Thoughts on the 2008 tC headunit
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SL Member
Team ScioNRG
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 559
Thoughts on the 2008 tC headunit
From the press release located at https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=160916 :
So what we can gather from the above info:
+ iPod headunit standard now, and the new upgrade also has iPod capability, plus a more advanced display screen, perhaps.
+ Same wattage as before, but now there are preouts on the rear, making it a snap to install custom amplifiers. (but how clean is the sound from the headunit itself to begin with?)
+ The "downloadable images, video, and movies" on the "optional premium" headunit seem to hint at a more advanced display than the current headunit's simple 5x7 alphanumeric LCD screen Images and movies would be pretty awful on a 5x7 display, or worse yet, a 14-segment display. The mid and high end of Pioneer's DEH series ( http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pn...147601,00.html ) has OLED displays with a resolution of at least 160x48 pixels. This would make iPod browsing far easier than fumbling with a LCD display that can only do one line of 5x7 pixel characters. Maybe this will be a 2DIN unit derived from the DEH series?
Of course, those who want more than that (more advanced EQ, high voltage preouts, better DAC, etc.) will go aftermarket, but this seems like a significant upgrade.
I haven't really searched that much for pictures, but it would be interesting to see the "premium" headunit, to see if it really is a 2U rework of a Pioneer DEH headunit. Would they use a full color OLED display? Monochrome amber? Some other monochrome color? OLED display pixels emit light on their own, so that rules out a color changing display (unless they decide to firmware-cripple a full color display
)
Standard iPod Connectivity
Apple iPod connectivity is standard across the Scion lineup for 2008. Scion's standard 160-watt maximum output Pioneer AM/FM/CD audio system features a head unit with iPod control. This head unit integrates track, artist and album information from the iPod into a one-line display on the head unit's screen. Connectivity is achieved by simply plugging the iPod into a port via a connector cable, providing outstanding sound quality through the car's stereo system and constant power to the iPod. Music is controlled through the head unit and steering wheel audio controls. A standard mini-jack port also allows users to listen to their portable music collection through the tC's Pioneer speakers.
Since many Scion customers add in-car entertainment systems to their vehicle, the tC comes standard with rear head unit outputs allowing for the addition of external amps to boost power to the front and rear speakers, and subwoofers.
The tC's optional premium audio system adds one more feature to the standard head unit, the ability to download "skins" to play on the LCD faceplate. Customers can download images, four-second video clips and eight-second movies from Pioneer's website. In addition, Pioneer software allows customers to burn their own images and movies onto a CD and upload them onto the available head unit.
Both the standard and premium head units retain key Scion audio system features such as Scion Sound Processing (SSP) where listeners can choose from three pre-set equalizer settings, satellite radio compatibility, a user-customizable welcome screen, MP3 and WMA capability, Automatic Sound Leveling (ASL) and Sound Retouch Technology (SRT), which provides clearer CD sound quality. Both systems will also feature six speakers: two tweeters and speakers in each door panel.
Apple iPod connectivity is standard across the Scion lineup for 2008. Scion's standard 160-watt maximum output Pioneer AM/FM/CD audio system features a head unit with iPod control. This head unit integrates track, artist and album information from the iPod into a one-line display on the head unit's screen. Connectivity is achieved by simply plugging the iPod into a port via a connector cable, providing outstanding sound quality through the car's stereo system and constant power to the iPod. Music is controlled through the head unit and steering wheel audio controls. A standard mini-jack port also allows users to listen to their portable music collection through the tC's Pioneer speakers.
Since many Scion customers add in-car entertainment systems to their vehicle, the tC comes standard with rear head unit outputs allowing for the addition of external amps to boost power to the front and rear speakers, and subwoofers.
The tC's optional premium audio system adds one more feature to the standard head unit, the ability to download "skins" to play on the LCD faceplate. Customers can download images, four-second video clips and eight-second movies from Pioneer's website. In addition, Pioneer software allows customers to burn their own images and movies onto a CD and upload them onto the available head unit.
Both the standard and premium head units retain key Scion audio system features such as Scion Sound Processing (SSP) where listeners can choose from three pre-set equalizer settings, satellite radio compatibility, a user-customizable welcome screen, MP3 and WMA capability, Automatic Sound Leveling (ASL) and Sound Retouch Technology (SRT), which provides clearer CD sound quality. Both systems will also feature six speakers: two tweeters and speakers in each door panel.
