Item Weight | 4.24 pounds |
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Product Dimensions | 6.9 x 7 x 4 inches |
Country of Origin | China |
Item model number | P9640B |
Batteries | 1 Lithium Metal batteries required. |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Chassis Size | double-din |
Preamp Voltage | 6 Volts |
Display Type | LCD |
Wireless Remote | Yes |
Warranty | Warranty - Planet Audio provides a powerful 3-year Platinum Online Dealer Warranty so long as the purchase is made through Amazon.com. We strongly encourage professional installation of this product to ensure proper and safe functionality |
Expansion | Bluetooth, optional_hd_radio, optional_satellite_radio, included_mp3_cable |
Memory Card Slot | CD, DVD, USB, SD Card |
Media Playback Supported | MP3 |
Height (inches) | 4 inches |
Depth (inches) | 6.9 inches |
Weight | 6.3 Pounds |
Planet Audio P9640B Car Audio Stereo System - 6.2 Inch Double Din, LCD Touchscreen, Bluetooth Audio and Hands-Free Calling, CD Player, DVD, USB, SD, AUX in, AM/FM Radio Receiver
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Return this item for free
Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
Learn more about free returns.- Go to your orders and start the return
- Select the return method
- Ship it!
Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Planet Audio |
Model Name | P9640B |
Special Feature | AUX In, Media Playback, Bluetooth |
Connectivity Technology | Bluetooth |
Memory Storage Capacity | 32 GB |
Color | Black |
Screen Size | 6.2 Inches |
Media Type | CD, DVD, USB, SD Card |
Included Components | Remote control, power harness, stylus pen, external microphone, mounting hardware |
Display Technology | LCD |
About this item
- Push To Talk – You can connect with your Smartphone’s assistant with a push of a button. Linked via Bluetooth to your phone. This unit Lets you access information, accept commands, and keep driving
- Bluetooth - Answer / make calls and be hands-free with no distractions. The built-in microphone picks up your voice and the speakers let you hear the caller. You can also play and control your music and apps like Spotify / Pandora wirelessly
- Media Playback - Watch your choice of videos through the DVD player, play music through your Bluetooth device, pop in a CD or use the USB and SD ports for more audio alternatives. Tune into the AM / FM radio stations for up to date music/news/sports
- Auxiliary Input - Compatible with the audio output from smartphones as well as MP3 players
- Inputs - USB charging, USB, SD, AUX, front and rear camera. The steering wheel interface allows you to use the existing functions on your steering wheel (interface module sold separately. We recommend the Metra ASWC-1)
Frequently bought together
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Product information
Technical Details
Additional Information
ASIN | B00HZA6DYK |
---|---|
Customer Reviews |
3.9 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #111,276 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #78 in Car In-Dash DVD Players & Video Receivers |
Date First Available | January 24, 2014 |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
Product details
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- Product Dimensions : 6.9 x 7 x 4 inches; 4.25 Pounds
- Item model number : P9640B
- Batteries : 1 Lithium Metal batteries required.
- Date First Available : January 24, 2014
- Manufacturer : Planet Audio
- ASIN : B00HZA6DYK
- Country of Origin : China
- Customer Reviews:
Product guides and documents
What's in the box
Videos
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Customer Review: It didn’t work properly
Chucky Wanton
Product Description
Take your entertainment options up a notch with the Planet Audio P9640B Double-DIN DVD Player with a 6.2" Touchscreen Monitor. Cruise while listening to your favorite music on the DVD/CD Player, AM/FM radio, your Smartphone or MP3 Player with the Auxiliary Input, or plug into the USB and SD ports. Bluetooth technology lets you play and control music apps like Pandora and Spotify and make calls hands-free. The built-in Preset EQ lets you choose your sound style. Adjustments are quick and easy with the wireless remote, existing steering wheel controls (interface required, not included), and touchscreen monitor. Blast your tunes and enjoy the ride with the Planet Audio P9640B.
For further product details, please scroll down.
From the manufacturer
Get more music options with the Planet Audio P9640B In-Dash Double-DIN DVD Player with a 6.2 inch Touchscreen Monitor.
Pump out your tunes with the DVD/CD player, tune into a favorite AM/FM radio station, hook up your Smartphone or MP3 Player with the Auxiliary Input or plug a device into the USB and SD ports.
Pump out your tunes with the DVD/CD player, tune into a favorite AM/FM radio station, hook up your Smartphone or MP3 Player with the Auxiliary Input or plug a device into the USB and SD ports.
