Video: Alpine IVA-W205 receiver
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Welcome to this article from the Crutchfield archives. Have fun reading it, but be aware that the information may be outdated and links may be broken.Robert and Ken, Crutchfield car stereo experts, illustrate some of the cool features of Alpine's IVA-W205 receiver.
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Robert: Hi, I'm Robert. This is Ken. And today we have Alpine's IVA-W205 in-dash DVD receiver. What do you think?
Ken: I think I've seen this song and dance before. It's a DVD player. You know, it's double size. You watch movies.
Robert: Bigger screen.
Ken: What else does it do?
Robert: Well, it's a full-function receiver, but if you need a little something else, check this out.
Ken: Oh, it looks like it's a navigation piece, too.
Robert: That's right.
Ken: Lets you get in here.
Robert: It's loading up.
Ken: Pulls up a map. Okay, well that's nice.
Robert: Double size navigation capability. I guess you've seen that before, too.
Ken: Anything that really distinguishes this beyond another one?
Robert: Yes indeed. We open up the screen here, give this button a push.
Ken: Do you have an 8-track in there or something?
Robert: That's what it looks like, but no. It's better than that. It's Alpine's Blackbird 2 portable navigator.
Ken: I get it. The navigation is in there. You can navigate while you're in the car, and then when you want to take it into a different car, walk around a different city, rental car — you use that.
Robert: Right, you're not tied to your vehicle with the navigation.
Ken: Oh, it's like two for the price of one.
Robert: Exactly. And when it's inside, when the navigator is in the unit, all the navigation functionality is controlled from the receiver itself. They're totally integrated.
Ken: Nice. What's it do as far as entertainment?
Robert: Well, it'll play CDs, DVDs, also MP3, WMA, and AAC files on disc — either a CD or a DVD.
Ken: Carry a lot of music that way.
Robert: Exactly. And of course, you can add iPod capability to it.
Ken: Can you put the iPod into the slot?
Robert: Not yet. But we'll talk to Alpine. For now, though, you have to add Alpine's iPod adapter. Plug it up to the back, and then you get full iPod control from the touchscreen.
Ken: Well, it looks it really does do a lot. I'm impressed.
Robert: It does. It's a nice set. And again, they're the IVA-W205 in-dash DVD receiver paired with the Blackbird 2, also from Alpine. They're available separately or together as a package.
Ken: Save a few bucks, right?
Robert: Exactly.
Ken: Nice.
Meet Ken Nail
My name is Ken. I seek the Holy Grail of car audio excellence. My favorite color is blue.
I came to Crutchfield in 1999. During my six years as a Crutchfield Advisor, I learned a lot about the technology behind great car and home audio. I learned even more about what people wanted in their car stereo systems.
I've been a writer for car audio and fitness tech at Crutchfield since 2005. Over the last few years, I've also carved out a niche producing demo videos for our in-dash car stereos. The hands-on experience I get with car stereos while doing video production is an invaluable aid to me in learning about their exciting features. This helps me convey that information to our customers when I write about the stereo on our website.
Before coming to Crutchfield, I spent 10 years teaching music in Charlottesville area schools. I keep my musical interests satisfied by volunteering as a classical music DJ at a local community radio station, and I stay up to date with the latest in outdoor tech by cycling, running, and backpacking.
Fun facts: I've completed an Ironman triathlon, run the Boston Marathon, hiked 1150 miles of the Appalachian Trail, and lost on Jeopardy!
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Meet Robert Ferency-Viars
Eating up the highway with clarity and volume — a champion of car audio.
During my first few years at Crutchfield, I served as one of our Advisors, helping our customers choose new audio components for their homes and cars. Eventually, I moved to the writing team and spent a decade researching new products and getting even more hands-on with car audio gear.
I've performed many car and home audio installations over the years, some of them even on my own cars. As the editor of Crutchfield's car audio web articles, I couldn't ask for a cooler job. We listen to music and play with car audio gear every day!
Like most of us here, I've always been into music. I installed my first car stereo system before the family car was even mine. In college, I helped friends and roommates install their car stereos and set up the stereos in their apartments. I was a volunteer DJ for the local community radio station for a few years (playing late night metal and Sunday morning bluegrass & alt-country). That's where I also first learned a little bit about sound mixers.
These days, I serve my community by volunteering with the Boys Scouts of America. I also love playing board games & RPGs, spending time with my family, and installing new audio systems for my friends.
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