'ICE' Explained
AUX IN CONNECTIONAux In is a shortened term meaning auxiliary input. An aux in is used to connect MP3 players, or anything that can connect with that type of cable, so you can play them through your car stereo (head unit). The connection usually requires a 3.5mm phono plug (or Jack), An aux is a basic way of transferring sound to a cars head unit, you cannot control playback using the head unit meaning you will have to set a playlist from your external device, nor will it charge a connected device.
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USB IN CONNECTION - 'STANDARD'A USB interface port can be commonly found on the front or rear of a head unit & it is used to connect USB applications such as USB memory sticks (flash drives) & USB Hard Disks. A standard USB works in the same way as an Aux In but requires a Universal Series Bus connection instead of a 3.5mm phono plug.
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MADE FOR IPOD/IPHONE/ANDROID DEVICESMany car audio manufacturers produce electronic accessories that carry the 'Made for iPod/iPhone' logos.
These have been designed to specifically connect to an iPod or iPhone & certified to meet Apple standards. The actual accessory this refers to with car stereos is the cable that connects the device to the head unit, in most cases this allows the user to view playlists, artist, album & more information on the head units display. Some allow full control of the iPod/iPhone from the headunit & even charges the connected device. Not all head units with a USB port will fully work with Apple devices. Only those carrying the 'Made for..' logo will be compatable. |
SD CARD DATASome head units include an SD card slot. This feature enables the user to connect an SD (Secure Digital) card to a head unit in a similar way they can connect a USB stick. SD cards are available in three sizes: standard, mini & micro. A standard card slot would be designed to fit the largest (standard) adapters are available seperately to fit a mini or micro SD.
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IN CAR BLUETOOTH CONNECTIVITYA more common feature of stereos is Bluetooth connectivity. This is in part due to changes in the driving laws. It is illegal to drive a vehicle or ride a motorbike & use a hand held mobile phone or similar device. It is also illegal.to use a mobile phone while supervising a learner driver. The minimum penalty is three points on your on your licence & a £60.00 fine.
Stereos with Bluetooth will have a microphone either built into the device or a separate external microphone that can be mounted nearer the driver (usually near the rear view mirror). The conversation will be transferred through the vehicles speakers whilst the music source you were listening to is paused or muted. Some stereos with Bluetooth will also be able to stream music from the connected Bluetooth device. |
AUDIO FILE FORMATS EXPLAINEDMusic can be stored in various different file formats. Early file formats were quite large, meaning you could only fit about 12 tracks on one CD. Newer formats today include MP3, WMA & AAC. These formats, digitally compress the original material meaning they can be held in a much smaller space.
MP3 is an abbreviation of MPEG3 & has been around the longest of the three. MP3 files are about 1/10 of the original material meaning you can fit 10-12 albums (about 100 tracks) worth of music on one CD. MP3's can also be saved to other memory cards & hard drives. MP3's can also hold an ID3 tag. These tags can store the title, album & track number. WMA stands for Windows Media Audio & was developed by Microsoft to complete with MP3. WMA's can be compressed to 1/20 of the original material using Windows Media Player. AAC or Advanced Audio Coding is a standard adapted from MPEG2 & MPEG4. AAC has a far better compression ratio resulting in better sound quality than MP3. Apple uses AAC for the storage of files in ITunes & on IPod's. You can hold a mixture of file formats on one storage device but the reading (eg. The head unit) will only play the files it can recognise, this depends on the software uploaded to it. |
MINIDISCA minidisc (MD) is a disc based data storage device that was announced & developed by Sony. Minidiscs can hold up to about 80 minuted of digitized audio & were a digital replacement of cassette tapes.files were saved to minidisc in ATRAC format. Minidisc never really took off due to other emerging technologies including CD-R discs that became much cheaper to produce. The biggest competition was MP3 players, which meant you didn't need to physically carry cassettes or discs anymore to play music. Minidisc compatable head units were available whilst the technology was popular though these are no longer manufactured. A modern alternative would be a MP3 compatable head unit with the ability to connect a digital device such as smartphone, MP3 player, MMC memory card, SD, USB sticks etc)
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HARD DRIVE AUDIOSome head units include built in hard drives. These allow the user to save files to the head unit & playback when they like. These have become incredibly rare nowadays as users prefer to use external storage devices that can be connected & disconnected easily such as smartphones & USB devices.
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LCD SCREEN/TOUCH SCREENS & DISPLAYSA basic head unit uses a Fluorescent (FL) tube display. These allow a limited number of characters in segments which can often look like large block text & will only allow limited personalisation.
