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Screen resolution of CDR vs. CDR-Plus / PCM

13K views 33 replies 15 participants last post by  donv 
#1 ·
Is the screen resolution the same across all the head unit options?

In the Porsche literature it always says simply "7-inch screen" for the base CDR system where the other systems (CDR Plus, PCM) "high definition" is always used as well. I can't tell if this is just marketing text, or if the higher end units have a higher pixel density. I haven't been able to find an answer to this yet.
 
#2 ·
Like all the little details everybody sweats when they build their order, it matters to them. While I have no interest in PCM, CDR-Plus is under consideration and this is simply something not very clear from the printed text or website.

Let's keep the replies helpful, if possible.

:cheers:
 
#3 ·
Let's keep the replies helpful, if possible.
I ignored that guy the first day I came back here. He needs to get a life.

That was a great question man, and hopefully somebody can answer it for you. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a difference due to the module, not the screen itself. Does Porsche have a 'tech support' line to ask those kinds of questions? Due to the lack of cars with Burmester, for instance, it'd also be great to at least have technical data on each audio system, from frequency response from head unit and speakers, to distortion. To at least compare how better one is over the other on paper.

Consider this a bump :cheers:. Curious on the answer too. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
 
#8 · (Edited)
I'd bet that as long as Bose is one of the options, you'll never see any actual specs.
Great point. And now that I remember, I can tell you why :D. Replaced the 'Bose' rear speakers on my '12 Corvette, and they're the worst POS I've ever seen. All cheap cardboard paper with a magnet the size of a quarter; not even a paper tweeter man. Made in China, of course. And yes, they had a 'Bose' sticker. I'd be embarrassed to do that if I was Bose, but that tells you it's all about the money. I laugh when they say 'each car is individually tuned'; yeah, right. I expect the Bose system to be better on the Porsche, but after seeing that POS speaker, Bose lost all credibility with me. At least the coaxial speakers I installed sound much better than the others, meaning the speaker was the 'weak link'. Car sounds mroe balanced now, but still on the crappy side. Maybe other 'premium' systems are like that too, but it's just wrong to charge a premium when you're not improving the speakers. Maybe other 'premium' systems are also like that; who knows.
 
#5 ·
There is a difference in the screens and you are correct, it's the pixel density. The hi-res 7inch screen has the similar/same pixel density to the display in the gauge cluster. The lower res 7 inch display (standard) has a more 'grainy' display. I don't have specs for you, but there is a considerable difference in the displays if that is important to you.

With that said I have a base cayman with the standard display and a handful of options and I'm a happy camper. I do wish the hi-res display was standard even if it raised the base price.

Hope that helps.
 
#10 ·
There is a difference in the screens and you are correct, it's the pixel density. The hi-res 7inch screen has the similar/same pixel density to the display in the gauge cluster. The lower res 7 inch display (standard) has a more 'grainy' display. I don't have specs for you, but there is a considerable difference in the displays if that is important to you.
I have the base PCM and the display is of significantly lower density than the MFD (I can see the individual pixels on the PCM display). It's interesting because I got once a Cayenne loaner and it was the other way around.
 
#7 ·
don't know the resolution of the CDR unit, but the CDR-Plus/PCM is WVGA (800 x 480).

I have the CDR-Plus and the headunit is the same as the navigation unit minus the nav module. The unit still has the maps & Navi buttons.
 
#9 ·
The bigger question is without nav, why is a higher res screen needed? I guess if CDR plus shows album artwork it might be helpful? Otherwise the base screen does not show anything requiring hi res
 
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#14 ·
The reason CDR+ uses the higher resolution screen is because it comes by default with the PCM unit (without navigation module); the PCM head unit is required to provide controls for the USB port (and display album art) - and, in the UK, the DAB module that comes with CDR+ (and, I presume the Sirius controls for the US). The standard CDR unit has no facilities to control DAB/Sirius or the USB port.
 
#17 ·
I found the CDR+ configuration to be markedly worse than the Bose set up; the CDR+ was flat and focussed wholly on the centre front - with no backfill, because there are no rear speakers. Moreover, despite playing with the balance, the sound remained screen bound.
 
#20 ·
I found the CDR+ configuration to be markedly worse than the Bose set up; the CDR+ was flat and focussed wholly on the centre front - with no backfill, because there are no rear speakers. Moreover, despite playing with the balance, the sound remained screen bound.
????

I think you're confused. The only difference in speaker count between CDR+ and Bose is the subwoofer: from the Porsche website: "The optional CDR Plus provides you with 9 loudspeakers and has a total output of 235 watts." That's four in the doors, four in the rear hatch area, and one in the dash center.

Are you referring to the base CDR system? That's the one that only has front door speakers......
 
#21 · (Edited)
No, not confusing it at all! It says 9 speakers, but there are only 7 and no sub-woofer in the 981 Boxster CDR+ UK configuration! The Sound Package Plus speaker configurations is installed as part of the CDR+ package; however, 9 speakers are provided in the Cayman with Sound Package Plus.

When finalising the specification of my BS, I had much correspondence with Porsche GB - and even they couldn't provide a definitive configuration for the CDR+!

The best people to answer CDR+ related questions are, I suggest, those who have it installed in their cars.
 
#22 ·
I found the CDR+ configuration to be markedly worse than the Bose set up; the CDR+ was flat and focussed wholly on the centre front - with no backfill, because there are no rear speakers. Moreover, despite playing with the balance, the sound remained screen bound.
From what I was told by numerous other owners, the CDR+ does not have a fader control unless you order bose.

I wanted rear speakers, and a fader, so I got bose and sirius as stand alone options.

The only real attraction of CDR+ is some differences in how trip info is displayed and the USB interface for ipod use and album artwork.
 
#24 ·
The PCM is 800x480. I'm replacing my PCM with an iPad mini Retina and it's going to be 2048x1536. Ultra high definition. ;)
 
#26 ·
So does the difference in resolution between CDR and CDR+ mean a difference in menu options, listings, etc., or is it pretty much just a dots per inch difference? What I mean is, are there some settings or selections missing because of the reduced resolution, or are all menus the same (except for the features that require CDR+ of course).

Would anyone be able to post a photo of his or her base CDR screen? I'd just like to make sure it does not look extremely low resolution.

Thanks!
 
#31 ·
Thanks for the photos. Ironically I was able to visit a dealership today where they had one car on the lot with the standard/base CDR. I meant to take photos but forgot in the rush. The base CDR cars are fairly hard to find as dealers seem to equip most cars with the PCM these days. The sales advisor told me they do this because a car without navigation can often be a deal breaker. As far as I can tell the 2015 911s come with navigation as standard. I'm guessing the 981s will soon too.

The CDR isn't nearly as bad as I had imagined. It looks like the general graphics and layout are similar and that they didn't have to redesign the fonts and images to make them work with the lower resolution. It looks like they applied some soft edges to try to hide the jaggedness. It certainly is a noticeable difference but not entirely different. As for images of CDR+/PCM, I think you can look online as all of the media online seem to display the higher resolution screens.
 
#33 ·
I doubt Porsche will add anything as "standard" especially when people have gotten used to pay for everything including centre wheel caps.
The dealer probably pre-specced it and included it in the final price.
Maybe I'm wrong and Porsche is getting soft [emoji6]


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