Consumer Reports - Receivers

The receiver is the brain of an audio/video system. It provides AM and FM tuners, amplifiers, surround sound, and switching capabilities. It’s also the heart of the setup--most of the devices in a home-entertainment system connect to it, including audio components such as speakers, a CD player, cassette deck, and turntable, as well as video sources such as a TV, DVD player, VCR, and cable and satellite boxes. Even as receivers take on a bigger role in home entertainment, they’re losing some audio-related features that were common years back, such as tape monitors and phono inputs. Manufacturers say they must eliminate those less-used features to make room for others.

WHAT'S AVAILABLE

Sony is by far the biggest-selling brand. Other top-selling brands include Denon, JVC, Kenwood, Onkyo, Panasonic, Pioneer, RCA, and Yamaha. Most models now are digital, designed for the six-channel surround-sound formats encoded in most DVDs and some TV fare, such as high-definition (HD) programming. Here are the types you’ll see, from least to most expensive:

Stereo. Basic receivers accept the analog stereo signals from a tape deck, CD player, or turntable. They provide two channels that power a pair of stereo speakers. For a simple music setup, add a DVD or CD player to play CDs, or a cassette deck for tapes. For rudimentary home theater, add a TV and DVD player or VCR. Power typically runs 50 to 100 watts per channel.

Price range: $125 to $250.

Dolby Pro Logic. Dolby Pro Logic, Pro Logic II, and Pro Logic IIx are the analog home-theater surround-sound standard. Receivers that support it can take a Dolby-encoded two-channel stereo source from your TV, DVD player, or hi-fi VCR and output them to four to six speakers--three in front, and one to three in back. Power for Dolby Pro Logic models is typically 60 to 150 watts per channel.

Price range: $150 to $300 or more.

Dolby Digital. Currently the prevailing digital surround-sound standard, a Dolby Digital 5.1 receiver has a built-in decoder for six-channel audio capability--front left and right, front center, two rear with discrete wide-band signals, and a powered subwoofer for low-frequency, or bass, effects (that’s where the “.1” comes in). Dolby Digital is the sound format for most DVDs, HDTV, digital cable TV, and some satellite-TV broadcast systems. Newer versions of Dolby Digital, 6.1 and 7.1, add one or two back surround channels for a total of seven-channel and eight-channel sound, respectively. To take advantage of true surround-sound capability, you’ll need speakers that do a good job of reproducing full-spectrum sound. Receivers with digital decoding capability can also accept a signal that has been digitized, or sampled, at a given rate per second and converted to digital form. Dolby Digital is backward-compatible and supports earlier versions of Dolby such as Pro Logic. Power for Dolby Digital receivers is typically 75 to 150 watts per channel.

Price range: $200 to $500 or more.

DTS. A rival to Dolby Digital 5.1, Digital Theater Systems also offers six channels. It’s a less common form of digital surround sound that is used in some movie tracks. Both DTS and Dolby Digital are often found on the same receivers. Power for DTS models is typically 75 to 150 watts per channel.

Price range: $200 to $500 or more.

THX-certified. The high-end receivers that meet this quality standard include full support for Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Digital, and DTS. THX Select is the standard for components designed for small and average-sized rooms; THX Ultra is for larger rooms. Power for THX models is typically 100 to 170 watts per channel.

Price range: $500 to $2,500 and up.

IMPORTANT FEATURES

Controls should be easy to use. Look for a front panel with displays and controls clearly labeled and grouped by function. Onscreen display lets you control the receiver via a TV screen, a squint-free alternative to using the receiver’s tiny LED or LCD display. Switched AC outlets (expect one or two) let you plug in other components and turn the whole system on and off with one button.

Remote controls are most useful when they have clear labels and buttons that light up for use in dim rooms. It’s best if the buttons have different shapes and are color-coded and grouped by function--a goal seldom achieved in receiver remotes. A learning remote can receive programming data for other devices via their remotes’ infrared signal; on some remotes, the necessary codes for other manufacturers’ devices are built-in.

Input/output jacks matter more on a receiver than on any other component of your home theater. Clear labeling, color-coding, and logical groupings of the many jacks on the rear panel can help avert glitches during setup such as reversed speaker polarities and mixed-up inputs and outputs. Input jacks situated on the front panel make for easy connections to camcorders, video games, MP3 players, digital cameras, MiniDisc players, and PDAs.

A stereo receiver will give you a few audio inputs and no video jacks. Digital-ready receivers with Dolby Pro Logic will have several types of video inputs, including composite and S-video and sometimes component-video. S-video and component-video jacks allow you to route signals from DVD players and other high-quality video sources through the receiver to the TV. Digital-ready receivers also have analog 5.1 audio inputs. These accept input from a DVD player with its own built-in Dolby Digital decoder, an outboard decoder, or other components with multichannel analog signals, such as a DVD-Audio or SACD player. This enables the receiver to convey up to six channels of sound or music to your speakers. Dolby Digital and DTS receivers have the most complete array of audio and video inputs, often with several of a given type to accommodate multiple components.

Tone controls adjust bass and treble, allowing you to correct room acoustics and satisfy your personal preferences. A graphic equalizer breaks the sound spectrum into three or more sections, giving you slightly more control over the full audio spectrum. Instead of tone controls, some receivers come with tone presets such as Jazz, Classical, or Rock, each accentuating a different frequency pattern; often you can craft your own styles.

