jvc KW-NT1

Text and Measurements by Garry Springgay // Photos by Manufacturer
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Not long ago, few would believe wed all use a portable music devices that fit in our pockets and contained thousands of songs. Likewise, personal or in-car GPS navigation was pretty much unheard of. A few early adopters had units mounted to the top of their dashboards, and delighted in showing their friends where the nearest gas station was. But as technology inevitably progressed, we became used to the convenience iPods and GPS navigation devices provide, and now a great many consumers simply consider them totally necessary for daily driving. Same thing with Bluetooth hands-free technology, its also becoming a standard and expected feature, as more and more people experience the added safety and convenience it provides. To meet our ever burgeoning demand for these technological necessities, the JVC company has introduced a single product that provides pretty much all this and more in one chassis. The JVC KW-NT1 is a double DIN sized in-dash Tuner/CD/DVD/MP3/iPod/GPS Navigation/Bluetooth equipped system. Combining all of this functionality into one chassis controlled by a 6.1-inch LCD touch screen will spoil almost anyone into believing they cant live without it. Controls and Features: The JVC KW-NT1 uses Windows Automotive power for an advanced Intelligent Navigation system that includes text-to-speech and provides a user-friendly interface with magnified viewing,
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on-screen lane guidance, and even a speed limit display for major high ways. The 2009 JVC navigation line up includes the KW-NT1 and KW-NX700 0BT, the JVC KW-NT1 we reviewed also features built-in Bluetooth wireless technolo gy that allows for stress-free safer driving and includes flexible setup options complete with a high-quality external microphone. DVD playback is possible whe n the cars parking brake is engaged. iPod or iPhone connections are made via a full speed USB 2.0 connection hidden und er a small cover on the front panel. While connec ted, the system provides two-way control for iPod/iPhone units. This means that the user can control music selections from eith er the receivers touch panel, or the iPod/iPh one itself. The KW-NT1 also includes an SD card slot built into the back of the rem ovable faceplate for MP3 audio playback, an adaptive volume control that can increase or decrease the volume automatically as the vehicles speed changes. Internal speaker power comes from a built-in MOSFET amplifier with a 20W CEA 2006 rated power output. Additional cool features for you techno-hea ds include a rear view camera input, a J-BUS terminal for connecting XM or Sirius sate llite radio tuners, front rear and subwoofer pre -outs.

The Navteq based softwar e includes 6 million points of interest (searchable by name, vicinity, phone #, address, zip code, or Long/Lat coordinates), 3D map viewing, and comprehensive map coverage of the following are as: United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, plus Canada. The JVC KW-NT1 retails for $1,099.95 and comes with a 1 year limited warranty. Feature List
CD, DVD, CD-R/RW, MP Sirius and XM Satellite3, WMA ready 6.1 Display Detachable Fac 16:9 aspect ratio TFT acti eplate Intelligent Navigation Sysve matrix display tem with Text-to-Speech 6 Million Points of Interes t 3D Map Viewing Comprehensive Map Covera ge Magnified map viewing On-Screen Lane Guidance Speed Limit Display Built-In Bluetooth Wireles External Wired Microphons Technology e USB 2.0 Port Customized text to speech start up and shutdown messages Text to speech is selectab le to English, Spanish, and French AV-Input/Output Connecvoice commands tion iPod/iPhone 2-Way Control s SD Card Slot Adaptive Volume Control Front/Rear/Subwoofer pre Separate subwoofer level amp outputs control 7 Band EQ 9 Preset EQ curves and 3 user defined curve presets Defeatable High pass and low pass filters (80, 120, 150Hz) Built in MOSFET Amplifier Rear View Camera Inpu J-BUS Terminal for satet 1 Year Limited Warrantyllite radio

JVC KW-NT1

Functionality The KW-NT1 is quite easy to use with intuitive and simple to understand icons and tabs displayed on the 6.1-inch touch screen. There are only four actual control buttons on the front panel, all other controls are integrated into the Windows based software, and are accessed via the touch panel. These four hard buttons are actually a soft touchpad design, and require only the lightest of touches to make them operate. They are used for changing the display from audio mode to navigation mode, and to adjust the volume. On screen menus are designed with logical sequences, and the things you use most often are easiest to access, which is as it should be. While I had no problem at all using any of the controls on my test bench or listening room, in those situations I have the luxury of being able to look where I put my finger. Because they are generally harder to find and operate without looking at them, I have never been a fan of pushbutton volume controls; especially those that have no tactile feel whatsoever as is the case here. Call me old school, but I believe a detented rotary volume control is safer and more intuitive to use. However, these modern controls work very smoothly and without any zipper noise.

