In car MP3

Beefcurtains! · 29-04-2004, 16:02

Looking at adding MP3 capability to my Fabia vrs, dont want to go down the CD MP3 route. Anyone seen any decent hard drive based units or methods to conect a portable MP3 player (not with a dodgey cassete adaptor!!!)???

**mannyo** · 29-04-2004, 16:07

I came across these in the past but dont know what the quality is like.

http://www.dension.com/main.php?pageid=49&topid=42

I have a Archos AV380, that I connect to my blaupunkt HU via an aux input cable.

Tavia4x4 · 29-04-2004, 16:10

I have the dension DH200 and DMP3......

Only had it in a short while... needs better speakers than I am running... *might* need an amp too.

Head unit is certainly a jump above Skoda symphony levels, but is no alpine in sound quality. However, it is excellent in terms of navigation and ease of use.

Quinten · 29-04-2004, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tavia4x4

I have the dension DH200 and DMP3......

Only had it in a short while... needs better speakers than I am running... *might* need an amp too.

Head unit is certainly a jump above Skoda symphony levels, but is no alpine in sound quality. However, it is excellent in terms of navigation and ease of use.

Ah, so you got it then? Where's the review?

Tavia4x4 · 29-04-2004, 16:18

I'm holding out till I have decent speakers, I was running standard skoda ones apart from pioneers at the front with the stock HU and Mstation, and it sounded "ok"... the Dension (4x35w) has a higher power amp and the speakers always feel overpowered, so I don't want to blame the dension for my poor speakers

Watch this space...

redbaron · 29-04-2004, 16:20

thought you were having my fronts?

Tavia4x4 · 29-04-2004, 16:22

More than likely yes, need to get some rears sorted also.

Unfortunately I have a hankering for a matched set and sony don't do any 6x4's.

</undecided>

redbaron · 29-04-2004, 16:22

lose the rears and put my 10" sony sub and box i found last night in there...?

Tavia4x4 · 29-04-2004, 16:24

Ah, ooh, umm, well....

go on then

lfc958 · 29-04-2004, 16:36

I have the HDD Dension DMP3 unit wired to the standard head unit in my Furby, professionally installed by Scotts mototune, he was trying to sell me another head unit and speakers, although after fitting it to the Skoda supplied head unit , he was impressed how it all sounded together.
I bought the components separate, not through this supplier http://www.ihavetohave.it

You will have to locate it in the boot, as we spent 30 mins trying to find a location close to the driver, so you will have to have the satelite controller.

Unless you go down the route Tavia4X4 went.

You can buy a Dension head unit, DH101 ( silver ) DH102 (black), where the front panel drops forward to allow access to the HDD. I was advised that the sound quality from this unit is not very good.

If you would like any more info,you're welcome to PM me as i spent some time investigating MP3 options just before I bought my Furby.

Steve

Tavia4x4 · 29-04-2004, 16:44

Steve, I had a similar setup to you, with an mstation and satellite controller, but got fed up of two control setups. Like I said, the dension certainly isn't an Alpine, but it's a jump over the stock HU....

(plus, it has 4 rca outputs so can just totally bypass the internal amp if I have no joy after fitting better speakers, and use what I love most, the functionality)

***ColinD*** · 29-04-2004, 17:54

EPIA mini format pc + power + AUX FEED LINE to HU...mp3 + videos

Needs a panel to make it really work, but simple LCD scrollers are feasible...more mp3 than you know.

Working on it presently; slowly...but it's great when stuck in stationary traffic to watch a video...mp3 in the car is also great if like me you flit in your moods, 80's 90's classical etc

A great revolution.

Ideas here: www.mp3car.com

Don't blame me for seeds sown, blame Ian, he sent me the link first.

WrightyRS · 29-04-2004, 18:15

i've got the Kenwood Keg 20Gb unit(in the boot) in mine,very good.
the software for loading and setting up is good,copies any music you have elseware on your computer.

its quite expensive especially if you want DVD/SATNAV aswell as you'd need the top line headunit etc.

the 20Gb will hold at least 5000 songs.

devonutopia · 29-04-2004, 18:20

No offence to these storage MP3 HU's but I see having MP3 CD-Rs in your car hellish convenient. I can write my own CDs with albums for whatever mood I'm in be it hard trance, women-y ballads, 80s/90s rock, whatever. And there is still 9 or 10 albums on each one - more than standard CD changer. All I need to do is change the CD. And, being brutal, having a wallet of CD-Rs in the glovebox sounds a lot less effort...

