National Auto Sound & Security carries in-dash car stereo receivers and in-dash video/navigation decks from Dual, Jensen, JVC, Kenwood, & Pioneer that have bluetooth built in for both hands free cell phone use and streaming audio use ( getting my music from my cell phone to play on my car stereo).  For original equipment radio systems, we offer Parrot brand Bluetooth systems which can be added to your factory stereo system to give the same performance and functionality as our other systems.  Stop by anytime. No appointment necessary. Bluetooth car audio is on display. As long as we have what you need in stock we’ll install it today!

What is Bluetooth?

Bluetooth is a short range wireless communications format that enables devices such as Bluetooth equipped cell phones and car stereos to talk with each other. The devices will automatically recognize each other after they have been “paired” or set up. This requires a car receiver with either Bluetooth built in or an additional Bluetooth adapter added.  When you get into your vehicle, the car receiver with Bluetooth will automatically see and recognize your phone as long as it is turned on. It can still be in your pocket or purse. When a call comes in, it rings over the car stereo speakers. You answer by pressing a button on the screen or Bluetooth device. You can hear the caller through the vehicle speakers. You talk and your voice is picked up by the Bluetooth microphone. You do not need to touch your phone. The caller i.d. information appears across the radio screen. You can make calls hands-free through voice recognition as long as your phone supports this feature. Just say the name and your phone will automatically dial. Any music playing will be muted so you can hear the caller through the car speakers and the caller can hear you just by your normal talking.

Some of the Bluetooth Car Audio Receivers on display now at National Auto Sound & Security:

              Kenwood KDC-X994 with Bluetooth           Pioneer Deh-P6200BT with Bluetooth             JVC KD-R810 with Bluetooth

Also, Bluetooth offers a hands free, no cables, music transfer protocal, called A2DP or Streaming Audio, that will automatically send your music to your car radio from your Smart Phone, cell phone or Mp3 player, so you can listen to your music in your car through your car speakers without connectin any cables! Your phone or Mp3 player is recognized automatically when you enter the vehicle and you have the option of instructing your car radio to receive your smart phone, cell phone, or Mp3 player music as a source for you to listen to, just like deciding to play a CD or listen to a radio station.  For this to work it is necessary that the car stereo has the A2DP format built into it or you must add a bluetooth receiver to your car stereo – see last paragraphs below.  Many bluetooth equipped car stereos have the streaming audio feature built in.  We can demonstrate this for you in our store using your phone and one of the A2DP Bluetooth enabled car stereos we have on display.  They are available in all brands.

Will Bluetooth work with any radio or any cell phone? The Bluetooth format  for hands free phone use in your vehicle requires two things.  1.  A Bluetooth equipped cell phone, which most now  are.  2.  A car radio with bluetooth reception capability built-in that will pair to your cell phone.  Many newer car stereos we sell today have this feature built-in and are on display in our store in every brand.  For other car stereos that are “Bluetooth ready” the optional manufacturer’s Bluetooth adapter must be added.  We carry some of these adapters in stock. The adapter includes a microphone.  The radio display serves as the cell phone screen, showing phone number, caller i.d. info, and in some cases text messages.

For factory or original equipment radios, an aftermarket Bluetooth kit can be added. These vary a lot in price and functionality. The most deluxe kits require professional installation which we can provide. These Bluetooth car kits will completely interface with your existing factory system to mute the car speakers when a call comes in and also allow you to make calls hands-free with voice commands as long as your cell phone supports these features. The visual information – text messages, caller i.d. and phone number – appear on a separate small display installed on the dash in the vehicle.

Can I add Bluetooth Streaming Audio (A2DP) to my existing car stereo?   Yes!

1.  If your car stereo has the A2DP bluetooth built-in and your music is on your cell phone and your phone has bluetooth, there is nothing you need to buy.   You’re done.

2.  If you have a car radio with no bluetooth, but your radio has an auxiliary audio input,  you must purchase an aftermarket Bluetooth transmitter and receiver kit (available on line) for your iPod , cell phone or Mp3 player.  The Bluetooth Receiver must be plugged into the auxiliary input of the car radio and it will receive the streaming audio from your cell phone and convert it into an auxiliary audio input source for the car radio.  You can then listen to your music on your car speakers without having to connect any cables between the radio and your music source.   If you have Pandora Radio or similar on your smart ph0ne, you can stream this audio into your car stereo.

3.  If your car radio does not have an auxiliary input, it may be just as cheap to change out your car radio for a new one with input capabilities, rather than buy the expensive Bluetooth adapters that need professional installation.  Check with us, we can help advise you based on your car and your radio.