We finally hooked up the JVC KD-HDR1 in my husband’s car (okay, Tweeter hooked it up), and I filmed a quick Flip video showing the device’s add-on iPod module. Very few after-market car stereos include HD radio and an iPod connector that lets you not only listen to you iPod through through the car speakers, but also control the iPod through the dash. The JVC device is great, but unfortunately iPod navigation with a four-button interface still leaves much to be desired. My advice: get the KD-HDR1, then store some playlists and memorize the button clicks you need to get to those music tracks. I wouldn’t want to be fiddling with up, down, left, right while driving.
Still haven’t toyed much with the HD radio options, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover how much HD content there is on the radio dial. I’ll have to start tracking what new stations (not already broadcast in analog) are available in the Philly market in HD.
Note: The audio quality on the Flip is not great, so I recorded a voiceover with the mic pointed in my direction rather at the HD radio.
Wow, the headunit iPod controls are horrible. I assume Apple prevents folks from directly reusing their interface, but there has got to be something better than this. I’d probably stick with line-in and use the iPod as the radio control.
Speaking of car radios, in New York this past weekend I rented a pretty modest car (Hyundai Sonata) with XM built-in – not as an appendage. Nice.
alpine has come pretty close to a good ipod-controlling interface:
http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=iDA-X001
i have one of their first models w/o the color screen and its a bear to work with. i want to upgrade but the lack of built-in hdradio is making me wait
I looked at Alpine too when buying, and the lack of HD radio is what held me back. There aren’t many options for HD radio plus iPod control.
I doubt there’s a better solution than this:
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/ten-technology-flexibledock-adjustable-car-dock-and-charger-for-ipod-ipod/
Plugs into the cigarette lighter socket, holds your iPod at a nice angle and height to allow you to use it, provides an easy way to plug it in and remove it without touching anything else. The tape cassette adapter included isn’t very good (use a Sony if you must), but with a line in I don’t know why I’d buy an iPod adapter for my car…