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Rear Seat Entertainment Systems For Most Needs and Budgets

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Rear Seat EntertainmentKids and road trips: an amazing combination of excitement, energy and, if the drive is long, boredom. Playing I Spy or 20 Questions, or looking for license plates from all the states and provinces, is fun for a little while, but those classic road games won’t last forever. What if your kids could watch their favorite movies without bothering you? Your local mobile electronics retailer offers many rear seat entertainment options to entertain backseat passengers. This article looks at the most common solutions and how they work.

Overhead Monitors

The overhead monitor is a thin LCD screen that mounts to the ceiling of your car or truck. The screen has a hinge on the top edge so it can be folded up against the roof when not in use. Monitor sizes range from 7 inches up to around 15 inches, with 10-inch models being among the most popular.

Rear Seat EntertainmentMost systems include a built-in DVD player. Watching a movie is as simple as inserting the disc and letting it start. Some systems include USB ports or SD card slots to play MPEG or AVI digital media files. Many units have multiple auxiliary A/V inputs for connections to aftermarket source units or external video sources like a video game system.

Your kids listen to the audio for the movie using a set of wireless headphones. Most of these headphone systems use infrared transmitters, so the kids have to be in the vehicle for them to work; not a problem on the average road trip. Some overhead monitors also include an FM modulator system. An FM modulator will take the audio signal from the movie and broadcast it over an FM radio station frequency. If everyone in the vehicle wants to listen, all you have to do is tune the factory radio to that station.

The installation of an overhead monitor usually requires that your installer cut a hole in the headliner. If you have leased the vehicle, plan on leaving the screen in at the end of the lease. The installer will attach a mounting bracket securely to the roof support structure; then the monitor can be installed. Many overhead monitors include built-in dome lights. The factory dome light location is often a great spot to mount a screen, so integrated lighting replaces the factory unit.

Headrest Monitor Solutions

Rear Seat EntertainmentHeadrest monitor solutions are the same as the screens in an airplane. For the rear-seat passengers, the screens are on the back of the driver and passenger headrests. There are two options for headrest screens: a display installed in most factory headrests, or a replacement headrest unit.

Installing a screen in a factory headrest will require that the upholstery on the rear be cut out to mount the screen. Again, this is a permanent solution. Aftermarket headrest systems vary in quality from manufacturer to manufacturer. Since the headrest is a critical and fundamental component of the safety system of your vehicle, this is not a place to skimp out on quality.

Audio playback typically works the same way as an overhead monitor. One advantage of many headrest systems is the availability of two audio channels. If you have two kids and two completely separate playback solutions, each child can watch a different movie. Headrest systems never block the perspective of the rearview mirror.

Integration with Aftermarket Source Units

Rear Seat EntertainmentIf you have an aftermarket multimedia receiver installed in your dash, then you can probably use that to play movies for rear-seat passengers. Your passengers will still need monitors in the rear, since it’s illegal in most states and provinces to have a video entertainment system playing within view of the driver.

Source units with dual- or two-zone capabilities will typically let you play a DVD and send the audio and video to screens in the rear while the driver and passenger can listen to the radio through the factory speaker system. If this is a feature you want to use, check with your mobile electronics retailer; different brands and models of head units have limitations on what sources can work with what zones.

Alternative Rear Seat Entertainment Options

Rear Seat EntertainmentIf you own an iPad or another tablet, many brackets are available to let you secure those to the headrest mounting posts. Your mobile electronics retailer can install a high-current USB port in the back seat to keep the tablets charged for long trips.

A few companies make monitor systems that attach to the rear of a center console or strap to the seat in front of you. While these solutions don’t integrated with the vehicle as cleanly, they do offer entertainment – and that’s what matters.

If there is no dedicated rear-seat entertainment solution for your vehicle, don’t despair. Many mobile electronics retailers can create something for you from scratch. A custom tablet mount for the seat or center console isn’t a problem for most of them.

If you’re planning a road trip, drop into your local mobile electronics retailer a few weeks before you leave. They can show you the rear-seat entertainment options for your vehicle and book an appointment to have your choice of system installed.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Apple CarPlay Explained

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Apple CarPlay

According to a AAA survey, the average American drives for about 45 minutes each day. If you compare this time to an eight hour work day, that’s 10% of your work day, on top of the hours you are at your desk. This time is not an insignificant number. If your job involves being on the road, then your time spent behind the wheel can represent half of your day. Being able to be productive while in your vehicle is not only convenient, but in some cases, mandatory to get all the work you need to get done in one day completed. Modern smartphone integration comes to the rescue with Apple CarPlay.

