| | | |  - Adds HD Radio reception to select JVC in-dash receivers
- Receives multicasting content (where available)
- J-bus input and output for connecting optional JVC gear
- Connects to CD changer accessory port; pass-through port won't interfere with CD changer operation
- Include power cable and antenna extension cable; 1 year manufacturer warranty
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| | | |  Product Description:
The Radio Radio Works "Hd Stereos. Includes Fm As Eliminates Constatly To Programs. Jvc And With Kd-Pdr80 Kw-Avx710 Kw-Nx7000 | | | | |
Average Rating : 
Rating :  - Ok
I recently purchased a KW-XR810 Radio and bought this adapter to get HD radio. Ive never had HD radio before so I cant directly compare it to other units. In case others are wondering. This unit will replace your head unit AM/FM tuner completely.
Size and Mounting
Some people claim the unit is big. I dont think its that big but like I said I have nothing to compare it too. I was able to zip tie it to my shifter linkages in the center console. The instructions say to place it under the seat. which should be fine except the dont offer any mounting options of any kind. Its just a box with a 5' antenna extension.
Head Unit Connection
This was very simple. Just plug the J-Bus wire into the back of the receiver and connect the power and ground wires to the radio connections, and of course remove the antenna from the head unit and plug it in. My particular receiver configured everything for me.
Signal Quality
If I remember correctly, the head unit I bought has a 9.3 sensitivity rating for the FM tuner. This unit has 11.2. LOWER is better, however both are in whats considered the good range of 8-12. When I bought it I didn't think much of this. However, in my situation the head unit pulled in all the stations I normally listen to just like my previous clarion and stock head unit. This unit did not (Not clearly anyways). I live right between two major cities where most of the stations are broadcast. Now I have 2 favorite stations and wouldn't you know it. When I'm further south at home I get one and the other has static. When I go north to work, it switches around. Except its not really full of static it just doesn't keep a good enough signal to lock HD and keeps alternating between them. The bottom line here is that I cant get the one station near home so its definitely worse than the head unit. Depending on your locations it may not be any problem for you.
AM Radio doesn't seem to work at all. I fooled with all the settings I could find and checked the manual and it wont work. I only listen to one AM station and its now on an FM multicast station so I'm happy anyways.
Sound Quality
This seems to depend a lot on each particular station, MOST of the stations sound a lot better with HD radio. Others sound only marginally better. Overall though I am completely happy with the HD quality.
Customization and OSD
Well, there are two problems here. The first thing im not happy about is that it puts the channel name instead of frequency. Such as WXLZ or whatever. Id rather have 93.1 format. You can get that if you cycle through the display button but it will change back after a few seconds. The other thing is that you can choose to either have it only LOCK on HD or regular stations or auto. Well, if you lock on regular stations there is no point in getting this. If you lock on HD only it will cut in and out if reception is not good. Auto will alternate between them which it does extremely well. However the sound difference when it switches over is ANNOYING. I wish you could set this feature by station so if there is 1 or 2 problem stations you could tell it to lock on analog only and be done with it.
The Bottom Line
I like the unit but when your paying ~$100 just for a radio tuner, they could have at least put a better one in there than what they have. If I did it over and it wasn't so nice to have it integrated into the head unit I probably would have bought a portable unit or a ZuneHD for slightly more and plugged them in the aux jack. But as it stands I would buy it again.
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