Oil insurance is a sector which covers a wide range of activities pertaining to the oil and energy industries.

Some insurance companies specialize only in petroleum companies’ insurance management, whereas in some others, the oil industry is only a portion of their clients’ portfolios. Specialized oil insurance companies however have access to a bigger market share and thus may provide numerous and advanced insurance programs which might not be available at a general insurance provider.

Cargo insurance is usually the most sought after kind of insurance for the oil sector. Such kinds of insurance premiums cover the vehicle and contents of tanks or cargo. Premiums can also cover items like third party pollution on a sudden or accidental basis, as well as spill response, environmental response and others relative claims. Under some premiums, driver training can also be secured, and spill response courses are taught.

Such insurance transactions are mostly done in the traditional underwriting methods. However, with the event of the Internet, some oil insurance companies have gone online and provide web sites and portals where insurance transactions and claims can be handled 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, from all over the world. These sites are however underwritten by specialized insurance firms. It in turn drastically reduces costs and response time between claims and settlement, since everything is handled in a no-paper, electronically-secure environment. Certificates and other necessary documents are available at a fraction of the time they would have taken in the traditional route.

Oil insurance can also pertain to insuring of oil rigs and wells, as well as the whole oil drilling business. Rigs and wells insurance holds a market cap value for insurance. However, this aspect of the oil insurance industry has undergone some changes and alterations after the event of hurricanes Katrina and Rita a few years back. Recent amendments in the guidelines of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) have also altered the set-up for oil industry insurance, especially where the syndication of insurance in overseas countries is concerned. This was done in an effort to boost indigenous participation in the gas and oil industry.

In the realm of car audio, the possibilities are endless. There are hundreds of brands and thousands of products out there. Majestic Modifications would like to help restore some order to the chaos of building your system. Lets look at some of the components that make up a car audio system.

The Head Unit

The Head Unit is the brains of the operation. Without this component, your car audio system can't and won't work. The head unit is the central processing device in the system. The head unit controls all the functions in your car audio system. Music too loud? Turn down the volume. Too soft? Turn it up. Want more bass? Add bass input. In addition to volume, bass, etc., the head unit may contain other systems within its casing. These include: tuner, cassette, equalizer, CD or amplifier.

You see, in a home music system, where you have much more room, many stereo setups will include a separate box for each one of these components -- CD, cassette, etc. You may have a home system like that yourself. In a car, with its space limitations, these components are often crammed into one box -- the head unit. This depends upon a number of factors, such as heat, space, cosmetic design and other concerns, and every car is different.

The Amplifier

All car audio systems have an amplifier, even if it's a small one. Occasionally the amplifier will be attached to the rear of the head unit; however, in most systems it is hidden elsewhere in the car to better dissipate heat. Signal amplification is actually a two-stage process, handled by two separate components. These are the preamplifier and the power amplifier.

The preamplifier (preamp, for short) is a very tiny signal coming directly from the head unit. Whether it's reproducing a cassette signal, a CD signal, or an FM broadcast, the preamp puts out a signal that the amplifier can use. This is where the power amplifier takes over. It's the power amp's job to take the signal from the preamp and boost it into the audible range. We'll cover this in more depth in our Amplifier column in this series. Again, because of heat, most amplifiers are located away from the head unit.

The Speakers

The speakers take the boosted signal from the power amp and create sound waves. Essentially, speakers transform electrical energy (the amplified signal) into mechanical energy (the motion of the speaker cone). For now, know that all sound is vibration, which is a chain of frequencies in the air that eventually vibrate the membranes in your eardrums. Sound energy is measured in wavelengths, known as hertz, with the audible range falling between 20 to 20,000 cycles. A cycle is the distance from the top of one wavelength to the top of the next.

There are three types of speakers that produce sounds across the audible spectrum: woofers, tweeters and midrange drivers. As the name implies, the woofer reproduces the lower frequencies. The tweeter, also aptly named, replicates the highest register. The midrange handles the frequencies in between.

Auxiliary Input Devices

Components such as CD changers and equalizers, not to mention cell phones, navigation systems, MP3 players and many of the newer technologies, interface with the head unit for amplification and signal processing.

With a little knowledge of car audio components, it's time to start searching for your own car audio system!

You might have spent quite a reasonable sum on your car audio equipment. But have you given some thought to protecting your investment? Yes, you may say. After all, you have a comprehensive car insurance policy in place. But does that really protect your investment completely? Not really! You can take other steps to ensure you protect yourself from loss especially if yours are high end aftermarket audio equipment...

A security system is a must if you've spent any reasonable sum on your car audio system. These security systems come in different shapes and shades. You can easily find one that fits into your budget. But wait a minute, if you've spent a few thousand dollars on getting the "bestest" in audio equipment, it certainly won't hurt if you spend a tiny percent to get a solid security system.

As you shop for your security system, ask if the manufacturer provides any form of incentive for using their brand. A number of them will at least cover part of your deductible (That is the amount you must pay from your pocket before the insurance company pays your claims).

Also make sure you don't attract thieves to your audio equipment. There are certain designs that conceal or camouflage what you have inside. And, please, don't put flashy stickers on your car. I am told that they are almost equivalent to telling thieving rats that there's something in your car they'll like to pick.

Remember to lock your car doors. I know it sounds stupid but believe it or not a lot of folks lose their valuable equipment just because they forgot to lock their car doors. Don't be in such a hurry that you forget to double check.

Now back to an insurance policy that will take care of you: A comprehensive cover will do just fine if all you've got is your factory-fitted system. However, if you have customized things a bit or just replaced your factory head unit with a high end custom stereo then you'll do well to take an additional policy (a rider) just to cover that.

Does this mean you'll have to spend some extra after your regular car insurance? It depends! If you learn how to make considerable savings in your car insurance, you can use just a part of it to take a rider. It's easy and something everyone can do. Furthermore, it doesn't involve so much time investment but can result in savings of up to $1000.

If you have spent any considerable amount on your car audio equipment, then you need to make sure you are not making this common and costly mistake...

Not taking precautions that will either reduce the likelihood of a loss or protect yourself if such a loss happens. This loss can result from a crash, vandalism, theft or fire.

Some people can invest a lot on high end car audio equipment. Such people will look for the best way to install such audio units. They will look at all the options open to them. They will make sure they get the best bargains. But they'll not take out time to consider how they'll protect those units.

The reality only dawns on them when something happens: An accident that ruins such equipment or an outright theft. They rush to their insurance companies only to be told that they are not covered. It's then they realize they should have done a number of things in the first place. Before it happens to you, here are things you should do...

1) Get a good security system especially those that have visual deterrents. Such deterrents are good because they discourage thieves from even attempting to steal.

2) Pack your car in a well-lit area.

3) And, get a car insurance policy that will cover your car audio equipment.

I will dwell on the third. While getting your car insurance, ask and check with your insurance company before you settle for a policy. Ensure it covers all that's very important to you. Also ensure that what you get is worth the premium you pay.

What is the liability limit of the policy? If your car audio system amounts to $7600 but your limit is $4000 then you are not properly covered. Make sure of this.

When you've done this well, then the question of who to insure with arises. This is very important as it can make so much difference in your bottom line. You can lose much. You can also save a lot -- Up to $1000 or more.

A lot of People lose their car audio equipment to thieving rats. This can be easily prevented or reduced if you'll do the following...

1) Get a good car security system. And when you do, make sure you activate it always. A lot of people are funny. They'll buy a good car security system but will often forget to use it.

2) Buy car audio units that have theft-deterrence systems. These come in different designs. There is certainly one out there that will suit your taste.

3) Pack your car in well-lit areas.

4) Avoid flashy stickers. They attract attention. You don't want to give thieves such "steal me" signals.

5) Remember to lock your car always.

6) While installing your car audio equipment, try to use screws that have uncommon heads. If you use standard screws, you make it easy for thieves. If you use, say, a hex-head, you make it much more difficult for thieves for the simple reason that they’re less likely to have such bits.

