MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Audio / Security / Electrical => Topic started by: philster_d on November 1, 2005, 12:02

Title: MP3 USB in car
Post by: philster_d on November 1, 2005, 12:02
Car music systems

I've been keeping an eye out for a USB ready car stereo..

 m http://www.pyleaudio.com/itemdetail.asp ... LDVD178USB (http://www.pyleaudio.com/itemdetail.asp?model=PLDVD178USB) m

I brought a 250GB USB hard drive the other day

 m http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products ... _uid=95506 (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=12589404646&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=95506) m

For less that 100 quid.

So that's probably 1 year of driving without having to repeat a track.

Beats your ipod type setups where the bracket alone is over £100

Maybe im still looking out for 1 to try it on.
Phil
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Post by: roger on November 1, 2005, 14:28
Is the theory then you just plug the disc drive into the head unit via the USB?

Sorry if its a stupid question, but what then runs the disc unit to get the music out? Outside a car you have the PC, its oprating system etc. What would you use inside the car?
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Post by: philster_d on November 1, 2005, 14:36
Since it supports usb and mp3 I assume it can manage some navigation similar to my current player.

The Los Angles from blaupunt, i can play data cd's (mp3) and go into a directory or random play etc. Isnt it the same for controlling the ipod.

This solution, if it works, will blow away the ipod because I will wire my car permanently with all my music and for a very good price (without worrying the ipod will get nicked).

Phil
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Post by: aaronjb on November 1, 2005, 15:20
The head unit would have to support a filing system of some form - I would guess most manufacturers would pick fat32/vfat to support Windows.. With CDs containing MP3s the issue is easier - since all CDs use the same file system regardless of host operating system (that was standardised many years ago).

Worth noting, btw, that if you read the manual for that head unit, there's no mention of the USB interface or playing music via it..
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Post by: Anonymous on November 1, 2005, 15:41
Quote from: "aaronjb"Worth noting, btw, that if you read the manual for that head unit, there's no mention of the USB interface or playing music via it..

Was going to say the same thing, tried to search the net for headunit that play from USB Memory Sticks and this is all i found
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CAR-CD-MP3-WMA-USB-RADIO-STEREO-PLAYER-Head-unit-NEW_W0QQitemZ5823218330QQcategoryZ3293QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I i can find a GOOD ! ! ! one, i will have to purchase. it would be awsome.
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Post by: Anonymous on November 1, 2005, 15:53
I am looking to go down this route, and use either a hard-drive/SD card or USB pen. Thinking about this one:

 m http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/114326/ ... r-ra.html# (http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/114326/art/h-b/ca-5555-cd-mp3-usb-car-ra.html#) m

It gets some good feedback here and is reasonably priced:

 m http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=243357 (http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=243357) m
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Post by: SteveJ on November 1, 2005, 15:56
You are also going to have to add an external video screen in order to use the directory navigation  s:( :( s:(

I have a sneaky suspicion that the USB input is going to be the same as the one on my Sony AV input module - it just emulates a sound card when connected to a PC. The PC then plays the MP3 files via it. The biggest clue will be the type of connector on the HU - type A means it will probably access an external HD (as Phil hopes), type B and it is more likely a USB sound card.

The other snag is if it does access an external disk in FAT32 format, XP restricts you to 32G partitions (and it is unlikely to span multiple partitions) (actually you can have larger than 32Gb but you need to format the partition using a non-M$ OS. XP will then be able to read it upto 2Tb)
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Post by: Anonymous on November 1, 2005, 16:16
Quote from: "Ebay"FORGET BURNING CDs Just plugin your USB & go! 180 WATTS

thatswhat the decription says on the e-bay item.
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Post by: Anonymous on November 2, 2005, 02:19
Can't say I know much about UK vendors or products, but I did run across this item.  The reviewer seems to imply no problem with folders, but does not mention if/how they are displayed or how to move through them.  Hope this helps.

 m http://www.drgadget.co.uk/product.php?xProd=759&xSec=1 (http://www.drgadget.co.uk/product.php?xProd=759&xSec=1) m
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Post by: roger on November 2, 2005, 10:39
Quote from: "lbridges"Can't say I know much about UK vendors or products, but I did run across this item.  The reviewer seems to imply no problem with folders, but does not mention if/how they are displayed or how to move through them.  Hope this helps.

 m http://www.drgadget.co.uk/product.php?xProd=759&xSec=1 (http://www.drgadget.co.uk/product.php?xProd=759&xSec=1) m

Presumably since this only uses the storage media, all the required reading bits and bobs are in the headunit, a lot simpler than trying to attach a player and running that.
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Post by: Anonymous on November 2, 2005, 11:55
like i said befor i think this is a great idea, so with much searching i have found some more.