Says he who has spent good time plumbing in bass in the boot...

Each to their own, I say, but an CD-R MP3 HU is good enough for me.

humsk · 29-04-2004, 20:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beefcurtains!

....methods to conect a portable MP3 player (not with a dodgey cassete adaptor!!!)???

HUs with hard drives don't come cheap otherwise there are ones with AUX IN sockets on the front panel, eg Clarion DZX648, to allow you to plug in a portable player.

Personally, I'm with Jason on this one - MP3s on a CD-R. Saying that the last one I recorded was playing up on the first few tracks - not sure if it's the disc I used or the recorder as gone awol.

DANvRS · 29-04-2004, 23:32

Why dont you want a HU with mp3? I just got a sony CDX-F7700, for £202 from www.letsbuycaraudio.com ands its spot on. Really good sound quality and you can fit 4 cd album's worth of music on a disc.

lfc958 · 30-04-2004, 00:59

For sheer convenience the 40 GB HDD can hold up to 700 hrs of music, the unit can hold up to a 120GB HDD, giving farr too much music to listen to in the lifetime of the car.
The main reason I didn't go for a boot stacker, was the pain of having to swap the cd's. ( sods law always came into play that i was fed up with all the music i had listened to & wanted to swap the discs, while i was either travelling or not at home to do it.)

devonutopia · 30-04-2004, 08:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by DANvRS

Why dont you want a HU with mp3? I just got a sony CDX-F7700, for £202 from www.letsbuycaraudio.com ands its spot on. Really good sound quality and you can fit 4 cd album's worth of music on a disc.

Only four CD's worth?

What bitrate are the MP3s being ripped at? 256 kbps or more? I have tried playing MP3's at 128 kbps in my car, and immediately play the same thing on proper CD and there's no difference that my ears can distinguish.

And at 128kbps you get about 10 albums on one CD (1 album is about 70-80Mb at that ripping rate - so a 750MB CD-R can get just a few on it

)

Beefcurtains! · 30-04-2004, 08:53

Cheers for all the info, now just have to make up my mind!!! Either a HDD option or conecting a portable mp3 player. Found this link as well:

http://www.mptronix.com/

Dont think I will go with the mp3 on cd cos I have way too much music, and would get through so many cd-rs!!!

Whitelightning · 30-04-2004, 09:15

I bought a Blaupunkt Los Angeles, I am very impressed with it.
It plays CD, CD with mp3s on, has a MMC card reader and a remote control (infra red) on my steering wheel, pre amp outs, aux in and have a DSP so nice sounds with DEQ.

menacing banjo · 30-04-2004, 11:36

My JVC 909RB has Aux in front and rear which is great. Size of display is a factor as the more text on the screen the better, mine misses info due to its character limit even if it scrolls. Most Mp3's sound pretty good @ 192kbs but they don't seem to handle reggae, dub, jazz, classical or 60's garage bands very well - old stuff I guess. Loves Hip Hop though.

I'm getting a Creative Zen 60GB to plug in soon but even that might be a bit small.

DANvRS · 30-04-2004, 18:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by devonutopia

Only four CD's worth?

What bitrate are the MP3s being ripped at? 256 kbps or more? I have tried playing MP3's at 128 kbps in my car, and immediately play the same thing on proper CD and there's no difference that my ears can distinguish.

And at 128kbps you get about 10 albums on one CD (1 album is about 70-80Mb at that ripping rate - so a 750MB CD-R can get just a few on it

)

128kbps just doesnt cut it Im afraid. I like my music at full quality, 320kbps. Still 4 CD's onto 1 is better than 1 on 1. I can notice the difference. The bass at 128kbps is very poor and sloppy, its much tighter at 320kbps. Maybe I've just got good hearing.

29-04-2004, 16:02	#1
Beefcurtains! Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 3 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	In car MP3 Looking at adding MP3 capability to my Fabia vrs, dont want to go down the CD MP3 route. Anyone seen any decent hard drive based units or methods to conect a portable MP3 player (not with a dodgey cassete adaptor!!!)???

