Azat Posted September 17, 2003 Report Share Posted September 17, 2003 okay, I guess it is time for Azat to come in to the 2000s and get an MP3 player. Any suggestions? I am looking for the HD type that can coexist with my current OEM stereo/cassette player. I also have a 6 CD changed in the trunk that is integrated into the system so somehow this too needs to get integrated but I do not know how and what I need. Help!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted September 17, 2003 Report Share Posted September 17, 2003 MP3 player ??? et imcha ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sip Posted September 17, 2003 Report Share Posted September 17, 2003 I would highly recommend you changing the actual deck... especially if yours is stock. I have the Pioneer 8400 and they just came out with the 8500. It is an AWESOME deck. I can't say enough good things about it. It plays MP3 CDs. That's really all that you need. If you think about it, you can fit PLENTY of mp3s on a cd ... systems like this are much less expensive and more practical in my opinion for a car than full fledged HD ones. IF you were going to go with an HD based one, I would recomend a portable unit like the Archos. I have the 6GIG Archos (jukebox studio) www.archos.com ... they now have 20Gig and more I think that comes with a USB 2.0 interface ... a definite PLUS. It can also serve as a portable storage unit for ya! Mine is USB 1.1 and it can be a bit slow but I don't transfer music in and out too much. Anyway, obviously there are a lot of details which I can help you out if you want once we narrow down which direction is good. So as a summary... choices in order of my preference 1) Go with an MP3 CD playing deck ... like the pioneer DEH-P8500MP (~320 on ebay).2) Go with a purely portable HD based device like the archos 20 gig (~$270 on ebay?)3) Replace your CD changer with an MP3 CD changer (cleanest option)4) Buy a car DVD/MP3 CD player addon to your existing deck (~$50-$100) ... most economical option5) Full fledged car mp3 player ... that's a WHOLE can of worms and it's going to be expensive but "cool". I personally would do #1 but I think #3 is giong to be the least hastle for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sip Posted September 17, 2003 Report Share Posted September 17, 2003 By the way, here (crutchfield) are some mp3 changer options to consider. Crutchfield is a good place to do research and read up on things but their prices are a bit high. So I wouldn't buy from them. If you are going to go with the changer, make sure it is compatible with your changer bus. It's not all plug and play ... you may have to use an FM modulator which is NOT as desirable as a nice clean direct connection between the changer and the deck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasun Posted September 17, 2003 Report Share Posted September 17, 2003 ...or to avoid the headache just buy a new car with a cool mp3 player Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azat Posted September 17, 2003 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2003 1) Go with an MP3 CD playing deck ... like the pioneer DEH-P8500MP (~320 on ebay).2) Go with a purely portable HD based device like the archos 20 gig (~$270 on ebay?)3) Replace your CD changer with an MP3 CD changer (cleanest option)4) Buy a car DVD/MP3 CD player addon to your existing deck (~$50-$100) ... most economical option5) Full fledged car mp3 player ... that's a WHOLE can of worms and it's going to be expensive but "cool". I wish it was that easy. Remember I own a volvo. The deck is one of them big(double deck things) that has cassette, cd and AM/FM The CD changer in the trunk is an Alpine, the only one model that works with this deck. Others work as well, but they do not integrate with the buttons and such. Tell me more about option 4. How can I ger something like that for 50-100? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azat Posted September 17, 2003 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2003 ...or to avoid the headache just buy a new car with a cool mp3 player I wish. But I have been out of a full time job for over a year now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sip Posted September 25, 2003 Report Share Posted September 25, 2003 Sorry Azat Jan ... I actually had a long reply typed up for this a couple of days ago but my DSL had some routing issues and I lost it ... then forgot to repost later So I'll try to remember .. About the "double" thing ... there are decks that can fit there ... I suspect yours is a "double DIN". Most GMs are actually 1 1/2 DIN (that's what my blazer is) and the majority of aftermarket decks are DIN sized. So "fitting" will not be a problem most likely. They also sell these kits that can then close the gap above and below where the deck is mounted in your dash and it will look pretty cool. Just take it to Best Buy or Circuit City and have them install it if you don't feel like doing it yourself ... tearing the dash on S10s is really easy but I have no idea how complicated it can be with the volvo. Anyway ... just keep in mind that these things are signifiantly cheaper online than at bestbuy, good guys, or circuit city ... so there's a tradeoff. My point being that don't think replacing the deck is such a huge and impossible thing ... it's actually pretty easy (especially for a pro) and the outcome will surprise you in terms of look and feel, as well as audio quality. About a separate car dvd/mp3 player ... if you look on ebay there are plenty. Usually starting around $100. That's where I got mine. It looks a lot like a PC cd drive but most of them don't have a "tray". You insert the CD through a slot and then the CD/DVD is supported by a full suspension mechanism inside since the car will vibrate of course. The other option is personal CD-based MP3 players that can be around $50 or more (not 100 sure on price). They are like those walkman type CD players but can play mp3s. The problem with all of these is practicality ... you are going to have to mount this somewhere around your dash or put on the seat next to you and then connect the audio ... the straight forward way being using an FM modulator which I dislike (but you can get one for about $20). