June 26, 2004

By: Lawrence Bosh
Website: http://www.booming-car-audio.com

Panasonic Canada introduces a new line of attractive and powerful CD players for the automobile

Panasonic Canada introduces not only a new line of attractive and powerful CD players for the automobile, but brings exciting new trends and concepts to the world of car audio.

Included in all the new models is a new cosmetic look that will do anything but fade into the background. Front and centre is Panasonic’s blue signature display, proven popular with both consumers and retailers, framed by a new eye-catching black chrome-finished faceplate. Adding to its good looks is a new slim-fit mount design for an elegant and sleek-fitted look that rivals OEM equipment.

Panasonic also takes a pro-active approach to bringing popular home technology to the automobile. All current Microsoft-driven home computers feature the popular WMA software for creating home-recorded audio CDs. Enabling music lovers to take these CDs on a jaunt across the country or just across town, Panasonic has equipped its 2003 car stereo receivers with MP3 playback capability with the ever-growing WMA format.

Not only is Panasonic offering breathtaking cosmetics and high-quality performance, the new models also feature an easy-to-use human interface. The new 2003 car stereos are highlighted by an enhanced, user-friendly menu function and large rotary knob. The result, new car systems that are wonderful to look at and easy to control while watching the road.

Just because you leave your home doesn’t mean you have to leave high-quality audio entertainment behind, said Karem Banna, Product Manager, Mobile Entertainment.

Consumers have become accustomed to a wide range of digital entertainment options, and Panasonic’s 2003 mobile audio line makes it even easier to bring them on the road.

For those who prefer to bring along their private listening collections, all of the new head units can play back professionally produced CDs or home-recorded CD-R* and CD-RW discs. Models CQ-DF783U, CQ-DF583U and CQ-DP383U are also compatible with the MP3 and WMA formats for playback of these file types saved to CD-Rs or CD-RWs. These MP3-compatible models also include a CD Text display for viewing status information such as track title, artist name, album title and elapsed time.

Whether you’re playing CDs, CD-Rs or CD-RWs, you’ll be in full control of your listening options and environment with Panasonic’s new CD head units. CD play options include 12-track direct access, track scan, search, repeat (track or disc) and random play.

Models CQ-HR1003U, CQ-DF903U, CQ-DF783U, CQ-DF583U and CQ-DP383U can also control a CD changer, such as the new eight-disc CD changer CX-DP880 or CX-DP610 six-disc CD changer, and offer disc up/down, track up/down, disc/track scan, track repeat and random play. The CD players all incorporate Panasonic’s MASH 1-bit digital-to-analog converter, which helps deliver faithful audio reproduction.

All of Panasonic’s 2003 car stereos also deliver outstanding AM/FM performance, thanks to the incorporated Alphatuner V technology. Alphatuner V combines FM Optimizer, Adaptive Front End and Impulse Noise Quieting circuits to effectively deal with strong competing signals and other forms of potential interference.

Users can program up to 18 FM and six AM stations, and can also take advantage of features such as Auto Preset and Seek tuning.

For powerful delivery of the music being played, models CQ-HR1003U, CQ-DF903U, CQ-DF783U, CQ-DF583U, CQ-DP383U and CQ-DF203U feature MOS-FET circuitry. MOS-FET helps deliver improved signal-to-noise ratio, resulting in highly faithful sound reproduction with expressive musical detail. Several models also feature enhanced Super High Definition Bass. S-HDB enhances bass response 12 dB at 80 Hz and high frequency 3 dB at 10 kHz for rock solid bass and clear highs.

Featuring 'Boom' and 'Tight' modes, S-HDB can be optimized for systems with or without a subwoofer, and can be switched off when not needed.

These new models boast interactive, graphic displays to help keep passengers visul display continues in this year’s line on model CQ-HR1003U, but with a noticeable difference. The 2003 Ghost display features a jet-black finish and new cosmetics with a display panel that encompasses most of the head unit’s face. Highlighted by multi-colour switchable illumination, the user can change the player’s look to suit a mood or preference and as a built-in security feature, the panel goes totally black when the receiver is switched off. As with last year’s technology, the Ghost display incorporates a button-free, touch-sensitive panel that lets users control the car stereo by tapping the screen.

Owners of the CQ-DF903U are also in for a visual treat. This top-tier model incorporates Panasonic’s High Definition 3DDM graphics taking last year’s 8,160 pixel-display to a whopping 20,480 pixels. The result is three-times better image quality and graphics than last year’s models.

HD 3DDM includes five graphic displays ranging from a Formula One Panasonic/Toyota racecar scene to a snowboard graphic and a space scene. And of course, all of these depictions pulse and move to the sound of the music on a display that’s 40 per cent larger than other displays.

Models CQ-DF903U and CQ-DF783U are highlighted by a 'Day & Night display incorporating spectrum analyzers with a variety of display patterns, while the remainder of the new head units feature a blue display illumination. For added control of the displays’ brightness, the CQ-HR1003U, CQ-DF903U and CQ-DF783U also include a three-step dimmer control.

In addition to their updated graphics, all of the new car stereos feature a sleek new design punctuated by a slim-fit mount, black chrome body. The inclusion of a large, rotary commander knob gives the unit the look of a home hi-fi system and adds to the systems’ ease of use.

Other features on all the models include a removable faceplate to help safeguard against theft and a convenient IR remote control.

About The Author:

Lawrence Bosh is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.booming-car-audio.com.  Get the car audio system you want plus accessories and valuable advice.