Learn: Home » The Touch-Screen That Touches You Back
%Dim ArticlePageName(8) ArticlePageName(0) = "Why in-dash DVD?" ArticlePageName(1) = "DVD video for the kids" ArticlePageName(2) = "Navigation for my wife" ArticlePageName(3) = "Satellite radio for me" ArticlePageName(4) = "View modes and expansion" ArticlePageName(5) = "Pros and Cons" ArticlePageName(6) = "Installation" ArticlePageName(7) = "Keeping the steering wheel controls"ArticlePath = "/reviews/20040810/alpine_ivad300.html"
ImPath = ImageServer + "/ca/reviews/20040810"%>
I've had almost the exact same conversation about a dozen times recently. The people and the words spoken were always unique, but without fail, the gist remained the same. It would sound something like this:
"Hey, isn't that one of those cool monitor/DVD players you have in the dash of your minivan there?"
"It sure is. It's the Alpine IVA-D300. Pretty nifty, eh? And by the way, it's not a minivan, it's an MPV."
"Yeah, whatever. Can you watch movies on it while you're driving down the road? I bet that helps keeps the kids in the back happy during trips, huh?"
"No, it's illegal to have video in view of the driver while the vehicle is in motion. You have to connect a couple of extra wires during installation, which block the DVD picture from the screen unless the emergency brake is engaged."
"What? You got all that, and you can't even watch movies on the screen when you're driving down the road? Then what's the point of having it?"
I usually then launch into a lengthy dissertation, lasting as long as the person's attention span (sometimes longer), extolling all that is good and righteous about the Alpine IVA-D300 DVD Mobile Media receiver. Here, for your benefit, is a brief summation.
PulseTouch™
Besides being Alpine's first ever touch-screen A/V receiver, the most unique feature of the IVA-D300 is the PulseTouch™ display technology. Introduced in January at the 2004 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the unit garnered Tech TV's "Best of CES 2004," as well as the CES "Innovations" Design and Engineering award.
At the press of a button, the motorized 7" LCD panel emerges from the standard, single-DIN receiver chassis. Though touch-screen monitors are nothing new, this is the first to offer a unique "tactile" feedback. Alpine embedded piezoelectric elements within the screen that either expand or contract when pressure is applied, resulting in a perceptible "click" when the screen is touched. Though I haven't counted, Alpine indicates the screen is capable of creating eight different and unique types of feedback, depending on the screen and type of control touched. In addition to the tangible feedback, most buttons also elicit a slight audible feedback. Not quite a "beep", more like a subtle "boop." Say it out loud a few times, and you'll hear the difference (just make sure no one else is around while you try this).
The positioning of on-screen menus and controls is consistent across almost every source. This consistency, and the tactile feedback, makes it easy to control the IVA-D300 while keeping your eyes on the road ? not on the radio!
Three keys to a successful familiy road trip
With the family summer vacation fast approaching, I had a plan — the IVA-D300 was to be my secret weapon. Being on vacation was not the problem. The five-hour road trip to get to the beach (and back) was. I devised my plan with a three-pronged approach:
#1. DVD video for the kids
Knowing that I couldn't display video on the in-dash screen while driving, I attached a Farenheit 7" LCD monitor with a built-in infrared sensor (for remote control) to the posts of my headrests. As all input/output connections for the IVA-D300 are on the hideaway box (installed under the driver's seat), making the audio/video connections for the monitor was all too easy.
As my backseat passengers are still fairly young, I prefer having the DVD player accessible only to those in the front seat. This helps prevents squabbles, or the temptation for them to unbuckle their seatbelt to press play or switch out a disc.
It's obvious that Alpine put a lot of thought into the real-world application of this A/V receiver. One unique feature is the ability to access DVD menus directly from the touch-screen. On most DVD/monitor head units I've come across, accessing the DVD menu requires the use of a "cross hair" up/down/left/right control. Want to access the third menu item? You'll have to press the "down" control three times to highlight the selection, and then press enter. Not so on the IVA-D300. Alpine has mapped out the touch-screen to allow direct access to DVD menu controls. In other words, if you want the third menu item, just point to it, and touch the screen to select — very cool! I'm not sure if this feature is totally exclusive to Alpine, but I don't recall seeing it on any other touch-screen monitor.
