Car Audio Centre
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013
The digital switchover has been scheduled in for 2015. What does this mean for all of us? We answer your questions.
I hear FM will be switched off. Is this correct?
It is planned that digital radio switchover will take place no less than two years after certain criteria have been met. The criteria are:
- National digital radio coverage to match FM coverage
- Local digital radio to reach 90% of the population
- 50% of radio listening to be on digital radio platforms
Will BBC Radio 4 (and Radio 1, Radio 2 etc.) be switched off on FM at that time?
It is proposed that all national stations should move to broadcasting only on digital. This includes the BBC.
Will AM services also be switched off at switchover?
AM services will either move to FM or to digital only.
What if I can’t receive digital radio in my area?
As part of the criteria put in place before the switchover can take place, digital radio coverage must match FM coverage. Don’t worry if you can’t receive digital radio yet, it will be rolled out throughout the UK so you will soon be enjoying the extra features and content digital radio has to offer. In the meantime, you could buy one of our radios that receives both digital and FM, so that you can get a signal now but will also be ready for the digital future.
What can I do with my old FM radios? Adding them to landfill is bad for the environment
Car Audio Centre is a member of REPIC along with many other major electrical and electronic producers in the UK. REPIC’s role is to ensure that electrical appliances at end of life are reused or recycled and provides national WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) compliance solutions. It arranges for collection and reuse/recycling of old appliances such as FM radios from household waste recycling centres, manufacturers and retailers.
Haven’t broadcasters including the BBC dropped plans to expand on digital because of the cost?
Both the BBC and commercial broadcasters fully support the Digital Economy Act. Many digital-only stations have launched in the past year, including My Baby Radio, Premier Gospel and NME Radio. The BBC’s plans to axe BBC 6 Music and Asian Network have been cancelled, and Planet Rock, once threatened with closure, now enjoys a loyal fan base of almost 700,000 listeners.
Does this mean the end of my local radio station?
No! All radios sold by Car Audio Centre also have FM which will be used to transmit the local and community stations when the switchover takes place. You’ll still be able to listen to your favourite local station in the same way you do now, digital radio just opens up the options for further listening.
What will be done with the frequencies freed up by moving FM stations?
The FM frequencies will be used for local as well as other smaller broadcasters such as community, student and hospital stations.
Car Audio Centre are ready for the switchover but are you? We have a full range of units and adapters to suit all budgets. The easiest & cheapest way to get Digital Radio ( DAB ) in your car would be to use the In Phase Pro DAB+ adapter which we sell in store for £59.99. It plugs into your car’s cigar lighter & transmits DAB radio via a spare FM frequency.
It’s one of our best sellers here at the Northwood store & we highly recommend it.
Posted in Car Audio Centre, Car Audio Centre Northwood | No Comments »
Friday, January 18th, 2013
hi, i’m Chris from car audio centre in Leicester. just thought i would share some pictures of one of the job we did for a customer recently.
a gentleman cam into the store asking about having a pure highway fitted into his Jaguar xf, but did not want it just stuck on the window and wires on show. we spoke about a few place’s where the unit could be mounted and decided the cup holder in the center console between the front seats would be the best. it was hidden, not on show until the cover was lifted, and easy to get to and operate.
the car was then booked in on a day suitable with the customer. on dropping the car off the customer popped over the road to a local cafe for a cup of tea and dinner whilst he waited for us to fit the product. we rang him to say it was finished a short while later, and on seeing our work was happy with how it looked and worked.
although this unit can work through the radio on the car, as it sends a fm signal out, we decided it sounds better working through the aux input on the car. here is a few pictures of how it looks fitted.
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Wednesday, August 15th, 2012
Another fantastic bit of kit from In Phase, this roof mount monitor builds on the sucess of last years IVR10.
For the portable movie lovers after an all-in-one system to add AV into their vehicle then the In Phase Roof Mount screen with built in DVD player is the ideal solution.
It boasts a region Free DVD player, 11″ inch LCD TFT screen with the option to ouput the video to additional monitors.
AV input allows you to stream video from virtually any device, such as a video camera or DVD Changer.
IR Transmitters are built in for use with Infra red Headphones. With the added bonus of being able to read any USB and SD card holding Music and Video files.
Key features of the In Phase IVR11
- 11″ TFT-LCD Wide screen monitor
- Built in DVD Player
- Resolution 640 x 480
- Available in black or grey
- NTSC, PAL & SECAM Auto switchable
- IR/FM Transmitter built in
- Full Function remote control
- SD/ USB Card Reader
- AV and Audio input and output
- Built in twin dome lights by LED
- Built in Speakers
- DVD, VCD,SVCD,CD-DA, CD-RW, DivX and MP3 formats supported
This unit was fitted into a Volvo XC90 down at our Tooting store and, we’re sure you’ll agree, it looks fantastic.
