Do I Need a Line Output Converter To Add a Car Amplifier?

We’ve talked at length about how car audio line output converters work and have even compared a few to see which sound best. We skipped over a discussion on whether a car audio amplifier upgrade needs a line-output converter. Let’s dive in!

What Does a Line Output Converter Do?

A high-quality line output converter serves three purposes. First and foremost, it can reduce the voltage from a radio or amplifier output to something acceptable on the preamp input of an amplifier. Second, it converts a bridge-tied load (BTL) signal to a single-ended signal that works with all amplifiers. Thirdly, it can provide a remote turn-on signal to activate an amplifier when you turn on a factory radio.

Most car audio amplifiers can only accept up to 5 or 6 volts on their preamp inputs. This voltage is equivalent to the output of an amplifier that produces a maximum of 9 watts of power into a 4-ohm load. Since most car radios can produce at least 20 watts, equivalent to just under 9 volts of signal, we need circuitry to reduce that level and not over-drive the input stage on the amplifier.

All car radios we’ve tested use the bridge-tied load speaker output configuration. This speaker driving method allows a radio to provide more power than a single-ended design without needing a dedicated switching power supply. If you’ve asked a technician to install an inexpensive or poorly designed amplifier, it will likely need a single-ended signal.

If you have a factory-installed radio in your car, truck or SUV, the chances of a wire going live only when the radio is on is quite unlikely. You’ll need a way to tell the new amplifier when it’s time to wake up and get to work. A good-quality line output converter can do that.

Modern Amplifier Features – Automatic Turn-On Circuits

If you look at most high-quality amplifiers on the market, you’ll see they include some sort of remote turn-on detection circuitry. Some of these circuits monitor the input connections on the amplifier for a presence of an audio signal. This is usually called a signal-detect turn-on circuit. Others look for the 55 to 6 volts of DC offset found on the output of BTL amplifiers as would be used in a car radio. These circuits are called DC offset or BTL detection solutions.

Output Converter — The DPower 1 from Hertz includes their ART Auto Turn On/Off Circuitry to simplify installation.

Car Audio Amplifier Differential Inputs

Decades ago, car audio amplifiers used the same single-ended RCA input circuitry as a home stereo receiver. Reputable car audio equipment manufacturers realized that switching to balanced differential circuitry inputs dramatically reduced the chances of ground loops that could cause unwanted engine noise in an audio system. This balanced input circuitry also helps eliminate any unwanted noise that the interconnect cables might have picked up as they run through the vehicle.

We’ve written a few detailed articles on the importance of balanced differential inputs and how to test an amplifier to make sure it has this feature. Don’t bother with amplifiers that don’t use differential inputs. You’re only asking for headaches and noise.

Too Much Preamp Voltage

It’s not often you hear the phrase “too much voltage” in the context of car audio discussions. With that said, if you feed too much signal to the RCA inputs on an amplifier, both the input and output can add huge amounts of distortion to your audio system. This distortion is called clipping.

Designing a car audio system upgrade requires an understanding of how the factory-installed audio system works. Your installer might need to take frequency response and amplitude measurements before recommending products. Some factory-installed subwoofer amplifiers can produce just shy of 40 volts of signal.

If you’re shopping for an amplifier to add to a factory-installed radio or amplifier, choose one that can accept a wide range of voltages. Some amplifiers have dedicated speaker-level input terminals. Others have a switch that attenuates the signal on the RCA jacks. Some DSP-equipped amplifiers have digitally selected input voltage ranges.

Questions To Ask When Purchasing Audio Upgrades

If you want to add an amplifier to your car audio system, you’ll want to ask the product specialist you’re working with some questions. Aside from everything we’ve suggested in our Buyers Guides, you need to know what accessories they plan to use for the installation. If they say you need a line output converter, ask what it would cost to move up to an amplifier that can accept the full signal from the source unit and turn itself on and off automatically without any adapters. The chances are good that the higher-quality amplifier won’t just simplify the installation but will likely sound better. If they insist a line-output converter is still required, ask why.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Using Dashcam Parking Mode

Given the proliferation of fraud, accidents and sheer craziness on the roads today, having a dashcam in your vehicle is, at the very least, a wise investment. These compact camera systems capture video of everything that happens while you drive, in the event you need to share information with the authorities or on social media. Many dashcam systems have a parking mode feature that allows the camera to continue capturing information even when the ignition is turned off. Let’s look at how this feature works and consider its benefits and limitations.

What Is Parking Mode?

