The only difference is that instead of a LED hanging out the front you have a lead plugged in the back. As you don't have to muck around with positioning of an LED I'd say it is easier.

I have a Sony HU with hardwired DCI. Just be careful; not all Sonys take the wired remote.

 

it is the exact same process as using an IR DCI, except that instead of wiring an IR LED to hang out in front of the stereo, you plug a minijack (like a pair of headphones) into the back of your radio, that's it!

 

Love the DCI w/ my alpine HU. Definitely take the extra time to wire in the speed sensitive volume feature. That right there is practically worth the cost of the unit to me. It's great for top-down. Also spend the extra $$ for the wiring harness.

 

Just a note to anyone leaning towards the wired version of the DCI but not sure about buying Sony or Pioneer.

A wired DCI for Alpine should be available by end of September, maybe earlier. I think the Alpines from 9851 on up have the wired input and it has the same functions as the IR remote. (Unlike silly JVC that only does volume, mute, and source on the wired input - Lame! ) I wouldn't want you to buy your second-choice HU just to get the wired input, only to have me release another wired choice next week.

Anyone interested in using a current-version DCI to control their lame JVC via the wired input can do it easily. Get a 3.5mm stereo plug and wire the TIP of the plug to the IR emitter negative wire (the one next to the black wire on the DCI harness). Only connect the one wire to the stereo plug. This will NOT work for Alpine head units, so don't go blowing up your Alpine and then complain to me about it.

I may be able to do a conversion for older Alpine DCI's to enable them to work on a wired input Alpine HU. Nominal charge of course

.