Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the Pioneer AVH-185DVD, a popular in-car entertainment system. If you're looking to upgrade your car's audio and video capabilities without breaking the bank, this model might just be what you need. We'll explore all its features and specs, so you can make an informed decision. Buckle up, and let's get started!

General Features

The Pioneer AVH-185DVD is designed to bring a multimedia experience to your car. Its general features make it a versatile option for many users. Here's a breakdown:

• Display: The device features a 6.2-inch touchscreen display. This screen size offers a good balance between visibility and space-saving design, fitting well in most car dashboards. The touchscreen interface is reasonably responsive, allowing for easy navigation through menus and options. The resolution, while not HD, is adequate for displaying video content and interface elements clearly.
• DVD Player: As the name suggests, it includes a built-in DVD player. This allows you to play your favorite DVDs while on the road, keeping passengers entertained during long journeys. The DVD player supports various formats, ensuring compatibility with your existing DVD collection.
• USB Port: The inclusion of a USB port is a major plus. You can connect USB drives loaded with music and video files. This feature supports multiple formats like MP3, WMA, and AVI, making it easy to enjoy your media library. The USB port also provides charging for your smartphone, which is a convenient addition.
• AM/FM Radio: The AVH-185DVD comes with an AM/FM radio tuner. It supports presets, allowing you to save your favorite radio stations for quick access. The radio reception is generally good, providing clear audio quality in most areas.
• Aux Input: An auxiliary input is available, providing connectivity for external devices like MP3 players or older smartphones. This ensures compatibility with devices that don't support USB or Bluetooth connectivity.
• RCA Pre-outs: These pre-outs allow you to connect external amplifiers and subwoofers, expanding your car's audio system. This is particularly useful for audiophiles looking to enhance the sound quality and bass response of their car audio setup. The pre-outs provide flexibility in building a customized audio system tailored to your preferences.
• Steering Wheel Control Ready: This feature allows you to integrate the AVH-185DVD with your car's steering wheel controls. Once properly connected, you can control volume, change tracks, and answer calls directly from your steering wheel, enhancing safety and convenience while driving. This integration requires an additional adapter, which is often sold separately.
• Remote Control: A remote control is included, providing an alternative way to control the device. This is especially useful for passengers in the back seat, allowing them to adjust the volume or change tracks without distracting the driver. The remote control is compact and easy to use, making it a convenient addition to the system.

The Pioneer AVH-185DVD's general features make it a solid choice for anyone looking to upgrade their car's entertainment system. With its versatile connectivity options and user-friendly interface, it offers a lot of value for its price point. Whether you're a casual listener or an audiophile, this device has something to offer.

Audio Features

The audio features of the Pioneer AVH-185DVD are particularly noteworthy, catering to both casual listeners and audio enthusiasts alike. Let's delve into the specifics:

• Built-in Amplifier: The AVH-185DVD includes a built-in amplifier, typically rated at around 50W x 4 channels. This is sufficient for powering most standard car speakers, providing a noticeable improvement over factory-installed systems. The amplifier delivers clear and balanced sound, making your music more enjoyable.
• Equalizer: The device features a multi-band equalizer, allowing you to customize the sound output to your preferences. Whether you prefer more bass, enhanced treble, or a balanced sound, the equalizer gives you the tools to fine-tune the audio. Many models also include preset EQ curves optimized for different music genres.
• Subwoofer Control: Dedicated subwoofer control is available, allowing you to adjust the subwoofer's output level and crossover frequency. This is essential for integrating a subwoofer into your car audio system seamlessly. The subwoofer control ensures that the bass is balanced with the rest of the audio, creating a more immersive listening experience.
• Advanced Sound Retriever: Pioneer's Advanced Sound Retriever technology enhances the quality of compressed audio files, such as MP3s. This technology restores the high frequencies that are often lost during compression, resulting in a richer and more detailed sound. This feature is particularly beneficial if you listen to a lot of digital music.
• Loudness Mode: A loudness mode is included, which boosts the bass and treble frequencies at low volumes. This is useful for maintaining a full and balanced sound when listening at lower volume levels. The loudness mode compensates for the ear's reduced sensitivity to low and high frequencies at low volumes.
• RCA Pre-outs: As mentioned earlier, the RCA pre-outs allow you to connect external amplifiers. This is crucial for those looking to build a more powerful and sophisticated audio system. By connecting external amplifiers, you can significantly increase the power output and improve the overall sound quality.

The audio features of the Pioneer AVH-185DVD provide a comprehensive suite of tools for optimizing your car's sound system. From the built-in amplifier to the customizable equalizer and subwoofer control, this device offers a lot of flexibility. Whether you're upgrading from a factory-installed system or building a custom audio setup, the AVH-185DVD has you covered. Its ability to enhance compressed audio files and provide dedicated subwoofer control makes it a standout choice in its price range.