#2. Navigation for my wife
Adding the Alpine NVE-N852A navigation system was also easy. I placed the DVD-ROM drive unit under a middle row seat, ran the wires under the carpet to the drivers seat for connection at the hideaway box, and placed the tiny magnetic antenna on the roof near the tailgate. Now, when my wife asks about stopping just 15 minutes after we passed the last rest stop, I can instantly inform her of the actual distance and time until the next available facility, instead of my vague standard response, "I think there's one ahead in a few minutes." (I'm usually wrong).
After making the necessary connections, navigation added itself to the list of available sources. I pressed the "Nav" icon (boop) and the ubiquitous "use with good judgment and at your own risk" warning appeared. I pressed the "OK" button, but nothing happened. I pressed again, and still nothing. I went back and checked my connections ? all perfect. As a last resort, I checked the owner's manual for the IVA-D300 and found an interesting note. The manual indicated, "The operation is possible with the supplied navigation remote." This surely could not be!
Just in case I misinterpreted the entry, I grabbed the phone and called my contact at Alpine, and described the situation. "Ah, you discovered the IVA-D300's Achilles' heel" he said. It seems when the Alpine NVE-852A navigation unit was designed several years ago, Alpine had yet to adopt a touch-screen interface, and all control was done through a handheld remote. And though many new outboard devices could be readily adapted to be "touch-control-ready," and hence controlled directly from the IVA-D300, the conversion for the more complex nav unit was not so simple. When I inquired if a navigation piece that could be directly controlled by the IVA-D300 was in the works, my source at Alpine said coyly: "We're constantly striving to improve our products." I'd bet money a new "touch-control-ready" nav unit by Alpine will be introduced early next year, if not sooner.
I could write an entire article on the powerful features of the NVE-852A, but I should stay focused on the IVA-D300. The beauty of the system is that I can listen to any other source (XM, radio, changer, DVD) and when it's time to make a maneuver, the nav voice prompts chime-in through only the front speakers, at a user selectable level. Even better, the IVA-D300 allows you to independently select what you watch and what you hear. I frequently leave the nav on-screen while listening to XM. When I want to change the station, or see who is performing a song, I touch the screen and the XM info and controls are super-imposed over the Nav screen. After making my selection, the XM info/controls time-out, leaving the Nav display on-screen. Once you travel with navigation, you'll never want to leave home without it.
#3. Satellite radio for me
So, DVD video to keep the kids occupied, navigation to keep my wife, uh, informed, and lastly for me, XM satellite radio. I have to admit, I am an XM fanatic and a self-ordained satellite radio evangelist. I've had XM in my vehicle since the day it became available (actually, I had it a few weeks before it was officially available. Hey, being a trainer for Crutchfield has a few perks!). And though I've used XM on several different receivers, my hands-down favorite is the interface through the IVA-D300. On the 7" LCD, I can display my choice of channel info, artist and song info, or even all three at the same time!
I also enjoy the multiple forms of channel access. I can tune in stations by presets, by category, and even by a 10-key numeric on-screen keypad. Another nifty feature is the category view. XM organizes their channels into groups based on the genre of music, news, or entertainment. The unit displays a list of all the available categories. The user can then select a category (boop) to see a sublist of all the channels in that category, and then touch the screen to select a channel (boop). With 120+ channels, this unit offers absolutely the best way to access all that XM offers.
View modes
Similar to category view for satellite radio, the IVA-D300 offers several enhanced view modes for CDs, be they standard or MP3. I slid in Pete Yorn's Music for the Morning After CD-text-encoded CD, and the screen displayed the album and artist name and a list of all tracks. I then just pointed to the track I wanted — it doesn't get any easier than that!
If you're into burning your own discs, the IVA-D300 decodes both MP3 and WMA files. This is very cool — the screen will show the "root" disc, which can then be expanded to view all folders. Touch a folder to drop down a list of included tracks, then touch to select. I've always enjoyed the increased storage capacity of an MP3-encoded disc, but am frequently frustrated trying to find the right folder or file on the display of a traditional, single-DIN-size head unit. Again, Alpine's work with human interface design really shines through — navigating an MP3 disc is a real joy with the IVA-D300.
