JVC Readies 2 A/V-Nav Units

JVC Mobile Entertainment plans March shipments of its first two head units that control Clear Channel's iHeartradio app on USB-connected iPhones.

Both models, shown at International CES, are double-DIN A/V-navigation units with embedded HD Radio, iTunes tagging, 6.1-inch touchscreen display, hands-free and stereo Bluetooth, detachable faceplate and iPod/iPhone external mode. Both are also the company's first two head units with HD Radio Artist Experience feature, which displays images transmitted by select HD Radio stations. Images could include album art, artist-related images, promotional images, and station logos.

The two head units are the $1,199-suggested KW-NT50HDT and $999 KW-NT30HD.

From a connected iPhone, the iHeartradio app streams content from Clear Channel's 750 terrestrial radio stations, plus Internet-only channels, to an iPhone via cellular. From the navigation units and from the iPhone itself, users can view song and artist information, view high-resolution album artwork, and control channel up/down.

For the top-end A/V-nav unit, the app also delivers Clear Channel's Total Traffic and News (TTN) data service via cellular in areas where the HD Radio-delivered TTN service is unavailable. Via HD Radio, TTN delivers traffic data to the KW-NT50HDT 10 times faster than Clear Channels' RDS-based RDS-TMC service. TTN also adds the ability to deliver sports, news, and weather data.

The top-end nav unit also features dual HD tuners, letting users listen to an HD Radio station at the same time they're receiving traffic information via HD Radio.

The head units' iPod/iPhone external mode delivers the sound of any app, including Internet radio apps, to the car's sound system via USB cable. Unlike the iHeartradio app, however, those apps cannot be controlled from the head unit.

An optional cable lets iPod/iPhone users display stored video on the navigation units.

Navigation features include maps of all 50 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico, high-sensitivity WAAS-enabled GPS, more than 6 million points of interest, and quick startup in less than 15 seconds. Other useful features include magnified view, Lane Guide, Speed Limit Display and Speed Alert function.

Hard keys are also available on the frame for instant access to frequently used functions.

Adaptive volume adjusts volume levels according to car speed for navigation and music.