth calls. Voice control is available to make hands-free calls easily.

A "World's-First" feature only in the two top models is a new "Tag & Share" feature using the Dual USB that lets the user "share" their iTunes tags from FM-RDS and HD Radio (with optional HD receiver module) broadcasts with another person's iPod that is connected to the unit.

With the exception of the AVIC-F 2.0 software update which came in late 2008, Pioneer's line of in- on on-dash navigation receivers is unchanged.

Two amplifiers, the GM-6400F and GM-5400T, receive a makeover with a new more efficient heat sink, an H-shaped chassis that reduces vibration and a new red color. Pioneer's TS-A line of speakers and iB-Flat slim subwoofers are treated with the company's basalt rock speaker technology, which incorporates a carbon graphite IMPP interlaced aramid/basalt fiber cone to increase rigidity for a boost in bass response.

(Credit: JVC Mobile Entertainment)

JVC rings in the New Year with not one, not two, but seven new CD receivers for its 2009 mobile entertainment product line.

JVC Mobile's new flagship KD-R900 In-Dash CD Receiver has two USB 2.0 ports (one front and one rear) for connection to an iPod, an iPhone, USB flash memory drives, digital audio players, portable HDD devices, or any two devices simultaneously. The KD-R900 also features hands-free Bluetooth phone calling and A2DP wireless audio streaming capability via an included USB Bluetooth adapter and high-quality external wired microphone. This adapter operates as a fully functional receiver, transmitter, and antenna for Bluetooth and plugs into either of the KD-R900's USB ports. Users are given the option of controlling their iPod/iPhone using either the in-dash receiver's controls or the controls on the device itself to make music selections, thanks to a full-speed two-way iPod control feature. The list of features is rounded out with a front aux input, flip-down detachable faceplate, and an LCD screen with variable-color illumination which is capable of over 30,000 customizable colors to match most vehicles' interior illumination hues. The unit is also HD Radio Ready, Satellite Radio Ready, and MP3/WMA compatible. The KD-R900 features a three-band parametric iEQ, wireless remote, MOS-FET 50Wx4, and 5V front, rear, and subwoofer preoutputs with subwoofer control. The receiver is available in March 2009 with an MSRP of $269.95.

At the next level, the KD-R800 CD Receiver features many of the same features as the top-tier KD-R900, with the exception of the full-speed two-way iPod/iPhone control. The KD-R800 receiver is available in February with an MSRP of $219.95.

JVC will be installing the KD-HDR50 at the Car Tech CES booth.

(Credit: JVC Mobile Entertainment)

The KD-HDR50 CD Receiver distinguishes itself with a built-in HD Radio tuner with multicasting and iTunes Tagging capability. Of course, like any good iTunes Tagging head unity, the USB 2.0 iPod control is in full effect. The unit doesn't include, but is compatible with, the USB Bluetooth adapter and is satellite radio ready. The KD-HDR50 steps up to a seven-band iEQ and is should shipping in January 2009 at an MSRP of $179.95. Also new for 2009 is the very similar KD-HDR20, which has many of the same features, with the exception of iPod control and iTunes Tagging, and it should cost for $139.95 and ship at the same time as the KD-HDR50.

The KD-R600 CD Receiver features a USB 2.0 connection with two-way control and charging for iPod/iPhone. The unit is ready for Bluetooth adapter, satellite radio ready, HD Radio ready, and has MP3/WMA playback capability for an MSRP of $159.95. The KD-R300 reduces the MSRP to $119.95 at the expense of the integrated iPod control. Finally, the entry level $99.95 KD-R200 is a basic unit that loses the flexibility of adding external modules. All three units feature a three-band iEQ, wireless remote, MOS-FET 50Wx4, and variable-color illumination display (KD-R200 features fixed color illumination).

View the full JVC 2009 CD receiver lineup.