System Expansion
System expansion is incredibly easy. In fact, it's so easy, I started thinking of other things I could connect. How about a back-up camera? It'd be useful when the van is fully loaded. I attached a license plate "bracket-cam" onto the rear plate. Now when I shift into reverse, the 7" LCD shows a reverse image on-screen. And because the camera is mounted below the back window, it offers an increased field of vision, preventing backing into/onto obstacles too low for the rear-view mirror to see.
The big picture
By all accounts, our summer vacation was a hit, thanks in part to the awesome flexibility of the IVA-D300. It allowed us to make the trip in peace. The kids watched Finding Nemo on the back-seat monitors, and up front we listened to XM satellite radio while viewing our navigation progress on-screen — that's three different sources, playing simultaneously, all easily controlled from the IVA-D300's touch-screen display.
So, next time someone asks why I would want an in-dash monitor that can't display video while driving down the road, I'll explain all that Alpine's first touch-screen Mobile Multimedia Station can do ? DVD, CD, AM/FM, MP3 and WMA, and easy integration with XM, navigation, rear-seat monitors and even a back-up camera!
If you're thinking of purchasing an in-dash monitor/DVD player, here are some of my final thoughts on the IVA-D300.
Pros:
Cons:
Installation
Like most DVD receivers, the IVA-D300 system consists of two separate units. The first is the DIN unit containing the screen and DVD player that installs in the dash; the second is a "hideaway" module that includes most of the guts of the system ? tuner, amplifier, inputs, and outputs.
I knew where to put the in-dash part, but the more pressing decision was where to install the hideaway module. After failing to find a space large enough in the dash area, I ended up placing the box under my driver's seat, the location of my previously installed Alpine XM tuner. Because of the tight fit and multiple wiring connections, I found it easier to remove the seat during installation to provide better access to the components.
Having plenty of experience installing standard CD receivers, I was surprised by the number of extra connections needed for proper installation of a DVD receiver. The hideaway required three separate connections: an AM/FM antenna connection, a control cable connecting the hideaway box to the in-dash monitor, and the main power harness.
In addition, separate wires needed to be run to the parking brake switch and the brake pedal switch. These wires are for the safety "lock-out" system Alpine uses to prevent access to deep-level menus or on-screen video (it is illegal in most states to view video while driving). To gain access to these menus/DVD features, you must first push the foot brake, then engage the parking brake, then while continuing to push the foot brake, release and re-engage the parking brake. This sounds more confusing than it actually is — after you've done it a couple of times it's easy to get the rhythm. It's just a quick pedal push, handbrake up, handbrake down, then up again. Certainly easier for most people than learning to drive a 5-speed!
If you plan on adding a back-up camera to your system (as I did), you'll also need to connect the supplied wire to the reverse light.
iPersonalize
Upon finishing the installation, I performed a manual-unassisted functional analysis of the basic operation modes of the unit (i.e. I played with it, in a technical fashion). I tuned to XM 22 as No Doubt's "Hella Good" began (Gwen, you go girl!) and was duly impressed. The IVA-D300 is rated at 18 watts x 4 channels RMS using the CEA-2006 amplifier power rating standard, (Alpine is one of the first to embrace this new standard). The sound was big and full in my component speakers, front and rear. Thank you Alpine, for including an excellent internal amp.
Though it sounded great out of the box, I logged onto www.alpine.com to access the website's iPersonalize section. Here you can choose the model of Alpine head-unit you own and view custom set-up information in an easy-to-use, graphics-based interface. I measured and tweaked the time alignment, adjusted the crossover settings, and kept the 3-band EQ almost as is. Once set, you can either print out the settings, or burn the info to a CD that can be read by the IVA-D300. With the graphics capabilities of this receiver, it would be great to see a graphics-based set-up built into the radio, instead of having to retrieve and transfer the info from the web. I printed and adjusted the settings, improving the already impressive sound.
Keep those steering wheel controls!
Most owners of the latest MPV agree upon one glaring design "opportunity" ? the gearshift on the steering column sticks out way too far. Particularly while in "D", the stalk makes accessing the audio controls a bit awkward, for the factory system, as well as the Alpine.
