How to Buy a CD Changer/MP3 Changer...

Do you like driving with your favorite selections playing in the background -- but without the commercials? Would you love it if you had all those glorious tunes -- 10 hours' worth -- on just one CD? Load up with mp3 discs (that's if your changer can handle mp3 files) and you can easily drive for hours for a week without listening to any tune twice.

You can keep your discs safer and well-arranged in a changer. This also reduces the likelihood of misplacing any of them. They are also not very easy targets for thieves as they are usually installed out of sight.

These prove that CD/MP3 changers are great for your car. However, it will be a lot more if you considered a few things.

Is it an original factory-installed radio you want to add a changer to? Then you'll have to ensure you go for a vehicle-specific package that includes an interface adapter. These allow you to connect an aftermarket CD changer or mp3 changer to your factory radio with CD changer controls. With such packages you can control the changer from your factory radio controls. And if your car has steering wheel radio controls these will remain fully functional.

Are you adding a CD changer to an aftermarket radio, i.e. alpine, sony, etc? If you have an aftermarket radio with CD changer controls, the right thing, in your case, is for you to get an aftermarket changer of the radio's brand. It is important that you understand that you can only use an aftermarket changer that's the same brand as your radio in this case. That is, if you want to do that without spending more on adapters.

Are you adding a CD changer to a radio that doesn't have CD changer compatibility? You may not want to change your factory radio for some reasons like if it is a classic or leased car. Fortunately, that doesn't mean you have to give up the many advantages of a CD changer. Using an FM adapter , you can enjoy a CD changer through your car radio FM. Your steering wheel radio controls will not be affected adversely in any way.

Today's CD changers come loaded with so many features that they can easily confuse a non-technical buyer. For me, the following are the most important...

Shock protection: This means your CD/mp3 changer has the ability to read ahead and store a reasonable amount of music data. If a severe jolt causes a CD to skip, the changer plays from the stored reservoir until the data stream is re-established. This is a great feature for off roaders or a vehicle with a stiff suspension.

CD-R/CD-RW compatibility: Most changers will play CD-R's, but some will not play CD-RW's (rewriteable discs). You'll need this if you record your own discs.

Mp3 decoding: If you want to play those music files you downloaded from the internet, you'll need this feature. However, please, note that not all music files downloaded from the internet are mp3.

ID-3 tags: The ability to read ID-3 tags (artist and track info) makes it easy to find a particular song. If you have mp3 files on a disc, you'll certainly apprecite this. How else can you locate a song out of 100+ mp3 tracks on a single disc?

Zero-bit detector mute circuit: This feature guarantees complete silence between tracks -- no hisses inbetween tracks.

Wireless Remote: The necessity of this will depend on a few other things. This is very useful if you do not have steering wheel controls or if they are not functional. With a wireless remote, you can control your changer very easily without putting yourself or your passengers at any risk (as is the case when you bend over to the instrument panel).

This is a guide. You know what's best for you. So whichever is your preference, you'll have a lot of fun listening to great audio in your car. If you want to step up your car audio, get a changer!