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I thought this might make an informative thread. Here it goes. Post your reviews of your installed in your MDX. Audio/Video equipment. I hope that this will help folks with what equipmnet can be used and how well does it intergrate with the X and maybe help them decide what suits their needs.
Heres my first review:
Panasonic CQ-DVR909U- Single DIN CD/DVD/CVD with built in DTS/Pro Logic Surround Sound system w/ built in center channel speaker:
Pros: Aesthetics is the high point of this head unit. It has a cool silver face in the day time and a cool blue backlit face at night. The cyborg arm that swings open to serve as a center channel speaker is a "cool factor" impress your friends piece but it also serves it purpose very well. Though it is essentially a tweeter it does well with dialogue for DVD movies. If you have a very loud system it might be a good idea to install an outboard center channel with a stronger amplifier. This is one head unit that has all the bells and whistles and more packaged neatly in a small unit without using an outboard box. This is one amazing piece of technology. The DVD playback on this head unit is impressive, Video is crisp, colors are vivid and bright with no hint of pixelation or spots. Audio playback in 5.1 and DTS sorround sound is better than I anticipated for in-car listening, rivals if not exceeds some home based systems. The ability to add delay effects helps to correct most imaging deficiencies. This head unit is also capable of running more than 2 monitors and is a dual zone unit meaning the front and rear media zones can be seperated to playback your choice of video or audio if headphones are used. Example front passengers can listen to the CD via the front speakers, the rear speakers will be turned off but monitor can still show a DVD movie while the movie watchers can listen through headphones for audio. There are so many features in this unit that I could not name all of them, you could check the full details in the Panasonic website.
http://www.panasonic.com/consumer_electronics/caraudio/dvdplayers.asp
Cons:
Built-in equalization and Crossover ability would be a welcomed addition and to include a bass controller would be a plus. The remote control just has too many damn buttons that are to identical in shape. It is okey during the day but is really impossible at night in the dark. It would be nice if they went with OSD to minimize the buttons like the ones found on the Pioneer,Clarion and Kenwood and Alpine models. Due to the swing out arm installation choices are limited, the faceplate housing protrudes too much from the base of the mounting surface. DVD and VCD playback is exceptional but this unit will not play CDR and MP3 encoded cds. In order to playback burnt cds you will have to purchase one of the cd changers.
Installation:
This might be a very challenging endeavour if you are not a seasoned installer due to the fact that there are a lot of wires to be connected. This installation takes more time than the average head unit install. The single DIN fitment is straightforward and manual is quite easy to understand but it does leave out some details in regards with how to install the little amplifier box. All in all it was a straightforward install just make sure that you have enough clearance for the swing out arm and make sure that there is nothing in it's way.
Conclusion: With the exception of having a built-in monitor and EQ capability this is the ultimate DVD/CD radio head unit in the market for the price range. SInce all the features are built into this single DIN unit including the sound processing it does make for one of the easiest installs when compared to other head units of comparable features that have to use outboard external processors. This must be the reason why this head unit is so highly praised in some reviews.
http://www.m-emag.com/reviews/reviews.html?reviewID=41
Heres my first review:
Panasonic CQ-DVR909U- Single DIN CD/DVD/CVD with built in DTS/Pro Logic Surround Sound system w/ built in center channel speaker:
Pros: Aesthetics is the high point of this head unit. It has a cool silver face in the day time and a cool blue backlit face at night. The cyborg arm that swings open to serve as a center channel speaker is a "cool factor" impress your friends piece but it also serves it purpose very well. Though it is essentially a tweeter it does well with dialogue for DVD movies. If you have a very loud system it might be a good idea to install an outboard center channel with a stronger amplifier. This is one head unit that has all the bells and whistles and more packaged neatly in a small unit without using an outboard box. This is one amazing piece of technology. The DVD playback on this head unit is impressive, Video is crisp, colors are vivid and bright with no hint of pixelation or spots. Audio playback in 5.1 and DTS sorround sound is better than I anticipated for in-car listening, rivals if not exceeds some home based systems. The ability to add delay effects helps to correct most imaging deficiencies. This head unit is also capable of running more than 2 monitors and is a dual zone unit meaning the front and rear media zones can be seperated to playback your choice of video or audio if headphones are used. Example front passengers can listen to the CD via the front speakers, the rear speakers will be turned off but monitor can still show a DVD movie while the movie watchers can listen through headphones for audio. There are so many features in this unit that I could not name all of them, you could check the full details in the Panasonic website.
http://www.panasonic.com/consumer_electronics/caraudio/dvdplayers.asp
Cons:
Built-in equalization and Crossover ability would be a welcomed addition and to include a bass controller would be a plus. The remote control just has too many damn buttons that are to identical in shape. It is okey during the day but is really impossible at night in the dark. It would be nice if they went with OSD to minimize the buttons like the ones found on the Pioneer,Clarion and Kenwood and Alpine models. Due to the swing out arm installation choices are limited, the faceplate housing protrudes too much from the base of the mounting surface. DVD and VCD playback is exceptional but this unit will not play CDR and MP3 encoded cds. In order to playback burnt cds you will have to purchase one of the cd changers.
Installation:
This might be a very challenging endeavour if you are not a seasoned installer due to the fact that there are a lot of wires to be connected. This installation takes more time than the average head unit install. The single DIN fitment is straightforward and manual is quite easy to understand but it does leave out some details in regards with how to install the little amplifier box. All in all it was a straightforward install just make sure that you have enough clearance for the swing out arm and make sure that there is nothing in it's way.
Conclusion: With the exception of having a built-in monitor and EQ capability this is the ultimate DVD/CD radio head unit in the market for the price range. SInce all the features are built into this single DIN unit including the sound processing it does make for one of the easiest installs when compared to other head units of comparable features that have to use outboard external processors. This must be the reason why this head unit is so highly praised in some reviews.
http://www.m-emag.com/reviews/reviews.html?reviewID=41