SolaraGuy.com

I was looking at another thread "Battle of the Dashkits". I am a little curious see what my fellow Solara junkies are riding with and what features your head unit offers. If you have any pics feel free to share.

I'll start the chain:
Avic D3
Features: Navigation, CD/DVD, mp3, Sirius/XM, Bluetooth, Backup Camera
Double-Din

I haven't installed mine so I am not too familiar with it yet. I know that it is the top of the line Alpine unit so it must have everything? lol. I can't wait until head units have blu-ray drives and HDMI output! I don't know why automotive electronics are so behind on this technology?!? I mean crap, were still using composite video...wtF? I'd be content with Component video for now at least! we might as well be using tube TV's. lol.

INA-W910

top of the line Alpine unit with navi, hd radio, iPod, bluetooth

@ SoSleek, why do you want blu ray and such high end video components in your car?

Aotoyota wrote:INA-W910

top of the line Alpine unit with navi, hd radio, iPod, bluetooth

@ SoSleek, why do you want blu ray and such high end video components in your car?

because its 2012...that's today's technology. They provide higher quality audio/video output and more capabilities.

i hope you're planning on installing a nice alarm system in your car before you put in flatscreens and blu-rays

With a good unit you can have 'HD-Like' Movies and set up your sound for theater or/and surround sound.

I wasn't saying I'm going to be putting all this crazy stuff in my car. Just stating that auto electronics r way behind the curve. I don't know why bluray players and HDMI connectivity isn't standard on a $1200 head unit.

Audio electronics has ALWAYS been behind. Look how long it took for satellite TV to hit the SUV market

SolaraSport wrote:With a good unit you can have 'HD-Like' Movies and set up your sound for theater or/and surround sound.

not exactly true...DVDs highest resolution output is 480p. There r some home dvd players that will upscale but that's not going to get u HD quality. The only reason that it looks HD on the head unit display is because the displays are so small. Bluray can output 1080p. As for audio u can get surround sound using the DVD drive but because these headunits only have analog audio inputs no outside source can take advantage of surround sound. The only way u could is with a digital audio connection like HDMI toslink optical or coax.

SolaraSport wrote:Audio electronics has ALWAYS been behind. Look how long it took for satellite TV to hit the SUV market

My point exactly

I still dont understand the need for HD quality on a 7" screen in the dash. HDMI I can understand for connectivity,
and most companies have addressed it with a bus system which although dont give high res video, it does the job.

as for sound quality, with all the crap music out there that is recorded to the point and past mic saturation, why?
unless you are the few ( like myself) who still buys cds and rips everything to your iPod, there doesnt seem to be
much need for digital sound. In addition, when was the last time you saw a 5.1 system in a car? That was
about 4 years ago when everyone was set with DVD audio and 5.1

maybe im just a bit more realistic but watching HD movies while driving? should you be focused on your driving?
and for the times you are in the parking lot waiting for your girl to run in and grab something, is video quality that
important for those 5 minutes?