Clarion NX500 6.5" In-Dash Motorized Touchscreen DVD/CD/MP3/USB Receiver, Built-in Navigation and Bluetooth Review

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(More customer reviews)Since the 1st reviewer really captured a lot of my feelings on this unit, I'll try to concentrate on or add some additional thoughts...
When researching the higher end offerings from Kenwood and Pioneer, I finally decided on Clarion's NX500 after I saw all of the features that were included for a price tag that was *at least* half the cost of anything comparable. For reference, I picked mine up for $579 from another online retailer.
Installation was a breeze in my Mercedes Benz ML320 using a Metra harness. I was especially pleased with the modular wiring setup in the back of the headunit. As the other reviewer mentioned, you only plug in the connections you plan to use. This all means less clutter and mess behind the dash. At the time of installation, I also installed the Sirius Direct Connect adapter and a rear view camera. Connections were very straightforward.
The navi system seems to be a hybrid between a Garmin and Honda/Acura unit. You have the ability to view the mapping aerially, or slightly angled (quasi 1st person). The system is adequate for getting you to your destination, although I would've liked to have seen an option that lists turn-by-turn directions on the right side of the split screen for better clarification similar to the software found in my Acura TSX. Guidance voice options include 2 sets of male and female voices. One set utilizes text to speech (TTS) and phonetically pronounces street names and highways. These voices are robotic sounding, and will literally pronounce names as they are spelled. For example, U.S. Highway 9 would sound like "us nine" vs "u-s nine". The other set of more human sounding voices merely give generic turn by turn directions such as "Turn left at next intersection" vs "Turn left at Broadway". A neat feature of the split screen option is that the time and distance to the next turn/checkpoint is displayed on the left side while the total remaining distance and estimated time of arrival are displayed on the right side. I did not have any issues w/ the unit keeping extremely accurate time as the other reviewer. I believe setting the time to sync via the GPS will solve his problem. The POI database in the nav software was fairly extensive and very helpful when in an unfamiliar area looking for a place to eat, a place to get gas, etc. Entering addresses to get routing guidance was fairly easy; however, destinations on main streets sometimes became sources of frustration. When trying to enter an address on Rt 46, I finally realized that the road was also known as "Main St". Having a HD based system allows quick re-routing when you deviate from the directions. While my Acura TSX and MDX would take a few seconds to "recalculate" a new route, the NX500 does it almost instantaneously. Nav reception via the GPS antenna is very strong. I mounted mine under the dash, and have had no issues whatsoever with getting located as soon as I turn on the vehicle. The reception is so strong that viewing the speedometer screen yielded identical results to the actual speedometer in my instrument cluster.
Sound quality was very good considering I am not running an aftermarket amp. If you're an audiophile, the limited EQ adjustments will feel limiting. For the average person, there are "preset" EQ settings for various types of audio such as "Rock", "Urban", or "Techno".
Sirius radio reception sounded CD clear in my vehicle. I did not get any hissing or "white" noise on any channel like the other reviewer did, nor has my sat radio ever locked up.
I also purchased a bypass module on e bay. Unlike Pioneers and other aftermarket headunits, you cannot simply ground the parking brake wire to the chassis. It requires a pulsing signal to mimick the release and re-engagement of the parking brake in order to operate any stereo function that includes video. I do not condone, nor recommend watching any video while operating the vehicle. For my purposes, I wanted the ability to adjust my nav destination w/o pulling the car over.
Ipod integration is ok --- all pertinent menus/data are available such as playlists, artists, songs, albums, etc. Unfortunately, however, you do not have the ability to quickly scroll through entries. I have over 5,000 songs on my 5G 30GB Video. Trying to select an artist beginning with a 'G' requires the continuous pressing of the down arrow. You cannot hold the button to accelerate the process.
The DVD function works well. The picture is very good, although it seems a tad washed out. Of course, this is a minor point as I rarely watch movies in the vehicle. Playing a CD is standard fare, but I was VERY disappointed in what appears to be a poor oversight in basic design. I used to be a vinyl DJ, and have a large collection of "continuous" mix CDs that I have not yet been able to transfer to my iPod. When playing a mix, the player will insert a 2-3 second gap between tracks, regardless if the CD was recorded without them. This can get rather annoying during a DJ set or live band performance.
The built-in bluetooth system makes this unit such a big upgrade over its predecessor because an additional, external modular add-on is not required (less mess behind the dash). Calls come in loud and clear through the vehicle's speakers, and a mic is built directly into the face of the stereo. I also installed the supplementary external mic in the vehicle to give me the option of choosing which mic to use, but callers on the other end have not reported any problem hearing me clearly when using the built-in mic. Music/video will pause and mute when a call is placed or received. My Verizon Blackberry Storm can synch its address book and call log w/o an issue. You can switch off to your handset in a snap with a dedicated button on the bluetooth screen interface. The other GREAT feature of the built-in bluetooth system is the ability to listen to Bluetooth audio. I frequently run Pandora and Slacker in the vehicle now from my Blackberry. I have so many "entertainment" options now, it truly is ridiculous. One gripe about this feature is that you can't view the nav screen at the same time.
As the other reviewer touched on, the biggest problem with this unit has to do with its visibility in bright sunlight. Because the screen is very smooth and gloss like, it reflects a great deal of glare during the day. I will try to remedy this with an anti-glare film and update at a later time. With all that said, after a month and a half of solid use, I would purchase this unit again in a heartbeat. I almost feel like I stole it, and cannot say enough about what a great value it really is. While it is not a supreme standout in any one area, it does everything fairly well. If you are looking for a good "quiver killer", I would highly recommend it.
Pros (to echo some of the 1st reviewer's sentiments):
1 - Ease of installation w/ no mess.
2 - Fast navigation due to HD based software; STRONG GPS reception.
3 - Clean sound, even w/o an amp.
4 - Easy addition of additional AV sources.
5 - POI database is robust.
6 - Built in bluetooth, especially the ability to stream BT audio (Pandora and Slacker in the car!!!)
7 - Tangible, physical buttons for volume control and source selectionCons (more nitpicking than anything else):
1 - Excessive glare in bright sunlight... hopefully this will be remedied w/ a simple anti-glare film.
2 - Can't use voicedial feature for making calls.
3 - Entering addresses could be a little cumbersome if you don't know the alternative names.
4 - No quick scroll feature for navigating through the iPod.
5 - Mix CDs don't play continuously.
6 - Can't view the nav screen when playing BT audio.
I hope this helps others who are trying to decide on a new DD unit for their vehicle. Thanks to the 1st reviewer for helping me make my own decision.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Clarion NX500 6.5" In-Dash Motorized Touchscreen DVD/CD/MP3/USB Receiver, Built-in Navigation and Bluetooth

