A big name manufacturer finally takes a step in the right direction
 

Pioneer has finally released a reasonably customizable double-din headunit for all the iPhone users.

Pioneer SPH-DA01

Sure it's no android. Sure it's no carputer. But it's a start. Reasonably priced, runs pandora, netflix, navigation apps, music apps, google maps and more. Supports the pinch/swipe for zooming just like the iPhone. Your phonebook contacts are displayed on the display for easy sorting. Cool stuff.

Now for an Android headunit. :)

First off...........I'm just razzing you with this next comment. :)

Perhaps one should turn all that shit off and just drive! :cussing:

hahaha someone just get rear-ended or something???

Any of the features above what a normal factory headunit can do actually requires the vehicle to have the parking brake engaged. So switching radio stations, switching tracks on your iPod, etc is always available. But inputting addresses into navi etc requires the car to be stopped.

But. A LOT of users override this feature through custom installation techniques.

Let me also go on record to say that full motion graphics in the view of the driver is illegal in, I believe, every state.

I really like that Pioneer is taking a step forward. IMO it's not a leap, but its sure a hell of a start. I too would really like seeing an Pioneer HU running the Android OS - To me, this could be a very good seller as it would pertain to what is becoming a larger and larger market

I like it but cannot do without a CD player. I'm not 100% certain that it doesn't have one, but everything I've read thus far never mentions one.

I can't tell you the last time I've listened to a CD. Years.

I've owned my D3 since 07 and I don't think a single music CD has been inserted.

scribed to watch later

With only 1 2v preout, its a deal breaker for me. Especially if you stayed with the factory bose system.

Agreed on that. But why so much, if you KEEP the Bose system?

I'm in, too. I have to agree with Fungster though...saw the thread about someone wanting to install a Galaxy Tab in their 8 and due to the amount of custom work needed it probably wouldn't be too feasible, but a regular double din touchscreen or even single din with a flip out monitor running android would be great, especially honeycomb.

Pioneer has did it again! But, i don't even own an iPhone :(

Since our bose systems (just like all modern bose systems) utilizes a balanced line signal to transmit audio. In order to properly install this head unit you have to get a balanced line converter/transmitter such as a SVEN4 (They have a newer model out now). So now I have added another component to the audio stream. Something else to crap up the audio. And yes. I can hear the SVEN 4. Maybe an audio control piece will be much more true to the original signal. While I still have the oem head. The only thing that keeps me from swapping is the fact that the beast sounding headunit I have ever heard (PRS-880) doesnt have a double din sister. I cant stand that much space and a single din head. But maybe I will have to do it. Yea I know I'm crazy. I even removed the integrated amp from my wifes oem head in her CX-7 and tapped the op amps for line level signal. Because I hate LOC's. Amplifying an amplified signal sounds horrible. Speaking of sounding horrible. I cant wait for the day that TRUE CD quality audio is available to download. :)

My Evox has sound issues that are being remedied at the moment, but nice thing is stock it has a set of RCA inputs. Even with dual-cone crappy ass speakers and tweeters in the doors, the sound quality deteriorates when playing MP3 vs CD. I'm just old enough to remember the days when cassette was the craze and let me tell you, when CD came out it was beautiful to listen to all the detail that is lost to a tape or LP.

With that being said, I don't mind listening to MP3 from my ipod at low volume levels. The moment I turn it up though, I can hear the minor differences between MP3 and CD (even with higher sample rates.) To me, playing MP3s at loud volume is equivalent to using worn out cassette tapes and crossing fingers that they don't distort too much - just sounds like crap to me. I figure if I'm going to punish my eardrums, it will start with quality audio coming from a CD at a minimum.

To OP, Pioneer seems to be ahead of others when it comes to multimedia head-units. Check out this AVIC-X920BT demo... very impressive IMHO (I just wish the marketing guy spoke less and demoed more ;-)

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/video...p?video_id=163

I've owned/used many-a-cassettes in my days. And although CDs were practically a godsend as far as sound quality and usability, I still used both for a little while. There was a period of time that CDs were on the market, but CD writers were not. And even after they were released, I didn't own a computer. So I still used cassettes to copy friend's CDs or to make mixtapes.:) The funniest part though, I didn't like re-recording over and over on one tape. The sound quality would get so crappy after the 3rd or 4th time it was a waste of time. hahahaha God cassettes sucked. :cwm27:

But as far as MP3's go, I use em exclusively. It's the convenience factor. And a MP3 at 320kbps is pretty damn close to CD quality. I've met a million people that think they're audiophiles and wouldn't dare use MP3's etc etc etc. But can't tell the difference when blindfolded. Even if they could, they'd have to admit the difference is slight. For me, I'm willing to put up with it to have 80G of music at my fingertips.....without having to switch between 200+ CDs which float all over my car .

The 920BT was unveiled a year and a half ago. They already have a 930BT released...

The Pandora feature on any unit is cool and I'm sure many people will love it. But let's please realize what we're doing here. Pandora transmits a lousy 64kbps bitrate for free accounts and only up to 128kbps for paid accounts. It's the same quality with satellite radio and was the main reason I allowed my Sirius account to expire. The sound quality sucked ass.

The Eco Drive app thingy Pioneer has implemented is kinda dumb IMO. I don't really care that much about my gas mileage. At least not enough to allow my radio to tell me I'm driving too aggressively to save 2 mpg.

Aha radio is cool. But that's probably where I'd draw the line at doing stuff on my headunit versus my phone or computer. I don't need to be on facebook from my headunit...

What I'd like to see from manufacturers is to remove the stored map data/navigation info from the heatunit and allow my Android/iPhone to stream that data onto the headunit, while keeping my phone charged. All the while, still retaining all the onscreen control features. The maps are the most updated on these navigation apps and there is real-time traffic reports with no additional fee or equipment. These changes would also allow you to skip the GPS antenna. So with no GPS antenna, navigation map database or real onboard navigation software on the unit, I would hope the overall finished price of the headunit would drop significantly.

http://cgi.ebay.com/BOSS-755DBI-CAR-...item53e7b4a75d

hahahahahahahaha

Holy cow!!! This is DEFINITELY the head unit to get for any SERIOUS audiophile :jump: