honda odyssey lcd monitors made in china

2023-01-03 12:32:11

The sounds of shrieking and yelling in a car shouldn’t be normal for most people — unless you own a family van. But inside the eight-seat 2018 Honda Odyssey, the screaming didn’t come from young children fighting over headphones for the built-in TV monitor, or what movie to watch. The shriekers were my adult passengers, freaking out over a live camera feed of their faces displayed on the main infotainment screen.

In a world where we tape over our laptop cameras and wonder if our smart home speakers are actively listening even when they’re not called upon, it’s no surprise that some people are averse to any potential form of surveillance. Interior-facing cameras are typically found in police cars or taxi cabs — not personal vehicles. To be fair, none of those vehicles are also designed to be family friendly, so in my brief week with the Odyssey, I started wondering if constant monitoring is just something we’re conditioning people to get accustomed to from a young age.

Let’s backtrack and talk about the screen itself. The 2018 Honda Odyssey’s main infotainment display has been entirely refreshed from last year’s model, as the company has moved from its own HondaLink system to a faster, updated version built on Android Lollipop. The 8-inch display looks and feels like a mounted tablet, with right-aligned Home and Return buttons and large icons on the screen for you to swipe through. There’s a horizontal status bar across the top that also lets you add shortcuts to your most frequented menu items, such as Maps, Radio, or Android Auto. The HD display is crisp and clear, with bright colors differentiating each menu icon.

But, like most tablets, the glossy surface also means the screen is prone to messy fingerprint smears. The Odyssey’s screen is so shiny that every touch retains the grease from your fingertip, making it difficult to glance at when driving on a sunny day.

Thankfully, this problem is mitigated by the secondary screen ahead of the wheel. Most entry-level cars use this screen to display additional information, such as remaining fuel, current song, or your Bluetooth-paired phone’s recently dialed numbers. The Odyssey’s secondary screen, like many newer, higher-end model cars, offers turn-by-turn directions ahead of the wheel, so you don’t have to shift your eyes to the right or listen to the Odyssey’s awful robot voice. You can also use buttons on the wheel to switch between Honda’s system and Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, or even change the audio from whatever is playing on the radio to whatever your passengers are watching / listening to on the back TV screen.

There are apps for older audiences, too, including Epix and Spotify, which come preinstalled in the Odyssey. I was unable to find parental controls or password protection for adult content for these apps, meaning kids could easily access content not meant for their eyes and ears. Shortly after the Odyssey came on the market, some drivers noticed that the Epix app failed to remove an Erotic section, offering backseat passengers a library of sexually explicit content. Honda has since updated the software to remove this category, but kids might still be able to stream expletive-laden songs on Spotify. The week I drove the Odyssey, Lil Yachty’s Teenage Emotionshad just dropped, so it was the first thing I clicked on after the app loaded. (The chorus to Yachty’s opening song, “Like a Star,” goes: “I"d rather do it than say and I done did it all before / I done had sex with six different whores at the same time on they grandmother"s back porch.”)

To note, these streaming apps only work if you’re opting to pay for the monthly AT&T 4G LTE service offered for the Odyssey Touring and Elite models, so beyond parental controls, you’ll also need to consider the additional charge on top of upgrading to the most premium tier.

The last “display” technically associated with the Odyssey is the accompanying CabinControl smartphone app, which lets you adjust temperature, make TV screen selections, or collaborate with other passengers in the car to create a “social playlist.” I mostly avoided the app; it was just easier to use the wheel’s buttons to control the car. Also, the color selections in the app’s UI are downright atrocious. See for yourself below:

The 2018 Odyssey does away with a traditional gear stick (or even a rotational dial) and replaces the shift system with buttons, which makes the car feel even more like a rolling computer. The D / S button takes center stage, and color-coordinated lights around the button indicate which gear has been selected. To avoid accidentally picking reverse, Honda has cleverly designed the button so it works more like a lateral trigger; you have to tug down rather than tap to make that selection.

As mentioned before, the infotainment system is based on Android Lollipop, which means Honda is still on its own for a voice-activated assistant. Unfortunately, this means the entire voice experience is absolutely terrible.

