Overview: The Alpine iXA-W404 is an in-dash
digital media receiver with an AM/FM tuner, a rear-panel USB input, and a 4.3"
full color TFT LCD screen, but no CD slot. You can connect and control an iPod,
a USB "thumb" drive, and a CD changer; and the unit is HD Radio ready, Bluetooth
ready, and Satellite radio ready. The iXA-W404 is a dedicated receiver that
provide seamless control of your iPod, iPhone and many other popular digital
devices right from the headunit. The iXA-W404 receiver offers enhanced features
for a more robust iPod-listening experience that meets the specifications for
"Made for iPod" and "Works with iPhone" compatibility.
Display Features
AM/FM Tuner
External Device Connection
Audio Section
Sound Processing (with
optional PXA-H100)
Remote Control
Display Features
2-DIN Chassis: The Alpine iXA-W404 has a 2-DIN chassis (also
known as "Double DIN" or size DD), and will fit in many vehicles with a large
dash opening. Unlike many in-dash monitors, there is no hideaway box; all the
inputs and outputs are included within the unit's chassis. The unit can be
ISO-mounted using factory brackets, or Euro-mounted using the supplied mounting
sleeve. As always, please check the Crutchfield Vehicle Selector to verify fit
with your vehicle.
4.3" Full-Color Touchscreen LCD Display: The Alpine iXA-W404
features a high-resolution (400 x 234) 4.3-inch, full-color, touchscreen LCD display to view
and control your audio/video
sources as well as Calendar, Clock, Calculator, Audio, and Menu functions.
- A/V Information: The unit can display the following audio/video
information based on the source selected.
- iPod Mode: Artwork, song name, and artist name is displayed
for current song; as well as video (if applicable)
- USB Mode: Tag information of the current song is displayed
(Song name, Artist name).
- Radio Mode: The frequency of the current radio station is
displayed.
- HD Radio Mode: The name and frequency of the current station
is displayed.
- SAT Mode: Tag information of the current song is displayed
(channel name, song name).
- World Clock Display: The unit is equipped with a World Clock
function. The local time of 4 major cities in the world can be displayed
according to the time set on this unit.
- Calendar: The unit can display the year, month day and week.
- Calculator: A 15-digit Calculator is provided to do simple math
calculations.
- Multi-Info Mode: You can select fours panels of information to
show on the screen simultaneously.
Display Adjustments: The
Alpine iXA-W404 offers the following display settings.
- Display Modes: You can select one of the following
display modes:
- Mode 1 (Wide): Evenly stretches a 4:3 picture
horizontally to fit the wide screen monitor.
- Mode 2 (Cinema): Displays a 4:3 picture by
stretching out the picture horizontally and vertically; good for
displaying a cinema-type picture with a 16:9 ratio.
- Mode 3 (Normal): Displays a 4:3 picture at the
center of the screen with a vertical black band at each side.
- Background Textures: You can set the unit's LCD screen to one of
sixe background textures. When Auto Background is activated, the background
texture will change each time the ignition key is turned off and turned on
again. You can download wallpaper from Alpine's website to a USB thumbdrive,
then upload and store the wallpaper in the iXA-W404.
- Visual EQ: You can select from five preset Picture Modes and two
custom Picture Modes. The Preset Picture modes consist of Flat (default
initial setting), Night M (suitable for dark movies), Soft (suitable for
animated films), Sharp (suitable for old movies), and Contrast ( suitable
for recent movies). The two custom mode allow you to adjust the pictures
brightness, color, tint, contrast, and sharpness (-15 to +15).
- Backlight Brightness: You can set the illumination of the headunit
manually (-15 to +15). You can also turn the display off completely to
reduce power consumption.
- Black Richness: This function allows the Black Richness (deeper
blacks) of a dark scene to be adjusted (1-5).
Double-Action Rotary Encoder Knob:
In addition to the unit's touchscreen controls, The iXA-W404 features a
large Double-Action Rotary Encoder Knob for maximum control over all music
search functions like QuickSearch for finding your songs or adjusting your
volume. The unit also features other various hard-key buttons.
