Automotive head unit

An automotive head unit, sometimes called the infotainment system,^[1] is a vehicle audio component providing a unified hardware interface for the system, including screens, buttons and system controls for numerous integrated information and entertainment functions.

A Volvo double DIN head unit with CD and Compact Cassette

A Renault single DIN head unit which pairs with a separate screen

A double DIN head unit with a large touchscreen, DVD, 1seg and GPS

Other names for automotive head units include car stereo, car receiver, deck, in-dash stereo, and dash stereo.

Function

 

A single DIN head unit with a large retractable touchscreen, DVD and GPS

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 (although these are now uncommon), USB MP3, dashcams, GPS navigation, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and sometimes vehicle systems status. Moreover, it may provide control of audio functions including volume, band, frequency, speaker balance, speaker fade, bass, treble, equalization, and so on.^[2] 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 (DIN):

Single DIN (180 mm × 50 mm or 7.09 in × 1.97 in) in Europe, South America, and Australasia

• A compact size that easily fits into a dashboard, but the unit is not tall enough to accommodate a video display.

Double DIN (180 mm × 100 mm or 7.09 in × 3.94 in) in Japan, the UK, and North America.

• Doubling the height of the single DIN, a video display or touchscreen can be fitted to support manufacturer GUIs, Android Auto, Huawei HiCar and/or Apple CarPlay.^[3]
• Double DIN is also written as 2 DIN and double din.

For both single and double DIN units, ISO 10487 is the connectors standard for connecting the head unit to the car's electrical system. ^[4]

Steering and aftermarket brands

See also: Universal steering wheel control interface

Manufacturers offer DIN headunits and standard connectors (called universal headunits), including Pioneer, Sony, Alpine, Kenwood, Eclipse, JVC, Boyo, Dual, Visteon, Advent and Blaupunkt.

See also

• Aftermarket
• Android Auto
• CarPlay
• Huawei HiCar

References

1. "7 Ways Your Car is Turning Into a Mobile Device". Motor Trend. 27 May 2019. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
2. "How important is your car stereo to you". Head unit. dbm automotive. Aug 2019. Retrieved 2012-01-03.
3. "Single Din vs Double Din- Din Size Chart 2019 by Stereo Authority". Stereo Authority. 2018-11-02. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
4. "Latest Automotive head unit". CarAudioWise. 2022-11-02. Retrieved 2023-04-05.