#1457893 - 08/10/08 04:43 PM
Alpine IVA-W505 Review
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bikinpunk
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First impressions:
Connections:
This unit is unlike the previous w200/w205 in that it has 'extensions' for cables to plug into rather than have your cables plug directly into the back. The ai-net, antenna, and RCA input outputs are like this. The navigation wires are made into the unit.
My favorite part about all this is that the RCA's are in their own harness. Therefore if you don't want to use the RCA outputs you don't have to plug them into the unit. If you want to use the RCA inputs, you can leave them in. Vice versa.
This time Alpine's included an S-video connection as well.
The harness is the same as w205/w200. Also, the pac-tr7 bypass works. In my case, I made a straight swap with the w205 harness which already had the tr7 wired into it.
The big drawback to this unit (and the only one I've come across thus far) is the fact that this unit no longer has a standard toslink input for optical signals. Rather, Alpine has incorporated a 4-pin connection so that you will have to use their KWE-610a cable; a 4-pin connector on one end, and a standard male toslink on the other. Luckily, Quality Sound here did some digging and found a cable that will work, and another forum member here has verified it does indeed work. It's made by Panasonic and the model # is: CA-LRD60. You can pick them up on e-bay for $100, or you can find them from an online seller for $65 shipped (this is the route I chose).
I must say that, at least with my system, there's no distinguishable 'noise' via ai-net so for some people, the optical cable may not be worth it. Heck, I'm not too sure I need it, but I bought it... *shrugs*
The w505 comes with the iPod video cable/USB cable; the ipod portion is just an extension cable that plugs into the USB cable. More discussion of this is in the iPod section.
Aesthetics:
The w505 has a full 7” widescreen, unlike the w205's 6.5" screen. The difference is very noticeable and it makes things a bit easier to navigate on screen. There are no raised buttons like on w200/w205, rather the buttons are blended into the bottom bar. I believe they also have the same outer dimensions, but trimmed edges.
The resolution is much higher: 1.15 megapixels which is the same as the F#1 units, IIRC. There are 2 “styles” the user can choose from. It's hard to describe these but you can see pictures of it below. One has a lot more going on in the screen; you can see upcoming songs and more song info but also has album art/ipod logo. The other is a simple black background with the ipod/album art logo.
Downloadable background:
Like the previous units, you can change your background of the w505 via downlaods from the I-personalize site ([URL=""]link[/URL]), and pride-rock.com ([URL="http://www.pride-rock.com/forum/apnlist.php"]link[/URL]).
I got my "team hybrids" background from here. *let me say that I am not on Team Hybrids... I just downloaded it to take a picture for Doiter and haven't bothered to remove it* 
The DVD/CD source is the only time you'll see the downloaded backgrounds, though.
Another little feature I like is that you can have the subwoofer level option on front of screen. It's a little speaker, and when you touch it you get the option to control the sub's level. Kinda neat.
Also, the w505 has an "escape" button where you can go back to the main screen if you're in the options somewhere and want to get back without having to go through pushing extra buttons to back out.
This time around Alpine took out the "pulsetouch" feature. Though it did take some getting used to, all is well. I can't really complain about not having that.
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#1457894 - 08/10/08 04:45 PM
Re: Alpine IVA-W505 Review
[Re: bikinpunk]
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bikinpunk
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Registered: 08/17/04
Posts: 2880
Loc: Al
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Ipod Controls:
Connections:
USB:
The USB cable will control:
- 5th Gen iPod
- 1st & 2nd generation iPod nano
*Per the Alpine manual: Only video can be played via the USB connection.* Also the only way to see album art is via the iPod USB connection.
KCA-422i:
This is the same ol'. You cannot view album art, nor watch movies via this connection.
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#1457895 - 08/10/08 04:47 PM
Re: Alpine IVA-W505 Review
[Re: bikinpunk]
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bikinpunk
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Registered: 08/17/04
Posts: 2880
Loc: Al
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USB Controls:
The USB connection will play only songs via USB. No movies, cannot view pictures, etc. I don't know if alpine specifies a capacity that can be connected but I doubt they have one due to one thing: 'banking'.
Banking is a process that sorts up to 10,000 songs so they can be found easily. 10 Banks of 1000 songs each. Sorted via song # on usb connected device. The USB connection is VERY fast. As soon as the thumb drive is connected my music popped up immediately.
H701 controls.:
The w505 has the same GUI as w205. No graphs; letters/numbers only. This has been covered plenty so I'm not going to discuss it.
Other features that I can't comment on but am noting:
Imprint & H100 direct connection.
Sirius/XM:
DIVX playback:
HD "tagging". *taken from Alpine's site*:
The IVA-W505 is one of two 2008 Alpine in-dash head units that feature iTunes® Tagging in collaboration with HD Radio, which makes it easy for listeners to discover and catalog new music they hear while driving. When the Alpine TUA-T550HD HD Radio Tuner is connected (sold separately), consumers simply press a button on the IVA-W505 when they hear a song they like from an HD Radio station that is broadcasting metadata. Information about these Tagged songs is stored by the TUA-T550HD and transferred to the iPod. When the iPod is connected to the computer, iTunes automatically presents the songs in a new Tagged playlist so the user can preview, buy and download the Tagged songs.
* hope that covers it *
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#1458964 - 08/11/08 08:07 PM
Re: Alpine IVA-W505 Review
[Re: bikinpunk]
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gibby
gibby
SD First guy voted off Survivor
Registered: 02/17/08
Posts: 369
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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Good review obviously one of the best units out or possibly the best unit right now. That's good to hear how quick the USB is. Also is it quick at reading CDs/DVDs? Does it run well with a large playlist on the iPod (>10,000 songs)?
Finally know of a unit that straight-up outperforms the JVC 1-din on an all around basis. Looks clean in your install.
Edited by gibby (08/11/08 08:08 PM)
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#1459119 - 08/12/08 06:35 AM
Re: Alpine IVA-W505 Review
[Re: gibby]
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bikinpunk
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Registered: 08/17/04
Posts: 2880
Loc: Al
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I haven't loaded many songs on a usb. I really only use my ipod so I don't have to bother with USB, so I can't say for sure how good it handles that many songs.
It is quick at reading cd/dvd's. No faster, though, than the previous units. At least not that I've noticed.
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#1482734 - 08/30/08 07:19 PM
Re: Alpine IVA-W505 Review
[Re: bikinpunk]
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oli_826
SD Newbie
Registered: 08/30/08
Posts: 2
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very nice review bro, my 505 and 701 will arrive tom. what cable did you use for the 505 and 701? no need for the optical cable?
do you need to use the brake and hand brake method to turn on the video and processor tuning? let me know soon bro. thanks in advance you can email me also oli_826@yahoo.com
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#1482736 - 08/30/08 07:24 PM
Re: Alpine IVA-W505 Review
[Re: oli_826]
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oli_826
SD Newbie
Registered: 08/30/08
Posts: 2
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whats the purpose for these cable bro KWE-610a? sorry didnt understand you need to buy also the panasonic CA-LRD60? sorry im new at this bro
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#1491937 - 09/16/08 12:50 AM
Re: Alpine IVA-W505 Review
[Re: oli_826]
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jorgeez
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Registered: 09/12/08
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I've heard a lot of positive reviews about this product. I think Ima give this one a try.
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#1594512 - 02/14/09 10:56 AM
Re: Alpine IVA-W505 Review
[Re: jorgeez]
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Nickky_P
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Registered: 02/14/09
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No body is touching alpine when it comes to decks. I think this is the best deck out
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Alpine IVA-W205
2 12" JL W3's Crossfire AMP
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