7) In spite of all these you may still lose your stuff. That's why you need to get a car insurance policy that also takes care of your car audio equipment completely. It's not just about getting a comprehensive plan. How comprehensive is your comprehensive policy? Read the fine lines and make sure you are truly covered. It's painful to discover later that your comprehensive policy does not cover your custom stereo.

Before I drop my pen I think you should know that getting a policy that covers your car stereo completely doesn't necessarily mean you have to spend much more than otherwise. There is a process that guarantees massive savings in car insurance. If you employ it you can save up to $1000. All you'll then do is use part of it for a rider to cover your car audio equipment if your policy doesn't cater for it.

While many of us may feel we have no control over the consumption of crude oil and how that will play out in the future, the fact is that we do have the ability to police our own personal usage and do something about that. Here are some ways that you can effectively curb your usage of petroleum products and thus make yourself less dependent on oil.

Employment options are perhaps more varied today than they have ever been. One continuing trend is finding a work at home situation. Many people are surprised at the range of work at home jobs these days. From administrative assistants to freelance web design and management to starting your own Internet based business, people are opting out of morning traffic and hour long commutes in order to work within their own space. A nice advantage of this is that you can cut your consumption of petroleum significantly with this type of working arrangement.

If telecommuting is not an option for you, then consider alternative ways to getting to and from work. Check out the public transportation program in your city. You may find that it will work very well for you. In some cases, a monthly pass that allows unlimited usage will cost you no more than a single tank of gas for your car. Cutting your crude oil future consumption by determining to use public transportation is both immediate and effective, not to mention good for the roadways and the revenue for your city.

Even changing your buying habits can help. Instead of driving across town to pick up a gallon of milk that is a few pennies cheaper, attach a basket to your bike and visit that locally owned grocery store that is three blocks away. Yes, you will pay more for the milk. You also will use significantly less gasoline. As a bonus, that locally owned grocery store probably purchases produce from local farmers, so you will also be supporting your own community when you purchase there.

There are many things one person can to do impact crude oil future consumption. Why not sit down with your family today and come up with some ways that all of you can work together to manage your use of this valuable resource?

One of the best things you can do for your car audio system is to properly tune it. There are several variables to consider when doing this, and I am going to walk to through the most important ones so you will have a good understanding of how to get the most "bang" for the buck from you system.

Assuming you have an amplified system with one or more subwoofers, you can dial in your system to give you the best sound and have the durability you want from it. It starts at the head unit. You want a head unit with a good, strong output signal, between 4 and 5 volts on its pre-outs. Audiophiles tell us that 2-3 volts of good clean signal is good too, but that will require a little more amplifier power to get the decibels we're looking for. You also want a head unit with an adjustable subwoofer level. Start by tuning the stereo without the subs on. Add your bass and treble until you get the desired sound with minimal distortion at the loudest volume setting you will listen to it at. This is generally about 2/3 max volume.

Once you are happy with the low/mid/high sound from the multi-range speakers, we can add in the subs. If applicable, tune the sub outputs to about 2/3 maximum, and head to the amp. Start at the amp and adjust the frequency and the level to minimum, and turn the volume up to the the same loudest point we were working with earlier. Pull your frequency to about half way, and slowly adjust the power level upwards. If you hit the zone you want, stay there. Keep in mind, this is only a safe adjusting technique with a speaker system that matches the power output of the amplifier. If you want more from your system, incrementally adjust the frequency down slightly with the increases in power level.

Your goal is to get a loud, clear bass from the subs that DOES NOT CLIP OUT under the loudest conditions you anticipate. If the amp clips out, then adjust the power level lower until it is back in the safe zone. Once the system is set where you want it, don't mess with it. Leave the levels on the head unit and the amp alone. The mistake I see with blown speakers and amps is trying to show them off with all the levels maxed out. This produces a lot of power at a high distortion level, which is damaging to the speakers and the amplifier. If you want a louder sound than what you have by tuning your system this way, it may be time to upgrade.

Keep these guidelines in mind when configuring your systems, and you should be able to build a car stereo system that will sound great and have great durability. Good Luck and stay TUNED!

While many of us may feel we have no control over the consumption of crude oil and how that will play out in the future, the fact is that we do have the ability to police our own personal usage and do something about that. Here are some ways that you can effectively curb your usage of petroleum products and thus make yourself less dependent on oil.

Employment options are perhaps more varied today than they have ever been. One continuing trend is finding a work at home situation. Many people are surprised at the range of work at home jobs these days. From administrative assistants to freelance web design and management to starting your own Internet based business, people are opting out of morning traffic and hour long commutes in order to work within their own space. A nice advantage of this is that you can cut your consumption of petroleum significantly with this type of working arrangement.

If telecommuting is not an option for you, then consider alternative ways to getting to and from work. Check out the public transportation program in your city. You may find that it will work very well for you. In some cases, a monthly pass that allows unlimited usage will cost you no more than a single tank of gas for your car. Cutting your crude oil future consumption by determining to use public transportation is both immediate and effective, not to mention good for the roadways and the revenue for your city.

Even changing your buying habits can help. Instead of driving across town to pick up a gallon of milk that is a few pennies cheaper, attach a basket to your bike and visit that locally owned grocery store that is three blocks away. Yes, you will pay more for the milk. You also will use significantly less gasoline. As a bonus, that locally owned grocery store probably purchases produce from local farmers, so you will also be supporting your own community when you purchase there.

There are many things one person can to do impact crude oil future consumption. Why not sit down with your family today and come up with some ways that all of you can work together to manage your use of this valuable resource?

Does your car stereo sound as good as your car look? Most likely not. Car stereos from the factory are the cheapest and lowest grade available because automobile manufacturers love to save money. The result is the auto sound system gets the end of the budget cut. Thanks to after market stereo products no one has to live with what is already installed.

Car stereos are really inexpensive and do not require a wealth of knowledge to replace. A great audio sound system can add value to any vehicle and make driving more of a pleasure. Listening to music can be more enjoyable when the sound is coming from a top rated stereo.

Not only do car stereos make songs sound better, but they are coming with many useful functions and even remote controls. Many offer input jacks for devices such as MP3 players, DVD and CD players. Just plug and play! Worried about theft? Not a problem, some car stereos even have removable face plates, so they can be taken off when exiting the vehicle.

Car stereo after market manufacturers produce a much better product than what car manufacturers can even think of making. Top companies like Pyle, Panasonic, Sony, and Jensen specialize in making great audio electronics for automobiles. Therefore, it only stands to reason that installing a new car stereo will give vehicles sound system top performance.

Installing a new stereo is not real complicated either. Most gear heads know it is simply a matter of pulling out the old one, pulling off the wires, then connecting the new stereo. Most wires are either labeled, or color coded for added convenience. There is good news for people who think they cannot install a new stereo, many local repair shops will do it fairly inexpensively.

Buying a new car stereo is a wise investment and not to mention can make your favorite songs sound better. Choosing what car stereo depends on the needs of the user. Many people love the convenience of a CD player and an MP3 jack, all of which can be controlled by the stereo, and many people are also adding DVD players to their vehicles. This can also be integrated into the stereo, so watching movies can also be heard through the autos sound system.

In 1973 the U.S. Department of Defence launched the Navstar GPS network. This consisted of 24 satellites orbiting the earth every 12 hours and five ground stations. This positioning system was made available for public use. With this capability, consumer location devices were produced to accurately determine location and other data such as current and average speed, directional heading, and elevation. These GPS devices need an unobstructed view of at least four satellites to provide a reliable 3D fix.

The GPS receiver overlays this location data onto map files stored on the unit, to give a current position on the map as well previous track. The receiver constantly recalculates position, giving real time position.

A typical GPS device contains:

* 12-channel receiver - the quality of the receiver determines how long it takes the device to acquire a 3D fix.
* Antenna to capture satellite signals - positioned to get a clear view of the sky.
* CPU to process the data and overlay on maps
* DVD Hard-drive - where maps on DVD's or available online are uploaded and stored. Some cheaper units do not upload the maps, but reference them off the DVD or CD.
* Display Screen - mostly color with handheld units using black and white
* Voice Interface - more advanced units

How The GPS Device Gets A Fix

The first time you start your GPS device, its data store is blank so needs a to collect satellite information to determine your position. This is known as a cold start. Some units only take 30 to 45 seconds to acquire a 3D fix during a cold start, while others can take several minutes. Subsequent position updates only take 3 to 4 seconds. If you go out of range from losing line of sight, such as passing behind a large building or through a tunnel, a good receiver will instantly recover, whereas weaker units will require more time to reacquire a 3D fix.

