I'm a bit confused of the components of the factory/OEM radio. Does the radio actually consist of a CD player, on top of a radio (tuner), and if installed a cassette/minidisc? Or is the CD player integrated with the radio (tuner)? I searched for pics of the radio, but still a bit confused how it is assembled. One more question.... what "section" of the radio needs to be reflashed if indeed the CD is not part of the radio???? The radio needs to be upgraded to the new firmware correct?

Thanks, sorry if this is a simple question......

Ed

the stereo is a modular design - so it actually has a cd drive that can be swapped out with say a mp3 cd player or a 6 disc cd changer. The tape / mini disc slot is the same deal - just another modular drive.

.....One more question.... what "section" of the radio needs to be reflashed if indeed the CD is not part of the radio???? The radio needs to be upgraded to the new firmware correct? ......

No reflashing required when adding/changing components.

yeah, but the radio needs to be reflashed for the PIE.. correct?

yeah, but the radio needs to be reflashed for the PIE.. correct?

correct if you have a HU firmware less then 9.55...9.55 and higher you are good to go

mine was reflashed from 9.53 to 9.67 by thew of rx8garage, and now PIE works great

as for components of the HU
the part that needs to be reflashed is called the core...all you need is the core, not the CD unit, not the tape/md unit, not even the faceplate

to be safe you won't take the hu core out of the frame...this way it maintains a stainless steel structure around the core to protect it during shipping

thanks.... exactly what I needed to know!