Car Stereos: specifications, types

— Automotive. Traditional car radios designed for use in car interiors, where the device will not be exposed to dust, precipitation and other adverse factors. They have typical mounting dimensions in whole DIN units; the exception is regular models (see below for both).

— Navigation. Radio tape recorders that allow installation on boats, yachts and other types of water transport. They differ from classic automobile models primarily in an increased degree of protection against moisture, temperature extremes and ultraviolet radiation — the cabins of boats and yachts are often made open, and such protection is indispensable. Note that many of these models also allow the use in the traditional way, in cars.

The size of the car radio in width and height, which determines the possibility of its installation in a car. For successful installation of the radio, it is necessary that the corresponding socket in the car has the same size as the radio itself, or more.

The universal unit for measuring the mounting dimension is DIN: 1 DIN corresponds to a width of 178 mm and a height of 50 mm. At the same time, devices of different sizes have the same width and differ only in height:

- 1 DIN. The most common standard size of modern car radios (see dimensions above).

- 2 DIN. This standard size corresponds to a radio height of 100 mm and a width of 178 mm. Typically, 2 DIN sizes are quite powerful devices with a lot of additional features - for example, they are often equipped with large color screens, suitable even for watching videos.

A separate variety are the so-called. standard recorders. These are devices originally made for a certain brand of car and, as a rule, supplied immediately with them in one of the configurations. Such radios have their own unique mounting dimensions, often not related to the DIN standard, as a result of which they cannot be installed in any car models other than tech for which they were originally intended. In addition, the installation and dismantling of standard radios, as a rule, is much more difficult than that of uni...versal ones. For more information, see the head unit for.

Tape recorders with a shortened body.

In this case, shortened means a case that has a shallower depth than classic radio tape recorders equipped with CD drives. Due to this, such models are quite compact, which, in particular, simplifies installation and facilitates wiring. Of course, CD / DVD discs are not supported in principle by such radio tape recorders, but this is not a serious drawback — nowadays there are quite enough alternatives to such media. Also note that the shortened layout does not affect the mounting size (see above) — it can be 1 DIN or 2 DIN, and standard solutions are even larger.

Car models for which this radio is standard.

For standard radios in general, see "Installation size" for more details. And here it’s worth saying that compatibility can be limited not only by a specific car model, but also by the year of manufacture — for example, “2015+” (that is, not earlier than 2015), “2012 — 2016”, etc. On the other hand, there are and softer restrictions — for example, the ability to install in several different models of the same manufacturer. Occasionally there is even the compatibility of one radio with cars of different brands — however, in this case we are usually talking about the availability of licensed copies of a certain car and, accordingly, the possibility of standard installation also in such copies.

Modern car radios can be produced, in particular, for cars of the following brands (in alphabetical order): Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, KIA, Land Rover, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi..., Nissan, Opel, Peugeot, Porsche, Renault, Seat, Skoda, Subaru, Suzuki, SsangYong, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo.

Features of the design of the front panel installed in the radio. One device can combine several features at once - for example, the removable panel may well be folding.

— Removable panel. Possibility to remove the front panel of the car radio and take it with you when leaving the car. The meaning of this function is to protect against theft: firstly, the front panel is the most accessible and attractive part of the radio for thieves; secondly, this reduces the likelihood of the theft of the radio itself, because a device without a control panel is of rather little value.

— Retractable screen. A retractable screen is usually the preserve of premium radios. When folded, such a screen is hidden in the mounting socket of the radio in a horizontal position, and when working, it moves out and becomes vertical. Thus, with the relatively small dimensions of the radio itself (see Mounting size), it can be equipped with a fairly large screen, allowing you to even watch videos comfortably.

— Motorized. This feature means that the display of the radio is equipped with a motor drive, due to which you can change the angle of the screen. This function is especially important in light of the fact that in relatively inexpensive types of matrices the image is normally visible only from a certain angle. However, the ability to adjust the tilt of the screen may be usef...ul in any case.

- Tesla Style. The front panel is made in the style of the on-board computer of Tesla cars. The main feature of this design is a huge touch screen by the standards of a car radio (about 12"), from which you can control not only the radio, but also various functions of the car itself - for example, climate control. Accordingly, such radios have extensive capabilities. They They are usually standard (see “Original radio for”), and are produced not only for Tesla, but also for other car brands.

Media types supported by the car radio.

— CDs. Support for optical discs usually assumes at least compatibility with CD, the ability to work with DVD is somewhat less common . For more information about these types, see "Disk Types". Here we note that nowadays, disks are gradually being replaced by more compact and functional media — in particular, memory cards and USB devices; so many modern radio tape recorders, including high-end ones, do not have optical drives at all.

— Memory cards. Ability to work with removable memory cards, usually SD or microSD; the module for reading them is called a card reader. This feature is convenient primarily because such cards are supported by many other devices — in particular, laptops and photo / video cameras. The card reader facilitates the exchange of data between these devices: for example, a selection of music from a laptop can be written to a memory card. Note that the specific type of supported cards needs to be specified separately — the (micro)SD format includes several varieties that are not quite compatible with each other.