How Different GPS Navigation Units Differ

Location of Antenna - A factory installed in-dash unit antenna is integrated into the dashboard where it has an unobstructed view of the sky. Many portable models have a suction-cup-mounting device to position the device on the windshield. Add-on antennas are also available. Regardless of the type of unit and antenna, the important thing is to keep the antenna visible to the greatest area of sky possible. Choose a unit where this can be done AT THE SAME TIME as being able to maintain a clear view of the screen.

Screens and Display - important to check how bright these are, and if they are clearly visible from the mounted position in bright day light. Onboard navigation systems are generally color screens, and portable units are black and white to save power. Larger screens and integrate better with other vehicle electronics.

Input Buttons - most enroute buttons are on the display screen. Ensure these are easy to use when driving; that is they are big enough and colored sufficently to see without causing a driving hazard.

Map Media - Earlier models were CD-based, requiring multiple discs to cover the entire United States. Newer in-dash systems are DVD-based; only 1-2 DVD's required for an entire country of maps.

Cost - In-dash systems are usually more expensive than portable counterparts. Aftermarket in-dash models usually require professional installation and can be just as expensive as the factory models.

Upgrading - always check how easy it is to upgrade the firmware and maps on your GPS unit. Some units detach a portion to be connected to the computer via USB, whereas others are done using a DVD. Those units which can be upgraded online, are much more convenient.

Added Features of GPS Units

Apart from giving you a current position, a number of GPS navigation devices can give you:

* A track of where you have been - the number of tracks and waypoints stored varies from unit to unit. You may also want to save on part of a track for future use.
* A path from your current position to your destination
* Maintain commonly used navigation paths for reuse.
* Points of Interest - user sets the types of points of interest, such as tourist, bank ATM, petrol stations, historical, accommodation, restaurants etc.
* Real time traffic reporting to avoid traffic delays. This can also include road works.
* Voice recognition to receive destination instructions, and voice guidance to give driving instructions
* Weather updates
* Street name navigation - instead of just turn left 200m it was say 'Turn left into Stanley St'
* Integrated Multimedia players - MP3 players, image viewers, and audio books.
* Onboard or Portable GPS Navigation

The downside of onboard GPS Navigation units are susceptible to theft; and you cannot take them with you to use in other vehicles or when travelling abroad. Portable units, such as the Garmin StreetPilot 2720, can be used in multiple cars; being easily moved from car to car. Depending upon the power supply and portability, portable and handheld units can be taken when travelling or used on cycles, boats, private aircraft etc.

For more information on Go-Reviews.com Car Electronics Section.

I desire that the following article will help you to better understand this topic.

For the car fan there is nothing as satisfying as a car that has all of the cutting-edge accessories installed. With these various accessories you can get the premium service that you have always dreamed about. One item that many car owners want is a great look sound system. To find this you will sometimes need to go and see multiple car audio stores.

As this can sometimes be a hassle you can utilize the internet as a research mechanism. When you type in the words car audio stores your favorite search engine will showing many different pages that are filled with links that you can access. Going into these links will erupt the assorted car audios these stores have in stock. You can use their Warehouse or shop section to see the unlike car audio that you like.

Now even though you are initially going to do some explore the cyberspace may tempt you to buy some of their trade goods from these car audio stores. To void this you should know a few facts about different car audio systems. With this info you can get good items that will help your car audio to sound actually clear and nice.Once you have looked at the assorted car audios that you can bargain you should check out a few car sound reviews to see what other customers have to say about the another(a) car audios. Their comments can help you to nullify car audios that will give you many problems. These facts can actually come in handy at the assorted car audio stores that you will need to visit.

So what should you do once you reach these assorted car audio stores? Well the first thing that you should do is to browse the diverse systems that are available. You should find a sales Assistant who can help you out and answer various questions that you may have regarding the different car audios that you see. Among the many questions that you can ask should be the specifications of these car audios and the be range of each.You should wait until you have reached a few more car audio stores before you decide what types of car sound system you wan to have installed in your car. Once you have brought your car sound system all that remains is to follow the operating instructions and set up the system. As soon as the system is wholly fitted in you should give this new car audio a test run and delight the great sound poring into your car.

Thank you for Taking you time to read through this information if you’re concerned in gathering more knowledge please continue to search this site.

In the United Kingdom, a law has just been passed which forbids drivers to use mobile phones whilst on the move. In fact, this is not quite true as the law has been around for some considerable time. Yet the authorities are cracking down on the use of mobile phones on the move and making it a more serious offense.

Up until February 1st, using a mobile phone on the move could lead to a fine of approximately $60. This was hardly a deterrent and people could be seen at all times using the telephone. There have been a number of instances when pedestrians have been killed because of drivers using mobile phones and losing control of their vehicles. The 60-dollar fine was not much of a deterrent for most people. Therefore, on the 1st of February the fine has been increased to $120 together with three points endorsement on the driving license.

This is thought to be able to produce a situation where people will think twice before using a mobile phone. Yet whether this will prove to be useful overall is debatable. The mobile phone has become an essential item for use at all times of the day and even at night.

The days are long past when the only way we could communicate with other people was if we were at home and near our land line phones. Now the mobile phone is useful for general communication and for more “important” communications involving the safety of children, loved ones, and relatives.

The risk of using a mobile phone only becomes noticeable at times when authorities such as the law enforcement are nearby in order to see the crime being perpetrated. The vast majority of car, and other vehicle, drivers will know that they are safe most of the time to use their mobile phone without being caught.

Its consumer nature to want to find the highest quality product at the lowest price. When searching for car audio there are a few places where you are guaranteed to find cheap car CD players. All of these are online venues that have netted the searching consumer an awesome cheap car CD player. When I say cheap I'm not referring to the quality, but the price of the car CD player.

The first place you should check out online should be Froogle. Froogle is Google's online product search engine. When you enter a a search query into the search bar at Froogle, Google will send it search engine spiders over the internet finding prices, descriptions, and pictures of all the cheap car CD players it can find. The best part about it is you can organize the results to display from lowest priced to highest price. Thus saving you a ton of time.

Go to http://www.froogle.com!!

The second place that you should search for cheap car CD players is on CraigsList. This is an online database of classified ads organized by city. CraigsList is the absolute best place to find gently used cheap car CD players. When you find an ad that looks interesting, contact the seller and set up a meeting. This is another advantage of using Craigslist. You actually get to see and touch the product before you buy. If you can't find a cheap car CD player anywhere else you will be able to find one on CraigsList.

Go to http://www.craigslist.org!!

The third place you want to look for a cheap car CD player would be Ebay. Ebay has some of the best deals on new and used car audio on the internet. You must be careful on Ebay as some sellers are crooks. Always check out the sellers feedback rating before you do any business with them. I would recommend you look elsewhere if their feedback rating is under 90%.

Go to http://www.ebay.com!!

Using these three internet resources you should be able to find a great deal on cheap car CD players. We're talking brands like Sony, Pioneer, Alpine, and Clarion. Whatever kind of cheap car CD player you want you WILL find it!!!

The author Garland Robinson is a serious car audio enthusiast. He has installed systems in multiple cars and attended sound competitions and car shows.

His extreme passion for this hobby has driven him to create a website based solely on car audio.

The mp3 player has now become a stable part of many people's lives. Not only are they small and versatile, but also they provide the user with hours of music listening time without having to keep changing CD's or tapes. But just how can I use my mp3 player in my car?

In this article we will look at some different ways that you can now use your mp3 player in your car and so no longer will you need to worry about carrying all your favorite CD's in the car in the future. Plus you have the added benefit of knowing that you can remove your mp3 player from your car and take it with you.

