Ok, I'm looking to get a new radio for my xB. I want something with DVD and Sirius Ready. I'm looking for a flush mounted screen, not a flip up screen.

I had Sirius installed from the dealer, it was free for 9 months (I think). Anyways, any recommendations on a DVD unit to get?

Also, what would I need as far as installation is concerned? Is it an easy process?


*EDIT*
Money is somewhat of a concern....so the Eclipse DVD is a little pricey....any other suggestions?

Thanks!

 

I recommend the Pioneer AVH-P6800DVD. I have it and love it. it's a 6-disc dvd changer built in plus Sirius or XM ready. Now with the Sirius you have already, you will have to get a different Sirius tuner, one that is made for the radio you end up getting. all you have to do is call Sirius and tell them you have a different tuner and they can transfer the account.

 

Thanks...I wasn't sure if I would have to switch tuners...do any other radios work with the factory tuner?

Also, do any of these DVD systems have a GOOD Sirius display and the MEMO features of the portable Sirius units.

Also, can I still use the AUX input with a new HU?

 

your factory radio is the only thing that will work with your factory tuner. as for the Sirius displays, you need to look at the radios in a store. some displays are really nice and some displays are poor due to the lack of info it provides.
same thing with the AUX, some radios do have a AUX in and some don't.

 

Thanks for the replies....can anyone else suggest a unit? I will go to a store, but I know some B&M stores don't carry everything you can get online. BUT, I will look.

 

Go window shopping at crutchfield.com where they carry lots of HUs with exhaustive specs, user opinions, etc. Site also allows you to "see if it fits" your car. Then, search elsewhere for a lower price if you so desire (although I like to buy from Crutchfield because they include trim kit, harness, instructions, etc.).

 

One more question....does the antenna that runs into the factory tuner have the same connection that would plug into a portable unit? I'm wondering how tough it would be to run that EXTERNALLY so I can plug in my external tuner (this would be my CHEAP way to get a GOOD Sirius display in my car)

 

I swapped out my factory stereo in xB for a better double-din stereo (Kenwood DPX301) and for a time I had an stand-alone Sirius radio receiver (Sirius One) mounted below my dash. You can see a pic of this setup in my profile. Sirius receiver used standard external antenna (the one that came with Sirius One receiver) that I had installed for 40 bucks by Circuit City. However, I got tired of always looking down to see display, so I switched to Sirius receiver that mounts behind HU in dash (SIR-KEN1). Install was easy...pull out HU, plug receiver into AUX inputs on HU and attach SAME antenna that I was using with Sirius One, cram small SIR-KEN1 into dash, put HU back and button up dash...no biggie.

You sound like you want to do the same thing I initially did...new factory HU (the AVH-P6800DVD is a nice choice) and an external Sirius receiver. As far as I know, most if not all Sirius antenna connections for recently made receivers use the same connector, whether they are portable receivers or permanently installed receivers like my SIR-KEN1 (or in your case, if you go permanent, the SIR-PNR2). there are a lot of knowledgeable folks on this board and someone will probably correct me if I'm wrong about antenna connections...also, Sirius tech, product info, etc. questions can be answered at the equally excellent board at www.siriusbackstage.com

 

Ok, I think I see what you are saying. I actually WANT to put the Portable unit BACK into my car, but I want to use the antenna that Toyota/Scion ran for free for me (since they hid it nicely).

HOWEVER, if I get a new HU, then I'll just get a new Sirius tuner that goes behind the HU. I guess MONEY is the key factor these days. A new baby takes a lot of time and money

 

Yep...everything costs $$$. For example --- Pioneer AVH-P6800DVD HU is $889 at Abe's ($1199 at Crutchfield!!!), internal Sirius receiver (SIR-PNR2 for Pioneer unit) is $99, an 'aux-adapter' for iPod connection is $29. However, install is free if you know what you're doing. As I mentioned before, you can get tons of info about HUs, accessories, etc. at Crutchfield and then shop elsewhere (via pricegrabber.com or similar webpage that actually ranks reliability of vendors...also check out resellerratings.com).