— USB drive (front). The ability of the radio to work with external USB-drives — " flash drives ", hard drives, MP3 players, etc. — to pla...y content directly from them. In this case, it means connecting such media to the USB connector located on the front panel of the radio — it is convenient because the connector is in close proximity, right at hand.

— USB drive (rear). Connecting USB drives (see above) through the rear panel. However, the external device is connected not directly to the rear panel, but to an external USB connector, which, in turn, is connected to the rear panel with a cable. Such a connector does not take up space on the front panel, but you can place it on a shelf under the dashboard — and the connected drive will not stick out of the radio, but lie neatly on the shelf. But in standard radios (see above), the “rear” connection can be carried out a little differently — there the cable from the rear panel can be connected to the standard USB socket on the instrument panel using a special connector.

— Connecting an iPod/iPhone. The ability to connect portable devices from Apple to the radio — primarily iPods and iPhone smartphones — through a special docking connector. Even the simplest options for such a connection, in addition to playing music, provide a number of additional features — in particular, control of the player's functions (for example, switching a track) from the control panel or remote control of the radio itself. And the most advanced models have a proprietary CarPlay system; for more information about it, see "Control functions".

— Android connection. The ability to connect smartphones and other devices based on the Android operating system to the radio. Connection methods may vary: for example, some radio models support only a wired connection, others can use Bluetooth (see "Multimedia"). The same applies to the set of functions available in each case, this point should be clarified according to the manufacturer's official data. Specific features include direct playback of music from the phone (with control through the radio), working with the contents of its drive, watching videos, using the radio as a car kit for receiving calls, etc. And in high-end models, there is support for Android Auto smartphone integration technology; for more information about it, see "Control functions".

The maximum size of the memory card or USB stick (see "Media type") that the radio can work with normally.

High-capacity drives require fairly high processing power and may use special technologies that are not supported by all radios. This is the reason for the limitation on the volume of supported media.

Diagonal display size of car radio. The larger the screen, the larger the image on it and the better, usually, information is perceived; in addition, large size is important if the screen is touch-sensitive (see Touch screen). On the other hand, in car radios, the display size is limited by mounting dimensions and almost never exceeds seven inches.

Display size in dots (pixels) horizontally and vertically. The higher the resolution, the more detailed and smoothed the image is capable of producing the screen. High resolution is especially important for large diagonal displays; on the other hand, it significantly affects the cost of the device, and for a small screen it may even turn out to be superfluous (since the image will turn out to be too small).

The type of screen matrix installed in the radio.

This parameter is indicated mainly in cases where the screen uses a high-end IPS type matrix. This technology provides high colour quality, good brightness and wide viewing angles, and thanks to the improvement and reduction in price, the price of IPS screens is constantly decreasing. At the same time, it makes no sense to use this technology in a small display intended only for service information; therefore, the presence of an IPS matrix usually means a rather large screen, often a touch screen (see below).

Touch screen similar to those used in smartphones and tablets. Operating through such a screen is often more convenient and gives more options than using buttons and other classic controls. On the other hand, touch displays are quite expensive, they must be large enough (otherwise normal use will be impossible), and for relatively simple radio tape recorders, this function is redundant, more traditional control is quite enough for them. As a result, touch screens are used exclusively in advanced models with an abundance of additional features.

The presence of a special coating on the display of the radio tape recorder, which reduces the amount of glare from external light sources. None of the coatings can completely eliminate glare, but this feature anyway significantly improves image quality, especially in bright daylight.

— Android OS. Firmware based on Android OS significantly expands the capabilities of the radio, essentially turning it into a portable computer. Such firmware not only itself contains an extensive set of software, but also allows you to install additional applications for a wide variety of purposes. At the same time, unlike other devices running this OS, the ability to connect to the Internet for Android radios is far from mandatory - many models do not have Wi-Fi/3G/4G modules or the ability to connect the appropriate adapters. But the presence of Bluetooth and/or GPS (see below), as well as a touch screen, is almost mandatory in such devices (although exceptions are possible here).
It is also worth noting that there are models on the market with different versions of Android ( Android 7, Android 8, Android 9, etc.). The newer the OS ( Android 10 or Android 11), the more advanced it is overall, but in this case there is no point in describing in detail the differences between the versions. The fact is that radio tape recorders often use highly modified editions of Android, and the differences between versions are often insignificant compared to the differences between specific editions, even within the same version. But what this parameter directly affects is compatibility with spe...cific software: many applications have restrictions based on the oldest version of Android on which they can be run. But we should not forget that at the time of release the device could have had one version of the OS, and at the time of sale it could have been updated to a more modern one.

- Windows CE 6.0. A special edition of the Windows operating system, designed for use in embedded and compact equipment, including car radios. In general specifications, it is similar to Android described above, but today it is outdated - official support was discontinued back in 2018. Therefore, models running this OS are rare and most often represent early models of standard radios (see “Mounting size”).

