True integration options by brand? Who uses what?

[Fuscat]

So I'm new, to the forum and iPods in general. I finally dropped minidisc after about 8 years and went to the iPod. I am trying to figure out the best option for me for an in car setup. My current deck is an older MD unit and I want to start over and update now. Obviously there are tons of options. However I am looking into the true integration with head unit control.

I have found three major brands that all have thier own integration adapters:

Alpine - KCA-420i

Kenwood - KCA-iP500 (is this actually made by alpine maybe?)

JVC - KSPD100 (even though I cannot find much info.


I have read all about the alpine and its pro's and cons. The Kenwood unit seems to fair about equally, all though the percieved lag issue on the alpine unit sounds from user reviews to be a bit less on the kenwood setup. Not sure though as this is personal beliefs I have read from user reviews. From the model numbers it almost sounds like alpine makes the unit for kenwood but not sure.

I currently have a kenwood system and have had a couple of other kenwood units in the past and have had great experiences with their products. The same can be said for JVC as I have had good luck with their mobile audio products also.

I believe I am most interested in the JVC option. I have found a model of head unit (within my price rang) that allows iPod integration via the optional unit, and it also has a front face panel input as well should I decide on a whim to control the ipod from itself. This could also be good if the integration and accessing of the ipod proves to not work as I want. I can just plug the headphone out into the front input and be done with it.

I wanted to know what you guys have experience with? I know there seems to be a majority of users of the Alpine system. Anyone use either of the other two?

Give me your thoughts..
Thanks in advance!

[jhpope]

sony also has an option...i'm thinking about fully integrating my ipod into my '01 kia sephia but will prob wuss out and just update to a unit w/ an aux. input and use my monster icarcharger

[Fuscat]

Hey thanks for the mention! To be honest I am not real impressed with most sony audio products. I took a look and could only find brief mention of it on a couple of sites. I think I will keep looking at the three options above and pass over the sony..

Thanks though!

[bobb-mini]

Following the comments of this forum, I don't feel there is any outstanding iPOD auto integration.

The car audio people should just stop trying to go though the iPOD interface, and doing a klutzy job of it, and just use the iPOD as a external HD, make their own interface.

Auto interface (large display, quick access) should be different than the iPOD interface anyways (portable device meant to be held in front of one's face).

This is what should happend (any venture capitalist out there email me :D) -

Make a head unit with a "memory stick" slot to insert the iPOD in, now that they are so slim. The Head's software should read the iPOD as an external storage device. At startup, loads the iPOD's directory and quickly creates an index of its own for quick access. Voice commands control in additional to buttons would be great. :)

[Jump_Blueberry]

We purchased an Alpine-Moniciever and will try to integrate the iPod 5G and Nano as good as possible! (KCA-420i & connection via blackbox for videos)

What I would really want is a system that shows everything on the big display bc as far as I have heard it the ID3-tags are not displayed there!
A little adaption of the iPod display would be sweet as well.
Like: half of the screen - now playing screen
other half of the screen - list with titles to select!

I think it can be done.
I saw a JVC-Radio (the one with the 3inch-screen) with an external monitor, where the folders of a mp3-cd where displayed as lists!
As the systems can read the file-structure of the iPod it can't be that hard to change its view.

[Fuscat]

Bobb- Agreed. I don't feel like currently the integration into current head units is up to par with what I was hoping for when I made the jump to iPod. As long as they have been around in one generation or another I think true integration should be further along in the case of ease of use and functionality.

(PS your install looks real nice!)



To be honest I am totally confused about what I really need/want. I have tried to follow the conversations here on ilounge for the last few weeks before speaking up but I think in all I have became more confused!

What I need the most in a car audio setup is:
1. Quick easy location of songs/albums.
2. Easy usability while driving with the least amount of distraction as possible.

Unfortunately this seems to be what divides the current styles of in car use:

For quick easy song/album location, using the ipod itself connected to an aux in seems in most people's opinion the fastest easiest way.

For driving usability with little to no distraction (ie looking down and away from the road) head unit integration seems in most peoples opinion the best way.

It is my understanding that both connections seem to produce very similar audio sound. (I think!)

The hard part is I have no way to try anything hands on before buying. No one I know has an ipod system setup in their car. of course I can go to the store and see how the interface adapters seem to work on the apline units (this is all the local stores have in stock) but this won't help me decide what it will be like when in my vehicle and driving.

Basicly I still don't know what I want to do, and whats the best setup to go with for my needs/wants.

If I go with integration I am leaning towards the JVC system.
If I go with Aux in, I will have to decide then what to use. (which opens up another sub-series of 52 more questions on whats the best way, dock or headphone port, etc etc!)

[bobb-mini]

Originally posted by Fuscat
For quick easy song/album location, using the ipod itself connected to an aux in seems in most people's opinion the fastest easiest way.

For driving usability with little to no distraction (ie looking down and away from the road) head unit integration seems in most peoples opinion the best way.
Right, but 'cuz there nothing "better" out there.

The iPOD interface is the natural and seamless way to access the iPOD, BUT u are still required to look at the screen to scroll through hundreds and perhaps thousands of entries and that takes more than the coupla of seconds that no one should take their eyes off the road.

It's slightly better with most head integrations that display songs info on a bigger screen but they are STILL a one-liner, and you STILL have to do major scrolling.


It is my understanding that both connections seem to produce very similar audio sound. (I think!)
Frankly I am dissapointed with the iPOD sound Q. My 5 years old, first generation MP3 head sounds better than my mini. But I need the storage, and a painless way to sync with my PC's contents.

If going the AUX route, I recommend thinking about getting a bluetooth connection. This way u can bring the iPOD up to your eye's level, controlling it wo taking your eyes off the road.

If going the integration route, if I were to do this now, I'd make sure I test drive it, at least in a showroom. Any lags would disssuate me from give them my money. And I would need the interface to work smooth. Something like, "show me all songs titles starting with AB," and it just does it. I don't want to see-saw through a big listing.

Las Vegas CES is coming up. Probly fun to take a looksy if u can be there.