Nearly all mp3 players will have a port in which you connect your headphones. But in order for your to play your mp3 player in your car you will need to find a way of connecting this to the head unit using the headphone port. Below is one method that you may want to try.

Auxiliary In

This method will provide you with the best audio quality possible, in fact it is just about as good as the audio produced by a CD. Numerous head units (radios) in cars today have a front auxiliary input (known as the Aux-In) that allows you to plug directly from your mp3 player into the head unit. You will find that most Sony head units have this feature on all their entry-level units.

However there are other methods that you may want to try if you do not happen to have a head unit that has an auxiliary in feature with it. Below we look at some other ways in which you should be able to play your mp3 player in your car in the future.

Cassette Tape Adapter

This device is available for around $10 and can be found in most electronic stores. It provides you with an easy and straightforward method of hooking up an external device such as an mp3 player to your car stereo system. All you have to do is place the cassette tape in to the car's tape player and then attach the other end to the headphone or line out jack situated on your mp3 player.

However, there are a number of drawbacks to this method. Firstly you need to have cassette player in your car (which unfortunately is becoming much less common in more modern cars) and secondly you will often the sound quality is reduced.

FM Transmitter

This system will transmit an audio signal of the your mp3 player to a specified FM frequency when it is plugged into the FM transmitter. What happens is your FM stereo in your car is then able to pick up the sounds as if it was actually receiving a regular FM broadcast from a radio station.

So as you can see there are plenty of ways to answer the question how can I use my mp3 player in my car. All you need to decide is which one you feel best suits your particular needs.

The mp3 player has now become a stable part of many people's lives. Not only are they small and versatile, but also they provide the user with hours of music listening time without having to keep changing CD's or tapes. But just how can I use my mp3 player in my car?

In this article we will look at some different ways that you can now use your mp3 player in your car and so no longer will you need to worry about carrying all your favorite CD's in the car in the future. Plus you have the added benefit of knowing that you can remove your mp3 player from your car and take it with you.

Nearly all mp3 players will have a port in which you connect your headphones. But in order for your to play your mp3 player in your car you will need to find a way of connecting this to the head unit using the headphone port. Below is one method that you may want to try.

Auxiliary In

This method will provide you with the best audio quality possible, in fact it is just about as good as the audio produced by a CD. Numerous head units (radios) in cars today have a front auxiliary input (known as the Aux-In) that allows you to plug directly from your mp3 player into the head unit. You will find that most Sony head units have this feature on all their entry-level units.

However there are other methods that you may want to try if you do not happen to have a head unit that has an auxiliary in feature with it. Below we look at some other ways in which you should be able to play your mp3 player in your car in the future.

Cassette Tape Adapter

This device is available for around $10 and can be found in most electronic stores. It provides you with an easy and straightforward method of hooking up an external device such as an mp3 player to your car stereo system. All you have to do is place the cassette tape in to the car's tape player and then attach the other end to the headphone or line out jack situated on your mp3 player.

However, there are a number of drawbacks to this method. Firstly you need to have cassette player in your car (which unfortunately is becoming much less common in more modern cars) and secondly you will often the sound quality is reduced.

FM Transmitter

This system will transmit an audio signal of the your mp3 player to a specified FM frequency when it is plugged into the FM transmitter. What happens is your FM stereo in your car is then able to pick up the sounds as if it was actually receiving a regular FM broadcast from a radio station.

So as you can see there are plenty of ways to answer the question how can I use my mp3 player in my car. All you need to decide is which one you feel best suits your particular needs.

Car audio has moved a long way from the old standard AM/FM Radio/Tape Deck combo. Today, in-vehicle multimedia systems include DVD video, television and navigation systems with local hotspot news. Common to all systems is the sound quality.

The quality of sound in a car audio system depends upon a number of factors - the type and quality of the media player system, the type of speakers used, the acoustics of the vehicle and interference from other devices.

Type and Quality of Media Player System

Before we look at the different types of in-vehicle media players it pays to have a basic understanding of audio quality. When deciding what type of audio system to install, and also when comparing one make and model to another, there are two key specifications to consider:

Signal-to-noise ratio [SNR] - a measure of signal strength compared to background noise in the signal or equipment. Measured in decibels. The higher the dB, the better. A car CD player has an SNR of 90 or 100 dB.

Frequency response [FR] - a measure of how much of the audio spectrum, from bass to treble, gets reproduced. It's measured as a range in Hertz, and the wider the range, the better. Look for a CD player with a range of at least 10-20k Hz.

An FM radio, cassette player, and CD player all have different measurements for these specs. To help understand these two specifications, let's compare a car tape cassette player and a car CD player.

Cassette player has an SNR of 50-70 dB. This is much lower than a CD player, so the sound quality degrades at each end of the spectrum. The FR is around 30-18k Hz for a cassette player, so does not contribute as much to sound quality as the SNR.

That's why overall, a car CD player gives a much better sound than a cassette tape player.

Media players in vehicles today are either radio tuner, CD player/changer, or Digital Audio player.

CD Players & Changers

There are a number of options when it comes to playing CD's in a vehicle:

* An in-dash CD Player - often combined with radio tuner, WMA/MP3 player
* An in-dash CD Receiver - with a multiple CD cassette / changer located elsewhere in the vehicle
* Connect a portable CD player to an existing in-dash audio unit using either a cable and adapter or a bluetooth wireless connection.

When choosing a car CD player the first two things to consider are:

1. Will it physically fit into the vehicle?
2. Will it integrate cosmetically with the dash and other electronics?

Most decks have standardized form factors; so fit most cars, but there are exceptions, so make sure that the deck is suited for your car. You are usually pretty safe is the car stereo is made for the same market as the source of your car:

Cosmetic integration is a little more complex, but in many cases easily resolved through customisation features. For instance, many decks allow you to change the faceplates and color of the display.

Digital Audio Car Systems

With most home audio systems and portable players giving crisp quality sound using digital audio, we are no longer satisfied with the flat, bland analog sound from older car audio systems.

If you normally store your digital music files on CD, a compatible stereo or changer is a good option. Up to 10 hours of music [250 songs] can be stored on a single disc and allows use of random shuffling and repeat options. This disadvantage is ease of use, having to load and unload from cassettes located in the boot or under seats, and the limited file formats that your stereo can play back.

So now you have the media player selected, what about the speaker system.

Car Speaker System

The speaker system can be thought of in two parts: the channel amplifier and the physical speaker units.

Car amplifiers power the speakers in your car stereo system to provide crisp sound quality at high volumes. Each speaker requires one channel of amplification. This means a 4-channel amplifier, will support four speakers.

And choice of speakers is not limited either. With a range of options for your basic stereo speakers [2-channel], you can supplement the high note quality using a tweeter and the low bass notes with a sub-woofer. This gives you a standard 4-channel sound system that will rival your home audio system.

Adding to a basic car stereo option typically involves adding subwoofers, amplifiers and crossovers to tailor the output sound to personal tastes.

This does not mean the result is the boorish, obnoxious bass boom boxing that invades the entire neighbourhood. A subwoofer adds quality and purity to music.

For details of specifications on each part of your system, see Go-Reviews.com - Car Electronics Section

The main factors in selecting car speakers are:

* Design or Speaker Type
* Technical Specifications
* Fitting & Mounting

Speaker design is about the combination of sound drivers for midrange, subwoofer and tweeter. Depending upon the combination, the set is known as a two-way, three-way or four-way speaker system.

Car speaker specifications are similar to home audio speakers; the main difference in technical specification to compensate for the lower power outputs of car stereo receivers.

The speaker technical specifications include sensitivity, frequency response, signal to noise ratio, power handling and impedance. We will look at these specification in more detail in subsequent articles.

The fittings and mountings are selected depending upon where you choose to position the speakers. Car audio speakers are either: top mounted or bottom mounted. Clearance depth is most important when installing new speakers in a non-factory speaker location. So check all of your components carefully before purchase.

With such a range of combinations available the Internet provides a valuable resource in car electronics reviews. Sites like Go-Reviews.com seek out reviews and consolidate the recommendations to give you a quick reference buying guide.