Video Features

Moving on to the video capabilities, the Pioneer AVH-185DVD doesn’t disappoint, especially considering its price point. Here’s a look at what you can expect:

• 6.2-inch Touchscreen Display: The centerpiece of the video experience is the 6.2-inch touchscreen. While it's not a high-resolution display, it offers adequate clarity for watching videos and navigating menus. The touchscreen is responsive, making it easy to control playback and access different features.
• DVD Playback: The built-in DVD player supports a variety of DVD formats. This allows you to enjoy your DVD collection on the go. The DVD player offers smooth playback and supports standard DVD features like chapter selection and menu navigation.
• Video Playback via USB: The USB port supports video playback from USB drives. The device is compatible with common video formats like AVI and MP4. This feature allows you to load up your favorite videos on a USB drive and enjoy them on the car's display.
• Rear View Camera Input: A dedicated input for a rear-view camera is included. This is an essential safety feature, allowing you to see what's behind your car when backing up. The rear-view camera input automatically switches to the camera view when the car is put in reverse.
• Video Output: A video output is available, allowing you to connect an external monitor. This is useful for providing video entertainment to passengers in the back seat. The video output mirrors the content on the main display, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the same content.
• Aspect Ratio Control: The device allows you to adjust the aspect ratio of the video to fit the screen. This ensures that videos are displayed correctly, without distortion or black bars. Common aspect ratios like 16:9 and 4:3 are supported.

While the Pioneer AVH-185DVD may not offer high-end features like HD resolution or advanced video processing, it provides a solid video experience for its price. The combination of DVD playback, USB video support, and rear-view camera input makes it a versatile option for in-car entertainment and safety. For anyone looking to add video capabilities to their car without spending a fortune, the AVH-185DVD is a great choice. Its ease of use and compatibility with various video formats make it a user-friendly option for all types of users.

Connectivity

Connectivity is a key aspect of any modern car entertainment system, and the Pioneer AVH-185DVD offers a reasonable set of options:

• USB Port: The USB port is a primary connectivity feature, allowing you to connect USB drives loaded with music and video files. It supports various formats, making it easy to enjoy your digital media library. The USB port also provides charging for your smartphone, which is a convenient addition.
• Aux Input: An auxiliary input is available, providing connectivity for external devices like MP3 players or older smartphones. This ensures compatibility with devices that don't support USB or Bluetooth connectivity. The aux input is a versatile option for connecting a wide range of audio devices.
• RCA Pre-outs: These pre-outs allow you to connect external amplifiers and subwoofers, expanding your car's audio system. This is particularly useful for audiophiles looking to enhance the sound quality and bass response of their car audio setup. The pre-outs provide flexibility in building a customized audio system tailored to your preferences.
• Rear View Camera Input: A dedicated input for a rear-view camera is included. This is an essential safety feature, allowing you to see what's behind your car when backing up. The rear-view camera input automatically switches to the camera view when the car is put in reverse.
• Steering Wheel Control Ready: This feature allows you to integrate the AVH-185DVD with your car's steering wheel controls. Once properly connected, you can control volume, change tracks, and answer calls directly from your steering wheel, enhancing safety and convenience while driving. This integration requires an additional adapter, which is often sold separately.
• Video Output: A video output is available, allowing you to connect an external monitor. This is useful for providing video entertainment to passengers in the back seat. The video output mirrors the content on the main display, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the same content.

While the Pioneer AVH-185DVD lacks Bluetooth connectivity, its other connectivity options provide ample flexibility. The USB port, aux input, and RCA pre-outs make it easy to connect a variety of devices and expand your car's audio system. The rear-view camera input and steering wheel control compatibility enhance safety and convenience while driving. For those who don't rely heavily on Bluetooth, the AVH-185DVD offers a well-rounded set of connectivity features.

Conclusion

The Pioneer AVH-185DVD is a solid choice for anyone looking to upgrade their car's entertainment system without spending a fortune. Its combination of audio, video, and connectivity features makes it a versatile option for a wide range of users. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of high-end models, it offers a great balance of features and affordability. Whether you're a casual listener, a video enthusiast, or an audiophile on a budget, the AVH-185DVD has something to offer.

From its 6.2-inch touchscreen display to its built-in amplifier and DVD player, the AVH-185DVD provides a comprehensive suite of features. Its USB port, aux input, and RCA pre-outs offer ample connectivity options, while its rear-view camera input and steering wheel control compatibility enhance safety and convenience. While the lack of Bluetooth may be a drawback for some, its other features more than make up for it.

Overall, the Pioneer AVH-185DVD is a reliable and affordable car entertainment system that delivers a lot of value for its price. If you're in the market for an upgrade, this model is definitely worth considering.