Automotive head unit


An automotive head unit, sometimes called the infotainment system, is a component providing a unified hardware interface for the system, including screens, buttons and system controls for numerous integrated information and entertainment functions.
Other names for automotive head units include car stereo, car receiver, deck, in-dash stereo, and dash stereo.

Function

Central to a vehicle's sound and information systems, head units are located prominently in the center of the dashboard or console, and provide an integrated electronic package.
The head unit provides a user interface for the vehicle's information and entertainment media components: AM/FM radio, satellite radio, DVDs/CDs, cassette tapes, USB MP3, Dashcams, GPS navi, Bluetooth, WiFi, and sometimes vehicles systems status — and may provide control of audio functions including volume, band, frequency, speaker balance, speaker fade, bass, treble, EQ and so on. With the advent of dashcams, GPS navigation and DVDs, head units with video screens are widely available, integrating voice control and gesture recognition.

Size standards

An original standard head unit size is ISO 7736, developed by the Deutsches Institut für Normung :
Single DIN in Europe, South America and Australasia
Double DIN in Japan, the UK and North America. Double DIN is also written as 2 DIN and double din.
ISO 10487 is the standard for connectors for the head unit to the car's electrical system.

Steering and aftermarket brands

Manufactures offer DIN headunits and standard connectors, including Pioneer, Sony, Alpine, Kenwood, Eclipse, JVC, Boyo, Dual, Visteon, Advent and Blaupunkt.