Dual XDVDN8290N AM/FM/DVD Receiver with 7-Inch Motorized, Touch, Full iPod, Full Bluetooth Interface (Black) Review

Just picked up one of these for my 4-runner. Looks great installed. It is packed with features. Would have given it 5 stars, but it was missing a couple of minor features I would have liked to have seen. Here are my pros and cons:

Pros: Packed with great features including Nav, Ipod connection w/ cable included, Plays DVD +/-RW, Decent bluetooth, built in microphone for use with bluetooth that I have been told sounds pretty good when making a call, easy to use touchscreen interface. All in all, great features considering the price.

Cons: These are nitpicky little things that I felt were missing. None of them should really be a dealbreaker, but thought I would list them for your edification. 1) Ipod playback doesnt browse to Artist>Album like it does on the ipod. WHen you select the Artist, it just lists all the songs by the artist, regardless of what album the songs are on. This makes it a little difficult to find a specifc album unless you use the Album search. If you are like me, that search could take a while. 2) No sat radio. 3) No way to store contacts for use with Bluetooth. You can use your phone to find the number and call, then use HU. 4) No voice command option.

That is what I noticed just after a couple of days of use. Despite these shortcomings, the Dual XDVDN8290 HU is a terrific value for the price. You get 90%+ of the features offered by the more expesive stereos and if you can live with the missing features I have mentioned, I see no reason not to get one if you are in the market.

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Product Description:
AM/FM/DVD Receiver with 7-Inch Motorized, Touch, Full iPod, Full Bluetooth interface MOSFET 5 X 60 watt, Multi-Zone, 2 IR Remotes, Full integrated Navigation, 11 mil POI, 300 Watts Peak (60x5) Motorized 6.5-Inch touch screen TFT LCD monitor Integrated Navigation 2-DIN Chassis Center channel output (60x1) Fully self-contained (no hide-away box) Multi-zone Import ISO/DIN mountable Internal cooling fan Electronic volume, bass, treble, balance, and fader MOSFET audio output 5.1 audio outputs (RCA) 1 Audio/video input (RCA) 1 Rear camera input (RCA) 1 Composite video output, Integrated SD card reader (up to 2GB) Integrated navigation (SD card) 24-Bit D/A Converter Multi-zone remote control Infrared remote control ( iPod Cable NOT included)

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Dual Btm60 Bluetooth Interface Module Review

I have to admit, I'm a big fan of Bluetooth.Since Apple's iPhone firmware 3.0 announced A2DP support (stereo Bluetooth), I've bought 3 different pairs of Bluetooth headphones, and this, the BTM60 for my Dual XHD6425.This is probably my least favorite of the bunch.

Installation was a breeze.You plug it in to the back of the unit, then run the wire behind the dash, making sure the microphone is clipped to the visor.Pairing was also pretty simple.You hold the "phone" button down on the dash unit for a couple seconds, enter the password "1234" on the handheld device (my iPhone), and you're set.

Then I started finding some little annoying things they didn't bother to include.You can't change the EQ presets in Bluetooth mode; you can change bass and treble, and "loud", but not the "rock", "dance", "pop", etc.You also cannot display the clock while it's in Bluetooth mode; it shows "AV MODE" while it's connected, and when you play music, "AV STREAM".Why??I know it's supposed to support AVRCP (Audio-Video Remote Control Profile) which allows you to play/pause, fast-forward, rewind, skip tracks, etc., but I am only able to play/pause.Not that big a deal, and I actually think this is a problem with the iPhone, not the BTM60.And the sound quality of the music, I have to admit is terrific.After shutting the car off, the iPhone doesn't realize the connection is lost for about ~15 seconds and continues to "play" with no audio.I usually hit pause on the dash before shutting the engine off, just so I don't lose my place in the song.

The call quality, I think, is pretty poor.I have to turn the volume WAY up to hear people through the speakers, and practically yell for anyone to hear me.Granted, there is a fair amount of road noise in my car, but I thought this was able to cancel it out.It's certainly not the location of the microphone; it's almost directly in front of my mouth.I don't make a lot of calls from my car though, so this is not such a big deal for me.I bought it mainly to stream music.An incoming call seamlessly fades out and pauses your music and sounds the ringer (an escalating series of tones).When the call is done, it automatically unpauses and fades in your music.

All in all, it's about what I was expecting, and my complaints are minor but numerous.It's still a huge step up from my FM transmitter with the factory stereo.I never even have to take the iPhone out of my pocket.Just wait for it to connect (~30 seconds after starting the car), and hit play on the dash.

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Product Description:
Bluetooth Interface Module, A2DP Audio Streaming, Wireless, Works with:XHD6425, XDM6400, XDMA6700, 6855, 7715

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