Because of the obstruction, I've come to rely on the steering wheel mounted audio controls. Unfortunately, when you remove the factory radio, the steering wheel controls cease to function. That is, unless you opt to install the PAC SWI-X Steering Wheel Radio Control Interface. Once installed and programmed, this adapter accepts the commands from the steering wheel controls and converts them to IR signals. As long as the new receiver accepts IR commands, which the IVA-D300 does, full steering-wheel-remote-functionality will be retained.
Much to my dismay, I discovered that IVA-D300 does not come supplied with the infrared (IR) remote needed to program the SWI-X. I was surprised that a receiver of this level did not include a remote, but I guess the thought is with a touch-screen monitor, a remote would be redundant. In all honesty, other than the initial programming of the interface, I have yet to have need for a handheld remote. Fortunately, I recalled that my good friend across the street also had an Alpine receiver in his Accord, and as luck would have it, his Alpine remote worked perfectly with my IVA-D300. If you're not as fortunate to have an Alpine-remote-equipped-friend living close by, the optional RUE-4187 IR remote is only $20.
I used my loaner remote to "teach" the SWI-X interface the translation from Mazda to Alpine controls. If you've ever programmed a "learning" universal remote control, the process is very similar. In the programming mode, I first pressed the "volume up" button on the steering wheel, and then pressed the corresponding button on the Alpine remote. The interface "learns" the command. I then repeated the process for volume down, mute, next track/station and source commands. I placed the IR repeater from the SWI-X on the installation kit near the IR sensor for the Alpine to check for a compatible location. Once confirmed, I drilled a small hole in the install kit to mount the repeater. If you have become accustomed to using your vehicles steering wheel audio controls, definitely consider purchasing an SWI-X when replacing the factory radio.
Peter Logan is Crutchfield's Technology Training Manager, and believes everyone needs a Mac, TiVo™ and satellite radio.
 Alpine's PulseTouch™ technology produces physical feedback that simulates the feel of pressing real buttons. |
I've had almost the exact same conversation about a dozen times recently. The people and the words spoken were always unique, but without fail, the gist remained the same. It would sound something like this:
"Hey, isn't that one of those cool monitor/DVD players you have in the dash of your minivan there?"
"It sure is. It's the Alpine IVA-D300. Pretty nifty, eh? And by the way, it's not a minivan, it's an MPV."
"Yeah, whatever. Can you watch movies on it while you're driving down the road? I bet that helps keeps the kids in the back happy during trips, huh?"
"No, it's illegal to have video in view of the driver while the vehicle is in motion. You have to connect a couple of extra wires during installation, which block the DVD picture from the screen unless the emergency brake is engaged."
"What? You got all that, and you can't even watch movies on the screen when you're driving down the road? Then what's the point of having it?"
I usually then launch into a lengthy dissertation, lasting as long as the person's attention span (sometimes longer), extolling all that is good and righteous about the Alpine IVA-D300 DVD Mobile Media receiver. Here, for your benefit, is a brief summation.
PulseTouch™
Besides being Alpine's first ever touch-screen A/V receiver, the most unique feature of the IVA-D300 is the PulseTouch™ display technology. Introduced in January at the 2004 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the unit garnered Tech TV's "Best of CES 2004," as well as the CES "Innovations" Design and Engineering award.
At the press of a button, the motorized 7" LCD panel emerges from the standard, single-DIN receiver chassis. Though touch-screen monitors are nothing new, this is the first to offer a unique "tactile" feedback. Alpine embedded piezoelectric elements within the screen that either expand or contract when pressure is applied, resulting in a perceptible "click" when the screen is touched. Though I haven't counted, Alpine indicates the screen is capable of creating eight different and unique types of feedback, depending on the screen and type of control touched. In addition to the tangible feedback, most buttons also elicit a slight audible feedback. Not quite a "beep", more like a subtle "boop." Say it out loud a few times, and you'll hear the difference (just make sure no one else is around while you try this).
The positioning of on-screen menus and controls is consistent across almost every source. This consistency, and the tactile feedback, makes it easy to control the IVA-D300 while keeping your eyes on the road ? not on the radio!
