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Car Forum / Saab Cars / January 2006

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Dumping my CD changer and Adapt and Ipod?

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Bob - 18 Jan 2006 17:46 GMT
OK.... I need to fix my '97 900 "lost the CD problem" for the 20th and
I think it's time to try a new changer. But, for not much more than
the cost of a replacement changer, I can buy an Ipod and get much more
utility out of it both in and out of the car.

So... question... has anyone blazed this trail yet - hooking up the
Ipod to the in car system ? I know I can find wiring diagrams and I am
not too concerned about the details there ... just looking for
strategies and experience.

Thanks,
Nasty Bob - 18 Jan 2006 18:27 GMT
> OK.... I need to fix my '97 900 "lost the CD problem" for the 20th and
> I think it's time to try a new changer. But, for not much more than
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Thanks,

A neat solution is to fit an RF transmitter unit to your IPOD and tune your
car radio to your own personal radio station! Personally I'd recommend a
modern head unit / amp / CD player that will play mp3 discs. You can fit
8-10 albums on one CD if you're not ultra fussy about quality etc. Works
well for me ;)
Dave Hinz - 18 Jan 2006 18:40 GMT
> A neat solution is to fit an RF transmitter unit to your IPOD and tune your
> car radio to your own personal radio station! Personally I'd recommend a
> modern head unit / amp / CD player that will play mp3 discs. You can fit
> 8-10 albums on one CD if you're not ultra fussy about quality etc.

Well, if you're that fussy about audio quality, you won't be listening
to mp3's, and in a car, in the first place.  There's times to be fussy,
I suppose, but even a 9-5 isn't an ideal listening environment.
Nasty Bob - 18 Jan 2006 18:47 GMT
> Well, if you're that fussy about audio quality, you won't be listening
> to mp3's, and in a car, in the first place.  There's times to be fussy,
> I suppose, but even a 9-5 isn't an ideal listening environment.

LOL! But they must be good for something...
Colin Stamp - 18 Jan 2006 18:59 GMT
>> OK.... I need to fix my '97 900 "lost the CD problem" for the 20th and
>> I think it's time to try a new changer. But, for not much more than
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>8-10 albums on one CD if you're not ultra fussy about quality etc. Works
>well for me ;)

Or if 8-10 albums isn't enough, there's a few MP3 DVD players out now.
You have to be careful about the specs though, there's loads of DVD
players that will play MP3s, but only from CDs.

What I really want for my car though, is a hard disc MP3 player, so I
can have my whole collection in there. The trouble is, the marketing
men have decided the only solution for that is to tape an iPod to the
dash. Whatever happened to Dension?

Cheers,

Colin.
Nasty Bob - 18 Jan 2006 19:02 GMT
> >> OK.... I need to fix my '97 900 "lost the CD problem" for the 20th and
> >> I think it's time to try a new changer. But, for not much more than
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>
> Colin.

Dension??
Colin Stamp - 18 Jan 2006 19:08 GMT
>> >> OK.... I need to fix my '97 900 "lost the CD problem" for the 20th and
>> >> I think it's time to try a new changer. But, for not much more than
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
>
>Dension??

These people...
http://www.dension.com/dmp3_info.htm

They don't seem to be selling the DMP3 or the DH100ix any more.
They've ditched them in favor of, you've guessed it, iPod interfaces!

Cheers,

Colin.
Dave Hinz - 18 Jan 2006 19:17 GMT
> What I really want for my car though, is a hard disc MP3 player, so I
> can have my whole collection in there. The trouble is, the marketing
> men have decided the only solution for that is to tape an iPod to the
> dash. Whatever happened to Dension?

What about an iPod with a Griffin iTrip?
Colin Stamp - 18 Jan 2006 19:35 GMT
>> What I really want for my car though, is a hard disc MP3 player, so I
>> can have my whole collection in there. The trouble is, the marketing
>> men have decided the only solution for that is to tape an iPod to the
>> dash. Whatever happened to Dension?
>
>What about an iPod with a Griffin iTrip?

iPods in cars are one of my pet hates. They look really crap, and the
first time I try to use that titchy little user-interface whilst
driving, I will end-up with a peice of street furniture in my face.

