Your very own drive in - wherever you want it (Ripspeed DV720)

Member Name: yackers1

Product:	Ripspeed DV720
Date:	20/03/09 (1130 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Large screen, cheap, easy to install

Disadvantages: Looks cheap and nasty, poor finish, no USB or SD card slot

A friend of mine purchased a Ripspeed DV720 head unit a few months back and he has been raving on about it ever since. Since his head gasket went on his vehicle, and rendering his car useless for a couple of months he persuaded me to borrow the Ripspeed ("head unit") so I could see how 'amazing' it really is.

I have now been using this piece of kit for the last three weeks, during which I must say I have not really warmed to it and am looking forward to getting my JVC back in my car. However, I thought I had better let you all know about my experiences with the Ripspeed DV720.

****Installation****

Like all modern stereo/DVD units the Ripspeed has an ISO connector, which is present in most modern day vehicles. If, however, your vehicle is not fitted with an ISO connector (my Focus wasn't when I first bought it) then a separate wiring harness is required, which at around £10 is not overly expensive but it does add an additional cost to the product. There are many different types therefore it is important to ensure the correct one is purchased.

Provided you have all the necessary tools required, i.e. the strips of metal to remove specific radios, then installing the unit is very easy. It is simply a case of pull out the old one, put the ISO connectors together (or if you need an additional harness - clip one end of the harness to the original wires and the other end to the ISO) and push the unit in.

It really is that simple and any one who has had a bit of experience fitting radios should be able to do it so there should be no need to pay a Halfords' 'technician' £40 or so to spend 5 minutes to fit it.

****Screen & picture quality****

The DV720 has a motorised 7" touch screen that is dual screen display, with wide screen and segment LCD allowing operation when open or closed. At 720 pixels by 480 pixels the picture quality is about the same as a portable DVD player, which is more than adequate.

There is a "mechanical anti-vibration system with electronic shock protection" although the picture does tend to jump around a bit and freeze when driving down 'rough' tracks or off road. Unless you live in a middle of a field or half way up a mountain with no proper road you shouldn't have too many problems.

This unit comes with a slim line DVD remote which whilst a nice touch it is hardly required since the head unit is less than an arm length away from either the driver or the passenger.

****Sound****

As with all in car entertainment packages the overall sound is only as good as the speakers that accompany it. The DV720 is 4 x 40 watts with a built in amplifier. Please note that this is total output and not RMS.

Personally, I think that this is more than enough but then I am passed the age where I want to blast out 100 decibels to make sure that everyone else can 'enjoy' my music whilst I am. For 'normal' volume levels 40 x 40 watts is sufficient but if you want a bit more then it is possible to connect a separate amplifier to the DV720 using the special connecters at the back of the unit.
The quality of the sound is very good and I did not experience any distortion at all, but then I didn't have the volume loud enough to make my ears bleed.

****Features****

This unit will only support DVD, DVD+R, DVD+RW, VCD, SVCD and JPEG visual files. It does not support DivX files, which is a bit of a shame especially given that most of the video content that is downloadable from the internet comes in this format.

There are 2 video outputs for additional monitors. On the face of it this is a nice feature since it means that backseat passengers can enjoy a film as well. The problem is the additional monitor/s will need to be purchased as an extra and then there is the problem of mounting them in the vehicle, giving them a power supply and buying all the necessary leads and connectors. In reality I think that using multiple screens is a nightmare and it is cleaner, easier and a lot cheaper just to give the passengers their own portable DVD player. This will also ensure there are no arguments over film choice as each passenger can select what they want to watch.

There is a 12 AM and 18 FM Radio station memory with an RDS tuner. This provides more than enough radio stations to listen to. This unit is fully compatible with CDDA, CD-R, CD-RW, WMA and MP3.

There is an Aux input connector enabling an I-pod or MP3 player to be played through the unit. This is a common feature on many units, therefore, this is not a unique selling point of this product. There is a big problem in that the Aux connector is at the back of the unit. Therefore, in order to use it you need to pull the unit out, connect a cable and route it behind the dash out in to the interior of the car (such as the footweld) so the relevant music player can be connected. This is very fiddly and takes a bit of time (and knowledge) to achieve. Many modern units have the Aux in on the front which is far more accessible.

The unit has a 5 channel line out for 2 x rear speakers, 2 x front speakers and a subwoofer. This is impressive and allows for a great speaker set up installation (obviously at an additional cost).

****My opinion****

As far as in car radio/DVD units go the DV720 represents good value for money. A lot of these units have small screens of usually 2.5" or 3" so with a massive 7" screen the DV720 wins hands down in this respect. I should also note that even with a bigger screen the picture quality is not compromised as the DV720 has a good resolution of 720 x 480.

At normal volumes the sound is crisp and clear and is good. Unfortunately I only have standard factory fitted speakers in my car and since these aren't powerful enough to let the DV720 really stretch its legs in terms of volume I am unable to comment on how the unit deals with ear bleeding volume levels.

This unit looks cheap and nasty but considering how much it cost, and the technology incorporated in it, the manufacturers have had to make sacrifices somewhere and this appears to be in the quality of the materials used to make the product. Whilst I don't question the durability of the unit I do think that it will need to be treated with a bit of TLC to ensure that it lasts a few years.

The unit supports limited film files which is OK if you want to watch a DVD, but many internet downloads are usually in DivX format, which is not supported by this unit.

Personally I can't see the point in having a DVD player in the car unless:

i) It is to keep children/young passengers amused
ii) It is to keep your passenger amused
iii) You prefer to watch films in your car than in your home
iv) You are one of those chavvy boy racers that like to spend evenings in the local Sainsbury's car park

I am unsure on the legality aspects of having a film on whilst driving but, personally, I don't think it is safe. Being able to see a 7" screen out of the corner of your eye (especially whilst driving at night) is off putting and, quite frankly, dangerous. For this reason I refuse to have a film on whilst the car is in motion.

Whilst there are a lot of channel outs and an Aux in it is not that useful since all are located at the back of the unit. There is no Aux in at the front, no USB port on the front and no SD card slot. These inputs are available on most modern head units and, due to their simplicity and usefulness, these are a must have. It is a shame that the DV720 does not have one, or all, of these features since it would make it a lot better unit.

Overall this is an OK unit but it is definitely not for me. I have no use for the DVD player and the lack of USB port, Aux in at the front or SD card slot makes it of no use to me. I think I will stick to my JVC for the time being.

Summary: A boy racers dream but no use to keep the kids quiet in a family car

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