I've been researching Alpine's line of double din receivers and was wondering what the difference between the IVA-w200 and the IVA-w205 was? Is it worth the extra $100 or so?

 

Research more my friend. You can go to alpine-usa.com and download the user manuals for both headunits in the SUPPORT heading. You can then study both and find the exact differences. Obviously the W200 has been replaced by the W205, but I think you know this already. But in a nutshell, the W205 has the ability to dock the Blackbird B200 inside it for navigation......with the W200, you have to buy a dock for the Blackbird B100, or an external box for the B200. Also, there are some slight cosmetic changes to the front of the unit where the buttons on the lower screen are, and the GUI has been slightly changed and refreshed on the W205, most notibly where the clock is displayed, and the icons that show what source is being played, for example, the iPod icon is updated on the W205. Other than these minor cosmetic changes, besides the ability to dock the Blackbird inside, they really are the same animal. Same features and connections, same abilities, and generally same look...save for the Blackbird thing again. Would I pay the extra $100? Yes I would. But you should be able to get the W205 for the same price as the W200, if you can even find the W200 still. And don't even think about getting a second-hand unit unless you know the owner and know it's history....too pricey, and too much of a potential DOA for this kind of headunit to be buying used, considering what price you can find them for brand-new online. I'll have my W200 up for sale soon once the new W505 is released, but I suspect I'll have to let my W200 go for cheap given the potential percieved problems the buyer might have for a used unit of this type, even though my unit is very well looked after and has been trouble-free. It's just the nature of the beast.

 

The IVA-W505 is coming out soon. My rep says they should be out in March. Price hasn't really changed too much. I believe they are $999 now.

Honestly, I would wait it out. 505 now has a 7 inch screen and much nicer display. It also does IMPRINT.

 

This is good news as I was really hoping that Alpine would bring this out right away instead of it being delayed for months like some of their other products always tend to be when announced....like the Blackbird B200 was. And the price is killer too. Man I can't wait for this thing. I just wish Alpine would update their site so I can download the user manual for this thing to learn about the new album art display and whatnot. Will it include lyric display support too I wonder like the current iPods do? Hmmmm. That would be sweet if it did!

 

do you guys know if the w205 have ipod video playback also?

 

Not in the way that the W505 will have. The 205 is the same as the 200 in this aspect. In order to display video on the 200/205 you need to buy the KCE-451i interface adapter that will give you very basic control of your ipod. But then you forgo the iPod Full Speed connection for streaming the audio and having the convenient touch screen controls and song/album names displayed on the 200/205. This video interface basically is like connecting your iPod to your tv at home by using the composite audio/video cable from the iPod to the tv. You only gain the simple touch screen control of basic functions when connected to your 200/205, but essentially its the same. So again, you loose the audio Full Speed connection and audio quality that goes with it when doing so. However, you could just connect/disconnect from either cable to go back and forth from video control to Full Speed control at your will I suppose, as that would give you the best of both worlds.

The new W505(and the new IVA-D106, as well as the iDA-X100/X200) connect to the newer iPods that do video, with a USB connection instead of the Full Speed connection(Full Speed cable can still be used if you are just doing audio but will not display album art though), and gives you full control over video and audio, and will also display album art too when you are doing audio. No switching cables required to go from video to audio. The 505 is going to be so nice.

 

yeah, i'm still debating on whether or not i want to wait it out, or just do it and make due. if i decide to upgrade, then i will, but for now, it looks to be the w205 tomorrow. So when inputting the video ipod, the audio suffers from it?