29-04-2004, 16:07	#2
mannyo BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Stevenage Herts. Posts: 11,467 Members Car: Octavia 2.0 TDi Elegance Thanks: 58 Thanked 359 Times in 330 Posts	I came across these in the past but dont know what the quality is like. http://www.dension.com/main.php?pageid=49&topid=42 I have a Archos AV380, that I connect to my blaupunkt HU via an aux input cable. __________________ Manny 2005 Octavia 2.0TDi Elegance combi my skoda website http://www.octaviars.co.uk Join the briskoda.net folding team click Here for more info

29-04-2004, 16:10	#3
Tavia4x4 Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: J5 M61 Posts: 5,294 Members Car: Octavia 4x4 - aka "The Ambulance" Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have the dension DH200 and DMP3...... Only had it in a short while... needs better speakers than I am running... might need an amp too. Head unit is certainly a jump above Skoda symphony levels, but is no alpine in sound quality. However, it is excellent in terms of navigation and ease of use. __________________ Ian __________________ Nice to be important, but more important to be nice...

29-04-2004, 16:18	#5
Tavia4x4 Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: J5 M61 Posts: 5,294 Members Car: Octavia 4x4 - aka "The Ambulance" Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I'm holding out till I have decent speakers, I was running standard skoda ones apart from pioneers at the front with the stock HU and Mstation, and it sounded "ok"... the Dension (4x35w) has a higher power amp and the speakers always feel overpowered, so I don't want to blame the dension for my poor speakers Watch this space... __________________ Ian __________________ Nice to be important, but more important to be nice...

29-04-2004, 16:20	#6
redbaron Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 9,566 Members Car: Thanks: 15 Thanked 70 Times in 61 Posts	thought you were having my fronts? __________________ ________________________________________ Some times I just feel like smiling.

29-04-2004, 16:22	#7
Tavia4x4 Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: J5 M61 Posts: 5,294 Members Car: Octavia 4x4 - aka "The Ambulance" Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	More than likely yes, need to get some rears sorted also. Unfortunately I have a hankering for a matched set and sony don't do any 6x4's. </undecided> __________________ Ian __________________ Nice to be important, but more important to be nice...

29-04-2004, 16:24	#9
Tavia4x4 Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: J5 M61 Posts: 5,294 Members Car: Octavia 4x4 - aka "The Ambulance" Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ah, ooh, umm, well.... go on then __________________ Ian __________________ Nice to be important, but more important to be nice...

29-04-2004, 16:36	#10
lfc958 500 Power Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Kent Posts: 4,069 Members Car: Fiat 500 Thanks: 14 Thanked 25 Times in 25 Posts	Dension I have the HDD Dension DMP3 unit wired to the standard head unit in my Furby, professionally installed by Scotts mototune, he was trying to sell me another head unit and speakers, although after fitting it to the Skoda supplied head unit , he was impressed how it all sounded together. I bought the components separate, not through this supplier http://www.ihavetohave.it You will have to locate it in the boot, as we spent 30 mins trying to find a location close to the driver, so you will have to have the satelite controller. Unless you go down the route Tavia4X4 went. You can buy a Dension head unit, DH101 ( silver ) DH102 (black), where the front panel drops forward to allow access to the HDD. I was advised that the sound quality from this unit is not very good. If you would like any more info,you're welcome to PM me as i spent some time investigating MP3 options just before I bought my Furby. Steve

29-04-2004, 16:44	#11
Tavia4x4 Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: J5 M61 Posts: 5,294 Members Car: Octavia 4x4 - aka "The Ambulance" Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Steve, I had a similar setup to you, with an mstation and satellite controller, but got fed up of two control setups. Like I said, the dension certainly isn't an Alpine, but it's a jump over the stock HU.... (plus, it has 4 rca outputs so can just totally bypass the internal amp if I have no joy after fitting better speakers, and use what I love most, the functionality) __________________ Ian __________________ Nice to be important, but more important to be nice...

29-04-2004, 17:54	#12
*ColinD* Site owner Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Hill & Mountains of North Wales Posts: 10,297 Members Car: Roomster Scout Images: 3 Thanks: 26 Thanked 173 Times in 80 Posts	EPIA mini format pc + power + AUX FEED LINE to HU...mp3 + videos Needs a panel to make it really work, but simple LCD scrollers are feasible...more mp3 than you know. Working on it presently; slowly...but it's great when stuck in stationary traffic to watch a video...mp3 in the car is also great if like me you flit in your moods, 80's 90's classical etc A great revolution. Ideas here: www.mp3car.com Don't blame me for seeds sown, blame Ian, he sent me the link first. __________________ ColinD 1.9 Scout Roomster - Standard www.BRISKODA.net :: Site Owner E-Mail : webmaster at briskoda dot net Got a comment to make about the site? Please feel free to use the feedback form here, we welcome your views.