Upgrading the sound system is usually one of the first modifications attempted when we talk about car customization. The best place to start is with a good head unit. If you plan to install it yourself, read on for some technical tips from our experience installers.

You will need a few tools to do the job right, so start by collecting some screwdrivers (flat head and phillips head), a socket set, wire cutters, wire splitters, butt connectors or heat shrinking sleeves, electrical tape, zip ties, solder and a soldering iron, and some patience.

The first thing I would do before installing I would suggest buying the stereo wiring harness for your vehicle application. This will make the installation easier for you if you are a beginner, and it allows for easier replacement of the stock radio (if you choose to sell the vehicle in the future) and swapping or upgrading to a different aftermarket head unit.

Begin by disconnecting the negative battery cable from the battery. This will ensure that you don't accidentally cross any wires and burn out a new piece of equipment. Next, remove the old head unit. If you need to see how this is done on your specific vehicle, you can look up your vehicles application on installdr.com. This is a great resource for seeing pictures of how to remove the head unit. Once it is loose, disconnect the wiring harness and the antenna from the head unit and remove it completely.

There are two types of wiring harnesses you can get. There is the universal wiring harness that connects to your vehicles existing wiring harness, and has the unfinished wire ends that connect to the color coded wires of your new head unit. There is also a wiring harness that has a harness on both ends, and just clicks in place on both sides. These are the easiest to install, but can be harder ot find to match your vehicle to the head unit. Most wiring harnesses are the universal type, so we will focus on those. If you have obtained the wiring harness, you will notice the color coded wires in the back of the head unit. The wires on the head unit and wiring harness should match. The head unit wires and the wiring harness wires will be partially spliced for easy installation. There are several good ways to connect the wires. One way is to use butt connectors, which crimp the wires within a connector. These can be picked up almost anywhere that sells/installs head units, or at Walmart, etc. My favorite way requires a soldering iron and heat shrinking sleeves. Twist the wires together tightly. Apply just enough solder to weld the two wires together. Now fold them over parallel to one of the wires. Slide the sleeve over the connection and heat it with a heat gun or good hair dryer. I have had to rewire or repair systems where butt connectors were used, but this could be installer error, and not a problem with the connectors themselves. I have never had any of the soldered connections fail.

Once all the connections are made, and the sleeves heated and shrunk in place, I like to take a zip tie and tie them all together. Clip the excess zip tie for a clean finished look. Connect the wiring harness of the head unit to the wiring harness connected to the vehicle. Plug in the antenna (you may find you need an antenna adapter in some applications). Now slide the head unit in place, but don't attach it yet. Reconnect the negative battery cable and turn on the head unit (make sure the key is turned to the ACC position). It should be functioning properly at this point. If you plan on adding an amp, or have purchased one for this setup, turn the unit off and connect the RCA cables. Run them through the dash to the floorboard and to the amp (more on how to successfully do this in future articles).

For some, the prospect of changing out speakers is a daunting one, since you have to remove the door panels to access the speakers tucked away within its walls. They are not a tricky as they seem, if you know the right techniques.

The first thing to do is to locate any screws holding the panel in place. These are generally found in or under the armrest piece, in the door opener latch, or near the bottom of the door panel. Remove as many as you can find to start.

With the screws removed, you will need to carefully pry the door panel off the door. Start in the bottom corner nearest the speaker. Gently pull the panel until it pops loose. There are usually several clips holding it in place. Work around the bottom of the door panel popping the clips out. Be careful to not break them, because you will need them to reinstall it. Continue around the outside of the panel until you have removed as many of the clips as you can. If you have power windows, doors, etc, remove the control panel from the door panel. It is usually clipped in place, and can be carefully pried out. Look for small notches that may give away the position of the clips. If you have mechanical windows, you will need to push the door panel into the door at the window crank, and look for the snap ring clip holding it in place. With a thin flathead screwdriver, pop the clip loose, taking special note of where it goes, as you will need it to secure the piece back in place. Once this is removed, you should have enough clearance to reach the speaker. If not, you can attempt to completely remove the door panel by sliding it upwards and out of the window compartment. You may be caught up by the door opener latch. These can be a little tricky, as some will slide in place horizontally, screw in, or pop out. Look for screws, and if you don't find any, try sliding it horizontally towards the inside. If that doesn't work, see if it pops straight out. It will be connected to the bars that pull the door latch, so they will have to be positioned correctly for the door panel to be removed. If there is a triangular piece of trim in the top corner of the door panel, you will need to remove it also. It also clips in place and can be removed. This should allow the door panel to slide out, assuming you have disconnected the control panels electrical wires.

You should now be in full view of the door speaker. it can be removed by removing the four screws holding it in place. You may also find that the connectors on these speakers won't work for your aftermarket ones, so you will have to clip the wires and attach the end connectors provided with your speakers. Pay attention to positive and negative here. If you are unsure of what is what, there are a few ways to check. Look at the terminals on the factory speaker. It may have a "+" and "-" sign designating positive and negative. If it doesn't tell you, you can log on to installdr.com and look up the color codes for the speaker, or try the battery test. Take a good charged battery and place one of the factory speaker wires (attached to the speaker) on the positive, and one on the negative of the battery. If the speaker pushes out, the polarity is correct as you have it, and attach the wires accordingly. If it pushes in, the polarity is reversed, so reverse the battery and try again. If it pushes out, wire the speakers following that polarity.

Install the speaker in the door by replacing the 4 screws and securing it in place, and reinstalling the door panel. be sure to slide it back down in place, and line up the clips exactly before applying pressure to reattach them. You don't want to break any of those. Finish screwing the door in place, then attach the window control panel/window crank, and congratulations, your done!

I have been to a lot of car audio shops that use test lights, and not as many that use digital multimeters. Is one really "better" than the other for finding power sources?

Absolutely! A test light looks like a screwdriver with a sharp pointed end, and consist of a small bulb and a grounding wire or cable. It works by grounding the bulb, and once it comes in contact with a power source, it will complete the circuit and light the bulb. This is the easiest way to test power because the bulb either lights up for power or doesn't if their isn't any power.

The problem with using this type of testing on todays vehicles is the complexity of some of the circuits inside the dash. When you complete the test light circuit on a "hot" wire, you essentially create a small "arc" of electricity that can short some of the more sensitive equipment such as an air bag sensor or relay. I have actually seen one installer blow the airbags out of a new BMW M3 by testing wires with a test light. In most cases, it won't cause any harm, but when it does the cost can be very high.

I highly recommend using a digital multimeter to test circuits. The are very accurate and can tell you a lot of useful information such as voltage, amps, and ohms, all of which are essential to know when building a good sound system.

These multimeters work a little differently than a standard test light. They typically have a battery on board to power the meter, so they don't pull power from the power source, reducing the tendencies to "arc" the power source. They are generally safer to use on sensitive systems than their test light counterparts for this reason.

Digital Multimeters are a great tool for car audio installers, as they can help track down problems in the system. They are also a must have when installing any other 12 volt auto accessories. A test light will light up under power, but wont tell you if you are getting the proper voltage and amps. With a multimeter, you can start at the component taking readings, and work your way backwards until you find the component that is not functioning properly.

Multimeters range from about $10.00 to over $100.00, and depending on your level of work and how accurate you need to be, you can find one that will work for you. They are a great investment, and will save a lot of headache when you are problem solving a system.

Frost & Sullivan has recently made public their new report on the current status of ASIC, ASSP, and FPGA markets. The report not only states how the industry is faring but also forecasts what will be the trends in the markets and what will be the challenges that it will have to confront.

In the study, the experts analyzed also other factors that affect the industry directly like their end-users. They include also in their studies body and chassis, central command, telematics, power train, engine control, safety and security, and driver relevant information. The main thing that the study shows is that more and more electronics are being used on automobiles which increased the demand for ASIC, ASSP, and FPGAs.

Today’s vehicles are becoming more and more reliant on electronic components. Different systems of a vehicle that are being developed and produced today are equipped with electronic systems which aid the mechanical parts in performing effectively. Fuel injection systems for cars rely on electronic components to provide the engine with the right amount of fuel. Likewise, safety systems also rely heavily on electronic circuits to provide optimum safety to the occupants of a car in the event of a crash. Braking systems also depend on electronic components like the anti-lock braking system (ABS).