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sip Posted September 25, 2003 Report Share Posted September 25, 2003 Here are a few examples: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...&category=15055 ($70)http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...&category=32825 ($95)http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...&category=32825 This is what I have http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...&category=32825(SDVD-100) and it's pretty cool ... I haven't tried playing mp3s with it though but it does great with DVDs. Although I use with with a 7" LCD and use the onscreen menus ... not sure how well it would work without a screen but I can try it out and let you know if you want (with mp3 cds) The cool thing about this is that you can use it as a "portable" dvd/mp3 player if you go anywhere (trips?)... just take it with you and you can use it with an AC adapter ... it comes with a connector for an AC adapter but not with the adapter itself. But you can use any 12V adapter that can provide enough current for this thing (my guess is about 2 amps). Edit: But the only problem I see with this device is that you can't mount it vertically. The specs say +/- 30 degrees from horizontal is ok but not more. http://www.soundstormlab.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azat Posted September 26, 2003 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2003 Sipchik one last question if I may. For some reason this DVD thing is starting to sound interesting to me. Don't ask me why because I have owned a DVD played for year and a half and have only watched 3-4 movies on it at home so far. For now I would only be interested in the player and not the LCD as I would only use the MP3 option but would like to have the possibility of the LCD in another lifetime. How do you connect that to the stereo system. I mean the power and all that are easy and I see there is an audio out jacks in the back, but where would that connect? Would my factory system have a audio in? or Do I do it through the FM modulator? Also I am thinking of possibly putting the system in the glove comportment for easy access. BTW: Thank you for all the links and information. It is very helpful. Also I may delay my purchase by a month because the dealer found $320 worth of work on it the other day(I know I am the idiot for taking it to the dealer to this day to get it fixed) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sip Posted September 26, 2003 Report Share Posted September 26, 2003 Azatica ... this site maybe helpful to you: http://carstereohelp.com/strvolvo.htm About connecting it ... yes, the FM modulator is the easiest and most straight forward way. They cost about $20. Some portable DVD players may actually have that feature built in! I know my car TV tuner has that feature. I don't like them since the quality is not as good as a direct connection. But with a factory sound system, it may be ok, especially considering how easy it will be to do. Your car stereo definitely has audio inputs and that's how the CD Changer is hooked up. HOWEVER, I am guessing that interfacing to it will not be trivial (but it may be). If you buy a newer aftermarket Pioneer deck for example, attaching an aux input source to it will be trivial using a small $15 module that plugs in the back. There is another $25 one which will allow you to hook up a cd changer in addition to the aux audio input source. The interface for pioneers by the way is called P-BUS I believe. Sorry to hear about further car troubles. You sure you want to keep that thing? Maybe you can get one of those VW bugs with the flower on the dash ahahahaahhahahaahahah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sip Posted September 26, 2003 Report Share Posted September 26, 2003 Oh by the way, does your car stereo have a tape player? If so, then you can also use one of those tape adapters that plug into the audio output of any source (wire runs to something that looks like a tape). That will be less hastle than an FM modulator IMO and may sound just as good if not better. But you'll have a wire hanging from your stereo to the dvd/mp3 player. Also, I'll try to play with my mp3 player this weekend and let you know if it's practical for driving. I'm not sure how it will be without a display. But I know my Pioneer 8400 deck ROCKS (so I still highly recommend you think in that direction, even though it will be quite a bit more expensive). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sip Posted September 26, 2003 Report Share Posted September 26, 2003 The other thing that just hit me ... I know there's a company that sells a small module that can give you "aux audio" inputs for GM facotry stereos. It taps into the tape player or cd changer input I'm not sure. There MAY be something like that for your volvo but you'd have to search or talk to some audio guys at local shops. They may know ... there are a bunch of them on Reseda in the valley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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