Has anybody installed a cheap TV tuner to the A/V inputs of the Z1? I've read that the TV reception is poor while driving so I don't want to spend $300 for the Pioneer unit. I am considering on getting a cheap (~$100) tuner that I can use while sitting in a parking at times when I have to wait for someone. Here is a website that offers a few: http://www.carstereoexpo.com/mobiletvtuners.html

I'd also be very interested in reviews of "value" tv tuners. It'd be a great addition, just can't justify the price tag pioneer wants.

I don't know, I may be in the minority here, but this is a luxury item. A nice to have if you will. Certainly not a necessity. At some point if you look to drop the price down too much, why not just walk into Wal-mart and buy a small portable B&W TV for $9.99? The kind with a 12V DC adapter and just plug that in and watch it while you wait in the parking lot. If you want an invisible integrated TV tuner that meshes well with the AVIC-Z1, then go with the real accessory. :D The MSRP of $349 is steep. I will admit that. However, you can find them for as little as $239 from reputable places from time to time. Assuming a lesser quality tuner to be at least $120 bucks, what are you really saving if you need to buy two of them (because the first one is crap and dies prematurely)?

I'm just looking for reviews for cheaper tv tuners that would work. If I had $240, I probably still wouldn't buy the pioneer one just because it isn't a necessity, however, the one's from XO Vision are $60- $70. I would jump on that bandwagon. Just cheking to see if I can find any reviews before I do.

I have a real problem paying for purposely overpriced items. I'm sure the economy of scale has something to do with it but we've been making TV tuners for decades, it's not rocket science.

I just can't help looking at a 32" TV and knowing I could get one for the same price as this little tuner circuit board. This is especially absurd since the most expensive thing on a TV is the tube, circuits are cheap by comparison.

The only way I could swallow $350 for a TV tuner is if it were HD but it isn't even that. SDTV tuner circuits should cost $50 with $100 being a reasonable inflation of the price but $350 is obscene.

Look for the GEX-P7000TV on eBay. I picked mine up with cables for $65 shipped, and I saw another one without cables go for $21.

I was able to get it to work on my D1 despite its lacking an AV-BUS output. I'm pretty sure if it works with the D1, it should work with the Z1 as well. It's a little more complicated than just plug & play, but the wiring is minor.
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