Apple CarPlay History

Apple recognized the need to give people the ability to use their phones in a safe fashion while driving back in 2010. The feature was called iPod Out. BMW announced that it would include iPod Out at the WWDC that year. The concept was that BMW would provide a way for its vehicles to ‘host’ specific applications. The information would be displayed on the factory screen while providing button press and knob rotation information back to the radio.

Apple CarPlayThe next evolution was the introduction of Siri Eyes Free in some Honda Accord and the Acura RDX and ILX models in 2013. Siri Eyes Free is a way to make use of the Siri voice recognition function that Apple Introduced with iOS 5 and the iPhone 4S in October 2011. Apple has marketed Siri as a personal assistant. It allows you to talk to your Apple device to make phone calls, send text messages, set reminders and choose the music you want to hear. Using Siri Eyes Free is simple- press and hold a button on your car radio, wait for the tone, and then speak.

Siri will listen to what you said, convert that to a command and execute it, all without you needing to take your eyes off the road.

Between the time that Apple announced iPod Out and the Geneva Motor Show in March of 2014, Apple was working on the next generation of automotive integration under the code name Stark. At the Geneva Motor Show, they announced ‘iOS in the Car.’ Later that year, Ferrari introduced the new FF model with a fully working version of Apple CarPlay. A few months later, Hyundai announced the Sonata would also feature CarPlay. Most automobile manufacturers have CarPlay available on their mid to high trim level vehicles now.

Apple CarPlay Interface Overview

Apple CarPlay
CarPlay alerts you to new text messages and will read them to you.

Apple’s current marketing touts CarPlay as ‘The Ultimate Copilot.’ The features are designed to allow you to communicate with family, friends, and coworkers without significant distraction. The basic feature set of CarPlay includes making and receiving phone calls, choosing the music you want to listen to, getting navigation instructions and sending and receiving text messages.

Apple has worked hard to ensure that the above functions are usable without unnecessary distraction. As soon as you plug your phone into the USB port of your radio, CarPlay launches automatically.

CarPlay does not display incoming text messages on the screen of the radio. Messages are read aloud to prevent users from looking at the dash. However, there are no options presented when asking Apple Maps to plan a navigation route.

Apple CarPlay
Voice command of music selection keeps driving and listening safe.

Selecting music to play is as easy as requesting the track title, artist or even genre of music you want to enjoy. CarPlay will start playing what you want right away. Apple has also included support for Apple Music- a streaming service powered by iTunes. CarPlay also supports Apple Podcast and Audiobooks. You can select the episode you want to listen to via the touchscreen interface, then play, pause or skip 15 seconds forward or back. Apple CarPlay provides support for several third-party applications including Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Audible and MLB At Bat.

Apple has released information to application developers in order to allow for the creation of more third party applications. You will see more and more third-party applications added to the CarPlay interface as time passes. Apple will, of course, be selective in their approval process, so don’t expect to see competing navigation applications any time soon.

The Future of Apple CarPlay

Apple CarPlayUnveiled by BMW in October of 2016, future iterations of CarPlay will function wirelessly. The 2017 BMW 5-Series sedans, when used with an iPhone 6 or newer, will allow users to use CarPlay without the need to plug in the Lightning connector. Wireless CarPlay communicates over a Bluetooth data connection.

Apple is tight-lipped about future functionality of CarPlay. There have been rumours about vehicle function control like remote door lock control, remote starting and trunk release, but so far nothing is set in stone. Another rumored feature is the ability of your phone to remember where you parked your car once you have arrived at your destination.

Apple has led the industry with safe and convenient integration of your smartphone to your vehicle. The future of ‘connected cars’ promises to allow us to share information and offer better communication while remaining safe. If you are interested in adding CarPlay to your vehicle, visit your local mobile electronics specialist retailer. They can show you what options are available for your vehicle.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Product Spotlight: Rockford Fosgate Punch P1000X5 Five-Channel Amplifier

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Rockford Fosgate P1000X5

If the sound system in your car or truck doesn’t put a smile on your face, it’s time to visit your local authorized Rockford Fosgate retailer and ask about the impressive P1000X5 five-channel amplifier. This single-channel amp can dish out an effortless 75 watts of power from the four main channels and up to 500 watts of power to a subwoofer. Best of all, it has all the features your installer needs to connect it to almost any factory-installed audio system. If you aren’t intrigued, you should be! Let’s dive deeper.

