Car2PC recently release for Beta testing a module for interfacing a carcomputer and the stock Mazda HUs. I got mine on Friday and installed it last weekend. The process is the same as installing any of the other aftermarket AUX-In modules. Remove the HU, plug it into the CD changer port, etc. I would expect that they will be releasing the module for normal retail shortly as it appears that everything is functioning as expected. Since I am not selling this probuct I have no idea what pricing will be check out www.car2pc.com for updates.

The difference comes in when you look at what ports this gives you. An 1/8" mini plug audio input and a USB cable. The Audio input can be used with or without a car pc so without anything else this is already useful as an AUX input. The install on the computer side was very straight forward and the documentation was OK. The jist of it is plug in the module to your USB port and when Windows prompts for a driver point it to the included CD-ROM. Once the drivers are installed there are also plug-ins for both WinAmp and Windows Media Player. Install the plug-in you intend to use (I installed both to test them). It allows you to set up 6 playlists and select those playlists using the disc up and disc down buttons. The functions are as follows:

Windows Media Player
Seek/Track/APC Up ... Up one track
Seek/Track/APC Down ... Down one track
1 Disc Down ... Play previous playlist
2 Disc Up ... Play next playlist
3 Rpt No ... noticed effect
4 Prog RDM ... No noticed effect
5 « ... Move back in the track
6 » ... Move forward in the track
Steering Wheel ^ ... Up one track
Steering Wheel v ... Down one track


WinAmp Player
Seek/Track/APC Up ... Up one track
Seek/Track/APC Down ... Down one track
1 Disc Down ... Play previous playlist
2 Disc Up ... Play next playlist
3 Rpt ... Turns on repeat
4 Prog ... RDM Turns on shuffle
5 « ... Move back in the track
6 » ... Move forward in the track
Steering Wheel ^ ... Up one track
Steering Wheel v ... Down one track

This unit will not display anything to the LCD screen but at this point I have not seen any AUX modules that do.

This module is pretty cool I am going to have to move forward on my car pc sooner than expected now. Until then I still have an AUX-in audio port tho.

 

Cool, where is the 1/8" input/ On the box part or does it include an extension cable?

 

Are the Mazda ones available for sale? How did you get one?

 

that sounds sweet! if the price is reasonable i'd get one..

 

I was part of a Beta test they should be releasing the product for sale once they have all the responses back.

The 1/8" jack is a male plug on a cable along with the USB connection. The picture below is a little better. I'll take a new pic tonight and post it.

I wired a connector so I have a 1/8" jack by the cigarette lighter until I get the pc built.

 

Does this thing care what firmware your headunit is?

 

Radio must have firmware version v9.55 or later

 

Here is a better picture that shows the cable.

The 2nd picture is a cable I made to allow me to have an AUX-in in the ashtray and still hook up a computer. I just can't have audio comming in from both.