Is it possible to install an MP3 player in my car

[Angus]

Hello

I have an MP3 player but don't really use. I only play music in my car. So
what I would really like is an MP3 player in my car. Perhaps with a USB
socket so could plug in my little mpg store or even just a memory stick of
songs.

I have tried the mp3 radio tuner idea and couldn't get it to work.

Anyone know if what I would like to do is possible? Are there any people
installing these things?

Angus

[Matt Ion]

Angus wrote:
> Hello
>
> I have an MP3 player but don't really use. I only play music in my car. So
> what I would really like is an MP3 player in my car. Perhaps with a USB
> socket so could plug in my little mpg store or even just a memory stick of
> songs.
>
> I have tried the mp3 radio tuner idea and couldn't get it to work.
>
> Anyone know if what I would like to do is possible? Are there any people
> installing these things?

Depends what you mean by "install it". You want to glue the thing into
the dash and wire it in? There are plenty of options. Most effective
is probably to get a head unit (car-stereo deck) with line or auxiliary
inputs, either a pair of RCAs on the back, or a 1/8" headphone-type jack
on the front. Then you just plug your MP3 player in with the
appropriate cable. Get a cel-phone holder type of dash attachment, and
you're good to go.

[InCar Express]

On Sat, 28 Jul 2007 18:01:43 +0100, "Angus" > wrote:

>Anyone know if what I would like to do is possible? Are there any people
>installing these things?

Depends what car it's going into. Interfaces are available for a lot
of OEM units, either to give an RCA or a USB input.

Jon
--
In-Car Express http://www.incarexpress.co.uk
Car Audio | Security | Multimedia | Navigation
Tel. 01223 750700 Fax. 01223 858403

[CT]

On Jul 30, 9:13 am, InCar Express >
wrote:
> On Sat, 28 Jul 2007 18:01:43 +0100, "Angus" > wrote:
> >Anyone know if what I would like to do is possible? Are there any people
> >installing these things?
>
> Depends what car it's going into. Interfaces are available for a lot
> of OEM units, either to give an RCA or a USB input.
>
> Jon
> --
> In-Car Express http://www.incarexpress.co.uk
> Car Audio | Security | Multimedia | Navigation
> Tel. 01223 750700 Fax. 01223 858403

About 3 months ago I bought a new car stereo with an usb port. Then I
bought a 4gb thumbdrive. Removes the need for tapes or cds. It's a
great way to take a lot of songs with you.

Chris

[El Kabong]

>
> About 3 months ago I bought a new car stereo with an usb port. Then I
> bought a 4gb thumbdrive. Removes the need for tapes or cds. It's a
> great way to take a lot of songs with you.
>

That's a neat idea.

I've seen similar in-dash units at Best Buy but no one could answer some
simple questions.

Does it recognize M3U files (play lists)?
Can you select Genres, Artist, Albums, etc.
Can you navigate thru the library?
Can you fast forward thru an individual track?

El

[CT]

On Aug 4, 6:03 am, "El Kabong" > wrote:
> > About 3 months ago I bought a new car stereo with an usb port. Then I
> > bought a 4gb thumbdrive. Removes the need for tapes or cds. It's a
> > great way to take a lot of songs with you.
>
> That's a neat idea.
>
> I've seen similar in-dash units at Best Buy but no one could answer some
> simple questions.
>
> Does it recognize M3U files (play lists)?
> Can you select Genres, Artist, Albums, etc.
> Can you navigate thru the library?
> Can you fast forward thru an individual track?
>
> El

Great question. I bought a DUAL XDM6400 from Best Buy. I think at
the time it was the cheapest USB deck. I can only answer for the deck
I have, because more expensive ones might have more features.

> Does it recognize M3U files (play lists)?
---No.

> Can you select Genres, Artist, Albums, etc.
---No.

> Can you navigate thru the library?
---A few ways. With the ">" button to move to next track. Or hitting
mode for a few seconds will let you scroll with volume knob through
song files (by their track number as you put them on the thumbdrive.)
Also there is some feature where you can type in some of the letters
of the song and it will go to that track, but I haven't done that yet.

> Can you fast forward thru an individual track?
Yes.

In general, you stick your files on your thumbdrive all in one
directory, or can split them up in several directories. I guess this
way you can then make a make-shift playlist. So if you just have it
play straight through, it would look for files in "root" directory
first, then go to first directory, look through there (for files and
sub directories) and so on. Like a binary tree search.

I just usually play it on random, where it plays all the songs in a
directory on random. I have three directories....one for my songs,
one for my wife's songs, and one for my daughter's songs. So when i
start the drive up, it goes to my daughters first (alphabetical
order), then if I hit the folder ">" button, it goes to next
directory, and so on. If you are in a directory and there are sub
directories, hitting the folder ">" button will go through subs first.

Doesn't have the deep functionality of a mp3 player, but for ease of
use and basic dir traversal and random features, it's awesome. Gone
are the days of having to reburn CDs if you want to add songs. Just
take the drive in the house and add and delete to your hearts
content.

My next purchase will be a home shelf system with a USB port built-in
so I can play my thumbdrive on the system in the living room.