Headunits
The first question I ask customers is how do you store your music?
If you only play new shop bought CDs then basic units are all you need, you are welcome to buy something a little more fancy but they do cost more! I stock the basic Sony, JVC, Kenwood and Panasonic units, all have RDS (the radio self tunes to the best signal and displays its name i.e. Radio 4), removable fronts and good amplifiers, the Sony has the ability to run the original remote controls often found in top of the range cars but the cost of the adapter can be as high as £65! If you love your steering wheel/ stalk controls you may want to pay to keep this feature but the headunits will work without them.
The next one up plays CDs which have been recorded in MP3 format, this type of CD can hold many more tracks and so is very popular. The other advantage is the ability to name the tracks and see this detail on the headunit display.
The next batch have the ability to play from your MP3 player by using a 3.5mm jack plug from the headphone plug on the MP3 player or I pod. Most are on the front of the player some are on the rear! Sony makes a non MP3 player which has this feature on the front, just to confuse things further!
Ipods use a specific format and most of the higher range headunits have the ability to play from you I pod with the aid of an adapter box, some very expensive units can deal with them directly.
USB ports are also available on the front of some players, I stock the JVC and Sony versions as well as a couple of lesser known brands. These are not true USB ports and cannot all be used with Ipods but all can be used with memory sticks or the computer cable of your MP3 player.
Why use MP3 players? Well we all want more of what we like! You select your favourite music tracks and store them on your Mp3 player or memory stick then plug it into your headunit so you get the music you want, and lots of it, in your car. Previously we only had the option of a CD changer for bulk storage and many people still like them so you will find I stock the Sony, Alpine, Kenwood and JVC versions.
Picture display headunits give you the option of customising the display picture on you headunit. The software is free from JVC and you can use your own jpg format pictures, convert them to the special format using the free software and load them onto your headunit from a CD.
Here are the various features listed out with a description of what they can do for you:
CDR/RW COMPATIBLE
The unit can play CDs you recorded in normal wav. format, not that I am advocating you break the rules by copying CDs of course!
MP3 COMPATIBLE
The unit can play CDs recorded in MP3 format – the file sizes are much smaller, the quality almost as good. You need a computer to make these discs, podcasts and e-books are often in this format.
OE REMOTE READY
The unit can be controlled by the steering wheel or stalk control already in your car as supplied as OE (original equipment) This may need and expensive adapter to make it work!
CD CHANGER CONTROL
The headunit can control a CD Changer and show which disc and track is playing as well as being able to change them. Sometimes this is followed by the MP3 sign, so those can control a CD Changer which can play MP3 format CDs.
IPOD READY
The unit can play, usually, from an I pod, (except shuffles) with the aid of an adapter box, I usually drop the connection lead into the glove box and you connect the I pod there and control it through the headunit.
PICTURE DISPLAY
You can customise the picture display, a bit tricky but worth it!
AUX INPUT
Usually on the front in the form of a 3.5mm jack socket, sometimes on a lead hanging out the rear, it can also be in USB form although you may not be able to use a USB for your I pod as they use their own format!
OTHER STUFF
All the manufacturers use their own names and symbols for their graphic equalisers and special features, there are too many to list sensibly but if you stick to the known brands you can be assured of good quality sound and performance.