The automobile specific integrated circuit (ASIC), application specific standard products (ASSPs), and the field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) markets have been achieving much success, thanks to the needs for the said products in the automotive industry. The increase in the number of consumers means that the demand for the said electronic parts will also rise. Other factors that made the need for electronic parts are government pollution mandates, safety and security regulations, and the oil crisis. The use of electronic components also reduces manufacturing costs since human errors are very much avoided.

In the automotive industry, the introduction of luxury features also increased the need for specialized electronic components. The popularity of hybrid vehicles like the popular Toyota Prius also made the demand increase. Electronic components are needed on hybrid vehicles to facilitate the smooth change of power from engine to electric motor muscle. Other mandatory safety systems also need electronic components. Electronic stability systems rely on electronics to keep the car stable especially while cornering. Suspension systems also depends on electronics as shown by electronically controlled independent suspension systems employed by the latest mass produced vehicles.

Due to the increase in the demand of such, the industry is expected to generate considerable revenues especially in the European region’s market where the industry is doing a very good business. While Europe may be the leading region in terms of production of ASICs, ASSPs, and FPGAs, Asian countries are joining the bandwagon. The region has become the fastest growing segments due to the increasing automobile sales in the said area. Without the aid of electronic components, even high quality parts like brake components from EBC Active Brakes Direct will not perform to the best of their capabilities.

While the industry may be enjoying much success, they still have to come up with more world class electronic design automation software tools to provide better service to their end users. Fierce competition is also expected since there are companies that are already established which will make it hard for smaller enterprises to break into the market and stake their claims in a share in the growing market. The analysts said that there is a possibility that the large and established companies will acquire smaller companies to increase their productivity. Analysts further said that the market for electronic components will grow dramatically as the technology used in cars will likely advance in the future.

Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

So there you were, cruising down the open road with the T-tops out, your hair blowing in the wind and your A-track pumping Led Zeppelin. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Of course it does. My older brother talks about these days. They were known as pre-cassette tape. I was once rummaging through my brother's ancient collection of A-tracks, and thought to myself, WOW, these look like old Atari games or something. Thank God things got a little more compact.

Soon enough came the cassette tapes, and we all applauded. After all, they were so much more compact and easy to stuff in your glove box. Then by the time the 90's hit, everyone was interested in CDs. These were a phenomenal innovation at the time. Finally we had a way to play music, without a bunch or rewinding and fast-forwarding. The push of a button on our in car cd players lead to the next track and so on. It was a miracle!

Where do in car cd players stand now? I certainly have one in my vehicle. I still think the disk changer with multiple CDs works fine. However, the classic in car cd players are slowly becoming a thing of the past. Before you know it, they will be deemed obsolete. Just like every other piece of technology on this planet, a new and improved one comes along and boots it out. That is the way the process works. As of now, it is IPods and MP3 players. This compact musical wonders are currently all the rage. And I do not just mean with teenagers.

Kids and adults alike are embracing the IPod craze. Suddenly we have the ability to download up to 15,000 songs onto one small, hand-held device. How can anyone pass this up? If you have not already, make use of one of these in your ride or at the gym. Connect your IPod via a cassette tape and pop it into your dash stereo. Now you can enjoy infinite tunes as if it's one gigantic CD. Or, purchase an IPod Shuffle and clip the tiny device on your shirt at the gym. Enjoy all the tunes you want, minus the hassle of a bulky Discman.

It's safe to say that the in car cd players won't be sticking around for generations to come. Most cars now are coming IPod or MP3 ready. Just plug in your micro music store and you are off. Hey, it beats buying tons of new CDs.

We have all been somewhere in public and someone has a cellphone and it rings some outrageous tune and you think please spare us! Well now you can forget RingTones for your Cell Phone; now you can get Ring Tones for your Car! Oh great you say?

Yes, that is what everyone says when I tell them that these Ring Tones hook to their car horn? Oh my God No! Yes, it is true and can you imagine all the funky horns you are going to hear and all the noise pollution from the calmness you must endure?

The company that came up with this contraption is called "HornTones" yah real cute indeed. It seems the owners can download tunes from their MP3 player to their car horn system? Yes, now your car, iPod and home computer can be one? One what? One loud obnoxious rolling disaster.

Apparently this will be a big draw for this years SEMA Show in Las Vegas, as it is sure to be a hit with the car club crowd. The California Company that came up with it is sure to be there and the system only retails for $150.00 so you know all the dealers of electronic toys for cars will soon have these devices on their shelves.

Eventually the company will have a set up to allow additional horns to really play a tune, a symphony on wheels I guess you would call it? What will they think of next? I certainly hope this article is of interest and that is has propelled thought. The goal is simple; to help you in your quest to be the best in 2007. I thank you for reading my many articles on diverse subjects, which interest you.

For the diverse owners of cars it is sometimes necessary to make sure that assorted additions are included in the car. Many people spend a great deal of time in their car, so it is important to them to have in it what they want. One area that many car owners like to update is that of their car sound system. We all know you can spend at little or as much as you want in this area of upgrades. In this regard an Alpine audio system may rise to be invaluable.

Almost everyone has heard of Alpine. This is why it isn't suprising that their systems are popular. This is why Alpine audio will be able to provide you with a higher measure of client satisfaction due to the excellence of the system. Alpine audio has been particularly configured to provide the maximum possible amount of clear sound available for your hearing pleasure. There technology has the ability to get the most from their systems. Meaning it can deliver this quality of sound to you. Of course, as long as the hardware is in place.

To see that you purchase the Alpine audio that is most suitable for your car you should travel to one of the Alpine showrooms and see if they will have a car audio system that is satisfactory for your car. Here is where you can take the system for a test drive. And hopefully, you will have a knowledgeable sales person by your side to answer all your questions. Once you have visited their salesroom or even their website you will be able to see the caliber of these car sound systems. The next step is to verify that the Alpine audio that you are thinking of purchasing is within your price range. Remember, you get what you are paying for. Although, Alpine my not be the cheapest, there is a good chance that it will be a higher performing system.

Now in the Alpine audio range there are many items that can be added and installed in your car to make the sound of your music crystal clear. These items include Apple's iPod, a satellite radio and mp3 and WMA music supporting file system. As a result of these systems your car will be able to reach a new high in selecting the assorted music that you want to hear while you are driving. All of this with a touch of a button.

Since the Alpine audio includes an iPod system for your car you now have a way to add music that you have downloaded from the Net into car as well. This means that as an alternative of carting around many dissimilar music CDs, all that you need is to let your iPod play the songs both old and new that you have on your player.

As Alpine audio provides great after market accessories you have many items that you can use should the need arise. the great thing about this is you can add them at anytime to your existing system. Yes, of course it will mean paying again for installation. However, if you don't have the money in the first go around then at least you know you have this option. In addition your alpine audio should be one that will last for quite a long time without severe problems arising. Alpine has a good reputation and typically stands by its products. So, when it comes to car audio, don't leave Alpine out of your search.

A subwoofer is the part of the audio speaker system in a home or auto system that reproduces the bass frequencies. Small speakers which are typically part of a small system will usually reproduce frequencies as low as 40 HZ particularly when the decibels rise above 100. A cone subwoofer will reproduce the bass tones from about 20 HZ down to 200 HZ, the point where the sound is as much vibration as tone.

The first known occurrence in a recording was the use of the subwoofer in "Pretzel" the Steely Dan album released after 1970 when the speakers were invented. The sound is actually produced by the drivers, which can range from 8" up to as large as 34". Typically drivers found in movie theaters, concerts, radio stations and live records in the 15 to 18 inch range. Part of the excitement of a live concert is the intense vibrations which emit from the enormous subwoofers.

A auto stereo system which comes from the factory usually does not include car audio subwoofers, aficionados of the hottest systems find they need to add aftermarket car stereo subwoofers.