http://shopping.lycos.co.uk/search/cd_radio_usb.html
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Post by: Anonymous on November 2, 2005, 12:33
Quote from: "extremeMR2"like i said befor i think this is a great idea, so with much searching i have found some more.

http://shopping.lycos.co.uk/search/cd_radio_usb.html

I quite like this one.
(http://shop.ministryofsound.com/msib21/images/catalog/main/MOSCA089.jpg)

(http://shop.ministryofsound.com/msib21/images/catalog/detail_1/MOSCA089.jpg)

Cheapes i could find it was £99 with a free Bag and a Free Anthems of Ibiza triple CD

http://shop.ministryofsound.com/Cultures/en-GB/Products/MOSCA089.htm?CS_VariantID=MOSCA089
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Post by: Anonymous on November 2, 2005, 12:58
I have USB Audio in my Spyder. It is better than trying to fit a CD Stacker in area I don't have. The CD stacker is about the size of the bottom of the Storage Bin. My 1Gb SanDisk cruzer micro is just smaller than my thumb and has over 200 songs on it. It is great as it takes up no room.
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Post by: Anonymous on November 2, 2005, 13:03
I've got an Empeg (http://www.empeg.com) (AKA Riocar) and imho  its the best option for incar audio if you wanna use MP3's.

they've been discontinued but you can still pick them up on ebay or on the forum (http://empeg.comms.net)

basically its a 'pc' running linux and its got one (with room for two) hard drives in it. i've got a 10gb hdd in mine but you can put in anything. just connect it up to your pc via usb or ethernet and transfer the music across.

then only downside which some people might not like is its not a face off,  it needs an amp to run (but most people have amps), and a bit pricey (i got mine for £450 off ebay) apart from that its great and it has a thriving developer community for help if needed
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Post by: Anonymous on November 3, 2005, 00:29
I've just bought this USB MP3 CD player from Ebuyer:

 m http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products ... _uid=92077 (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=92077) m

I initially plan to use it with a 1gb SD card, but might try and hitch up a HD.
I'll let you know how I get on.
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Post by: Anonymous on November 3, 2005, 10:43
Quote from: "unkychris"I've just bought this USB MP3 CD player from Ebuyer:

 m http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products ... _uid=92077 (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=92077) m

I initially plan to use it with a 1gb SD card, but might try and hitch up a HD.
I'll let you know how I get on.
From an ebuyer review for this product:
Quote from: "From ebuyer"I have a 20Gb USB hard disk but the USB port on the CA-5555 does not provide enough power to spin the hard disk up (some laptops have this problem as well).
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Post by: philster_d on November 3, 2005, 16:41
Quote from: "IHateJam"From an ebuyer review for this product:
Quote from: "From ebuyer"I have a 20Gb USB hard disk but the USB port on the CA-5555 does not provide enough power to spin the hard disk up (some laptops have this problem as well).

Aha, yes im expecting that, but I have a external power connector on the usb disk so i can power it directly.

In answer to somones earlier question I can format it fat easy enough without using XP.

Please let us know anyone who gets this running.

Phil
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Post by: Anonymous on November 4, 2005, 09:12
Quote from: "philster_d"
Quote from: "IHateJam"From an ebuyer review for this product:
Quote from: "From ebuyer"I have a 20Gb USB hard disk but the USB port on the CA-5555 does not provide enough power to spin the hard disk up (some laptops have this problem as well).

Aha, yes I'm expecting that, but I have a external power connector on the usb disk so i can power it directly.

In answer to somones earlier question I can format it fat easy enough without using XP.

Please let us know anyone who gets this running.

Phil
Good thinking Batman
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Post by: philster_d on November 4, 2005, 10:36
See my second link in the first post, its a big disk, but the range all seem to have external power (i just checked - iomega)

Phil
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Post by: Anonymous on November 4, 2005, 12:36
If you get the 2.5" USB 2.0 version of the HDD, which is a laptop hard disk, it will be powered by the USB 2.0 port. It is very clumsy. I like the thumb drive it is far more sturdy and is easy to store. It just plugs straight it no need to find out where to put it. The thumb drive, aptly named as it is the size of my thumb, is plug and play and a 1G version can fit more music in it than a cumbersome CD changer. With 8G versions around and probably a bigger one by Christmas, what more do you need?
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Post by: Anonymous on November 4, 2005, 12:42
The 2g Sticks look the best price/size on ebay
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Post by: Anonymous on November 5, 2005, 10:54
woops posted in the wrong thread   s:? :? s:?    sorry