Clarion's NX500 is a premium double-DIN audio/video navigation unit with built-in GPS navigation, built-in Bluetooth for hands-free control, and audio streaming and USB iPod and iPhone compatibility. iPod video playback is also available using an optional cable (CCA748). The unit is also Sirius Satellite Radio and HD Radio Ready (including the iTunes tagging feature) with additional hardware. With built-in GPS navigation, the flash memory allows for quick response and access to navigation maps and multimedia options.

Built-in Navigation System with 12 million POIs NX500 features a built-in car navigation system with simple destination input, turn-by-turn voice prompts, selectable route guidance--everything you need to reach your destination quickly and efficiently. Pre-loaded with 12 million Points of Interest, its database includes national parks, restaurants, gas stations, and much more.
Built-in Bluetooth Hands-free Calling With Bluetooth built-in, you can wirelessly connect your Bluetooth capable mobile phone to listen to calls through your car's audio system. HFP/OPP/A2DP/AVRCP protocols are supported.
Superior iPod and iPhone Connectivity USB connection enables complete control of your iPod including video playback. Also "Works with iPhone" certified to bring its communication and entertainment capabilities into your car.
HD Radio Ready with iTunes Tagging Connecting the THD400 lets you enjoy listening to digitally broadcast radio programs with all their superior quality and helpful information. This includes iTunes Tagging capability, so if you hear a song on the radio that you like, you can tag it to download later from the iTunes Store. Save time finding and accumulating the tunes you want.
Sirius Direct Connect Ready Connect to a Sirius Satellite Radio receiver without any need for a interface box--and enjoy over 130 channels of music, news, talk shows, sports and traffic information with digital quality sound throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Rear Vision Camera RCA Input This RCA input enables you to smoothly connect a rear camera to display the area behind your vehicle. The increased view encourages and facilitates safer driving.
Front/Rear AV Inputs NX500 is equipped with AV input terminals on the front and rear of the unit to enable enjoyment of content from an external connected source. The rear RCA inputs are ideal for permanent installations, while the front pin jack type input will come in handy for quick connection of portable audiovisual sources.
24-bit D/A Converter for Superb Sound Reproduction Fully enjoy the sonic impact of DVD movie soundtracks or music videos. 24-bit technology actually oversamples the digital signal, providing excellent results that just weren't possible with older 16-bit systems.
6ch/2V RCA Output with Subwoofer Control With 3 sets of RCA outputs, you are free to add external power amplifiers to create a more powerful, sophisticated audio system. Also, independent volume control is enabled for the subwoofer so you can adjust the level of bass output to your liking at any time, regardless of the output level of the other channels.
What's in the Box NX500 Receiver, Remote Control, Installation Hardware, User's Manual