Video Lock-out Feature: For
safety and legal reasons, the iXA-W404 features a video lock-out feature to
prevent the viewing of a video source while the vehicle is in motion. To watch a
video source, the vehicle must be parked with the ignition in the ACC or ON
position. The vehicle's parking brake must be engaged, disengaged, and engaged
again while the foot brake is held in.
AM/FM Tuner
AM/FM Tuner: The unit features
a built-in AM/FM tuner with two FM bands and one AM band.
Preset Tuning: You can preset up to
six stations for each band giving you a total of 12 FM presets and 6 AM presets.
The unit's tuner can also automatically seek and store six strong stations in a
selected band in order of signal strength.
External Device Connection
A/V Input: Stereo RCA jacks and a RCA composite video jack
are provided for connecting an external video source such as a VCR, DVD player,
or video game. You can adjust the audio input level (Low/High) of the unit's
Auxiliary input.
USB Memory Mode: The iXA-W404 can play MP3, WMA, and AAC
files stored on a USB Memory device (also known as a "thumb drive")
formatted in FAT 12, 16, or 32 using its rear-panel USB port and supplied USB
cable. MP3 files can be recorded with bit rates of 32-320 kbps, WMA files can
have 16-320 kbps bit rates, and AAC files can have 8-576 kbps. This unit can
recognize up to 256 folders and up to 10,000 files. The unit's display shows
song, album, and artist title, and elapsed time. If no tag information exists,
the display shows the track number and elapsed time. During MP3/WMA/AAC playback
from a USB memory device, you can activate the search mode to locate a specific
folder or file by name. You can repeat the current track or current folder, and
play the tracks in the current folder or all of the tracks in the current memory
bank in random order. Additionally you can connect and control MP3 players like
the iRiver Clix, Creative Zen, or Toshiba Gigabeat, using the MTP protocol.
Built-In iPod Interface: The iXA-W404 uses a rear-panel USB
connection and 3.5mm iPod audio/video input (6.5' USB cable and 6.5' 3.5mm AV
cable included) and comes supplied with a 14" iPod dock/USB/3.5mm connector
cable to connect select iPods and provide ultra-fast digital data transfer so
songs and videos are loaded instantly through the receiver. The iXA-W404 uses a USB connection (cable
included) which provides ultra-fast digital data transfer so songs and video
are loaded instantly through the receiver. You can view Artist, Album,
Song Information and Song Number right on the head unit's display.
You can also quickly and easily
search through all of the music contained on your iPod through Playlist,
Artist, Album, Song, Genre, Composer, Podcast, and Episode searches. For especially large music
libraries, Alpine created the Percentage Search function to use the
headunit's preset buttons for quick jumps to specific parts of the list. You
can skip through your music in 10% increments. In addition, you can use Alphabet Search to
jump through your lengthy list of music by skipping through
the letters of the alphabet. Titles are listed alphabetically
and can be skipped every 200 titles with the same beginning
alphabetical character. Once you have the letter you want,
simply scroll to the exact song. Instead of starting all over from the
search menu, you can simply press the Back button on the receiver to go back one
step (works just like your iPod). When you are playing a song if you press the
back button it will take you back to the place in the menu where you selected
the song. When you add Alpine's HD Radio module (500TUAT550,
sold separately), and you hear a song you like, simply press and hold the iTunes
Tagging button on the iXA-W404. This iTunes Tagging feature lets you Tag songs
you hear on HD Radio stations and stores the info on your connected iPod. The
next time you connect your iPod to iTunes, you will be able to preview your
selections and then purchase and download them from directly from iTunes. The
Alpine iXA-W404 is "made for iPod/iPhone" compatible and supports the following
iPod/iPhone model functions (as of Dec. 2010):
| iPod/iPhone Model |
Generation |
Media Type |
Control |
Display |
Charge |
| Audio |
Video |
Unit |
iPod |
Song/Artist
|
Track |
| dock-connector
|
3rd |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
|
click-wheel/color-display |
4th |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
| mini |
1st |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
| 2nd |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
| video
|
5th |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| classic
(80/120/160 GB) |
80GB |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| 120GB |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| 160GB |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| nano
|
1st |
Y |
N |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| 2nd |
Y |
N |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| 3rd |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| 4th |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| 5th |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
touch |
1st |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| 2nd |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| 3rd |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
iPhone |
2G |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| 3G |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
3GS |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Note: The controls on the iPod are not
functional when connected. Apple firmware updates may change
functionality results.
