Buying Guide - Car CD Players

What are some bells and whistles to look for when shopping for a car CD player?  200 CD changer technology and the latest HDCD tech may make for superior listening, but many drivers worry more about convenience than about getting the "perfect sound" out of their discs.  To that end, you may look for a CD player that provides anti-skip technology.

After all, if you are changing out your discs on a regular basis (do not want to get bored in the car), you may handle them a lot and leave them exposed to the elements.  Scratched CDs can create incredibly frustrating listening experiences.  If you are going to opt for a higher tech option, consider getting a combined CD and DVD player.

The DVD format is becoming increasingly popular.  Other advanced features include programmability--you choose a prelist of songs before you begin your drive so you do not have to fiddle with the controls while you're cruising the highway--and equalization--provides a surround sound experience that can be adjusted based on the acoustics of your car.

The capacity to play up to 200 CDs at one time sounds definitively appealing.  However, some car CD players require that you store the discs in your trunk.  If you want to change tracks, you have to stop the car, pop the trunk, and switch them manually.  Thus, some people prefer the "simple" (10 to 12 disc) multi-CD players to the trunk based (hundred plus disc) units.