The pioneer 3100 is probably the best entry to dvd headunits a person could get. So many goods things about this headunit, but a few key dissapointments. Installation is easy. Though, heres a good tip. Don't plug this thing up to a brake wire. Use the simple method of a switch. Simply plug your parking brake wire on one side, and a POWERED ground to the other. The black wire of the headunit works perfect. I've had no luck simply grounding it to the frame with a switch though. Yes, don't drive while watching movies, but its a lot less cumbersome than trying to mess with your key car parts. Onto the key points.
Pros-
Sound quality- AMAZING!!! Beats even some 4 channel external amplifiers on the lower end. Better than say a cheap dual, vr3, or roadmaster 4 channel. Heck, this is one of the few head units where its actually SAFE to plug up low powered subwoofers up to it.
Video quality- Great, but not the best. Though for the price, its great. Sure its not as crisp as a full on lcd or plasma hdtv, but its FAR better than ANY crt tv.
Reads huge spaced memory drives great. Now, as some say, it does take some time to load anything more than 8 gigs. I use a 16gig flash drive, and it takes anywhere from 10-20 seconds to actually allow me to use it. Even if you switch it to the radio and back, it still takes the same. Now, at least it always remembers your last song.
Never skips on any disc it gets either, but thats almost any decent aftermarket head unit.
In between about-
Actual ease of use........is just alright. If you use your finger, this thing can be cumbersome. It can detect wrong movements. Scrolling through song lists can be nearly painful. No knob means controlling the volume can be a bit hard. REALLY doesn't help that pioneer makes you buy a remote, which is STANDARD in aftermarket headunits.
Only has a front and a rear/sub output option. Most headunits now have front, rear, AND a sub output instead of having to choose between the two. No big deal though.
THE ABSOLUTE DREADFUL
SONG NAVIGATION!!!!!! Lets say you have 1000 folders of music on a usb stick. You select one of those folders half way down the big list. Then you press the back button to select another. It ALWAYS starts you back at the beginning. No option to change this what so ever.
What kindof videos can it play? If its not on your ipod or dvd, its not playing. Flat out. Videos DO NOT play off usb sticks or data cds/dvds.
Addons that should be BUILT ons. Bluetooth and digital radio is standard. I can understand having to buy xm and serius radio add ons since they could jack the price up. But again, having to buy a remote? Really? It should BE with it.
Final verdict?
If you have the money and are hardcore into features on a stereo, I would look for something a bit better. Even cheap 80$ dual players have hd radio and bluetooth standard. Though, for the majority of the world out there, this is THE headunit. Excellent picture quality, one of the best in sound quality, and the amazing slick look? Oh yes. It FEELS like a 300$ piece of equipment. But nothing more.
Get more detail about Pioneer Avh-P3100Dvd 5.8-Inch In-Dash Touchscreen Double-Din Dvd Multimedia A/V Receiver.
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