Q: ICE - mp3/cd players?
Discussion
I went for MD instead of CD. Great as I can easily record and re-record MDs for keeping in the car, plus they are easy to stash (small and robust).
Biggest mistake was getting a decent quality as I can't hear it once the engine is running. Still, it sort of modulates the background noise in an interesting way which keeps me amused on long journeys.
Biggest mistake was getting a decent quality as I can't hear it once the engine is running. Still, it sort of modulates the background noise in an interesting way which keeps me amused on long journeys.
A single CD can contain over 10 hours of 128kb encoded MP3s - I think that offsets the size difference. As for re-recording, well CDR's are dirt cheap anyway.
I got the Kenwood Z828, very happy with it. Kenwood have a new range of MP3 head units coming out, so mine's a bit old hat.
>> Edited by Bombjack on Thursday 18th April 09:50
I got the Kenwood Z828, very happy with it. Kenwood have a new range of MP3 head units coming out, so mine's a bit old hat.
>> Edited by Bombjack on Thursday 18th April 09:50
I recently got the Pioneer cd/mp3 player to replace the tape/radio in the Cerbie. I considered it to be an ideal alternative to having a multi-changer in the boot as it means I don't have to go out to the car if I want to play one of them in the house 
Plus the disks are cheaper than MDs and quicker to write.
I tend to rip most stuff at 64k, too, as I only listen to it on either the rio or latterly in the car, and seeing as neither environment is really ideal for listening to music I've always found the quality acceptable. Plus, there's even more per cd!
My only gripe is that is doesn't read the [mp3] folder & track names off the disk and insists on numbering them. And playing the tracks alphabetically (which I can obviously get round, but rather not have to). Maybe I should rtfm...
Plus the disks are cheaper than MDs and quicker to write. I tend to rip most stuff at 64k, too, as I only listen to it on either the rio or latterly in the car, and seeing as neither environment is really ideal for listening to music I've always found the quality acceptable. Plus, there's even more per cd!
My only gripe is that is doesn't read the [mp3] folder & track names off the disk and insists on numbering them. And playing the tracks alphabetically (which I can obviously get round, but rather not have to). Maybe I should rtfm...
quote:
Why the bloody hell do you want a better sound system cd/radio, the sound of the v8 rumbling away is the best sound of all
Good point -- that's why it's not on all the time. I did want at least the option of something though -- after all, the radio's largely useless and I don't own any tapes with music on later than about 1985. Plus, it's another toy...
The problem with mp3's is that you need at least a quality rating of 128k to get near CD quality. Any CD Head unit will play CDR's and CDRW. My cd player which is 3 years old plays CDR's the MP3 on CDR thing is a new marketing ploy to get people to upgrade there headunits.
But over the past Year or So manufactures of headunits have been modifying there headunits so that CDR's dont play on them and for the one that plays CDR and hence MP3's charge an extra premium for the privalidge....
there is a better alternative to upgrading your whole stereo. see link below
www.6thplanet.com/menu/m_carmp3_mscar.html
do a add on MP3 storage device for £199 this is boot mounted and can be removed and can store upto 2000 mp3 more than enough and you dont have to use CD etc
have a read and see what you think
But over the past Year or So manufactures of headunits have been modifying there headunits so that CDR's dont play on them and for the one that plays CDR and hence MP3's charge an extra premium for the privalidge....
there is a better alternative to upgrading your whole stereo. see link below
www.6thplanet.com/menu/m_carmp3_mscar.html
do a add on MP3 storage device for £199 this is boot mounted and can be removed and can store upto 2000 mp3 more than enough and you dont have to use CD etc
have a read and see what you think
Unfortunatley my car has got the TVR standard fit rubbish so I want to upgrade the lot anyway.
As I understand it the 'M station' box has to be removed from the car & docked to yer PC each time you want to load any tunes onto it. for a lazy bugger like me that would go in the "too difficult" file!
As I understand it the 'M station' box has to be removed from the car & docked to yer PC each time you want to load any tunes onto it. for a lazy bugger like me that would go in the "too difficult" file!
Manek, what do you mean
Is the MP3 player compatible with your head unit???
the answer to that is yes its basically and extra addon that uses a 12volt supply and a RF modulator. you just have to tune the radio to the set frequency to listen to the MP3 station.. Ihope that answers your question. if not could you explain in a bit more detail
Cheers
Steve
>> Edited by stc_bennett on Thursday 18th April 16:17
Is the MP3 player compatible with your head unit???
the answer to that is yes its basically and extra addon that uses a 12volt supply and a RF modulator. you just have to tune the radio to the set frequency to listen to the MP3 station.. Ihope that answers your question. if not could you explain in a bit more detail
Cheers
Steve
>> Edited by stc_bennett on Thursday 18th April 16:17
My tuppence worth: single slot CD head unit with MP3 read capability is the way forward - 64K sample resolution is fine for in-car (especially in-TVR). over here in US, CD-Rs in batches of 100 cost about 12p each - I cut about 400 Hours of music onto 20 CDs one wet sunday afternoon recently and I suspect that'll keep me entertained for the next year or so.
Frankly the acoustics in any car are sufficiently poor that the quality of the head unit is not really of paramount importance (althoughy accepting that you can't polish a turd, it needs to be 'reasonable' - generally the fewer unnecessary gimmicks & flashing lights the better)
The dynamic range of the speakers and the quality of amplification is a better place to spend money because we tend to listen to music louder in our cars than we would in our homes (more background noise, fewer people to complain when you're on the move) A 500 quid head-unit using its in-built amplification and driving standard-fit speakers will never sound as good as a 200 quid headunit with 300 quids worth of amps and speakers...
Frankly the acoustics in any car are sufficiently poor that the quality of the head unit is not really of paramount importance (althoughy accepting that you can't polish a turd, it needs to be 'reasonable' - generally the fewer unnecessary gimmicks & flashing lights the better)
The dynamic range of the speakers and the quality of amplification is a better place to spend money because we tend to listen to music louder in our cars than we would in our homes (more background noise, fewer people to complain when you're on the move) A 500 quid head-unit using its in-built amplification and driving standard-fit speakers will never sound as good as a 200 quid headunit with 300 quids worth of amps and speakers...
quote:
Manek, what do you mean
Is the MP3 player compatible with your head unit???
the answer to that is yes its basically and extra addon that uses a 12volt supply and a RF modulator. you just have to tune the radio to the set frequency to listen to the MP3 station.. Ihope that answers your question. if not could you explain in a bit more detail
Cheers
Steve
>> Edited by stc_bennett on Thursday 18th April 16:17
What I'm after is to buy an MP3 head unit that will play CDs from the existing changer mounted in the boot. If it's got a CD slot as well, all to the good.
Basically, I want to save the money a new changer would cost and spend it making the car safer/go faster...
But I fear that changing the head unit will involve a new changer too. Does that make sense?
it does make sense i understand now. I would phone Pioneer technical services and ask quoting model numbers for you old Head unit and your old Changer, and ask what new head units are compatible with the old changer. other than that i am not sure as i have a complete Denon System in my Cerbera and standard equipment in my escort..
Sorry i cant be of much help
Steve
Sorry i cant be of much help
Steve
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