First, to activate voice command, you press a button on the right side of the wheel. Standard. Except doing so brings up a screechy chirp sound that startled 100 percent of passengers who took a spin in my Odyssey. (All eight people from test drives jolted out of their seats or audibly yelped upon hearing it.) Honda’s voice assistant is also difficult to use: it sounds robotic and monotone, and would often mishear my commands. With Honda’s Garmin-powered satellite system, a request for an address in Brooklyn brought up a destination in Kansas, which would make sense if there were exact addresses there, too, but the numbers and street names were entirely off — regardless of which person in the car spoke the command. Even if it heard the correct address, I would have at least expected the Odyssey to use its GPS location to prioritize results closer to my current spot if I didn’t specify a city or state. Other voice commands, such as adjusting the temperature, also contained so many steps that you’re better off just reaching over a few inches and adjusting things manually.

Which finally brings us to the Odyssey’s latest tech feature: CabinWatch. (Even the word watch is in the name!) Tapping this allows you to get a look at the second passenger row, or switch to a bird’s-eye view to peek at the third. There’s also an accompanying CabinTalk button, which acts like a PA system, which you can use to talk to backseat riders if they’re using headphones to watch the rear screen. It’s like piloting your own airplane... on land. CabinTalk stops the audio from whatever is playing on the speakers and lets you make your announcement. It only works well when the riders are wearing their Odyssey headphones while watching the backseat TV screen, however; otherwise, the sound echoes, so you’re better off with the OG route: yelling. (Note: the car does not come with enough headphones to accommodate all six backseat passengers.) CabinTalk only has a microphone built into the driver’s seat, so passengers can’t respond back without also yelling. Sorry, kids. You’re only meant to be seen, not heard.

Will families find CabinWatch genuinely useful? Ahead of receiving the Odyssey, I read an article about a mother who witnessed her daughter attempting to strangle her infant sister in the rear mirror. If I saw something like that in HD display, I’d probably crash my car. Most of us would hope to never be in that situation, but it feels potentially distracting to literally watch your children’s behavior while you’re driving. Once my passengers got over the screaming, they actually thought it was funny to see themselves on the screen — but with so many other entertainment features already built into the car, this one feels unintended. For now, the good thing is that the camera doesn’t save any video; even though the car comes with built-in apps, is connected to Wi-Fi on the road, and has a live camera feed, none of the footage goes anywhere, but stays within the Odyssey. With always-watching cameras like Google Clips promising the same local storage, I reckon companies will find it difficult for customers to come around and trust that the device won’t get hacked altogether if it seems like the components to get footages and sounds online are present. Let’s pray that connected cars aren’t the 2018 botnet.

In many ways, the 2018 refresh of the Odyssey makes it feel much more like a computer than most cars on the road. But for me, some of the best features aren’t technological at all. They’re things like the Magic Slide configuration that gives you more options for rearranging seats, and the built-in vacuum cleaner in the trunk. If you’re looking to buy this car for your family, my hunch says these will likely be the most valuable features for you, too.

Interior design:The Honda Odyssey has a roomy design with neat middle row configurations, so you can move the seats around to fit longer pieces of furniture or sports equipment, or separate the two middle row passengers, allowing more personal space. Even the last row offered comfortable leg room, but I wouldn’t recommend more than two adults in the back on longer trips.

Mic check: Avoid the built-in voice assistant and opt for Android Auto or Apple CarPlay where you can. (Unless you don’t mind training your ears to ignore the high-pitched chirp when activating the Honda bot.)

Package deal: If you really want CabinWatch and in-car Wi-Fi, you’ll need to upgrade to the Touring model of the Odyssey, which starts at the MSRP of $44,510. Bumping up to the $46,670 Touring Elite gets you heated and ventilated front seats, the Qi wireless charger in the center console, and an 11-speaker audio system.

AWD: It’s not offered on this year’s model. Honda claims adding it would “compromise the interior” by needing to raise the vehicle and cut into the functionality inside the car.

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Dongfeng-Honda chose social media for unveiling the first pictures of the updated Elysion minivan for China, which is a sister model of the JDM-spec Honda Odyssey that is sold in other international markets too and is unrelated to the bigger, North American market Odyssey. Like its predecessor, the facelifted Elysion will be built in China by Dongfeng, with the official launch scheduled later this month.

The Elysion nameplate was originally introduced in Japan for a minivan closely related to the Odyssey, which then became available in China starting from 2012. In 2015, Honda launched the second-generation Elysion which is getting a facelift this year including styling and mechanical tweaks.

The addition of the e:HEV badge on the tailgate means that the facelifted Elysion will incorporate Honda’s latest hybrid system, although it remains unknown if it is related to the i-MMD sport hybrid system used by its predecessor. The automaker is using the e:HEV badge for its entire range of electrified models across the world, like in totally unrelated and smaller Honda Step WGN that was recently teased in Japan, or the Honda Jazz which is already available in Europe.

