#1430322 - 04/07/08 12:08 AM
Alpine IVA-W205 review
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TtownCLS
Dream it Design it Build it
Team SoundDomain
Registered: 11/02/08
Posts: 662
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I've noticed a lot of questions lately concerning which Head Unit to buy. There are several good options out there. This is a brief review of the functions and my experience with the Alpine IVA-W205
Alpine IVA-W205
Specifications
Installation
Installation is fairly straigtht forward if you already have a Double Din opening in your dash. I didn't so I had to fabricate a dash kit to handle the new Head Unit. I will write that up in my build log here 2003 Acura 3.2 CL Type S
The chassis has just about every bolt pattern you can imagine. If you own a Japanese car, the head unit is likely held in with bolts into the frame of the dash. Mine were perfectly aligned with two bolt holes in each side of the head unit so I didn't have to modify anything. With four bolts holding the unit, it's definitely secure.
Connections
I am using the optical out to my H701, so I'm not using the majority of those connections. You can see that it has a input for rearview camera. I will be using that one a little later. There are a lot of configurations you can use on this Head Unit, so if you have difficulty connecting your DVD player to your TV at home, you may want to leave this to a proffesional installer.
I have heard rumors that a lot of people cut the little grey box off the harness and don't use it because it gets in the way. Don't do that. Here's a pic of what I'm talking about.
This box contains a fuse and a filter to help keep noise out of your system.
Cool Features
These are neat little things that I like but they add nothing to the overall sound quality of the system. Hey, I like gadgets, what can I say.
1. Pulsetouch. This is a neat little feature that makes the touch screen "touch back" so to speak. When you push a soft button on the screen, the screen puts out a pulse vibration that actually feels like a real button. The slider type controls have a vibration to them that feels like you are moving a slider with very small detents. You can also turn this off if you don't like it.
2. Custom backgrounds This one lets you load a background image of your choice onto the unit. You will have to burn the file to a disk and load it. The format is .APN for the image and there are some people on the web who have found ways to create their own. I won't post a link because some of the images are not appropriate for general audiences. Here is what I have on Mine.
3. Track List This lists the tracks for you so you can just touch the track you want to hear instead of having to press track up or down until you find what you are looking for.
You can quit laughing at my music choices now.
The track list also works well with MP3 discs. You can view all the folders on the disk, then expand the folder to see the songs inside.
4. Steering wheel controls This is a jack on the back of the unit that you can plug a steering wheel control adapter into.
The Alpine uses a PAC SWI-JACK
Once you wire and program the adapter, you can swap to another Alpine Head Unit and just plug it in. Mine has worked perfectly on three different Alpine head units.
Processor Control
I use a Alpine PXA-H701 processor in my car so it's nice to have a head unit that can access the processor menu.
All functions of the processor can be accessed directly through the head unit.
DVD
I wasn't really interested in this feature since I have no intention of watching movies in my car, and besides, you should not be watching movies while driving. This unit does have the rear DVD output that can be connected to a rear seat screen and even has the interface connector so that if you buy a touch screen for the rear, the menu buttons on the touch screen will control the DVD from the rear seat. The screen quality on the W205 is quite good.
The unit sounds great to me. I am using the optical out, so I'm not using the internal amp or even the pre out. That means I can't really speak for how well it works in those configurations. My past experience tells me that it would do very well. This unit uses Alpine's 24 bit DAC so I wouldn't think twice about using the analog section on the head unit.
Other Features
The W205 has a docking port inside for the Blackbird PMD-B200 Nav unit.
I'm not using this feature because the factory Acura Nav unit is actually the better DVD based Alpine Nav system. I prefer to keep it. I will be adding the PMD-B200 in my truck and I will post my thoughts then.
The Blackbird docks into a port just above the disk slot.
The maps are then displayed on the W205 screen.
If you use the Blackbird with the W205, you also get Bluetooth for your phone without adding another module. The Blackbird also displays traffic information using the RDS system.
Features available with add-on modules
HD radio using the TUA-T500HD module.
Sat radio using the KCA-SC100
Bluetooth using the KCE-300BT
USB music through memory sticks or external hard drive using the KCA-620M. I have used this one. It works pretty good with smaller memory sticks but is lacking a few features I would like. It doesn't remember the last track you played or which folder you were in when you turn the car off. That means each time you get in the car and turn the unit on, you have to search back to where you were. It also had some difficulty reading all files on a 4Gig memory stick. I'm told these will be fixed with a firmware update soon.
Full speed IPOD connection with just a cable. the KCE-422i cable plugs directly into the W205 and allows full speed control of your Ipod.
It will also work with your iPhone. Here is a note from the Alpine web site about using your iPhone with the W205
For iPhone Users:
A message will be displayed on the iPhone whenever it is plugged in to an Alpine product via Full Speed iPod cable.This is a normal iPhone function, and neither the iPhone nor the Alpine unit will be damaged by this connection. If you do not turn "ON" airplane mode, you may hear radio interference through your sound system.