— GPS module. The built-in GPS satellite navigation module allows you to determine the current location of the device; but the further use of this data may vary, depending on the specific model. Most radios with such equipment are quite advanced devices with large color screens on which cards are clearly visible. Thus, the presence of GPS at least allows the device to work as a navigator. In addition, there may be other options for using this function, including quite specific ones - for example, adding coordinates to a video captured in DVR mode(see below) and even searching for nearby friends from social networks.

— DVR mode. The ability to use the radio as a DVR - more precisely, the main unit of the DVR, because To work, you will also need an external camera. In this mode, the radio tape recorder works for recording, recording the video captured by the camera onto a USB device, memory card or other drive. Such a video can be very useful in case of an incident on the road - for example, as evidence in a traffic accident case. As a rule, models with this function have some special features of full-fledged recorders - auto-start recording, cyclic recording, etc.

— Connecting parking sensors. The ability to connect parking sensors to the radio - a device that allows you to determine the distance to an obstacle in the car’s blind spot (for example, directly in front of the front and rear bumper). Parking sensors make parking and maneuvering in tight spaces much easier; It is often more convenient to display data from its sensors not on a separate internal unit, but on an existing radio.

— Bluetooth. A technology designed for direct wireless communication between various devices. Can be used for various purposes. In car radios, the most popular options are, in particular: live audio broadcast from a smartphone, tablet, etc. for car acoustics; operation of the radio as a car kit during a telephone conversation (when the subscriber’s voice is broadcast through the same acoustics); remote control of the player on a connected device from a radio, etc. The specific Bluetooth functionality depends on the model; it should be clarified separately in each case.

— Wi-Fi module. The presence of a Wi-Fi wireless communication module in the car radio. This technology was originally created for creating wireless computer networks (including for the purpose of connecting to the Internet), but recently it can also be used for direct communication of various devices with each other. The ways to use this function in car radios may vary. Thus, some models support a classic communication to Wi-Fi access points to access the Internet - similar to how this is done in tablets. Others are able to connect directly, for example, to a smartphone for remote control and exchange of various data. And radio tape recorders with a 3G modem (see below) may even provide the ability to “distribute” mobile Internet to other Wi-Fi devices nearby.

- 3G ready. Possibility of connecting an external modem for 3G mobile networks to the radio. For more information about the 3G communication itself, see below; Let us note here that its support significantly affects the price of the entire device, although it is not always required. In light of this, radios are produced that are not equipped with their own 3G modem, but allow the communication of an external adapter. Such models are suitable for those who are not sure whether they will need a 3G communication: you can purchase a radio without overpaying for the built-in modem, and if necessary, purchase an adapter separately. However, it is worth considering that an external modem usually occupies a USB port, which can create difficulties with connecting flash drives and other peripherals.

— 3G modem. Built-in mobile communication module designed for third generation 3G (UMTS) networks. The options for using such a communication may be different, depending on the specific radio: listening to music and watching videos from the Internet, accessing cards or map updates (in devices with GPS, see above), and in some models even voice calls and a full-fledged web surfing. The data transfer speed can be up to 70 Mbit/s (in practice, most often up to 10 - 15 Mbit/s), which is comparable to a fixed Internet communication. At the same time, the third generation is gradually being replaced by even faster 4G communications (see below), but for radio tape recorders, in most cases, 3G is sufficient (especially since such modems are relatively inexpensive).

- 4G ready. Radios with the ability to connect an external 4G adapter. Completely similar to the 3G ready models described above, except that in this case we are talking about 4G (LTE) communications; about it, see below.

— 4G (LTE) modem. Built-in mobile communication module designed for 4th generation 4G LTE networks. The application is completely similar to the 3G modem described above (and can even work in 3G networks in the absence of LTE coverage). The main difference is that 4G networks provide even higher communication speeds - up to 173 Mbit/s, and in the future even higher. On the other hand, 4G networks are not yet as widespread as 3G, so before buying a radio with such a modem, it doesn’t hurt to make sure there is LTE coverage in your region.

— NFC chip. Auxiliary wireless communication module with short range (up to 10 cm). In car radios it is mainly used to facilitate wireless communication with another device via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth: instead of setting up the communication, you just need to bring an NFC-compatible device (for example, a smartphone or tablet) to the radio chip and confirm the communication. There are also other ways to use this technology - for example, automatically starting music playback from a smartphone when you bring it to the radio. However, such methods are less common, and their set depends on the specific model of the radio and the capabilities of external devices.

— DAB radio. The radio can receive digital radio broadcasts. The main differences between such broadcasting and analogue (for example, FM) are high sound quality, almost complete absence of interference and extensive capabilities for transmitting additional information - text and even video. In addition, the signal quality does not deteriorate as the transmitter power decreases: the signal is either present in its pure form or not at all. It is worth considering that digital radio broadcasting is still much less common than analogue. In addition, in addition to the original DAB, there is an expanded DAB+ standard; Moreover, “plus” tuners are compatible with regular DAB broadcasting, but not vice versa. Therefore, before purchasing a device with this function, it would not hurt to check whether there is digital broadcasting in your region and whether the radio tuner is compatible with it.

