New Car Stereo Or Old Car Stereo – Which One to Choose?
A little about the car audio system
One of the favorite pastimes of people is to listen to music in their leisure hours. This habit will always be an integral part of human soul. With the progress of the technology, audio systems have come up a long way and has segregated into various forms and functionalities. Among them, one of the most amazing forms of audio systems produced was the car audio player, which derived a lot of popularity in its coming years.
Initially when invented, it was known as car audio player but later with modernization it came to be known as car stereo system and it eventually became a vital section of car accessory.
A stereo system is an immobile accessory that is fitted into your car either by the manufacturer of the car or separately by the owner. In recent times, the new car comes along with a fitted mobile stereo in it and all other components that are required to enhance the performance of the car stereo like integrated car speakers, car video, improved amplifiers, CD player and other related gadgets. These parts are built particularly keeping in mind the design of the car as well the audio system.
The demand of the car stereo players are on the rise and there is a tough competition in the market among the various car audio manufacturers and now the home audio manufacturers also have stepped down so as to meet the needs of the customers. The competition has pulled down the price of the car audio and mobile stereo speakers and the manufacturers have to constantly upgrade their products to keep up pace with other competitors.
Comparison between Old and new car stereo
Here is a list of differences between the old car audio and the new car stereo system will give you a great picture of development in this particular field.
Earlier, the car audio systems were not pre-installed in the car but had to be installed separately by the owner but the latest cars are mostly coming with an inbuilt car stereo as well as other enhanced accessories.
Before, the audio systems of the cars were battery operated and did not really run for long. It did not perform well under extreme temperatures and used to tremble inside the car disturbing the joy of the ride. Much later, car stereo was enhanced and came in the size of the dashboard which fitted in well and also had two stereo speakers attached in the front to give a better experience.
Earlier the audio systems could play only audio cassettes along with radio. The sound quality was not great as there were no additional enhancements and was less durable also compared to the new car audio players which produces better quality sound along with FM, MP3 and even pre-installed car video for the ultimate joy ride. These stereo systems are much durable and can be played for long hours without any trouble.
The new car stereos are much portable compared to the old car audio systems and they include amazing features like DVD player, LCD display and an additional space called the memory to store unlimited amount of songs. You can now also insert a Micro SD card or a flash drive into the car stereo player, and listen to your favorite track list while you are enjoying the drive.
The quality of the car speakers is much improved and superior in comparison with old speaker systems. The sound effect of the car stereo is after all improvised by these speakers to produce rich digital sound that does not disturb your ears but soothes them.
For personal experience you can even add stereo headphones or Bluetooth headsets, which were impossible to even think with the old car stereo players. However, remember that these are against the law and extremely dangerous.
Car stereo players today are a class apart from what they were. You can enjoy a whole lot of functions with these new devices.
By: Danielle Sage
About the Author:
Writing is my life and I love it. I write a lot of Articles and Blogs to relay all of my Experience about Car Stereos. To know more about other quality electronic gadgets and equipments Click Here.
Benefits of a Bluetooth Car Audio System
If you have ever been frustrated by the lack of connection between the electrics in your car or thought that things could be simpler somehow, then getting a Bluetooth car audio system might make you feel better. Bluetooth, as we all know from our phones and wireless headsets, allows short distance communication between electronic items. In terms of car stereos, this means that you can link your mp3 player, phone or even your lap top to your stereo, making things a lot simpler.
Car Audio systems often suffer from the problem that transferring music into them can be difficult or time consuming. Even the traditional CDs and the older cassettes take up a lot of space that could be used for other purposes and it is often nicer to listen to what you want, when you want to, rather than be at the mercy of radio DJs.
iPods and mp3 players require adaptors and possibly complicated rewiring of certain parts in order to plug them in; it is the same with USBs. This leads to trailing cables that can easily get in your way or tangled up in each other.
Bluetooth car stereos eliminate the issues of in car phone calls by transferring all your contacts onto the display and even, in some cases, reading out the names so you do not even need to look away from the road. They automatically mute the music in order to put calls through without you having to touch your phone. The technology is simple to use and efficient.