- Bluetooth: Make and receive calls, play and control music and apps like Spotify/Pandora wirelessly
- Plays DVD/CD/MP3/MP4, USB/SD/WMA and Smartphones
- Inputs: USB, SD, Aux, Front & Rear Camera, Steering Wheel Control
- Outputs: Video, Front, Rear & Sub Pre-Amp
- 80 Watts x 4 Max Power
- Bass/Treble/Balance/Fader Controls and Preset Built-in EQ
- RDS, Switchable US and European Tuner
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Camera InputThis input automatically powers the rear camera when the vehicle shifts into reverse and displays the image on the unit's screen. You can also manually switch to the front view |
Steering Wheel Control ReadyControl this unit using the vehicle's existing steering wheel control buttons. An additional interface (sold separately) is required. We recommend the Metra ASWC. |
Built-in EqualizerThe built-in Preset EQ allows you to choose from preset EQ curves for a variety of music styles such as Rock or Pop. |
Electronic Skip ProtectionESP is a feature that buffers the disc while playing, storing 5 seconds of music. If the disc is interrupted, the stored data fills in for continuous performance. |
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Pre-Amp OutputThis unit's Pre-Amp outputs let you expand your system by adding up to 2 amps and/or signal processors. |
Video OutputConveniently connect an external monitor's RCA inputs directly to this unit. A video signal amplifier is recommended when connecting to multiple video monitors. |
RDS TunerDisplays up to 64-character messages with station, song, artist, genre, traffic, news and more when an FM station broadcasts using RDS technology. |
ID3 TAGID3 Tag allows the audio file to store and display additional data such as title, artist, album, track number and more. |
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the value of the mp3 player, saying it's a great product for the price. They also like the ease of installation. However, some customers have reported issues with the quality of the product, mentioning that it has inferior quality. Opinions are mixed on performance, sound quality, screen, bluetooth connectivity, and fit.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the value of the mp3 player. They say it's a great product for the price, and it operates like a more expensive unit. Some customers also mention that it has good touch response and an aux input.
"...+ The price is unbelievable. For an additional 20 bucks or so, you can attach a camera to the back of your vehicle and have a back-up cam...." Read more
"...Pros:-Excellent system for the price-Nice screen, good display on sunny days but not on direct sunday..." Read more
"Decent stereo for the price but it has some issues.1...." Read more
"Just installed a few days ago in 2006 Audi A4. So far it's a nice radio for the price. I really wanted an Aux/USB and this has all that and more...." Read more
Customers find the installation process of the mp3 player to be fairly simple. They mention that the wiring was easy, and the Bluetooth setup is simple.
"...Here are the positives and negatives.+ This device is very simple to use and has lots of preset data so many changes are as simple as..." Read more
"...It is very fast and responsive.Installation is straight forward...." Read more
"...3 years of using it the only annoying thing is that 7 seconds delay from starting the engine to being able to see the backup camera image...." Read more
"...The head unit itself works very well. Bluetooth is super simple to set up and the wired microphone the unit comes with actual sounds very good...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the performance of the mp3 player. Some mention that it works well as expected, has all the basic features, and the DVD function works great. However, others say that it has many issues with the screen not working and the computer freezing up. Additionally, some customers report that the remote rarely works and that the device does not play well with iPhone 5 or 6.
"...The original radio antenna is OK but I wanted to use a backup camera which should be connected to RCA input on the back...." Read more
"...+ The hand's free features, including the mic work very well. I have called people from the radio with my mic mounted on the steering column...." Read more
"...as it should...but once I run the cord in its permanent position, it doesn't work. No big loss really. I get around to it...." Read more
"...😀, AND ONE AMP 1100 WATTS😃, Screen has functions to dimmer & equalizer functions😉, Bluetooth is nice😊, If you have boston acoustics, infinity, bose..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the sound quality of the mp3 player. Some mention that the sound is ok, the volume is loud enough, and easy to operate. However, others say that the sounds seems very far away, the loud button is very very loud, and the rear view camera mutes the sound.
"...(if that is what you have) as far as sound goes, but it will add lots of volume. This can get really loud if you want it to...." Read more
"...I found that the radio signal is very loud and when I turn on the radio, I set the volume to about 8, and that is loud enough...." Read more
"...much the same as the stereo I replaced, but this one allows the volume to go much higher.The bluetooth connectivity is easy and fast...." Read more
"...First for whatever reason this unit sporadically goes silent when going into reverse, and does not comes back on until the key is in process of..." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the screen of the mp3 player. Some mention that the user interface and touch screen are great, while others say that it's not responsive or 100% touch sensitive.
"This screen is not HD😣, The screen is not 100% touch sensitive😢,This screen plays dvds (slow loading) cd's, video files off of a usb drive (AVI ONLY)..." Read more
"...The touch is responsive even through original protective film (I had no need to take it out yet)...." Read more
"...It had many issues with the screen not working and the computer freezing up. I returned that one and bought a new one this time...." Read more
"...I'm not going back in to correct it. Also the touch screen is pretty lagging." Read more
Customers are mixed about the bluetooth connectivity of the mp3 player. Some mention that it picks up perfect and connects quickly, while others say that it went nuts, is spotty at best, and cuts off for no reason.
