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Volume 16 (Dec 12, 2003)
Technology that makes car audio systems even more enjoyable (1/2)
The complexity of car audio
Car audio systems have several characteristics that set them apart from general home audio systems. First, since car audio systems must fit within a small, confined space, the so-called head unit size has been standardized into two types: 1DIN and 2DIN. DIN is the German industrial standard that represents a size measuring 50 mm x 178 mm, and a head unit with these measurements is described as being 1DIN. Stacking two head units together constitutes a 2DIN-size system (Figure 1). Even if the original space is only large enough for a 1DIN head unit, moving the air-conditioner panel can sometimes make it possible to create a space measuring 2DIN. In general, the 2DIN size is suitable for devices that come equipped with multiple functions such as CD, MD, cassette, DVD, navigation system, etc., or devices that make use of large screens. Yet, there are also many choices for devices that can fit within a 1DIN space. Car audio makers have met the challenge of working within a restricted size to provide a variety of products differentiated in terms of improved sound and visual quality.
In addition, another characteristic of car audio systems is that they can be enjoyed in a completely different environment. Car audio systems must of course be installed within the interior of a car; for example, speakers are usually installed in doors. Car doors have a large opening called a service hole that makes it possible to replace power window motors or make other such repairs. With a hole like this, sound can leak out, meaning that good sound quality cannot be expected. This is where a technique unique to car audio comes in—by blocking off the service hole, the door itself can be transformed into a speaker box. Car audio is certainly complex.
The rising popularity of compression audio format models
Car audio systems, which are restricted in terms of installation space, differ from general home audio systems in that they cannot be freely expanded. In the case of maker options, in particular, it is necessary to decide what types of system structure you want in advance. For head units, which include CD, MD, cassette, DVD, navigation system and other units, the user must first choose from among these options when designing the structure of a car audio system.
The most popular option is of course the CD head unit. With the pervasion of personal computers equipped with CD-R/RW drives, individuals can now easily compile their own CDs. This is probably why car audio systems through which you can listen to CDs are growing in popularity. And in Japan, the popularity of car audio systems centered on MD units has become strongly rooted due to the simplicity and convenience of MDs. For those who want to combine two or more head units, the CD/MD combination is probably the best bet.
There is also another reason behind the popularity of CD head units. A number of CD head unit models entering the market are compatible with compression audio formats such as MP3 and WMA (Windows Media™ Audio). With MP3 and WMA, it is possible to record hundreds of songs on just one CD-R, and this is probably why these formats are starting to become so pervasive-especially among the younger generation. Audio compression models, which started to attain prominence in around 2002, are expected to become a hot-ticket item in the future.
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