Video: Sony XAVW1 in-dash DVD receiver
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Welcome to this article from the Crutchfield archives. Have fun reading it, but be aware that the information may be outdated and links may be broken.Ken and Robert, Crutchfield car stereo experts, illustrate some of the cool features of Sony's XAVW1 DVD receiver.
Read video transcript
Robert: Hi, I'm Robert. This is Ken. We're sitting here today with Sony's XAVW1 DVD receiver, their newest offering in mobile video.
Ken: So it's a DVD receiver. Does it just play DVDs, or other formats?
Robert: Well, Sony has you covered. It'll play DVDs of course, and CDs, as well as discs loaded with MP3 and WMA files. It'll play DiVX discs, in case you like to burn your own DVDs at home. It also plays Super Audio CDs for the audiophile — some really high-quality sound.
Ken: Yeah, it probably supports a multi-channel system, too, doesn't it?
Robert: Certainly. It's ready for it. It has built-in Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound decoding, so you can get full home theater in your car on this little box.
Ken: Now, discs aren't probably all you want, or the whole story, right? Does it have some options you can add?
Robert: Certainly. It comes with three auxiliary inputs, so you can add three sources from the get-go right there — whatever you want to listen to.
Ken: That's the aux level, too?
Robert: Yep, you can adjust the sensitivity to balance out the sound. And you can see that it's set up for iPod and satellite radio as well. Just add the appropriate adapter or satellite radio tuner from Sony.
Ken: I've got to add that I'm noticing that you're touching the screen. Can you do just about everything from touchscreen control?
Robert: You do indeed. Everything is controlled from here. And as you can see, it's well laid out, easy to use. And when it comes time to adjust the sound itself — this is one of my favorite features — you go straight into the EQ. There are seven preset curves ready to go.
Ken: Can you change the curve and see what it looks like?
Robert: Watch this.
Ken: Alright.
Robert: Very clear. You go into the custom curve, and as you make your adjustments to the sound, you can see what the sound is going to look like, if you will.
Ken: That is nice. Nice feature.
Robert: Yeah, it's that easy. So that's it in a nutshell. Check it out online for more at crutchfield.com — Sony's XAVW1.
by Crutchfield's
Meet Ken Nail
My name is Ken. I seek the Holy Grail of car audio excellence. My favorite color is blue.
I came to Crutchfield in 1999. During my six years as a Crutchfield Advisor, I learned a lot about the technology behind great car and home audio. I learned even more about what people wanted in their car stereo systems.
I've been a writer for car audio and fitness tech at Crutchfield since 2005. Over the last few years, I've also carved out a niche producing demo videos for our in-dash car stereos. The hands-on experience I get with car stereos while doing video production is an invaluable aid to me in learning about their exciting features. This helps me convey that information to our customers when I write about the stereo on our website.
Before coming to Crutchfield, I spent 10 years teaching music in Charlottesville area schools. I keep my musical interests satisfied by volunteering as a classical music DJ at a local community radio station, and I stay up to date with the latest in outdoor tech by cycling, running, and backpacking.
Fun facts: I've completed an Ironman triathlon, run the Boston Marathon, hiked 1150 miles of the Appalachian Trail, and lost on Jeopardy!
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Meet Robert Ferency-Viars
Eating up the highway with clarity and volume — a champion of car audio.
During my first few years at Crutchfield, I served as one of our Advisors, helping our customers choose new audio components for their homes and cars. Eventually, I moved to the writing team and spent a decade researching new products and getting even more hands-on with car audio gear.
I've performed many car and home audio installations over the years, some of them even on my own cars. As the editor of Crutchfield's car audio web articles, I couldn't ask for a cooler job. We listen to music and play with car audio gear every day!
Like most of us here, I've always been into music. I installed my first car stereo system before the family car was even mine. In college, I helped friends and roommates install their car stereos and set up the stereos in their apartments. I was a volunteer DJ for the local community radio station for a few years (playing late night metal and Sunday morning bluegrass & alt-country). That's where I also first learned a little bit about sound mixers.
These days, I serve my community by volunteering with the Boys Scouts of America. I also love playing board games & RPGs, spending time with my family, and installing new audio systems for my friends.
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