I'm looking ot remove my sound system and installing a new in-dash player. I'd like an mp3 player, with a hard drive. Nothing like an I-pod hooked into something, but an actual in-dash mp3 player. Does anyone have any recommendations?

 

So the new Alpines with the iPod integration are out? These things will basically use the iPod as a hard drive, with all controls and display taking place on the head unit. That is, you can stick the iPod in the glove compartment and forget about it. This will allow you to easily replace the drive, use the iPod as it's intended, as well as update via firewire (which is very fast).

 

Really? I wasn't aware that they had those. Does the DIN mount display the filename and whatnot?

 

The only hard drive based system I know about is from Sony. I think it is the ME-01 model. There may be something else out by now though. Why do you want a hard drive based system?

 

I see. The Alpine unit isn't out until next month. I'd like to play with it first.

 

I want to buy a VIA MII motherboard and ITX case with an opus dc-dc power supply and ITPS voltage regulator to control shut-downs/hibernates. 512mb ram, 60gb 2.5" laptop harddrive and a slimline DVD/CD ROM Drive. Price is around $600-700 depending. This should all fit in the glovebox easily except the DVD which will mount where the head unit used to be..

I then want to hook all that up to a 7" Xenarc Touchscreen monitor ($450)

I already have a Deluo Serial GPS and Routis software.(around $195)

hook the computer sound out to the amps, 5.1 surround sound for DVD audio and dvd movies (not me, my passenger will watch on longish trips), kickass library of music and killer visuals from GOOM and other visualizations.

If you want more info on this kind of application, check out www.mp3car.com

Later

 

Wow. That is kind of overkill for me. I was just hoping for a simple mp3 player. Is there some sort of small LED/LCD screen with volume and selectors I could configure I would be happy.

 

Well.... its ummm way expensive but Eclipse's new 2494 (i believe thats the one) has a harddrive, u put in a CD, it downloads the songs to the drive and u never hafta use teh CD again. plus its a 7" LCD screen adn plays DVDs 20 gig HD... downside? its $3,000 retail

 

Ouch....for that kind of money I could just install a whole computer in the dash.

 

Pay 499 for an IPOD and it does nothing except serve your mp3s

On the other hand:

$269 VGA TFT LCD Touchscreen Monitor
http://www.logicsupply.com/product_i...roducts_id/193

$189 TC1000 Motherboard with DC/DC power supply
http://www.logicsupply.com/product_i...roducts_id/174

$39 ITPS Voltage Regulator
http://www.logicsupply.com/product_i...roducts_id/162

$169 40GB 2.5" Laptop Hard Drive
http://www.logicsupply.com/product_i...roducts_id/159

$80 Morex Mini-ITX Case
http://www.logicsupply.com/product_i...products_id/33

$148 512MB SODIMM Memory for the TC Mainboard
http://www.logicsupply.com/product_i...roducts_id/178

$79.95 External USB DVD/CD RW ROM drive
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=3480124775

973.95 before shipping and installation. Considering some of these head units run $1,500 I call this a pretty good option.

After a while you can add Wireless net card, gps and mapping software, and other things to make it truly versatile and unique.

Imagine listening to all your mp3's while goom or milk drop visualizations are running or being able to switch over to your gps or even firing up your wireless and finding a net feed to check email, weather etc.

 

Why not get the Kenwood MusicKeg setup? I'm about to install the double din DVD/CD/MP3 head unit with Sirius Satellite Radio and a 20GB Music Keg hard drive.

The Music Keg is completely controlled by the head unit....displays all titles and folders....playlists....the whole nine. It has a USB connection to your computer to sync up MP3 files and transport to the Z.

I'll have some pics in a couple of weeks.

plan_Z