A Five-Channel Car Audio Amp Is the Perfect Upgrade

If you’ve ever tried to crank up the volume on your car stereo and it began distorting just as things were getting fun, then you need to upgrade your audio system with an amplifier. The P1000X5 is part of the Punch Series from Rockford Fosgate, so it has all the power, features and sound quality you’d ever want.

Let’s start with the power specifications. The P1000X5 is rated to produce 75 watts by four and 150 watts from the subwoofer channel into 4-ohm loads. When connected to 2-ohm speakers, the maximum power output jumps to 150 by four and 300 for the sub channel. If you want to go all out, your installer can design your subwoofer system to present a 1-ohm load to the mono channel so the amp can produce 500 watts of power. The amp can also be configured for three-channel operation where it can produce 250 watts into a pair of 4-ohm speakers and 500 watts into a 1-ohm subwoofer.

Rockford Fosgate P1000X5
All the controls and adjustments for the P1000X5 are on top of the amp to make it easy for your installer to configure.

The P1000X5 includes high-pass crossovers on the front and rear channels that are adjustable from 50 to 250 Hz with -12 dB/octave slopes. The subwoofer channel has a low-pass crossover that’s also adjustable from 50 to 250 Hz and a selectable infrasonic filter set to 28 Hz. The front, rear and subwoofer channels have dedicated sensitivity controls that will accept from 150 millivolts up to an impressive 12 volts. The inputs are differential, so they can handle direct connections to low-power source units without the need for an adapter. The amp has dedicated stereo inputs for the front, rear and sub channels, or it can be configured to feed the sub output from the front and rear, or the rear and sub from just the front.

All three sets of channels feature the on-board Punch EQ circuit, designed to correct for acoustical deficiencies in the cabin of the vehicle. Your installer can dial in up to 18 dB of boost at 45 Hz on the sub channel and up to 14 dB of boost at 12.5 kHz on the front channels. The amp also has a provision for the optional Remote Punch Level control to let the driver adjust the relative level of the sub to the rest of the speakers. In addition, the front, rear and subwoofer channels all feature the C.L.E.A.N. Set-Up feature that lets your installer match your source unit to the amplifier and know when the output signal is clipping.

Rockford Fosgate P1000X5
The famous Rockford Fosgate Punch EQ circuit adds impact and detail without boominess or harshness.

The P1000X5 is 15 inches wide, 7.8 inches long and only 2.4 inches tall. As with the other amps in the Punch series, this amp uses a high-mass cast aluminum heatsink that helps keep things cool while reducing distortion and extending reliability. The amp also features NOMAD protection circuitry that monitors voltages and temperatures to keep the amp safe.

In terms of output device topology, the front and rear channels feature a Class AB design that uses Rockford Fosgate’s proprietary TRANS•ANA configuration to minimize circuit complexity and maximize sound quality. The subwoofer channel is an efficient Class BD design that delivers big power without drawing significant amounts of current from the charging system.

Rockford Fosgate P1000X5
The P1000X5 features top-mounted controls with power, signal and speaker connections located on one side to ensure that the installation remains neat and tidy.

Rockford Fosgate’s Punch P1000X5 – The Perfect Car Audio System Amplifier

One of the most significant benefits of powering your audio system with a five-channel amp is the simplicity of installation. A single-chassis amp doesn’t require multiple power wires or distribution – which can save you a lot of money. Second, five-channel amplifiers typically take up less space than using an amp for the main speakers and a second for a subwoofer.

If you want more performance out of the speakers in your car or truck and are thinking about adding a subwoofer at the same time, drop by your local authorized Rockford Fosgate car audio retailer and ask about the amazing Punch Series P1000X5 five-channel amplifier. You can learn more about this cool amplifier by visiting the Rockford Fosgate website. Be sure to follow their Facebook page, Instagram feed and YouTube channel to learn about the latest audio system solutions for your car, truck, motorcycle or boat.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Product Spotlight: Rockford Fosgate M2WL-8 Wakeboard Tower Speakers

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Rockford M2WL-8

Whether you’re waterskiing, wakeboarding or towing friends on a tube, having great music to accompany your time on the water makes a day of fun even better. When it comes to wakeboard tower speakers, the powersports audio fanatics at Rockford Fosgate have the perfect solution to ensure that everyone on the boat and at the end of the rope can hear your favorite jams. Let’s look at the Rockford Fosgate M2WL-8 wakeboard tower speakers and the PMX-RGB LED lighting controller.

