Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Pros:
Lots of sound input options
Reads MP3 tags
Cons:
Display only has 1 line of text for song tags
Display is a tad too small
Poor blue tooth microphone implementation
Comments:
I can't live without an MP3 stereo anymore. I first owned a cheap Chinese player back in 2002 and then I upgraded to a JVC-G820 in 2005. The G820 was awesome compared to most players at the time. I just upgraded to the KD-R800. It's basically just like the G820 except with bluetooth and a harder to read screen. 99% of the time I use the USB interface with a mini 4GB usb flash drive. This deck is great for that.
Blue Tooth audio: This deck supports 2 blue tooth functions, input as a music device and input/output as a phone device. It works fine with my iPhone 3G for both of these functions. The blue tooth music functionality is basically a wireless line-in.
Blue Tooth Phone: This is my first blue-tooth deck. The phone functionality seems to work ok but it comes with a cheap microphone that only works when connected to the rear mic-in plug. I had to find a way to run the microphone cable from inside the dashboard to the outside of the dashboard. This was tricky to install and the micro-phone is a kludge on the dashboard. I think I'm not going to use the phone functionality on the deck because of this. They should have built a microphone onto the faceplate. I was amazed at the phone options on this deck: It was able to reads lots of information from my iphone 3G like recent call history, the address book, and caller ID for incoming calls.
Colors: JVC highly touts the "30k" colors as a feature. It's neat at first but I don't really care. The system comes with 30 preset colors and a USER option with sliders to configure Red, Green and Blue for a custom color.
USB: I really like the usb feature. I use a FAT formatted 4GB flash drive with lots of sub-folders and songs. My favorite part of this deck is that it displays proper ID3 tags. I read somewhere that a USB HDD will work too but I have yet to confirm. I will update this review after I get an HDD. The iPhone/iPod should also interface on the USB port but I have yet to try that either.
Sound quality: Good enough. I don't have good speakers or a sub.
Digital Radio: Does not work out of the box, requires extra equipment.
Satellite Radio: Does not work out of the box, requires extra equipment.
Aux Line-in: Haven't tried it.
Buttons: The track forward/back and folder up/down buttons are on a single square button that pivots and works better than I expected. The volume knob is near the center of the deck and looks and feels great. It turns like a softly notched mouse wheel and also acts as a button. The phone button is used as a shortcut to the phone options menu and can also pickup and end calls.
Overall: I like this stereo but it only gets 4 out of 5 stars because the blue-tooth microphone is a kludge and the screen is on the small side. Otherwise a fantastic deck that works as advertised and will support all your digital music needs.
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JVC KD-R800 30K Color-Illumination Single-DIN CD Receiver with Dual USB 2.0 for iPod/iPhone and BluetoothThe KD-R800 CD Receiver features Dual USB ports, an included USB Bluetooth adapter, front auxiliary input, detachable faceplate, and Full Dot LCD Display. The unit is also HD Radio Ready, Satellite Radio Ready, and MP3/WMA compatible. The KD-R800 also includes a 3-Band Parametric iEQ, wireless remote, MOS-FET 50W x 4, variable-color illumination and front, rear, and subwoofer preamp outputs with Subwoofer Control.
Variable-Color Illumination Variable-Color Illumination lets you get just the look you want, or match your vehicle's interior lighting, offering 30 preset color choices--or customize your own from over 30,000 variations.
CD and MP3/WMA Playback Enjoy your favorite CDs or burnt CD-R/RWs, or get more bang for your buck with MP3/WMA discs--burn hours of music to one disc and get ID3-TAG support for display of artist and song info. You can also enjoy MP3/WMA files from USB devices.
AM/FM Radio with HS-IVi Tuner Sometimes you just want to listen to the radio. The KD-R800's AM/FM radio features automatic presetting of strongest signals and 6 presets for each band.
The HS-IVi tuner features higher sensitivity, thanks to three IF bandwidths (wide, middle and narrow). It also includes AM Noise Canceller plus upgraded IF filters that help avoid the distortion caused by interference from adjacent stations.
To get even more from the airwaves, add JVC optional hardware for HD Radio or SAT Radio reception.
Dual USB Ports The JVC KD-R800 features not only an integrated front USB port connection, but also an external rear cable/port for connecting an additional USB device. This flexibility enables you to customize how you use your stereo's connections to work best with portable devices--eliminating the need to constantly switch libraries while driving. JVC's Dual USB stereos allow two of these devices to connect simultaneously: iPhone/iPod, Portable Hard Drive, USB Memory Devices, Bluetooth (using included USB-Bluetooth Adapter), Digital Audio Players.
iPod Connectivity You can also operate your iPod via the USB port. Control your iPod/iPhone from either the player itself or from the receiver's controls, while allowing song and artist information display, play, pause, skip, or back commands from either device.
USB Plug and Charge Full Battery charging of USB devices such as iPod/iPhone, Digital Audio Players, and other USB-based devices such as Digital cameras and cell phones (USB-based charging adapter required for some devices).
Built-in Bluetooth Wireless Technology The KD-R900 and KD-R800 include a USB Bluetooth adapter "Dongle" that can be plugged into either USB port to enable full Bluetooth wireless technology features such as:
Hands Free Calling
Voice Dialing
Wireless Audio Streaming
Text Message Notifi cation
Phonebook Transfer
High quality external microphone also included.
Dial in Your Sound Perfect your sound with a three-band parametric equalizer and Loudness control for low level listening.
Input and Output Three pairs of preamp outputs (front, rear, and subwoofer) are provided for adding a little extra power to the KD-R800's onboard 50W x 4 amplifier.
A 3.5mm front panel auxiliary input is also included for use with MP3 players or other external audio devices.
Bluetooth Ready Bluetooth Wireless Technology is available with an optional adapter. A maximum of five compatible mobile phones can be registered for hands-free calling. With voice-recognition mobile phones, you can dial by just saying the name in your phone book. The wireless functions work even if your mobile phone is tucked away in your bag or pocket. You can also stream music from a compatible digital audio player, for listening on your car stereo.
Wireless Remote A full-featured wireless remote is include for controlling receiver functions.
What's in the Box JVC KD-R800 Receiver, trim ring, sleeve, remote control, microphone, wiring harness, installation hardware, installation manual, instructions
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