DSP (digital signal processor) modes use a computer chip to duplicate the sound characteristics of a concert hall and other listening environments. A bass-boost switch amplifies the deepest sounds, and midnight mode reduces loud sounds and amplifies quiet ones in music or soundtracks.

Sometimes called “one touch,” a settings memory lets you store settings for each source to minimize differences in volume, tone, and other settings when switching between sources. A similar feature, loudness memory, is limited to volume settings alone.

Tape monitor lets you either listen to one source as you record a second on a tape deck or listen to the recording as it’s being made. Automatic radio tuning includes such features as seek (automatic searching for the next in-range station) and 20 to 40 presets to call up your favorite stations.

To catch stations too weak for the seek mode, most receivers also have a manual stepping knob or buttons, best in one-channel increments. But most models creep in half- or quarter-steps, meaning unnecessary button tapping to find the frequency you want. Direct tuning of frequencies lets you tune a radio station by entering its frequency on a keypad.

HOW TO CHOOSE

First, don’t assume that pricey brands outperform less costly ones. We’ve found fine performers at all prices. Points to consider:

How many devices do you want to connect? Even low-end receivers generally have enough video and audio inputs for a CD or DVD player, a VCR, and a cable box or satellite receiver. Mid- and high-priced models usually have more inputs, so you can connect additional devices, such as a camcorder, a personal video recorder, or a game system.

The number of inputs isn’t the only issue; the type also matters. Composite-video inputs, the most basic type, can be used with everything from an older VCR to a new DVD player. S-video and component-video inputs are used mostly by digital devices such as DVD players and satellite receivers. If you have such digital devices or may add them, get a receiver with a few S-video and/or component-video inputs. Both can provide better video quality than composite-video.

All these video inputs require a companion audio input. The basic left/right audio inputs can be used with almost any device to provide stereo sound. A turntable requires a phono input, which is available on fewer models than in years past.

To get multichannel sound from DVD players, digital-cable boxes, and satellite receivers, you generally use a digital-audio input. With this input, encoded multichannel sound is relayed on one cable to the receiver, which decodes it into separate channels. The input on the receiver must be the same type--either optical, the more common type, or coaxial--as the output on the other device. You usually must buy cables, about $10 and up, for digital-audio, S-video, and component-video connections.

What kind of sound do you want from movies? All new digital receivers support Dolby Digital and DTS, the surround-sound formats used on most movies. Both provide 5.1 channels. Most receivers also support Dolby Pro Logic, Pro Logic II, and sometimes Pro Logic IIx. If you want the latest type of surround sound, look for a receiver that supports Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES. These offer 6.1 or 7.1 channels, subtly enhancing the rear surround. Fairly few movies using these formats are available, but offerings should increase.

What kind of music do you like? Any receiver can reproduce stereo from regular CDs. Most models have digital signal processing (DSP) modes that process a CD’s two channels to simulate a sound environment such as a concert hall. DSP modes feed a stereo signal through all the speakers to simulate surround. For multichannel music from SACD or DVD-Audio discs, get a receiver with 5.1 analog inputs.

How big is your room? Make sure a receiver has the oomph to provide adequate volume: at least 50 watts per channel in a typical 12-by-20-foot living room, or 85 watts for a 15-by-25-foot space. A huge room, plush furnishings, or a noisy setting all call for more power.

Is the receiver compatible with your speakers? If you like to blast music for hours on end, get a receiver rated to handle your front speakers’ impedance. Most receivers are rated for 6-ohm and 8-ohm speakers. If used with 4-ohm speakers, such a receiver could overheat and shut down.

Is it easy to use? Most receivers have legible displays and well-labeled function buttons. Some add an onscreen menu, which displays settings on your TV screen. An auto-calibration feature adjusts sound levels and balance to improve the surround effect. Models with a test-tone function for setting speaker levels help you balance the sound yourself.

Two tips: When deciding where to place your receiver, allow 4 inches or so of space behind it for cables and at least 2 inches on top for venting to prevent overheating. If setting up a home theater is more than you want to tackle, consider calling in a professional installer. Retailers often offer an installation service or can refer you to one.

Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

For the latest information on this and many other products and services, visit http://www.ConsumerReports.org

Brooke(SEO)

Find More Receivers with Easy Deal at ShopNdeal.com

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DVD Players- When Multi-Disc Players Make Good Sense

Now that DVD players have been popular for quite a number of years, prices are quite reasonable. Single disc players well under $100 abound providing options for almost every budget. For many people a single disc player meets their needs nicely as they can view only one DVD movie at a time anyway. For some consumers however, other features are well worth a few extra dollars.

One of the first options buyers have to consider is whether or not a multi-disc or mega storage type of DVD player would be a good choice for them. While some multi-disc players allow users to keep up to 4 or 5 discs in the player at any given time, others can store up to 400 discs.

Multi-disc DVD players offer four primary advantages for consumers:

• Ease of Use: Multi-disc DVD players allow users to keep multiple discs in the player which can eliminate time spent shuffling through discs and loading them. Most have good search functions that allow users to easily find the disc they want and to initiate play with the push of a button from their remote control. In the case of a large collection of discs this is a particularly attractive option.

• Saving Space: If a user has a large collection of discs, a mega storage DVD player can potentially store their collection eliminating the need for additional shelving on which to house their collection. All discs are maintained in the player and available for immediate access.