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Onkyo HT-RC270 7.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I will preface this review by saying I am not a die-hard audiophile who's interested in the schematics of the circuit boards inside, and how discreet they are, and whether or not they use premium toroidal coils and all that other stuff. I merely like watching blu-ray movies, playing hi-def video games, listening to music, and making the whole experience sound good. So with that in mind if you're looking for an in-depth analysis of the output of this unit using reference loudspeakers that each sell for the price of a baby grand piano, you might want to search for a different review. ;)
It took a while for me to write this review. Mainly because this is one seriously complex piece of equipment. It's got more connections, more buttons, and more overhead with regards to setup than my home computer network. Don't let this scare you away though, it is an absolutely outstanding receiver. I'll try to relay the experience I've had with it so hopefully you can get some value from reading my wall of text review.
My setup:
I'm not using any spectacular speakers for this. I've got a somewhat hodge-podge of KLH for surround speakers, Panasonic for the rear channels, and a large sub I've had for years and don't recall the brand (it's a 10" sub though.) My main interest was putting together a system that would sound immersive, and not necessarily give a crystal-clear reproduction of the source material (again - not an audiophile, just your average listener.) This is why I didn't bother spending thousands on speakers, and chose to use what I had from my old 5.1 system. The receiver is paired with a Samsung 48" LED LCD TV. For Blu-ray and games I've got a PS3, as well as an Xbox 360, a PS2, and a Nintendo Wii. For cable I have a Comcast HD DVR. The TV, PS3, Xbox 360, and HD DVR are all hooked up with HDMI cables. The Nintendo is using RGB RCA connectors.
Ok with that out of the way, I'll move on to what I went through after unboxing this thing.
Initial setup:
Connections -
This is where the confusion starts. It's a 7.2 receiver, but it's has *more* than 7 channels that can be hooked up to it. However it can only output 7 channels at a time, and this is why it's labeled as 7.2. I believe the ".2" stems from the fact that it's got dual sub channel outputs, for people who think one subwoofer is not enough. Looking at the connections this thing has is intimidating. It's got an unbelievable amount. HDMI, component, S-video, composite, USB, 11 connectors for speakers (YES - ELEVEN!), subwoofer connections, low level audio outputs, antenna connectors, coaxial connectors, serial port connector, optical connectors, a CAT-5 cable input to hook the thing up to the internet/world wide web, and other connections that I don't even know what their purpose is. WHEW!
Tackling the manual clears some of these things up, to a degree. When you're making your connections you will notice that inputs are grouped according to their suggested purpose. An example is the Cable/Satellite section. It has an HDMI input, component video inputs, an S-Video input, composite video input, coaxial audio input, and two RCA inputs for audio (left/right). Not all groups have this many, and some have different options such as "Game" - it has an optical audio connection. This is for flexibility. You'll want to use the best inputs your device supports to get the best results, of course. It would be silly to have a nice DVD player with component output and optical audio and hook it into the receiver using composite and RCA audio connections. So with that in mind, stick to the best outputs on your devices, and you'll have to play around with what makes the most sense with your gear. I would highly recommend putting this all down on paper before you start plugging everything in, otherwise you'll wind up going back and shuffling things about when you find out what you were doing won't work.
The way the unit chooses which input to use is through the on-screen display in the setup menu. Inside of it you can decide which group uses which input. The caveat is you cannot do something like hook in a blu-ray player to the Game group's HDMI input, then use an Xbox 360 component output on the Game group's component input. One input per group. This is why planning ahead is important to avoid this mess. Hopefully this clears up a bit about hooking devices up. I don't want to go into more detail, because if I did this review would be more massive than it already is going to be!
MY RECOMMENDATION FOR SPEAKER LAYOUT: This is COMPLETELY subjective. You may find that your preferences differ. My goal was immersion when watching movies or playing games. You're "limited" to having 7 surround speakers active at a time. The receiver supports some very funky layouts and surround-sound encoding. The speaker positions it supports are: center channel, left and right, WIDE left and right, HEIGHT left and right, surround left and right, and rear channel (either rear left and right, or just a single rear speaker.) If you have a huge room and the money, there's nothing stopping you from hooking up every single output to speakers. Just remember - the system will only drive 7 powered channels at a time. The channels that are driven are decided by either you, or the source material you're playing. Since I don't have tons of money or a huge room to hook up all the speakers, AND from experience I've whittled down my speaker position preferences: I went with center channel, left/right, surround left/right, and rear left/right. This (in my opinion) offers the best experience and most immersion. When you play back media which supports 7.1, it sounds AMAZING. Stuff moves behind you. To your sides. And in front from left to right. You can literally hear things flying in a circle around you. I tried out the height position just to see what it sounded like... wasn't even really noticeable at all, and a complete waste. I have not tried out the wide left/right as my room doesn't have the space to support it.
