If you consider how many hours the average commuter spends daily, you'll agree with me that in car entertainment is a necessity.

However, due to several safety precautions, car audio seems to be the preferred choice of in-car entertainment -- And rightly so. Some may argue that incar video, when installed correctly and within the rules, poses no traffic hazard. However, I beg to disagree...

For those of us who have reasons to be on wheels for any prolonged length of time, you'll agree that the alertness of your partner helps keep you more alert. Yes, the extent to which this affects drivers depends a lot on their makeup.

For those who are thus affected, having all the passengers engrossed in a movie -- yes, in the rear seat -- isn't really going to help matters. And if such a driver decides to plug in a headphone and listen to engaging audio, we all know that is not safety first -- That's where it's not illegal in your country.

I am forever an advocate of movies only when there's a standstill or when the car is chaffeur-driven or by some professional driver who has been well-trained to handle sudden screams and outbursts.

We nearly had an accident once when a young lady once screamed suddenly in excitement. Thank God, the driver was experienced -- He was able to manage the situation although he was visibly rattled (Who wouldn't be!)

Well, the law allows a lot of things that are not in your best interest. You know yourself a lot better than I do. So, choose what's best for you even if something less safe for you is allowed by the law.

And, if you must have video in the rear seat, it will be a good idea to pre-screen it and make sure it won't cause sudden screams that will derail you, the driver.

Car audio and incar entertainment is getting hotter and hotter by the day. So, folks, do you need all that's advertised? Do you need all you can afford? I'll take you through questions that will help you determine what you need and what you don't...

How much modification are you willing to make in your car? There are car entertainment setups that will require a radical modification of your car interior. Some will require a mild modification, while others will require no modification.

So how much modification do you want? If you want the most elaborate setups then you'll require the most dramatic modifications.

What do you, or would you, use this car for most? Furthermore, how long would/do you spend in this car daily or weekly?

This should be a heavy factor in deciding what you setup as incar entertainment. If this is a vehicle you use for family trips, then you certainly know that you'll need stuff for the kids, too (if you have them).

Compare this with what you'd need if compared to a car you drive daily and spend a total of, say, 3 hours per day in. You'll certainly not require DVD movies (since you'll be driving) but you will certainly be justified if you spent something handsome in making this setup as good as it can be. You're spending a good portion of your life here. So, it's perfectly in order to make it the best you can.

How long do you plan to use this car?

Do you intend to sell off this car in the next 6 months or the next 6 years. Spending a fortune on in-car entertainment for a car you'll soon sell doesn't look smart to me. You can hardly ever recoup half your investment. After all, anyone who is that much deep in car entertainment will certainly have his/her preferences.

What music genre(s) do you listen to predominantly?

Do you play jazz or hip hop? You certainly won't need earth-shattering sub-bass if you're a jazz lover. We know jazz should be listened to while hip hop should getting us thumping

What's your social standing? Who are you?

It will be unsightly for a school teacher or banker to drive to work in one of "them" radically modified cars. A few folks may be forced to withdraw their kids or funds.

But what if you're a show biz guy or gal? Got the picture?

How much do you have?

This one always finds its way in every matter. and you know, it often determines what you ultimately can or can't.

Apart from a few people, a long drive without some vibes in the background can be tortuous. Now, a lot of folks spend between 1 - 2 hours driving daily. That's between half a year and one full year if you keep this up for 12 years.

Therefore, it is quite a sensible move to make your time on the road as enjoyable as you can within safety boundaries.

There are numerous options when setting up a car audio system. You can go mild or you can go to the other extreme. Here are the most important things to consider when piecing together a system...

Who will be using the car?

Is this a family car? Who and who makes up this family? What are their ages? What are their music preferences?

Important questions because if this is a family car and you have a pregnant wife, you may have adjust for her health and the unborn baby's.

For what will this car be used primarily? Just commuting to and from the office? Unless you work in the show biz industry, you'll certainly require something that's less showy.

What are the legal provisions in your state or country? Yes, there are a few stuff that are not allowed in some areas. For example, FM transmitters are outlawed in some places. You certainly will have to set up your system without them.

And, finally, how much bucks do you have to spend? It will be painful to spend so much on, say, an amp and them discover that you can't really afford the right speakers for it. If you had taken the time, you would have spent just what you could afford on the amp and then got the right speakers without breaking the bank.

Alpine is considered an electronics giant. People have complete faith in goods produced by Alpine. Alpine amplifiers have also won the same trust and loyalty of users all over the world. Alpine MRP-M650 is one such Alpine product which has become quite popular with users.

Popularity can be the result of media hype and big-bucks advertising. However, if you see a company popular for long enough, it means they are doing a lot more than advertising -- They are delivering. Let's take this case study...

Amplifier Facts

The Alpine MRP-M650 has the usual high standard Alpine specifications. The Alpine MRP-M650 has the following major specifications:

• Like most Alpine amplifier models, the Alpine MRP-M650 is a Class D amplifier. This means that the Alpine MRP-M650 can also be trusted to produce almost 90 to 100% efficiency.

• The Alpine MRP-M650 also produces great power, in the range of 400 to 600 watts RMS.

• It has some other features in the form of subsonic filter, tuned bass equalizer and variable low pass filter. .

• It is designed with inbuilt STAR Topology. This performs the function of minimizing internal noise. Along with this, it also prevents ground interference.

• It is based on MOSFET power supply.

• The Alpine MRP-M650 also has gold plated screw terminals.

The Alpine MRP-M650 has been received with great enthusiasm all over the world. Most users have given full marks to this model. Many people have also voted it to be the best amplifier in this particular price range ($210 to $250).

The fact that this amplifier model has a wide range of applications makes it very flexible and hence popular among people. Great going Alpine -- For those raving Alpine fans!