Detailed JVC KW-V51BT Receiver Review
KWV51BT reviewed by Lessco
Electronics
www.lesscosales.com
JVC's KW-V51BT
DVD receiver offers a customizable and intuitive 7" touchscreen display that's also easy on the eyes. You can take your multimedia to the next level by connecting your compatible smartphone to the rear
HDMI input to take advantage of a variety of apps while on the go. It also includes a built-in DVD/CD player, a multi-function
USB port, built-in Bluetooth®,
SiriusXM satellite radio controls, a wireless remote control, and lots of settings you can tweak.
The smartphone connection
The KW-V51BT's HDMI input lets you enjoy access to many of the apps on your smartphone or tablet directly from the controls on the receiver. Here's the lowdown on what you need depending on your smartphone:
iPhone 4 and 4S:
Connect your iPhone 4 or 4S to the KW-V51BT's rear
USB and analog audio/video input using the JVC KS-U59 cable, and you'll have access to JVC's App
Link Mode.
With your smartphone connected, you can enjoy select navigation, driver assistance, video, and music apps — all of which can be controlled on the KW-V51BT's display or by voice command.
Robust
Bluetooth technology
JVC KW-V51BT DVD receiver
Bluetooth gives you hands-free calling convenience, plus a wireless connection to the songs stored on your compatible music player. If you're an
Android user, you'll really appreciate this receiver's Secure
Simple Pairing (
SSP) technology to avoid complicated onscreen menus. JVC includes an external Bluetooth microphone which you can place in a good spot in your vehicle, so callers hear you loud and clear even in noisy vehicles.
And if you have an iPhone with
Siri, the KW-V51BT supports Siri
Eyes Free through Bluetooth, which means you can ask Siri to make calls, select and play music, compose and hear text messages, read notifications, even use maps and get directions — all commanded by your voice through the receiver. This convenient feature can make your drive safer and more productive.
All kinds of media options
If you enjoy
Internet radio on your iPhone or Android, you'll really enjoy playing music from
Pandora® and iHeartRadio® on this versatile receiver. You can scroll through your stations, bookmark songs, and give a thumbs-up or thumbs-down right from the receiver's face.
The AM/FM tuner includes the
Radio Data System (
RDS), so you get artist, song, and station info on the display. You can also take your radio experience to next step by adding the compatible SiriusXM tuner, so you can listen to your favorite satellite radio stations from
Miami to
Monterey without losing the signal.
Use the rear analog audio/video inputs to hook up your favorite portable audio player, a game console, or another video source. This receiver includes a video output to send movies to a rear video screen, so your passengers will stay happy during the longest road trips. And, the KW-V51BT's dual zone capability means the kids can watch a movie in the back with headphones while you listen to your favorite music up front. If you've got a big vehicle, you'll appreciate the input for a rear-view camera — it's a huge help when you're maneuvering in tight spaces.
Other visual and audio benefits
You can customize the KW-V51BT receiver's display layout for just the right look. JVC's touchscreen controls let you run your entertainment system with a few swipes to scroll through music folders, skip songs, and adjust the volume. JVC also included easy-to-find button controls that provide quick access to common functions, so you can concentrate on the road.
Once you've got the music you want, you can fine-tune it with the built-in 3-band parametric equalizer. Or for quick adjustments, you can pick one of the seven EQ presets. If you're adding amps, you'll dig the three sets of 4-volt preamp outputs that send super-clean audio to your speakers and subwoofers.
General Features:
DVD/CD player with AM/FM tuner
built-in amplifier (22 watts
RMS/50 peak x 4 channels)
7" touchscreen display
built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calling and music streaming
variable color illumination with over 30,
000 choices of colors
fits double-DIN (4" tall) dash openings
remote control
Smartphone Features:
display and command of select music, navigation, and other apps with iPhone and Android
Pandora and iHeartRadio control with iPhone and Android
Siri Eyes Free control for select iPhones
Voice Command for select Android smartphones
Audio/
Visual Features:
plays CDs,
DVDs, and
USB memory devices
iEQ with 7 presets and 3-band parametric EQ
high- and low-pass filters
dual-zone audio
Expandability:
built-in iPod, iPhone, and iPad control
compatible with SiriusXM satellite radio tuner
inputs: rear USB input, rear HDMI digital
A/V input, rear analog A/V input, rear-view camera input
outputs: video output, 6-channel preamp outputs (4-volt front, rear, sub)