If your mp3 player does not have Bluetooth though, it is not a huge problem. Most Bluetooth stereo systems will have a jack ready for connection with mp3 players and iPods. This means that you do not need complicated adaptors, just simple linking cables. Or, if you prefer, there are Bluetooth adaptors that can be plugged into devices to link them up.
The beauty of a Bluetooth stereo is that everything is centralised in the dashboard so you do not need to mess around with five different things and you can switch easily from one to another through the car audio system.
By: Rachel Lawrence
About the Author:
If you think that a Bluetooth car audio system could make your life easier, then head over to http://www.caraudiowarehouse.co.uk and have a look at their range of car audio equipment and solutions.
Essentials of a Car Stereo
A car stereo is a basic requirement of a vehicle. Vehicles without stereos are considered old and outdated. One considers the weight of his pocket and the kind of music he wants to listen to, this guides his decision on the car stereo equipment to purchase.
There are many reasons why one would want to buy this equipment; to install it if it’s a new car, to replace the old radio with a CD, to upgrade an old car sub woofers, to power the old sub woofers and if one wants to increase the bass or soften the sound.
The car stereo equipment gives different options for your car. If you want to spend less, go for LCD display and ignore screen savers and flashy animations. A CD deck power up the old speakers, this is necessary when you want to replace the radio. An old car needs servicing, speaker sets help to boost the old speakers. An Mp3 CD player helps you to play downloaded music from the your computer.
Ensure your deck has 50w/ROMS to power it, sub woofer and amplifier to improve the bass, they should be connected in parallel circuit to improve the sound. The amplifier should be stronger than the sub woofer to prevent blowing. The Internet provides thorough information on car stereos, this helps you get all relevant information and where to purchase the equipment. Car stereos are pocket friendly, come in different sizes and gives many options making it available for all calibers. If you are still not sure about the essentials of a car stereo even with all this information, you should visit your local car stereo supply stores for clarification.
By: Peter Gitundu
About the Author:
Peter Gitundu Creates Interesting And Thought Provoking Content on Car Stereo. For More Information, Read More Of His Articles Here CAR STEREO If You Enjoyed This Article, Make Sure You SUBSCRIBE TO MY RSS FEED!
Car Audio – From Your Computer to Your Car – Part 2 – Connecting Your Mp3 Player
Once you have made sure your audio files can be played on your car stereo system, you have a choice of ways to transfer the files over. There are several solutions available. Your mp3 player or iPod can be connected with a cable or wirelessly via FM signals or Bluetooth.
Connecting your iPod or mp3 player to your car audio system is relatively simple, if you have the correct equipment. Auxiliary input cables are readily available on the internet and in car audio stores and they are relatively cheap. However, these only work if your stereo system has a built in iPod jack, which looks similar to a headphone jack. There are more complex cables available for connection as well, if your stereo does not have a direct jack. In these cases, most leads to connect mp3 players into your car are brand specific, meaning you will have to know what you are looking for.
An alternative is to use an FM transmitter to wirelessly transmit the music from your iPod to the nearest FM radio: your car stereo. This, again, requires you to buy an FM transmitter suitable for your iPod or mp3 player. One flaw with this method is that sound quality can suffer, but if you have not got a specific iPod jack in your audio system, then this is one of the easier ways to listen to your music files in your car.
A similar idea, but with higher quality output, is a car stereo with Bluetooth, which is gaining popularity. Just like with your phone, a Bluetooth car stereo can connect with other electrical items in your car that also have Bluetooth. This can include mp3 players, making it possible to easily connect your audio system to your mp3 player with no fiddly pieces of equipment or extras. Of course, this does require both pieces of equipment to have Bluetooth, which is rare. On the other hand, Bluetooth stereo systems can be purchased easily, and there are brand specific adapters available, not to mention that it can help integrate other electrical items in your car, not just your mp3 player.
