Will it work in North America

[YP5 Toronto]

I am planning on purchasing this unit while I am in Japan. I have always wanted a Double Din unit with CD/MP3/MD functionality.

Do you guys know if this will work in our cars? What about the FM/AM frequencies?

Any help would be great.... I really want this deck.

http://www.mci.panasonic.co.jp/aced....0D.html (http://www.mci.panasonic.co.jp/aced/audio/products/2DIN/CQ-VX4200D.html)

[Bumblebee(Word!)]

wow... that deck will look awsome in the P5 with a CF dash kit...

i'm sure that if the plugs aren't the same format in north america, there are adaptors that are available... really... i'm thinking that the wiring couldn't be THAT different though...

[YP5 Toronto]

Im not that worried about the wiring......that should be relatively straight forward. I think I'm more worried about the AM/FM frequency and whether or not MD and CD/MP3s created hear in North America will work.

[Bumblebee(Word!)]

MD's created here will work... i have friends from hong kong that buy their MD disks from here, but their players are from hong kong... it's a universal format, that sony tried to mainstream in N.A., but just never caught on as much as the pacific... but they're all compatible...

as for the AM/FM frequencies... i couldn't tell you.. i'm sure that they run different frequencies, but if it says "AM/FM" on the model then most likely it will work here, it'll have the same spectrum... all it has to do is tune to those specific frequencies...

if it doesn't, then you'll have one less function on this thing...

the best way to test this is to bring a radio from here, and see if it works there (i.e. a walkman)... that's probably your best bet...

[firefly]

If you don't care about radio then it's fine. In Asia/Europe they have a different frequency stepping...you'll get some reception but it'll never be clean.

[ChopstickHero]

My friend has a jap-spec headunit too.... i think a panasonic or sony. anyways, the radio (AM/FM) will NOT work. they have a different frequency range than North America which is 76Mhz-90Mhz (N.A is 88Mhz-108Mhz). However, there are radio frequency converters that can shift the frequency range to N.A. standards. Here's a company with such products: http://www.edl.co.nz/ConvertersHP/PRODUCTS.html. I'm sure all the other functions like playing CDs, CDRs and MDs should work fine since those are universal types of media.

[YP5 Toronto]

you guys are the best....

if there is any more information you can send...keep sending.

I will investigate the Freqency converter.

[MP5Navy]

First of all I think that deck looks aweful.  Too retro and gawdy.  Double din without in dash CD changer - is a waste of space.  Those lights are old skool too - what no colour organic display like the new Sony's (which might warrant a huge light display)? I can't think of a single excellent high end double din deck from a reputable manufacturer....  I think you could find much better - who uses MD nowadays anyway?  You also lose a lot of flexibility with a double din deck (space concerns) and also these double dins don't sell very well in the used parts market (How many cars can accomidate a double din?)
PLUS since it is a Japanese deck all the ergonomics are wrong. As it was built for a market full of right-hand drives the buttons are all on the wrong side for left-hand drive use - I would find it annoying in the long run to have to constantly reach across the deck to access all the important controls. But then again I've met your Girlfriend and she seems to your pimp - she probably tells you what you'll listen to anyway when she rides in your car. To have the controls on her side will be convenient for her to dictate your playlist.

However, if you insist on getting this deck you shouldn't really worry about the radio settings.  You could call up Panasonic and ask them for a code to switch your radio over to NA frequencies.  I know Sony decks, walkmans, discmans, and MD players all have a code you can enter (a sequnce of button operations) to switch frequencies.  I don't see why Panasonic would waste money making a Jap/NA specific tuner and waste money in assembly and production costs.  I seriously doubt you will need to buy a converter.

Good luck in Japan - BTW while you're there please buy me some Japanese school-girl panties from a vending machine - I'm starting up a collection of em.

[YP5 Toronto]

I can always count on Dave to bring me an alternate perspective things, your points are duly noted. As for the MDs...I have had an MD player since the mid 90's and I have over 75 MDs and I want to be able to enjoy them in my car.

LOL @ at the GF stuff. Actually, she does take over the radio when she is in the car, but I don't mind.