Reference: From the iPhone User Manual
If the iPhone shows a message saying "This accessory is not made to work with iPhone".
If you connect iPhone to an accessory not specifically made for it, iPhone may ask if you want to turn "ON" airplane mode. This is to eliminate radio interference from cellular signals coming from iPhone. You may be able to use iPhone with the accessory whether or not you turn "ON" airplane mode. If you turn "ON" airplane mode, you won't be able to make calls, send or receive text messages, access the internet. or use Bluetooth devices with iPhone until you disconnect iPhone from the accessory or turn off airplane mode.
Doesn't sound like a big deal to me. I'm looking at getting a iPhone soon, so I will try it out and let you know.
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Well folks, that's about all for now. Look for more information later. I plan to do a review of each piece of equipment I'm using in both my vehicles.
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If you would like to get a demo of the W205 in a car, stop by one of the shows Team Sounddomain is attending, and I would be happy to give you a demo as long as the judges are not in the car.
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#1452679 - 02/08/08 09:45 AM
Re: Alpine IVA-W205 review
[Re: TtownCLS]
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TtownCLS
Dream it Design it Build it
Team SoundDomain
Registered: 11/02/08
Posts: 662
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I have been playing with different options for a hands free cell phone in the car. The bluetooth headset is just uncomfortable to me, and I can't listen to the music while wearing one. I tied in a bluetooth headset to my factory On-star which is non functional now (thanks to the GMRS update from On-star and no upgrades offered to old customers). I wasn't happy with the fact that a phone call didn't interrupt the audio and I couldn't hear the phone ring if I was listening at above normal levels  .
My solution was to get a KCE-300BT that I mentioned in my review of the Alpine IVA-W205.
The installation is not too difficult. You would need to route the mic cord safely to the visor or other location you choose. I took a different route. I wanted to use the mic built into my rearview mirror. It's part of the previously mentioned On-star system.
The first step was to wrap the wiring harness so it doesn't vibrate and cause rattles in the car.
I then looked for a good place to mount the module. I usually put my cell phone in one of the cup holders in my center console, so I figured I would mount the BT module under the center console, next to the cup holder for max reception.
Next, I had to pull the HU so I could make the connections.
The only connections to the HU is the high speed iPod cable, and the audio interrupt. The BT module uses the high speed control connection for bluetooth and provides another high speed connection port so you can still use your iPod if you want to. The cable is included in the kit. On the W205, the connection is right on the back of the HU.
Next step was connecting my factory mic to the BT module. Most people would use the mic provided with the 300BT. Not me, I wanted to use that mic that's sitting there in my rearview mirror.
I just routed the mic cord (wrapped in the Tesa felt tape) up to the rearview mirror, then cut the mic off the end of the cord.
I then used my Factory service manual to find which wires in the mirror harness belong to the mic.
Once I had found those, I just cut them and soldered the 300BT mic cord to the leads going to the mirror mic. The connections were sealed with heat shrink, and wrapped with the felt tape.
After putting everything back together, it was time to set the 300BT up with the HU and my cell phone.
Reading the manual is a must. The HU has to be set up in the system settings to recognize the 300BT module. In the Bluetooth settings on the HU, the options are Module,Nav,Off. The module setting is the one you use with the 300BT. The Nav option is for use with the PMD-B200 blackbird nav. If you get the Blackbird nav, it docks in the HU for full screen nav and gives you bluetooth for you phone at the same time.
After setting the Bluetooth option to module, you will find you have some new sources listed on the HU. If you go into the setup menu, then select source, you will see bluetooth listed. Enter the bluetooth menu and you will see this setup screen.
You will need to turn Bluetooth ON on your phone and make it visible. The pairing is done through the phone. I have a Sony W580i that I paired with mine. Once your phone says it has connected to the Alpine 300BT, you will see your phone listed in the paired devices on the HU.
From the main screen on the HU you will see TEL, and BTaudio listed now as sources.
If you select TEL as the source, you will see the phone menu which allows you to look through your Address book, missed call, dialed calls etc.
You can manually dial a call using the Dial input keypad if you like.
When you recieve a call, the HU is muted and you will hear the ring through your speakers. You touch the answer button that's dispayed on the HU and talk. No holding a phone to your ear, no fumbling around trying to find your ear piece. You should try that driving a 6 spd manual. MUCH safer.
I decided to try the BT audio funtion even though it was designed for the iPod/iPhone. To my amazement, once I started the player on the phone, it showed up on the HU and plays perfectly.
You can even change tracks from the HU. It's not CD quality, and you don't get the track list using the Sony phone, but it plays music just fine. I've been using this all week and I'm happy enough with it that it's staying in the car. The mic I used isn't very sensitive and I have to speak up for people to hear me. I tested the included mic and it seems to be about the same. Other than wishing for a better mic, I'm completely satisfied with this upgrade.
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