- AirPlay support. The radio is compatible with AirPlay technology. This technology is used in portable Apple gadgets for wirelessly streaming music and video to external devices; Accordingly, it makes sense to pay attention to models with this function if you plan to use the radio with an iPhone or other Apple device. However, compared to another proprietary Apple technology - CarPlay - this technology has more limited capabilities; it is intended exclusively for broadcasting content. On the other hand, AirPlay is much cheaper and can be provided even in relatively simple and inexpensive radios.

- MirrorLink support. The radio supports MirrorLink, a technology designed to connect smartphones to car multimedia systems. The idea of MirrorLink is that a mobile device runs various applications (for example, navigation or a player), and the driver and passengers can interact with them (control, receive information) through the on-board equipment of the car - a touch screen and a radio control panel, a remote control on steering wheel, etc. This technology is supported primarily by premium smartphones running Android.

- Dual Zone. This function allows you to use the radio to play two sound sources simultaneously, with one of them outputting to the front and the other to the rear speakers of the car's sound system. Thus, it is possible to separate to a certain extent what the driver and passenger will hear: for example, music or sound from a video player can be broadcast to the rear seats, and a radio broadcast with a news program or a report on road conditions can be broadcast to the front seats. Volume adjustment is also carried out separately. The Dual Zone function will be useful primarily in minivans and other cars with spacious interiors, as well as in luxury cars.

- MHL support. MHL technology is used in portable devices to transmit digital audio and video signals through a universal connector such as microUSB or USB Type C; This eliminates the need for separate video outputs and has a positive effect on compactness. The bandwidth of this communication is similar to HDMI, it is sufficient even for HD resolutions. Specifically for a car radio, MHL support means that you can connect an MHL-compatible gadget to this model and take advantage of all the capabilities of this technology. And they include both video and audio broadcasting, as well as additional functions - in particular, charging the gadget’s battery and controlling it through the touch screen of the head unit. In the radio itself, to work with MHL, you can use either a compatible HDMI port or another connector - for example, USB.

The number of bands in the radio equalizer.

In this case, the band means a separate part of the frequency range, the volume of which can be adjusted using the equalizer independently of the other parts. The more bands the equalizer has, the more accurately it allows you to adjust the overall sound of the car radio acoustics. However, note that multi-band equalizers are quite difficult to set up, therefore they are recommended primarily for experienced users.

The number of fixed settings (presets) provided in the car radio equalizer.

The presence of such settings can greatly simplify the adjustment: choosing the right preset is easier than manually adjusting each EQ band. At the same time, presets are often selected by the manufacturer for certain genres of music and have the appropriate names — "Rock", "Pop", "Jazz", etc.; this simplifies the task even more. And the more fixed settings in the device, the wider the choice of the user. In some radio tape recorders, in addition to pre-flashed ones, user presets are also provided — they can be programmed in advance and turned on in the same way as the preset ones.

The ability to adjust the high cut without affecting other frequency ranges. Thanks to this, you can improve the overall timbre of the sound by completely removing the high frequencies, if necessary (for example, for a subwoofer). Moreover, this method of adjustment is much simpler than adjusting individual equalizer bands (see above). Typically, this function is combined with bass control (see below).

The ability to adjust the low cut without affecting other frequency ranges. Thanks to this, you can completely remove low frequencies (for example, for salon acoustics, when the subwoofer is “responsible” for the bass), without affecting other frequencies. This way of adjusting is much easier than adjusting individual EQ bands (see above).

A function that enhances the bass sound. In some way similar to the equalizer, however, unlike it, when using BassBoost, the bass boost is turned on and off with literally one touch of a button — this is more convenient and safer than fiddling with the equalizer settings.

The rated sound power produced by the radio amplifier for each audio channel.

Nominal is the highest average (rms) sound power at which the amplifier operates without overload and is able to operate for an unlimited time. This is the main indicator characterizing the overall sound volume of the radio; individual power surges can be much higher than the nominal value, but they are short-lived; here we are talking about a constant signal level. In addition, compatibility with specific speakers depends on this indicator: the rated power of the speaker system must be no lower than that of the amplifier, otherwise the speakers may be damaged at high volumes. However, the spread is not so great; there are radios with an output power of 40 W, 45 W, 50 W, 55 W, 60 W and more.

Optimal amplifier power settings depend on a number of factors, ranging from the number of channels to the personal preferences of listeners. Detailed information on this topic can be found in special sources; In short, we can say that the higher the power per channel, the louder the sound the radio can produce.

The number of audio channels supported by the car radio.

The most modest value found in modern radio tape recorders is 2 channels. This is the minimum amount required to reproduce stereo sound, however, by the standards of car audio, it is considered modest and is found only in some low-cost-level devices. The most popular models are 4 channels — this format allows you to adjust the sound balance not only between the left and right channels, but also between the front and rear speakers. The best option for audio recorders. More channels are typical for high-end devices, usually equipped with large displays for viewing video ( VCR) and capable of working with multi-channel audio tracks.