Three keys to a successful familiy road trip
With the family summer vacation fast approaching, I had a plan — the IVA-D300 was to be my secret weapon. Being on vacation was not the problem. The five-hour road trip to get to the beach (and back) was. I devised my plan with a three-pronged approach:
 Three-source capability allowed us to use navigation and XM up front while the kids enjoyed a movie on the back-seat monitor. |
#1. DVD video for the kids
Knowing that I couldn't display video on the in-dash screen while driving, I attached a Farenheit 7" LCD monitor with a built-in infrared sensor (for remote control) to the posts of my headrests. As all input/output connections for the IVA-D300 are on the hideaway box (installed under the driver's seat), making the audio/video connections for the monitor was all too easy.
As my backseat passengers are still fairly young, I prefer having the DVD player accessible only to those in the front seat. This helps prevents squabbles, or the temptation for them to unbuckle their seatbelt to press play or switch out a disc.
It's obvious that Alpine put a lot of thought into the real-world application of this A/V receiver. One unique feature is the ability to access DVD menus directly from the touch-screen. On most DVD/monitor head units I've come across, accessing the DVD menu requires the use of a "cross hair" up/down/left/right control. Want to access the third menu item? You'll have to press the "down" control three times to highlight the selection, and then press enter. Not so on the IVA-D300. Alpine has mapped out the touch-screen to allow direct access to DVD menu controls. In other words, if you want the third menu item, just point to it, and touch the screen to select — very cool! I'm not sure if this feature is totally exclusive to Alpine, but I don't recall seeing it on any other touch-screen monitor.
 Unfortunately, the NVE-N852A navigation system is not touch-screen compatible and could only be operated by remote control. |
#2. Navigation for my wife
Adding the Alpine NVE-N852A navigation system was also easy. I placed the DVD-ROM drive unit under a middle row seat, ran the wires under the carpet to the drivers seat for connection at the hideaway box, and placed the tiny magnetic antenna on the roof near the tailgate. Now, when my wife asks about stopping just 15 minutes after we passed the last rest stop, I can instantly inform her of the actual distance and time until the next available facility, instead of my vague standard response, "I think there's one ahead in a few minutes." (I'm usually wrong).
After making the necessary connections, navigation added itself to the list of available sources. I pressed the "Nav" icon (boop) and the ubiquitous "use with good judgment and at your own risk" warning appeared. I pressed the "OK" button, but nothing happened. I pressed again, and still nothing. I went back and checked my connections ? all perfect. As a last resort, I checked the owner's manual for the IVA-D300 and found an interesting note. The manual indicated, "The operation is possible with the supplied navigation remote." This surely could not be!
Just in case I misinterpreted the entry, I grabbed the phone and called my contact at Alpine, and described the situation. "Ah, you discovered the IVA-D300's Achilles' heel" he said. It seems when the Alpine NVE-852A navigation unit was designed several years ago, Alpine had yet to adopt a touch-screen interface, and all control was done through a handheld remote. And though many new outboard devices could be readily adapted to be "touch-control-ready," and hence controlled directly from the IVA-D300, the conversion for the more complex nav unit was not so simple. When I inquired if a navigation piece that could be directly controlled by the IVA-D300 was in the works, my source at Alpine said coyly: "We're constantly striving to improve our products." I'd bet money a new "touch-control-ready" nav unit by Alpine will be introduced early next year, if not sooner.
 The IVA-D300 displays all the XM information you could want. |
I could write an entire article on the powerful features of the NVE-852A, but I should stay focused on the IVA-D300. The beauty of the system is that I can listen to any other source (XM, radio, changer, DVD) and when it's time to make a maneuver, the nav voice prompts chime-in through only the front speakers, at a user selectable level. Even better, the IVA-D300 allows you to independently select what you watch and what you hear. I frequently leave the nav on-screen while listening to XM. When I want to change the station, or see who is performing a song, I touch the screen and the XM info and controls are super-imposed over the Nav screen. After making my selection, the XM info/controls time-out, leaving the Nav display on-screen. Once you travel with navigation, you'll never want to leave home without it.
 Using the keypad to punch up an XM channel. |
#3. Satellite radio for me
So, DVD video to keep the kids occupied, navigation to keep my wife, uh, informed, and lastly for me, XM satellite radio. I have to admit, I am an XM fanatic and a self-ordained satellite radio evangelist. I've had XM in my vehicle since the day it became available (actually, I had it a few weeks before it was officially available. Hey, being a trainer for Crutchfield has a few perks!). And though I've used XM on several different receivers, my hands-down favorite is the interface through the IVA-D300. On the 7" LCD, I can display my choice of channel info, artist and song info, or even all three at the same time!
