Sony XAV-63 Product Review

Let the brilliant double DIN 6.1″ touch screen of the Sony XAV-63 display entertain and inform you with an easy-to-use, advanced response interface sure to please. Pop in a DVD and turn your car into a mobile movie theater, keeping everyone quieted down on long road trips. Quickly connect, charge and control your iPod, iPhone or music player via front USB 1-wire input. Gesture command and on-screen touch buttons make everything easier to control and separate audio and video power supply circuits provide added clarity. Connect your iPhone or iPod Touch via the optional RC-202IPV cable to playback video and audio or display compatible apps on the receiver screen. Passengers can control compatible apps directly from the iPod or iPhone with Passenger App Control.

6.1″ Touch Screen Display
The high-resolution TFT (WVGA) 6.1″ touch screen display will inform and entertain you. Gesture command and on-screen touch buttons make everything easier to control and separate audio and video power supply circuits provide added clarity.

iPod and iPhone video playback
Playback audio/video from most iPod models via the RC-202IPV video cable. Also view stored album artwork during audio playback on the screen of the XAV-63 receiver.

Plays DVDs/CDs and digital files
Multi-format playback1 lets you play MP3, WMA, AAC music files, JPEG’s or MP4 videos.

Advanced Sound Engine with EQ7
The Advanced Sound Engine uses EQ7 equalizer, adjustable LPF/HPF crossovers, Listener Position calibration, Center Speaker Organizer, Rear Bass Enhancer, and Dynamic Loudness volume leveler to create an ideal in-car listening environment.

Passenger App Control
Connect your iPhone or iPod Touch via the optional RC-202IPV cable to display compatible app content on the XAV-63 receivers display and control the app directly from your iPhone or iPod Touch with passenger app control.

Intuitive ZAPPIN search feature
Use the ZAPPIN feature to play 6, 15, or 30 second intro clips to help you find a specific song.

Satellite Radio/HD Radio Ready
The XAV-63 integrates seamlessly with Satellite Radio and HD Radio using Sony Bus adaptors so you can receive digital satellite radio or HD Radio broadcasts.

 

Auxiliary Audio/Video inputs
The dedicated rear auxiliary AV input provides additional source playback and a connection for the Sony XA-800C rear view camera (sold separately) for visibility when backing up, especially with larger trucks or SUVs.

Front USB 1-wire input
Front USB input lets you connect almost any portable USB audio device to your system. Connect, charge, and control your Walkman player, most iPod, iPhone or other USB devices via the front USB 1-Wire input and view song title and artist on the display.

Advanced Response User Interface
Enjoy fast touch screen response when selecting sources, transitioning between menu screens and searching through your USB music content.

SensMe Music App
Organize your music into playlists that perfectly match your mood, scene and location, making it easier to choose the music that fits the moment with the SensMe application.

High-powered Expansion
Whether using the internal 52W x 4 high power amplifier for your speakers or the 2 Volt Front and Rear/Sub selectable RCA pre-amp outputs to feed an external amplifier, you can dial in the output for optimum sound.

Features:

Amplifier Section

  • Max power output : 52 watts x 4 at 4 ohms
  • Speaker Impedance : 4-8 Ohms

Convenience

  • Tilt Range : 0-45° mounting angle
  • Inputs and Outputs
  • 12V Trigger Output(s) : Power amplifier turn on
  • Antenna Terminal(s) : AM/FM Antenna Input Terminal
  • Audio In : Front USB and Aux in with variable level
  • Sony Bus terminal
  • Audio/Video Input(s) : Front: USB input/aux input
  • Rear: AUX1 audio/video, rear camera with reverse input trigger
  • Infrared Port : Wireless remote
  • RCA Audio Output(s) : Front and Rear/Sub selectable RCA pre-amp outputs
  • Remote Jack : Optional wired remote terminal
  • USB Port(s) : Optional wired remote terminal

Video

  • Panel Type : 6.1″ TFT Active Matrix LCD Color Monitor
  • Picture Modes : Normal, Wide, Full and Zoom
  • Resolution : 800 x 480

Audio

  • Band : AM / FM
  • Equalizer : EQ7: 7 band EQ with +/- 6 dB adjustment at: 63, 160, 400, 1000, 2500, 6300 and 16000 Hz
  • Format(s) Supported : MP3/WMA/AAC/JPEG/MP4/XviD files1
  • Frequency Response : DVD / CD: 10-20,000 Hz
  • Preout Impedance : 220 ohms
  • Preout Voltage : 2 volt
  • S/N Ratio : Audio Power: CEA2006 S/N 80 dBA
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio (dB) : DVD/CD Player: 120dB
  • Station Preset(s) : 18 FM / 12 AM
  • Tuner Frequency Range : FM: Tuner Frequency Range(MHz): 87.5-107.9
  • AM: Tuner Frequency Range(kHz): 530-1710
  • Tuner Type : SSIR-EXA with RDS
  • Volume Control : Tel/Nav Attenuation Circuitry
  • Wow and Flutter : Below measurable limit
  • Convenience Features
  • CD Text Display : CD/MP3/WMA/AAC data displayed
  • Dimmer Adjust : Selectable Auto/on/off
  • Key Illumination : White Key Illumination
  • On-Screen Clock : 12H

Power

  • Current Drain : 5 – 7 amps
  • Input Voltage : 12 V DC car battery (negative ground)
  • Output Power : 52W x4 Watts Max Power – CEA2006 Standard Power Output: 17 Watts RMS per channel into 4 Ohms, 4 channels driven from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with less than 1% THD+N.
  • Video Features
  • Color System : NTSC / PAL / SECAM / PAL-M

Capability

  • CD : DVD/CD-R/RW

Display

  • Aspect Ratio : 17:9
  • Display Technology : TFT (WVGA)
  • Text Displayed : Source, artist, track, playback time, menu and clock

Tuner

  • FM Usable Sensitivity : 8 dBf
  • Frequency Response : FM: 20-15,000 Hz
  • S/N Ratio : 80 dB (stereo)
  • Selectivity : 75 dB at 400 kHz
  • Stereo Separation : 50 dB at 1 KHz

Weights and Measurements

  • Dimensions (Approx) Depth : 6.875″ (173mm)
  • Dimensions (Approx) Height : 4″ (100mm)
  • Dimensions (Approx) Width : 7.125″ (178mm)
  • Dimensions (Approx.) : 7.125 x 4 x 6.875″ (w/h/d)
  • 178 x 100 x 173 mm (w/h/d)
  • Weight (Approx.) : 4 lb. 3 oz. (1.9 kg)

This time round I have used the blurb from Sony’s Spec Sheet, the reason for this is that I don’t think I could of said it any better!

I have been using this unit for quite some time now in my work/daily car and it is just a gem of a unit, easy to use and I love using the gesture controls. With a quick swipe of the screen I can change songs/albums while not even looking at it!

On a closing note the XAV-63 must be one of the best priced quality double-din units on the market and this alone makes it a worth while unit to buy in comparison to single-din unit at a similar price range!

 

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