• Dual Use: Most DVD players offer the ability to not only play DVD movies but audio CDs as well. Users can switch between movie viewing and listening to audio with the push of a button. With a multi-disc DVD player, many owners opt to forgo the purchase of a separate CD player completely.

• Something for the Whole Family: Face it, not everyone living in the house has the same taste in music or movies. Being able to store and play multiple discs, can be the only fair way to give quick and easy access to the collections of multiple individuals.

Certainly, there are many choices to make and features to consider when selecting a DVD player. Deciding on the disc capacity requires only a simple look at the size of the person's DVD/CD collection and determining whether or not quick and easy access to those discs is critical.

The world of home electronics is always changing, the author, Christine Peppler invites consumers to visit her website for simple, useful information and shopping for home electronics such as a DVD player.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_Peppler

Convert iTunes to MP3 Format

I Want My (Digital) Rights!

It does seem unfair... you paid for those songs and now you can't play them outside of the iTunes environment, on hardware not supported by Apple, or on operating systems not supported by iTunes.

That's because the iTunes tracks that you purchase and download are in a "protected" AAC or M4P audio format. Only it's not YOU that is being protected, it's Apple, or rather Apple's bottom line. Apple explains this by saying that their proprietary format gives you superior sound quality, but that's a smokescreen. It's all about DRM, and DRM is all about the money.

The ability to make copies of copyrighted materials is seen by the recording industry as a threat to its profitability, and perhaps rightly so. DRM (Digital Rights Management) was created by digital media publishers so they could control the duplication and dissemination of their content. But DRM is actually a misnomer. Because rather than granting rights, DRM actually restricts the consumer from doing perfectly valid and reasonable things with music they own.

MP3 is the standard for digital audio. An MP3 music track can be played on almost ANY player, whether it's portable or computer-based. You can burn MP3s to a CD and they'll play just fine on almost any modern CD player.

But Apple's iTunes software doesn't create MP3 files when you buy a song. The files are "protected" and cannot be played on a computer which does not have the iTunes software. You CAN copy them to your portable music player, as long as you bought that player from Apple and it says iPod on it. Understandably, this makes Linux users, and the millions of owners of non-iPod music players a little upset.

Converting iTunes to MP3

If you right-click on a music track in iTunes, there is an option to Convert Selection to some other format. Probably it says "Convert Selection to AAC", which is useless because your iTunes tracks are already in AAC format! So click on Edit / Preferences / Importing then change the Import Using from the default setting to "MP3 Encoder". Click OK to save this setting. Now when you right-click on a music track, there is an option to Convert Selection to MP3. But just try it... iTunes will tell you that "Protected files cannot be converted to other formats."

Converting AAC to MP3

Bzzzt! Sorry, thanks for playing. It turns out you can only convert non-protected formats (such as WAV or WMA) to MP3. So what can we do? Fortunately, there are two ways to get around this annoying restriction.

Method 1: Burn the track(s) to a CD, then you can open the CD in iTunes and the Convert Selection to MP3 will do exactly what you want. Just be aware that you'll have TWO copies of that song in iTunes -- one in the original AAC format and one in MP3 format. You can delete the AAC version if you like.

Method 2: If you have lots of music, you might need a big pile of CDs to convert everything with the "burn and rip" method above. That's where the JHymn software can help. JHymn was created to allow you to exercise your fair-use rights under copyright law, and will free your iTunes music from DRM restrictions with no loss of sound quality. JHymn provides a drag and drop graphical interface for both Mac OSX and Windows users. But currently, JHymn will not work with iTunes Version 6 or higher. If you have an earlier version of iTunes, keep it, or visit http://www.oldapps.com/itunes.htm to search for a backlevel version.

Note that JHymn is not meant to aid music piracy, but it does contradict the iTunes user agreement, and may not be legal in your country. You should be aware of the legalites of DRM circumvention in your country and make your own decision whether using JHymn software is right for you. Then use JHymn only for making archival copies of your own music, for copying tracks to an MP3 player, or for playing your music on a non-Itunes platform. If you decide against using JHymn, you might want to look into TuneBite. The makers of Tunebite claim that it lets you make "totally legal" unprotected copies of copy-protected music files by recording them while they are being played.

Reprinted from: http://www.askbobrankin.com/convert_itunes_to_mp3_format.html

BOB RANKIN... is a tech writer and computer programmer who enjoys exploring the Internet and sharing the fruit of his experience with others. His work has appeared in ComputerWorld, NetGuide, and NY Newsday. Bob is publisher of the Internet TOURBUS newsletter, author of several computer books, and creator of the http://LowfatLinux.com website. Visit Bob Rankin's website for more helpful articles and free tech support.


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Things To Look For When Buying A Car Stereo Head Unit

There are so many car stereo head units on the market. How do you know what to choose? Let's take a look at some of the things you should look for when buying a head unit.

1. How user friendly is the head unit?

Your head unit must be user friendly. This is the part of your car stereo you will interact with the most so you must feel comfortable using it. Before buying one be sure to play around with it and see how easy and quick it is to change tracks on a CD, switch radio stations, and so on. Are the buttons too small? You need to be able to enjoy using your head unit.