The presence in the radio built-in DSP — digital sound processor.

Such a processor improves the overall sound quality and provides additional options for its adjustment. One of the most important DSP functions is time correction: it allows you to adjust the acoustics so that the sound from speakers located at different distances from the user reaches it at the same time. Such coordination significantly improves the impression of the sound. In addition, radios with DSP necessarily have a digital crossover (frequency separation) and an equalizer with a fairly large number of bands.

The presence of a processor significantly affects the price of the radio, but in most cases this is a justified payment for the sound quality. But the unequivocal disadvantage of "processor" models is the difficulty in installation and configuration, for this it is best to contact a specialist.

The type of volume control provided in the radio. Rotary knobs, sensors or mechanical buttons are most often used in this role; Here is a more detailed description of each of these options.

— Rotary regulator. The traditional regulator in the form of a round knob, which does not lose popularity nowadays — in fact, it is he who is installed in most modern car radios. Such prevalence, among other things, is due to the fact that the rotary knob is compatible with both digital and analogue volume control circuits — which means that it can be used in devices of any level, from top-end to the most simple and inexpensive. In addition, such a regulator stands out noticeably on the radio panel, so you can even find and turn it by touch, without being distracted once again from the road. The disadvantages of rotary knobs include perhaps some bulkiness compared to buttons and sensors, but this moment is extremely rarely significant.

— Mechanical buttons. Traditional mechanical buttons — more precisely, most often one double-sided rocker button, vertical or horizontal. Unlike the rotary knobs described above, they can only be used with digital volume control circuits; therefore, most radio tape recorders with buttons are advanced devices with extensive functionality and a size of at least 2DIN (or a screen of at least 5 ", for standard models). In such cases, the advant...age of buttons over rotary controls is that the rocker can be made very narrow and install even on a very thin screen frame, while the handle requires a fairly wide additional panel. And if you compare this option with sensors, then mechanical buttons are somewhat cheaper, and you can control them blindly without taking your eyes off the road to the radio panel. On the other hand, the mechanics tend to wear out with use, making it less reliable, and many users simply don't like buttons more than sensors, and for these reasons, and a few others, this option is relatively rare.

— Touch buttons. Controls in the form of sensors that are triggered not by pressing, but by touch. Like mechanical buttons (see above), this control is only compatible with digital volume control and is mainly used in advanced radios with large screens. At the same time, the sensors give the device the most advanced and “technological” appearance, attractive to many users from a purely aesthetic side. The main disadvantage of this option is that the touch buttons usually do not protrude from the panel — so it is almost impossible to find the right sensor blindly, and when controlling the radio, you inevitably have to be distracted from the road. However, with more or less decent driving skills and due care, this moment is not a serious drawback, so this type of control in high-end radio tape recorders is used much more often than traditional buttons.

— Remote control. The radio has a remote control. This function will be convenient primarily for passengers behind the driver — from the rear seats you can’t reach the radio itself. In addition, remotes often have more keys than the stock control panel, which allows you to access various additional functions on the go without digging through the settings.

— Remote control on the steering wheel. Remote control (see above) with the ability to mount on the steering wheel. Such a remote control allows the driver to control the functions of the radio without removing his hands from the steering wheel and thus not being distracted from driving the machine.

— Control from regular steering wheel buttons. The ability to control the radio from standard buttons, originally provided on the steering wheel for this very purpose. This function is similar to the steering wheel remote control described above, with the adjustment that the "remote" in this case is built directly into the steering wheel. Before buying such a radio, you must definitely check its compatibility with a particular model of car.

— Smartphone control. The presence of software (application) that allows you to control the radio using a smartphone, tablet, etc. This is not just about switching songs on the phone, but a full adjustment of all device functions.
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— Voice control. The ability to control the radio using voice commands. The implementation of such control can be different: in some models, to activate it, you need to press a button, others constantly “listen” to the environment and immediately respond to code words. Anyway, this function allows the driver to control the radio without taking his eyes off the road, which has a positive effect on traffic safety. Note that in its pure form, voice control in modern radio tape recorders is becoming less and less common, being replaced by advanced technologies like CarPlay and Android Auto (see “Control Functions”), which also include voice functions.

— Apple CarPlay system. Support for car radio technology CarPlay. This technology is designed to connect portable devices from Apple to the radio, primarily the iPhone, although it is technically possible to work with any “apple” gadget that has iOS 7.1 or later firmware, as well as a proprietary 8-pin Lightning connector. Thanks to this technology, many smartphone functions (including the Siri voice assistant, navigation, call and message management, as well as music) are integrated into the radio; using them through on-board electronics can be much more convenient than holding the iPhone in your hands. At the same time, CarPlay puts special emphasis on safety: it is designed with the maximum use of voice control, so that the driver has to be distracted by the radio screen as little as possible. For example, the mentioned messages can be dictated by voice and listened to "performed" by Siri. The connection itself is carried out by wire, through the mentioned Lightning connector.

