Hi all,

After tossing around ideas for a while about what audio gear I want (and want to pay for) I still haven't done anything. After plugging my daughter's 128mb mp3 player into the factory tape deck (it has a cd-input jack) and being rather astonished at how good the OEM speakers are, I'm toying with the idea of buying an iPod instead of a head unit (roughly the same price.) Anyone else gone this route? Any comments for or against?

Z

i got my 20g ipod in my car.

Definetly recommend it. Bit annoying trying to find a song without taking ur eyes off the road, but if ur just using playlists etc it's perfect.

If you dont mind the stock speakers then it might be worth ur while.

Just find a Deck with Aux in and plug the I-Pod in that way..
My VDO DAYTON 3300 has Aux in I used to use it with a walkman for when I wanted to play Cassettes...

Watch all the Headunits coming out soon. They will have a USB connector on the front to plug either your iPod/player into, or even a USB memory key.

The FPV & HSV vehicles have these ports coming from the factory very soon. People that purchase these vehicles get a 1GB USB Memory key to fill up with their favourite MP3/WMA tracks, and they just plug it into their dash.

I know as I am doing the USB keys!

Sounds good with the USB MitsiMonsta.

I'll eventually get an Alpine deck and hook it up for full control off the deck.
Currently using a belkin car kit into a cd-stacker adapter so no messy wires going into the Aux in plug in the front.

Peace

Tim

Just find a Deck with Aux in and plug the I-Pod in that way..
My VDO DAYTON 3300 has Aux in I used to use it with a walkman for when I wanted to play Cassettes...

Well, the budget dictates that at the moment it's a new headunit *or* iPod, not both. I don't already have an iPod.

Z

Watch all the Headunits coming out soon. They will have a USB connector on the front to plug either your iPod/player into, or even a USB memory key.

The FPV & HSV vehicles have these ports coming from the factory very soon. People that purchase these vehicles get a 1GB USB Memory key to fill up with their favourite MP3/WMA tracks, and they just plug it into their dash.

I know as I am doing the USB keys!

I was wondering how long that would take. Been thinking about the very same thing almost since mp3 headuits first came out. Good stuff!

Edit: Wait..does that mean I should hang off buying one...decisions, decisions!

Z

I want an Ogg Vorbis headunit :P

Yeah Zaphod... so have I. It is the obvious next step. I am so happy it is happening.

great thing is that your mates can pop their USB key into your head unit when cruising.... and USB keys are getting so goddamn cheap and small that it's easy to do.

I would wait on your head unit until the 2006 ranges are released. I would expect the upper half of the ranges would support the USB ports.

The upcoming Falcon GT MkII will have them, and the HSVs are getting them in new models from around the end of the year. They will be progressively rolled out in the Falcodore ranges right down to the base models.

And TecoDan - Ogg Vorbis decoders are possible as you would know, the manufacturers need a push on these. The best thing is it is open source, and therefore they would not need to pay licence or royalty fees on selling units with these decoders in them.

Unfortunately, the best thing for them to do is add AAC (iPod format) rather than OGG, to the MP3 & WMA formats already in most, as this is fast becoming a popular format, and will only continue to do so as the Australian iTunes store opens soon.

I would wait on your head unit until the 2006 ranges are released. I would expect the upper half of the ranges would support the USB ports.



So I have to wait maybe 18 months, and then possibly find out the ones with USB are out of my price range.. hrm...

Z

dont buy n ****ing ipod, they are overpriced for what they are, assecories are overly expensive and only support mp3 format, they are only successful because of the marketing campaign behind it.

ask any computer salesperson who knows a thing or to for their opionion and they will tell you they arent hte best

go a creative zen for the 20 gb plus

or around the 4 gb region go an mrobe 100, 349 and its 5 gb meaning an extra 250 songs
assecories are a lot cheaper, backlit red keypad and screen and not only supports mp3 but also WMA which makes it a ****load easier to intergrate windows media player songs into it all.

that and apples warranty policy sucks, any problems and its all up to you go arrange it all to get fixed, dealers arent allowed to touch it with a ten foot pole ;)

dont buy n ****ing ipod, they are overpriced for what they are, assecories are overly expensive and only support mp3 format, they are only successful because of the marketing campaign behind it.

Apple iPod Photo $499 for 30GB
Creative Zen $434 for 20GB

Seems the iPod is better value for money..

I'm not going to get into the creative vs apple battle. I prefer the Zen. Sorry.

AAC is the better codec of all - MP3 / WMA / OGG. It definitely has the best sound for the sspace used. Most audio people will agree, but MP3 at 192kbps is my chosen standard at the moment. Once AAC decoders start hitting the market other than in iPods, I will convert.

I really hate how WMP attempts to take over your system media wise. I was always a WinAmp guy, but now it looks like there will be no more WinAmp :cry: (Nullsoft was purchased by AOL, and now has been killed of due to numerous reasons)

And Ixnay, Ipods (and iTunes software and iTunes store) are natively AAC, the iPods also play MP3 files. I will agree on the apple warranty policy, if your battery dies (usually within 2 years) the cost of replacing it is quite a high percentage of the original cost price.

Zaphod - start saving. I didn't purchase and MP3 capable head unit when I bought my head units (yes units, see system specs below) as they were too expensive at the time. I regret that decision now BIG TIME!
And I expect the 2006 ranges will be released here around october/november. You should see them at the $500-600 price point. They may only still be MP3/WMA, but the higher end I hear will have AAC as well.

And let's face it, if you love your audio, you will find the extra $200 bux.

My System: Alpine MDA-7755R MiniDisc head unit, with CDA-5755 CD player/DSP, Sony XM222MKII amp driving Pioneer TS-G1650 coaxials in the front, and a Sony XM444 amp, 2 channels driving Pioneer TS-A6955 6x9's in the rear, the other two channels bridged into a Sony XSL1220 12" sub in sealed 30L box.
Purchased: 2x JBL GT4-12's (see avatar), 60L sealed box.
Paying off: Megatron's JL 500.1 monoblock amp to power new subs.
Coming: Splits for the front.

I had an mp3-capable unit in my previous car (DEH-4650) and even then mp3 was a must for me. Saving isn't really an issue, it's more about how much I want to spend, and whether I want to wait till October. :)

Still, $600 is not that much for a decent head unit. When I purchased mine they were $1300 and $1200 respectively - OUCH! That is like 4-5 years ago now...

And Ixnay, Ipods (and iTunes software and iTunes store) are natively AAC, the iPods also play MP3 files. I will agree on the apple warranty policy, if your battery dies (usually within 2 years) the cost of replacing it is quite a high percentage of the original cost price.



ah...thats what i said, that they only play mp3 format and not wma :/

Yes, they do not play WMA. They Play AAC and MP3. iTunes rips to AAC.

ah k :P

Anyone remember Yamaha VQF format? Damn that was hot :D

i believe i tunes can convert wma to mp3's tho

you can convert anything to anything... Depends how much quality ur willing to give up. Once you lose it once you'll never get it back.

That's 100% correct Tim. They are all lossy formats (get rid of information to make files smaller)

When I said I would convert to AAC, I meant I would convert to saving my digital files to AAC, not convert my MP3s to AAC. That's crazy.