2. How is the unit's power measured?

Pay close attention to power. Look out for models where the manufacturers exaggerate the unit's power. This malpractice is common among most manufacturers. Ensure that power is measures in RMS. Be very wary of terms like "music power" and "peak power". These terms mean nothing when it comes to measuring power.

3. Choosing between a cassette player and a CD player.

It's all about your personal preference. Do you use more cassettes than CDs? In that case you should probably go with a cassette player. Many of them give you the option of hooking up a CD changer. Your CD changer can be operated from your head unit.

The only problem with some CD changers is the fact that you may have to get to your trunk or under your seat to change CDs. With in-dash CD players everything is in reach and can be operated easily.

More and more people are using CDs these days. CDs have several advantages including better sound quality. Many of them can be hooked up to a CD changer as well.

4. Does the head unit include pre-amp outputs?

If you're serious about sound you wouldn't buy a head unit that doesn't come with pre-amp outputs. With these outputs, you can run an amplifier directly without any need for conversion. This output is the cleanest. Higher volt outputs are better as long as your amplifier or crossover can handle the voltage. For less noise choose 4 volts over 1-2 volts.

5. Is there a theft prevention scheme?

If theft protection is important to you buy a head unit that includes a theft prevention scheme. You can choose between a partially detachable and fully detachable face. Detaching the face of your head unit renders it useless. So this is obviously a great deterrent for thieves.

Kenwood has some models where the face flips around so the thief can't see the head unit.

Some head units like Eclipse's ESN system, require a reference CD when you first apply power to them. If it is stolen it is useless. You must have the reference CD for it to work. The only problem with this is that if the thief has no clue about this feature, your head unit would be stolen anyway. Your only hope would be if he foolishly takes it to Eclipse for repair. Eclipse would be able to verify that it was stolen.

Ordering your car stereo head unit online is quick and easy. Before buying your head unit be sure to check out some online reviews. Find out what customers like yourself think of the unit you want to buy. You can order one online today.

Roger Charles is a successful author and publisher of Car Stereos Guide. A resource for information and tips on buying car stereos and car audio products online.



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Discover How To Convert MP3 Files Into CDs With Easy MP3 Converter Tips

When downloading MP3 files online, usually you will quickly build up a large music collection. Keeping them on your computer is dicey because if your PC crashes all those music files could be lost.

MP3s, like all important computer data, needs to be backed up. However, instead of treating MP3 files like other computer files, many people prefer to convert their online music files into audio CDs. Converting MP3 files into CDs is a rather easy procedure.

Most CD burning software can do the conversion for you automatically. You simply build up your collection of MP3 songs and burn a CD. Before the CD is burned, the MP3s will be converted into Compact Disc Audio (CDA) files. This is done for you automatically with many CD burning programs, like Nero, but if you choose you can take more control of the CD burning process.

For instance, Nero has an easy audio editor that allows you to break up files and use filters such as equalization, noise reduction or stereo widening. If your CD burning software does not provide these extra features, you can continue to process the MP3 files before burning the CD. In this circumstance, you'll need dedicated audio editing software. There are a variety of freeware and commercial programs available online to choose from.

When getting your MP3 files ready to burn to a CD, one of the most helpful editing functions you can do is to 'normalize' all of the files. Normalization is a process that smoothes out the differences in volume between different tracks - this ensures that your entire music CD will play at about the same loudness.

Once you have finished editing your files, you'll need to save your MP3 files to WAV. Converting MP3 to WAV is necessary so that they can be burned to CD. More than likely, you will be burning your MP3s to a CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable). Newer model CD players can handle this type of CD, however, an older CD player may not be able to identify them.

Instead of converting MP3 files to audio CD, you can burn MP3s directly to CD in their original MP3 format. This will allow you to store a lot more music on one CD. Another advantage of MP3 CDs is that they can be played on many CD and DVD players and they can also be played in a computer CD-ROM.

A disadvantage of the MP3 CDs is that because there are so many songs on one disc it can be very difficult to find a particular song you want to listen to.

One way to solve this problem is to use them on a DVD player connected to your home theater system. Usually DVD players can handle MP3 CDs and will even display the tracks on the TV set. However, the filenames may be fixed to only eight characters, and therefore, you should give special attention beforehand about how to categorize your MP3s before burning to a CD.

Here are some tips on how to organize your MP3 music files:

1) Divide your songs into separate folders. You can choose a folder for each artist or a folder for each genre.

2) Always begin the filename with the name of the song instead of the artist. This prevents all of the file names being displayed exactly the same.

3) Be careful when naming your MP3 files and remember that it's very easy to rename your files using MP3 tag editors. Today's ID3 tag software is designed to rename MP3 files using a variety of criteria. To rename your entire music collection fast, simply check the option that puts the song title at the beginning of the filename.

Converting your MP3s into audio CDs is an easy process with the help of quality MP3 converter software and proper MP3 file organization skills. Good luck.

Article by Anna Rowe. Please visit her online music download site to get music site reviews and learn how to download music legally. You'll get P2P file sharing facts and free MP3 tools including MP3 players with MP3 converter software.


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Head Unit Features, And How They Effect YOU: A Guide

Build quality:

Some head units are flimsy and weak. Some are built to last. Usually the best way to determine this is by the weight of the unit. Also, check to see if anything doesn't "fit", or if there are parts that are cheap or flimsy. The truth is this: The bigger name units tend to be better. Also, the more expensive units tend to be better. This isn't always a big deal for everyone, but I believe that build quality is very important.