More expensive head units use a LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen, which can often show more information as the screen is a lot larger & more refined. LCD screens can show several lines of information using a full dot matrix. LCD screens also offer the user more personalisation, for example colour & theme customisation. DVD compatable head units will usually use a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) LCD screen. These range in size from 2" to 7" screens. TFT technology improves the image quality & often gives the user a vast array of personalisation including balances & contrast. Single DIN head units will sometimes have a small screen on the front face or more usually have a motorised flip out screen. Flip out screens hide away in the head unit when not in use and pop out when required. A double DIN head unit can make use of its own size by having a screen as large as the front of the unit, CD,SD & other slots are often hidden behind the screen or to the rear of the head unit. It is possible to connect separate screens that can be mounted else where in the vehicle. Screens can be fitted into seat headrests allowing rear seat passengers to enjoy the full features whilst on long car journeys. |
DAB IN CAR AUDIO RECEIVERSDAB receivers are available nowadays primarily as a DAB head unit or also as a portable device (DAB adaptor) that connects to your existing stereo. Either system is usually connected to an exterior antenna to receive a DAB broadcast. Portable devices use FM frequency or an AUX In to play digital radio through the cars stereo, portable devices can also be used out of the vehicle as a personal player.
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IN CAR DVDCertain head units, usually double DIN & flip out screens are fitted with a DVD drive. These units will usually have a TFT LCD screen included so that the user can watch DVD's. Some DVD drives will be compatible with multiple DVD formats including DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R & DVD+RW discs. DVD & all types of movie formats can also be transferred from any external storage device & be connected to most modern head units via USB ports to view on the head units screen & or external screens. Front mounted units should be connected to the hand brake to ensure the driver cannot be distracted whilst driving. DVD drives can also be used for certain type of navigation systems - see sat navs.
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IN CAR CD MULTI-CHANGERSA CD changer is a device connected to a car radio that can hold up to twelve CD's at one time. The user can then easily switch between CD whilst still in control of the vehicle. CD changers are usually stored in the vehicles boot, under a seat or sometimes in a glove box. There are varying types, some hold between five & twelve CD's in the storage cassette. Some are MP3 & even DVD compatible. CD changers were a common upgrade to a OEM stereo that started in the 90's, though most manufacturers have stopped production as external storage devices such as smartphones, memory cards, MP3 players etc are much smaller & can hold many more tracks & data. CD changers are only compatable with the same brand manufacturers head units, this also applies for OEM stereos where the connections are exclusively developed for each vehicle manufacturer.
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IN CAR SATELLITE NAVIGATIONSatellite Navigation (or Sat Nav) comes in many different forms. The threes main types are Portable, In-built & Smartphone.
Navigation systems use Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology to calculate their current position. GPS relies on a network of satellites that communicate with the unit. The navigation system receives details of its position from a minimum of three satellites & plots it's position onto an electronic map through programmed software in the unit. The strength of the signal can be affected by a number of factors including poor weather conditions & even cars heat reflective windscreens. Most modern Sat Nav systems will provide visual & audio guidance, & can displays maps in both 2d & 3d views, also most modern Sat Nav units have as standard the static speed camera locations such as Gatso cameras. Portable systems can be easily transferred from vehicle to vehicle & either fit to the windscreen or dash via a mounting bracket. They often include other features such as MP3 playback & Bluetooth technology for hands-free calling. In-built systems are available in Single DIN & Double DIN sizes, some are DVD based (the software & maps are stored on a DVD) & some are SD card based. Occasionally the navigation system may be a separate component to the head unit, if this is the case this will usually be hidden somewhere in the vehicle such as behind the dash, in the boot, under a seat or in a glove box. Smartphone navigation is software that you download onto your smartphone & is becoming ever so popular due to many applications are free of charge. The smartphone can then be attached to the vehicles dashboard using a suitable bracket. |
IN CAR SUBWOOFERSA subwoofer or sub, is simply a large woofer specifically designed to produce ultra low frequencies, typically 20-200 hertz. They are usually around 8"-15" (20 cm-38cm) in size & are usually mounted in the boot or certain subs are designed to fit under the seats. Under seat woofers are specifically designed to be shallow in depth (around 2") to be hidden away under a seat whereas standard subwoofers are typically designed to stand out with great designs available on the market with colourful paint schemes, unique grill covers & translucent materials.
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SUBWOOFER ENCLOSURESA subwoofer or speaker enclosures is a purpose built box that a subwoofer or speaker & also associated hardware such as amplifiers & boosters fits in . The basic type is a carpeted, rectangular box made from MDF. In some cases, people will make their own using this format (INSert how!!!).
