Car Audio goes Hi-Tech (1/2)

In a world of traffic jams and potholed roads, half of our lives are spent on the road, driving or being driven. It's but natural for Indians to load their cars with the latest incar entertainment systems. Read on to know what's latest in In-Car entertainment…



Unlike your home audio system, which is a luxury, a car audio system is a necessity. Being alone, driving (sometimes driven) through a congested city makes the car audio system a top priority, sometimes for entertainment, sometimes for retrospection and sometimes, just to preserve your sanity through the drive.

If your car audio system isn't trying it's best to keep you calm, then it's doing it's bit when you're out with your family for the weekend picnic, or perhaps when you're out with someone. Regardless of what you use it for, your car-audio system is your true companion during countless rides.

With consumers increasingly going crazy about these audio systems, it is not strange to note that every car manufacturer is now trying to pack as many hitech features as possible to lure customers. While high-end cars pack quite a bit of technology into the humble car stereo, even volume-end cars are beginning to get a taste of designer decibels. Here's a look at what's hot in terms of technology in the car-audio entertainment market:

Motion Sensor & Touch Pad
The motion sensor in your caraudio system offers a smooth, new style of operation which defects an approaching hand and displays control keys. Keys on the system disappear when not in use, letting you concentrate on the main monitor. The Touch Pad offers a unique and intuitive control with a flick of your finger - circular strokes for volume control, vertical to move up/down folders, and horizontal to skip forward/backward.

Bluetooth Wireless Technology
The built-in Bluetooth Wireless technology enables hands-free calls or music streaming, with voice-recognition cell phones, you can dial by just saying the name in your phone book. The wireless functions work even if your cell phone is tucked away in your bag or pocket. You can also stream music from a compatible digital audio player or cell phone, for listening on your car audio.

HS-IV Tuner
The HS-IV tuner features higher sensitivity, thanks to three IF bandwidths (wide, middle, and narrow). It also includes AM Noise Canceller, plus upgraded IF filters that help avoid the distortion caused by interference from adjacent stations.

Part 2 of the series >>