Basic Head Unit Features:

Power output:

Most head units have built-in amplifiers. These drive the speakers. Some head units do not have internal amps, and therefore, require the use of an external amp. Head units without amps are usually high-end models. Anyway, power is measured in WATTS. We'll talk more about watts later, but for now, just see more watts as more volume. Most head units (unfortunately) are deceptive about the power output. Usually, the power output spec on a unit will say "50Wx4 MAX output". This means that when the laws of physics are on your side, it's a clear day everywhere in the world, the planets are aligned, the bass hits really really low and hard, and for about a tenth of a second, yeah, your head unit will put out 50Wx4. However, most of the time, your head unit is probably putting out a quarter of that. It's not that the head unit manufacturer is lying, it's just that they are exaggerating the truth, AND MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW BETTER. So, anyway, many people put a lot of importance on a head unit's power output. I don't because head unit amps suck, and no serious car audio person uses the head unit's amp anyway. Most head unit brands have about the same power output anyway. 9 times out of 10, an aftermarket head unit will put out more power than your factory head unit, and as such, will sound better.

RCA Preouts:

These are used to connect external amps to your head unit. These are the same red and white cables that you use for your home system. Basic head units usually have one set of preouts (front left, front right). Some head units have two sets (front left, front right, rear left, rear right), but most decent head units have 3 sets (front left, front right, rear left, rear right, subwoofer left, subwoofer right). One quick note about subwoofer outputs: Sometimes they're called "non-fading" outputs because they are not effected by the head unit's fade control (front to back balance). If you're not planning on adding an external amp, you don't need to worry about RCA pre-outs. If you want to add an external amp (or amps), I would always recommend getting a unit with three pre-outs.

RCA Pre-out voltage:

Usually this spec is next to pre-out spec. It is measured in VOLTS (which we'll go over later). Basically, the higher the voltage, the LOUDER the music will be at your amp. Don't look at this as "free power" because it is not. In addition, the higher the voltage, the less noise that will be introduced to your system. Again, this spec doesn't matter if you don't plan on using an external amp. If you do plan on using an external amp, try to find the HIGHEST voltage you can. 2 volts is basic, 4 is standard for a good unit, sometimes you'll see units with 5 volts. I know Eclipse units have 8V(!) pre-outs. In short, more voltage=less noise and cleaner sound.

Digital time correction:

This is used to simulate a perfect stereo environment. If you're at home listening to music, you want to situate yourself in the middle of the two speakers to get the best sound. The same is true in the car, EXCEPT that it's a hell of a lot more difficult. Usually, the passenger side speaker will be farther from your ear than the driver side. Since sound travels fairly slow (comparfed to light), you'll have one ear receiving a portion of sound before the other ear. The digital time correction delays the music slightly so your ears will be perceiving the same music at the same time. This is a very important feature if you are planning an SQ system.

Crossover:

This feature is incorporated into many components in a car audio system. If your head unit doesn't have it, don't worry. Just be sure your amps have it. Basically, this makes sure the right speakers are playing the right sounds. I will go into more detail about crossovers later.

Equalizer aka EQ:

This feature allows you to tweak the sound. The most basic EQ is a two-band, and controls BASS and TREBLE. Some head units have 3-bands, BASS, MIDS, TREBLE. More advanced head units have 5-band EQs. If you are serious about tweaking your sound to perfection, you won't use your head unit's EQ; You will get an external unit, and some of these units have 30 bands! I will go into much more detail about EQs later.

Theft Deterents/Security Features:

There are a few options when it comes to head unit security:

Detachable Faceplate:

The most common method is a detachable faceplate. Basically, you remove the faceplate of the unit (where the screen and controls are), and the unit won't function. This will deter thieves, but please don't leave the faceplate in your car. Thieves know most people do this, and will still break into your car, find the faceplate and steal your head unit.

Password:

Some other units have a password function. When the unit is disconnected from power, then reconnected, the unit will require some sort of password. The unit will not function until the password is provided.

Key CD:

A few units use a key CD. Basically, the first time the unit is used, the unit will ask for a key CD. You insert any CD, and the unit will now designate that CD as the key CD. If the power is disconnected, the unit will ask for the key CD before it will function again.

Black out face:

When the unit is off, the head unit has a completely black face with no visible buttons or controls. Come on. Criminals aren't so stupid that they can't see that the head unit still has its face attached.

Hidden faceplate:

This is common for DVD players with screens, and one unit that I used to own, the Alpine CDA-7998. Basically, the face folds into the head unit, and looks exactly like a unit with the faceplate removed. Neat, but the unit is still vulnerable.

In short, all of these tactics are imperfect. Pick the one that makes the most sense to you, however most units only have a detachable faceplate feature.

CD Changer controls/Optional equipment interface:

This is a feature that allows you to connect other peripherals to your head unit. These peripherals are often CD changers, digital music players, satellite radio units, and video equipment. With this feature on your head unit, you'll be able to add additional capabilities to your stereo system in a convenient way. However, most of these interfaces are only compatible with the same brand. In other words, you'll need an Alpine head unit with the Ai-net interface connected to an Alpine CD changer with the Ai-net interface.

Remote Controls:

Some head units have remote control capability. This is a handy feature because you can control the headunit without taking your eyes off of the road.