29-04-2004, 18:15	#13
WrightyRS 200 laps....... Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Essex Posts: 2,375 Members Car: Octavia vRS,Renault Clio Trophy 237/500 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	i've got the Kenwood Keg 20Gb unit(in the boot) in mine,very good. the software for loading and setting up is good,copies any music you have elseware on your computer. its quite expensive especially if you want DVD/SATNAV aswell as you'd need the top line headunit etc. the 20Gb will hold at least 5000 songs. __________________ Alex Skoda Octavia vRS-Awaiting Mike at Impossible to sort out STILL RenaultSport Megane R26 Ultra Blue Number 21 Honda CBR600Fi Last edited by WrightyRS; 29-04-2004 at 22:03.

29-04-2004, 18:20	#14
devonutopia Mongreller Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Exeter / Devon Posts: 30,081 Members Car: Skoda Fabia Mongrel Images: 5 Thanks: 75 Thanked 352 Times in 295 Posts	No offence to these storage MP3 HU's but I see having MP3 CD-Rs in your car hellish convenient. I can write my own CDs with albums for whatever mood I'm in be it hard trance, women-y ballads, 80s/90s rock, whatever. And there is still 9 or 10 albums on each one - more than standard CD changer. All I need to do is change the CD. And, being brutal, having a wallet of CD-Rs in the glovebox sounds a lot less effort... Says he who has spent good time plumbing in bass in the boot... Each to their own, I say, but an CD-R MP3 HU is good enough for me. __________________ Jason - Only a Skoda. Custom Fabia Bonnet Lifter Kits - £45! Click Me. Cheesy bonnet lifter video to "raise me up" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnGECEi5Oc See the mongrel's 260bhp Dyno Video!

29-04-2004, 23:32	#16
DANvRS Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Cleveland, UK Posts: 113 Members Car: Fabia vRS with cruise, Jabb'd to 178bhp Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Why dont you want a HU with mp3? I just got a sony CDX-F7700, for £202 from www.letsbuycaraudio.com ands its spot on. Really good sound quality and you can fit 4 cd album's worth of music on a disc. __________________

30-04-2004, 00:59	#17
lfc958 500 Power Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Kent Posts: 4,069 Members Car: Fiat 500 Thanks: 14 Thanked 25 Times in 25 Posts	For sheer convenience the 40 GB HDD can hold up to 700 hrs of music, the unit can hold up to a 120GB HDD, giving farr too much music to listen to in the lifetime of the car. The main reason I didn't go for a boot stacker, was the pain of having to swap the cd's. ( sods law always came into play that i was fed up with all the music i had listened to & wanted to swap the discs, while i was either travelling or not at home to do it.)

30-04-2004, 08:53	#19
Beefcurtains! Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 3 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Cheers for all the info, now just have to make up my mind!!! Either a HDD option or conecting a portable mp3 player. Found this link as well: http://www.mptronix.com/ Dont think I will go with the mp3 on cd cos I have way too much music, and would get through so many cd-rs!!!

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30-04-2004, 09:15	#20
Whitelightning Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Salisbury Posts: 159 Members Car: Supra Big Single conversion 600bhp before NOS Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I bought a Blaupunkt Los Angeles, I am very impressed with it. It plays CD, CD with mp3s on, has a MMC card reader and a remote control (infra red) on my steering wheel, pre amp outs, aux in and have a DSP so nice sounds with DEQ. __________________ Whitelighting www.wlnet.co.uk

30-04-2004, 11:36	#21
menacing banjo Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Penarth Posts: 48 Members Car: Skoda Octavia vRS Estate Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My JVC 909RB has Aux in front and rear which is great. Size of display is a factor as the more text on the screen the better, mine misses info due to its character limit even if it scrolls. Most Mp3's sound pretty good @ 192kbs but they don't seem to handle reggae, dub, jazz, classical or 60's garage bands very well - old stuff I guess. Loves Hip Hop though. I'm getting a Creative Zen 60GB to plug in soon but even that might be a bit small.

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