Thread: Zune Car Media System

the only part that would he tricky in hacking the Zune control buttons. Since everyone is looking for a clean look for their install, I can envision removing the buttons from the zune and rewiring them to connect to the steering wheel controls or adding them somewhere on the dashboard.

I'd avoid hacking up the player as you loose the ability to use it out of the car. If you could fine something like a car2pc solution except in this instance car2zune it'll be much more elegant.

there aare a few more solutions that could be used. The Zune does had a docking station with AV output which includes a remote control. Rather than hacking the Zune's buttons, the remotes buttons could be hacked. The idea though is to have a car media system, not a removable zune. Adding the docking station add more to the burget. When you install a PC into your car, most people leave it there and are not worried about taking it withthem every time they do into the house.

How are you going to listen to music as the built in speakers on a LCD screen are prety lame?

Personally I like the idea of a dock. It makes control real easy as all you need is a blaster (ir/rf - what ever the dock uses) and some form of controller (exisitng headunit, factory steering wheel controls, hacked up remote etc).

It also means you can take you zune with you once you're on the go - cheaper than owning two zunes.

all you need in order to listen to the music is an amp which is connected to your speakers. The whole idea behind this install is to have a cheap and easy install which give you a nice and clean media interface that delivers the basics.

in order not to butcher the zune, I'd simply buy a wired remote or "dual-connect remote" and butcher with the leads from the steering wheel, the remote could be plugged into the rear of the home dock witch also has a A/V out 3.5mm jack allowing you for both audio and video and control, as for charging, i think you would have to solder leads on to the dual-connect remote's connector hope to help, I'm considering a simalar set-up.

I actually have already done this. I took a Zune dock, removed the IR port, soldered it to a 3 wire cable (I actaully used a phone cord) on one end, then the dock on the other. I then installed the IR in my dash, and just use the remote. I then bought a NAV converter to connect to my built in NAV system.. I also installed the dock in my center consol, built a "cover" of sorts to make it have a built in look, looks and works great. Oh I alo conencted the Audio to the SAT input, so I simply have to press the AUX button to get sound.

Originally Posted by pokki

I'd avoid hacking up the player as you loose the ability to use it out of the car. If you could fine something like a car2pc solution except in this instance car2zune it'll be much more elegant.

This is EXACTLY something I would like to be able to do. I have a DEH-P690UB from Pioneer (head unit) and I would love to be able to control something like a Zune from the head unit via IP BUS to USB or something similar. Then I could have the Zune attached to a screen and have both Mp3 and Video at my fingertips. But how to make this possible?

Originally Posted by Ibanez

This is EXACTLY something I would like to be able to do. I have a DEH-P690UB from Pioneer (head unit) and I would love to be able to control something like a Zune from the head unit via IP BUS to USB or something similar. Then I could have the Zune attached to a screen and have both Mp3 and Video at my fingertips. But how to make this possible?

Interested to know if you figured out how to do this yet or if anyone has any ideas.

I've been planning to put a Pioneer DEH-P980BT into my car (I prefer something removable in this case the faceplate..so no car pc) and would like to hook up my Zune and have control of it from the HU rather than the Zune.

Unfortunately, not much market right now allowing this.

Now I figured mp3car.com if anyone would have answers or be able to help me find them. I imagine that without help from Pioneer this may be impossible to do (hacking their ipod software on the HU to make it compatible with zune is the only thing I can come up with atm..which is no good).

So, anyone figure something out yet?

I still haven't figured out a way as of yet. I am thinking about getting one of these http://www.vantecusa.com/products/avox/p_avx100tx.html and having it hidden away and hook it to a screen just for movies and controlling via remote control. Then have my hard drive hooked to the Pioneer for music. But the Pioneer can still control the audio for the movies so it's not rendered totaly useless. The nice thing about that avox is the fact that you can put any size hard drive you like in it and have tons of movies.