Integration Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Perfectionist Auto Sound and Security

Product Spotlight: Sony XAV-AX100 Media Receiver

03/28/2017 By John Schwartz

Sony, one of the industry leaders in the design and manufacture of car audio products, recently launched their XAV-AX100 Media Receiver with Bluetooth. The XAV-AX100 is Sony’s first head unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Let’s see what makes this Double-DIN such a major success.

Design and Interface

The XAV-AX100 features a double-DIN front panel with a large (6.4-inch) touchscreen. Sony has chosen a premium-quality display for the XAV-AX100 that offers excellent anti-glare properties and bright backlighting. This screen selection has made the XAV-AX100 a popular selection for convertibles and vehicles with bright interiors.

A rotary volume control and mechanical track selection buttons on the left side of the screen provide users with an intuitive interface. Above those controls is a Home button to make menu access equally quick and easy. Sony includes an IR remote control with the unit to let your back-seat passengers have control over the music.

The styling of the XAV-AX100 is simple and understated. There are no flashing lights that make it stand out once installed. It looks like an OEM radio, and that is a feature that some buyers appreciate.

Sony XAV-AX100 Features

The XAV-AX100 includes an AM/FM radio receiver with RDS support. The rear-mounted USB connection works with both Android and Apple iPhone smartphones, or a memory stick for multimedia files. Supported multimedia formats include MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV and FLAC audio files, as well as MPEG-4, WMV, FLV, AVI and MKV video files. Maximum video file playback resolution is 720×576 pixels. The USB port on the rear of the chassis can supply up to 1.5 amps of current to charge phones quickly.

The XAV-AX100 includes Bluetooth communications for hands-free calling, as well as A2DP audio streaming. The Bluetooth profiles include AVRCP remote control functionality and PBAP phonebook access.

CarPlay and Android Auto

The highlight of the XAV-AX100 is, of course, its smartphone integration capabilities. Once you connect your phone, accessing information and staying in touch are as easy as saying “Hey, Siri,” “OK, Google,” or pressing a button and talking to the radio. Sending and receiving text messages, making phone calls, or choosing the music you want to enjoy is as simple as asking for it. You can even get turn-by-turn navigation thanks to Apple Maps or Google Maps. Both platforms will provide traffic flow information to help make your time behind the wheel safe and efficient.

Users can connect their iPhone for Apple CarPlay or Android phone for Android Auto without the need to make any menu or setting adjustments. Owners of the XAV-AX100 who have both iPhone and Android phones appreciate being able to switch between the two quickly and easily

External Connectivity

The XAV-AX100 has a dedicated input for an OEM steering wheel control interface, as well as the new Axxess InfoLink interface. The InfoLink interface allows the XAV-AX100 to integrate with vehicles from Ford, GM, Chrysler, Audi, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Mazda and Toyota. InfoLink supports functions such as steering wheel audio controls, HVAC controls and display, audio signal interfacing, and much more.

The XAV-AX100 is also compatible with the new Sony XA-NV400 add-on navigation module for a seamless interface and directions regardless of cellular connection. If you are traveling across the border, this onboard navigation system can keep you on the right road without incurring roaming charges on your cellphone. The XA-NV400 runs TomTom navigation software, which is easy to learn and use.

Sony has included a backup camera video connection and a trigger wire. As soon as you select reverse, the camera image appears on the screen to make backing up safer and easier.

System Configuration

The XAV-AX100 has a built-in four-channel amplifier that will provide 20 watts per channel of continuous output and up to 55 watts max per channel. Three sets of RCA output jacks are on the rear of the chassis and assigned to the front, rear and subwoofer functions. The front channels have selectable frequency high-pass filters, and the subwoofer output has low-pass filters. The preamp outputs are rated to provide 2V RMS of signal. Connections for dimming, reverse and the parking brake are also par for the course for your installer.

The XAV-AX100 is the first unit in this new series of source units for Sony. We can expect that new models will appear over the next year with more features. If you are looking for an aggressively priced smartphone integration solution, it is hard to ignore the Sony XAV-AX100. With classic and elegant styling, an easy-to-view screen, and an intuitive interface, it doesn’t have much competition. Visit your local authorized Sony car audio retailer today check out the XAV-AX100 or yourself.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Now Bentley Owners Can Update Their Radios

12/15/2016 By CarTech4You

For those Bentley owners looking to add smartphone connections to their car radio, NAV-TV now offers a radio replacement kit that lets you add a modern radio without breaking the bank (at least not by Bentley standards).