Satellite Radio Ready: There are several options for
connecting an optional XM or SIRIUS Satellite Radio receiver to this receiver:
- XM Satellite Radio: To receive XM Satellite Radio, you
can connect the optional CNP2000UC XM Mini Tuner and the Alpine CNP-ALP1
adapter cable (700XMALP1,
sold separately).
- SIRIUS Satellite Radio:
- Universal SIRIUS Tuner: You can connect the
optional SIRIUS SC-C1 Sirius-Connect Universal Vehicle Tuner, along with
the Alpine KCA-SC100 SIRIUS satellite Radio interface (700SIRALPC,
sold separately) directly to the head unit.
- SIRIUS Plug and Play: The KCA-SC100 (item number
500KCASC10) also allows you to integrate many SIRIUS plug and play
receivers when used with the SiriusConnect Plug and Play Dock (700SIRALPP,
sold separately). Compatible tuners include the Sportster, Starmate,
Stratus, and Stiletto. You can control the satellite receiver from your
head unit and use the Quick Search feature to browse all artists and
songs currently playing on all channels. The SIRIUS text information
also appears on the head unit display.
- Auxiliary Input: A portable satellite radio receiver,
such as the Delphi SkyFi3 or SIRIUS Sportster, can be connected to the head
unit via an auxiliary input.
Note: A subscription is also required to receive
satellite radio programming from SIRIUS or XM.
HD Radio Ready:
The iXA-W404 can receive HD Radio signals when the TUA-T550HD HD Radio Tuner
Module (500TUAT550,
sold separately) is connected via the Ai-Net connector. While receiving HD Radio,
the unit can automatically switch between the analog and digital signals, or you
can manually switch to the digital signals exclusively. When used with the
compatible HD Radio Tuner, the iXA-W404 supports Multicasting, which is the
ability to broadcast multiple programs streams over a single FM frequency,
thereby increasing the amount and diversity of content choices.
Bluetooth Interface Ready: With the optional KCE-400BT
Bluetooth adapter (500KCE400B, sold separately), you can make and receive calls hands-free
on your Bluetooth-capable cellular phone, and communicate through a microphone
(included with the Bluetooth interface) and your vehicle's speakers. In addition
to the wireless connection and hands-free operation, you also get caller ID,
phone book access, and on-screen call information. With select compatible phones
with streaming audio capability, you can listen to and control music stored on
your phone and have it stream through your Alpine system.
Navigation: The iXA-W404 is compatible with Alpine's NVE-P1 Navigation Drive
(500NVEP1,
sold separately) via the
PMD-DOK2 Docking Station (500PMDOCK2, sold separately). The NVE-P1 provides preloaded NAVTEQ map data of
the U.S. and Canada, text-to-speech driving instructions, and Bluetooth
hands-free functionality, among other features. With an Alpine navigation system
connected to the iXA-W404, the voice guidance of the navigation system will be
mixed with the receiver's audio. You can adjust the volume level of the voice
guidance.
Changer Controls:
This unit is compatible with 6- and 12-disc Alpine Ai-NET CD changers; also,
this unit can control Alpine Ai-NET CD/MP3 changers and DVD changers.
Additional Auxiliary Input: In addition to the unit's A/V
Aux Input, the optional KCA-121B Ai-NET/RCA adapter (500KCA121B,
sold separately) can be used so audio from other auxiliary sources can be played
through the unit's AI-Net connection. When the KCA-121B interface cable is used,
a CD changer cannot be connected to the head unit.
Auxiliary Output: Stereo RCA
jacks and an RCA composite video jack are provided for feeding A/V signals to an
optional video monitor(s). When the Rear Entertainment Function is used and these
jacks are connected to a rear seat entertainment system (e.g. a rear seat
monitor and wireless headphones), your rear seat passengers can view/listen to a
different source than the one selected for the front passengers.