Similar to the strategy followed by other automakers, Chinese buyers have the option between the Honda Elysion manufactured by Dongfeng, or the Honda Odyssey built by Guangzhou.

honda odyssey lcd monitors made in china

The chrome door trim is a stylish accent that adds a finishing touch to your Odyssey. It’s made of high-quality material for long-lasting durability, and designed specifically for your Odyssey so the fit and finish are exact.

The Odyssey offers premium features throughout the cabin, like Magic Slide® 2nd-row seats and an available hands-free access power tailgate, to help you load up the family and all your gear with ease.

A 7-inch digital Driver Information Interface displays customizable information, including Honda Sensing® indicators, phone calls and select app controls.

With a one-motion 60/40 split 3rd-row Magic Seat® and available Magic Slide® 2nd-row seats, the Odyssey offers plenty of ways to make space for more cargo* while still allowing room for passengers.

A 7-inch digital Driver Information Interface displays customizable information, including Honda Sensing® indicators, phone calls and select app controls.

With a one-motion 60/40 split 3rd-row Magic Seat® and available Magic Slide® 2nd-row seats, the Odyssey offers plenty of ways to make space for more cargo* while still allowing room for passengers.

The Odyssey was designed with a host of smart features for the whole family. Tap into your smartphone with the available Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration,* and enjoy playlists together through the available 11-speaker premium audio system.

Enjoy available wireless streaming capabilities, including audio and entertainment system updates, by turning your Odyssey into a Wi-Fi® hotspot* with a data plan from AT&T. Learn more about data plans here.

The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™* uses offline maps, so you’ll always be able to find your way even in areas without a cell-phone signal. In addition to directions, it also features lane guidance to help you prepare for upcoming turns.

With USB ports in the front, center console, and second and third rows of the Odyssey, you can plug in and charge up to five compatible digital devices.

The 2023 Odyssey adds extra peace of mind for parents with the rear seat reminder.* If you open one of the rear doors at the start of your drive, you’ll then get a visual alert after you park and turn off the ignition, reminding you to check for rear-seat passengers.

The Odyssey features a 280-horsepower,* direct-injected engine that not only provides brisk acceleration and passing power, but also offers impressively fuel efficiency.*

With USB ports in the front, center console, and second and third rows of the Odyssey, you can plug in and charge up to five compatible digital devices.

The Odyssey features a 280-horsepower,* direct-injected engine that not only provides brisk acceleration and passing power, but also offers impressively fuel efficiency.*

Honda Sensing® is a suite of safety and assistance features designed to make driving easier and help protect you and your passengers. When activated, these features use sensor inputs to automatically provide alerts, and can also provide steering and braking assistance as needed.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow* is an intelligent cruising system that adapts to the speed of vehicles detected ahead so you don’t have to. When a detected vehicle slows to a stop, it can stop your Honda as well. After stopping, a tap on the throttle re-engages ACC.

The Odyssey combines engaging performance with a spacious interior and extensive safety features, delivering an overall value that helped it to be named the 2022 Best Minivan for the Money by U.S. News & World Report.

The 2022 Odyssey was named Best Minivan for Families by U.S. News & World Report due, in part, to its ample cargo and passenger space, excellent safety ratings and available family-friendly features.

The 2022 Odyssey has been awarded the coveted 2022 TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in recognition of its superior crash-safety performance. The Odyssey is the first minivan to achieve such a distinction.

We’re proud to announce that the 2022 Odyssey has received a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score—the highest rating possible—from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).*

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NOTE: Information in this document is preliminary, subject to change without notice, and intended for media use--not for consumers. For final information, visit automobiles.honda.com.

Honda"s most advanced family-friendly entertainment and connectivity technology is engineered into the new Odyssey. Available features include an all-new 8-inch capacitive touchscreen Display Audio connectivity interface with a new, Honda-developed, Android-based operating system, new customizable app tiles and shortcuts and more powerful voice recognition engine. Integrated with Display Audio, the new Odyssey features both Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™ compatibility for the first time.

Odyssey is also the first Honda model to feature Over-The-Air System Updates for its Display Audio and Rear Entertainment Systems. Software updates issued by Honda can be downloaded by the customer using any Wi-Fi connection – at home, on the road or at their Honda dealer. Updates can also be downloaded via USB in the vehicle, or through the available built-in 4G LTE cellular connection.

