You get your bang for the buck on this head unit! I couldn't find another unit that did *all* of these things in one place without the need for extra adapters or pricey addons. Between reading MP3 files from a USB drive, SD cards, burned CDs *and* DVDs, there isn't a lot more I could ask for in terms of format options. There is also the aux input which allows a standard 1/8" stereo patch cable to be connected from the headphone jack of a device into the head unit. Beyond that, it will also interface with and directly control your ipod/iphone or allow you to control it yourself. With my iphone I can stream music from pandora or any other application I have. No hassling with FM transmitters, and no analog 3G chatter from using an AUX patch cable (that super annoying buzz on your speakers). Just pure digital signal.
I installed this head unit about a week ago and took a long road trip this past weekend. It made the road trip great! Bluetooth syncs perfectly with my iphone 3Gs - it finds my address book no problemo. The handsfree mic that comes with the unit works great clipped to my sunvisor; I routed the cable through the weatherstripping on the driver's side windshield pillar and down through the gap between the windshield and the dash (2004 Pontiac Vibe). The unit interrupts the music when an incoming call or outgoing call is detected.
Video looks good! The screen seems to be polarized so that the sun does not glare as harshly off the display, allowing you to see most of the details even in daylight (dark scenes aren't so good, but what do you want :P ).The unit is designed to be connected to the parking brake signal wire of the vehicle. You must first engage, disengage and then re-engage the parking brake for the unit to play video. Playing video while driving (and in view of the driver) requires a bypass, may be illegal and is definitely a bad idea.
The unit can also be upgraded to include a rear view camera, a nav system and HD/XM/Sirius satellite radio - I don't have any of those, so I can be of no help there :)
Here are some of my annoyances with this head unit:
CD-IU50V USB Interface Cable for iPod/iPhone is required for watching video from the ipod/iphone. The TRRS connector plug that stems from this adapter cable allows the video to flow through one of the analog circuits. I picked up the cable "used" for half price on Amazon here, but it is still relatively pricey. Also, this cable is only about 2 feet long - you may consider picking up a "dock extender" cable for your ipod/iphone in order to lengthen the run. Attaching an extender to the CD-IU50V did not keep it from playing video.
Another annoyance is that in order to play video off of the iphone/ipod you MUST use the control interface on the head unit itself. If you navigate to your video via the iphone/ipod then the audio will play over the speakers, but the video will not be displayed. Touch the icon in the lower right corner of the ipod control screen to allow the head unit to control your ipod/iphone; touch the magnifying glass icon to open the file browser and then browse to your video.
There is a slight time lapse between MP3's on DVDs & SD cards; this is annoying if you have an album that is meant to flow between songs or if you are listening to an audiobook. At the same time, getting 4.3 gb of music onto a single (asin:B00385H7RS).20 disc is amazing, and I am willing to deal with a 1 second lapse.
The bluetooth auto-sync is a bit unreliable with my iPhone. I don't know if it is a feature of my phone that causes this or if it is the head unit. About 70% of the time my phone successfully connects to the unit no prob; I don't have to do a thing. The other 30% of the time I either have to go to the bluetooth menu on the head unit which forces detection (I blame this on the head unit) or I have to go to the bluetooth menu of my phone and force it to pair (I blame this on my phone). It would be nice if it were flawless, but ah well. If I have to connect at the beginning of a call, at least my hand is freed once I have the connection up and running.
The unit is apparently limited to 4gb or 8gb SD cards? I haven't tried anything larger than 2gb. Would be annoying if SD were the only format option, but as it stands, you have many, many input options.
The head unit will not charge an iphone/ipod when the SD card is selected as the media source. The USB slot and the SD card slot must be connected to the same power source and switch power back and forth. It is only a problem when the SD card is selected - all other media sources (Radio/disc) will direct charge to the USB port.
The other annoying thing is that the unit ALWAYS resumes playing when the car is started, even if music was paused when I left the vehicle. This *may* be a setting I can fiddle with, but I am tempted to think that it is just a "feature" of installing a third party head unit which isn't as aware of the factory signals of the vehicle. The clock keeps time just fine after I turn off the car, so I assume that I connected the memory power cable correctly, and yet it always switches back to "play".
After all that, however; I love it! Much better than my stock stereo with no input options but the 6 CD changer. At the available price point, and with ALL the features this head unit comes with, I would recommend it to anyone trying to do an upgrade and stay under 0.
