By one estimate, in-dash dvd players won 6 to 8 percent of the total head-unit market in 2006 as measured in dollars, and will increase to about 10 percent of the market in 2007.
The number of in-dash dvd players is rapidly increasing in some lines. Some suppliers are now offering seven to nine models, compared to two or three last year. In fact, many head units over $400 are now full audio/video units rather than CD players.
Dual and Jensen are the most aggresive companies emerging in 2007.
Dual claims it now has a 20 percent unit share in in-dash multimedia and that it sold out of its 2006 in-dash DVD products by mid September. Dual plans to increase its in-dash DVD/monitor line to six units this year, including its first navigation/DVD model.
Two new models debuting at CES include the XDVD8185, a single-DIN DVD player with a 7-inch widescreen, XM capability, SD card slot, built-in Bluetooth, iPod controler and iPod cable. The unit has peak 60x4 power and is expected to debut in january for about $799. A double-DIN version with similar features is the XDVD8285. It has a 6.5-inch screen and will offer 5.1 sound for $799.
Kenwood's Audio/Video line now has seven models, starting at $799 this year as opposed to the $999 starting price last year. Kenwood's first in-dash navigation/DVD/monitor all-in-one unit, the DNX1700, will run you about $1,600. The lproduct line also includes a single-DIN KVT-719DVD retailing at $999 with USB input, 7-inch touch screen and GUI. It is also satellite, HD-Radio, and Bluetooth ready. It will debut sometime in March 2007.
Pioneer's new entry-level AVH-P4900DVD will see a reasonable $800, which is significantly less than similar models from rpevious years. With a March debut date, the single-DIN DVD/monitor has MP3/WMA and 6.5-inch motorized touch-screen monitor, iPod controls with iPod adapter and XM radio capability. The upscale version, the Pioneer AVH-P5900DVD includes a 7-inch screen, and adds AAC and DiVX playback with iPod video playback, Bluetooth, USB and rear auxiliary input. It will be available in May at an MSRP of $1,000.
JVC is debuting three Audio/Video head units including two EXAD models with embedded 3.5-inch screens for displaying DVD movies, DiVX files and JPEG images. JVC's elite model, the KD-AVX33, also has Bluetooth capability with an adapter, USB and 5.1-channel surround, and is XM radio, and iPod ready (with an adapter). The unit also has a seven-band graphic equalizer.
The KD-AVX11 will offer many of the same features without Bluetooth, USB, 5.1 surround and DVD-Audio. It will be available in February at a retail price of $429, followed by the KD-AVX33 in March at $649. For the full screen version, JVC is offering a KW-AVX800 double-DIN EXAD DVD/monitor with a 7-inch screen, SD and USB. Other features include Bluetooth for hands-free calling with an adapter, iPod control, and XM radio. It also can play back MP3s from a DVD and supports AAC and DiVX files, and offers 5.1-channel surround. This unit will become available in March 2007 for $849.
Panasonic is adding iPod video capability to two new Audio/Video products, which include the single-DIN DVD player/monitor with 7-inch touch screen, and the double-DIN DVD player with 6.5-inch touch panel. Both are Bluetooth ready for hands-free calling, XM satelite ready with Dolby Digital and DTS surround and seven-band graphic EQ. These units will debut in February. Pricing has not been announced for these two units.
In addition to Clarion's new Max675VD/Nax970HD navigation Audio/Video system, Clarion is also adding two Audio/Video head units. The VRX375USB single-DIN DVD receiver with a built-in 3.5-inch TFT monitor with rear USB terminal and iPod capability will be available beginnign in April 2007. Its counterpart has a 7-inch flip-out screen.
Several other key players are making plans for their Audio/Video units for the next year, so be sure to check back periodically for the latest updates.
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