Will a USA car stereo work here? Has DVD ...

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Will a USA car stereo work here? Has DVD ...

Gemini

429 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 23

#171133 7-Apr-2015 16:43

Hi all,

A friend bought a US car stereo incl DVD but didn't check it will work in NZ
Will it have problems with the FM frequency range or DVD playback?
The specific model is http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/DVD-Receivers/AVH-X2700BS

Many thanks

lxsw20

3689 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2174

Subscriber

#1278498 7-Apr-2015 16:48

Yes it will work, but you won't be able to pick up FM frequencies. The band stepping is locked down. As in you could pick up 93.3 and 93.5 but not 93.4.

Gemini

429 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 23

#1278512 7-Apr-2015 16:51

Are you saying the FM frequency tuning is up/down in increments of 0.2?

lxsw20

3689 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2174

Subscriber

#1278527 7-Apr-2015 17:10

correct.

Gemini

429 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 23

#1278538 7-Apr-2015 17:31

If it only does odds that would limit things somewhat
Thanks for your help and no offence intended but how can you be sure this stereo moves in tuning frequencies of 0.2

Inphinity

2780 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1184

#1278588 7-Apr-2015 19:00

Gemini: If it only does odds that would limit things somewhat
Thanks for your help and no offence intended but how can you be sure this stereo moves in tuning frequencies of 0.2

While its possible it won't be limited such, US FM stations are licensed and broadcast in 0.2MHz wide bands*, with the 'centre' being an odd decimal value, meaning in the US the valid stations are all xx.odd, and as such the vast majority of US-market devices that are designed for FM radio simply work this way. There are, however, and increasing number of global-market devices for which this is not an issue.

* I know it's not the exact reasoning, but for explanation purposes I hope it makes sense - didn't see the need to go in to too much explanation which can be wiki'd if needed

richms

29098 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10209

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1278594 7-Apr-2015 19:12

Lots can be changed because latin america doesnt adhiere to that rule, so they have the more normal 0.05 spacing options. Often holding down one of the tuning buttons when powering up is how it is set so have a google for it.

There is a 100kHz band expander made for this problem, a friend put one in his absurd american car and the results were even worse than the Japanese 12Mhz ones for being junk reception.

Richard rich.ms

Geekzone support

Support Geekzone with one-off or recurring donations Donate via PressPatron.

lxsw20

3689 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2174

Subscriber

#1278595 7-Apr-2015 19:12

I know because I've imported a Premier/Pioneer headunit myself in the past, and researched it at the time. I don't listen to the radio so didn't care.

Gemini

429 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 23

#1278743 8-Apr-2015 06:55

lxsw20: I know because I've imported a Premier/Pioneer headunit myself in the past, and researched it at the time. I don't listen to the radio so didn't care.

Ok good, also does yours play NZ DVDs ok?

lxsw20

3689 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2174

Subscriber

#1278778 8-Apr-2015 08:45

It wasn't a DVD player, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were locked to zone 1. Do you watch DVD's in the car?

At the time I got my Pioneer unit you could not change to different band shifting. The Alpine units could.

wasabi2k

2102 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 860

#1278811 8-Apr-2015 09:38

All the Pioneer Models I looked at don't have the option.

Usually US model is xx00, International model is xx50.

Gemini

429 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 23

#1278847 8-Apr-2015 10:42

Ok so I think my friend will put it on trademe

Even without NZ FM/DVD it still has a multitude of connection options for smart phones/mp3 players has system link a reversing camera input, CD player etc