Pioneer CD-IU50V USB Interface Cable for iPod/iPhone
30 Pin Dock Extender Cable-50 cm in White
Average Rating:
Brand: Pioneer
Model: AVH-P3200DVD
Product Description:Pioneer Avh-P3200Dvd In-Dash Double-Din 5.8-Inch Dvd Multimedia A/V Receiver
Amazon.com Product Description:Get your media on the road with Pioneer's AVH-P3200DVD, an in-dash double-DIN DVD Multimedia AV Receiver with 5.8-inch widescreen display. With versatile music and video playback, modern features like USB Direct Control and DivX support, a built-in MOSFET 50 W x 4 amplifier, and plenty of expansion options, it's the perfect way to turn your vehicle into a mobile entertainment center.
 | Pioneer Car Audio SystemsPioneer's Mobile Business Group is known for offering the kind of in-car products that make driving more enjoyable by offering high quality audio and video, seamless connectivity and ease-of-use. Its focus is on the development of new digital technologies including audio video, navigation and satellite radio, while maintaining its strong heritage in products for car audio enthusiasts and sound competitors. |
 Rear A/V RCA input, three 4V RCA preamp outputs, steering wheel remote input, and video out for system expansion. |
 Intuitive touchscreen controls. |
AVH-P3200DVD Features
5.8-Inch Touchscreen Display
The AVH-P3200DVD boasts a 5.8-inch TFT LCD touchscreen display with 1440 x 240 pixel resolution. Navigating your media and system settings from the touchscreen is a breeze thanks to intuitive touch controls and customizable menus. Tap, Swipe or Drag--exactly the way you expect a touchscreen device to work.
Versatile Multimedia Playback
Enjoy your favorite DVDs while parked with the full-featured DVD player, or add a back seat screen for your passengers to watch as you drive. The AVH-P3200DVD will play DVDs, DVD-Rs, Video CDs and even DivX files burnt to CD or DVD (or from a USB device). You can also use the rear A/V input to attach external devices like video game systems.
As for music, you can enjoy your favorite CDs, or listen to MP3/WMA/AAC files from either CD/DVD data discs or a USB device.
USB Input / SD Memory Card Slot
Connect USB thumb drives or other devices and enjoy playback of your digital audio files or DivX video. Ditto for SD memory cards. This makes it a breeze to quickly grab some media from your computer before a big road trip, and enjoy hours of entertainment on the road.
iPod Direct Control (CD-IU50V required)
Connect your iPod directly and experience exceptional sound quality while easily navigating through music, videos and album art on the AVH-P3200DVD's screen. Say goodbye to the annoying static of FM transmitters and other iPod half-solutions.
Advanced Sound Retriever
Hear the detail, warmth and clarity, the way the artist intended it, from all of your highly compressed MP3, WMA and AAC files stored on USB memory device, iPod and portable digital players. By restoring data (especially higher frequencies) that tend to get lost in the digital compression process, Pioneer's Advanced Sound Retriever technology enhances audio reproduction nearly all the way up to 20 kHz frequencies.
Supertuner IIID AM/FM Tuner
Pioneer's legendary Supertuner IIID combines the best of digital and analog tuner technologies to reduce distortion to bring you exceptional FM and AM performance. If you live in an area where reception is weak, you'll hear a big improvement in signal strength. And when you're near tall buildings, Supertuner IIID reduces the effect of multi-path noise, which occurs when the signal is reflecting off of the buildings.
Always have your favorite stations at hand with 18 FM and 6 AM user presets. And when you're somewhere new, let the tuner do the work for you by activating the Best Stations Memory (BSM) function. The tuner will seek out the 6 strongest stations in the area and set them into the tuner presets.
Dial in Your Sound
Use and customize EQ curves, adjust the eight-band parametric equalizer, or change loudness and bass boost settings to get the perfect sound.
AUX-In Connection
Use the built-in AUX input for connecting any digital portable player and other external auxiliary devices. For extra-convenient access, the AVH-P3200DVD has this A/V input on the front panel.
MOSFET 50W x4 Amplifier for the Power Hungry
Compared to conventional power supplies, the MOSFET amplification circuit is smaller and more efficient, delivering power with less distortion and absolutely zero on/off switching noise. And that doesn't just mean a boost in volume: it means that your music will be cleaner at higher volumes because you're not pushing the limits of the amplification circuit. Clean, efficient power that will rock your vehicle.
For those who'd like a bit more power, three 4V RCA preamp outputs are also included for system expansion (front/rear/sub).
Available Bluetooth Wireless Technology
Use the available CD-BTB200 Bluetooth Adapter and Bluetooth-enabled cellular phones for easy, safe, and hands-free operation, including talking via the headunit's microphone and your vehicle's speaker system. The system automatically mutes any other audio during incoming or outgoing calls.
Rear View Camera Capability
Keep an eye on your backside using the optional Rear View Camera (ND-BC2 or ND-BC20PA): while you're in reverse the rear-view camera can be in full screen. An unit equipped with the optional rear-view camera adds a level of safety and assurance you can rely on. In addition to keeping you and your family safe, this feature also makes maneuvering in tight spaces easier.