OK, so these are some of the features of head units. Now, let's look at the specs of specific types of head units.

Tuner Features:

Most head units have AM/FM capability built in. Check out this information on getting the best AM/FM performance possible.

Presets: This feature allows you to save your favorite radio stations, and instantly recall them at the push of a button.

HD Radio: A new radio format that is close in sound quality to CDs. Basically, a radio station broadcasts their usual programming, but with an additional signal that can be received by units with "HD radio" capability. The availability of units with this feature is still small, and most radio stations haven't yet embraced the technology. I do expect this technology to take off, however because the sound quality is better, and not everyone wants to pay for satellite radio.

RDS: AKA "Radio Data System". A new feature for FM radios. This technology makes it possible for radio stations to transmit text to your receiver. This text can be used to show the station title or the artist name, and other information.

FM Sensitivity: The ability of your unit to tune into a weak signal

FM Selectivity: The ability of your unit to reject interference from other stations.

FM Stereo Seperation: The ability of a tuner to recreate the proper left/right channel sepearation.

CD Players:

CD-R/CD-RW Playback: This feature guarantees that your unit will play a CD-R or CD-RW that was made with a CD recording device.

CD-Text: This feature displays CD text information that is encoded on some CDs. This information includes artist names, song titles and album titles.

MP3/WMA/iTunes Playback: This spec assures you that certain digital file formats can be played back on certain units.

ID3 Tag Display: Displays text (such as song title and album name) encoded into MP3 files.

DAC: Digital to Analog converter. This device takes the digital signal from your CD, and turns it into an analog signal for your amp. The better your DAC, the more "real" your sound will be.

CD Frequency Response: The range of frequencies that the CD player can reproduce. It should at least cover the 20hz-20,000hz range.

Electronic Shock Protection: This feature prevents your CDs from skipping. If your head unit doesn't offer this, don't buy it. However, most players have it, and technology has gotten pretty good lately, so it's unlikely that you'll have any problems with skipping.

Signal to noise ratio (s/n): A measure of how well a CD player silences noise. The higher the rating, the less noise.

Zero Bit Detect mute: When the CD player detects a series of 0's on the CD (such as between songs), it will automatically mute the output. This feature isn't really important, but is often advertised.

Oversampling: The CD Audio format has a resolution of 16 bits, with a sampling rate of 44.1khz. What the hell does that mean? I really don't know, but think of a digital picture. Zoom in really close to this picture, and you see pixels. Think of each pixel as a sample. When you increase the pixels, you increase the sharpness and quality of the picture. When a CD player has oversampling, it takes the 44.1khz, and turns it into a bigger number. More samples=More realistic sound. Confused? I know. I am too, but a unit with oversampling will sound better than one without. Of course, the good news is that pretty much every unit these days has this feature.

Tape decks:

Auto Reverse: A feature that will automatically play the reverse side of a tape at the end of a side.

Dolby noise reduction: There are many Dolby technologies incorporated into tape decks. Most of these features exist to lower tape hiss, and raise the signal to noise ratio.

Frequency response: Again, the frequencies the tape deck respond to. Normal human hearning is from 20 to 20,000 hz.

Wow and flutter: This spec tells you how stable the tape deck playback speed is.

Now that you know some of the features of head units, you are ready to buy the right unit for YOU.

Alan Bayer is an entrepreneur and Car Audio enthusiast. He currently resides in some lame suburb in northern California.

He owns an eBay business http://stores.ebay.com/honest-aebs-autosound/, and the website http://www.honestaebs-caraudio.com/.

I also have a newsletter at my website. Check it out!


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alan_Bayer

The iPod Guide for Newbies and Not-so-Newbies

Unless you've been living under a rock you've at least heard the following terms: "iPod", "iPod Nano", "iPod Shuffle", "mp3 player", "iTunes", "podcast", "ripping".

While you may have heard the terms, you may not be 100% clear as to what these terms actually mean. Or, you may have seen people carrying around these small devices with headphones and wondered what exactly they were and what the big deal is.

So what are these devices and why are they so popular? This article is an overview of the mp3 player device, it's evolution, glossary of related terminology and options you have when buying an mp3 player, specifically an iPod.

Specifically, this article covers:

* Glossary of commonly-used terms (what is an iPod, iPod Nano, mp3 player, etc.)
* Comparison of the iPod to other audio-listening devices
* Other major brands of mp3 players on the market
* How can I use an iPod?
* The iPod's Battery and Battery life

Glossary of commonly-used terms (iPod, iPod Nano, mp3 player, etc.)

iPod a brandname of a portable media player that was created by a company called "Apple Computer".

The iPod was first launched in 1991.

The term iPod is also referred to as a digital audio player, which is basically a device that stores, organizes and plays digital music files (ex: mp3 files). It is more commonly referred to as an "MP3 player". The iPod can

The iPod can serve also as an external data storage device (i.e., files other than audio and video) but Apple has made a strategic decision to focus it's development and marketing on the iPod's simple UI (user interface) and ease of use rather than on it's technical capability.

CD players are one of the well-known precursors to digital audio players.

By far, the iPod is the best-selling digital audio player in the world and has gone mainstream which makes it one of the most popular consumer brands. I've seen a wide demographic use these things, from 8-year old kids to 80- year old grandmothers.

