• TV
  • MOVIES
  • MUSIC
  • SHOWBIZ
  • SOAPS
  • GAMING
  • TECH
  • FORUMS
  • Follow
    • Follow
    • facebook
    • twitter
    • google+
    • instagram
    • youtube
Hearst Corporation
  • TV
  • MOVIES
  • MUSIC
  • SHOWBIZ
  • SOAPS
  • GAMING
  • TECH
  • FORUMS
Forums
  • Register
  • Login
  • Forums
  • Gadgets
  • TV and Home Entertainment Technology
why are car CD players so ****ing exspensive?
anill2
17-07-2003
when a Computer cd or dvd drive ranges from £10 to £30, i dont see the reason for car cd players to be so exspensive. the cheapest 1 i found is at £70 in argos here

i would like to know the reason for this?
crazydave
17-07-2003
You pay for what you get

CD-rom is just the drive

Car CD players cd-rom, Amplifier, radio.

Also higher quality components

Not bad for 70 quid
Grimmy
17-07-2003
If you have a radio cassette in the car already? What about this for a cheap and cheerful solution?

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/st...roductId=49422

You'd need an anti-shock personal CD player as well though...
CrystalAvenger
17-07-2003
The previous poster has kind of touched on the reason for the higher cost of car CD stereos - you need mechanisms to counter the normal vibrations and shocks you get in a car whilst driving, so what you will find is most have an anti-shock mechanism backed up by a data buffering system - very similar to that you get on many portable CD players now.

If it wasn't for the buffering and anti-shock mechanisms, your CD would be barely listenable to in a car - it would just stop playing every few seconds due to the shocks or skip hidiously.
RichardS
17-07-2003
Are they? I didn't realise - I got a 5 disc autochanger included when I bought my car!
Orbitalzone
17-07-2003
I think £70 is amazing value for money for an in car CD player!

Don't forget that it's not just a CD rom in a different cover, it's a stereo amplier and 3 band radio, all fitted into a compact case.
the chimp
17-07-2003
well I got a 10 disc Sony system for £40 because the retailer buggered up the "buy now pay later" and they fitted it too
3Faze
17-07-2003
My old setup involved an undead 4-speed CD-ROM, with some extra electronics butchered on to give the right input voltage, with it's audio socket running into the line in socket on my tape deck. Worked quite well for 6 months until the drive died.
CrystalAvenger
18-07-2003
Quote:
“Originally posted by 3Faze
My old setup involved an undead 4-speed CD-ROM, with some extra electronics butchered on to give the right input voltage, with it's audio socket running into the line in socket on my tape deck. Worked quite well for 6 months until the drive died. ”

LOL - that sounds like the sort of 'stereo system' a mate of mine at university had in his car - a walkman plugged into a set of 10w stereo PC speakers all running off AA batteries
__DareD3vil__
18-07-2003
Quote:
“Power output 4 x 16 watt RMS.
FM/MW/LW digital tuner.
24 pre-sets.
RDS/EON.
(PS) program service name.
TA (traffic announcement).
AF (auto frequency).
Single CD player with random/play mode.
CD-R compatible.
Bass and treble controls.
3 pre-set sounds.
Loudness control.
Removable faceplate.
Direct track access.
Line output.
Telephone mute.
Compu-play (single button power-up).”

That price £70 sounds about right.
My old Pioneer 3400-r wasnt anywhere near top of the range but for £120 it was well worth it when i originally wanted the 6400-r model for £200 which was at top with the best of Pioneer - at the time.

That car cd player is good for just normal listening, nothing quality.
That list above is pretty much standard on all low-end head units.
The Pioneer 3400 had all that plus...
2 pre-outs
high volt out put
4 x 27W rms MOSFET
face off
and other stuff you might not understand

Now these are quality...
http://www.newimagecarhifi.com/produ...=PIODEHP9400MP
http://www.newimagecarhifi.com/produ...=pioavhp6400cd
jno
19-07-2003
slightly off topic I know, but has anyone got or know of a car radio, or alarm clock that supports the shortwave SW band?

Incidentally, car CD players here in Austria where I live are not much cheaper than UK prices - check out the equiavlent of Currys here:

Mediamarkt.at
VIEW DESKTOP SITE TOP

JOIN US HERE

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Hearst Corporation

Hearst Corporation

DIGITAL SPY, PART OF THE HEARST UK ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK

© 2015 Hearst Magazines UK is the trading name of the National Magazine Company Ltd, 72 Broadwick Street, London, W1F 9EP. Registered in England 112955. All rights reserved.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Complaints
  • Site Map