JVC Mobile introduced at CES its first CarPlay AV radio, which will carry a price of $599.
The new model KW-V820BT is also JVC’s first deck to be able to playback Hi-Res Audio FLAC files recorded at up to 24 bit/96kHz.
At least 6 aftermarket companies now support or have announced support in 2016 for CarPlay including Pioneer, Alpine, Kenwood, Jensen, JBL and JVC.
JVC’s top-of-the-line deck, the KW-V820BT also works with an iDatalink module (a first for JVC) to retain factory features when you remove the factory radio, including Ford SYNC and GM Onstar. Three other AV models also now support iDatalink’s Maestro modules.
Also this year, JVC is re-introducing a feature from its past—El Kameleon, which blacks out the radio face when the car is turned off, providing a theft deterrent.
El Kameleon is found on multiple units as well as the top-of-the-line KW-V820BT, which has a 6.8-inch screen (a 6.2 inch screen with a clear resistive touch panel overlay for a larger work space).
The KW-V820BT can now control Spotify running on your phone, as well as iHeartRadio and Pandora. Shipping is expected in March.
JVC is also introducing this year a new K2 technology borrowed from its camcorders, which improves sound quality by enhancing the bit rate of a recording from 16 to 24 bits. This is found on the KW-V820BT as well as other units.
K2 will expand the digital data of an audio CD recorded at the typical 44.1kHz/16 bit to 48kHz/24 bit, and recreate the high frequency above 20kHz that is cut out during the CD formatting, said JVC.
The company also now offers Apple Music compatibility on many models, allowing the car radio to control Apple Music on your phone.
