Mp3 for my car

karltimber

Hi folks,

want a 10gb+ player that Ican use in my car by tuning into a radio station.
I know the radio attachment is extra but what makes out the will allow me to use the mp3 player in my car thru my radio.

Am liking the Sony 20gb

Any other ideas,

thx

cormie

Karl, you've helped me in the woodworking forum a lot, I'd love to go into mass detail but It's 8 am and I still haven't gone to bed!! haha. So just a quick run down which will hopefully be expanded on later.

The best way to connect an mp3 player to your car radio is through an Aux in connection. This is a direct connection which allows you to control the music from the mp3 player. Most CD head units have them, probably at the back. Some have them on the front. FM transmittors aren't they greatest and they are also illegal in Ireland:rolleyes: A tape adaptor is good as it doesn't require any stations, will never lose its signal and doesn't require charging/batteries. The quality is not th best though.

MP3 player will really depend on what you need it for and what your budget is. The best ones out there are the iAudio X5 and the iRiver H3 and 1XX series, neither of which are in production any more so you may have trouble finding one.

If you expand on your budget, car set up, what you need it for, do you want video playback, long batter life etc etc etc:)

Good night:)

Bard

Some ALDI stores still have car stereos in stock (at €79!) which have a USB connection for any MP3 player or USB stick, through which the stereo can read the MP3/WMA files and an SD card slot. Worth checking out... looks like this:

cormie wrote:

The best ones out there are the iAudio X5 and the iRiver H3 and 1XX series, neither of which are in production any more so you may have trouble finding one.

Here, cormie means that those particular iRivers are not in production any more. The iAudio, of course, still is.

karltimber

I suppose my problem is that I have loads of music and don't want loads of cd's in my car.
Have a non-mp3 playing cd player but want to get away from cd's altogether.

Want basic hd type mp3 player - no video etc -just plai music without sound quality loss from a hd mp3 player to my car.

An mp3 player connected directly to my car stereo sounds good to me.

can some-one expand on this and possible items to buy - 10gb+

thx

Bard

cormie has suggested the iAudio X5/X5L and the iRiver H300 series and I would tend to agree with him that they're the best out there. I suggest you pop down to your local Peats, Currys, Harvey Norman, O2 store, whatever, and check out their range.

With a car stereo like the one above from Aldi you can connect directly to the USB port and browse the MP3 players hard drive from the stereo. I'm sure there's more stereos like this available in car accessory shops or on the web.

FM Transmitters are illegal in Ireland, so don't ask here where you can buy one please.

What else do you want to know?

karltimber

will check out those stores --thx

are there such things as hard drive players for cars

built in hd players --with or without cd playing capability - and with a radio.

is that the next step for manufacturers

thx

Bard

karltimber wrote:

are there such things as hard drive players for cars
built in hd players --with or without cd playing capability - and with a radio.
is that the next step for manufacturers
thx

It can't be far off to be honest, but I'd much rather the option of being able to PLUG IN a HDD MP3 player into my car stereo (via USB) and then, when I'm finished driving, plug in my headphones and take it out with me.

karltimber

cormie wrote:

The best way to connect an mp3 player to your car radio is through an Aux in connection. This is a direct connection which allows you to control the music from the mp3 player. Most CD head units have them, probably at the back.
QUOTE]

Can some-one talk about this a bit more --interested


Are these ---iAudio X5/X5L and the iRiver H300 series -- the type of ones I should be looking at in ref to connecting thru an AUX connector.

Thx again folks,

cormie

Any audio device will be able to connect through an AUX in, all you need is the right cables. I got reeeeally lucky, you see, I'm always trying to get the best deal out there. I never even knew AUX in connections were ever on tape head units as I didn't think there would be any need for them back in the tape head unit majority days, this was until somebody on boards said there were a few tape head units out there with AUX in. So I put up a post on boards looking for one, somebody only a 15 minute drive from me happened to have one which I did a nice swap of an old mp3 discman and a cd/radio player which I had previously tried to sell in the for sale forum but eventually had to put them in a "free to take away" thread. So basically I got the thing for nothing:D The reason this is so good, is because it provides me what I was going to pay €80 to LIDL for, a head unit with AUX in, LIDL/Aldi have a similar model but LIDL's was slightly better which is why I didn't go for the Aldi one and waited. Luckily I found that. A head unit with Aux in that cost me peanuts, Given the choice, if I had to pay €10 for this or €10 for the Lidl one, I'd still go for this for security reasons, it looks old, and of course, has no CD slot and has an obvious tape slot. If a potential thief sees this, they wont be interested, I leave a few tapes on the dash too to tell them it's only a tape player, you wont get your fix for it:rolleyes: However it still provides me with that vital AUX In connection:)

Ok, I rambled there, so basically, AUX in is a bridge between your MP3 player and the car speakers. A direct connection not relying on radio signals or a tape player which I'm guessing you don't even have since you have CD's in your car.

