An in car entertainment system, also referred to as an ICE system, that provides for entertainment for your passengers while they are in the vehicle. This includes not only audio but video. An ICE system may also provide more utilitarian services, such as a GPS navigation system. While car audio systems certainly fall under the category of ICE systems, they are usually not referred to by themselves as such.
The concept of an in car entertainment system has been around for a great deal of time, although they have evolved quite a bit since they were first introduced. Today, in care entertainment systems provide us with the latest in technology, providing high-tech solutions to our entertainment needs.
First and foremost comes the straightforward car audio system. The first type of audio system to show up in automobiles other than the radio was the cassette player. The idea that you could listen to your own music while you were driving caught on very rapidly. Long drives on the road can become boring very rapidly, making any form of entertainment worthwhile on the road. Car audio systems are still the most commonly used entertainment systems available on the market.
Today’s car audio system does quite a bit more than simply play music, however. They are designed to provide passengers with the highest quality sound possible, and are equipped to fit various formats of music. Not only CDs, but iPods and other MP3 players, DVDs, cassettes, and even thumb drives with music files on them can be used to provide for a musical experience while driving.
In addition to this, devices such as Blue-tooth and Wi-fi connectivity, phone connectivity, remote device hook ups, and even TV have transformed the standard car audio system into a full on entertainment system. Furthermore, all of these devices can be combined to get advanced features such as using your car speakers as a speakerphone while driving. High end systems will also provide users with a screen that can be used for navigating terrain using a global positioning system. This allows the driver to receive directional advice so that it is nearly impossible to get lost on the way to their destination.
Large screens can be used not only to play movies, but to play video games as well. These screens are usually only available to backseat passengers so that the driver is not distracted from their driving, which would be unsafe. It is also becoming more popular for cars to provide their passengers with satellite television. This is in addition to the DVD players that have already been available for some time.
Of course, these features all require more electricity to use than would otherwise be required. Vehicles with these types of entertainment systems installed typically come with electrical storage devices that are used specifically for the entertainment system. A car without this type of energy storage device as a high end entertainment system risks running out the battery.
Think wisely before investing in a car entertainment system, however. It can serve as a distraction and if you have trouble focusing on the road it may not necessarily be a good idea.