I have test driven the 2005 Prius and was not really excited about the quality of the display screen . I was wondering if anyone has seen the 2006 display screen. Is it any different, and have they improved the quality at all?? Thanks
:blink: What didn't you like? It's a display screen for giving the drive info, not a High Def TV. Heck, it's not even a regular TV. For what it displays, I think it's perfectly fine. I'll also add - it probably could be a better display, but since it is standard in all packages, I'm sure they wanted to keep costs down.
You should see the screen in the 2006 Lexus IS250/IS350. Visit your local Lexus dealer and check out the screen. It has 32K colors and higher resolution. From everything that has been reported about the 2006 Prius Navigation, the 2006 Prius will be getting this screen. Here's a picture of the Lexus screen: http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm/newsi.../1/lexus/1.html
Okay... Now I am REALLY envious. That is GORGEOUS!! Gotta hand it to Toyota. They really know how to make a car.
Yeah, that screen is really impressive. It appears to be a 16 x 9 aspect ratio. From what I remember of the 2006 pics, the MFD still appears to be standard 4 x 3. I wonder if this is an indication that the Prius will NOT have the same nav system or screen as the Lexus shown above.
The aspect ratio (shape) is the same. The Lexus does have a higher resolution and a deeper color palette. That's to be expected. After all, Prius got some goodies before even any Lexus in the past. I do find it absolutely fascinating that quality of the Multi-Display has become a purchase factor. Some vehicles still have tiny low-resolution screens that aren't even touch-sensitive. And get this, some don't even have a Multi-Display!
Well, there are not too many pictures floating around of the 2006, but if you look at the screen in this picture.... http://hybridcars.about.com/od/photogaller...iusphotos_7.htm It sure appears to be the 16 X 9 widescreen view... the picture is not too closeup, but maybe it is the updated one? Here is another http://img298.imageshack.us/my.php?image=06priusdash3di.jpg And maybe thebest one yet: http://www.forbesautos.com/gallery/2006/to...slide=12&play=t Make sure you play with the zoom function on this one and you can really pull in the screen nicely! Even toyotas site looks like 16 X 9? http://www.toyota.com/prius/interior.html Is it updated to reflect the 2006? Here is the 2005 http://cars.about.com/od/toyota/fr/05_toyo_prius.htm I dont see "any" that appear as the 4 X 3 aspect? Are you sure that is the difference that determines whether the screen is updated or not?
Who knows really. But even if it were the same aspect (4 X 3), can the display still be updated for better quality? Or is that the 16 X 9? Im no expert.
Even if it could display both the increased colors and the resolution, it probably doesn't have the Processor or RAM to handle the animation... just like PCs in ages past. As for aspect, I think I'm an expert... having taken so many Multi-Display photos. The aspect is: 16 x 9.7
Perhaps this info on the 2006 gives a hint to screen quality in the new car? "The optional voice-activated DVD GPS (Global Positioning System) Navigation system is the most sophisticated yet. It offers increased map quality, over 32,000 colors..." Henrik
In some other threads, we have decided that the MFD is now higher-quality and will look very similar to (if not the same as) the Lexus model.
Groovy baby!.. I hope your right.... its admittedly true they have improved the voice features.. the other may be in with the package also?
I had an av input installed so that I can plug my iriver into my Prius. This input also allows for a portable dvd player to be viewed on the mfd. I also have a tv tuner in my car as part of the nav system. I must say that the picture quality is pretty 'gol 'dang 'darn good for the "control panel" of a car. Clear, crisp, and detailed. And fingerprints wipe off easily...!
That sounds pretty cool alright. Although I hope you don't actually watch tv while you're driving. If you do, then I'm glad you're over there instead of on the roads here! :lol:
Agreed that a screen with greater resolution, and more colors, will require more CPU horsepower. We know from the Toyota press release that the 2006 Nav unit will offer "...increased map quality, over 32,000 colors, an ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) display, a route tracer function, voice recognition street address search functions that allow you to enter a destination while driving, and can now be set to operate in English, French, or Spanish languages." All of that will require more CPU MIPs. From the looks of the following press release (http://www.denso.co.jp/en/newsreleases/050912-01.html), Denso has developed just that. It even has a 3D graphics capability in it. Why? Because the Japanese Nav market is now evolving to 3D maps with buildings, etc. to help the driver orient themselves even better in the city. That apparently might happen here eventually, albeit somewhat slower (yikes, I just read about this online 2 days ago, and I can't find the link -- to many related topics on Google). Given that the feature set improvement of the Lexus Nav unit that has been highlighted, and the corresponding new features in the 2006 Prius, they are likely the same. Of course, we won't know for some time until the 2006 cars get here, and some info shows up on them at the techinfo.toyota.com site. [Has anyone tried to access that in the past few days? It has been real flaky -- looks like they are doing an upgrade on it tonight...] I agree that it is interesting that the Nav unit technology (or even the generic MFD display resolution) might be a selling point. But, this car does attract people for the very reason that its a vehicle for Toyota to show off some of their higher tech features (among other reasons). Here's an interesting question... If we know from the 2006 press release that the '06 nav units have higher res maps with more color, I wonder if that same screen is being used for the MFD for non-nav Prii? Most likely, it will be if the cost is reasonable.
Are you planning to turn the Prius into a movie theatre? I'm not impressed by pretty pictures if the content is bad. I mean, if the map steers you wrong is it important that it looked good when it did? That may not happen, but will the map show anything like a 3-D view? Sorry, but it just seems to me to be an example of Creeping Meatballism.