Unfortunately, I can't really answer your original question because I don't know if the Scion installed an antenna that has some proprietary connection or not (however, I'm guessing this is unlikely). What external Sirius receiver do you have? Do you have an external antenna? Good luck and have FUN...

 

I have just the Starmate Replay (which I deactivated for now since I have FREE Sirius for a few months). However, the antenna appears to be the same low profile antenna that is on the xB now.

I just hate the factory radio for Sirius, seems rather pointless

 

Great...if i were you (and had the $) I would go with new DVD-HU and internal Sirius receiver connected to what I'm assuming is an external antenna with standard connection that Scion installed...Starmate Reply does use a standard "smb" (not FAKRA) connector.

You didn't ask about connecting mp3 players, but I'll throw in my 2 cents. I've got my iPod connected through second aux adapter on my HU (which the Pioneer AVH-P6800DVD does NOT have; you need to buy an adapter) with cable running out from under center console. This allows iPod control thru iPod only, not HU (which is my preference considering all the negative comments about many, many iPod controllers).

Bottom line is that connectivity should not be a problem regardless of what you do.

 

Thanks for all the help...I guess it depends on money and time. I know my one friend is knowledgable in installing radios, so I'm sure he could do it....I just have to see if I want to spend the money on a high end stereo/DVD

 

Yeah...I know what you mean...I've got little-to-no interest in DVD player in my car and could never justify $800-1200 (I'd rather buy a plasma or LCD TV for that kind of money)...that's why I went with Kenwood DPX301 for just a few hundred bucks + Sirius tuner. Sound is significantly better than factory HU (even using stock speakers) for music via my iPod (90% of my music listening is via iPod, 10% via Sirius and 0% via FM, which sucks big time here in Buffalo, NY) but I spend most of my time in car listeneing to talk (Stern, Raw Dog, Blue Collar, Fox). I'd have to say getting Sirius is one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Good luck...keep board updated on what you do and attach a few pics...we're all interested in most mods and user opinions, regardless of how minor in nature.

 

Just curious, how does the HU display Sirius? Is it multi-line text that would display the Artist/Song. Does it have any of the memo features where you can save a favorite artist.

 

Just curious, how does the HU display Sirius? Is it multi-line text that would display the Artist/Song. Does it have any of the memo features where you can save a favorite artist.

 

Very, very poorly. Unfortunately, there aren't too many 2-Din, non-DVD, HUs available and most have crappy displays IMO. In fact, there are some single-Din HUs that have better displays than my HU (but I don't like the look of 1-Din HUs). Even worse, my HU shows only 1 line with 8 characters...yuck. I have to push a little button in upper left to scroll thru channel#, channel name, artist, song, composer, etc. Here's my SOP --- I use channel presets, have memorized them, and have the display set to "Artist Name" (whenever I switch channels using presets or manually, the display initially shows "Channel Number" and then reverts to "Artist Name" in a few seconds). This poor display bugs me, but my level of frustration is low right now...if it rises to DefCon3 I'll start to think long and hard about switching to DVD unit with better display...right now the barrier is not just the expense, but the increaed likelihood of theft with a $1000+ HU.

 

Thanks....I may have to keep looking. I know some of the DVD units even have POOR Sirius display. I'm curious how the lower-end DVD HU are? I know there are some $500-$700 ones.

 

I have the Pioneer AVIC-Z1 and love it. Pricey though. And the Sirius is lacking on display, but it's Sirius' fault... not Pioneer's. The HU gives every bit of information that the Sirius unit sends it. But in the place for a picture or cover art, etc. it's just he Sirius logo all the time. The XM unit that goes with this actually puts up images as well. But, besides that I couldn't be happier with the choice and it looks slick flush mounted in the XB.

Check out http://avic411.com/forum/index.php?c...ce90b9f2ea7e73 for more info on the unit.

Good luck with your search.

 

I just want the unit to display both the ARTIST and SONG at the same time....unlike the stock HU which is limited to about 8 characters.