The Odyssey"s Display Audio system also enables simplified smartphone connectivity and offers available 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity. A new 10.2-inch, ceiling-mounted Rear Entertainment System with DVD, CD and Blu-ray™ disc capability is also available. New for 2018, the system can play content that is streamed from the available in-vehicle 4G LTE capability or using the customer"s smartphone and data plan (as a hotspot). And for maximum family connectivity the Odyssey sports an array of ports and plugs for a wide range of electronic devices, including up to three USB ports, all with 2.5-amp charging capacity.

Odyssey EX-L N/R and higher trims also feature a new embedded, Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ developed in cooperation with Garmin® featuring more detailed three-dimensional mapping, turn-by-turn directions that appear in the main instrument display and detailed traffic information.

The Odyssey LX has a standard 150-watt AM/FM radio audio system with seven speakers including a subwoofer and a USB port6 to allow the connection of other compatible devices. The audio system has a 5-inch (diagonal) display screen and conventional knobs and buttons to control the various functions.

The all-new Display Audio system standard in the 2018 Odyssey EX, EX-L, EX-L NR, Touring and Elite is the most advanced system ever offered by Honda. The 8-inch touchscreen lets you swipe, tap and pinch – just like on a tablet or smartphone – to control the vehicle"s audio system, display settings and other advanced features. The intuitive and easy-to-use system has a simplified menu structure, customizable shortcuts for commonly used features and customizable app locations. On the EX, EX-L, EX-L NR and Touring trims, the 150-watt audio system has seven speakers including a subwoofer. The Elite trim gets an 550-watt system with 11 speakers including a subwoofer.

The Odyssey"s Display Audio system offers greater capability than any previous Honda system, with AM/FM, HD Radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and HondaLink content among the many available content channels. Odyssey trims with the Rear Entertainment System (RES) can play CDs in the same drive that plays DVDs and Blu Ray media as well.

The EX-L NR, Touring and Elite include Display Audio with a fully integrated and fully featured Garmin-developed Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with continuously updated traffic information.

Utilizing a new Honda-developed operating system built upon Android, the Odyssey"s Display Audio is also easily updatable and upgradeable. An update can be downloaded to a USB stick, via Wi-Fi from any available network, or for those opting for the Odyssey"s data plan, directly to the head unit via available 4G LTE if the Odyssey has an active data plan.

Odyssey Elite features Multi-Zone Audio, which allows the driver to quickly and easily alter the listening environment in the vehicle. By using the Display Audio touchscreen, the driver can select among four zones: Driver Only, Front Only, Rear Only and Full Vehicle. Multi-Zone Audio eliminates the need to manually adjust Balance and Fader controls in an effort to achieve similar results. "Front Only" mode is automatically chosen when the Rear Entertainment System is on.

Odyssey Touring and Elite models feature an embedded Telematics Control Unit (TCU) that provides an AT&T 4G LTE connection inside the vehicle. The system includes a 90-day/3GB (whichever comes first) free trial, followed by a customer-paid subscription plan. With a better antenna than in typical smartphones, the system often offers superior reception. The Wi-Fi network can support up to seven devices, and enables "Smart TV" style streaming of select video content to the Rear Entertainment System (RES), in addition to streaming from compatible Android devices to the RES. Users can also choose to utilize their compatible smartphone and data plan as a Wi-Fi hotspot to stream content.

Odyssey EX models and above offer standard Apple CarPlay compatibility. By connecting the iPhone to the car using the phone"s USB cable (supplied with the phone) and the Odyssey"s USB data port, CarPlay features can be accessed.

CarPlay takes the most popular functions and features of the user"s compatible iPhone and puts them on the Odyssey"s Display Audio touchscreen display. You can get directions, send and receive messages, listen to audio books and music, all in a way that allows you to stay more focused on the road. CarPlay features Siri voice control and is specially designed for typical driving scenarios. It also works with the Odyssey"s controls – both on the audio touchscreen and the steering-wheel mounted controls, so you don"t need to pick up your phone.

Odyssey EX models and above offer standard Android Auto compatibility. By connecting a compatible Android phone to the car using the phone"s USB cable (supplied with the phone) and the Odyssey"s USB data port, the Android Auto platform is enabled.

Android Auto puts some of your phone"s most useful Apps on the Odyssey"s audio display. You can get directions, send and receive messages, listen to audio books and music, all without the need to pick up your phone. Android Auto works with the Odyssey"s controls – both on the audio touchscreen and the steering wheel-mounted controls – so it"s simple and intuitive to use.

