JVC KW V50BT In Dash Multimedia Receiver Review

Maximum Apps

JVC's KW-V50BT DVD receiver offers an eye-catching 7" variable-color touchscreen display, a built-in DVD/CD player, USB port, built-in Bluetooth®, and lots of settings you can tweak. But, you can take your driving experience to the next level by using its HDMI input to connect select smartphones and tablets and use a variety of apps on the go.

What you need

The KW-V50BT's HDMI input lets you enjoy access to many of the apps on your smartphone or tablet directly from the touchscreen controls on the receiver. Here's the lowdown on what you need depending on your smartphone:

• iPhone® 5, 5C, and 5S: You'll need to connect the Apple Lightning™ to USB cable and an HDMI cable (sold separately) to Apple's Lightning Digital AV adapter. Working with the iPhone 5's Bluetooth, you'll be able to mirror and control select apps on the KW-V50BT's touchscreen display.
• iPhone 4 and 4S: Connect your iPhone 4 or 4S to the KW-V50BT's rear USB and analog audio/video input using the JVC KS-U59 cable, and you'll have access to JVC's App Link Mode.
• Select MHL-enabled Android® phones: Once you download the JVC Control app on your phone, you'll connect your Android to the JVC receiver with an HDMI/MHL cable, such as the JVC KS-U61. After pairing the Android's Bluetooth with the JVC, you'll get app control on the touchscreen display.

With your smartphone connected, you can enjoy select navigation, driver assistance, video, and music apps — all of which can be controlled on the KW-V50BT's display or by voice command.

Sights and sounds

You can customize the KW-V50BT's touchscreen layout and set the display colors that best suit your dash. JVC's touch control lets you run your entertainment system with a few swipes to scroll through music folders, skip songs, and adjust the volume.

Once you've got the music you want, you can tweak it with the built-in 3-band parametric equalizer. If you're adding amps, you'll appreciate the three sets of 4-volt preamp outputs for super-clean audio.
General Features:
•DVD/CD player with AM/FM tuner
•built-in amplifier (22 watts RMS/50 peak x 4 channels)
•7" motorized touchscreen with angle adjustment
•built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calling and music streaming
•variable color illumination with over 30,000 choices of colors
•fits double-DIN (4" tall) dash openings
•remote control

Smartphone Features:
•display and command of select music, navigation, and other apps with iPhone and Android
•Pandora and iHeartRadio control with iPhone and Android
•Siri Eyes Free control for select iPhones
•Voice Command for select Android smartphones

Audio/visual Features:
•plays CDs, DVDs, and USB memory devices (see "Details" for full capabilities)
•iEQ with 7 presets and 3-band parametric EQ
•high- and low-pass filters
•dual-zone audio

Expandability:
•built-in iPod, iPhone, and iPad control
•compatible with SiriusXM satellite radio tuner
•inputs: rear USB input, rear HDMI digital A/V input, rear analog A/V input, rear-view camera input
•outputs: A/V output, 6-channel preamp outputs (4-volt front, rear, sub)

Other Information:
•compatible with most factory steering wheel audio controls (adapter required)