1. What should you know about DAB?
DAB radio is known as the digital successor to FM, which has been called DAB+ since October 2017. DAB+ is still so new that it is not yet fully nationwide. This means there may be dropouts and even 'dead' areas where there is no signal. Regarding coverage, there may be local conditions that prevent the DAB signal from reaching. This can be, for example, certain concrete buildings or terrain that blocks the signal. Most people will be able to receive DAB with a good external antenna. You can also try moving your DAB receiver to a new location in the home - preferably near a window, which in many cases can result in better coverage.
2. DAB in the car
When you retrofit a car radio with a DAB receiver, it requires, just like at home in the living room, a dedicated DAB antenna. You cannot expect a good DAB signal with a regular FM antenna.
Most people install a standard DAB antenna in the car's windshield and this solution will be quite usable in the vast majority of cases. In some car models, there may be factors such as a heated windshield that blocks the signal. This can be solved with a new roof antenna, prepared for receiving both FM and DAB. These antennas are available in the form of either a shark fin and a regular whip antenna.
3. Antenna adapter for the car
When you retrofit a car radio in your car, you often need an FM antenna adapter to maintain the FM signal on the new car radio. Many of these antenna adapters are made with a built-in signal amplifier - this type is easily recognized by the loose blue wire that must be connected to 12 volts. You can, for example, take the 12 volts from the wire marked 'Remote'.
4. Connecting the interface in the car
Pioneer: The car-specific interface is first connected to the car radio. If the car is equipped with steering wheel control of the radio, the LEAD cable must be connected to the Pioneer car radio's input marked with 'W/R or STEERING WHEEL CONTROL and the other end with the multi-connector, connected to the interface box. IMPORTANT: The last plugs to be connected must always be the car's plugs.
Sony: The car-specific interface is first connected to the car radio. If the car is equipped with steering wheel control of the radio, the LEAD cable must be connected to the SONY car radio's blue plug marked with 'REMOTE' and the other end with the multi-connector connected to the interface box. IMPORTANT: The last plugs to be connected must always be the car's plugs.
Alpine: The car-specific interface is first connected to the car radio. If the car is equipped with steering wheel control of the radio, the LEAD cable must be connected to the Alpine car radio's plug marked with 'REMOTE' or STEERING REMOTE' and the other end with the multi-connector connected to the interface box. IMPORTANT: The last plugs to be connected must always be the car's plugs.
JVC: The car-specific interface is first connected to the car radio. If the car is equipped with steering wheel control of the radio, the loose wire of the LEAD cable is connected to the loose wire of the JVC radio marked with 'STEERING WHEEL REMOTE INPUT' and the other end with the multi-connector connected to the interface box. The mini-jack plug on the lead cable should not be used. IMPORTANT: The last plugs to be connected must always be the car's plugs.
Kenwood: The car-specific interface is first connected to the car radio. If the car is equipped with steering wheel control of the radio, the loose wire of the LEAD cable is connected to the loose wire of the Kenwood radio marked with 'STEERING WHEEL REMOTE INPUT' and the other end with the multi-connector connected to the interface box. IMPORTANT: The last plugs to be connected must always be the car's plugs.
5. Can I install my new car radio myself?
We always recommend that an experienced installer handles the installation of your new car radio. This way, you ensure that the car's electronics are not damaged. If you want to install the new car radio yourself, it is recommended that you start by disconnecting the negative terminal on the car battery. When the old radio needs to be removed, it is a good idea to use a plastic pry tool, so the car's panels do not get scratches and marks. The car radio must be connected to power in two ways. 1: Power from the ignition (red wire), so the car radio turns on and off with the car. 2: Constant power (yellow wire), so radio stations and other settings are saved when the car is turned off. The difficulty level depends entirely on the current car model and its equipment variant.
Optionally use this checklist:
· Disconnect the negative terminal on the car's battery.
· Connect the interface and LEAD cable to the new radio. Finish by connecting the interface to the car's plug.
· Connect the light green loose wire labeled 'Park Brake' to the car's handbrake (or chassis). Some interfaces also have a loose wire for this purpose.
· Connect the blue loose wire from the FM antenna adapter to 12 volts. Connect it to the radio's loose 'Remote' wire.
· Connect the loose purple/white wire labeled 'Reverse Gear' to the car's reverse gear contact (+ 12v), if the car has a rear view camera.
· Ensure that the ground connection, ignition, and constant power are correctly connected. Feel free to use a voltmeter.
· It is also recommended that the new car radio is reset before use. See the manual under 'Restore Factory settings' for how to reset the radio
6. Installing a rear view camera in the car
Our best-selling rear view camera ND-BC9 is usually mounted by the license plate on the tailgate, where the camera can be angled in the desired direction. Power cables and signal cable are routed to the radio, and the signal cable with RCA plug must be connected to the Pioneer radio's brown RCA plug. On other car radios, the rear view camera input is typically marked with 'CAM'. The positive pole of the power cable is connected to the ignition voltage, so the camera gets power when the car is on. The negative pole is connected to the car's chassis. Remember to connect the loose purple/white wire on the back of the radio labeled 'Reverse Gear' to the car's reverse gear contact. (+ 12v). Some interfaces also have a loose wire for this purpose. All our radios with touch screens have an input for a rear view camera.
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