Rear Camera Input: There are two dedicated rearview camera
inputs; a six pin harness specifically for the Alpine HCE-C107D (500HCE107D,
sold separately), and a single composite video jack compatible with most
rearview cameras on the market. If a rear-view camera is connected, you should
also connect the reverse lead (Orange/white) to the vehicle's reverse lamp
circuit. When properly connected, the image from the rear-view camera appears on
the monitor when the vehicle is shifted into reverse.
Remote In/Out: A 6-pin female
Molex jack and harness allows you to connect the remote control plugs from an optional video
monitor, tuner, DVD player, etc.
Note: Some optional
Alpine monitors have touchscreen controls requiring connection of
monitor control wire of the remote harness.
Audio Section
CEA-2006 Compliant: The specifications given by Alpine for
the built-in amplifier comply with the CEA-2006 mobile amplifier power testing
and measurement standards from the Consumer Electronics Association. All
manufacturers who comply with the standard can display the CEA-2006 logo on
their product.
- CEA-2006 Power Rating: 18 watts x 4-channel
- Max Power Output: 50 watts x 4-channel
24-Bit DAC: The iXA-W404 uses clean digital connections and
a 24-bit DAC (digital-to-analog converter).
Bass and Treble Controls: The head unit features independent
Bass and Treble controls that allow you to adjust each setting +/-14 dB in 2 dB
steps. The center frequencies are adjustable (60, 80, 100, and 200 Hz for bass
and 10, 12.5, 15, and 17.5 kHz for treble) and the bass bandwidth is adjustable
(from narrow to wide in four steps).
Loudness: Loudness introduces a special low and high
frequency emphasis at low listening levels to compensate for the ear's decreased
sensitivity to bass and treble sound at low volume.
HPF: The high pass filter (HPF) removes the lower bass from
the front and rear speaker and line level outputs. HPF options are 60 Hz, 80 Hz,
100 Hz, and off.
Three 2-Volt Preamp Outputs: In addition to the front
and rear 2-volt preamp outputs, there is a dedicated 2-volt subwoofer preamp
output with variable level adjustment of 0 to 15. When an external amplifier is powering all the
speakers in the system, you can turn the internal amp off, which will
improve the sound quality.
Rear Entertainment Function: The Rear Entertainment Function
independently routes different sources to the front and the rear speakers of
your vehicle. For example; while listening to the radio or other audio source
through the front speakers, the video of the iPhone/iPod can be enjoyed in the
rear with an optional rear monitor and set of headphones. The rear zone signals
are passed by RCA composite video and stereo RCA preamp audio connections.
Sound Processing (with optional PXA-H100)
Imprint: With the addition of
the optional PXA-H100 Imprint box (500PXAH100,
sold separately) and KTX-H100 tuning kit (500KTXH100,
sold separately) a car's
inherent acoustic shortcomings can be overcome with the MultEQ feature. Imprint
also gives you much more sound adjustment flexibility as detailed below.
MultEQ: MultEQ, developed by
Audyssey Labs, automatically optimizes the audio for the listening environment
inside your vehicle. The Imprint box and tuning kit include the hardware, software, and
microphone necessary to measure multiple positions in the car and capture
frequency and time domain information from the vehicle's actual acoustical
environment. Once the car's speaker location delays are measured, along with the
frequency peaks and dips caused by the absorptive and reflective materials in
the interior, MultEQ creates a set of equalization filters to correct the
frequency response and time domain problems for each speaker in the vehicle. It
also removes sound distortion caused by the specific acoustical problems in the
vehicle by applying unique FIR filters, using more than 500 points along the
frequency spectrum per channel. This optimizes the sound reproduction to the
specific vehicle listening environment with much greater precision than can be
achieved using typical graphic or parametric equalization. The result is a more
accurate soundstage and smoother, more natural sound optimized to match your
vehicle.