Wakeboard Tower Speakers Done Right

The M2WL-8 are Rockford Fosgate’s second generation of wakeboard tower speakers. The kit includes a pair of enclosures loaded with the 8-inch M2-8 coaxial drivers. In addition, a set of universal tower bar clamps are included, along with inserts to work with bars from 1.5 to 3 inches in diameter. The clamps allow the speakers to be rotated by 360 degrees for each alignment during installation. Stainless steel grilles are mounted to the speakers out of the box but can be removed quickly to reveal the white, sport-style, twin-six-spoke grilles in behind. Finally, the speakers include Rockford Fosgate’s Color Optix RGB LED illumination system, and the rear of the enclosures boasts the new 3DIL RGB-illuminated Rockford Fosgate logo. The tower speakers are also available in black as part number M2WL-8B.

Rockford M2WL-8
The included clamps have inserts to allow secure mounting on tower bars from 1.5 to 3 inches in diameter.

When it comes to marine speakers, there are three important product selection criteria: performance, longevity and style. Rockford Fosgate uses Klippel testing during the speaker development process to ensure that all of their drivers operate as linearly as possible. This design verification and testing process translates to speakers that deliver clearer and more detailed sound, especially at high output levels. In addition, the speakers are rated to handle 250 watts continuous and an impressive 1,000 watts of peak power, thanks to the large-diameter voice coils and high-quality crossover networks.

Rockford M2WL-8
The RGB LED illuminated 3DIL logo on the rear of the speakers can be rotated to suit any installation angle.

The M2-8 speakers are based on a PA66 glass-fiber-reinforced chassis for rigidity and thermal stability. At the heart of each speaker is a 1-inch voice coil wrapped around a high-temperature Kapton former. The voice coil is centered by a linear spider made from an aramid-polyester composite. The woofer cone is mineral-filled polypropylene with UV inhibitors and is bounded by a UV- and salt-resistant thermoplastic elastomer surround. The surround and cone benefit from Rockford Fosgate’s Vertical Attach Surround Technique, which allows for up to 25% more effective cone area than conventionally designed drivers. The tweeter in each speaker is made from what Rockford Fosgate calls laminated PXNX, and they have a dome profile with a 1-inch voice coil and dual neodymium magnets.

Rockford M2WL-8
The M2WL-8 set includes wire pigtails, brackets and all the hardware your installer will need to start the installation.

Marine Speakers Made to Last

In terms of longevity, the M2WL-8 meets all the water- and UV-resistance requirements to bear the Element Ready moniker. The speakers are IPX6 water-intrusion rated, and the enclosures are molded from UV-resistant ASA plastic for rigidity and to keep weight down.

Rockford Fosgate’s attention to detail includes dual water-resistant Deutsch/Amphenol DT-Series connectors with silicone gaskets. One connector is in the center of the clamp, and the second is behind the mounting hardware access port. The speakers can be mounted directly to many tower brackets without a clamp, and the dual-connection options keep wiring simple and clean in every application. Speaking of mounting, a concealed security Torx fastener keeps everything rock solid, even when you’re pounding across the tops of waves and wakes.

Great Sound with a Cool Look

The Color Optix RGB LED lighting works with the RMX-RGB wireless controller module. Using the free RFConnect app on your Apple iPhone or an Android device, you can set the illumination color on the speaker cones and 3DIL logo to almost anything under the rainbow. You can even adjust the brightness or choose from 30 color scrolling patterns. In terms of attention to detail, the Diamond R logo on the 3DIL can be rotated, so it’s upright, no matter what angle the speakers are installed.

Rockford M2WL-8
The M2WL-8 kit includes removable stainless steel speaker grilles, so you can choose the style you want at no extra cost.

Upgrade Your Wake Boat with Rockford Fosgate

If you want a set of wakeboard tower speakers that will sound amazing, look cool and last for years, drop by your local authorized Rockford Fosgate retailer and ask about the M2WL-8 system. They’d be happy to provide you with a quote to upgrade your boat. For more information on these tower speakers, visit the Rockford Fosgate website and be sure to follow them on Facebook, Instagram and of course YouTube.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Vehicle Parking Safety Systems

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Parking SafetyDid you ever wish you had eyes in the back of your head? When you are backing into a parking spot, being able to know where the car behind you is would save a lot of time and nervousness. If your car doesn’t have a backup camera or parking sensors, then it’s time to visit your local mobile electronics specialists. They can add these parking safety systems to almost any vehicle on the road.

Backup Camera Options

Parking SafetyThe classic backup camera system consists of a compact camera, typically about a 1-inch cube. The image produced by a backup camera covers a wide field of vision in both the horizontal and vertical planes. The image is reversed from that of a normal camera. When the camera is installed pointing rearward, this reversed image shows objects on the right side of the vehicle on the right side of the display screen. This orientation mimics what you would see in a rear view mirror.

