Newbie G35 Owner Needs New Radio

smonska · 01-08-2008, 11:31 AM

I just got a 2004 Infinity G35 Coupe and of course the first thing I want to do is pull the thing apart and start replacing stuff, much to my wife’s dismay. I’m already on my way to putting together my first car pc. I’ll post pics as I go along, but for now I’m stuck on just what type of Audio System I should install.

I’ve looked at a lot of different systems on line but I’m not finding that elusive ultimate GEEK system. You know, the one that impress your friends but your wife makes you sleep on the couch because you bought it.

I’m looking for one that...

Plays MP3/CD/CD-R/DVD/DVD-R
Has a TV Tuner
Bluetooth
SAT Radio capable
Hybrid Digital Radio capable
USB
Video Out
Can be controlled from both the external monitor and the steering wheel controls
And most of all will allow me to rip to the hard drive of my car computer from the CD/DVD. * This last one I haven’t seen anywhere.

I don’t need a double DIN with a video as I’m already installing a touch screen where the nav system went.

Any ideas, suggestions or ways to get my wife to shut up (just joking honey).

Thanks!

kuo · 01-08-2008, 12:39 PM

so you want to have a carputer and a multimedia head unit? to each his own, but it seems to me that the carputer should be able to provide all of the features you listed. i have a 2003 g35 and i kept the stock stereo and got an aux adapter to the sat radio input and run the carputer's audio through it. also it's infiniti with an "i". if you post that in an infiniti forum they'll kill you.

Mylt1 · 01-08-2008, 12:50 PM

have to agree, whats the point if your building a pc for the car? pioneer Avic-D3 would suit all your needs but you dont want a double din. single din flip out screens are problematic and most have screen issues because of weak parts. ripping from the deck to pc is easy as long as you have composite out connections. now, how good a quality recording your gonna get i have no idea. im not sure you can watch and send video out at the same time. some units are designed to only play dvd's on the comp outs when the car is moving. example, front screen would show radio while the rear screen is playing the movie.

smonska · 01-08-2008, 01:21 PM

I should have explained why I was looking for this type of system in the dash when I’m also putting a computer in the car.
The way I figured on designing the system is that I would use the radio in the dash to add new media to the computer, hence the ability to read MP3/CD/CD-R/DVD/DVD-R. That way I can output from the CD/DVD/Bluetooth/USB on the radio to the hard drive of the computer in the trunk.
Otherwise I still have to mount CD/DVD/USB/Bluetooth connectors anyway, why not include them in a dash mounted system. Then connect the radio to the computer and use the touch screen to control it all.
P.S. Kuo Thanks for the correction on the spelling. Man I feel stupid. : )

pokki · 01-08-2008, 01:40 PM

Just because a dash mounted radio has CD/DVD/USB/BT doesn't mean you can interface it with a PC.

If you've got an decent fab skills, just mount a slot loading optical drive in your dash, and have a hidden USB port somewhere handy (glove box, centre console etc).

Mylt1 · 01-08-2008, 02:45 PM

recording from the radio is gonna bring the suck if it can be done. you would be better off just putting a powered USB hub up front and burn your media to a thumb drive and transfer that way.

fls27 · 01-18-2008, 02:16 AM

I recommend a case that can house a low profile DVD/CD Rom. This will allow you to rip your audio/video. Try the C134 Mini-ITX Case (found this in the MP3car store). Although i don't recommend ripping through the carputer. If you really need to, you should rip on your home desktop and transfer via a burnt DVD or Network connection. If the files arent too large, try using a flash drive. Ditch the head unit, its not worth the trouble. Save yourself the headache, you wont even miss the HU.

g35mike · 01-18-2008, 11:14 AM

Congrats on your G35. I'm pretty much with kuo on keeping the oem hu. I added a 10" Bazooka dvc and an amp and it sounds good. I had planed to put an ext dvd drive in the upper glove box but it wasn't as deep as I thought. It may fit if I Mod the drive and the compartmet. I really haven't missed it. I just rip dvd's from the trunk to the hdd. And like fls27 said, transfer large files over the home network. Besides, you want to be able to return it to stock easily when you trade it in on the new GT-R.

smonska · 01-19-2008, 07:52 PM

Mike, I haven't been able to located an in dash system that would talk to a computer yet, so i think your right. I'm going to pull the stock radio out and put in a single din that will give me room to put in a slot fed dvd under it along with a game plate and a slot for my Ipod. If i run a usb line to the front of the car from the computer I shouldn't have any problems connecting all of it together.

Thanks all for the input though. It got me thinking in another direction. I'll post pictures once i get all the equipment together.

jumbodogs · 01-19-2008, 09:57 PM

Just thought I would throw my 2 cents in. I was gona keep my HU in my truck but after I got all my stuff and had it running on my test bench I realized there was really no need for a HU anymore. I have only had my carpc running for 2 weeks but there hasn't been a day I thought to myself I wish I had a HU in here. Anyways nice ride and good luck with your project.

Caelric · 01-20-2008, 12:03 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by smonska

I'm going to pull the stock radio out and put in a single din that will give me room to put in a slot fed dvd under it along with a game plate and a slot for my Ipod. .

Check out my cardomain page (linked in my .sig) for pictures of how I did my G35. I've got the touchscreen where the Nav would go, a single DIN radio, and a couple of gaagues where the stock radio was. I have a DVD player and a USB hub in the upper glove box. The carPC is in the trunk. Let me know if you have any questions.

Dave

smonska · 01-20-2008, 11:29 PM

Dave are you using the steering wheel to control any part of your car pc? if so how did you set it up?

and thanks to all the other users for the info and words of encouragement. this has really turned out to be a cool group.

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