Real metal face / Biolite display / three-color illumination
Here is the command center for the AlpineF#1Status system – the DVI-9990 DVD digital transport head unit. The sleek, elegant design of the panel lends a luxurious, high-class feel to the dashboard, and exudes an atmosphere of true excellence. The solid aluminum knob and the all-aluminum front panel reflect the superior quality, technological sophistication and expert craftsmanship that are hallmarks of Alpine and the AlpineF#1Status line. The unit features a bright, high-resolution BioLite display that uses biochemical luminescence technology to provide outstandingly clear visibility and high contrast – whatever the lighting conditions in the vehicle, from direct sunlight to total darkness.
The color of the panel button illumination can even be selected (green, amber or blue) to match the vehicle dashboard lighting -– or match your mood. All in all, the elegant appearance of the DVI-9990 lets you and your passengers know how special the AlpineF#1Status system truly is.
IONBUS
In designing the AlpineF#1Status system, we paid particularly close attention to creating an ideal signal transmission interface, one that would allow comprehensive control from a central, convenient location – that is, the driver’s seat. With its signal purity and accuracy, the newly developed IONBUS data bus transmits digital signals a blazing speed of 40 kbps – more than 1,300 times faster than the conventional Ai-NET interface. Various system functions and the operating environment itself have been greatly enhanced by the ultra-high speed and completely noiseless signal transmission.
The main features are:
- Digital audio transmission
By keeping all signals in the digital realm, IONBUS effectively eliminates any possible degradation in sound quality, especially in comparison to the analog transmission of the conventional Ai-NET interface. Instead of optical fiber, the system uses copper cable which not only optimizes transmission accuracy but allows all data (audio, control, etc.) to be carried on the same high-speed line – for ease and convenience in system connection.
All connectors are identical regardless of input or output, since data routing is handled by the interior circuitry. This directionless capacity makes it easy to expand your system and add new components to the chain at any time.
The high-capacity, multiple-signal, broadband connection ensures compatibility even with media that is yet to be developed and functions/features that are coming in the future.
With the head unit increasingly taking on the role of system command, the use of IONBUS provides an unprecedented degree of central control. Moreover, the benefits of the ultra-high-speed digital bus include not only better sound quality but total insulation from electrical noise in the car.
DVD-Audio Link / IONBUS
Since this system features complete separation between the digital transport and D/A converter for ultimate accuracy, maintaining the highest fidelity digital connection between the two devices is of paramount importance. The AlpineF#1Status system utilizes FireWire (IEEE1394) technology, the international standard for digital signal transmission. The DVI-9990 is unique in the industry in that it delivers full-spec digital transmission of DVD-Audio data between the head unit and the processor (or DAC processor) at 24-bit/192kHz. Only after being processed as full-resolution digital data in the D/A converter and the Multimedia Manager, is the signal then converted from digital to analog. As a result, the signal remains clear and pure in its digital form all the way to the amplifiers.
A 6-layer PCB for the DVD-Audio Link circuit and black copper chassis cover completely eliminate any digital noise generated in the process – specifically the increased high frequency noise due to the high-resolution, high sampling capacity – ensuring the purest, most accurate sound possible.
Newly developed mechanism / Black finish mechanism / Black finish mechanism cover
The AlpineF#1Status system takes a major step up in quality by completely separating the DVD/CD player, or what we call the ‘digital transport’ head unit, and the D/A converter. We have developed a high quality DVD drive mechanism to extract the digital signal on the disc with the highest accuracy and transmit it in its purest form – minus all distortion – to the D/A converter. Non-reflective black paint has been applied to virtually all parts of the drive mechanism in order to eliminate jitter distortion caused by scattered reflections of the laser, which would otherwise adversely affect the time characteristics of the digital signal. We designed everything in black, even the inside of the circuit board, to reduce optical noise to its absolute minimum.
Also, by covering the drive mechanism with a sealed, airtight container, dust and other minute particles that could interfere with operation are completely blocked out, ensuring the highest performance and long-term reliability. For the circuit, we’ve applied a four-layer copper through-board design with our original S.T.A.R. circuit to realize ideal circuit patterns and optimum part layout and thus minimize noise interference. The MPEG decoding circuit utilizes a series regulator to provide stable, high power under low voltage (9V), and ensure the highest quality audio reproduction from the demanding DVD-Audio format.
24-bit digital filter / High-precision GIC low-pass filter / Four-layer PCB with S.T.A.R. circuit
Alpine’s quest for quality permeates every single component of the AlpineF#1Status system – and the absolute best in car-audio technology and materials are used in it. Our PXI-H990 Multimedia Manager utilizes the most advanced technology available – no other manufacturer comes close – from its primary digital circuitry to the final analog stage. This system also boasts a 24-bit digital filter with 8-times oversampling that ensures the highest accuracy in digital-to-analog conversion. In the final analog stage, a high-precision GIC (generalized impedance converter) low-pass filter reduces the risk of harmful noise generation and eliminates noise even in non-audible frequency ranges – far better than that of conventional 8x oversampling low-pass filters. The result is exceptional accuracy and depth in the sound.
A high-precision, high-performance I/V converter uses an op-amp to convert the DAC output current to a voltage-level signal (over 4 volts). Thanks to this high-output design, the need for extra boost circuits – which would amplify noise – is minimized, thus ensuring that the final output is absolutely pure and clean.
As with the DVI-9990, we’ve applied a four-layer circuit board with S.T.A.R. circuitry for all stages. This design lowers the impedance of the power supply for less noise. One of the four layers serves as the circuit ground, and features an original S.T.A.R. circuit of Alpine design with added grounding to optimize the circuitry scheme and patterning to reduce mutual interference within the circuit, delivering high-speed audio transmission.