You should check your car head unit you have already and see if it has AUX in anywhere. If it does, you're sorted. All you need is an mp3 player now.

I think there may be one or two HD based head units about, but as Bard said, they aren't worth it, why choose this when you can simply hook up a portable one which you can then take into a shopping center or wherever you want and listen to while you walk around. Again thief wise this is much more sensible.

The USB option BARD mentions may not be as great as it sounds. You're relying on your head unit for navigation and track selection of your mp3 player, depending on the mp3 player, this could have compatibility issues. I've heard the iPod, the most popular mp3 player, has issues with it.

What I have is my iRiver H140 (best mp3 player out there for music, sadly not produced any more) sitting in an old phone holder I picked up in a cheapo shop in town for €5 or so (the same thing which may have MP3 player holder or have a newer phone model in the picture will probably cost you €15 where you find one). It's basically a little thing that clicks into my air vent with two cushioned sides you can sit the mp3 player into and then close the sides in to hold it securely in place while you're driving. This doesn't budge at all. I then have a basic 3.5 jack (most headphone ports are a 3.5jack) cable going from my headphone port on my H140 into the tape head unit with AUX in. Then the music comes out through the speakers. So you would want the same set-up ideally.

So you want an mp3 player, 10GB+ with a radio.

You see, this is the iAudio X5 20GB with FM Radio, £203 delivered. Nice piece of kit alright, but then again, the iRiver H300 is basically the same but it's cheaper. Also, when you put rockbox (open source software project, an excellent firmware) on the H300, for Audio purposes, it makes the H300 that much better than the X5. Some people say the X5 has better sound quality, I'm not sure if this has been proven but the sound quality iRiver produce is of the highest quality which some studies have proved.

If you know your stuff about buying off Ebay, you could find a very nice deal on a H300. If you just want to take the safe option and get from a shop, which depending on the player, may not be too much of a price hike. Or you could buy from the likes of the linked X5 above, off a reputable online store which I've had great service from and others I know have had too.

So, what's your budget for the mp3 player? Check your head unit and let us know if there is AUX in, best check the manual, in fact, best just check the model number and look it up online and say what it is here and if you're not sure, we can confirm if it has AUX In:)

I wouldn't be too worried about mentioned FM Transmittors, only the use of them is illegal (now I may be corrected but I'm pretty sure), you're not breaking any laws by posessing one and certainly not by asking about them;)

karltimber

will check the make and model etc and see if there is an aux in

Don't really have a budget - just want one
Can search ebay and have a US contact either - will see what model suits first.

thx for all the help.


ps - cormie - I have some timber for the taking if you are interested !!
Pm me :v:

cormie

Oh, another question, how many albums do you have in total? Are you sure 10GB will be enough? Are you sure 20GB will be enough, let me know how many albums you have.

For the best way to encode mp3's, click here:)

PM on its way:D

CJhaughey

Here you go, a DIY solution, old but still applicable
http://www.chaos.org.uk/~altman/mp3mobile/

karltimber

checked the car stereo and its a Blaupunkt Modena cd52 - looked for info on it but no major finds. It will take a remote so would this mean it has an Aux inout there for to use.

if so and I get an appropriate mp3 as above - what type of connection will this setup require (from 3.5mm jack to ?)
Will I be able to power it from the lighter ?
thx
Karl.

Bard

ANY MP3 player will connect to an auxilliary input.

What cable you get depends on the input on the stereo. It's going to be a 3.5mm jack plug at one end for the line-out or headphones socket on the MP3 player and most likely either a 3.5mm jack plug or two (red and white or red and black) "RCA Composite" (aka "phono") plugs at the other end.

You *should* be able to power it from the lighter socket - depends on the MP3 player. There are car chargers available for pretty much all of them.

cormie

Hi,
looking through google I found this where it says "Controlled Devices: Cd changer". So I'm presuming that when you pull out the radio (get a cheapo, metal clothes hanger, cut it and bend it so it fits into the two slots on either side, twiggle it around till it pops the head unit out (you'll have to pull it, this can take quite a while to get sometimes). Then check the back. I think it's going to be quite likely you have AUX In so as bard said you'll either need a 3.5 to 3.5 cable or a 3.5 to Phono L+R.

