[hydrashok]

Aaaaah. That's good. The right place the aux-in and the USB port should be is in the front. And not the back of the HU. And a 3.5mm socket for the aux-in too. Sony does get some things right :-)

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by gunbir

CDX-GT610Ui - Note USB port and Aux in on front panel

Any idea what the pricing would come to???

[Autophile]

Looks like Sony has realised their mistakes and started going back to the old designs, unlike the funny and ugly designes till recent times. Hope they get serious on the product quality too.

[sk456]

Yes teh old sonys were nice..very much like the old clarions...from the cassette days...when bass,trouble,loudness and volume knobs used to be the way to go... no khichdi....

[abhibh]

At Sony CDX-GT610Ui CD receiver with iPod connection and MP3/WMA/AAC playback at Crutchfield.com its for $179. So in india it must be around 9K.

[sixthsense]

Originally Posted by abhibh

At Sony CDX-GT610Ui CD receiver with iPod connection and MP3/WMA/AAC playback at Crutchfield.com its for $179. So in india it must be around 9K.

This model has got a lot of features:

Expandability:
» built-in iPod controls and connection — no other equipment needed » satellite radio-ready (XM or SIRIUS tuner, subscription, and antenna required) » front-panel auxiliary and USB inputs » CD changer controls » one set of preamp outputs (switchable to subwoofer mode)

The only drawback is this model only has one pre-out and with the price @10k they could have atleast given two if not three pre-outs.

[gunbir]

Heres the upcoming $300 KD-DV6200 in dash DVD player from JVC. Has Giga-MP3 capability and a front USB port too... Does DivX too, so you can actually have 5-6 movies on one DVD. Also plays video files from the USB port. 3preouts, and optical out.

[hydrashok]

CES!!!

From Engadget: Pioneer announces in-car AVH-P4900 / 5900DVD entertainment systems - Engadget

Pioneer has announced a couple of new in-car entertainment systems which they've designated the AVH-4900DVD and AVH-P5900DVD. Both units feature motorized touchscreen LCDs (6.5-inch for the 4900, 7-inch for the 5900) and XM and Sirius connectivity, but the 5900 one-ups the 4900 with the inclusion of iPod compatibility and sync-support for Bluetooth phones thanks to an optional CD-BTB100 Bluetooth adapter. The Bluetooth support goes far enough as to enable traditional speakerphone usage thanks to an integrated microphone, dialling through the unit's touch screen, and displaying caller id, along with A2DP support. Fortunately, Pioneer was thoughtful enough to include an auxiliary audio input on both units, so 4900 owners can still plug in and play whatever audio device takes their fancy. Interestingly for the few of you out there who listen to compressed music, Pioneer has included some voodoo technology called Bit Map Expander that supposedly is capable of "filling in" areas of music that are missing after compression -- not that you'll notice it over the din of your rocket powered car. The AVH-P4900 will be shipping in March at $800, with the AVH-P4900 coming in at a slightly pricier $1000 in May.

[hydrashok]

From Gizmodo:
Pioneer Car Audio Collections - Gizmodo

It's a Pioneer Christmas for the car audio world today, as Pioneer has announced a boatload of new speakers, amplifiers and subwoofers. The TS-A line of speakers start at $65 and are optimized for compressed audio like MP3. In the amplifier realm, the new GM line (GM-3300 through GM-7300) are priced from $100 to $200 and promise strong audio, while the PRS line is a bit pricier ($200+) and uses ICE technology to maximize efficiency and decrease power usage and heat generation. Two new subwoofers, the PRO line TS-W3001D4/2 and TS-W2501D4/2 are 70% smaller than previous generations but pack more beat than ever. All this gear is used by Pioneer's record-breaking audio teams that have pushed over 180dB out of their vehicles. Their moms must be proud.

A boatload of pics related to the article: Gizmodo, The Gadget Guide

[hydrashok]

From Gizmodo: Supreme Commander: Pioneer's Single-CD Player Lines - Gizmodo




...



...