The most complete option, if you are willing to spend a little more money, is to get a stereo system with mp3 player built in. This will still need to have an adapter cable or USB port but, with an internal hard-drive, files can be stored directly in your car, meaning you only have to transfer files once instead of every time you want to play them. This is the more expensive option but, if you are serious about your music, this might well be the way to go. All the quality and, once the files are uploaded, there is very little fuss and no trailing cables getting in the way.
By: Rachel Lawrence
About the Author:
For more information about mp3 players in cars and the brands and options available, have a look at http://www.caraudiowarehouse.co.uk.
The Car Audio Revolution is Here
Audio CDs are becoming obsolete. In the modern world the mp3 is the easiest, most convenient musical format. It’s impossible to walk down the road today without seeing someone listening to their iPod. It’s not difficult to understand why: thousands of mp3s can be stored in a minuscule amount of space and you can listen to them in any order you want or just hit shuffle. With a CD, if you want to listen to Led Zeppelin followed by the Beatles and then Lily Allen, you have to make your own mix, with mp3s all you have to do is set up a playlist.
It’s easy to see the benefits of having this sort of ability in your car. Let’s face it, long car journeys can be hell and a little music can make all the difference. Being able to plug your mp3 player into your car audio system could be a life-saver. Every member of the car can put on music they like and no one needs to be left out. This can also remove the disconnected atmosphere that comes when everyone is wearing their own earphones. Who knows, you might even discover shared music tastes or even find a new favourite song.
A high proportion of new cars are now iPod compatible, but you’re not going to buy a new car just for the audio system. It is a lot cheaper and simpler to adapt and update your current system. More and more solutions to this problem are becoming available, even for older car models.
Sound quality can vary with different products and you need to pay attention to the brand of your car stereo system, but prices start at under
Consider the In Dash Car DVD Player For Your Car
If you drive a lot and are looking for an alternative to your standard stereo system, an in-dash car DVD player may be a great solution for you. There is no harm in adding another source of entertainment while traveling, and an in-dash DVD player is certainly something to consider.
If you have children you want to entertain, you may want to look at other options as in-dash DVD players are not intended for use while driving. The players do have other features, however, that can be used while driving. Most in-dash players require replacing the existing stereo system, so they will also read CDs and MP3 discs. One important thing to consider though, is that these players do not usually have AM/FM radio included but rather provide satellite radio. So broadcast radio is not an option.
There are basically two types of in-dash DVD players. One is the factory installed model that comes brand new with the car. Usually considered premium accessories, these are often installed in a car instead of a stereo system. The other type is the after-market installed player. These are installed after the car’s purchase and usually include the removal of the car’s original stereo system. It is important to consider this option as installation is usually considered an alteration of the vehicles electrical system and could possibly void the car’s warranty.
When considering an in-dash car DVD player, there are also benefits. For older cars that have no CD, MP3 or iPOD options, in-dash players can provide a cost-effective solution. The DVD player is nice for those who have to drive long distances by offering a welcome break when stopping to rest.
If you have weighed all the options and choose this type of car DVD player, cost will be an important factor in which one you end up buying. There are a wide variety of players to choose from with costs ranging from under $100.00 to $400.00 or more. The choice comes down to what features you want as well as what brand you want. Name brands like JVC cost more than lesser known brands. It depends on what you’re looking for.
If you decide you want to upgrade to a DVD system in your car, and you consider the varieties of players available, the in-dash car DVD player could be the solution you want at a price you can afford.
By: Andy Brock
About the Author:
A car DVD player can provide hours of entertainment for those long family trips and an in-dash car DVD player is an excellent choice for the audio-video enthusiast in you.
Car DVD Player Mysteries – What is Steering Wheel Control?
Many people treat their vehicles as an extension of their own personalities.
They’re taking their cars and installing a number of aftermarket accessories in addition to the options and standard equipment that come with a car nowadays.
One of these is the car DVD player and it’s an extremely versatile device. Taking a look at the question “Car DVD player mysteries: What is steering wheel control,” is worth examining, if only to figure out just what player to purchase.
To start, many vehicles today come straight from the factory with controls on their steering wheels that can handle a variety of functions, including climate control and radio tuner control.