INSTALLING CAR AUDIO SUBWOOFERS

It is common for subwoofers to be installed in the trunk of the car, since better sound quality is gained by separating the car subwoofers from the balance of the stereo system. The process for installing car stereo subwoofers is somewhat complicated, so it is recommended that you buy the subwoofer enclosures prefab. The first step is to remove the carpet or flooring material from the trunk and thoroughly clean the area. Apply sound deadening material such as Dynamat or Accumat to glue coated and cleaned metal of the trunk floor. Once the sound deadening material is in place, a roller will help to bond the two surfaces together, then replace the carpeting. Now it's time to place the subwoofer enclosure itself. Following the instructions for the amplifier, wire the car subwoofers into the two rear audio rear speakers.

It's wise to play around with the positioning of the subwoofer box before permanent installation is made to determine where the best sound results occur. The subwoofer boxes can face the front or rear of the automobile with different sounding results. Once you have made the decision as to where the subwoofer enclosure will be place, drill and mount the brackets in the correct place to hold the subwoofer box firmly in place.

HEARING LOSS

Some car audio subwoofers seem to be in competition to produce sound pressure levels that are dangerous to one's hearing, especially in the confines of the automobile. These cars with their sound pressure levels in the red-line area of permanent hearing loss are not able to produce good sound quality, but the quality is less important than sound pressure.

To enhance the vibratory effect of the stereo system, a new devices called subwoofer boxes which transmit vibrations when attached to furniture. These subwoofer enclosures provide the feel of the big subwoofers without attendant hearing loss.

Do you know what a car subwoofer is? Would you like to find out? In essence it is a speaker not in a box enclosure ( although they can and are often put in boxes ) with extra power running to it courtesy of an amplifier. The purpose of a car sub woofer is to deliver low frequency bass sounds in the music being played. Usually the octaves consistently delivered by sub woofers are missing from normal range car audio systems with speakers. Some music is specially created specifically for bass and are commonly known as bass tracks.

Not All Car Subwoofers Are The Same:

Basically subwoofers are of either a passive or powered type. A passive subwoofer setup will get its' power from the car audio system. A powered type of setup will get its power delivered independently of the car audio system being used. Car subwoofers are commonly put into box enclosures that they are mounted on and then placed into a suitable place in the car which is usually the boot area. Car subs vary significantly in size with usual ranges being from 8 inches to 60 inches. These days you can pick them up relatively cheap online from places such as ebay.

Car Subwoofer Setup Arrangement:

So far we know most subs are mounted in boxes but they can also come in a tube mounted format. Typically a sub will have an amplifier connected to deliver the power required. The power delivery requirements are significant so for that reason an amp is pretty much a necessity. They also typically take up a lot of space so be prepared to give up that room in order to accommodate your car subwoofer. You can find more info on setup arrangements at http://www.subwoofersinformation.com

Buying Your Own Car Subwoofer

Go for the best one that your budget can withstand. If you can't quite afford the good ones in retail outlets then have a look at online auction sites such as ebay. There are some real bargains on there. Remember, buying a used car subwoofer in great condition and decent quality could be better than buying a new one that isn't very good. Even though car subwoofers are considered a luxury item, many car audiophiles would not go without this piece of kit in their setup.

Car audio installation is a fairly specialized job, requiring at least some knowledge about the basics of car designs and electronics. The final audio output depends to a large extent on good installation. You may buy the best equipment, but if it is not properly installed, then the result will be poor. The entire set up consisting of wires, amplifiers, alternators, and speakers would have to be perfectly set up for that great audio effect.

Speaker location is perhaps the most important part of setting up your car audio. Determining where you are going to place your speakers is the first step you have to take. The designs of cars are such that the listener isn't placed perfectly in middle of the two speakers. What we mean to say is that the distance between the left speaker and the left ear is not the same as the right ear and the right speaker, which is a traditional audio setup. You can easily avoid this problem by making the distance between the left and right as little as possible. Some people try to place an extra speaker on the dashboard. The problem with this is that this speaker on the dashboard rips the sound into two, making for unpleasant hearing. You can try placing the audio in different locations around the car and arrive at the proper configuration for your speakers. Another mistake which commonly occurs is that people tend to go for looks rather than the sound, when it comes to car audio. Try to listen, rather than look. Some unlikely places inside your car may be the best for placing speakers.

Choosing the location of subwoofers and amplifiers is relatively easy. You can place them where you feel they will look good. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that different equipment may interfere with each other, if improperly placed. The next step is the wiring part, which is equally important. The thing with laying cables is to buy the correct cable keeping in view the capacity of the amplifier and speakers. Next in line is the installation of the head unit and amplifiers. Once you install them, you have to select the correct type of speaker enclosure. Although the choice is yours, you can try different types of enclosures and choose one which gives the best audio output. A final fine tuning, preferably with professional help and your car audio installation is done.

Car audio amplifiers, to a large extent, determine the final audio output of your car audio. Selecting a location for the amplifier is therefore of great importance. Select a location that has good air circulation. It could be in the trunk or under a seat. It is always recommended that you use cables with larger diameters like RCA cables to connect the low level output of the radio to the low level input of the amplifier. Just in case your radio does not have a low level output, you will have to use a high-level speaker output. This arrangement is not preferred by most because of the noticeable increase in sound distortion. This arrangement works best when your amplifier is meant for bass only.

Another thing to take care of is the connection between the power antenna lead from the back of the radio to the amplifier. One can go through the user manual to find out the recommended gauge size for getting the right power and ground cables. It is always recommended that you connect the ground power cables before the RCA cables, to avoid damage.

A good fuse should be a priority for the system. Check the owner's manual for the proper rating of the fuse. Another important thing to note while installing amplifiers is that to ensure that the power cables do not run next to the RCA signal cables. If the cables are too close, it may lead to unwanted noise. If you have noise you are not able to stop, try using a noise filter. It can cut down the noise to negligible levels. The gauge cables for the amplifier ground or negative and the amplifier battery or positive should be the same.

Try to place your amplifier on some solid piece of metal, either in the body or the frame of your car. This is an important process, because most of modern day cars are built with fiberglass and finding a good ground conductor is always that much more difficult.

Professional help is always preferable when it comes to car audio installation. You can also find valuable tips on car audio installation by visiting online resources on the topic.

Although car audio installations are best done by professionals, real electronic geeks find great pleasure in installing the audio setting by themselves. There are literally hundreds of "do it yourself" help available on the Internet. You also have a great number of printed material on the subject. By following the steps, one can install a custom car audio system with relative ease.

Custom car audio installation is perhaps the most exciting aspect of having a good car audio. The first thing you need to do is to do a thorough analysis of your requirements. Planning is of utmost importance. Then you start with the installation of the amplifiers first. Installing car audio amplifiers is one of trickiest things that you can encounter. To begin with, acclimatize yourself with the wiring diagram. Choose a place which is a non-conductive surface and try and place your amplifier there, all the while being guided by steps provided by either through online resources or through user manuals. One good thing about installing car audio amplifiers is that you can always have a professional do the installation, should you find it cumbersome.

You can then go through the entire process step by step, like installing the car audio capacitors, placing the speakers at proper locations, and then connecting the various components involved in a car audio system. By following the guidelines given in various car audio guides, you can carefully connect the different parts with appropriate wiring. Once done you can check for the audio output. If it does not sound good, then you can try rectifying the same yourself or better still seek professional help. One can become pretty good at car audio installation with "trial and error" method. Constant practice would enable you to install your custom car audio, with relative ease. Check out online car audio installation guides, which can equip you with the "what's what" on car audio.

A significant part of your entire car audio system consists of just wires. There are all kinds of cables and wires involved in installing a car audio system. You have power wires, speaker wires, amplifier cables, power capacitors, and what not. It is always better to be equipped with at least the basics before you go in for car audio installation.

The power wire is an important part of the amplifier installation. Select the proper gauge and fusing. A proper gauge prevents the amplifier from being choked off by the size limitations of the wire. Choose power wires with lots of strands, so that they are easier to install and don't break while passing through the numerous corners of the car. The jacket of the wire should be of a material, which can resist chemicals like oil and battery acids, which can wreak havoc on substandard wires.

