Car Accessories – History Of It
Car audio accessories have come a long way since Paul Galvin invented the very first car radio in 1929. In fact, in 1929, there were really no such things as car audio accessories. Now, more than seventy years later, accessories may still not be exactly what you expect them to be.
Sure, there are obvious Car Audio Accessories like CD pockets you can hang from your sun visor, or perhaps a case for your pop-off car radio face plate. But car audio accessories can be a lot more than just that. Car audio accessories can be actual car stereo equipment, like subwoofer level controls, digital sound processors or even cartridges that hold several CDs for your car stereo CD changers.
Car Audio Accessories–Don’t Drive Your Car Without Them
The key to understanding what accessories are and what they aren’t is that anything that actually plays audio or video on it or through it is generally understood to be equipment. Anything that aids you or the equipment in playing the audio or video are generally considered accessories (cables fall into this category, too, however). It may seem complicated, but it really isn’t.
Whether your accessories are just to hold your CDs or Dolby digital signal processors, they can all really make a difference in how you enjoy your media inside your car. Even if it is something simple like a set of cables to connect speakers to the amplifier, the quality of those cables can still have an effect on how you listen to your music. Obviously, the signal processors will have a giant effect on the sound you hear, as well.
Car Audio – Paul Galvin Tips And Hints
Car audio are two words that often go together. Sure, you can have audio with no car, but would you want a car with no audio? Most people agree that there’s no way they could have a car without something to listen to.
Paul Galvin agreed with this concept and that’s why he created the very first Car Audio system–a car radio. Of course, back then, a car radio did not come standard with any kind of car. If you wanted a car with a radio in it you had to buy one separately and have it installed. Obviously, things have changed quite a bit since 1929.
Car Audio Part of the American Way Since 1929
In fact, car audio systems have changed so much that they are hardly recognizable when compared to that original first car radio from 1929. These days car audio can include not just radio, but tapes and CD players too. What more and more people are learning is that cars can be equipped with more than just car audio, but they can be equipped with car videos, too.
While DVDs should never be watched by anyone behind the wheel, on long trips they are ideal for keeping the kids happy in the back seat. Not to be outdone, the world of car audio has improved its quality by introducing the new satellite radio. Satellite radio delivers CD-quality music, talk and news broadcasts via satellite to receivers in your car, home or office.
Auto DVD Players – What You Should Know
Auto DVD players are DVD players for your car, truck, van or sport utility vehicle. That’s right–believe it or not, DVD players can be installed in your car. Now, this doesn’t mean that you should be watching your double-disc set of Lord of the Rings during your commute to work!
Paying attention to the road is still, and will always be, the most important thing you can be doing while driving. Having an auto DVD player in your car, truck or SUV is really only for long trips when the kids (or other family members) need to be distracted from an otherwise boring drive. You can even get a player that has headphone jacks so you don’t have to be annoyed by the latest kids’ cartoon they want to watch. On long trips, that feature is one you’ll be thankful for!
But Auto DVD Players Aren’t Just About the Kids
While it’s true that you shouldn’t be trying to follow a DVD while behind the wheel, if you own an SUV or minivan that you like to take on camping trips, either with the kids or just your significant other, auto DVD players can be the perfect addition. If the kids are along, you can bring a favorite family movie and if it’s just your spouse, you can bring a romantic movie. Either way, you can see how useful auto DVD players can be.
Mobile video systems are among the latest cutting edge additions to the world of car stereo equipment. They are up there with GPS services like OnStar and satellite radio services like XM. Eventually, all cars will come with them.
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Understanding Car Stereos
Car stereo equipment is one of those pieces of Americana, like baseball or apple pie. But since the very first car radio was born, the reality of what you could and can put in the dashboard of your car has radically changed. What would the creator of that first car radio think of seeing TV screens and DVD players in cars?
Well, he’d be very puzzled since he lived before TVs were around and long before the advent of DVDs. That man’s name was Paul Galvin and in 1929 he invented the first car radio. But it was a far cry from anything that is commonly found in automobiles of today. No, there were no subwoofer amps, no in dash CD players, they didn’t even have FM. But they did have something you’d recognize–their name.
The Very First Car Stereo Equipment
The name Paul Galvin gave to his invention would secure the place of Galvin Manufacturing Corporation in the annals of history. Well, once they changed their name to the name of their flagship product. That product’s name would go on to adorn an amazing number of devices across many spectrums of purpose and fields.
What was that name, you ask? Ever hear of Motorola? That’s right, Motorola was the name Paul Galvin gave his product, the very first ever car stereo, in 1929. Galvin created the name from the “Moto” in “Motorcar” and the “ola” that means sound. Since that time, the company has met with such incredible success that they have been able to diversify, making not just radios, but an array of other radio/communication based products. Everything from car stereos to walkie-talkies, to cell phones, to computer chips, and a lot more.
Car Stereo Equipment Has Changed a Lot
Of course, if you’re even vaguely up on the technology of today, you know how car stereo equipment has changed dramatically. You know that in dash CD players have all but entirely replaced in dash cassette players. You may have heard that DVD players are now available, as well. Obviously, you don’t want to be watching a DVD while driving, but these are great to keep the kids occupied in the back seat.
While satellite tracking and GPS systems like OnStar aren’t usually thought of as car stereo equipment, they do have enough in common to be at least mentioned. GPS systems allow police and other emergency services to know your car’s exact location when your car is stolen or has broken down. These services provide an amazing sense of security, allowing you to know that help is just a button-press or a phone call away.
Car Stereo Equipment Marches On
Just because we seem to have everything that can possibly be packed into a car, these days, doesn’t mean that car stereo equipment innovation is at an end. The absolute latest innovation, satellite radio, brings us CD quality audio via satellites in orbit around the Earth. This technology delivers an immense variety of programming and thanks to a monthly fee, there are no commercials.
This march forward of car stereo equipment development will continue on as long as individuals own their own vehicles. It doesn’t matter if you drive a compact car or a massive SUV, you’re going to need some sort of car stereo equipment to keep you sane. It doesn’t matter how long your commute is, we all need something to keep the creative parts of our brains occupied while we use the analytic parts to drive.
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