Parking mode on modern dashcams is activated automatically when the vehicle remains stationary for a few minutes, or the ignition is turned off. At this time, the dashcam stops storing video on the microSD card but continues to monitor the signal from the image sensor. When there is a significant change in the image content, as would happen when someone steps into the field of vision or a vehicle drives by, the dashcam will store a video of what’s happening. The concept of parking mode is to allow “motion only” videos to be stored while the vehicle is parked. This functionality is similar to security camera systems that are activated by motion. For example, the camera should record what happens if someone approaches your vehicle to vandalize it, tamper with it or try to steal it.

The advantage of motion-activated video recording is that the files on the microSD card should contain only important information and not hours of the same fixed scene. For example, suppose you’ve backed your vehicle into your driveway. In that case, you will likely have videos of the neighbors walking their dogs or people driving home from work, along with anything that might identify someone with ulterior motives toward your car or truck.

Drawbacks of Parking Mode

A dashcam is a small computer. It has a microprocessor, memory and storage. All computers consume moderate amounts of electricity to operate. When the engine in your vehicle isn’t running, that electrical energy needs to come from the battery. Most dashcams consume between 200 and 500 milliamps of current while in operation.

It should come as no surprise that the battery in your vehicle is limited in terms of the energy it can store. When the vehicle was designed, the battery size was chosen to provide adequate capacity without being so oversized that it represented a weight penalty. If you have an older vehicle, the only circuit that might draw power from the battery when the ignition is off would be the clock in the dash or the radio. These devices might draw a few milliamps. Modern vehicles include many more features and consume a lot more energy. If you have a keyless entry system, the vehicle will have a radio receiver integrated into the security or body control module. Many premium vehicles have telematics systems that use cellular data communication. If a smartphone app is available to remote start or unlock your vehicle, then this radio transceiver will be drawing current while the vehicle is turned off.

How long do these “background” systems take to deplete a modern car battery? Most modern vehicles draw 20 to 30 milliamps of current when fully asleep. If you have a keyless entry system, this amount increases. Let’s use 40 milliamps as a nominal value. The average new car has a group 124 car battery, or at least something similar. Luxury vehicles with more technology might have a larger battery, while economy cars might have a smaller one. When fully charged, these batteries typically have a reserve capacity of 65 to 80 amp-hours. Though most batteries are rarely fully charged, for this example, let’s consider a battery with 70 amp-hours of capacity. If we divide the battery capacity by the draw, we get the hours the battery should last before depleting. In this example, we should be able to leave the vehicle unattended and unused for about 73 days. I’d suggest that starting the vehicle after sitting that long will be VERY difficult. Nevertheless, that’s the math with a 40-milliamp draw.

What happens if we add a dashcam with 350 milliamps of draw to the battery? Suddenly, we only have seven and a half days of capacity. If your vehicle’s battery wasn’t fully charged using an external battery charger, I suggest you’d be lucky to get half of these times and still be able to start the vehicle.

Automatic Turn-Off Features

When shopping for a dashcam with plans to use the parking mode feature, look for one that a professional installer can hard-wire into your vehicle. These dashcams will have a power and accessory wire rather than a cigarette lighter plug. Second, make sure the camera has an adjustable low-voltage cut-off feature. Your installer can specify the battery voltage at which the camera will shut down and prevent your vehicle’s battery from being drained, so you can’t start it without a boost. Lastly, ask them to set this voltage relatively high. I’d suggest that 12.3 volts should leave you enough reserve to start the vehicle. The absolute voltage depends on the condition of your battery and how often you drive the vehicle.

Charge Your Car Battery Properly

If you drain the battery in your vehicle, it MUST be recharged properly. Running the engine for 15 minutes or going for a short drive will NOT put any significant charge back into the battery. Instead, you should connect an external electronic charger to the battery for at least 10 to 15 hours and let it absorb energy slowly. Forcing large amounts of current into a battery quickly only causes unwanted heat that could damage the lead plates and reduce the energy storage capacity.

Alternate Dashcam Parking Mode Technologies

A few dashcam manufacturers have switched from image-sensor-based parking mode monitoring to solutions like radar. For example, the Momento M7 camera we reviewed in 2022 has a feature called Eco Mode. When activated, the camera uses a built-in ultrasonic transceiver to detect motion in front of the vehicle when in parking mode. The benefit of Eco Mode is that the camera only consumes about 32 milliamps of current while monitoring. Yes, the consumption increases while recording, but that only lasts for a minute or so. At 32 milliamps, our 70 amp-hour car battery can last almost 27 days. Call it 20 days, given the assumption it will make several recordings and draw some extra energy. The takeaway is that a camera like this will strain your vehicle’s battery less.

