Car PC Hacks

Chapter 2. Automotive Audio Entertainment

Hacks 12–22: Introduction

Audio entertainment has long been the steadfast companion of the driver. Since the first tube radios were introduced, the latest audio technologies have always found their way into vehicles—and the recent success of subscription satellite radio and portable music players shows that people will adopt almost any new technology that satisfies their need for audio choices.

This chapter focuses on ways to get the latest audio-entertainment technologies into your car, whether it was originally equipped for them or not. While auto manufacturers are slowly seeing the light on satellite radio and MP3, it may be a while longer before they begin equipping vehicles for general purpose computers, MP3 players, and portable hard drives. Still, with some basic understanding of your car’s audio system and a few simple tools, you can hack the latest audio technology into your vehicle’s sound system.

Get a Headful About Your Car Audio

The centerpiece of your car’s entertainment system is the car radio. You should know how it interacts with your car’s speakers and other electronics before you yank it out.

Almost every car ships with a radio. Most car radios also include a tape deck or a CD player, and some current vehicles still come equipped with both. Many new car radios are also capable of controlling a multi-disc CD changer or connecting to a satellite radio. Because the car radio is really a master control for all sorts of electronic ...