Cheers,

Colin.
None - 20 Jan 2006 04:26 GMT
I have installed an Omnifi Dmp1 in my Saab:

http://www.omnifimedia.com/products/omnifi_details.jsp?productId=12541

It is a hard disk based MP3 player.  It is also capable, through WiFi, to
automatically download new MP3 files from my PC and the internet.

>>> OK.... I need to fix my '97 900 "lost the CD problem" for the 20th and
>>> I think it's time to try a new changer. But, for not much more than
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
>
> Colin.
Fred W - 20 Jan 2006 12:53 GMT
> I have installed an Omnifi Dmp1 in my Saab:
>
> http://www.omnifimedia.com/products/omnifi_details.jsp?productId=12541
>
> It is a hard disk based MP3 player.  It is also capable, through WiFi, to
> automatically download new MP3 files from my PC and the internet.

That is a pretty cool idea, wi-fi car MP3 player...  I could upload
songs to my car while it sits in the garage.

How much did it cost you?  What sort of interface do you use for the
file transfers?

Signature

-Fred W

None - 21 Jan 2006 05:02 GMT
I paid about $199, but you should be able to get it for less.  However,
installation can cost more than the price of the unit.

The best place I found for the hard drive has in the glove box.  In the
instructions it says to not put the hard drive in the glove box since it is
an enclosed space it would overheat; but since I opened the AC hole in
the glove box I figure that should keep it cool enough.  I put the head
unit in place of ash tray.

The company has ceased any development on this product  and with the
low priced sales I have seen lately I would not be surprised if this
product is discontinued before long.

The auto synchronization feature works, but I do not use it.  The software
has a bug (remember no more development) that when synchronization
with your PC is performed the unit forgets the current track and the
current CD.  Also, I tend to load about 10 CD's at a time and  wireless
synchronization will never work with such a load, I have to bring the
hard disk inside and attach it directly to my PC.

The software they provide for the PC is pretty bad, but there is an active
open source project where you can replace the provided PC software
and the software on the unit with something better.

The unit plays WMA files in addition to MP3, but since the company
did not implement DRM properly you will likely find it is not suitable
for playing WMA's.

I wish there was more choice in MP3 players for the car, but this is still
the best unit I have been able to find.

>> I have installed an Omnifi Dmp1 in my Saab:
>>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> How much did it cost you?  What sort of interface do you use for the file
> transfers?
Fred W - 21 Jan 2006 12:49 GMT
> I paid about $199, but you should be able to get it for less.  However,
> installation can cost more than the price of the unit.
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
> I wish there was more choice in MP3 players for the car, but this is still
> the best unit I have been able to find.

Ah thanks...  It now sounds a whole lot less attractive than it once
did.  I think I'll stick with my current set-up.  That is free (to me, I
already own it) and works fine with no hassles.

Signature

-Fred W

Colin Stamp - 21 Jan 2006 13:55 GMT
>> I paid about $199, but you should be able to get it for less.  However,
>> installation can cost more than the price of the unit.
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
>did.  I think I'll stick with my current set-up.  That is free (to me, I
>already own it) and works fine with no hassles.

Lucky you replied, None's last post didn't turn up on my server.

Yep. That does sound a bit dodgy. I think I may still have to get one
though - if I can find somewhere that'll ship to the UK. I wasn't
going to buy the wi-fi bit anyway so bringing it into the house to
update will be fine, and the Openfi project looks very interesting -
the last update was October last year, so it still seems to be being
developed I might even have a go myself.

It also gives me an excuse to go out and get a nice new head-unit to
plug it into :o)

Cheers,

Colin.
Colin Stamp - 20 Jan 2006 16:31 GMT
>I have installed an Omnifi Dmp1 in my Saab:
>
>http://www.omnifimedia.com/products/omnifi_details.jsp?productId=12541
>
>It is a hard disk based MP3 player.  It is also capable, through WiFi, to
>automatically download new MP3 files from my PC and the internet.