Protect Your Vehicle Intelligently

A dashcam with a parking mode feature is a wise investment if you’re concerned about vandalism or catalytic converter theft. Talk with the product specialists at a local specialty mobile enhancement retailer. They can tell you which cameras they offer include the parking mode feature and discuss how much current each model consumes so you’ll know how long your battery will last.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Carjacking Is on the Rise. It’s Time to Protect Yourself!

If you’ve been watching the news during the first half of 2022, you know that the number of carjackings taking place in major cities is increasing at an alarming rate. Why are criminals resorting to face-to-face confrontations? What should you do if someone approaches your vehicle? How can you protect yourself? The answers are all surprisingly simple.

Why Is Carjacking Suddenly Popular?

If a thief wants to ship a luxury or rare vehicle to another country, they must include a set of keys. If a relay attack is used to start the car, truck or SUV, the bad guys still need to buy new keys or fobs and have them programmed to the vehicle. The process could cost them upwards of a thousand dollars, and frankly, is a hassle. If they don’t have an original remote fob or key, the process is even more difficult and expensive. What if there were an easy way for them to get the vehicle and a key? The answer is carjacking.

What Is Carjacking?

Here’s a typical carjacking scenario. You leave for work in the morning in your Ford F-150. You pull up to a stop sign behind another vehicle. Suddenly, someone approaches your vehicle with a gun drawn. They order you out of the truck and drive away. Chances are, the car stopped in front of you at the sign (for longer than it should have been) is an accomplice to the crime and was there to distract you.

While it’s logical to think that expensive vehicles are carjackers’ primary target, any vehicle that can quickly be converted to money is at risk. So, whether it’s a Range Rover or BMW, a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic, the risk is surprisingly similar. A whole car might be shipped overseas, or for other popular cars or trucks, the drivetrain, wheels and tires, airbags and seats might be sold piece by piece.

How Can You Prevent a Carjacking?

If you or your vehicle has been targeted, it might be difficult to prevent this unfortunate incident from taking place. If you have a dashcam installed or made it clear you have an aftermarket alarm (by unlocking the vehicle with an audible siren chirp), the thieves might move on to a different car or truck.

If you park somewhere with a lot of people around, you’re much less likely to run into trouble. This isn’t always easy, especially if you live in a quiet subdivision.

If you are well aware of your surroundings and notice someone approaching your vehicle, you can honk the horn or trigger the panic mode using your key fob. Thieves don’t ever want unnecessary attention. With that said, we suggest avoiding all aggressive behavior.

If someone approaches you with the intent to steal your vehicle, do exactly what you are told. Exit the vehicle with your phone, wallet or purse and let them take it. It’s just a vehicle. It can be replaced. Don’t challenge them. In fact, don’t say anything other than Yes or OK. Just step aside and let them go. Their adrenaline will be pumping, so even snide remarks could upset them and make things worse.

Use Technology To Get Your Vehicle Back

In our opinion, equipping your vehicle with a telematics system that includes GPS tracking features is the best way to ensure that you’ll have your vehicle back in your driveway quickly. If you have a system such as DroneMobile installed and carjackers approach with guns drawn or they show one tucked into their waistband, step aside and let them go. Once they’re gone, call 911 right away and launch the DroneMobile app on your phone. You can give the police officers the exact location of your vehicle almost instantly. Let them decide how to handle the situation. Chances are, they’ll block the road and stop the thieves, or wait until the vehicle stops then take them into custody. Either way, getting your car or truck back should be a simple process. It might not be the same day, but it will get back to you quickly.

Share Accurate Information with Police

A little tip on providing location information to authorities: More and more emergency services like law enforcement, fire departments and ambulances are using an app called What3words. The app converts specific longitude and latitude data (which can be your current location) into a set of three simple English words. A 911 operator can use those words to give police officers a location with 10 feet of precision. This location information is more accurate than a street address, which can often be off by one or two houses or buildings. No matter what the scenario is, if you’re calling for help, providing your location using What3words can prevent confusion and help you get the assistance you need more quickly.

Upgrade Your Vehicle with DroneMobile Telematics

Whether you are worried about carjackings or simply want the benefit of a remote car starter and keyless entry system with smartphone control, drop by a local authorized DroneMobile retailer today. Should the unthinkable happen and you are carjacked, you’ll have all the tools you need to help the police apprehend the thieves and get your vehicle back.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Product Spotlight: Drone XC-LTE Dash Cam

If you’re a regular visitor to BestCarAudio.com, you should be familiar with dash cams and smartphone-based remote vehicle control solutions like Drone. Imagine combining the features of both units into one product and then adding live video streaming capabilities! The new Drone XC-LTE 2K QHD dash cam with LTE, GPS and Wi-Fi does precisely that. Let’s check it out!

