With its dual-zone capability, you can have the DVD playback routed to monitors in the rear cabin. But if you don't want to listen to the movie the kids are watching or the MP3s they're flipping through, you can have them switch to headphones while you indulge in other sources (other than USB). Using the remote, your passengers can control the media of their choice.
Hands-free phone calls and streaming Bluetooth audio are built-in. The microphone is hidden at the top left corner and calls are clear for both the driver and the recipient. Like any Bluetooth setup, one can't expect it to function seamlessly with every phone. Out of the box, the KD-AVX44 paired perfectly with our Samsung Blackjack, but it wouldn't download the address book (if you frequently change your phone or are unsure about compatibility, visit www.mobile.jvc.com for CD-ROM updates)
Receiving calls requires only pushing a soft button on the upper left corner (or setting up the Auto Answer feature). However, making calls necessitates delving through three screens of the menu. Using shortcuts on the remote makes this a safer proposition. Better yet, use the voice dialing option on your phone if it has one.
With many media options and minimal visual clutter, the KD-AVX44 has a lot of appeal. It offers a lot of features that work well and many add-on options if you want more. JVC, however, designed it to be more cool than user-friendly. Keep that in mind if you don't like a high learning curve.
Key Features:* CD/DVD playback with Dual Zone mode* IPod and USB device connectivity* Built-in Bluetooth for hands-free phone and audio streaming* Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound* HD and satellite radio ready* Attractive black-out removable faceplate* Poor ease of use