"...•USB connection doesn't appear to play well with my phone (Galaxy S5) and won't charge it or read media from it..." Read more
"...1. Radio boots-up in reasonable time around 5 seconds...." Read more
"...However I was lucky enough these did. The A-Link doesn't work with my phone but does hers. So that's ok since it's in her car...." Read more
"...So, for just over $100, you get a DVD player for trips, a great Bluetooth radio, a very nice and user friendly display, excellent hands-free calling..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the fit of the mp3 player. Some mention that it fits perfectly on their 97 4Runner, while others say that it doesn't fit a 2000 Ford Explorer like advertised, does not fit the entire void left by the replaced Honda radio, and the hardware mounts didn't work.
"...This thing did not fit very well in my 2002 Chevy Tracker. You may want to check dimensions before assuming it will fit in your double din slot...." Read more
"...I was surprised the issues were not that big and the radio fit with little changes:1...." Read more
"...Main reason for returning is it wouldn't fit, to big...." Read more
"...These are a perfect fit for the 1998 SR5 4Runner with the single disc cd player unbolt the factory mounts off of the factory radio and bolt on to..." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the quality of the mp3 player. They mention that the radio is of poor quality, the CD stops playing, and the unit has a couple flaws. The pitch quality is ok, but for the price it's not that bad.
"...entire audio book (which is something like 600 files) all files are played like randomly, not in long file names sequence...." Read more
"...The clock on my unit will not stay on the time I set it to...." Read more
"...Secondly the EQ on this unit is in a word, pathetic...." Read more
"...on odd files, for example with a MP4 track without video, the unit crash and reboots. Nothing that a file converter can take care...." Read more
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1. The standard 2-bay sleeve does not fit in my truck. The original radio is mounted with factory made brackets that do not follow current mounting standards. Also only two holes in Toyota-factory brackets matched threaded holes in Planet Audio radio's case. To assure solid "grip" I enlarged other two holes in the factory brackets so they mate with threaded holes in the radio's case. That did the trick and Planet Audio P9640B fit perfectly in the opening. There is no need for supplied frames as the original dash panel fits over the front panel of the radio. It looks like the radio was built for this truck.
2. The radio bay in my Tacoma is not very deep. There are air vent ducts behind the radio. P9640B fits in the opening as long as you don't use standard RCA plugs on the back. The original radio antenna is OK but I wanted to use a backup camera which should be connected to RCA input on the back. If standard RCA plug is connected, the radio is sticking out about 1/2 inch. I made a custom L-shape RCA plug for backup camera and that solved the problem. It is tight fit without much space left but it works. Other connectors and wires (including additional wire harness to plug into Tacoma plugs) fit behind and below the radio without problems. Back USB connector was put in the glow box.
Now about the functionality of the radio. The user manual does not tell you all things this radio can do. So this is what I found so far:
1. Radio boots-up in reasonable time around 5 seconds. It only can be "annoyingly long" when you start the car and want to use back-up camera. You have to wait and stare at Planet Audio logo for 5 seconds before you can see what is behind your car. There is additional 2 seconds delay for "sourcing" the signal so actually it is 7 seconds from turning the key in the ignition and hearing the first sound from the radio. I'd love to have no delay, but understanding that it is not a "just the radio" but a "computer" I must accept it. It's still faster than booting up any of the my "computers" (smart TV, cell phone, tablet or PC).
2. Screen visibility is much better than in my Samsung Gallaxy S4. The glare is almost not there. In my truck the radio is quite low and mostly hidden from direct sun so I can't tell how direct sun affects the display visibility. The touch is responsive even through original protective film (I had no need to take it out yet). Hard-wired buttons are easy to press and the volume knob feels "right". For night driving the screen can be turned off and blue lights around buttons are not distracting.
3. Radio plays CD, VCD, DVD. DVD is not region free but it is matching the region selected in the "Radio region" menu. So if you want to watch DVD from US you need to select your radio region to US. In this setting you will not be able to play DVDs made for other regions. For example to play DVD from Europe, you need first set the radio frequencies to Europe standards. This is not described in the manual, but it works.
4. Bluetooth easy paired with my Samsung Galaxy S4 in phone and audio mode. All sounds from the phone are played on the radio (using phone controls) so you can listen to the music (I listen audio books) from the phone's music player or streaming (Pandora, TuneIn etc.). Phone controls work from touch screen on the radio with addition of "hard-wired" "Hung-up" and "Answer/Dial" buttons on the right site. The "pre-amp volume" can be set in radio setting (BT volume) so you can pre-set the volume of the phone without turning the volume knob. The BT sound quality is great - the driving noise does not affect the sound quality when talking on the phone (before I could not use speaker phone on Samsung Galaxy S4 while driving). I placed the external mike on the steering column and it picks up my voice with no background noise.