On-screen menus -
I will touch on these lightly as there are simply too many menus, sub-menus, and sub-sub-menus. The most important ones are setting up the speakers, mapping inputs, and setting up the surround modes for each source. Start by setting up your speakers by going into the Speaker Setup/Speaker Configuration menu. Step through each speaker pairing and choose a frequency to cut off at, or set the pair to OFF if you don't have speakers in that position. Next go to the Input/Output Assign menu and step through each source you have and select the input it uses (this is where you choose, for example, if your game console uses the HDMI input or the component input, etc., depending on which input you plugged it into) Last you will want to set the Listening Mode Preset for each source. The last step can be confusing since there is a myriad of choices to choose from. I've typically found that for sources which can output different surround modes that selecting DIRECT for all modes is the best except for 2 channel signals - then it's up to your preference on what listening mode to choose. "Direct" allows the source material to select the surround mode to use, so you hear media the way it was meant to be heard. If you force a surround sound mode, the receiver does some fancy processing of its own to simulate the chosen surround sound mode, which will not be the way it was recorded. For sources that do not have multiple surround modes (for instance a VCR), it's up to your set up and listening preferences as to the surround mode you choose (my preference based on my set up is PLIIx THX Cinema for almost all sources that don't have the ability to play back in a surround mode.) I'd go through all of them while listening to your source material, and make your selection based on what you think sounds the best.
There are some other items, such as choosing how far apart your speakers are, and naming your inputs more accurately, but again trying to keep this review as minimal as possible here (too late!)
USE:
The remote. Lots of choices, and some odd groupings. There are two different groupings with regard to your sources. One group selects the input you wish the receiver to play from (Cab/Sat, Game, etc.) and the other chooses the mode the remote is in (TV, Receiver, etc.) The latter is so the remote can control the device. You can press TV for instance, and if you have a TV that can be controlled via the Onkyo remote, then you're in luck and can operate most of the TV via this one remote. The remote could be laid out better. Given how complex the receiver is, it's not too surprising the remote is so cluttered.
The cool factor. Look, you can hook the thing up to the web. Why would you want to do that? Because it supports streaming audio over the web, that's why! Whether you set it up to stream from your Windows PC, or directly off the web with Pandora/Sirius/V-Tuner, it's worth it. I have some very strange taste in music, and when I went on the web with the receiver using V-Tuner (which is free with your Onkyo by the way) I found dozens of obscure stations that played back exactly what I like. If *I* can find music on there that I like, I almost guarantee you that you'll have no problems finding hundreds of stations to listen to. It's simply awesome.
On screen display. For menus it's very nice to have them displayed on your HDTV instead of the tiny LED screen on the Onkyo. Makes menu options much easier to scroll through and select.
Video. Setting up the video can be confusing, especially when it comes to mixing HD 16:9 sources with standard 4:3 sources. All the different stretching and zooming modes to squish or pull a 4:3 source so it looks good on a 16:9 wide screen HDTV is a pain. I don't...Read more›

Click Here to see more reviews about: Onkyo HT-RC270 7.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver (Black)

If you\'re ready to take your first step into the world of networked home entertainment, let the HT-RC270 be your guide. This versatile A/V receiver sports a handy Ethernet connection that lets you enjoy streaming PC audio and internet radio in the comfort of your living room. When it comes to connectivity, the HT-RC270 handles virtually anything you throw its way. You get six 3D-ready HDMI 1.4a inputs (one on the front-side); 7.1-channel analog audio inputs for legacy components; analog RGB inputs for PC video; a Universal port for Onkyo peripherals; and a front-side USB input for Pod models and flash memory devices. Onkyo has a well-earned reputation for bringing advanced audio features to a wider audience. In the case of the high-value HT-RC270, that means low-jitter Burr-Brown DACs; lossless HD audio from DTS and Dolby; Audyssey MultEQ room-correction; and the expanded surround dimensions of Audyssey DSX and Dolby Pro Logic IIz. All of this connectivity and processing power earns the HT-RC270 the quality assurance of THX Select2 Plus.

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