That looks like just the sort of thing I'm after. I might well have to
get one. What's it like to live with?

Cheers,

Colin.
Mitch Knight - 20 Jan 2006 21:51 GMT
I mounted an ipod case with some tacky glue to my steering wheel i can
look at it (if i have to) and drive at the same time.

Headphones at a proper volume are no more dangerous than loud music.

my twopence
Colin Stamp - 20 Jan 2006 23:14 GMT
>I mounted an ipod case with some tacky glue to my steering wheel i can
>look at it (if i have to) and drive at the same time.
>
>Headphones at a proper volume are no more dangerous than loud music.
>
>my twopence

Damn. If only I didn't have a airbag to embed the iPod into my brain,
I too could experience the joys of having my arms tied together with
headphone cable whilst manoeuvering in car-parks :o).

Cheers,

Colin.
Bob - 21 Jan 2006 01:06 GMT
>Damn. If only I didn't have a airbag to embed the iPod into my brain,
>I too could experience the joys of having my arms tied together with
>headphone cable whilst manoeuvering in car-parks :o).

Bringing us back to Bob's idea of wiring in a jack for Ipod output.

:-)
Fred W - 21 Jan 2006 12:44 GMT
> I mounted an ipod case with some tacky glue to my steering wheel i can
> look at it (if i have to) and drive at the same time.
>
> Headphones at a proper volume are no more dangerous than loud music.

I think the local constabulary may disagree with your opinion (as they
present you with a mandate for involuntarily enriching their coffers...)

Signature

-Fred W

Martin Lowe - 18 Jan 2006 21:44 GMT
> A neat solution is to fit an RF transmitter unit to your IPOD and tune
> your
> car radio to your own personal radio station! Personally I'd recommend a
> modern head unit / amp / CD player that will play mp3 discs. You can fit
> 8-10 albums on one CD if you're not ultra fussy about quality etc. Works
> well for me ;)

It's a good solution if you tend to drive around one particular area, but if
your driving takes you further than your local radio stations you may find
that the unused frequency allocated to your iPod FM transmitter in your own
neighbourhood is used by a bona fide station in a different neighbourhood.

My question - related to this topic - is can the standard steering wheel
controls work a non-Saab car stereo if fitted?

Signature

Martin

Colin Stamp - 18 Jan 2006 21:54 GMT
>> A neat solution is to fit an RF transmitter unit to your IPOD and tune
>> your
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>My question - related to this topic - is can the standard steering wheel
>controls work a non-Saab car stereo if fitted?

Some manufacturers make gadgets to interface some of their head units
to Saab steering wheel controls. ISTR Sony was one of them.

Cheers,

Colin.
Bob - 19 Jan 2006 01:10 GMT
>It's a good solution if you tend to drive around one particular area, but if
>your driving takes you further than your local radio stations you may find
>that the unused frequency allocated to your iPod FM transmitter in your own
>neighbourhood is used by a bona fide station in a different neighbourhood.

I was thinking of a more hardwired solution... perhaps a jack on or
under dash to feed the Ipod output to. Probably needs some kind of
limiter if CD Changer output is normally to a preamp vs. the Ipod
output to an amp.

Thoughts ?
joe schmoe - 19 Jan 2006 12:26 GMT
>On Wed, 18 Jan 2006 21:44:19 GMT, "Martin Lowe"
><snip>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>>that the unused frequency allocated to your iPod FM transmitter in your own
>>neighbourhood is used by a bona fide station in a different neighbourhood.

There are good quality RF adapters that are hard wired inline
(antenna) and will over-ride every signal coming in when turned on
providing crystal clear sound.  I've got one in my Ford Windstar which
has a headphone jack that I plug into my tablet PC which holds all of
my music and maps. (Plus it has a larger screen than an IPOD or
phone).

I suppose it all comes down to how much you are willing to spend and
what quality you want.  Any Decent stereo shop should be able to get
one for you
 
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