JVC KD-HDR50 Car CD / USB / MP3 Player
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Similar in In Dash Receivers
- MP3 / WMA Playback: MP3 Playback WMA Playback
- Additional Features: Built-in Hard Disk
- Anti-Theft Protection: Detachable Face Panel
- Player Type: CD USB
- Controlled Devices: CD Changer HD Ready Sirius Ready iPod / iPhone
- iPod/iPhone Compatible: Yes
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Versatile yet Unfriendly 21st Century Receiver
Pros
Built-in HD Radio, USB and iPod support. LED color can be user-set.
Cons
Time consuming radio presets. Tiny control buttons.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
The JVC KD-HDR50 offers a lot of value in a good-looking car receiver, but it falls far behind most factory-installed units in ergonomic design.
JVC's KD-HDR50 uses quite a few of the huge number of new technologies we have available in our car radios today. The receiver pulls in AM, FM, and High Definition radio broadcasts and allows connection and control of newer iPod digital players; all without the need of any special adapters.
HD radio broadcasts offer seperate, digital programming from the same stations that broadcast FM analog. The content can be a simulcast that duplicates the station's normal programs or a unique presentation. For example, public radio here in Pasadena features NPR news on its main HD1 channel, while offering alternative music on its HD3 channel.
The quality of HD varies with the broadcast. If the station broadcasts a high-bandwidth HD signal, the quality is a bit better than FM and has none of the static or "picket fencing" heard with analog. Lower bandwith stations are also free of static and such, but may be inferior to FM analog quality. (Hey, there's a limit to how much of the airwaves each station is allowed to use, so expect compromises.)
When signal strength falls below a certain threshold, the HDR50 will smoothly blend into analog FM if possible, otherwise the HD cuts out. In the Los Angeles area, HD reception is quite good overall. Both the AM and FM reception are good on the HDR50.
Alternatives to radio are provided by a good-quality CD player that resists skips caused by road bumps and a USB port that accepts a flash drive for MP3 playback or an iPod USB cable.
Sound quality is very good overall. Level adjustment is easy with the large single dial, but there are no EQ controls for bass, treble, etc. Equalization is done via presets for "Jazz," "Rock," etc. There is one "User" preset you can set yourself, working with a 7-band EQ. Curiously, JVC didn't provide a way to set balance or fade among the 4-speakers the HDR50 will power.
Setting your favorite stations with the few controls on the HDR50 takes patience and careful study of the owner guide. Retrieving preset stations requires the driver to take his eyes off the road-- there's no button row to feel for. Frequently used buttons (EQ, Source) are often tiny and look alike.
HD radio broadcasts offer seperate, digital programming from the same stations that broadcast FM analog. The content can be a simulcast that duplicates the station's normal programs or a unique presentation. For example, public radio here in Pasadena features NPR news on its main HD1 channel, while offering alternative music on its HD3 channel.
The quality of HD varies with the broadcast. If the station broadcasts a high-bandwidth HD signal, the quality is a bit better than FM and has none of the static or "picket fencing" heard with analog. Lower bandwith stations are also free of static and such, but may be inferior to FM analog quality. (Hey, there's a limit to how much of the airwaves each station is allowed to use, so expect compromises.)
When signal strength falls below a certain threshold, the HDR50 will smoothly blend into analog FM if possible, otherwise the HD cuts out. In the Los Angeles area, HD reception is quite good overall. Both the AM and FM reception are good on the HDR50.
Alternatives to radio are provided by a good-quality CD player that resists skips caused by road bumps and a USB port that accepts a flash drive for MP3 playback or an iPod USB cable.
Sound quality is very good overall. Level adjustment is easy with the large single dial, but there are no EQ controls for bass, treble, etc. Equalization is done via presets for "Jazz," "Rock," etc. There is one "User" preset you can set yourself, working with a 7-band EQ. Curiously, JVC didn't provide a way to set balance or fade among the 4-speakers the HDR50 will power.
Setting your favorite stations with the few controls on the HDR50 takes patience and careful study of the owner guide. Retrieving preset stations requires the driver to take his eyes off the road-- there's no button row to feel for. Frequently used buttons (EQ, Source) are often tiny and look alike.