5. Before playing from USB and micro SD card the radio will will scan the content of the card (or stick) quite fast. 16G SD full of audio books (over 2 thousand "songs") are scanned in reasonably time. The MP3 tag is shown while playing together with "long" file name. However you can play songs in order they are in folders, not from MP3 tags. The bad thing is that you can't see the "long" folder name or file name - only "short" name ("8-dot-3" format). So if your folder with the whole album has name "The Rolling Stones, Now!" it will show up on the navigation panel as THEROL~1. The same format is used to display file names in the folder ("8-dot-3" format). Play from USB and SD card has "auto-start" meaning the radio will start playing the first song as soon as it finishes "scanning". The radio scans USB (or SD) every time it is selected to play from it (or resuming after turning the radio on) however the radio "remembers" where it was playing before being turned off and if the USB or SD content didn't change the radio resumes from the last played note.
It took me a while to figure out that you can't navigate between folders while song is playing. In order to change folder you have to stop (not "Pause" but "Stop") playing and then you can navigate to different folders using touch screen. However after you start playing again, the little icon (broken arrow) remains on the left top of the screen. This icon represents the "one level up" navigation allowing you to navigate around the folders while the previously selected song is playing. I just found it few days ago.
6. Radio is quite sensitive - and sound quality is better than factory Tacoma radio. I confirm that the radio has RDS. The radio clock is synchronized automatically with the time received from RDS signal. I found some radio stations are not good at keeping their clock in sync with world clock so when changing the radio station I found the clock on the radio is changing by few minutes as well. This was one of the "What the heck?" moments.
7. The amplifier in the radio is standard what you can expect from the radio. Actually it is a bit louder than my factory radio. I never had a need to run it in full blast and even driving the truck at 75mph (where speed limit allows :-) the road noise allows me to listen to the books at volume around 30 (out of 40 max).
The bottom line is I am very happy with this purchase. For less than 200$ I upgraded my truck radio to all functionality I could think of. Before I started shopping for a radio I listed all functions I wanted (backup camera input with 6 inch screen, SD, USB, Aux, DVD with VCD and "region free", RDS radio, BT for phone and audio, rotary volume control, and illumination not distracting while driving at night). I wanted the radio that is hard mounted so it will look like it was "factory installed". All these features I found in Planet Audio P9640B.
EDIT: 2014-09-15
Just few days ago I found, that you can navigate around folders on USB stick (I did not try that trick on CD-ROM), while the song is playing. It looks like you can't navigate after the initial "autoplay" starts, but after you stop "autoplay" and the select song to play, the "one level up" navigation icon stays on the screen allowing you to navigate around folders. Good thing that after turning the radio on the radio "resumes" playing from USB or SD. I have also timed the speed of reading the content of 2GB USB drive (very old). The drive contains 17 folders (albums) total about 180 songs. It took 3 seconds between switching the "source" to USB and start playing the music. Within this time radio took about 0.7 second to switch to "USB" screen, than was about 0.5 second pause and the rest was showing the progress of reading (number of songs and percent of completion).
EDIT: 2015-02-22
After several months of using this radio I'm still very fond of it. If someone fro Planet Audio reads these reviews, there are two suggestions from from me regarding product firmware. These are the only things that annoy me:
1. Backup Camera Volume. There is a setting where you set the radio volume, when the backup camera is active. I think the idea was to be able to set lower volume (or even turn the sound off) when you are focusing on the driving in reverse. What annoys me is that this setting is "absolute volume level", regardless of what you are listening too. I found that the radio signal is very loud and when I turn on the radio, I set the volume to about 8, and that is loud enough. On the other hand, the MP3 music I have recorded on my phone (BT input) or micro SD card is on the mild site, so I use the volume about 30 for that. For the "Backup Camera Volume" I set the volume to 12 so when I listen to audiobook (MP3 from the phone)and I'm backing up I don't miss the reading. But when I'm listening to the radio and put my truck in reverse, everybody (including me) jumps out of their seats with the "what the heck" moment - that how loud the radio is at volume 12. I wish the "Backup Camera Volume" can be set to the percent of normal volume instead of "absolute value". Then it would make more sense.
2. Micro SD card is read and played the order, how files and folders are put on the card - or maybe it is alphabetic order of 8dot3 file names. In any way it is annoying when you use Windows for copying files and folders to micro DS card. Windows copies files in "random" order and if I want to copy the entire audio book (which is something like 600 files) all files are played like randomly, not in long file names sequence. The best would be if MP3 files are read and organized in by the radio using MP3 tags, but I know it would take much longer than reading all directories and file names and sorting them for playing. So at least it would be nice if radio sequences files for playing using long file names.
