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Sony Unveils Its First Car Stereo with Direct USB Connection to iPod |
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Written by Dragana Dimitrijevic
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Thursday, 28 August 2008 |
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Sony announced four new Xplod in-dash head units that are able to connect directly to compatible iPod music players, allowing users to charge and control their iPod devices on the road.
The top-of-the-line unit (model CDX-GT630UI) is Sony’s first car stereo that can connect directly to iPod players, other digital music players and USB thumb drives via a USB connection. It also includes Sony’s unique ZAPPIN function, which offers a way of searching and listening to music.
Providing several options for connectivity in the car, the CDX-GT630UI head unit connects to compatible iPod or other digital music players via USB, allowing users to control and charge their devices and enjoy exceptional sound quality. CDX-GT630UI also supports iPhone.
Sony’s unique ZAPPIN technology operates similarly to most car stereos’ scan buttons. It continues to play a series of short music clips from your own music library until you can find your favorite song to match your mood.
This head unit’s Quick-BrowZer feature allows users to control and select music via the “rotate and push” button. It also has the Jump Mode feature that helps users quickly search through even the largest music libraries and quickly find the tracks they are looking for, and Passenger Control which allows passengers to control the connected iPod itself while being charged. Additionally, the head unit’s DM+ technology enhances the sound quality of compressed audio files.
The receiver supports MP3 and non-DRM WMA and non-DRM AAC codecs and is satellite radio ready and HD RadioTM ready (tuner module required). Plus, it features front, rear and subwoofer preamp outputs; has a flip-down detachable faceplate; and a 13-segment, LCD with black LED display; and blue and green switchable key illumination. Satellite radio requires a tuner and service subscription (both sold separately).
The CDX-GT430IP CD receiver comes with an interface that allows for control of most iPod players. The included 1.5-meter cable has a 30-pin connector provides full menu control and allows the head unit to charge compatible iPod devices. The unit’s selectable front and rear/sub preamp outputs can be used to control the frequency and output level of an external amplifier. Other features include Quick-BrowZer, Passenger Control and Jump Mode technologies, satellite radio and HD Radio ready compatibility, and MP3 and non-DRM WMA playback, with black LED screen and blue key illumination.
The CDX-GT330 unit provides versatility, through compatibility with most iPod players, and HD Radio and satellite radio ready functionality. It offers MP3 and non-DRM WMA playback support and two preouts. The CDX-GT130 CD receiver has one preout and a detachable faceplate with a black 13-segment LED screen.
Each new unit supports HPF/LPF sound quality enhancements and features an auxiliary input on the faceplate, facilitating the use of compatible iPod and other portable music players in a vehicle with a standard 1/8-inch mini jack cord (sold separately). They also feature 52 watts X 4 peak output.
The CDX-GT630UI, CDX-GT430IP and CDX-GT330 head units come with the supplied wireless card remote (model RM-X151), so it’s easy to control the music from the front or back seat. Users can increase the CDX-GT330 unit’s connectivity by purchasing an adapter (model XA-120IP for about $50) that charges a compatible iPod device and controls it from the head unit.
Availability
The new CDX-GT630UI, CDX-GT430IP, CDX-GT330 and CDX-GT130 stereos will cost about $160, $130, $100 and $80 respectively. The GT series head units will be available this September at retailers across the country and military base exchanges.
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HardWare 