If you’re interested in this product, click here to go to the car audio centre product page.
Posted in Audio Visual, Car Audio Centre, Car Audio Centre Tooting, Cars, Installations | No Comments »
Thursday, June 7th, 2012
In Phase BT MATE Bluetooth Car Kit with A2DP Audio Streaming
This great product design and function allows you to connect to your car stereo system via Aux-In to allow you to make bluetooth handsfree phone calls and stream audio using A2DP from your bluetooth media device direct to your stereo system.
- Car speakers will play voice from your call and audio from your media device (connected via line-in or streamed via bluetooth)
- Audio played from your media device is automatically muted during an incoming call
- Recharge the built in li-polymer battery via USB in 1.5 hours
- Use the supplied audio dock to reposition the BT MATE in a more accessible location if you wish
- Full duplex communication with echo and noise cancellation
- Supports 3-way call function
http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product_m-in-phase-bt-mate_p-27552.htm
Posted in Bluetooth handsfree, Car Audio Centre | No Comments »
Thursday, June 7th, 2012
The Car Audio Centre will now ship to these countries
Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Poland, France, Sweden, Romania, Belgium.
Please contact us for cost of shipping for these countries +44 (0)870 754 4486
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Friday, December 9th, 2011
Nissan 350Z has the Sony XNV-L77BT installed at Car Audio Centre Tooting
Sony really pulled out all the stps when it came to developing the new XNV-L77BT, TomTom based sat nav double din stereo system, built in bluetooth, full touch screen, detachable front panel and full speed and control over iPod and iPhone, this has been installed in the Nissan 350z Gt series, Great looking car now with a fantastic stereo system to really make the original Bose system play to its full potential.
Car Audio centre Tooting 0208 971 9181
Posted in Audio Visual, Car Audio Centre Tooting, Installations | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, November 29th, 2011
MG ZR Gets a Speaker upgrade at the Car Audio Centre Tooting to the In Phase XT6CII
The work thats involved upgrading the speakers in any vehicle has to be worth while with the correct speakers, The In Phase XT6CII are definatly the right way of going about it, outstanding sound quality and bass reproduction they sieze to amaze and installer with the un-capped performance,
6.5″ (17cm) Component Kit
Die Cast Aluminum Frame
Silver Electro-plated Glass Fibre Woven Cone
Strontium Magnet
Rubber Edge
Impedance : 4ohm
Sensitivity (1w/1m): 90dB
Frequency Response: 45 – 22000Hz
Silk Dome Tweeter
1.25″ (30mm) ASV Voice Coil
Neodymium Tweeter
Max Power: 280W
Posted in Car Audio Centre Tooting, Installations | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 29th, 2011
Mercedes ML320 Has the Pioneer AVH-3300BT installed at the Car Audio Centre Tooting
These Pioneer AVH-3300BT are selling quicker then we can fit them, great product at a brillaint price with its impressive spec such has, built in bluetooth handsfree kit, SD Card,USB,AUX Input and full speed iPod/iPhone control, all controlled via the 5.8″ full colour touchscreen monitor
Posted in Audio Visual, Car Audio Centre Tooting, Installations | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 29th, 2011
Pioneer AVH-3300BT Double Din installed into a Vauxhalll Corsa VXR at Car Audio Centre Tooting
With the correct parts any stereo can be installed, this pionner AVHA-3300BT looks great in a Vauxhall corsa VXR using a specialist part from connects to it also retains the original look from vauxhall being the high gloss black finish. The pionner is stacked full of features, Built in Bluetooth handsfree kit, Full speed iPod/iPhone control, DVD and DivX playback. All of which is controlled via its 5.8″ touchscreen full colour display
Posted in Audio Visual, Car Audio Centre Tooting, Installations | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 29th, 2011
Mercedes Coupe C-Class Has a Pioneer AVH-3300BT installed at the Car Audio Centre Tooting
Make Bluetooth calls and enjoy your favourite films and tunes. The AVH-3300BT is your in-car control centre for calls and plenty of AV options on a 5.8” touch screen in your dashboard (requires 2-DIN slot).
A Parrot Bluetooth module makes wireless calling hassle-free: it can remember 5 phones and saves up to 1000 contacts. A noise-cancelling microphone is included.
Posted in Audio Visual, Car Audio Centre Tooting, Installations | No Comments »
