MP3 Query
 

Hi guys, I picked up my RX-8 on May 15 and am very happy with it. One question I have is regarding the mp3 player option. I can't seem to get a straight answer from my Mazda dealership regarding the specifications. