Thread: My Tips for Beginners

The only person that doesn't have a clue is Alien8. What you are saying is "My idea is the only way to go so use it". I myself have been thinking about MP3 car audio well before I found the first car MP3 webpage. One thing that remains the same all along is anytime you use a desktop computer for a car MP3 player you are just creating a hack. Just now are some pretty good looking Car Audio MP3 players starting to be developed that aren't hacks.

If you are making your own car MP3 player then explore your options. Sure using removable harddrive bays is one idea but for me its a no go. I prefer to upload new songs via network connection. With using a harddrive bay I'd have to set jumpers and reconfigure my bios everytime I wanted to add songs. Not my idea of fun.

Getting the audio signal to your headunit is another issue to be delt with. Using a head unit with aux input sounds like a perfect idea. Only one problem. Not many people have this. Another problem is people don't feel like shelling out the green to buy a new headunit. So you have several options such as FM transmitter, Tape adapters, etc. My friend used a tape adapter to go from his cd player to his tape deck and there was no problem at all. For me buying a new headunit is NOT an option. For somebody else it might be an option.

Making your own MP3 Player is all about exploring your options and choosing what you want and can afford.

Alien8 your webpage is broken, the two jpegs are being referenced from your harddrive.
Always check pages after you upload them - major rule of web design!

I checked the jpegs on you site manually, and the only question is 'What are you trying to say?' That an MP3 player is just like a cd autochanger? In your case maybe, have you seen some others like Hugo's? He wants GPS and all sorts! Not really a CD autochanger then is it?

Second, why do only the rear speakers go to the amp - surely this is 'ghetto' ?

Also - I quote from YOUR site...

"Sunday, October 03, 1999 Whew, today was a big day. I installed most of my hardware today, that includes my FM Modulator,"

Now that must *surely* be 'ghetto' ?

Any comments?

Ooops, nearly forgot!

When I said 32bit, I meant the connection.
Also, I agree it does have 16bit sound output, BUT, on the SB128PCI the quality of the DACs and surrounding circuitry is far higher, resulting in a MUCH better sound. Which is, after all, the point of the exercise...

Also with PCI, there is less stress on the CPU.

Well I'm not saying my way is the ONLY way, I'm simply saying its the BEST way.
Why? Because I designed it, thats right my ideas are better than yours =) Anyways.

Ophidian Frontpage does suck it shouldn't be using file:// it should just be using "imagename.jpg" but like the page says it was something thrown together quickly for all your dumb asses, and in all the webpages I have created over the years its never done that to me before what a joke.

wexdafid Everything so far is a hack, there isn't one mp3mobile audio design that doesn't suck underneath.
Also I have explored all the options available and this is what I have come up with, obviously because I have spent so much time on this I know what I'm talking about.
One other thing is not everyone has the money to buy a new head unit, well thats fine but its just a tip for starters who want good sound, the best thing to do is to trade in an old head unit and get some money from it, then a new one doesn't cost as much, I don't know about you but $235 for the Pioneer model with aux input isn't that bad of a deal, esp if you sell your old one for $140.
"Making your own MP3 Player is all about exploring your options and choosing what you want and can afford."
heh ya and how is my setup any different from anyone elses? it uses an IRMan and a char LCD and plugs into the head unit.

mda Sure its still like a cd changer for the underlying concept there is no reason why anyone can't add other features, thats part of the whole point of putting a computer in as a replacement, for expanadbility IE DVD, GPS, VCDS or anything anyone can think of.
Also about my speaker setup yep thats the way I have my setup my two front mid/hi speakers are powered by my head units 40w out put, thats the whole point of why the mp3 computer output has to goto the aux input of the head unit so the front speakers will get audio. If I connected all my speakers to my rear amp then I would first off have wires running all through my car, and then if I wanted to add a sub then I'd have to buy another amp and buy a new head unit with 2 preouts. The way its setup now is there are only two speakers connected to my rear amp, yet the amp is bridgable so when I get some money I'll add a 150w 10" sub on there. its all about expandability.
Also ya a 32bit PCI sound card sounds 1000x better than any 16bit isa sound card. It also makes quake2 run way faster (cuz isa wastes cycles while the cpu waits).