Most cameras are water-resistant so rain, snow, mud and dust don’t affect their performance. The wiring for these cameras is also water-resistant, usually up to the first connection unless specified otherwise. That connection should be inside the vehicle.

Most good-quality cameras use wide-aperture shutters that allow the camera to capture a lot of light, even when it’s dark out. The reverse lights of your vehicle are often more than adequate to light up everything behind you. Most of these cameras are rated down to 0.5 or 1 Lux of light sensitivity. If you need to see in the dark, then there are cameras with built-in IR light transmitters. These can be used inside closed areas, like an engine compartment of a boat or the container of a delivery van.

Parking SafetyCameras can be installed at the top of or above your license plate. Some custom camera solutions are built into replacement tailgate, hatch handles and third brake light assemblies for many trucks and SUVs.

Several companies manufacture wireless camera systems. If you have a vehicle that is difficult to run wires in, then a wireless camera system may be a viable option. Just be aware that the quality of wireless cameras systems varies a great deal. The last thing you want is for an image to be full of noise, or not present at all due to interference. Wireless systems also have a small amount of delay inherent to their design. This delay can be as little as 100 mSec for some WiF-based camera systems up to almost 300 mSec for others that use more conventional AM and FM transmission techniques. You will need to work with your retailer to choose the right camera system for your vehicle.

Monitor and Display Options

Parking SafetyThere are many options for where the camera image can be displayed. Almost all aftermarket multimedia source units have dedicated rear view camera inputs and triggers. If your vehicle has a color display from the factory, several companies manufacture interfaces that allow an aftermarket camera image to be displayed on that screen. The third option is a dedicated display screen. This display can be a stand-alone monitor that is installed on the dash or in the center console, or is built into a new rearview mirror. Rearview mirror displays are a nice, clean option because nothing stands out as having been added to the interior.

Some camera systems designed for larger vehicles offer side and front camera locations as well. The monitors included with these systems can typically show all four cameras at once in a variety of on-screen configurations. The most elaborate of these systems will stitch the images from the four cameras together to provide a bird’s-eye view of what is around the vehicle. These 360-degree systems require careful calibration to work properly. Most of these multi-camera systems include reverse and turn signal triggers to automatically change which camera is being displayed.

How a Camera System Works

Parking SafetyWhen you put your transmission in reverse, a wire connected to your reverse lights or a reverse gear signal from your transmission triggers the camera system to turn on. You don’t need to press any buttons or flick any switches – it happens instantly and automatically. The camera should be installed and aligned so you can see the ground as close to the rear of your vehicle as possible.

Parking Sensor Systems

An alternative to a camera system is a parking sensor system. Instead of a camera, these systems use several ultrasonic sensors to detect the presence of objects. These sensors emit a very high-frequency signal, then measure how long it takes for that signal to bounce off an object and return to a receiving sensor built into the same small unit. These sensors are typically installed on the rear bumper of your vehicle. When installed properly, they do a great job of detecting even small objects like the post of a sign. This method of object detection is the same as what bats use for navigation.

Parking SafetyHow a parking sensor system works varies by brand. Some systems have a small display that shows you which sensor has detected an object and how far you are from that object. Most systems use a small beeper or buzzer to alert you to the presence of an object. The system will emit a beeping sound when it detects an object. The speed of the beeps increases as you get closer to the object. The warning beeps usually switch to a solid tone once you are within 12 inches of an object.

More-elaborate parking systems also include front-mounted sensors to help when driving forward into parking spot or garage.

Passive versus Active Warning Systems

Ultimately, cameras and parking sensor systems do the same job: They let you know when you are getting close to something.

One significant benefit of a parking sensor system over a camera system is that it is completely active. You don’t have to make a conscious decision to look at a screen or display to be warned of an imminent collision – the system beeps and tells you.

This isn’t to say that one system is better than the other – they simply differ in how they work. If you were trying to back a pickup truck up to a trailer, a backup camera system would be a huge benefit, while the parking sensor system just tells you there is something behind you.

The Importance of Parking Safety Systems

Here’s a chilling fact: More than 50 children are hit each week in the U.S. by a vehicle that is backing up. Sadly, roughly two of these children succumb to their injuries each week. We aren’t trying to scare you or make you paranoid – but accidents happen all the time while backing up.

If your vehicle didn’t come with a parking safety system, then drop by your local mobile electronics specialist retailer. They would be happy to inspect your vehicle and design a parking solution that meets your needs.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.