Yes, you should be able to power from the lighter but take my iRiver for example, it's a 2amp plug at 5v, there are very few lighter adaptors which give 5v (not sure about the 2amp) they usually go 4.5v, 6v, never really 5. 4.5v is still enough to power it though, I'm not sure how risky this is though, I haven't used it yet, haven't needed to, unless you'll be driving across the country on a regular basis.

karltimber

so,
was looking at this one that I can get from the states next week for euro220 in best buy. the 6gb one is 270 here -bleedin rip-off.Will need to get a EU charger -ebay for that.

based on the above plus an aux input on my car stereo and a few bits and bobs - should I be ok to use this in-car thru my stereo etc.

do any of ye see any problem with this setup ???

really appreciate the time ye have spent sorting this out in such a short time.
edit --- was also looking at this one ????--euro195 on komplett
thx

John mac

Try this one 257 delivered. (20 gig)



http://www.mx2.co.uk/prodpage.asp?type=prod&sub=MP3IRIVER

cormie

Karl, you mention you have a US contact, well ring him up asap, get his address or whatever you need and get your ass over to here (30GB iAudio for approx €226:eek:)

or you could sacrifice an extra 10GB to save about €15 by going for the 20GB one here (not worth the sacrifice for €15, believe me!)

As you can see, you only have about a day to order this if there are still some left by that time! And yes, once you have the correct cables, this will play in your car:) Hurry!

EDIT: By the way, this is better than the H10 20GB and the Creative Touch. In fact, you wont find a better deal than this at the moment. I'd even get 2 and flog one off for €300 (saving of €42 off mx2.co.uk, which is probably a saving of about €80 off Irish retail shops). Great deal, get it!!!

cormie

Karl, only 4 left at that price! Hurry!!!

karltimber

I know - waiting for a reply from my mate.

Prob won't get that now - just leaving work :cool:

Will scan around tomorrow aswell.

Are you sure I should get the Iaudio instead of the Creative or Iriver, ??

Thx

cormie

Yes definitely! for that price it's an absolute bargain, the same one is €386 in Peats, Parnell Street:eek:

It's a great mp3 player, definitely the best that's still in production and being sold. Can you not just order it to your mates house anyway? I'm sure he'll understand!

Also, how about using www.shopthestates.com? Still works out a lot cheaper!

muckwarrior

cormie wrote:

Some people say the X5 has better sound quality, I'm not sure if this has been proven but the sound quality iRiver produce is of the highest quality which some studies have proved.

Dunno about studies etc, but to me the X5 sounded better than my (former ) H320. Amazing clarity and bass.

cormie

Woops, what I said in that quote made it sound like I was saying iRiver is higher quality to the X5, I just meant iRivers sound is great quality, the same way you'd say the service of staff is of the highest quality:)

karltimber

cormie,
must admit I like the new 40gb Creative Zen Vision:M (black).

Thats nice

will check on-line so see the price int he US or here (e300+)
was looking at the IAudio on CNet.com and it wasn't getting rave reviews --any reason why ??

thx

cormie

I wouldn't rely on Cnet for reviews, they seem to be iPod fanboys:rolleyes: The best place I know of for unbiased reviews on DAPs (digital audio players) is www.dapreview.com. Just checked the site out actually, there are sooo many different mp3 players now:eek: Anyway, from the iAudio review is this quote "I'm pretty good at finding everything there is to criticize about an MP3 player, but in this case, there isn't much to complain about.".

I don't know much about the Creative Vision. Perhaps there is a better player out now, I really don't know. Perhaps it would be worth having a good look at dapreview.com and make up your own mind. However, for €225 for that 30GB iAudio, you'd be mad not to go for it if you can:)

Bard

karltimber wrote:

cormie,
must admit I like the new 40gb Creative Zen Vision:M (black).

Thats nice

Only a small niggle... but the Zen Vision:M is 30GB, not 40.

cormie

Great, the Bargain countdown has gone up to 39 hours and has 9 left:)

It must be giving them good business in other departments too:)

karltimber

So just to let ye know.

Got my 40gb creative zen from Komplett and the screen wasn't working.
Got it replaced !!
Anyhow, I now have my mp3 player thru a Blaupunkt auxilliary cable from the back of the stereo to a 3.5mm jack to the mp3 player.

I can ditch/hide all my cd's as I have upto 40gb of music I can carry with me.

Alos got a cable to plug into my kitchen stereo and have the collection there also.

Thanks for all yer help along the way.

ratminer

Just a thought. I wasn't aware of the stereo with the USB input until reading this. IF this is available, you don't need an MP3 player !

Get a 2.5inch hard disk drive with external case and USB port. A 40GB version of this could be put together for about €80 I'd guess (try Maplin or Marx Computers). The just dump your mp3 folders from your PC to the hard disk by usb, plug it into your car stero and away you go.

I have my iRiver H320 on the AUX input on my car. Its a BMW with one of the idrive screens so it's frustrating not being able to navigate the music folders on the car, and a little dangerous if you have to change album at high speed