These are mainly convenience devices and can help a person keep his or her eyes on the road rather than glancing over to the dashboard control stack, which is one of the main reasons other than convenience for why they might be on the wheel.
Today’s car DVD players – at least the top-end ones – can come with a way to add the ability to control an aftermarket car DVD player with existing steering wheel controls already on just about any car regardless of whether or not the car was wired for controls in the first place.
They do this through the use of simple adapter devices and interface controllers and the dedicated do-it-yourself, who’s willing to go online and learn a few things, can pretty much install his or her own player and newly-adapted steering controls relatively simply.
The level of interaction that a person can engage in with a steering wheel control and a car DVD player is impressive. Making use of special wiring harnesses that go between the player and the control adapters is usually how everything’s accomplished, and the fact that almost everything is now controlled through use of infrared (IR) makes it all the easier to do.
In effect, whatever controls are already on the steering wheel will be able to be utilized through the pre-existing controllers on the wheel.
For example, if your vehicle features volume, band (AM/FM etc.), station or source controls, and you’ve got the right kind of harness and adapter for your specific vehicle (and aftermarket manufacturers make devices that can work in just about any vehicle these days), then you should be good to go and able to use your new car DVD player will relative ease.
Almost every car maker has a number of vehicles in their lineups that feature steering wheel controls, so just go online and check the Internet to see what vehicles are offering them as either standard or optional equipment.
So keep in mind; in addition to the whiz-band player you’ll have bought you’re also going to need an adapter if you hope to control some of your player’s features from the steering wheel controls.
A number of well-known aftermarket accessory equipment makers offer adapter devices online. Just go online and enter in the phrase “steering wheel control interface” or something similar and then pick from among a number of such devices, all of which normally run around $75.00 in price. So then; if you’re considering going for a car DVD player, don’t worry about not being able to use pre-existing steering wheel controls because the chance are good that you’ll in fact be able to.
By: Rose Li
About the Author:
Get the car DVD player that has steering wheel control. Click on the Chinavasion.com link above or paste this URL into your browser: http://www.chinavasion.com/index.php/cName/car-dvd-players/
Types of Car Stereos
Have you ever had a ride in a car that had no music and you felt like you were in a boring world of your own? This should never be the case for you especially if you are planning on covering a long distance. Boredom kills! And your answer to this is a car stereo for your comfy car. Regardless of one’s age, music is always like medicine to the soul.
One thing to note is that not all types of car stereos will be relevant for your vehicle and for that reason you need to be really aware of the features that you are looking for in this gadget. Just to mention a few of them, you might want to consider buying one that has a CD deck with a built in pre amp if you are considering using old speakers.
A stereo that is MP3 readable will prove very much helpful if you will constantly need to burn music from your computer and listen to it on your car system. Sub woofers should also prove helpful in enhancing the bass and general quality of the music. Buy them in a complete set for better quality. In addition, it could have a class-D amplifier to go together with the sub woofer.
Do you know what makes some stereos quite expensive and un affordable? Well then, I will tell you. It is the unnecessary features like the animations and screen savers that are not really essential for the device to function. If you can select one that does not have these things and compare it to one that has them, then you will find that you will be able to save a lot of money that can be utilized elsewhere.
By: Peter Gitundu
About the Author:
Peter Gitundu Creates Interesting And Thought Provoking Content on Car Stereo. For More Information, Read More Of His Articles Here CAR STEREO If You Enjoyed This Article, Make Sure You SUBSCRIBE TO MY RSS FEED!
Custom Car Stereo Installations
Custom car stereo Installations should be done with caution for best results. It is therefore important that you look around for a company that can handle this bit without much hassle. This in many cases will depend on the type of stereo that you want to install in your car. For a clue, you could look for a company that sells custom car stereos and also does the installation for its customers.
As you look around for car stereo explore all the available options and do not settle for anything less than the best even if it means having to pay a little bit more than what you expected. This you can do by checking out in many different companies and finding out what their terms and conditions are. If this proves to be cumbersome or time consuming for you, the Internet might just do the trick for you. Here you can visit various web sites and see which companies deal with custom car stereo installations. Probably you can check out other people’s opinions on the same.