What Is the Drone XC-LTE Dash Cam?

There are a lot of features and design elements to unpack with the Drone XC-LTE. The unit has a footprint of 4.2 by 2.8 inches with a thickness of 1.5 inches. A vertical mounting orientation on the windshield minimizes obstruction.

The XC-LTE uses a Sony STARVIS image sensor for excellent contrast and low-light performance. The sensor is mated to a wide 154-degree lens to allow recording well off to the sides of the vehicle. The camera records at a 2K Quad HD resolution of 2560 by 1440 pixels at 30 frames per second. A built-in Wi-Fi transceiver lets you download stored videos to your smartphone.

Firstech includes a high-quality 64 GB microSD memory card to ensure reliable recording. Upgrading to a 128 or 256 GB memory card allows the system to store more data. The system also accepts a secondary camera input signal. Your installer can add the XC-RC100 rear-facing or the XC-IR100 infrared interior cameras. The interior camera is very popular with taxi, Uber and Lyft operators. The parking mode feature allows it to monitor the visible area continuously and then record when something or someone enters its field of vision.

What makes this dash cam unique is the ability to view live video on the DroneMobile app on your smartphone using an LTE cellular data connection. You can see exactly what the camera sees on your phone. The system uses an LTE data connection to transmit video. As long as your phone can access the cellular data network, it doesn’t matter where it’s parked or driving. Remote live-viewing capability is a feature people have been requesting for years.

Regarding live-feed details, the video stream has a resolution of 960 by 540 pixels. Depending on your chosen service package, you get 1 or 2 GB of cloud storage for important videos you tag via the DroneMobile app.

Drone Vehicle Control

While the excitement of the remote video viewing is the highlight of the Drone XC-LTE, it’s crucial to remember that this is still a Drone vehicle control interface. When paired with a compatible control module from Compustar, Arctic Start, FTX or NuStart, you can use the DroneMobile app on your phone to lock and unlock your vehicle or start the engine. You can even pop the trunk or open a sliding door or motorized hatch in many applications.

The Drone XC-LTE acts like the DAS-II sensor to detect impact, tilt, motion and glass breakage. Any of these triggers will instantly send a notification to your smartphone. You can use the LTE streaming feature of the dash cam to look around your vehicle to find out what’s going on. The DroneMobile app also allows you to trigger the Panic feature to scare away would-be thieves or the neighbor’s cat.

The system also functions as a vehicle-locating or -tracking solution with one of the GPS-enabled Drone service plans. You can configure speed-based warnings to monitor vehicle operation. Location-based notifications, often called geofencing, are also available. These warnings tell you when the vehicle enters or exits a specific area or location.

See Why Your Car Alarm Triggered

Most of us are familiar with hearing car alarm sirens, getting a security alert from a two-way remote key fob or perhaps seeing an alarm notification on our smartphones. We all want to know what is happening in and around the vehicle. With the new XC-LTE, you can open the DroneMobile app and see what the cameras see in real time. There’s no need to leave the house or your office. You could be on vacation in the Caribbean and check on your car or truck from the pool while sipping a mojito or enjoying a beer.

The XC-LTE is ideal for commercial equipment left on a job site or in a company-owned service or delivery vehicle. The XC-LTE is a perfect solution if you rent your car or truck on Turo or Getaround and want to see where and how the renter uses your vehicle.

The Best Vehicle Monitoring and Control Solution

The Drone XC-LTE is the first aftermarket dash cam solution with live view capabilities that can integrate with a car alarm or remote start system to provide vehicle control and monitoring. You can also use the system as a stand-alone dash cam with remote live viewing. Your local Compustar retailer can explain the remote control and live-view service plans and the features they offer. To find an authorized Drone retailer near you, use the locator tool on their website. For more information about Drone solutions, visit their YouTube channel, Facebook page or Instagram. Check back frequently, as a full Test Drive Review of the Drone XC-LTE is coming soon.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Off-road, Recreational, and Commercial Vehicle Camera Systems Enhance Driving Safety

When we consider modern safety camera systems on cars and trucks, most of us think about being able to see behind the vehicle when we’re parking or backing up. While those are two of the most common uses for video-based collision-avoidance systems, cameras can also make a difference in other situations where it’s important to see what’s around you. In this article, we’ll take a look at how a camera system can make your next trail adventure safer or your job more efficient.