These two things are not really "show stoppers" and can be lived with, but it would be much nicer radio if the firmware could be updated by that.
Keep in mind, that these are all "undocumented features", and other manufacturers might have similar problems (including Big Brand Names), even they don't advertize them. Most of current electronic products are controlled by microprocessors and are very complicated with specific functionality depending on the programmers, who wrote the firmware for them. And because some specific details are not in "functional design", they are programmed by the best understanding of the programmer, and of course they are never documented.
EDIT: 2015-08-07
I have added some photos of my radio installed in 95 Tacoma. It's over a year since I've installed the radio. It still works and looks like new. I haven't even piled of the screen protection yet.
Now looking at the stock photo of the screen I guess Planet Audio updated the firmware as my screen looks different (see the photo). Unless I'm missing something. And they dropped the price a bit. Nice.
I wonder if the firmware can be updated without sending the radio to the factory (maybe there is an option to update the firmware via SD). I would really like to have the annoying thing with 8-dot-3 file names from SD/USB updated to long file names and fix the volume change when switching to reverse.
EDIT: 2015-09-01
There were some questions regarding playing m3u files and camera installation. So i short:
1. m3u are not recognized on USB or SD card.
2. Backup camera is Esky EC170-06 World Smallest HD Color CCD Waterproof Vehicle Car Rear View Backup Camera, 170 Degree Viewing Angle Rearview Camera(0.86*0.65*0.50 inch) installed in trailer hitch plug (it is removable in case I would need to tow something)
3. The camera does not have "night vision" but like you can see on the picture the image is quite OK even in the worst conditions (street light is blinding the camera). BTW the image on the monitor is a little bit better than shown on the picture as the camera used to take this picture added its noise (it was dark).
4. I have attached pictures of what the monitor is showing when the truck is parked next to the wall in the parking garage. And the picture showing the distance between the bumper (and camera) and the wall
5. Yesterday I noticed one feature this radio does not have when playing CD. I go the latest Pink Floyd CD "Endless River". When playing it on Planet Audio in my Tacoma the screen shows just the track number and track duration (see the picture). However when I put the same CD into my 2012 4Runner factory radio (basic model radio) I could see the album name and song title. It must be somewhere on this CD that 4Runner factory radio can read it and Planet Audio not. I just thought I might share it.
EDIT: 2017-08-10
It's been almost 3 years and the radio is still like new. Actually I have never removed the original screen protector as touch screen is easy visible and responsive with that plastic on it..
After 3 years of using it the only annoying thing is that 7 seconds delay from starting the engine to being able to see the backup camera image. I've driven cars with backup camera in factory units and they solved the long boot issue by what looks like hard-wiring backup camera to screen bypassing the internal computer. I mean the radio might still not finish booting up but the image on the backup camera shows up in less than a second from starting a car. Planet Audio unit doesn't work like that. It has to boot completely before switching the mode to backup camera view.
As I said, this is the only complain I have to this unit. I don't know how other competing radios work around this issue as nobody advertise how backup camera works or what is the boot time.
On the other note, E-sky backup camera worked flawlessly but after 2 years lenses got scratched by road debris making the image fuzzy. I replaced it with the new one for now, which seems to have issue randomly switching from color to black/white image (not related to night vision). I'm thinking of swapping the camera for true 180 degree view unit and mounting it in different place for better image.
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2014
1. The standard 2-bay sleeve does not fit in my truck. The original radio is mounted with factory made brackets that do not follow current mounting standards. Also only two holes in Toyota-factory brackets matched threaded holes in Planet Audio radio's case. To assure solid "grip" I enlarged other two holes in the factory brackets so they mate with threaded holes in the radio's case. That did the trick and Planet Audio P9640B fit perfectly in the opening. There is no need for supplied frames as the original dash panel fits over the front panel of the radio. It looks like the radio was built for this truck.
2. The radio bay in my Tacoma is not very deep. There are air vent ducts behind the radio. P9640B fits in the opening as long as you don't use standard RCA plugs on the back. The original radio antenna is OK but I wanted to use a backup camera which should be connected to RCA input on the back. If standard RCA plug is connected, the radio is sticking out about 1/2 inch. I made a custom L-shape RCA plug for backup camera and that solved the problem. It is tight fit without much space left but it works. Other connectors and wires (including additional wire harness to plug into Tacoma plugs) fit behind and below the radio without problems. Back USB connector was put in the glow box.
