Category Archives: In-Dash GPS Navigation

Last year we took a look at the Alpine iXA-W404 and found that although the double-DIN receiver showed promise with his swipe-based interface, but the OS is not ready for prime time, so we decided to wait for the next iteration. Well, the next iteration is here and it’s called the iXA-W407.

Design

Compared to the iXA-W404, Alpine iXA-W407 is a good example of a “less is more” approach. For starters, the physical controls largely removed. There is no double-action encoder knob – just a row of buttons along the bottom edge of the touch screen for volume, scroll left and right (which we will discuss in a moment), source selection, setup and two buttons, labels and visual setup.

With fewer physical frees up real estate on the double-DIN-size face for a larger color touch screen. The iXA-W407′s large 7-inch QVGA screen dwarfs the 4.3-inch display in the previous lesson where the W407 an ideal in-dash receiver for playback of video. Alpine also appears to have increased the touchscreen (or GUIs) responsiveness, as touch screen input and gets almost immediately registered with none of the stutter that plagued the previous generation iXA.

Besides ditching the physical inspections, iXA-W407 Alpine continues trend of a loss of physical media for in-car audio equation. This media is lacking an optical drive, CD / DVD drive, so you will have to transport your audio on an iPod, digital media player or USB storage device. Many people already carry most of their music this way, so we do not see the lack of a hard disk as a con.

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It has no optical drive hiding behind his screen, the iXA-W407 does not need a motorized faceplate. As a result, the screen is not adjustable for angle. We are grateful for one less moving part to break, but if your vehicle where it is installed low in the cabin, this can be a problem visible.

The iXA-W407′s user interface metaphor carries over the map of the previous model iXA. Tapping the Source button, the map select screen which the user can swipe a finger right or left on the touch screen (or tap the Left or Right keys) or Multi-Info Display, phone, or, if present select , navigation and reversing camera. There is also an audio / visual source selection map, which users can wipe up and down to select the radio, iPod / USB, Bluetooth Audio, and two AV inputs. As optional modules are added – such as an HD radio receiver – new maps will appear in the source selection list.

Features

Bluetooth wireless connectivity is included in this iXA member of the family out of the box, so there is no need for an add-on module. After pairing a phone using a four-digit PIN, please call using the microphone and iXA your car speakers. If your phone (or other Bluetooth device) supports A2DP, you’ll also be able to wirelessly stream stereo audio. The Alpine Bluetooth system is powered by Parrot.

Once paired, the system will try to get your phone book and call history download for easy retrieval using the touch-screen interface. A voice command option is available, but it depends on the voice of your phone control the motor.

Other sources include USB audio playback of AAC, MP3 and WMA files. When connected to an iPod or iPhone through the dock connector, the iXA is able to playback any media device capable of rendering, including video content. Of course, the vehicle parked to play videos. You can also listen to AM / FM radio and the tube in the audio and video via the W407 the two auxiliary inputs.

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The iXA-W407 is also extensible through modules to support HD radio, satellite radio, navigation and a reversing camera. Users can also add rear seat entertainment system by connecting to the W407 is a set of RCA AV output jacks.

The Multi-Info display is home to four customizable widgets that display information such as date, time, audio source information, audio controls, sound controls, etc. It is a neat feature to have, but we can not really see many situations where we would not want to be watching our audio source or navigation.

Performance

As previously mentioned, the iXA-W407 has a touchscreen responsiveness considerably. Jumping between the sources and functions is fast and smooth. However, smoothness not translate to the media search. Instead of a smooth leaves and films of the finger, you have five entries from your library to move into a time using scroll buttons, which can be time consuming for devices with thousands of songs. single-DIN car stereo Alpine offer multiple browsing modes (percent, alphabet, and standard search) and zippy scroll, so why is this up-market device similarly equipped?

The W407 is connected to an iPod or a USB storage device, playback starts almost immediately, and music is organized by playlist, artist, album and genre. In the case of the iPod, podcasts and audiobooks are separated into their own categories. USB mass storage device should be indexed to the level of the organization to offer, but a quick index of a USB drive with more than 200 songs took only a few seconds.

Video quality was OK, but it was a bit grainy because of relatively low resolution of the screen for its size. While the screen has a wide viewing angle makes it easy to text on the big screen, the lack of an adjustable angle will read extended viewing videos clumsy vehicles with a low installation cost points.

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One point of dispute we have with the device is rather complicated installation process, you must tap the brake light and handbrake, as opposed to just the handbrake just like most other systems we’ve tested require. If not properly tapped the brake system during installation, the Alpine iXA-W407 will not only lock you out of video playback, but also all of the setup menus. This means that even if you are not interested in the video, you will not be able to pair a phone or your audio edit to the right connection is made. We understand the need for a safe and distraction-free driving, but it is our opinion that this is a great level of security.

Verdict

There are places where the W407 it seems simplified and areas where it is still too complex. Example, removing the control knob Alpine frees up screen real estate, but we miss the opportunity to quickly whiz through the media libraries with the twist of the wrist. Behind the scenes, the Alpine system is still substantially more involved than competitive units’ installation processes, involving two layers of security to be met before even simple menus can be accessed. Fortunately, the plant is usually a one-time deal, so we do not Ding-W407 iXA the bad score.

Overall we are satisfied with the Alpine-W407 iXA approach to in-car entertainment. The interface is less cluttered, more responsive and easier to navigate than previous versions. The lack of an optical drive should not be disabled for those who contribute most of their media on an iPod or USB mass storage device.

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