Customer Reviews

Alpine IVA-W205 2-DIN DVD/CD/MP3/WMA Receiver/AV Head Unit (Black)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Picked up an IVA-W205 for my 2008 Saturn Vue Redline. Double DIN fits like a glove and the standard $29 bezel keeps it well appointed in the Redline's elegant interior (never thought I'd type the words "elegant" and "Saturn" in the same sentence)! ;-P

Anyway, the IVA-W205 does not dissappoint: the screen quality is excellent, with a defined color palette that *pops* - especially in bright sunlight. The pulse-touch LCD makes it feel as though you are pushing a button when you touch the screen - a welcome feature.

DVD navigation is intuitive and works well. No, straight out of the box, you cannot view a DVD-video from the built-in screen while driving...unless your installer offers a toggle switch to get around that (mine did!). Audio sub-features (bass, treble, width, minor freq. adjustments, subwoofer, etc) are all there, and easier to traverse thanks to the visual GUI.

Installed the iPod cable connector for my 60GB iPod Photo; makes playlist and artist/song navigation a snap with the large touchscreen LCD.

Integrates with OnStar and steering-wheel controls if you purchase the standard add-ons to make it work, but look forward to dropping another $200-$300 for that. Don't bother with the Bluetooth add-on if you plan to use it with a Blackbird PMD-200, as the Blackbird PMD-200 has Bluetooth built-in and the IVA-W205 syncs with it (hence, your phone syncs with a PMD-200 and your PMD-200 syncs with your IVA-W205 while in the dock).

About the only complaint I have is Alpine's absolutely horrific choice of GUI graphics (no customizable wallpapers, jerky scrolling of song title/artist info, just plain old..."PLAIN"... user interface - it's 2007 Alpine - get with the times)!

Overall highly recommended!

This DVD system rocks!!! Not a single note of distortion. Easy to use, great touchscren. The percentage iPod search system is good. Trully incredible. I definatelly recommend it to everyone who apreciates sound quality.

This is the third Dvd unit i have used, tried Clarion before and that was ok, tried the Jensen 9021ts and it is actually a really good unit for the price, but nothing comes close to the clarity delivered by the Alpine in both sound and video. Have no reason to use the navigation feature, so cannot comment, but can guarantee if you are looking for a head unit to build around. Alpine does not dissapoint

I have had the Alpine IVA W205 for about 8 months now and I couldn't be happier. The controls are very easy and put right where they should be. I have never once had it skip or not read a disc. Screen works perfect in sub-zero temps. It fits perfectly in my 2005 F150. I have had several people ask me if it is factory because of how clean the install looks. I am unable to come up with any downside. I would highly reccomend this unit to anyone considering it.

great sound quality. great accessory options and amazing user interface. overall the best mobile media unit i have ever owned/used.

Raidio is great but too hard to get the sound I'm looking for I'm use to having an equalizer but I'm working on it. I have all top of the line JL Audio separates and subs and amps to go with the raidio so hopefully the sound will come around. My installer also said the serial numbers were scratched off the raidio and removed from the box so I might be srewed if something goes wrong with it

When I first saw this head unit I was fairly sure it was what I wanted. Once the sales person told me about this head unit, I knew it was what I wanted.

The touch screen navigates flawlessly, and with the pulse touch option, you can actually feel the selection you make. The display is crisp and colorful.

DVD playback looks great. Although the manufacture has set up this unit to not play DVDs while the vehicle is in drive, you can get it set up to allow you the option to drive and watch movies at the same time (something i wouldnt advise doing if you are driving through Atlanta during rush hour)

One of my favorite things about this unit is the ability to connect my iPod to it. I used to used a tape deck adapter, which not only sounded awful, navigating through the iPod was a serious distraction. But now that I can navigate effectively through my music with ease. One thing I have not tried is video playback off the iPod, I am pretty sure there isnt an option, hopefully in later models it will be however.

For those who enjoy satelite radio, it comes ready. Just need to subscribe and you are on your way. I personally don't use it, but it is always nice to have the options availible.

Also for GPS users, you can dock the Alpine Blackbird into the head unit for a larger and more convienent on-screen navigation.

For those looking for a stylish looking head unit for their vehicle, I highly recommend the Alpine IVA W205. Not only does it function great, it will also impress your friends.

I installed an Alpine IVA W205 my 2006 Toyota Rav4 and used a Genuine Toyota Rav4 dash kit from Japan to make it look stock... I also bought the audio processor(PXA-H701) to complete it... This is excellent DVD player and audio quality is fantastic especially when using the digital optical option... Movies play clear and sharp with nice colors... I haven't got the Blackbird II yet so, I can't comment on the Nav... I added the Sirius unit to it too and the menu and info screens are simple and very pleasing to look at... This is a very customizable unit for there are a lot of optional equipment that can be added like HD Radio, Bluetooth, and etc... It's a wonderful system!

Alpine is by far the best sounding deck on the market. The touch screen works flawlessly and the pulse feedback puts it well beyond every other stereo out there. DVDs look incredible.

I was having trouble with my BMW factory Nav which is a 2001 and pretty dated by todays standards. Saw the Alpine set up and thought hey this would totally modernize my GPS, provide Bluetooth and fully intergrated XM. The first price I got was $3600. That slowed me down a bit. Went to Al & Ed in SoCal, their price was about $2K. With the BMW the old screen and radio is completly replaced and a custom filler panel must be made. Decided to proceed. It took them a couple of days.When I first tried the GPS it would work some times then the screen would go to red stripes. I took the PMD unit out and put it in my other car and it worked OK. Put the PDM unit back in the Alpine head unit red stripes about 2 times of of 3. I spent about 3 days with this and went back to the shop. They decided to send the unit back to Alpine and install a completly new system. This took almost 10 days but it got done. No more red stripes but the GPS only works about 1 time in 3. It is very slow to bring up the accept screen you can be a block away from home before it comes up. As I said it only comes up about 33% of the time. When the GPS works it is OK. I lost my BMW clock with this conversion and the Alpine does not show a clock when in GPS. The GPS screen has to come up before you can use th phone so this pretty well negates the handsfree phone business. I got a phone call and the calling party could not hear me. Al&Ed have agreed to replace this set up with a Kenwood DNX 7120. They say they have no problems with this unit and the GARMIN GPS works well. I can find no reviews on the DNX 7120 but did find some on a DNX 7100 which is the predessor to the 7120. They were OK but not outstanding. I hope to get it installed this Friday the 27th. Wish me luck. The Alpine set up stinks!Alpine IVA W205 - DVD player with LCD monitor and AM/FM tuner