Ready to Expand
The AVH-P3200DVD is also compatible with Pioneer's XM and Sirius satellite radio tuners, HD radio tuner, TV tuner, CD/DVD changers and more.
AVH-P3200DVD Basic Specs
| iPod Playback: | Audio/Video (Cable Required) |
| DVD Playback: | Yes |
| USB Input: | Yes |
| Sound Retriever: | Yes |
| Bluetooth: | Ready |
| Navigation Ready: | Yes |
| Display: | 5.8-Inch Touchscreen |
| Rear Camera Ready: | Yes |
| RCA Preamp Outputs: | Three Sets (4 volt) |
| HD Radio Ready: | Yes |
| SAT Radio Ready: | Yes |
| Power: | MOSFET 50W x 4 |
What's in the Box
Pioneer AVH-P3200DVD Receiver, Wiring Harness, Installation Hardware, Owner's Manual
Features:
- DVD Video, DivX, MP3/WMA/iTunes AAC playback
- iPod Direct Control (CD-IU50V Required)
- SD Card Slot
- Intuitive touchscreen control and customizable menus
- Album art display, double-tap Alphabet Search, iTunes
Tagging and Passenger Control mode
Available at Amazon
List Price: USD 440.00
Lowest Used Price: USD 275.00
Lowest New Price: USD 395.00
Lowest Refurbished Price: USD 321.89
Customer Reviews
Great for the price
I wanted a deck that was ipod compatible. Then I realized I wanted a touch screen, color screen and customization, aux port and all the goods.
This deck is great and easy to install.
I bypassed the parking brake wires so it plays DVDs while you drive. Dangerous yes, but it's for my passengers.
If you can afford the model that comes with the Bluetooth feature you should get that.
Pioneer is the best
My only real complaint with the product is the dvd unlock sequence with the parking brake (I have an f-150 with a pedal e-brake) I don't plan on driving around while playing a dvd video, but having to apply, release, and then re-apply my parking break is quite the annoyance. I have ordered a toggle switch to bypass that action, and will receive it in the next 2 days. Over all, I recommend this stereo to anyone looking to get a touchscreen unit. This is one of the best stereos I've had a chance to play with. Installation was easy with a mounting adapter and a wiring harness. Touchscreen navigation is very smooth and fast! After installed I slightly wished I had gotten the 7-in unit, but this one more than fulfills my needs. It does take a few seconds to read a mp3 dvd/cd, etc,, but that's because it's indexing the entire drive for media. Sound quality is amazing, it's waaay better than my stock stereo system. Touch screen dvd navigation is a little tough to get through but hopefully the ir remote for this stereo will help with that.
Avh-p3200 dvd Great Unit!
I was originally looking for a unit that had navigation on it, but i wasn't ready to throw down that much money. This unit has the ability to add navigation, blue-tooth, HD radio, and satellite radio. I would have liked it to have a volume knob on it, but that's just a personal preference. The user interface is great! If you plan on trying to watch a movie while driving you'll have to wire in a relay (plenty of you-tube videos on how to) during installation. Another great feature of this unit is it has a sd and usb port on the front. The sd card seems a little slow, but the flash drive seems to be fast enough. All in all, a great unit, wish i would have thrown down a little more cash to get the one with the bigger screen, but its good enough.
One note, is i had to buy a couple of trim pieces that would fill in the gaps on the sides of my factory double din spot, so measure your openings.
Versatile, Great Sound Quality
I installed the Pioneer AVH-P3200DVD in my '10 WRX a week ago. It integrates
very nicely in the interior of the car; it looks just as stock as the
navigation unit available with the vehicle. The illumination color of the
unit's buttons match perfectly with the WRX's red interior lighting.
As far as sound quality goes: what a major improvement! Even though I had
the so-called "premium" WRX sound system, the new head unit completely blows
away the stock unit. I was thinking I would replace the speakers; now I'm not
so sure. The system sounds incredible.
Installation took awhile because I'd never done a new head unit install before.
But, in the end, I look back over the installation process and see that it was
actually fairly easy. My lack of experience was the only thing that made the
process take so long. If I were to do it again, it would go very quickly.
I gave this head unit four out of five stars for the following reasons:
- The album art in iPod mode shown on the unit's touchscreen is very poor.
- The response time to showing the music on the iPod is a bit slower than I
was expecting. But, it is still very useable.
- I cannot control the brightness of the touchscreen display. While it does
dim at night when I turn on the headlights, I'd like it to dim just a bit more
than it does.
- The user manual is vaguely written and poorly organized
