I don't think that bluetooth tech be practical, the latency is too high. For basic audio it's ok but if you mix multiple channels for each amp/channel they must stay in sync and this will be very difficult to achieve. Also, if you add a DVD HU too the mix try to have the video and audio in sync GOOD LUCK.

I like the idea of a wireless bus but i don't think the manufacturers are ready for this since they still sell the old stuff like hot pancakes

 

I really don't think its a big deal to run some wires anyways, then there is just less things that can go wrong with the system.

 

the point was not to analyze the merits of the Bluetooth transmission system...

 

Well Panasonic is out, Clarion got purchased by Hitachi and will probably be out soon, Alot of the small no-name chinese kock off companies seem to be dropping like flies. The market isn't tanking per se, it's just losing alot of the fluff. The direction I really see things going is back to the small speciality shops. In my area 3 shops closed down that never did any good work, didn't bother soldering connections etc. The market slowdown is doing some good in getting rid of dealers that cash in on a small market share and actually damage the industry reputation. A few of the more specialized shops with great repuations hve actully had sales increases this year.

The overall market downturn will, for the most part really just hurt the big store chains, the small dealers that have no business being in the market anyways and some of the big independant shops.

for CES this year, I didn't bother going. We have awesome local reps for the product I'll be carrying and I keep track of new product online so why spend a bunch of money going to Vegas when I'm allready on budget. I'll make it out to CES when I can afford to just lose that much money.

 

Idk bluetooth would be very cool to see. so would computer interface but i already got a blackberry where can do what ever i need from plus its a phone. Half the time im on here im on my blackberry! Thing is truly amazing. That also worries what people would be doing while there driving as well, Especially the select few irresponsible drivers. Sometimes i even catch myself playing with my blackberry as i drive.

 

Isn't the point of a forum to discuss things? So what if its a little off topic.

 

... Panasonic was only getting its ankles wet in car audio, they made good stuff they just never went all the way in, kind of a shame as I have a huge respect for Panasonic as a company. Without car audio there isn't a Clarion (I heard they wont be at CES 2010)

so far your right with Circuit City going in the crapper I am truly pleased that GOOD retail shops are hanging in there and and doing well, I expect some not so good shops to close as well. A lot of things that don't make sense are happening like the big box stores had a much thinner operating margin than I thought.

 

I currently work for a very successfull small-medium sized independant ($600k/year average sales) and we had a great year. I've also worked for Best Buy and a few other shops and I've seen internall why they are failing and why some are succeeding. Sales might go down a bit universally for everyone, but any good shop will be on top of that cutting their overheads, and ordering less product to sit on for the next season.

 

............ and firing staff too.


Can anyone confirm that the sales for remote starts was way down this winter ?? That's like a staple for shops to tide things over the cold Canadian months. I've also heard that there's a list out now of all the cars that shops just won't touch for these things............. and that the list is BIG and growing.


I also concur that I believe car audio is going back to the small independents. I don't think it's going to fade away into nothing but that it will be a VERY small and specialized market. The good ole days are gone................. modern cars are actually pretty decent audio wise and getting complicated to integrate into without spending some money. Still do-able but it's going to cost the customer.


Marine audio market is good.

Restoration market is good.