Equalizer:
10 typical equalizer settings are preset at the factory for a
variety of musical source material. You can select from - Flat, Pops, Rock,
News, Jazz & Blues, Electrical Dance, Hip Hop & Rap, Easy Listening, Country,
and Classical. The head unit will also save six custom EQ curves you create by
adjusting the units built-in EQ. Choose the parametric or graphic EQ:
- 5- Band Parametric EQ:
The built-in Parametric EQ allows you to
adjust the following 5 frequency bands in 1/3 octave steps from -6 to +6 dB
at a bandwidth Q factor of 1, 1.5, or 3
- Band 1: 20 Hz to 80 Hz
- Band 2:
50 Hz to 200 Hz
- Band 3:
125 Hz to 3.2 kHz
- Band 4: 315 Hz to 8 kHz
- Band 5:
800 Hz to 20 kHz
- 7-Band Graphic EQ:
The built-in Graphic EQ allows you to adjust the
following 7 frequencies from -6 to +6 dB
- Band 1:
63 Hz
- Band 2:
150 Hz
- Band 3:
400 Hz
- Band 4:
1 kHz
- Band 5:
2.5 kHz
- Band 6:
6.3 kHz
- Band
7: 17.5 kHz
Crossover:
The active crossover can be used as a 2.2 channel (3-way;
low-pass subwoofer, band-pass midrange, high-pass tweeter) or a 4.2 channel
(2-way; high-pass front and rear, low-pass subwoofer). A crossover limits the
frequencies delivered to a given speaker, so you send only the frequencies for
which the speaker is well suited. The crossover adjusts the high pass filter or
low pass filter of each band along with the slope and output level. You can
adjust the following crossover settings:
- 4.2 Channel:
- High Pass Filter:
the front and rear outputs are individually adjustable; crossover from
20 to 200 Hz in 1/3 octave steps with a slope of Flat, 6, 12, 18 or 24
dB/oct, additionally you can adjust the output level from -12 to 0 dB
- Low Pass Filter:
the subwoofer output can be stereo or mono; crossover from 20 to 200 Hz
in 1/3 octave steps with a slope of Flat, 6, 12, 18 or 24 dB/oct,
additionally you can adjust the output level from -12 to 0 dB
- 2.2 Channel:
- Tweeter/High Pass
Filter: crossover from 1 kHz to 20 kHz in
1/3 octave steps with a slope of 6, 12, 18, or 24 dB/oct, additionally
you can adjust the output level from -12 to 0 dB
- Midrange/Band Pass
Filter: a band pass has both high pass
and low pass filters; HPF 20 to 200 Hz in 1/3 octave steps with a slope
of Flat, 6, 12, 18 or 24 dB/oct; LPF from 20 Hz to 20 kHz in 1/3 octave
steps with a slope of Flat, 6, 12, 18 or 24 dB/oct, additionally you can
adjust the output level from -12 to 0 dB
- Subwoofer/Low Pass
Filter: the subwoofer output can be
stereo or mono; crossover from 20 to 200 Hz in 1/3 octave steps with a
slope of Flat, 6, 12, 18 or 24 dB/oct, additionally you can adjust the
output level from -12 to 0 dB
Time Correction:
The time correction feature delays the audio signal to
the speakers closer to the listener. This effectively creates a perception of
increased distance for those speakers. Time Correction allows the listener to be
placed at an equal distance from all speakers for optimum staging. You can
adjust the distance of each speaker and subwoofer (6-channel) to the listener
from 0 to 132.7 inches.
Media Xpander:
The MX (Media Xpander) function makes vocals or instruments sound distinct by
restoring sound quality typically lost during recording or transmission; this
function helps restore audio information that becomes obscured when audio is
compressed. The MX function can be applied to all sources, except AM radio.
There are three settings and each source can have its own setting.
Remote Control
IR Wireless Remote: In addition
to the unit's touchscreen and hard-key controls, the iXA-W404 comes supplied
with a full-function IR wireless remote control.
Optional Factory Steering Wheel
Remote Interface: If your vehicle is equipped with steering wheel radio
controls, you may be able to operate the iXA-W404 using those controls. The PAC
SWI-JACK Steering Wheel Radio Control Interface (127SWIJACK,
sold separately) can adapt
your vehicle's steering wheel controls to this unit through the rear panel's
Steering Wheel Remote Input (a 3.5mm mini-jack input on rear-chassis). Please
check the Crutchfield Car Selector to confirm whether your vehicle is compatible
with the SWI-JACK interface.