 The IVA-D300's XM interface is the best I've ever used. |
I also enjoy the multiple forms of channel access. I can tune in stations by presets, by category, and even by a 10-key numeric on-screen keypad. Another nifty feature is the category view. XM organizes their channels into groups based on the genre of music, news, or entertainment. The unit displays a list of all the available categories. The user can then select a category (boop) to see a sublist of all the channels in that category, and then touch the screen to select a channel (boop). With 120+ channels, this unit offers absolutely the best way to access all that XM offers.
 |
View modes
Similar to category view for satellite radio, the IVA-D300 offers several enhanced view modes for CDs, be they standard or MP3. I slid in Pete Yorn's Music for the Morning After CD-text-encoded CD, and the screen displayed the album and artist name and a list of all tracks. I then just pointed to the track I wanted — it doesn't get any easier than that!
If you're into burning your own discs, the IVA-D300 decodes both MP3 and WMA files. This is very cool — the screen will show the "root" disc, which can then be expanded to view all folders. Touch a folder to drop down a list of included tracks, then touch to select. I've always enjoyed the increased storage capacity of an MP3-encoded disc, but am frequently frustrated trying to find the right folder or file on the display of a traditional, single-DIN-size head unit. Again, Alpine's work with human interface design really shines through — navigating an MP3 disc is a real joy with the IVA-D300.
 Navigating through a disc of MP3 files is intuitive and easy. |
System Expansion
System expansion is incredibly easy. In fact, it's so easy, I started thinking of other things I could connect. How about a back-up camera? It'd be useful when the van is fully loaded. I attached a license plate "bracket-cam" onto the rear plate. Now when I shift into reverse, the 7" LCD shows a reverse image on-screen. And because the camera is mounted below the back window, it offers an increased field of vision, preventing backing into/onto obstacles too low for the rear-view mirror to see.
 A back-up camera can be a valuable safety tool for people who drive large vehicles. |
 |
 You may be surprised to see what's going on behind you...as the author himself demonstrates. |
The big picture
By all accounts, our summer vacation was a hit, thanks in part to the awesome flexibility of the IVA-D300. It allowed us to make the trip in peace. The kids watched Finding Nemo on the back-seat monitors, and up front we listened to XM satellite radio while viewing our navigation progress on-screen — that's three different sources, playing simultaneously, all easily controlled from the IVA-D300's touch-screen display.
So, next time someone asks why I would want an in-dash monitor that can't display video while driving down the road, I'll explain all that Alpine's first touch-screen Mobile Multimedia Station can do ? DVD, CD, AM/FM, MP3 and WMA, and easy integration with XM, navigation, rear-seat monitors and even a back-up camera!
If you're thinking of purchasing an in-dash monitor/DVD player, here are some of my final thoughts on the IVA-D300.
Pros:
- Powerful internal amplifier, which at 18 watts (CEA-2006) puts many other higher-rated (on paper) head units to shame.
- A very user-friendly on-screen interface, with a minimum of the distracting eye candy so prevalent on other DVD monitors.
- Direct menu access to DVDs. Just point to the menu selection you want — no scrolling up/down commands to access menu items.
- Easy system expansion from multiple connections on hide-away box.
Cons:
- Very limited control of the unit when the screen is closed, unless you purchase the optional remote.
- No external display when the screen is closed (though the screen is so cool looking open, I rarely leave it closed).
- Does not offer touch-screen control of Alpine's current GPS navigation system (though that's more the fault of the Nav than the IVA-D300).
Installation
Like most DVD receivers, the IVA-D300 system consists of two separate units. The first is the DIN unit containing the screen and DVD player that installs in the dash; the second is a "hideaway" module that includes most of the guts of the system ? tuner, amplifier, inputs, and outputs.
I knew where to put the in-dash part, but the more pressing decision was where to install the hideaway module. After failing to find a space large enough in the dash area, I ended up placing the box under my driver's seat, the location of my previously installed Alpine XM tuner. Because of the tight fit and multiple wiring connections, I found it easier to remove the seat during installation to provide better access to the components.
Having plenty of experience installing standard CD receivers, I was surprised by the number of extra connections needed for proper installation of a DVD receiver. The hideaway required three separate connections: an AM/FM antenna connection, a control cable connecting the hideaway box to the in-dash monitor, and the main power harness.