+ iPod headunit standard now, and the new upgrade also has iPod capability, plus a more advanced display screen, perhaps.
+ Same wattage as before, but now there are preouts on the rear, making it a snap to install custom amplifiers. (but how clean is the sound from the headunit itself to begin with?)
+ The "downloadable images, video, and movies" on the "optional premium" headunit seem to hint at a more advanced display than the current headunit's simple 5x7 alphanumeric LCD screen Images and movies would be pretty awful on a 5x7 display, or worse yet, a 14-segment display. The mid and high end of Pioneer's DEH series ( http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pn...147601,00.html ) has OLED displays with a resolution of at least 160x48 pixels. This would make iPod browsing far easier than fumbling with a LCD display that can only do one line of 5x7 pixel characters. Maybe this will be a 2DIN unit derived from the DEH series?
Of course, those who want more than that (more advanced EQ, high voltage preouts, better DAC, etc.) will go aftermarket, but this seems like a significant upgrade.
I haven't really searched that much for pictures, but it would be interesting to see the "premium" headunit, to see if it really is a 2U rework of a Pioneer DEH headunit. Would they use a full color OLED display? Monochrome amber? Some other monochrome color? OLED display pixels emit light on their own, so that rules out a color changing display (unless they decide to firmware-cripple a full color display
)
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,320
to tell you the truth I'm not sure I like a lot of these "options." I mean, yea, people wanted it, but not me. I think Scion is really running away from the "mono spec" nature its supposed to have.
As long as they don't start getting into engine options, then I guess we'll still be ok.
As long as they don't start getting into engine options, then I guess we'll still be ok.
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 155
From: Los Angeles
the OEL displays arent all that great i just bought the Pionner DEH-7800MP and it has one of those oel displays on it and i load my custom animations movies on it but there a big problem... i can't see them in teh day time!!! seriously these displays are beautiful but sooooooo very hard to see in sunlight...
i think of all the updates i liek the taillights the most... i wonder if they will fit in my 06... also anyone know if they are LED taillights
i think of all the updates i liek the taillights the most... i wonder if they will fit in my 06... also anyone know if they are LED taillights
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,103
From: I'm da BOOM King!!!
Not my style but Scion is all about 'customization' and the skins is definitely one way to do it. Of course, 'customization' will come at a higher price. Hopefully Scion can keep the MSRP down with all the new features for 2K8.
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,900
From: Michigan
i noticed on the "nav" edition for the xb and xd, that there was "concert, hall, arena, etc" sound processing, the words "dolby digital" were on the unit..
So to me that only means one thing, Surround Sound processing! does that mean the other headunits get this as well? did the sound processing we have for 05-07, change now?
So to me that only means one thing, Surround Sound processing! does that mean the other headunits get this as well? did the sound processing we have for 05-07, change now?
Senior Member
Team Hamster
SL Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,372
From: THREEONEFOUR
This the base hu for 08...
this the upgrade for 08...
I haven't seen pics of the nav unit available for the xD or xA yet. Dunno if its worth stepping up to either 08 hu over just getting an aftermarket unit tho.
this the upgrade for 08...
I haven't seen pics of the nav unit available for the xD or xA yet. Dunno if its worth stepping up to either 08 hu over just getting an aftermarket unit tho.
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,900
From: Michigan
yeah at that one link, i wish i had it.. someone posted it here. It's a flash animation site and it shows the Nav unit under "accessories" for the xD and xB. Sounds like the Nav has Dolby surround!
Senior Member
Team Hamster
SL Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,372
From: THREEONEFOUR
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,338
From: San Diego (Mira Mesa), CA
Originally Posted by Tekka
i think of all the updates i liek the taillights the most... i wonder if they will fit in my 06... also anyone know if they are LED taillights
I dont like that they are taking out the cherry black pearl color. 
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 106
From: Cumming, GA
bkgt10 - i have an '08 with the upgraded unit, and it works fine with my ipod nano (3rd gen 8gb). i got the ipod cable from the dealer, connected it to the port in the arm rest, then just hit the "ipod" button on the unit.
now if you do that and you can't control it still from the head unit, turn the car on, turn the unit off, hold down the "menu" button for a few seconds. a menu will pop up and change the option for ipod control.
now if you do that and you can't control it still from the head unit, turn the car on, turn the unit off, hold down the "menu" button for a few seconds. a menu will pop up and change the option for ipod control.