For the consumers with tighter grips on their wallets, Pioneer has new lines of single-CD players to meet simpler needs. Starting at $100, the various lines mix and match a laundry list of features including: • XM/Sirius support on all models
• Direct iPod control
• USB connectivity (in case your "iPod" is a flash drive)
• Bluetooth compatibility
• Auxiliary inputs
• The awkwardly-titled "rotary commander" replacing the old and outdated volume control knob

Looks like these are US only, from the XM/Sirius support.

[hydrashok]

From Gizmodo: Pioneer Avic-D3 Car Navigation System For Discount Drivers - Gizmodo
Pioneer Avic-D3 Car Navigation System For Discount Drivers

Trying to mate in-car navigation and affordability, Pioneer has introduced the AVIC-D3, a feature-rich in-dash system available in March at a $1000 price point. The D3 comes with the standard fare: multi-format audio playback (MP3, WMA, AAC), Sirius/XM capability, Bluetooth integration and DVD playback. The nav system is updated to deliver lane-specific driving directions and includes millions of "points of interest" like gas stations and restaurants to visit along the way. Personalization is Pioneer's selling point, as the D3 morphs between five different color schemes at your command.

[sk456]

Originally Posted by hydrashok

From Gizmodo: Pioneer Avic-D3 Car Navigation System For Discount Drivers - Gizmodo
Pioneer Avic-D3 Car Navigation System For Discount Drivers

Must say that this looks very slick..... ..

[hydrashok]

From Gizmodo: Harman Kardon Drive+Play 2 is a Supercharged FM Transmitter - Gizmodo

Harman Kardon has updated their line of automobile media management gadgets with the Drive+Play 2, and FM transmitter that costs $400 bucks. (Yes, $400.)

Maybe justifying that cost is the D+P 2's screen. And its unique music browsing features that will create a personal DJ that selects music from the same artist, album or genre of music. Another music browsing feature is the ability for the D+P 2 to create dynamic channels. Imagine your wide music library being organized into stations or channels—similar to satellite or terrestrial radio.

The D+P 2 has an included wireless (!!) navigation knob and screen for full browsing capabilities on your portable music device. It also includes Harman Net (like a port for expandability), Bluetooth and supports for Sirius. The D+P 2 will supports many devices such as the iPod and Zune.

More info from Engadget: Harmon Kardon reveals Drive + Play II - Engadget

Harmon Kardon's Drive + Play iPod solution was an innovative enough solution to the problem of in-car iPod playback to warrant three separate mentions on this little site that you're currently reading. At CES, Harmon Kardon has unveiled the second iteration of the Drive + Play, marking the occasion by sticking a big Roman "II" at the end. In case you didn't get it the first time around, the Drive + Play II is a media manager that takes the audio from your iPod, Zune, or Plays for Sure media player and routes it through your car stereo whilst simultaneously displaying song information on a separate 3.5-inch color LCD. Also part of the deal is a wireless control knob similar to the control scheme on BMW's iDrive system. This time around the Drive + Play can send your portable media player's audio to your stereo via an integrated FM transmitter, which will be handy for those who own stereos without a standard 3.5 mm analog jack. A couple of other functions really seal the deal for the Drive + Play II, simply because they add some interesting possibilities to how you listen to your music. Firstly, there's an automatic DJ functionality that allows the user to select how music music from a particular style -- which can be specific as a genre or an artist -- will be played. Secondly, these desired styles can be split up into channels so that different drivers can listen to their specific music taste. On top of all this, the Drive + Play II supports A2DP Bluetooth which makes it possible to send over any MP3s that are on your mobile phone. Unfortunately, all this functionality does come at a price, as Harmon Kardon has raised the price of the Drive + Play II to $399.95. Look for it to hit stores sometime this spring.

[Sam Kapasi]

Originally Posted by hydrashok

Harman Kardon Drive+Play II

I'd like to add here the following statements.

It's WIRELESS, yay!

It will be priced at approximately Rs.23000/-- 24000/- with taxes. It will work on all drives, including USB pen drives. Which means that you can plug in your USB drive and manage the playlist on your screen with the iDrive type controller.

It is a proto-type, not yet in factory production and you will not see it in India for another 4 to 6 months.
The harman/kardon Drive and Play I, which is iPod specific, monochrome, wired display and controller will still be current and active.

[navin]

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

It's WIRELESS, yay!.

Aren't wired systems supposed to sound better?