Digital Audio Player (DAP)

a name for a device that stores, organizes and plays digital music files (ex: mp3 files). It is more commonly referred to as an "MP3 player".

For the most part, DAPs are portable and use internal or replaceable batteries and headphones. Accessories are available that allow users to connect players to both car and home stereos. Some DAPs include features such as FM radio and microphones for voice recording. This technology continues to evolve at an ever-increasing rate. There are now DAPs that are available on sunglasses (Oakley's "Thump" model offers introduces the world’s first digital audio eyewear for a mere $229).

Portable Media Player (PMP)

a name for a versatile device which can store and play files that are in one or more media formats, such as video, audio and digital images / photos. Some models are capable of video and audio recording.

The best part is that it's portable, as it's name suggests.

mp3

a name for a type of 'audio file'. According to Wikipedia (which is a free online encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/), it's a digital audio format.

To get more info on this and to view the history of mp3 files, view the full Wikipedia definition by clicking on the following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mp3

mp3 player

another way to describe a DAP (see dap for definition).

Ripping

a termed used to describe the process of copying audio and/or video data from one media form, such as DVD (i.e., digital versatile disk) or CD (compact disk), to a hard disk.

Ripping can also refer to copying other media (referred to as "analog" media) such as VHS video or vinyl records to a digital format.

To conserve storage space, the copied data is usually encoded in a compressed format such as MP3, WMA or Ogg Vorbis for audio, or MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX, XviD or Ogg Theora for video.

When dealing with digital content, ripping has numerous uses and purposes, which includes:

Because digital camcorders can now write directly to a DVD, you then "rip" (i.e., extract) that content onto a computer where you store it and can edit, duplicate or back it up. You can rip (extract) songs from various CD's, albums, DVD's, etc. to your computer or DAP. You can then take all of that music and create your own playlists where you can organize your songs in many different ways (ex: rock / jazz / hip hop, etc.).

You can also rip those songs onto a DAP (PMP).

You use CD ripping software / programs to rip files from one device to another.

CD Ripping Programs / Software

also referred to as "CD ripper", "CD grabber" or "CD extractor". Basically, CD ripping is a software program that's designed to extract digital audio from a CD to a file or other output.

Examples include:

MS Windows Operating System:

o Exact Audio Copy: Free for private use. Many enthusiasts choose this CD ripping program because of its features and extraction quality in comparison to most other digital audio extraction programs.
o Amazing CD Ripper: (Windows XP and Vista). A powerful and user-friendly software for ripping audio CD tracks and saving them into audio formats (MP3 ,WAV ,WMA, etc. Priced from $19.95 USD.
o iTunes (Mac OS or Windows): iTunes is a digital media player application used to play and organize digital audio (music) and video files. iTunes also manages the content on iPods. In addition, Tunes can connect to Apple Computer's online iTunes Store where you can purchase digital music, music videos, TV shows, iPod games and even feature-length films

Linux Operating System:

o ABCDE (A Better CD Encoder): a CD ripper that's operated entirely from the command line.
o Grip: a cd player and cd ripping program. Free (a GNOME project).
o Sound Juicer: extracts audio from CDs and converts it into audio files that PCs or DAPs can play.

Podcast

a multimedia file that is distributed (paid or unpaid) over the Internet for playback on mobile devices and PC's. Podcasting is a way to listen to or watch radio-like programs or TV-like video feeds. You basically download a podcast feed into a DAP or PC and play it at your convenience.

It's important to repeat that you don't need a DAP to view / listen to a podcast. Your PC will work fine.

Many hours of podcasts can be stored on even low-capacity DAPs.

Flash Memory

a form of non-volatile computer memory that can be electrically erased and re-programmed. Non-volatile memory is computer memory that can retain the stored information even when not powered, like hard disks and floppy disks.

In addition to its use in DAPs, flash memory is also used in digital cameras (memory cards), mobile phones and USB flash drives (which are used for general storage and transfer of data between computers). It has also gained some popularity in the gaming mark

How the iPod (and DAPs in general) compare to other audio-listening devices:

Basically, the iPod is superior to all of the items listed below for the following reasons:

* CDs (Compact Discs):
o CDs can get scratched and skip, mp3 files don't
o mp3 players consume less power
o small size and, therefore, ease of portability - the smallest digital audio player is about 1/20th the size of a portable cd player.
o user interface - with CD's you must know what songs are on each track if trying to select a specific song whereas on some mp3 players you see the song title, artist and even album title on a list.
o higher storage capacity - you can store thousands of audio files on an mp3 player. CD players typically play 1 CD at a time.

* Cassette Tape (anyone still using these??):
o tapes get old and brittle
o tapes can jam in a cassette player

* Radio:
o No static
o Listen to only the songs you want to hear
o No commercials

Major brands of DAPs on the market: Even though the iPod is the most popular DAP on the market today, other brands do actually exist, such as:

* Apple Computer: iPod **
* Creative Technology: Creative NOMAD, MuVo, Creative Zen **
* Sony: Walkman, PlayStation Portable
* Toshiba: Gigabeat
* Microsoft: Zune **
* Samsung: Yepp
* Sandisk: Sansa
* Cowon: iAudio

** - Indicates that this DAP brand requires unique software in order to load content onto it.

How can I use an iPod? As time passes, new uses of DAPs can be found. You can now purchase iPods that allow you to:

* Listen to Music
* Listen to / View podcasts
* Play games
* View feature-length movies
* Watch home videos
* Image and other file storage
* Audio and video recording

The iPod's Battery and Battery Life The battery in all iPods is non-replaceable and is not designed to be removed or replaced by the user. Some users have been able to pry the case open to replace the battery, as some online stores sell them. Initially, Apple would not replace worn-out batteries. Their official policy was that the customer should buy a refurbished replacement iPod, at a cost almost equivalent to a brand new one. All lithium-ion batteries eventually lose capacity during their lifetime and this situation led to a small market for third-party battery replacement kits.

