Music on the road: The latest tech

Pioneer AVIC-N3 Music ........... on the road: The latest techKenwood KU. MP832U

technology-infused decks that supports multiple audio types on burned discs, satellite radio and an auxiliary input on the faceplate for added functionality. In fact, Sony's (www.sony.ca) latest stereos — including the MEX-1GP ($349) and the Sony CDX-GT8050X ($399) — also read ATRAC3/3plus files, which translates to a whopping SOD songs on just one CD-R/RW disc. The MEX-1GP also has another trick up its sleeve: 168 of internal flash memory and a USB port engineered into the faceplate, so when it's removed from the receiver and connected to a Windows PC, it ,s recognized as an external drive, ready for dragging and dropping music onto it.

Not all car stereos are created equal. Never has this been more apparent than when shopping for one today, where advancements in technology have opened the floodgates to a much richer music experience on the road.

From MP3 playback and multi-channel DVD-Audio to USB ports and satellite radio to iPod support and colour touch-screen displays, audio enthusiasts have never had it so good on four wheels.

To help wade through the vast number of options out there, the following is a look at a few of our picks — each with a CD player, built-in amp and a ton of bells & whistles — to keep you tapping on the steering wheel while commuting to work or enjoying a summer road trip with the family.

Ready to "Xplod" Take a joy ride with Sony's Xplod car audio products, a new line of Now see this

Not only can you crank the tunes with the Kenwood KDC-MP832U ($539; www.kenwood.ca) — including MP3s, WMAs, AACs and other digital audio files — but this high-end in-dash stereo also features a graphic motion sensor that lets you see the performance of your vehicle on its 64-colour fluorescent display (including horsepower, direction, gauges, stopwatch, and more). The rear USB port allows you to snap in a thumbdrive packed with tunes or connect your iPod to access its 15,000 songs and podcasts. This Sirius or XM Satellite Radio-ready deck also offers text-to-voice audio so you can hear artist info while keeping your eyes on the road (e.g. "Now playing album 'American Idiot' by artist Green Day").

Best bargoon You don't have to sacrifice performance for price with the JVC KD-G820 ($329; www.jvc.ca), a powerful car deck with support for MP3s or WMAs (via a front-loading USB thumbstick or stored on CD-R/CD-RWs), satellite

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radio or ,Pod connectivity (wireless remote included). The flip-down faceplate with 3D graphics display shows 103 tag information, equalizer settings and personalized PICT images (a JVC'exclusive). If you have deeper pockets, however, the JVC K1O-AVX2 ($799) is a top-of-the-line deck with high-resolution 3.5-inch widescreen display, 5.1 DVD-Audio playback with OTS, Dolby Digital or Dolby Pro Logic II (or store more than 2500 MP3s on one DVD-R) and gold plated output terminals.

'Music and more

Before you balk at theS1,899price tag, the Pioneer AV1C-N3 Multimedia Car Deck (www.pioneerelectronics.ca) is much more than just a car stereo. The 6.5-inch retractable touch-screen can also show DVD movies to passengers (or play your favourite music on DVD with DTS and Dolby Digital support) and display turn-by-turn GPS instructions (with audio, too) to prevent you from getting lost on your summer road trips. It can also measure and display some of your car's performance specifications. The car stereo plays AM/FM radio, reads MP3s and WMAs on DVD-R/RWs and CD-R/RWs and is satellite radio-ready and iPod-ready. The AV1C-N3 ships with GPS antennas, two map DVDs, includes 11 million points of interest (such as restaurants, gas stations and hotels) and offers one year of free roadside assistance service.

By Marc Saltzman

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