Now about the functionality of the radio. The user manual does not tell you all things this radio can do. So this is what I found so far:
1. Radio boots-up in reasonable time around 5 seconds. It only can be "annoyingly long" when you start the car and want to use back-up camera. You have to wait and stare at Planet Audio logo for 5 seconds before you can see what is behind your car. There is additional 2 seconds delay for "sourcing" the signal so actually it is 7 seconds from turning the key in the ignition and hearing the first sound from the radio. I'd love to have no delay, but understanding that it is not a "just the radio" but a "computer" I must accept it. It's still faster than booting up any of the my "computers" (smart TV, cell phone, tablet or PC).
2. Screen visibility is much better than in my Samsung Gallaxy S4. The glare is almost not there. In my truck the radio is quite low and mostly hidden from direct sun so I can't tell how direct sun affects the display visibility. The touch is responsive even through original protective film (I had no need to take it out yet). Hard-wired buttons are easy to press and the volume knob feels "right". For night driving the screen can be turned off and blue lights around buttons are not distracting.
3. Radio plays CD, VCD, DVD. DVD is not region free but it is matching the region selected in the "Radio region" menu. So if you want to watch DVD from US you need to select your radio region to US. In this setting you will not be able to play DVDs made for other regions. For example to play DVD from Europe, you need first set the radio frequencies to Europe standards. This is not described in the manual, but it works.
4. Bluetooth easy paired with my Samsung Galaxy S4 in phone and audio mode. All sounds from the phone are played on the radio (using phone controls) so you can listen to the music (I listen audio books) from the phone's music player or streaming (Pandora, TuneIn etc.). Phone controls work from touch screen on the radio with addition of "hard-wired" "Hung-up" and "Answer/Dial" buttons on the right site. The "pre-amp volume" can be set in radio setting (BT volume) so you can pre-set the volume of the phone without turning the volume knob. The BT sound quality is great - the driving noise does not affect the sound quality when talking on the phone (before I could not use speaker phone on Samsung Galaxy S4 while driving). I placed the external mike on the steering column and it picks up my voice with no background noise.
5. Before playing from USB and micro SD card the radio will will scan the content of the card (or stick) quite fast. 16G SD full of audio books (over 2 thousand "songs") are scanned in reasonably time. The MP3 tag is shown while playing together with "long" file name. However you can play songs in order they are in folders, not from MP3 tags. The bad thing is that you can't see the "long" folder name or file name - only "short" name ("8-dot-3" format). So if your folder with the whole album has name "The Rolling Stones, Now!" it will show up on the navigation panel as THEROL~1. The same format is used to display file names in the folder ("8-dot-3" format). Play from USB and SD card has "auto-start" meaning the radio will start playing the first song as soon as it finishes "scanning". The radio scans USB (or SD) every time it is selected to play from it (or resuming after turning the radio on) however the radio "remembers" where it was playing before being turned off and if the USB or SD content didn't change the radio resumes from the last played note.
It took me a while to figure out that you can't navigate between folders while song is playing. In order to change folder you have to stop (not "Pause" but "Stop") playing and then you can navigate to different folders using touch screen. However after you start playing again, the little icon (broken arrow) remains on the left top of the screen. This icon represents the "one level up" navigation allowing you to navigate around the folders while the previously selected song is playing. I just found it few days ago.
6. Radio is quite sensitive - and sound quality is better than factory Tacoma radio. I confirm that the radio has RDS. The radio clock is synchronized automatically with the time received from RDS signal. I found some radio stations are not good at keeping their clock in sync with world clock so when changing the radio station I found the clock on the radio is changing by few minutes as well. This was one of the "What the heck?" moments.
7. The amplifier in the radio is standard what you can expect from the radio. Actually it is a bit louder than my factory radio. I never had a need to run it in full blast and even driving the truck at 75mph (where speed limit allows :-) the road noise allows me to listen to the books at volume around 30 (out of 40 max).
The bottom line is I am very happy with this purchase. For less than 200$ I upgraded my truck radio to all functionality I could think of. Before I started shopping for a radio I listed all functions I wanted (backup camera input with 6 inch screen, SD, USB, Aux, DVD with VCD and "region free", RDS radio, BT for phone and audio, rotary volume control, and illumination not distracting while driving at night). I wanted the radio that is hard mounted so it will look like it was "factory installed". All these features I found in Planet Audio P9640B.
EDIT: 2014-09-15
Just few days ago I found, that you can navigate around folders on USB stick (I did not try that trick on CD-ROM), while the song is playing. It looks like you can't navigate after the initial "autoplay" starts, but after you stop "autoplay" and the select song to play, the "one level up" navigation icon stays on the screen allowing you to navigate around folders. Good thing that after turning the radio on the radio "resumes" playing from USB or SD. I have also timed the speed of reading the content of 2GB USB drive (very old). The drive contains 17 folders (albums) total about 180 songs. It took 3 seconds between switching the "source" to USB and start playing the music. Within this time radio took about 0.7 second to switch to "USB" screen, than was about 0.5 second pause and the rest was showing the progress of reading (number of songs and percent of completion).
