When I get a new piece of equipment to evaluate, the usual question is, what will it do? In this case, it's easier to figure out what it DOESN'T do. The AVH-P7500DVD is Pioneer's new flagship in-dash DVD player, with a list of capabilities that seems to go on forever. It is also the first mobile player to support DVD-Audio playback, an ultra-high resolution audio-only format.
Built-in functions start with the DVD transport, which has the ability to play back DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, video CD, audio CD, DTS CD, and MP3 files on CD-R and CD-RW discs. An AM/FM tuner and a television tuner with powered true diversity antenna are included, and you can add XM Satellite Radio along with multi-CD and multi-DVD players. There is tight integration for a navigation system and additional AV sources (VCR, game systems, etc.) with a rear monitor output that can be split from the front monitor to display a separate source for the kids (or whoever is riding in the back). You can also connect a rear-view camera to display what's behind the vehicle, and it will automatically switch on when you put the vehicle in reverse.
The most visible feature of the deck is the integrated display screen. This is a motorized 7-inch-wide TFT active matrix screen with a native aspect ratio of 16:9 (same as DTV) with 336,960 pixels (1440x234). It hibernates inside the standard DIN-size chassis until you apply power to the ACC line; then the screen slides out horizontally and rotates up into the viewing position previously selected by the user. The physical angle of the screen is continuously adjustable from 50 degrees to 110 degrees, allowing the unit to be mounted anywhere from the bottom of the center console to an overhead location. You can also choose to have the screen scoot back about a half inch after it deploys to give you more clearance if your shifter is interfering. If you prefer to open the screen manually, there is a setting that prevents automatic deployment. A small, segmented display is mounted to the top of the screen so that when it is closed you still get basic information about the source, track, channel, etc. However, the obvious intent of the design is to have the screen open during normal operation in order to take advantage of the large display area for touch-screen menu operation.
The sensitivity of touch-screen operations is excellent. I never had problems getting a response, which is more than I can say for other touch-screen systems I have looked at. The menus are context-sensitive, meaning that the content of the menus changes based on the source you have selected. I found the entire menu structure to be intuitive and easy to master, despite the incredible depth of control provided. Rather than piling too many functions on the screen at one time, there are "pages" in the menus that keep the display uncluttered and easy to read.