— Android Auto system. Car radio support for Android Auto technology. Similar to the CarPlay described above, this technology is designed to combine portable devices with on-board electronics of a car — only, as you might guess from the name, in this case we are talking about gadgets running the Android OS. When you connect such a gadget, the radio actually plays the role of an external display for a mobile device, with its optimized interface and related capabilities. Features available through Android Auto include navigation (including mobile device access to external GPS antennas and modules), music control, receiving and making calls, listening to and composing SMS, and searching the Internet. Android Auto is only available for Android 5.0 Lollipop and later; in addition, if the mobile device uses proprietary firmware, its compatibility with the radio needs to be specified separately.

The type of connectors used to connect an acoustic system (in other words, speakers) to the radio tape recorder.

— RCA. With this connection, tulip-type connectors are used to connect the radio and speakers; while each column has its own separate connector. Such an interface is quite difficult to connect, so it is relatively rare.

— ISO. The interface used to connect to the radio and acoustics, and power. It is a single plug to which all the corresponding wires are connected. Thus, the process of installing a radio with an ISO interface is as simple as possible: just connect the plug to the appropriate connector — and the device is ready for use. Most cars of recent years of production are equipped with an ISO connector, and if it is not available, you can buy and install such a connector separately.

— ISO/RCA. The main connection in such radios is carried out according to the ISO standard, and the RCA interface is used as an additional one — for example, to output to a subwoofer.

The number of line outputs (see above) provided in the design of the radio. It should be noted that usually these outputs use RCA connectors (“tulip”), and the analog format allows only one audio channel to be transmitted through one such. Therefore, to work with a stereo signal, two RCA connectors are required, and just a pair of such jacks is considered to be one line output - a set designed for one set of stereo speakers. The main difference between this interface and the same RCA used to connect speakers (see above) is that the line output receives a signal from a preamplifier that is unsuitable for feeding to passive acoustics. Such a signal must be sent to active speakers or an external amplifier (whereas the speaker is connected to the output of a power amplifier designed for passive speakers).

The number of composite video outputs provided in the design of the radio.

"Full size" composite interface includes 3 RCA ("tulip") sockets - one for video signal and one each for left and right stereo channels. However, other outputs are used in radios for transmitting an audio signal, so in this case we are talking only about a video output - usually it has a characteristic yellow color. The video signal via the composite interface is transmitted in analog format, its quality is average, resistance to interference is relatively low. At the same time, for connecting most car screens - for example, monitors built into the backs of the front seats - this is more than enough. And several composite outputs allow you to simultaneously connect the appropriate number of screens without the use of additional equipment (splitters).

A separate output for connecting a low-frequency speaker — a subwoofer. Ordinary speakers tend to have low quality bass reproduction; a subwoofer is used to “overlap” this range, as a result, the sound becomes much more powerful and rich. However, connecting to a regular audio output would require the use of frequency filters — so that only low frequencies enter the subwoofer. A separate output for the subwoofer eliminates the need for such devices — this connector is already filtered signal. However note that usually this interface is designed to connect an active subwoofer; passive will need a separate amplifier.

Additional outputs provided in the design of the radio and not related to those described above. These can be, in particular, such interfaces:

— Coaxial. Digital output for audio transmission (including multi-channel) via RCA cable, electric version of S/P-DIF interface. Do not confuse this standard with analogue RCA (see "Connecting speakers"): firstly, it uses a digital data transmission format; secondly, the entire signal is transmitted over one cable; thirdly, conventional RCA cables for coaxial connection are poorly suited, it is desirable to have shielded ones. Unlike optical S/P-DIF, this variant is subject to some degree of electrical interference; on the other hand, it does not require special care when handling the wire.

— Optical. A variation of S/P-DIF that uses a TOSLINK fibre optic cable to transmit the signal. Like the coaxial version described above, it supports multi-channel audio. At the same time, optical fibre, on the one hand, is completely immune to electrical interference, on the other hand, it requires rather delicate handling (in particular, it does not tolerate sharp bends).

— On the regular display. Output for connecting one or another regular display. This can be a screen that is originally installed on the dashboard of a car, or a monitor purchased separately; specific models of compatible screens should be specified in the documentation for the radio.

— High voltage. Speaker output with increased op...erating voltage of 4V instead of the traditional 2V. This improves the signal-to-noise ratio and improves the overall sound quality. On the other hand, connecting speakers to such an output can be associated with additional difficulties.

Standard input for analogue audio transmission. The presence of such a connector allows you to connect an external sound source (for example, an audio player) to the radio to play music through the car's acoustics. The specific connector type used in such an input may vary. The same goes for its location; AUX on the front panel is most convenient, this feature is indicated separately in our catalog (see below).

The number of composite video inputs provided in the design of the radio.