You can go for wires with large number of strands for the car audio speaker wires. The jacket is not that important in this case, because the speaker is not placed in regions where it could encounter chemicals, as in the case of power wires. Oxygen free copper wiring is always recommended for car audio speaker wires. The size of the speaker wiring depends on the power going in to your speakers and the total length between the amplifier and the speakers.

Signal cables are otherwise known as RCA cables and assume importance for their noise rejection properties. Try and go in for a quality RCA cable, which would ensure trouble free performance in the long run. It is recommended that you go in for "twisted pair" cables. They are better at noise reduction. Needless to say, the quality of wires connecting car audio power capacitors and batteries should also be good.

One can find extensive information on car audio wiring by visiting online resources on the subject. Perhaps car audio professionals are best placed to offer you great advice on car audio wiring.

When you’ve decided to invest in a new radar detector, either for the daily commute or just day-to-day errands, buying a radar detector can seem a bit daunting. There’s a whole host of scientific breakthrough specs and technical industry jargon to weed through. Do you need a laser detector or a radar detector? What sort of bandwidth should you look for? Visual or audio alerts? Vg2 shielding mechanisms? Mounted or concealed? More than likely, you are just the average consumer, looking for an effective and reliable radar detecting unit to alert yourself to your own speed, as well as who and where you are being monitored for it. After having done a lot of research on the subject for my own interests, I have broken down all the tech specs and necessary features here, to save you the trouble of both unearthing unnecessary consumer headache, as well as buying the wrong radar detector for your individual travels.

· First off, there are basically three types of radar detectors as far as form is concerned: corded, cordless, and remote mount; each with its own set of pros vs. cons depending on your needs and lifestyle. The corded typically mounts to your windshield, and because of its location offers an aerial less-obstructed detection. Cordless is just that, and offers portable convenience. Lastly, the remote mount variety of radar detectors are mounted permanently to your vehicle, hidden from sight.

· What is the difference in laser vs. radar detection? Though radar detection has long been the chosen method of both drivers and traffic patrol, laser radar detection technology has been adopted by the latter. Police patrol will use laser radar for more accurate detection of closer-range vehicles, and standard radar detection for longer distance detection. Though it is more expensive to find a detection unit with both, it lessens your chance of being ill-prepared on the road. Moreover, you should only buy a laser radar model with 360 degree laser detection; otherwise you will only have the unit detecting in one direction, not from every angle of the vehicle, as is needed.

· City modes? They are basically, the blanket term for precise radar and laser detection in heavy radar frequency zones. The city mode will turn down the range of detection on your unit and perceive less interference or false alerts from external electrical mechanisms as well as other radar detectors in your immediate area. There’s much more of this technical buzz in the city…hence the term. So, if you live or drive in more metropolitan areas vs. rural ones, this would be a good choice for you.

· VG2, Spectre, and Invisible shielding technology. The VG2 alert is the basic technology that allows you to know when the police in your vehicle’s vicinity are using radar detector detectors or VG2 systems, to discern whether you are using a radar detector or not. Police officials adopted the Spectre system for detecting radar detectors on a broader and more precise playing field, and so the Spectre alert on your new radar detector will let you know when it is in fact being used. This allows you time to shut off your own radar detector, when alerted. The Invisible technology you may want to look for in a higher-end radar detector will be virtually undetectable to the above mentioned police-controlled devices, so you will never have to worry about shutting it down. All of these mechanisms are fairly new and will add expense to your radar detector, but again, it depends on how effective and reliable you need the radar detector to be.

· Bandwidths. Really, the only bandwidth you should have in your radar detector is the X bandwidth. Most frequencies operate on the X, and to incorporate any of the others (K, Ka, Ku), will just be asking for interference from unrelated mechanisms and external electrical stimuli. The result: less focus on what radar detection you should be picking up, such as police radar.

These are the basic necessary components in any reliable and accurate radar detector. You will find many more features available in these systems, but they are cosmetic in relation to the significant ones listed here. Start with these terms/tips for form and function, and then move on to whether you’d like luxury components such as voice alerts and enhanced LED displays.

A car audio show is one of the most thrilling things in car audio. They bring together people of different backgrounds who share a common love for car audio and competition.

There are four major car audio show competition organizations. If you think competing is right for you then these shows are among the best to attend. Not all car audio show organizations are available in all areas.

Car Audio Show Organizations

1. IASCA

it is the oldest car audio competition organization and also the largest. IASCA has traditionally been associated with sound quality competitions. Recently they have added the IDBL and SPL category as well.

2. USAC

USAC has become a major player in the “sound off” scene. USAC also has two competition formats on sound quality (basic and advanced categories) and sound pressure level.

3. DB Drag Racing

It was started and led by veteran competitor and sound off legend, Wayne Harris. DB Drag Racing is just what the name implies. The measurements that are displayed on a large drag racing type look like a tree and are very exciting to watch too.

4. MECA

MECA is the new thing. MECA classes its competitors by the extent of vehicle modification. They have Amateur, Stock, Modified, Custom and Master categories. They also offer SPL classes in each category.

5. SLAP

SLAP is an acronym for “Sound Looks And its Performance.” SLAP has three divisions. Among those, two are audio related. SLAP dB is the SPL competition and is classed by the total square inches of your woofers rather than power.

If you think you have what it takes to compete, check if you qualify. However, my advice is that you first take out time to witness whichever car audio competition you intend to participate in. Also take out time to read magazines that showcase different competition setups.

Car audio at Ebay? Yes, you can get a good car audio system at Ebay. All you need to do is to log on to the net and sign-in at Ebay. This will not only save your fuel but also your time. So what is actually included at Ebay under car audio? Let’s take a peep in.

Sub-categories under car audio at Ebay

The various categories included at Ebay under car audio are...

• Car alarms and security

• Car amplifier

• Car audio in-dash units

• Car CD changers

• Car speaker and speaker systems

• Car subwoofers and enclosures

• Car video and navigation

• Installation products

• Parts and accessories

• Signal processors

• 12-volt portable appliances

There are, however, several issues you'd have to bear in mind if you intend to buy your car audio system or accessories at Ebay...

1) You run a huge risk. Ebay does not give you any guarantee on the product you're buying. All they provide is an interface for your transaction.

Therefore, if you're not experienced in using auction sites you'd be better off buying from an established car audio site.

2) You may be buying from a dissatisfied user who just wants to get rid of the stuff.

3) You cannot have any support if issues arise. You bought from another user, not an authorized outlet.

4) You're less likely to buy the latest and best. This shouldn't be a problem if you are more after making a bargain purchase than owning a reliable system that will serve you well.

If you do decide in spite of these and other setbacks, do yourself a favor: Research the seller and make sure you're not buying from a crook.

My best bet for your car audio system remains a car audio dealer who has expertise, not Ebay.

Car audio products/accessories and how they perform is something that car audio enthusiasts are constantly concerned about. Car audio reviews help intending buyers make more informed choices.

Most car audio reviews help prospective customers to choose the best systems compatible with their car. They also help them even with their existing audio systems that need an upgrade. Sometimes a car audio review can call your attention to a feature you have not been taken advantage of even though you have it in your system.

Most websites that are put up by either distributors of sellers of different brands of audio systems put up a comparison chart which rates products across categories. This helps a customer upgrade his system better or even land a more affordable deal.

Car audio reviews include those for CD players, amplifiers, subwoofers, speaker systems, etc.

Advantages of Car Audio Reviews

• Price listing and comparison of different brands in one place

• Quick reference material

• Expert opinion on use and upgrade

• Genuine information from users of products and services

• After-sales services provided by manufacturers and suppliers

Where can I find good reviews?

• Manuals and publications from manufacturers contain good review articles.

• Websites like this one and others that cater to car audio components supply and maintenance

• Word of mouth review, mostly by friends or family members who have used a particular brand or product.

You can be a reviewer

Many websites invite reviewers to review any particular brand or product and write honest opinions or give information that may be of use to others intending to buy the same. So be a good fellow, let others know your experience with a particular car audio gear.