5 Easy Steps to Upgrade Your In-Car Entertainment
carousel
With state-of-the-art car tech and certain features like gaming in cars, the various ways for passengers to entertain themselves in a vehicle are more advanced than ever before. Digital screens were initially introduced in the 1970s and touchscreens first debuted back in 1986, but incorporating DVD players into cars in the early 2000s along with improved sound and video quality really started setting the precedent for modern in-vehicle entertainment.
Now, in-car entertainment, or in-vehicle infotainment, is comprised of various sought after features that add to a car’s interior ambiance in addition to being a great way to keep children and other riders occupied during long drives. If you are new to the infotainment game and want to enhance your vehicle with the latest car electronics or if your car is a bit older and needs some basic tech alterations, keep reading to find out five handy steps to upgrade your in-car entertainment.
1. Make a list and determine a budget
2. Swap out your old receiver with a car infotainment system
Although a car’s dashboard display isn’t traditionally thought of for its entertainment value, it does serve as a control center that heavily influences a modern vehicle’s many methods of media. Car stereo receivers and the various displays, particularly touch screen stereo receivers, are prominently featured in a car’s infotainment system. This is because the digital control display not only provides useful information, such as the time, date and temperature, but it also allows the driver or front seat passenger to control various innovative multimedia car tech components related to in-car entertainment.
This can include such features as:
- Apple CarPlay. A safe way to use your iPhone as you are driving, Apple CarPlay turns your digital dashboard display into your iPhone’s screen with all of your favorite apps. In addition to easily playing music and podcasts, Apple CarPlay also allows you to get directions, make calls and easily send and receive text messages, all the while keeping your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.
- Android Auto. The Android version of Apple CarPlay. With a compatible Android smartphone, such as the latest Samsung Galaxy, your digital dashboard can mimic the screen of your Android, providing all of your media (as well as messaging) at your fingertips.
- Satellite Radio-SiriusXM. Over 140 channels of commercial-free music, news, sports, comedy and much more. Most infotainment systems feature SiriusXM and will even give out extremely low introductory pricing, but subscriptions are typically required after the first three months.
- Auto EQ sound quality. Built-in Auto EQ and Time Alignment that cover a wide audio range of multiple drivers, delivering optimal sound throughout your vehicle that is conveniently controlled in the dashboard display.
3. Update your car’s video options
There are several types of gadgets for your vehicle, but upgrading the video options greatly enhances the infotainment system for a car. This is especially true in larger vehicles that have more options to install video screens, such as SUVs and minivans. Certain auto shops and dealerships might be able to equip your car with monitors that are built straight into the back of the driver and passenger seat headrests. However, a more affordable car video option that won’t leave you without a vehicle while it is being worked on is opting for headrest DVD players, which conveniently offer dual video options while being manually secured to the back of two separate headrests.
Although not necessarily adding to the entertainment factor of your vehicle, updating your back-up and dash cameras is also a good idea if you want more modernized viewing options with better picture quality.
4. Purchase a new stereo system and speakers
Every new car comes equipped with a working stereo system and speakers. However, upgrading a car’s sound can really make a difference in car entertainment. The best infotainment systems for cars always feature superior audio. Plus, the average life of a car speaker is only four to eight years, so if you intend on driving your vehicle for a long time, it is better to replace older stereos and speakers before it’s too late.
Stereo receivers and car speakers are readily available for all makes and models of cars, but if you really want enhanced, immersive sound in your car with the best audio quality, you should also think about purchasing a car amplifier or a subwoofer and enclosure.
5. Consider adding gaming to your car
Many car manufacturers opt for the cheapest video screens, sound system, speakers and everything else related to the entertainment system for a car to save money and offer lower prices to the customer. This means that gaming in a car is rare for an automobile straight from the assembly line. Luckily, there are many handheld gaming options to add a whole new level of entertainment to your vehicle. However, be sure to always make safety a priority and never partake in gaming while you are driving. Gaming in your car is intended to keep passengers entertained, not drivers.
PS5 and Xbox offer backbone mobile controllers that can be connected to your smartphone and then used as a gaming controller for all of your favorite digital PS5 games or Xbox games. Additionally, the Nintendo Switch is capable of handheld play in a car, further adding to a vehicle’s entertainment capabilities.
Handheld gaming also saves you money on service shop fees by not having anything professionally installed. There are various car installation services available for other aspects of entertainment, including audio installation, back-up and dash camera installation and car accessory installation.