Off-Road and Adventure Trail Camera Solutions

If you’ve ever gone off-roading in a lifted truck, then you know that many obstacles and challenges are better handled with a spotter. That’s someone outside your vehicle watching where each tire is and letting you know when to turn, speed up or slow down. What if you don’t have someone qualified to help you navigate a narrow opening between two trees or stay on a steep trail when all you see is the sky in front of you? A custom camera system is a great solution.

Imagine a pair of cameras mounted on your front bumper. Each camera would face downward to give you a clear image of where you’re headed and where each tire is relative to obstacles. You can see ruts, stumps, rocks, trees and, most importantly, the edge of the trail or path from the comfort of the driver’s seat.

There’s no limit to how a camera system can be configured. You may want to opt for a three-camera system, with one facing forward from the center of the grille or bumper and secondary cameras on the side-view mirrors or pods on the side of the vehicle facing forward to show your front wheels and the trail.

Safety Cameras — This Nissan includes a NAV-TV KIT564 universal camera mounted in the front grille to make maneuvering safer.

For camera systems such as this, you’ll want a monitor that can show more than one image at a time. Don’t confuse a monitor that has multiple inputs with a unit that can combine images to display them simultaneously. You don’t want to have to switch back and forth between a left and right wheel camera to ensure that you’re safe.

Commercial Camera Applications

With a safety camera system, there are dozens of ways you can improve efficiency and safety while on the job. If you’re a tow truck operator, having a camera placed strategically on a wheel lift or the boom of a heavy wrecker would allow you to position your vehicle with greater accuracy and minimize the time you spend on the side of the road. The faster you can move a stranded vehicle, the less risk there is to your safety.

Delivery Vehicles

We’ve all heard how backup cameras help prevent back-over accidents. For operators of cube vans or cargo vans, a high-mounted camera on the back of the truck can help you line your vehicle up with a loading dock. You’ll be able to park just close enough to unload boxes without having to step down to the ground.

If you’re transporting horses, you can easily monitor their health and comfort by adding a camera to the inside of the trailer. Many cameras are available with night vision capabilities, using infrared transmitters to let you see what’s going on without visible light.

If you operate a snow plow, having a camera monitoring a salter or on the light bar on the front of a truck will let you operate more efficiently. You’ll know when you’re low on salt and see when you’ve reached the edge of a parking lot. A backup camera system is also an excellent investment in these instances where the driver needs to reverse frequently to clear a parking lot.

See Safely in Absolute Darkness

Police and fire departments all around the country use thermal imaging cameras to help them find fugitives or locate otherwise invisible hotspots after a fire is extinguished. NAV-TV offers the FLIR PathFindIR II infrared camera system for automotive applications. If it’s foggy, raining or smoky, the image from the PathFindIR can help you stay on the right path. Any living object that enters the field of vision will be highlighted with a yellow box on the display screen, so you’ll know to avoid them, even if you can’t physically see them yet. There are options to integrate the camera image into a factory-installed infotainment system, or it can be used with an external display.

Upgrade Your Vehicle with a Custom Camera System Today

High-quality automotive-grade cameras are rugged and reliable. Your local specialty mobile enhancement retailer can design a bespoke system to let you see around your vehicle. Visit them and let them know how they can help you drive or work more efficiently.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

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Do I Need a Line Output Converter To Add a Car Amplifier?

What Does a Line Output Converter Do?

Modern Amplifier Features – Automatic Turn-On Circuits

Car Audio Amplifier Differential Inputs

Too Much Preamp Voltage

Questions To Ask When Purchasing Audio Upgrades

Benefits and Drawbacks of Using Dashcam Parking Mode

What Is Parking Mode?

Drawbacks of Parking Mode

Automatic Turn-Off Features

Charge Your Car Battery Properly

Alternate Dashcam Parking Mode Technologies

Protect Your Vehicle Intelligently

Carjacking Is on the Rise. It’s Time to Protect Yourself!

Why Is Carjacking Suddenly Popular?

What Is Carjacking?

How Can You Prevent a Carjacking?

Use Technology To Get Your Vehicle Back

Share Accurate Information with Police

Upgrade Your Vehicle with DroneMobile Telematics

Product Spotlight: Drone XC-LTE Dash Cam

What Is the Drone XC-LTE Dash Cam?

Drone Vehicle Control

See Why Your Car Alarm Triggered

The Best Vehicle Monitoring and Control Solution

Off-road, Recreational, and Commercial Vehicle Camera Systems Enhance Driving Safety

Off-Road and Adventure Trail Camera Solutions

Commercial Camera Applications

Delivery Vehicles

See Safely in Absolute Darkness

Upgrade Your Vehicle with a Custom Camera System Today

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