Product Description CD receiver with built-in MOSFET amplifier (20 watts RMS/50 peak x 4 channels) * plays discs loaded with MP3, WMA, and AAC files (except Digital Rights-protected files) * fold-down, detachable face with variable-color 3D graphics display * 24-bit Burr-Brown digital-to-analog converter * inputs: built-in Bluetooth, USB input, optional auxiliary input *
Good mix of features, but lacks RDS/PTY?!?October 16, 2008 Overall, the KD-BT1 has a great mix of features. The Built-In Bluetooth works fantastically well with my Blackberry Pearl, and with the addition of the KS-PD100 iPod adaptor, I can now play music via my phone, my iPod, or via flash drive.
What absolutely boggles my mind, however, is that the radio doesn't support RDS/PTY decoding. (aka the Radio Data System that shows radio station data such as station ID, track and artists names, etc.) This is such basic functionality that even the stock head unit I replaced from my 2002 car had it. This isn't the end of the world, since the BT1 lets you name radio stations manually, but it means I won't be able to see real-time track info and the other helpful text scrolls that my local radio stations send out.
Sadly, this is a 2007 model from JVC, which means its also not compatible with the KT-HD300 HD-Radio adapter. Oh well, I've gotten by on analog radio and a pantload of mp3s thus far, I guess I'll survive without HD radio.
My only other knock against the BT1 is that (so far) I've yet to find a display setting that is easy to see in bright daylight. My car has a permanent tinted glass moonroof with no fully opaque cover, which means during the day there is always a LOT of light in the cabin. There's no brightness adjustment for the display, only color (RGB sliders) and contrast. The upside is that at least the nighttime illumination matches the oddball red/amber lighting scheme in my car.
Decent for the price but not without problemsJune 16, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I've been using this radio now for about 9 months. I got it for about $250, and to get full Bluetooth capability and USB support at that price it's hard to complain. However, there are a few things people should be aware of before purchasing. If I were to do it again, I'm not sure I would make the same choice; I would strongly consider spending a little more money and getting something better.
Here are my dislikes about this radio:
1) My #1 complaint: Poor USB support. Instead of providing the music in a directory (dir) tree structure, it simply takes all the subdirs and puts them into the root dir. I got a 60GB drive to use with it, but anything more than a couple gigs (if that) gets too difficult to sift through and find what you're looking for. JVC claims there is no problem and shows no intent to try and improve on the design and perhaps release a firmware update, showing a lack of support. 2) There is an annoying echo for people on the other end that seems to come and go, and it is sometimes difficult for them to hear me. The mic is positioned in my instrument panel directly in front of me. 3) When using the Bluetooth to talk on the phone, it doesn't transfer the call to the phone when you shut the car off. If you're at your destination, you either need to keep the car running, wasting gas, to finish your conversation, or you need to hang up on the person and call them back. This, however, might be common to all Bluetooth radios. 4) There is no pause. I find this annoying and cheap, and common to many JVC radios. 5) Non-intuitive menus, particularly when configuring custom EQs. For example, even if you select User 2, after you make changes to it, you have to tell it to save it as User 2, otherwise it will overwrite User 1. I did this many times before figuring out what it was doing, and still did it a couple times afterward by mistake. If you select User 2, it should save any changes you make to User 2. That's just common sense. 6) These are not complaints, more suggestions to JVC (or any other company) in the hopes they keep an eye on these reviews. First, instead of the simple time set dimmer functionality, why not build a calendar into the radio and allow it to be used to coordinate auto-adjustments to the dimmer times as the months pass, to adjust to the changing sunrise/set times throughout the year. Even if it adjusted once a month it would be a substantial improvement. Also, since USB drives can be used with the radio, why not provide a feature to save all the settings and custom EQs to the drive, so if power is lost it is easy to restore the radio to the user's settings.
All in all, this is a good radio, and if you're on a budget it will do nicely, providing many features typically only found in higher priced units. I don't want people to think based on my review that this is a terrible product, because it is not. I just want people to be fully aware of what I consider to be its major downfalls, so they can make a more educated decision.
Bluetooth echosMay 22, 2008 This was professionally installed in my husband's Chevy Trailblazer and connected to his Verizon LG "Chocolate" phone. There is frequently an echo which is disruptive to phone conversations. He often chooses to use another cell phone and not use the bluetooth because the echo is so bad.
Great system, especailly for the priceMay 4, 2008 The way I see it, this system is worth the price just for the radio/stereo and you get the Bluetooth for free. I bought the KD-BT1 for one of my cars and now I'm buying another one for the other car. Buying another one is the greatest endorsement I can give this radio.
Surprisingly good!March 2, 2008 I put this in my "79 Porsche and paired it with a pair of JVC speakers and the Ipod adapter. I am impressed with the system in general. It is a little high tech for my car, but the features more than outweigh the dissonance.
My overriding concern was the integrated bluetooth. I didn't want to be talking on my Treo 700p and trying to shift. Even with all the noise from that fabulous flat six, the quality of the connection is unreal. I have bluetooth in my other car and am always having to transfer back to my handheld because I can't be heard clearly. That is not the case with this unit.
The sound is great, the install was simple, and I would do it all over again.
My only recommendation-- don't bother with the Ipod unit. Get a USB drive and plug it into the included USB connector. I believe (though I have not tried it yet) that you can run music from there. That being the case, the price of the Ipod adapter becomes somewhat excessive.
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Neatly Covering All A/V Formats, Precisely Tailored for Your Home
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Special Features-
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"Audyssey 2EQ" Auto room calibration w/Microphone
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