Clarion VZ309 3.5-Inch Single-DIN Multimedia Station with USB Port

Other products by Clarion

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 230 x 110 x 300 inches ; 4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B001OQ6O86
• Item model number: VZ309
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)

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  Electronics > Car Electronics > Car Audio & Video > Car Video > DVD Players

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Clarion's VZ309 is a true multimedia station with a DVD/ CD receiver; USB connector that supports playback of MP3, WMA and JPEG files; front AUX inputs for portable audio players; and optional iPod audio and video playback (CCUIPOD2). The brilliant 3.5 inch display lets you control it all. All this in a small one-DIN package.

caption Click to enlarge.

Add the optional CCUIPOD1 to control your iPod from the source unit.

6 channels of preamp output to grow your system.

Includes full-featured remote.

Enjoy a Wide Variety of Media
The built-in optical disc drive is compatible with DVD-Video, DVD+/-R, DVD+/-RW, CD-DA, HDCD, CD-R and CD-RW, so you're assured access to a wide variety of visual and musical entertainment.

You can also play back MP3/WMA files from disc, complete with ID3-Tag display of artist/track info on the screen.

3.5-inch LCD Screen
The 3.5-inch LCD displays operational status of your iPod, CD and DVD playback, radio functions and more. It offers maximum usability within minimum dimensions.

iPod Playback
Just connect your iPod to the VZ309 using the optional CCUIPOD1 to control your iPod from the source unit. Please see the Clarion website for iPod models that can beconnected.

Front USB Input
Grab a USB drive with some of your favorite MP3/WMA tracks and enjoy them right from the front of the unit.

HD/SAT Radio Ready
You can connect optional tuners and enjoy the benefits of high-definition and XM satellite radio.

AM/FM Radio
Catch up on the news or listen to your favorite stations. Get quick access to your favorites with 18 FM and 6 AM station presets.

Auxiliary Input
Use the front 3.5mm auxiliary input to connect external audio devices like MP3 players, etc.

Rear AV Output
A rear AV output allows you to send your signal to a second monitor in the back seat.

Dedicated Rear vision Camera RCA Input
Add a rear vision camera to see the area behind your vehicle, for added safety and convenience.

Room to Grow
With 50 Watts through four channels, and a 24-bit D/A converter, the VZ309 gives you great sound to start. But it also includes 6 channels of preamp output and a subwoofer volume control, so you can easily add external amplifiers and build a monster system.

Remote Included
A full-featured remote control is included.

What's in the Box
VZ309 Source unit, Mounting bracket, Removable face plate case, Trim plate, Remote control unit, Battery (CR2025), Owner's manual, Installation manual, Installation hardware

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Most bang for your buck!, December 2, 2009

By	Steven Wassif "Techno Viking" (Fontana, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

Screen/customization: Bright, vivid, and sharp but Clarion decided to keep customization to a complete minimum. For instance, when in aux mode you are stuck with a gray screen with the time and "AVin" displayed in the corner. I just turn off the screen completely to avoid it. Such a waste of a big beautiful screen.

DVD player: Quick start up, strong motor, good quality, and plays where you left off. Sometimes it will run in a chapter loop after turning the car off and then on again. This happens periodically (1 out of 10 times) where there will be a chapter loop causing you to stop the movie and start it again.

HD radio: Locks into signals quickly and stays there, sounds fantastic. Info is scrolled on the bottom, again, waste of screen space.

Sound Quality: Excellent sound through deck power and 2V outputs. I have power hungry component speakers so I use an external amplifier but the deck's power will work fine for most setups. I used to run a pioneer deck with 4V preamp outputs so I was a little concerned about how the Clarion's 2V outs (4v for subs) would compare but I was pleasantly surprised at the strength and quality of the signal. Just as loud and clean as ever, if not more so. Sound is mostly flat with a slight emphasis on bass (remedied easily.)

Remote Control: Works well but don't lose it! You'll be crippled without it if you ever watch DVDs since most functions are controlled through the remote only.

USB: Sucks, simple as that, they shouldn't have even included it if they couldn't do it right (only shows one list of songs, difficult navigation.) Edit: Someone has brought it to my attention that you can in fact switch folders using the remote. I stand by my opinion that it's still poorly implemented and will never be used by me.

Rear Camera: Never tested, I'll definitely update this review once installed.


Overall: This is a fantastic unit, especially at Amazon's rock bottom prices. I cannot think of any other deck that even comes close to this feature set and quality for less than $200. I thought the DVD player would just be a toy for me but I actually find myself using it quite often when waiting around (parked of course) and the screen and sound quality are a pleasure. My major complaint has to do with the lack of customization. You really can't control what plays on the screen at all, no backgrounds, no color changes, nothing. For less than $200 I really can't complain much but at Clarion's retail price of $400 before tax you would think they'd allow for a little more adjust ability. Another thing is the lack of a rear A/V input. Pretty lame when you have that screen just begging to be used!



Pros:

- Sound Quality
- Picture Quality
- (Good) DVD player
- Price
- Feature set
- HD radio

Cons:

- A bit slow when switching sources (roughly 3 seconds.)
- Lack of screen customization.
- Lack of A/V input in the rear (there's video but no audio, very lame)
- Cost of accessories (XM is pretty pricey) and rear camera is not included. People really shouldn't expect a rear camera to be included but I'm sure someone out there is going to be shocked when they find it "missing"...


One more thing worth mentioning is that although the DVD function has a lockout so that you can only view media while the parking brake is up (lead from unit connecting to parking brake wire) it is ridiculously easy to bypass. Anyone can google it and figure it out for themselves, not the safest thing for "invincible" teenagers trying to watch The Fast and the Furious while driving...

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clarion radio, November 30, 2009

By	Celeste Glenn "MBTID" (Madison, MS USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this radio for my teenage son and have been most pleased with my purchase. It is very user friendly (I figured out how to use it without having to read the instructions) and a very versatile radio tumer for the price. What I like best about it is the DVD feature (which shows a very nice picture and is also easy to use) does not show on the screen unless the parking brake is engaged. Don't have to worry about my teenage son driving and trying to watch a movie. A definite plus for the teenage driver in your family!