The primary role of any enclosure is to prevent sound waves generated from the rear of the speaker interfering with the sound waves created from the front, as the waves are out of sync with each other. Subwoofer enclosures also play a role in controlling vibration, moving air mass & dissipating heat generated from the subwoofer or amplifier. |
IN CAR AMPLIFIERSAn Amplifier or Amp is used to increase the power of an audio system. Though head units usually have a built-in amp, they often lack the desired power or additional features that are required when using a Subwoofer or high powered speakers.
A mono amplifier has one channel (one output available). These are commonly used for powering subwoofers. A multi channel amplifier has two or more channels (usually two, four or five). These can be used to power a whole system such as a subwoofer and additional speakers. Amplifier power is measured in watts. Most manufactures will provide Maximum Output Power & RMS Power figures. It is the RMS one that is important as this tells you what each channel can provide. Amps are categorised in classes based on their efficiency to reproduce frequencies (sound). Class A,B & C amps are designed to reproduce mid-range frequencies. Class D amps are designed to reproduce ultra low frequencies & are used when powered subwoofers. |
BLUETOOTH HANDSFREE CAR KITSThere are varying types of hands-free car kits, nowadays mostly using Bluetooth technology. The four common types are: Portable solutions (such as headsets & visor mounts), Fully fitted Intigrated kits, Bluetooth built into a portable Sat Nav device & Bluetooth built into head units.
Portable solutions such as headsets are the entry option, these are ideal for those who get in & out of the vehicle regularly such as couriers, business people etc. visor mount kits are ideal for those who spend more time in the vehicle but more use more than one vehicle regularly, portable kits are not usually connected to the vehicles stereo as they have their own built in speaker to transmit the sound. (They are generally easy to transfer from vehicle to vehicle). Fully fitted hands free kits are integrated through the cars audio system (head unit) meaning the sound through the hands free kit is transferred through the vehicles speakers, they will also mute the audio when a call is made or received. Most decent kits now come with a colour LCD screen for viewing all phone information such as phone book, photos, messages, settings etc. 'Better' certain kits can play music from your Bluetooth device through your vehicles audio system using Bluetooth technology or via direct attachment to a data cable (usually comes complete in the hands free kit) which will also charge the device attached. Fully fitted systems require an attachment harness (SOT - Sound On Top) lead to install the kit through the vehicles audio system, this lead makes the aftermarket hands free kit compatible with your factory fitted system, these leads are sols separately as they are vehicle specific. Most modern portable Sat Nav units have Bluetooth technology built in, they have their own speaker so the hands free conversation is transferred via the Sat Nav unit itself, they are not connected to the car stereo & for this reason when receiving a call they cannot mute the music from the stereo, however they make full use of the Sat Navs touch screen displaying contact info, phonebook, photos & videos, text messages etc. Some aftermarket & nowadays OEM head units have Bluetooth technology built in so all your phones contacts etc are available from the head unit & the call is through the vehicles speakers & automatically muted when making a call & receiving. |
IN CAR TV MODULEA TV Module is a hide away device that connects to a head unit allowing the user to watch live TV using either analogue or digital technology. In the UK, any seller of TV tuners must be able to capture personal data on behalf of the TV Licensing Agency. This is to ensure the user maintains a TV licence.
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IN CAR CAMERA DETECTORSA camera detector is a device that helps a driver locate a known speed or safety camera position, school or accident black spot zone. GPS systems are perfectly legal as they simply have an on board database of designated dangerous sites that are already in the public domain. Camera detectors also offer much more than just camera locations, they can warn drivers when approaching railway crossings, congestion charge zones & audibly give speed limits for the road you are driving on.
Camera detectors do need to be kept up to date with information & new locations. Some manufacturers offer a subscription service which is payable monthly or annually. |
IN CAR PORTABLE DVD PLAYERSPortable DVD players either come as a single screen unit or a dual system with two separate screens. Screen sizes generally vary between 7" to 10". Entry level systems will have one DVD drive meaning you can watch the same movie on both screens. Premium systems will have two separate DVD drives meaning you can watch either one or two DVD's at the same time.
IN-CAR DASHBOARD CAMERASAn In-Car dashboard camera is an on-board camera that attaches to the vehicle's interior windscreen by a supplied window suction cup mount. It can also be positioned on top of the dashboard using a circular adhesive mount or attached to the rear-view mirror with a mirror mount.
When connected to a 12v power source (generally the vehicles cigar lighter socket) the dashcam continuously records the road ahead while the vehicle is in motion. In-Car Dashcam's often provide vital video evidence in an event of an accident. Various types of dashboard cameras are available, ranging from basic video cameras to better equipped ones which also record parameters such as date and time, speed, G-forces, incidents and location etc. See Dashboard Camera's for more information. |