Composite video input is usually an RCA connector ("tulip") of a characteristic yellow color. It can be used to connect any video source with an appropriate output, such as a portable DVD player. Note that in this case, only the input intended for working with video is meant; to output sound, you will have to use another interface, for example, a linear one (see above). The image quality when connected via a composite connector is relatively low, HD resolutions are not supported, but this can hardly be called a serious drawback, given the characteristics of displays in modern radios (and separately made car TVs / monitors, which can broadcast a signal from the radio).

The more composite video inputs provided in the radio, the more signal sources can be connected to it simultaneously.

The presence of a line input (see Line input) directly on the front panel of the car radio. Such an input can also be located behind the panel (folding or removable), however, with its external location, it is much more convenient to connect external signal sources (for example, an MP3 player) to the radio, since this does not require folding or removing the front panel.

The presence of a separate entrance for connecting a reversing camera. In general, the ability to connect such a camera is useful in that you do not have to purchase a separate screen for it — you can use your own radio display, which is both cheaper and easier. Note that technically the image can also be received through another interface — for example, a composite video input (see above); however, the dedicated output is convenient in that it is synchronized with the camera being turned on. In fact, this means that you do not have to separately switch the input signal source on the radio — when you turn on the reverse gear and, in fact, the camera, the image from it will immediately be displayed. Shutdown is also automatic.

HDMI is a high-speed interface for transmitting high-definition (HD) video and multi-channel audio over a single cable. This is the most popular of these standards in modern video and audio technology, it is also used in portable devices, including tablets, cameras and camcorders, and even smartphones (sometimes in the form of MHL — see "Multimedia"). The presence of such an input allows you to broadcast video and audio signals from such devices to the radio.

Input for receiving analogue video signal in RGB format (“blue-green-red”, each colour has its own channel). To transmit such a signal, different types of interfaces can be used, but in car radios, a small plug of a round or oblong shape is most often found; the specific option should be clarified according to the official documentation. The RGB input is used most often to connect navigation modules.

Additional outputs provided in the design of the radio in addition to those described above. These are, usually, rather specific connectors that are rare, for example:

— Control bus input. Input for connecting the control bus — CAN, 5L-Bus, etc. The general idea of the control bus is to combine all the electronics of the car using the simplest single or double wire — instead of complex and bulky multi-wire bundles. Connection to the control bus allows, in particular, to display various data on the radio screen — speed, fuel consumption, tyre pressure, engine temperature, etc.

— Coaxial. Digital input for audio transmission (including multi-channel) through a single connector via an electrical coaxial cable. It is used to connect various advanced audio equipment.

— For the microphone. Input for connecting an external microphone. The microphone itself can be useful, for example, when using the radio as a car kit for a mobile phone, or for voice control. And the input for this accessory in different models can use different types of connectors, this point (as well as additional connection features) should be specified separately.

— For GPS antenna. Input for connecting an external GPS antenna. For more information about GPS navigation itself, see "Multimedia", here we note that an additional antenna provides more reliable reception, improving positioning accuracy and reducing the start time of the GPS receiver after a break in oper...ation.

— For DVD changer. Service connector for connecting a DVD-changer — an external player for several DVD (or CD) discs. The presence of such an input allows not only to play music from the changer, but also to control its settings from the radio: switch between discs, manage playlists, etc. Note that the compatibility of the connector with a specific changer will not hurt to clarify separately.

— For Bluetooth-adapter. Input for connecting an external Bluetooth adapter. For more information about Bluetooth, see "Multimedia", here we note that in some radio tape recorders, instead of the built-in module, this option may be provided. It is convenient in cases where there is no certainty that Bluetooth will be needed in fact: you can buy a radio without overpaying for additional equipment, and purchase an adapter separately if necessary. However, note that the radio, usually, is compatible only with certain models of adapters; the list of compatible accessories in each case must be specified separately.

The volume of the internal built-in memory of the car radio. The presence of built-in memory allows you to record content (music, video, etc.) directly to the device and play it without using any additional media such as optical discs or USB drives. For comparison: the volume of a file with a photo is up to several megabytes, the size of one song in MP3 rarely exceeds 15 MB, the volume of lossless music files is estimated at tens of megabytes, and movies in DVD quality start from 1 GB. But for now (as of 2021), the memory in car radios is significantly inferior to smartphones and tablets — the bulk has 32 GB or 64 GB. But there are 128 GB radio tape recorders.

The amount of RAM memory.

Many modern premium car radios, as well as regular models, are close in functionality to tablets or even laptops; this is especially true for models that carry a full-fledged Android operating system on board. Accordingly, information about such devices may also contain purely "computer" characteristics, such as the amount of random access memory (RAM). The more “RAM” ( 4 GB or even 6 GB) provided in the system (ceteris paribus), the better it works under intensive loads, the easier it is to cope with “heavy” tasks (for example, resource-intensive applications) and performing several tasks simultaneously.

