GRok25

Hey guys hoping to get a new headunit with a full screen that plays video and have a few questions (I know very little about audio)
I have an 07 2.4 cobalt ss. my stock headunit has the aux port.

1. will i need to buy a new amp, i heard that the current amp is built into the stock headunit.
2. will the sound quality be any different
3. looking to spend no more than $400

EmperorJJ1

iTrader: (5)

u dont need to buy a new amp the amp is external to the HU. if you use the expensive harness then it will be cleaner if u use the cheap one then it would sound slightly cleaner then factory sorta. buy a name brand the no name bullshit sucks and isnt worht ****

GRok25

link for the Better harness and a good HU?

LaserblueSS

iTrader: (1)

i just installed mine yesterday (and i am TERRIBLE with wiring). it was very easy. i have a JVC kw-av50 and it was only 240 from amazon. I have an 06 SS so my wiring harness was only $.88 lol. i would say maybe go with the METRA harness, the one i got from metra worked great. a lot of guys are very set on having bluetooth, navigation and all that jazz but i went pretty basic with mine and got everything for $275 shipped.

GRok25

did the sound quality sound the same? bass kick the same?

GRok25

I dont need bluetooth
all i want is to be able to watch videos from my iphone to a screen also navi would be nice if it does not cost a monthly fee

LaserblueSS

iTrader: (1)

with the jvc kw-av50 you can hook up your ipod and play music, videos, movies, through it. and you can use your gps through it (if you have an iphone) it displays on the screen. and yes, sound quality was the same, bass still sounds good. i can actually turn this one up louder than the other headunit so songs that are recorded at a low volume are more easily listened to now.

and yeah you can always just pop in a DVD and watch a movie that way

GRok25

ok i can go on my own finding the cheapest headunit online but i dont know what else i need

I have an 07 with the xm (which i dont have activated), 6 cd changer, and the aux port

what other things will i need (wires, harnesses, dash kits). i would also like to keep my steering wheel controls. links appreciated

LaserblueSS

iTrader: (1)

i think there is a sticky in the electronics and audio that tells ya exactly what ya need for an 07+ cobalt. i know the harness is different from the 05 and 06 because of the GM LAN Bus or something like that.

metra's website will tell ya the specifics Metra Online | Welcome to Metra Auto Parts Online Warehouse

GRok25

i found this on one of the stickies. i dont have onstar but i do have the pioneer system. which one do i get?
pioneer = GMOS-LAN-04 *retains onstar*
Pac= C2R-GM11 *without onstar*

also will my steering wheel controls still work

EmperorJJ1

iTrader: (5)

i would get the metra. IMO they make better products as far as harnesses go. and as long as your radio has the input for a wireless remote then yes you can make the steering wheel controls still work

GRok25

do you have a link for that metra harness

GRok25

sorry i dont understand, is this another harness.

LaserblueSS

iTrader: (1)

i made the link for you in the my previous post. and he is referring to the head unit that you want. if it has a wireless remote input spot, then you can use your existing steering wheel controls to control volume and what not. my HU didn't have that option, so my volume/seek/skip buttons dont work, but i could care less really.

GRok25

thanks that clears it up better. the link you sent me was for the website. im not very savy with audio im not sure which spicific part i need. there is 2 pages of parts, not sure which ones are nessicary

and do you know off the top of your head which headunits come with the wireless remote port?

EmperorJJ1

iTrader: (5)

Metra Online

u really have to check some do and some dont most dvd players do but not all of them so u have to check. last time i didnt i ordered a 1000.00 pioneer for a customer expecting it to come with it and it didnt. so that bit me in the ass assuming one of their most expensive ones had it

EmperorJJ1

iTrader: (5)

yes you can find a harness that makes it slightly easier to install the steering wheel controls but yes you will need a second harness for that to work

GRok25

appreciate all of the help. gotta start somewhere with learning about this.

what do i look for when looking for a head unit to make sure it has the steering wheel control input feature.

and whats the link for that 2nd harness for the steering wheel controls

FasterIsBetter

Any radio with a remote control port on the back can work with the steering wheel controls. Thats what they were telling you.

I personally am going with the Alpine CDE-HD137BT due to it having built in HD Radio(To retain XM), Bluetooth, and Pandora controls for Android.

DPaul6590

iTrader: (1)

Also, be sure to look up the how to on bypassing the parking brake lock for videos if you wanna play them while driving. (Not safe I know, but eh...)

It was really simple to follow and if you don't do it, you will have to be in park with the parking brake on to watch them.

GRok25

Definately need to find this out

GRok25

Anyone have the Kenwood DDX419
Does it retain the steering wheel controls?

FasterIsBetter

The parking brake bypass is usually just run the parking brake wire on the stereo to a 12v source but some are different.

GRok25

Need some examples of Double Din headunits that will keep the steering wheel controls

FasterIsBetter

According to Crutchfield, as long as you get the steering wheel control interface adapter, the DDX419 will work. Just research man. You'll learn more that way.