In addition, separate wires needed to be run to the parking brake switch and the brake pedal switch. These wires are for the safety "lock-out" system Alpine uses to prevent access to deep-level menus or on-screen video (it is illegal in most states to view video while driving). To gain access to these menus/DVD features, you must first push the foot brake, then engage the parking brake, then while continuing to push the foot brake, release and re-engage the parking brake. This sounds more confusing than it actually is — after you've done it a couple of times it's easy to get the rhythm. It's just a quick pedal push, handbrake up, handbrake down, then up again. Certainly easier for most people than learning to drive a 5-speed!
If you plan on adding a back-up camera to your system (as I did), you'll also need to connect the supplied wire to the reverse light.
iPersonalize
Upon finishing the installation, I performed a manual-unassisted functional analysis of the basic operation modes of the unit (i.e. I played with it, in a technical fashion). I tuned to XM 22 as No Doubt's "Hella Good" began (Gwen, you go girl!) and was duly impressed. The IVA-D300 is rated at 18 watts x 4 channels RMS using the CEA-2006 amplifier power rating standard, (Alpine is one of the first to embrace this new standard). The sound was big and full in my component speakers, front and rear. Thank you Alpine, for including an excellent internal amp.
 |
Though it sounded great out of the box, I logged onto www.alpine.com to access the website's iPersonalize section. Here you can choose the model of Alpine head-unit you own and view custom set-up information in an easy-to-use, graphics-based interface. I measured and tweaked the time alignment, adjusted the crossover settings, and kept the 3-band EQ almost as is. Once set, you can either print out the settings, or burn the info to a CD that can be read by the IVA-D300. With the graphics capabilities of this receiver, it would be great to see a graphics-based set-up built into the radio, instead of having to retrieve and transfer the info from the web. I printed and adjusted the settings, improving the already impressive sound.
Keep those steering wheel controls!
 The PAC SWI-X interface allows you to use your steering wheel controls with any aftermarket car stereo that has wireless remote capability. |
Most owners of the latest MPV agree upon one glaring design "opportunity" ? the gearshift on the steering column sticks out way too far. Particularly while in "D", the stalk makes accessing the audio controls a bit awkward, for the factory system, as well as the Alpine.
Because of the obstruction, I've come to rely on the steering wheel mounted audio controls. Unfortunately, when you remove the factory radio, the steering wheel controls cease to function. That is, unless you opt to install the PAC SWI-X Steering Wheel Radio Control Interface. Once installed and programmed, this adapter accepts the commands from the steering wheel controls and converts them to IR signals. As long as the new receiver accepts IR commands, which the IVA-D300 does, full steering-wheel-remote-functionality will be retained.
 |
Much to my dismay, I discovered that IVA-D300 does not come supplied with the infrared (IR) remote needed to program the SWI-X. I was surprised that a receiver of this level did not include a remote, but I guess the thought is with a touch-screen monitor, a remote would be redundant. In all honesty, other than the initial programming of the interface, I have yet to have need for a handheld remote. Fortunately, I recalled that my good friend across the street also had an Alpine receiver in his Accord, and as luck would have it, his Alpine remote worked perfectly with my IVA-D300. If you're not as fortunate to have an Alpine-remote-equipped-friend living close by, the optional RUE-4187 IR remote is only $20.
 I mounted the SWI-X IR repeater on the installation kit. |
I used my loaner remote to "teach" the SWI-X interface the translation from Mazda to Alpine controls. If you've ever programmed a "learning" universal remote control, the process is very similar. In the programming mode, I first pressed the "volume up" button on the steering wheel, and then pressed the corresponding button on the Alpine remote. The interface "learns" the command. I then repeated the process for volume down, mute, next track/station and source commands. I placed the IR repeater from the SWI-X on the installation kit near the IR sensor for the Alpine to check for a compatible location. Once confirmed, I drilled a small hole in the install kit to mount the repeater. If you have become accustomed to using your vehicles steering wheel audio controls, definitely consider purchasing an SWI-X when replacing the factory radio.
Peter Logan is Crutchfield's Technology Training Manager, and believes everyone needs a Mac, TiVo™ and satellite radio.