Android Auto"s voice control is specially designed for typical driving scenarios. A curated selection of available Android Auto apps is designed for use in the Odyssey, and are designed to help minimize the potential for driver distraction.

The Display Audio system with next generation HondaLink allows the customer"s digital lifestyle to seamlessly integrate with the car and provides access to a world of cloud-based information. The all-new application-based platform connects customers to online content both inside and outside the car. The connection between the system and the user"s smartphone is made through the Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® wireless interface. A HondaLink phone app provides convenient access for many services including location searches, local weather, messaging, Maintenance Minder alerts, service scheduling by phone, and access to the vehicle Owners Guide.

Adding another new premium feature, Odyssey EX and above integrate Apple"s Siri Eyes Free mode. Compatible iPhone® users will be able to operate Siri through familiar voice commands by pressing and holding the TALK button on the steering wheel when their iPhone is paired via Bluetooth®. Using Eyes Free mode, Siri takes hands-free functionality even further and helps to minimize the potential for distraction by keeping the iOS device"s screen from lighting up.

The Odyssey EX and above trims have a standard SMS text message function that can read incoming texts aloud over the audio system, and allow the driver to reply with any of six factory-preset messages. The system works with SMS-capable cell phones utilizing Blackberry or Android operating systems that have an active data plan and the Message Access Profile (MAP) and others. Apple iPhone models do not support this feature, but Siri Eyes Free Mode (iPhone 5, 6 and 7 at time of launch) offers the ability to initiate, hear and respond to text messages via voice commands.

Once a compatible phone is paired with the Odyssey"s Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® system, the user can enable the text messaging function. When the phone receives a text message, an alert appears on the audio touchscreen. Using the touchscreen, the driver can choose to have the message read aloud, can select among the preset reply choices, or can call the sender – all without touching the phone.

The Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® interface is designed to offer hands-free operation for many Bluetooth®-enabled mobile telephones. Standard on all Odyssey models, the system wirelessly connects the driver"s cell phone to the vehicle"s audio system. This allows the driver to make or answer cell phone calls without removing hands from the steering wheel. The system is compatible with Bluetooth®-enabled cell phones that have the Hands Free Profile (HFP). A list of compatible phones can be found at handsfreelink.com or honda.com.

Standard on the Odyssey EX-L NR, Touring and Elite, the integrated Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System uses GPS technology to provide drivers with turn-by-turn guidance to their chosen destination. This all-new navigation system, developed in cooperation with Garmin, offers many improvements, including enhanced graphics, speed limit display, customized vehicle icons, 3D buildings and terrain, turn-by-turn directions displayed in the instrument cluster and more. The system includes free map database updates for up to 5 years (initial purchase plus one yearly update each year for 4 years). The system includes the HD Digital Traffic feature, which alerts the driver to current traffic conditions and can display alternate routes around gridlock. It features expanded coverage including many surface streets within the U.S., allowing the driver to choose faster, less congested routes. HD Digital Traffic is subscription-free.

The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System uses GPS in combination with detailed information from the vehicle"s mapping system to pinpoint the vehicle"s location and to provide a host of useful mapping and route guidance features. The system"s antenna receives positioning information from a network of 24 global positioning satellites. If the antenna is obstructed by a tunnel, a parking garage or a tall building, an internal gyroscopic system and a speed sensor track the location of the vehicle so that the map information remains current and reliable. The vehicle clock is independently controlled by GPS data, so when time zones are crossed while driving, the clock will automatically set itself to the current time.

The Odyssey"s available state-of-the-art, factory-integrated Rear Entertainment System (RES) is all new and features a 10.2-inch WSVGA (1024x600) display that swings down from the ceiling for easy viewing with low glare and better second- and third-row viewing.

The Rear Entertainment System can play audio via the Odyssey"s speaker system, or through a pair of included wireless headphones. Two additional headphone jacks are also provided.

The Rear Entertainment System includes a fun, kid friendly, puppet themed "How Much Farther?" app. It functions as a "flight tracker," with a colorful on-screen animated marionette play that counts down time and distance to the destination that has been set into the Odyssey"s navigation system. Multiple backgrounds with animation give the app a fun feel that"s engaging for children.

With up to eight passengers aboard, in the Odyssey, connectivity is key. Based on trim level, the Odyssey has an expanding complement of connectivity features.

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