Frequency Response of the Internal Amplified Outputs
Built-in EQ Adjustment capability
The navigation section of the unit provides a very clear map and set of directions, including the street you are on, and the next street you will cross. Guidance is provided by both on screen directions as well as spoken instructions using street names. If you miss a turn the unit will re-calculate the route for you, but I thought this function took slightly longer than normal when compared to my personal Garmin unit. Of course all of the cool search and routing functionality is included, and the mapping software allows you to import POIs (Points Of Interest) via the SD card using Google Maps. Also, the internal firmware and mapping can be updated as new stuff comes along. Isnt technology grand! Text to speech is selectable to English, Spanish, and French voice commands. DVD picture quality was also very impressive, the screen has excellent color, contrast and detail. Brightness is user adjustable to suit your preference. There is also a video output to connect a rear seat monitor. Separate rear panel connections provide audio and video inputs, so another source like a videogame can also be connected. Interestingly, and to me almost inexplicably, the iPod connectivity is done only via the front panel USB port. If you would like to display video from the iPod youll need the JVC KS-U29 adapter cable. While this system does provide a very convenient 2 way communication and allows the iPod or the touch screen to control things, I cant see myself driving around with wires hanging out of the front of my radio. How hard would it have been to add an additional set of connections on the rear panel so I can keep my iPod and associated wiring hidden, secure, and clean looking. Come on guys On the audio side of things, the KW-NT1 has a complete feature set as well. A built in 20 watt amp can provide 4 channels of power output, and the maximum output can be controlled via software, so if you have low power speakers, or you dont want junior to blow stuff up when he borrows the car, the JVC has you covered. The internal amp power can also be completely disabled if you are using the RCA outputs and all external amps. On the pre-outs, the system comes with a defeatable high pass filter with 3 selectable frequencies, and the subwoofer output also has three selectable crossover frequencies. The output level of the subwoofer is adjustable independently from the main volume, but its a couple of menus down, so its more useful for basic system setup and level matching, and probably wont replace a remote level control for your sub amp. Also included is a DSP based EQ system with 7 frequency bands, and the ability to adjust each band up or down by 10dB in 2 dB steps. I liked the three user definable presets, they allow you to adjust things yourself and save them to the systems memory. Then if you like to change EQ settings to suit your mood or music, its a simple one touch selection.

High-Pass Filter Crossover Frequencies
Subwoofer Output Crossover Frequencies

Measured Specifi

cations:

Amplifier

CEA-2006A Power per cha nnel (all channels driven, @ 4 ohms) A Wtd S/N Ratio (ref to 2V/ 1W @ 4 ohms) Amplified output THD+N @ 2V/1W @ 4 ohm s 1kHz Frequency Response (-3. 0dB) 20.2 watts/Ch X 4 -83.1dBA (CD) 0.02% 20Hz 20kHz

Preamp section

Max Usable Output Voltage A Wtd S/N Ratio ref to full Output Impedance Frequency Response (-3. output voltage 2.5Vrms -89.7dBA (CD) 560 ohms 20Hz 20kHz
Listening: I connected the KW-NT1 to my reference system, and played with it for several hours. I listened to audio from DVDs CDs, MP3 on CD-R, and of course my iPod. The JVC piece sounds great with any of these sources, and I was unable to find any real fault with the sonics. The unit delivered signal to my reference amps almost transparently, and without any unwanted noise or noticeable digital artifacts. CD track access happened quickly and silently, and the load time for a DVD was quite quick. iPod functionality proved to be no problem for the JVC, and searches were quick and easy to perform using the intuitive touch screen. The on-board EQ was easy to use, and while I usually prefer to make changes in 1dB steps, the 2dB increments offered will be fine for 99.5% of all users. I did note that there is no loudness contour available,
but with the adaptive volume control and the user definable EQ curves, I doubt youll miss it. About the only thing I missed was a wireless remote (none is available) but there is an optional OEM steering wheel remote integration feature available. On The Bench: The JVC measured up to or exceeded the performance of all its published specs. All the measurements were quite good for a unit of this complexity and vast capabilities. The Amplifier delivered 20 watts x 4, and the RCAs provided 2.5 volts of useable output. While I cant rate it as an ultra high-end audio source unit, simply because of the limited output voltage and rather high 560 ohm source impedance, it will be more than adequate performance wise in the vast majority of users vehicles. The frequency response measured nice and flat, and the unit also has respectable signal to noise performance.
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