In 2003, Apple announced a battery replacement program. The initial cost was US$99, but it was eventually lowered to US$59 in 2005. One week later Apple offered an extended iPod warranty for US$59.

Third-party companies offer cheaper battery replacement kits that often use higher capacity batteries (ex: www.iPodBatteryDepot.com). For the iPod nano, soldering tools are needed because the battery is soldered onto the main board. On the fifth generation iPod, the battery is held onto the backplate with adhesive.

Apple states that their 30GB 5G iPod provides up to 14 hours of audio playback. This gives you can idea of how long your device will play tunes on a single charge...in the best-case scenario. However, for real-world use, many users report battery lives of less than 8 hours with the 30 GB video iPod.

If you've been wondering if you should take the leap and get one. I say the time is now!

Paula Wozniak is an IT Consultant and entrepreneur. Visit http://iPod.TopInfo4All.com for more information on iPod Models and comparisons.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paula_Wozniak

Car Audio Systems

It is hard to imagine an automobile without an audio system. Car audio systems are important to all car owners and a mind boggling range is available to choose from. A car audio system is a combination of components such as head units, amplifiers, speakers, and auxiliary input devices. All of these work to complement each other and have no meaning on a stand-alone basis.

The head unit of a system is like the brain and central processing unit. Control and tuning of the volume, bass, equalizer, etc., is done through this unit. There are different kinds of head units. Some allow you to play only tapes, CDs or the radio, while others allow all of these choices. Advanced devices can also hold many CDs at a time and allow shuttling between them. Speakers are obviously important if we want to hear anything. However, different kinds are available, like cone or ribbon type. All have their own advantages. The placement of speakers also makes a difference. Then there are amplifiers, which amplify or increase signals to make them audible. They too are available in different configurations, like mono, stereo or multi-channel.

Car audio systems can range from basic to very high end and funky models. A basic system costs less and can have good sound quality if components are of a standard make. Some decisions also depend on intended use. If you feel that you do not require a tape player but a CD player, then invest in a good-quality CD player rather than a cheap combination. For a basic system, you can go for only front speakers and avoid rear ones. Advanced models are available in compact sizes, with or without remote control and all other features one can imagine.

Depending on your budget and personal preferences, you can self-assemble a unit or buy an all-in-one system. Branded ones may be costlier but come with a guarantee and are easy to service. For some things like speakers, it is advisable to buy from standard, reliable and tested manufactures. If sound quality is low or harsh, then money saved is also wasted.

Car Audio provides detailed information on Car Audio, Discount Car Audio, Wholesale Car Audio, Car Audio Systems and more. Car Audio is affiliated with Car Stereo Installations.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Emerson

SONY CDP 101 CD PLAYER

After the first CD player was launched, Tsurushima and his associates who headed the Engineering Development Department zeroed on building up a more compact CD player. The main aspect of the CD player was that it was made up of a fewer parts and required lesser power in order to be run.

The team of experts worked thoroughly to develop Sony CDP -101 CD player. The device was made up of a one-chip LSI circuit and they also worked upon reducing the size of the optical pick up device, apart from the thickness. The Audio Division that worked under the leadership of Idei went ahead with the project that helped in reducing the cost of the CD player. The project was undertaken under the title, “CD CD Project”, or the “Compact Disc Cost down Project.” This project was especially designed in order to meet a price target, which ranged in between 50,000- 60,000 yen. Hence, the price of the semi-conductors and the Optical Device were required to be slashed down. After approaching several members of the division which noted the development of the components, the team of experts was extended with a lot of help to manufacture the compact parts in a much cheaper manner.

By 1983, Sony received the technology by which a CD player deck can be worked upon. The device stood at its one-tenth size from the one that existed in market. A very well worked upon CD system resulted, due to the superior research and development
quality that was put after the product development. By 1983, the CD Market noted a number of other companies stepping in the domain. Around a thousand CD titles were available in the market and the Sony CDP-101 CD Player was selling well in the market, towards the end of the year. Among the group of enthusiasts who bought the Sony CDP-101 CD Player were the lovers of the classical and the jazz music. By this time, all that they had in store were the LP records. The CD market got saturated and the poor state of the CD market, seemed not to improve. By this time the Sony executives noted that something more is required to build up on the decaying market of CDs. It is by this time that the Sony D-50 CD player was introduced in the market. The series of the Sony D-50 had similar operations as that of the Sony CDP-101 CD Player. This market stunt resulted in the growth of Sony’s business in audio device under the effective leadership of Nobuo Kanoi. His beliefs were widely referred to as the Kanoi Theory that were adopted by the staff members at Sony and implemented into practice.


http://www.encyclocentral.com/11127-SONY_CDP_101_CD_PLAYER.html