EDIT: 2015-02-22
After several months of using this radio I'm still very fond of it. If someone fro Planet Audio reads these reviews, there are two suggestions from from me regarding product firmware. These are the only things that annoy me:
1. Backup Camera Volume. There is a setting where you set the radio volume, when the backup camera is active. I think the idea was to be able to set lower volume (or even turn the sound off) when you are focusing on the driving in reverse. What annoys me is that this setting is "absolute volume level", regardless of what you are listening too. I found that the radio signal is very loud and when I turn on the radio, I set the volume to about 8, and that is loud enough. On the other hand, the MP3 music I have recorded on my phone (BT input) or micro SD card is on the mild site, so I use the volume about 30 for that. For the "Backup Camera Volume" I set the volume to 12 so when I listen to audiobook (MP3 from the phone)and I'm backing up I don't miss the reading. But when I'm listening to the radio and put my truck in reverse, everybody (including me) jumps out of their seats with the "what the heck" moment - that how loud the radio is at volume 12. I wish the "Backup Camera Volume" can be set to the percent of normal volume instead of "absolute value". Then it would make more sense.
2. Micro SD card is read and played the order, how files and folders are put on the card - or maybe it is alphabetic order of 8dot3 file names. In any way it is annoying when you use Windows for copying files and folders to micro DS card. Windows copies files in "random" order and if I want to copy the entire audio book (which is something like 600 files) all files are played like randomly, not in long file names sequence. The best would be if MP3 files are read and organized in by the radio using MP3 tags, but I know it would take much longer than reading all directories and file names and sorting them for playing. So at least it would be nice if radio sequences files for playing using long file names.
These two things are not really "show stoppers" and can be lived with, but it would be much nicer radio if the firmware could be updated by that.
Keep in mind, that these are all "undocumented features", and other manufacturers might have similar problems (including Big Brand Names), even they don't advertize them. Most of current electronic products are controlled by microprocessors and are very complicated with specific functionality depending on the programmers, who wrote the firmware for them. And because some specific details are not in "functional design", they are programmed by the best understanding of the programmer, and of course they are never documented.
EDIT: 2015-08-07
I have added some photos of my radio installed in 95 Tacoma. It's over a year since I've installed the radio. It still works and looks like new. I haven't even piled of the screen protection yet.
Now looking at the stock photo of the screen I guess Planet Audio updated the firmware as my screen looks different (see the photo). Unless I'm missing something. And they dropped the price a bit. Nice.
I wonder if the firmware can be updated without sending the radio to the factory (maybe there is an option to update the firmware via SD). I would really like to have the annoying thing with 8-dot-3 file names from SD/USB updated to long file names and fix the volume change when switching to reverse.
EDIT: 2015-09-01
There were some questions regarding playing m3u files and camera installation. So i short:
1. m3u are not recognized on USB or SD card.
2. Backup camera is Esky EC170-06 World Smallest HD Color CCD Waterproof Vehicle Car Rear View Backup Camera, 170 Degree Viewing Angle Rearview Camera(0.86*0.65*0.50 inch) installed in trailer hitch plug (it is removable in case I would need to tow something)
3. The camera does not have "night vision" but like you can see on the picture the image is quite OK even in the worst conditions (street light is blinding the camera). BTW the image on the monitor is a little bit better than shown on the picture as the camera used to take this picture added its noise (it was dark).
4. I have attached pictures of what the monitor is showing when the truck is parked next to the wall in the parking garage. And the picture showing the distance between the bumper (and camera) and the wall
5. Yesterday I noticed one feature this radio does not have when playing CD. I go the latest Pink Floyd CD "Endless River". When playing it on Planet Audio in my Tacoma the screen shows just the track number and track duration (see the picture). However when I put the same CD into my 2012 4Runner factory radio (basic model radio) I could see the album name and song title. It must be somewhere on this CD that 4Runner factory radio can read it and Planet Audio not. I just thought I might share it.
EDIT: 2017-08-10
It's been almost 3 years and the radio is still like new. Actually I have never removed the original screen protector as touch screen is easy visible and responsive with that plastic on it..
After 3 years of using it the only annoying thing is that 7 seconds delay from starting the engine to being able to see the backup camera image. I've driven cars with backup camera in factory units and they solved the long boot issue by what looks like hard-wiring backup camera to screen bypassing the internal computer. I mean the radio might still not finish booting up but the image on the backup camera shows up in less than a second from starting a car. Planet Audio unit doesn't work like that. It has to boot completely before switching the mode to backup camera view.
