starbucks

I can't wait any longer. I'm going to spend the $225 and buy the mp3 player from carzoomer. It really ticks me off that I have to spend that much for just the player, but it doesn't look like Overload's custom aux in module is going to be ready for a long time.

I'm not driving my 8 nearly as much as I should because of the lack of an mp3 player in it. In fact when I drive the 8, I enjoy listening to the engine more than the radio or cds, which isn't a bad thing, I suppose. But I realized that I still drive my old Accord a lot because it has an mp3 player.

Sorry Overload, I tried to be patient.

robertdot

So... did you want someone to convince you otherwise or did you want to put pressure on overload?

If it's the former, there's no point in us responding. No one has the aux-in module, so no one can tell you it'd be better than an alternative.

If it's the latter, there's no point in us responding. OL has already done a lot on his own volition. He doesn't owe anyone anything. I'm pretty stoked someone is even trying this, even if I never get my hands on it. But when it comes down to it, the MFGs won't source the last part he needs, so pressure on him won't help get it done any sooner.

In the end, if the mp3 player is what completes your driving experience, then more power. At least you'll have a Mazda certified part (assuming you mean the Mazda MP3 Player) that is guaranteed to work. If I were you, I would have dropped money on it much sooner.

If you don't mind, though, post a review. I'm wondering if they'll put CD text and / or ID3 tags in the LCD. AFAIK, the stock non-bose audio system doesn't do CD Text, which is a feature I think should be included. It'd be worth the $225 if it would display ID3 and CD Text. Otherwise, one might get lost in the folder hierarchy. So, definitely let us know how the MP3 player handles all that. I'll be watching for this thread to resurface.

OverLOAD

You know, I thought about the Aux-module and all the other alternatives that were out there, and I recognized that they are just a stop-gap to real mp3 music sources. As good as the tape hack, the mp3 CD player, the MD player and the CDC are, they just aren't a substiture for someone who wants to put their Hard disk based mp3 player in their car and listen to it with some level of satisfaciton. My satisfaction will only be complete once I've got the sterring wheel & integrated buttons working on my completely hidden mp3 player.

Yeah, I myself transitioned from Audio CD's to MP3 CD's in my car about 5 years ago. It was good for a while, but it's kind of hard to go back to after using a hard disk based mp3 player. I like my music in my car. There aren't very many radio stations I can listen to.

In terms of the mp3 players functionality, It's good, but could be better:

1. Start Car.
2. Insert disk
3. Listen.. The songs play. The LCD looks like a normal single CD Player
4. Push the display button. it cycles through the ID3v1 Tags. If they have ID3v2 tags, you don't see any tag

It remembers the display setting type (Title, Artist, Folder name, Track & position) between car re-starts, so that part is good.

In terms of audio quality? It's as good as I would expect from a regular CD player. It's as good as your mp3 is (which can be very good).

I like it, and it almost cuts it as a substitute for the HDD based mp3 player for me, but I still long to use a real (HDD based) mp3 player in my car.


Regards,

OverLOAD

ps. nothing displays plain audio CD text... just ID3 tags from mp3 CD's AFAIK...

starbucks

Sorry if my post came across as an attempt at pressuring Overload. No, it was just a rant. I drove the Accord to work that day because I wanted to hear some old songs in mp3 format.

I was frustrated to think I too often have choosen the tunes over the 8. However, sitting in traffic for an hour each way, I can't really enjoy the 8 as much as I can on the weekends and open highway.

I can fully understand the delays in Overload's efforts. Actually, I feel better now, and will continue waiting because spending 200+ just for the mp3 player bugs me.

mysql101

I have the reverse problem. I have the MP3 installed in my car, and I find myself turning it OFF because I like to listen to the engine, and I am better able to shift the car. So I end up feeling like I wasted money on the mp3 player :P

bgparsons3

Anyone try the "iceLink iPod"? Claims to work for all iPods incl. mini and makes use of steering wheel controls, etc. Go to www.ipodinthecar.com

bgparsons3

Sorry - found it myself in https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...hlight=icelink ... sounds like it won't work with Mazda protocol.

Shocka

i was thinkin of going with the MP3 player as well but instead figured to build a carputer here are some reasons

1) customization of the carputer allows ur mp3 player to display what u want
2) i can add a navi, camera, eventually emanage the car and much more

the only thing that is slowing me down is the wait for overloads aux module. i wish i wud be able to get my hands on it but who knows.

Nubo

I'd love to have the aux-in, but refusing to drive the car because it doesn't play mp3? That's pretty extreme, man. It's really not too much effort to burn a few music CDs. Is it? Maybe I'm too old to understand.

Or how about playing the original CD, without conversion losses? I know, how quaint

Since my last car only had a tape deck, I'm pretty freakin' stoked with my RX-8 :D

Doesn't mean you can slack off, Overload :p :p :p

OverLOAD

Uh-oh... We'll anyone who thinks that they can do a better job, I'll buy your module if you can do it before me..

If you want to help get a connector, that might help move things forwards..

OverLOAD

starbucks

I still purchase Cd's, albeit used ones for the most part.

The beauty of mp3's is you don't have to keep swapping cds in and out. Even with the 6 cd changer, you can't beat loading up a cd-R with 160 plus songs, or an ipod with just about about a lifetime of songs.

Also, it's not that I don't drive the 8 because it lacks an mp3 player, I just drive it less -- primarily driving to and from work, I don't enjoy driving the 8 in heavy traffic where it's more enjoyable to me to listen to music. I can't stand most radio station. I'd settle for XM radio, but even then you need to do a mod, so why not just wait for Overload, which should accommodate both mp3 and satellite.

Nubo

Hope you know I was just kidding. I know you've already gone through hell to get this out when you could have just wired up something that worked for yourself and been done with it. I think the community owes you a good deal of gratitude and sorry if it seemed I was doing the opposite. Wish I knew how to help with that darned connector.

OverLOAD

I know. I'm just answering jest with like kind. I know how to take a joke.

Call mitsumi. Tell them you want the connector. want a ph #? PM me. You won't get it, but at least they'll realize there's a bigger market then they know.

Regards,


OverLOAD

XCENTRIC

starbucks,
I just bought the MP3 player and it is great.. I haven't had any trouble and it sounds great. I learned my lesson when buying from Canzoomer. He's a busy man running 2 different companies at once. Call Michelle and talk with her personally. She is great to deal with. Tell her XCENTRIC sent ya.

starbucks

I realized while typing my last post that the aux-in will allow both an external player and XM or Sirius which I'd like to have in the future. Also, formats other than mp3 are becoming popular, such as new wma, which will have better sound quality. Therefore, having external connections allow much more flexibility in the future. Otherwise, I would probably go ahead and give carzoomer a call.

I will suffer with having a glove compartment full of cds until Overoad comes through. I'm confident he will, even if its the self-soldering solution.

OverLOAD

Thanks, I appreciate your confidence. I do intend to eventually get this thing done,

Regards,
OverLOAD