The radios in older model Bentleys are lacking today’s features such as smart phone connectivity, or CarPlay and Android Auto. Also parts are no longer available for some of the older radios and a used eBay model can cost $2,500 and still leave you without a smartphone connection.

A second problem is that Bentley radios are not simple. The car’s heating and cooling and defrost systems are built into the electronics so if you want to replace the radio with a popular, up to date model from Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine, Sony or JVC, you are in for a lot of custom installation work.

NAV-TV says installation shops have charged more than $11,000 for a Bentley radio replacement.

So it built a “dash kit” that includes all the controls for Bentley heating and cooling and defrost and lets you add a modern day radio from any leading brand.

The Bentley radio kit HUR V1 works in 2004 – 2011 Bentley Continental, GT, GTC and Flying Spur vehicles. It digitally interfaces with the car’s factory amplifier while requiring no special drilling and it gives you a factory finish that blends into the dash.

Steering wheel control is also enabled for Alpine, JVC and Kenwood radios.

A video of the Bentley HUR V1 may be viewed here

The kit is available starting mid-December.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.CarTech4You.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of CarTech4You.

What Is Android Auto?

07/31/2016 By John Schwartz

When it comes to staying in touch with your family and friends while behind the wheel, we all know that it’s best to keep your cellphone in your pocket or purse. What do you do when you just have to communicate? Do it intelligently and safely with a smartphone integration system like Android Auto. Let’s look at the functionality of this unique communication solution.

What Is It?

Android Auto is a software suite that runs on a multimedia source unit. Android Auto will work with most Android-based cellular phones running version 5 (Lollipop) or newer of the Android operating system.

Android Auto provides users with an intuitive and easy-to-use interface that allows them to make phone calls, send and receive text messages, play music, and use Google Maps for GPS-based navigation. The entire interface was designed specifically to be used while in the car. The icons are large and easy to read, and you can use Google’s voice recognition interface to execute commands for most functions.

How Do I Use It?

It’s very easy to use Android Auto. Start by downloading and installing the Android Auto application on your smartphone from the Google Play store. Pair your phone to the radio over Bluetooth. Plug the USB cable into your phone. Depending on the model of your source unit, Android Auto should launch automatically or may require that you should press the Android Auto button. From there, you will see the home screen with information such as recent navigation searches and weather information. All you have to do to start using Android Auto is press the microphone button and talk. If you prefer to press buttons, there is a row of smart keys at the bottom of the screen.

What Can I Do?

Let’s say you get stuck in traffic and you need to call someone with whom you have an appointment. Press the voice button and simply say, “Call Sam Smith” or “Call 321-555-1234.” The radio and phone will take care of the rest. The same goes for sending a text message; simply press the voice button and say “Send Sam Smith a text message.” The system will respond by asking what you want to say, to which you can reply, again verbally, “Hi, Sam, I’m stuck in traffic. I will be 20 minutes late. Please accept my apologies.” Google will send your text message. If and when Sam responds, you can ask Android Auto to read you the reply message.

Picking a song from the music stored on your phone is just as easy. Press the voice button and ask it to “Play Lorde” or anything else you have available.

You can use the voice recognition system to select a navigation destination just as easily. Simply press the voice button and say, “Take me to the nearest gas station” or “Find me an Italian restaurant” or “Plot a route to 555 Renegade Road in Bismarck.” There are several benefits to using Google Maps to assist in planning your route. You have access to the latest destination information from the inconceivably massive Google database. You always have the latest mapping. There is never a need to buy anything. Google provides real-time traffic flow information to help plan your route efficiently.

Additional Android Auto Applications

Android Auto has released a development kit to allow third-party companies to create applications that will integrate with Android Auto. These apps include Pandora, iHeartRadio, Spotify Music, TuneIn Radio, Skype and many more. You also get access to Google Play Music for free for 90 days when you first start using Android Auto. That’s 30 million songs, right at your fingertips.

If you have an Android phone and are looking for a safe way to stay in touch, be entertained and get the best driving directions available, all while driving, then drop into your local car audio specialist retailer. Bring your phone along – chances are they will have a unit on display that you can try out.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.