Car Stereos - Introduction to CD & MP3 Car Stereos
Whether you are taking the kids to and from school and want to keep them entertained, work on the road and want the sounds of your choice to keep you company, or simply just want to be able to have the windows down and your music pumping during those long summer nights, an in car stereo system is an important addition to your car, mobile home or van.
A car stereo is fitted inside your vehicle and will allow you to listen to the radio and often to CDs or MP3 files through speakers in your car, using the car’s battery as its power source.
Almost all car stereos will come with a removable front unit or fascia to prevent theft when you are away from your vehicle
Car Stereo CD Players
Most people now tend to choose car stereos with in-built CD players so that they can choose to listen to their favourite tracks whilst driving rather than being restricted to whatever’s playing on the radio. There are many different models of car CD stereo on the market, so you should be able to find one at a price to suit you.
A popular addition to the CD stereo is the multiple-CD cartridge, which can be stored in the boot of the car and will increase the amount of CDs that you can listen to during long trips without having to keep stopping to change the disc. The CD cartridge allows you to have a multi-CD playing format in your car and also helps to protect your discs by reducing the chances of them getting dirty or scratched.
MP3 Car Stereo CD Players
The digital age is here and, with the boom in download sales, an MP3 compatible CD player is now a must for all car owners.
An MP3 is a type of file used for storing music digitally. This ensures that the quality is consistently of the highest level and that you can store music in a far more compact manner than audio CDs allow.
The MP3 Car Stereo player is universally accepted technology, so you are safe in the knowledge that this isn’t some ‘fly-by-night’ craze that will sink without a trace, leaving you needing to upgrade within 6 months.
You’ll need a computer in order to be able to use an MP3 player to its full extent. You can use the internet to source and download music, and to transfer your CD collection onto your computer as MP3 files. From here you will be able to store many files on a blank CD, which can then be played on your MP3 CD car stereo, giving you hundreds of songs on a CD instead of around 70 minutes worth.
Some MP3 Car Stereo players are also WAV or WMA file compatible, widening the appeal and usefulness of this type of audio hardware.
Further Information
To compliment your new car stereo you will probably be thinking about adding new car speakers and maybe a subwoofer. See our In Car Speakers and Subwoofers Section to help you decide.
To find out more about what to look for when choosing and buying a car stereo, visit our How to Choose section.
For more information about the car stereo equipment offered by different manufacturers, visit our Brands section.
To find out where you can get some great deals on car stereos, speakers and subwoofers online, visit our Where to Buy section.