Once you are satisfied with a particular company’s performance, you can go out and buy the custom car stereo and go to the company you choose to have the installation done. Make sure that you have all the specifications right to suit your car and your tastes. Afterward, keep a record of the store you bought the various parts from and that of the company that did the custom car stereo installations for you. They may just come in handy the next time you need to upgrade your system.
By: Peter Gitundu
About the Author:
Peter Gitundu Creates Interesting And Thought Provoking Content on Car Audio. For More Information, Read More Of His Articles Here CAR AUDIO ACCESSORIES If You Enjoyed This Article, Make Sure You SUBSCRIBE TO MY RSS FEED!
The Rise of the MP3 Player But Not the Death of the CD
If you are looking into getting a new stereo system for your car, you might be worried with all the talk of car mp3 players that by updating your stereo system you will have to abandon your CDs. Although it is true that cassette players were completely replaced by CD players in car stereos, as tapes were replaced by CDs themselves, this is not happening in the same way with mp3 car stereos.
When choosing a car stereo today it is not a choice between listening to mp3s or your older CDs. You do not need to think that you are being old-fashioned if you want to buy a system with a CD player, nor do you have to worry about that stereo being out of date in a few years. Most of the modern stereo systems available in shops today integrate both CDs and mp3s.
CD-Rs and CD-RWs are, after all, one of the ways of transferring mp3 tracks to your car and the designers of stereos take this into account. So, if you don’t fancy transferring all your CDs onto an mp3 player, or you are unsure about how to work with the mp3 format, you don’t need to worry. A joint mp3/CD player is easy to find and could be exactly what you need.
Installing a joint CD and mp3 player in your car means you can listen to the CDs you want and, if you have an mp3 player as well (or you know someone who does), then, using a simple cable connection, you can plug that player directly into your dashboard.
You can move with the times without abandoning the music you love or having to fuss over converting files. There is no need to worry about seeming out of date or being confused by the ins and outs of mp3s.
By: Rachel Lawrence
About the Author:
So, if you want or need a new car stereo, do not be daunted by in- car mp3 players, the CD is not gone yet. Take a look at http://www.caraudiowarehouse.co.uk to see a range of CD/mp3 players available, from brands including Sony, Alpine and Blaupunkt.
Do Your Car DVD Players Have Illegal Software Installed?
Anybody who sells China car DVD players online, either through eBay or one of the eBay alternatives, or through their own online store knows what a cash cow it is.
But could there be a problem with the GPS car DVD players that they are selling?
There aren’t many electronics that don’t come from China these days and China-branded electronics always come at a cheaper price than comparable brand name products.
Essentially, if you buy something like a brand name automotive DVD player then there’s a good chance half of the price that you’re shelling out is for the name itself.
Take, for example a 2DIN car DVD with touchscreen. A brand name unit will set you back approximately 600 dollars US while something similar from a China brand supplier won’t even cost you 240 US dollars.
Both come with the same warranties and features. The only difference is the name.
That’s some price on a name.
It’s unfortunate then that GPS car DVD players come bundled with a really big problem which will leave your customers stranded and customs officials asking you some fairly big questions.
Some of the car DVD players with GPS from China are sold with cracked or sample software.
What is worse is that some of the more unscrupulous online suppliers are a little reluctant to tell their customers that when it comes to GPS software they aren’t getting the real thing.
This is a massive problem for anybody who buys these car DVDs as they can often be left stranded by software because they are unable to download updates or find themselves without it when they need it most.
It is bad for your business to sell illegal software.
You to can feel the ill effects of inadvertently selling products with cracked software.
Not only are you going to have to deal with angry customers who are left in the lurch because they can’t update their GPS software you will have to deal with a whole lot of bad PR. You might even find yourself facing a lawsuit to boot.
So how do you find out if your supplier is sending you car DVD players with cracked GPS software?
Essentially you should only buy GPS-ready car DVD players from a supplier who offers a 12 month warranty and Quality Control check to protect you and your customers from cracked software.