At the same time, note that manufacturers of radio tape recorders, usually, equip their devices with a volume of RAM that is quite sufficient for solving basic tasks and working with built-in programs ( 2 GB or less). Therefore, quite often information about the amount of RAM is more marketing than practically significant — it is designed primarily to create an appropriate impression of the product. It makes sense to pay attention to this characteristic if you plan to run various additional programs on the device.

It is also worth noting that different software platforms have different requirements for RAM, and the characteristics of the processor (see below) also affect the overall performance. Therefore, only models w...ith similar processors and software can be compared with each other in terms of RAM.

The clock frequency of the processor (CPU) installed in the radio.

Many modern car radios (especially premium ones, with large displays and an abundance of additional functions, as well as regular models — see "Installation size") are actually multimedia computers. Therefore, their characteristics may indicate moments characteristic of computers — including the frequency of the processor. Theoretically, the higher this indicator — the more operations per second the CPU can perform and the higher its computing power. However, the actual speed of the processor depends on so many other factors that, compared to them, the clock speed is secondary; and it's not uncommon for a "slower" chip to be more powerful in fact. Do not forget that the capabilities of the entire system depend not only on the CPU, but also on the amount of RAM, the operating system used, and a number of other characteristics. And manufacturers usually select such processors that would allow radio tape recorders to cope with all the main tasks normally. In the light of all this, we can say that information about the frequency of the processor in fact has a purely reference and marketing (advertising) value.

— FM. This term refers to the part of the ultra-short wave (VHF) range ranging from 87.5 MHz to 108 MHz. It uses frequency modulation, which allows you to broadcast music in stereo with a fairly high sound quality, as well as transmit RDS signals (see RDS support). At the moment, most music radio stations in the CIS are broadcasting in this range. The disadvantage of FM is the limited reception area — a maximum of several tens of kilometers from the broadcasting station — so they can usually be listened to within the same city and surrounding areas.

— AM (English amplitude modulation — amplitude modulation) — broadcasting using amplitude modulation. It can be carried out in different bands, but most commercial broadcasts are carried out on medium waves in the range of 520-1610 kHz; most consumer AM receivers, including those in car radios, are designed for the same frequencies. AM broadcasting has a much longer reception range than FM (it can be hundreds of kilometers), but the sound quality is lower, so this format is broadcast mainly by “talk” and news radio stations.

— LW (English long wave) — broadcasting on long waves in the range of 148-408 kHz. Such broadcasting has a reception range of hundreds and even thousands of kilometers, and is almost independent of the time of day and atmospheric interference. It is used mainly at stations of national importance.

— MW (English medium wave) — broadcasting on medium waves in the range of 522-1...720 kHz, in fact — the same as AM (see above).

— SW (English short wave) — broadcasting on short waves, is carried out in a whole set of bands, the lower limit of which is at the level of 2.5 MHz, and the highest — 26.1 MHz. The features of the propagation of short waves are such that they can be received on the opposite side of the globe, but it is not always possible to hear within a few tens of kilometers from the transmitter. Therefore, shortwave broadcasting is mainly used for foreign broadcasts.

— VHF. In this case, not the entire VHF band is meant, but the sub-band 65.9-74 MHz, using the so-called OIRT modulation. In this format, VHF broadcasting was originally conducted in the countries of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, but at the moment it is not very popular due to the development of FM. VHF OIRT is technically similar to FM (see above); the main differences are the bandwidth occupied and the inability to transmit RDS signals in OIRT (see RDS support).

The presence of a USB port, the only purpose of which is to recharge gadgets. The USB port for charging eliminates the need for wires from the cigarette lighter, and using your smartphone as a navigator and simultaneously recharging it will be much easier.

The function of accelerated charging of external devices - for example, smartphones - from the USB port of the radio. The general principle of this procedure is that increased power is supplied to the gadget; but its specific features may be different. For example, some models provide a separate USB port intended only for fast charging, while others use the same connector to which flash drives are connected. In addition, the radio may support special fast charging technologies; they speed up the process even more, but only work with compatible devices; for other gadgets, accelerated charging may not be available at all. It doesn’t hurt to clarify all these nuances before purchasing.

The ability to choose the backlight colour for the control panel, and sometimes also for the radio display. The specific range of shades available can vary, whether it be a few colours or the entire RGB palette; see "Illumination colour" for details. Anyway, this feature does not play a functional role, however, it allows you to customize the appearance of the device so that it is in harmony with the appearance of the dashboard and matches the user's mood.

The colour of the backlight plays primarily an aesthetic role, allowing you to choose a radio for the design of the dashboard and user preferences. In addition, some colours have a practical meaning. So, the red backlight is extremely popular nowadays also because it is almost perfect for the dark time of the day: this shade does not knock down "night vision" and has a stimulating effect on the nervous system. And green, on the contrary, relieves excessive nervousness and promotes peace of mind. Other popular colours in modern times include white, blue, orange, yellow, purple ; they do not have such pronounced effects, here the main selection criterion is “like or dislike”.

Also note that in many models several backlight colours are indicated at once. This means that the device has a backlight with adjustable colour selection. At the same time, there are models with a choice of a full range of RGB colours.