As I said, this is the only complain I have to this unit. I don't know how other competing radios work around this issue as nobody advertise how backup camera works or what is the boot time.
On the other note, E-sky backup camera worked flawlessly but after 2 years lenses got scratched by road debris making the image fuzzy. I replaced it with the new one for now, which seems to have issue randomly switching from color to black/white image (not related to night vision). I'm thinking of swapping the camera for true 180 degree view unit and mounting it in different place for better image.
+ This device is very simple to use and has lots of preset data so many changes are as simple as pressing a button. Menus are easy to navigate.
+ Bluetooth sync was a breeze. Doesnt get any easier and phone remembers the device well. Completely hassle-free.
+ Touchscreen is very responsive, no jamming fingers on the screen or over sensitivity.
+ Screen brightness and clarity is good. The screen isnt overpowering in its brightness, nor is it too dim to see in sunlight. Its obviously not an HD screen like an expensive phone, but it is very good, especially for the price.
+ The hand's free features, including the mic work very well. I have called people from the radio with my mic mounted on the steering column. People could not tell I was speaking to them through the radio. They thought I was on the phone as usual.
+ Audio quality is good. It's not going to add a lot to your stock speakers (if that is what you have) as far as sound goes, but it will add lots of volume. This can get really loud if you want it to.
+ The price is unbelievable. For an additional 20 bucks or so, you can attach a camera to the back of your vehicle and have a back-up cam. So, for just over $100, you get a DVD player for trips, a great Bluetooth radio, a very nice and user friendly display, excellent hands-free calling, and all kinds of other neat features. This thing is a steal.
Negatives:
- Not a big deal, but not a big fan of the volume control. Its a very small disc you turn and in order to move it from min volume to max, you have to spin it about 5 complete rotations. So, if you have it turned way down, it takes a few cranks to get it up to a decent volume.
- This thing did not fit very well in my 2002 Chevy Tracker. You may want to check dimensions before assuming it will fit in your double din slot. The wiring hookup was easy, but the fit, and finding a working kid for my Tracker was a problematic. Not really the radio's fault, but just something to keep in mind.
- There is really little paperwork with this thing. There is a nice user guide for the radio (which is hardly necessary since it is so easy to figure out just by pressing a few buttons), but as far as installation goes, you are pretty much on your own. If you have not installed radios before, I recommend watching some YouTube videos or hiring a professional. You will get nothing to help you with this device. There are additional wires for things like parking brake, wiring to steering wheel controls, an additional USB port, and so forth. But dont expect any information to come with this product to figure that stuff out.
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2016
+ This device is very simple to use and has lots of preset data so many changes are as simple as pressing a button. Menus are easy to navigate.
+ Bluetooth sync was a breeze. Doesnt get any easier and phone remembers the device well. Completely hassle-free.
+ Touchscreen is very responsive, no jamming fingers on the screen or over sensitivity.
+ Screen brightness and clarity is good. The screen isnt overpowering in its brightness, nor is it too dim to see in sunlight. Its obviously not an HD screen like an expensive phone, but it is very good, especially for the price.
+ The hand's free features, including the mic work very well. I have called people from the radio with my mic mounted on the steering column. People could not tell I was speaking to them through the radio. They thought I was on the phone as usual.
+ Audio quality is good. It's not going to add a lot to your stock speakers (if that is what you have) as far as sound goes, but it will add lots of volume. This can get really loud if you want it to.
+ The price is unbelievable. For an additional 20 bucks or so, you can attach a camera to the back of your vehicle and have a back-up cam. So, for just over $100, you get a DVD player for trips, a great Bluetooth radio, a very nice and user friendly display, excellent hands-free calling, and all kinds of other neat features. This thing is a steal.
Negatives:
- Not a big deal, but not a big fan of the volume control. Its a very small disc you turn and in order to move it from min volume to max, you have to spin it about 5 complete rotations. So, if you have it turned way down, it takes a few cranks to get it up to a decent volume.
- This thing did not fit very well in my 2002 Chevy Tracker. You may want to check dimensions before assuming it will fit in your double din slot. The wiring hookup was easy, but the fit, and finding a working kid for my Tracker was a problematic. Not really the radio's fault, but just something to keep in mind.
- There is really little paperwork with this thing. There is a nice user guide for the radio (which is hardly necessary since it is so easy to figure out just by pressing a few buttons), but as far as installation goes, you are pretty much on your own. If you have not installed radios before, I recommend watching some YouTube videos or hiring a professional. You will get nothing to help you with this device. There are additional wires for things like parking brake, wiring to steering wheel controls, an additional USB port, and so forth. But dont expect any information to come with this product to figure that stuff out.