I just put in my neo jukebox 20 gig mp3 player. If anyone wants to see pictures...i dont have pictures of the back and installation, but just the final product.... Overall it works well and i think its better then cds

NoVa,

Did you FM modulate or did you tap into the stereo directly somehow?

-Mr. Wigggles

i did the fm modulator. If you know how to tap into the stereo count me in ;)

I'd love to see those pics. I'm pretty close to buying a 8 to replace my Miata. I have a original Neo 35 I bought 3 years ago installed in the trunk of my Miata. I actually tapped in to the inputs into the Bose head unit. I had to remove the tape player and then make the head unit think the tape player was there. I have two push button switches installed in the ashtray (I still want to label these Eject Left and Eject Right but haven't gotten around to it in 3 years so I guess I never will). One of the buttons switches the Neo power on and off. The other button switches the HU to the line in. This button had a 12 volt supply running through a 1K resistor when turned on.

Here's a link to my install: Neo Pics (http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/lashleychris/lst?.dir=/NEO+35+MP3+Player+-Car+Install+Photos&.src=ph&.order=&.view=t&.done=http%3a//f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/)

For some info on how I tapped the HU inputs see these links:
http://www.miataforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=18;t=000800
http://www.miataforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=18;t=000801

I have no idea how to determine the inputs on the 8 bose or non-bose units. Tapping inputs is definitely better sounding than the FM modding. I've seen posts in this section about it not being possible but I'm not sure. I think there is always a way, it just takes someone with an electronics background with a lot of time on their hands to do the reverse engineering.

BTW, I recently tried a 200GB drive in my Neo (I've got a lot of music) but the Neo would recognize it. Apparently the Neo's limited by 137GB 48 bit addressing. Also SSI just release the beta of Firmware 1.47 to fix the random feature from being not so random. http://www.ssiamerica.com/beta/

NoVa:

Any pics yet? I'd like to see the install. Where and how did you grab power for the neo?

[bump]

Looking at this compared to the Mazda mp3 cd thing, I really want a Neo. It just seems so much easier to have all of them there, rather that messing with CDs. And it's competetive with the cost.

Anyone figure out how to do this? Their CDC adapter looks promising if it would work with the 8s head unit. I know the Mazda mp3 player is a Pioneer, how about the head unit? Bose? (oh yeah, I got the Bose :-/ )

Originally posted by NoVa
i did the fm modulator. If you know how to tap into the stereo count me in ;)

Try here:

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10530&perpage=15&pagenumber=1


.

I really admire Overload for his efforts in doctoring the tape deck for a line input, but I don't want to do this for my own implementation.

I too have the bose system and I think very little of it. Had it not been standard equipment with the rest of the leather pack in Oz, I would have skipped it.

I'm swapping speakers, amps and wiring first. Then I'll be able to guage the relative quality of the source units. In the mean time, something may become avaliable, if not, I'd get a tape or MD and hack them for the protocols.

If the source signals don't turn out to be good enough, plan B will be accelerated and will involve a robust PC with high quality audio reporduction, a touch screen in the drink holder area + voice i/f and an attempt to highjack the audio controls on the dash.

I was dreaming about putting a touch screen behind the round panel in the centre console, with a "50's radar" look to it. That would be a long term project.

Originally posted by NoVa
I just put in my neo jukebox 20 gig mp3 player. If anyone wants to see pictures...i dont have pictures of the back and installation, but just the final product.... Overall it works well and i think its better then cds
Where and how did you mount the wired remote? I'm interested in seeing pics because this is the same MP3 player I have currently installed in my Probe and I'll transfer it over to the 8 once I figure out the details. Mounting the remote is one of the main issues I have to think about...

Here (http://www.probetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1701028048) is the link to the installed Neo pics in the Probe... if I could achieve the same look in the RX-8, I'd be happy :)

Now if only someone could figure out how to put a standard sized din radio in an 8.. i would be a really happy camper, then i dont have to lose my 12Gb In dash MP3 player that i currently have in my truck.

I hate carrying around CD's...mp3 or regular ones

Originally posted by Fuzzbear
I hate carrying around CD's...mp3 or regular ones

I guess 8-tracks are out of the question :D

Heh, I think i might actually have an 8 track laying around here somewhere.. Its Either the Blues Brothers Soundtrack, or Billy Joel Glass Houses.

The suspension on the RX8 is so stiff that my turntable keeps skipping tracks, what can I do???

Maybe a bit more weight on the stylus :)

Would you believe I've never looked under the front passenger seat as a spot for gear - ok just did, not much.

Well a stupid as it sounds... I spent $1500 on this headunit.. and it just pains me to buy a car that I cant install it in without spending MUCHO bucks.