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Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Buying a Car DVD? Staying on Track

Buying a car DVD? Here are some things to keep you on track...

Make sure what you're opting for is future-proof. A system that foresees where this technology is heading to is certainly a better protection for your investment. For such systems, you can upgrade without penalty.

Make sure it is compatible with your headunit unless you have other plans like buying another headunit if your DVD cannot fit or if it does not let you take full advantage of your DVD.

Make sure it supports your DVD format. That is, make sure it can play DVD-RW if you need it to play DVD-RW. Some may not. How do you do that. Simple! Take a DVD-RW (or the desired format or formats) and make sure it can play it before you buy it.

Component systems are a lot more expensive and are also of a higher quality. They are also more flexible when it comes to installation. They can be installed in the dash, behind your headrest or in your car's ceilings among many positions.

Make sure you get a good antenna. It will ensure good reception while the vehicle is in motion. Dual antennas are usually better.

And, please, for your safety and others, make sure your DVD player is installed totally out of the driver's view. On the other hand, ensure that certain safety precautions are implemented. A good example is a connection that ensures the DVD player switches off once the ignition is on.

Take A Look at Car Video Systems

Do you find yourself on the road a lot? Do you go on those long road trips to go camping or visiting faraway relatives with your family? Long trips in your own car can really be boring and troublesome, especially if you travel with your family.

Children, especially young ones, can be really noisy and unruly if they become bored during a long trip. Trips like this can also endanger your family as it can be hard to concentrate on the road if your children are making that awful racket. Why don’t you install a car video system in your vehicle to make your car trips much more enjoyable?

Car video systems come standard on newer vehicles like many other things these days. Anything from GPS to CD changers can be enjoyed right off the bat if you purchase an high-end vehicle. But if you don’t have enough savings to buy a pricey vehicle, it would be cheaper to install it on the car you have right now.

I can understand if you’re hesitant to install car video systems in your car. You might think that it probably will cost a lot. Well It’s not as expensive as you might think. A year ago when I decided to buy a minivan, I also looked into car video systems available. I was thinking that it would really useful on a family oriented vehicle like a minivan. Too my surprise I found out that it only cost an additional two grand to have it installed in my car. Though it may still sound expensive it’s still worth the cost if car video systems help you survive those long and grueling road trips.

You can get a TV screen and DVD player when you invest in car video systems. I had no regrets with my decision to install one in my car. It really made a difference to those long road trips that I have to do ever year. I can now focus on the road without worrying about keeping the kids occupied. No more complains and crying from the backseats. My young ones eyes are focused on the cartoon characters doing whatever they do on the screen. Car video systems have really made long trips a lot more enjoyable for me and my family. We now look forward to more of these trips knowing fully that my family are all at ease inside the car.

Loud Car Stereos

Loud car stereos are stereos producing very loud music, usually 140 decibels and above. Though loud car stereos are a rage among the younger generation, these are potentially harmful. Prolonged listening to music over 85 decibels can cause permanent noise-induced hearing loss. Loud music in cars can also make you unaware of your surroundings and lead to serious accidents.

Car stereo sound is enhanced with the help of speakers, subwoofers and amplifiers that are available in a number of popular models. Most of the recognized car stereo companies manufacture and sell loud car stereos of various frequency ranges and intensity parameters. Their advertisements and promotion tactics have resulted in a number of young males opting for loud car stereo systems. Loud car stereos have become something trendy among the present generation of youngsters.

Reputed companies such as Blaupunkt, Sony, and Kenwood manufacture car stereo multi-channel amplifiers. These are designed to raise the car stereo system to new levels of loudness with minimal distortion. These can drive a subwoofer or a simple system at even higher volumes. Loud car stereos can be quite expensive, with some stereos costing up to $8000.

The craze for loud stereos in cars has led to the crude "sport" drag racing, which is gaining popularity. Here the participants compete head-to-head for two or three seconds at a time to establish whose sound system is loudest.

Loudness within prescribed sound limits yields good quality music. Beyond that, the music becomes distorted. When installing devices to boost the stereo sound in your car, it is important to check out the laws regarding loud music in cars in your state. There are many states in the U.S. that have strict regulations regarding loud music in cars. Taking into consideration the danger involved with distracted driving, there are provisions for imposing heavy fines as well.

Custom Car Stereo

In-car entertainment, especially an audio system, is one of the most customized components in an automobile. Many aficionados opt to replace their stock in-car audio system to add and improve functionality as well as enhance the sound quality for a superb audio experience inside the vehicle. Today, customizing car stereo systems has become a big business. Most enthusiasts want to build an excellent car audio system regardless of the cost. Customizing car stereos can be a very expensive project, but for those who value good acoustics, it is worth every penny.

When customizing a car audio system, the first component you should purchase is the head unit or the deck. The head unit is the main control center of the entire audio system, which usually includes a tuner, CD player, cassette player or a combination of these. Usually, the replacement head unit will not fit into the space where the existing unit rests, so you may have to buy a universal mounting kit. A universal wiring harness is also necessary to ensure easy installation.

Then you need to determine the kind of speakers you want. There are numerous types of speakers you can choose from, making it a bit difficult to make a decision. Be aware of how many speakers your head unit can handle. Two important things to check when buying speakers are power rating and size. Some owners prefer to put speakers in the trunk space.

Another important device in audio systems is the amplifier, which significantly improves the quality of the high volume sound of your system. The amp comes in a variety of sizes and capacities. Choose your amplifier depending on how much power you want for your sound system. Other accessories you can purchase include MP3 integration adapters, multiple CD changers, and bass boosters.

All these devices are available from audio equipment retailers. How much you spend depends on the brand and the quality of the equipment. When it comes to installation, it is better if you get the assistance of a professional to ensure that your custom car stereo is mounted and wired properly for best performance.