However if you think you, or your customer has gotten a car DVD with cracked GPS software, just email software’s serial number to the software provider’s customer service department to make sure that you have indeed got the real thing.
Remember, your supplier’s reputation and customer service is crucial to your reputation and customer service so don’t be afraid to make sure that you are really getting the GPS software you are promised.
Your customers will thank you for it.
By: Rose Li
About the Author:
See some GPS car DVD players that won’t let you down. Come to China wholesale dropship supplier Chinavasion.com or paste this link into your address bar http://www.chinavasion.com/index.php/cName/car-dvd-players/
Install Your Car Stereo Yourself
If you have little cash but want a better sounding stereo system in your vehicle, installing a stereo yourself can save you a tremendous amount of money. It is relatively easy to install a new CD player or radio in your car, especially if you have had any experience in wiring or electronics.
The standard car stereo system is installed in the dash; therefore, this article will provide the steps necessary to complete this task. Custom or modified vehicles will require a different set of instructions for stereo installation. For this task you will need a new car stereo or CD player (which is also called a head unit), wire strippers, electrical tape, a screwdriver set, and wire cutters. You will also need a guide outlining how to remove your dash panel and how to adequately remove the old stereo system without causing any damage. By following these simple steps, you will be enjoying your new stereo in no time!
1) Buy a new stereo system. Purchase one that fits properly where your old one was located. In addition, when purchasing a stereo you might wish to get a specific wiring harness which is specific for your new stereo and your vehicle’s make and model. Wiring harnesses make the whole wiring job a snap, literally.
2) Make sure the engine is turned off. Disconnect the negative (black) battery cable. Never work on any part of your car’s electrical system with the battery connected, as the electrical shock could be fatal.
3) According to your manual, remove the dash panel surrounding your stereo. Unscrew and remove your old stereo (head) unit. On the back of the unit there will either be a batch of individual wires or one single plug connecting a lot of wires. If you find a whole bunch of wires, do not take them apart just yet. You will need to do them one at a time in a few moments in order to avoid confusion.
4) Wiring can be connected manually or with the wiring harness. If you have a wiring harness do step 5, then skip to step 9. If you do not have a wiring harness, skip step 5, and follow steps 6 through 8.
5) Plug your new wiring harness into the connector, if you were able to purchase one. This wiring harness will then plug into the backside of your new car stereo. If you were able to do this, then you can skip steps 6-8.
6) You will need to connect each of the wires manually if you did not buy a wiring harness. Connect positive wires from each of your speakers to positive connectors on the backside of your stereo first. Next, connect negative wires from each of your speakers to negative connectors on the stereo. If you find only one wire coming from each speaker this means that they have been grounded at the chassis. If this is the case, new speaker wiring must be installed.
7) Connect the -/black (ground) wire on the stereo to a bolt or ***** near where the stereo is mounted within the dash. This attachment must be made to metal, not fiberglass or plastic.
Connect both +/red ignition power wires and the 12 constant wires to the new radio. Refer to the installation manual for correct placement of these wires.9) You should now have a single connecter which is can be hooked to the proper wires in your vehicle, either through the new connection made in steps 6-8 or from your wiring harness.
10) Slide the new stereo into your mounting bracket, which should have been included with purchase. In some cases, you may need to use your old bracket from your original stereo.
11) Plug the wiring harness connector into the backside of your new radio or CD player. You should see one, single wire hanging unaccounted for, coming from your old system. This wire is your antenna. Plug this wire into your new stereo unit. You may also see a power antenna wire, which must be connected as well.
12) Slide the stereo into dash slot. Test it before screwing it in. Reconnect your battery cable. Start your engine to power up the stereo. Turn on some music and listen for the performance of each speaker. If everything seems to be working well, ***** your stereo into place and replace your dash cover.
By: Bond Mejeh
About the Author:
Bond Mejeh produces automotive related articles for Quick Cash Auto, a cash for cars service. Quick Cash Auto not only buys pre-owned vehicles of any year, make or model, but they also provide numerous articles about vehicle repair and automotive news.
Please visit http://www.QuickCashAuto.com for more information and be sure to check out our automotive blog.