I honestly don't understand where you guys are comming from, you don't see the light about how things integrate modularly, so you can replace one thing with another, like a glide wrapper or any black box.

also take some time to read in depth things that have been said, because I'm tired of repeating myself over and over.
Thanks =)

Not everything is a "hack". There are pure MP3 players out there, much like the popular hand held models. The MPic3 for example doesn't have a computer in it, it is just an MP3 playing electronic device. No computer, just a hard drive and some Microchip PIC's controlling everything. Because of the PIC's, boot time is 2 or 3 seconds.

From my point of view, Alien8's idea that a CD Changer replacement is the best way to go is some cases. The MPic3 was built to replace an every day CD Changer because for the average user, a CD Changer is a lot easier to install and control than a full blown computer, and it doesn't take a large amount of time to install. On the other hand, if someone wanted to take the time and build something ground up, I can see why they would defend the idea making it their own thing, and not like anything else.

http://mpic3.drgw.net

First off, just remember that opinions are like a**holes - everyone has one, and some make a lot of noise and stink.

Anyway, for anyone considering a removeable HD (no, I don't think ethernet is pimp-yo-mama whatever). The way to get around having to change bios settings to transfer songs is to use the manufacturer's disk setup utility. You know, the ones they provide for computers that have bios limitations. Set up the drive with this program and you don't need to mess w/ bios settings. It does add a second or so to boot up time, but it works without a hitch (ymmv).
Hope this helps someone....

Alien8
Just go to ant BestBuy or visit www.crutchfield.com and you find lots of 200+ CD players with price tag less than $250.
sj

Alien8 -

What is your problem, anyway? Your idea of what is "best" may not be the same as anyone else's idea of "best". You have a right to your opinion about what constitutes the "best" car MP3 setup, but you cannot go around and tell others that and not let them have their own opinion. When I first read your post with your ideas, I thought they were all the wrong way to go. MP3 car builders seem to fall into several categories:

1) Quick-n-dirty: These people want to slam a desktop or tower PC in their trunk, attach an inverter for power, and run cables for a keypad and audio into their head unit. These people usually don't opt for a display because either they don't care, can't afford it, or for other reasons.

2) Home-brew Tinkerers: These people are similar to those in 1) in that they use standard components (inverter & regular PC) but they are the type that usually add IR support, LCD display, and other stuff.

3) Perfectionists: These people are looking for the clean installation. Many already have equipment such as an in-dash DVD player, multiple monitors for viewing TV and movies. They are also usually the people with the $$$ needed for this type of setup. When building an MP3 car player, they take the time to make a custom case, or at least invest time and money in finding a case that has a small footprint and looks nice. These people prefer to make custom faceplates and mount their LCDs in their dash, rather than prop them up on the cup holder, etc.

I'm not trying to set fixed categories for MP3 car builders, but I'm trying to make a point, and it's this:

People are different. Their opinions are different. Their situations are different. They all have different likes and dislikes.

... And from what I see in this thread most of the people dislike you pushing your ideas as "best" when, from reading the replies to your post, many of us don't think they are.

Build your system how you please and be happy that it's what you wanted, but, please, let others do what they want without ragging on them for their ideas. So what if someone wants to use a 200-disc CD changer? So what if someone uses an FM modulator? So what if they don't jive with your "ideal" concept of making their MP3 player work like a CD-Changer. People will use whatever ideas they like and have the time, knowledge and resources to implement.

--Jason

heh well the reason I push my ideas are

A) Because I created this forum for my own opinions.

B) Becuase I have experience trying all methods.

C) Because people should learn from my successes and failures.

Mainly I am only trying to discredit certain Options such as using an FM Modulator or a tape adapter. Because of my experiences with them and thier limited audio quality they will get the job done quick and dirty. They will leave you unsatisfied with the audio output. As I have been unsatisfied.

Ideas I am trying to emphasize are the use of an Aux input or a cdchanger DIN2rca input,
which I have not been able to explore yet due to my hardware limitations which can only be overcome by money.

And if ya don't like these ideas, start your own forum to promote them, don't bring all this trash talk to mine.

Thanks
Alien8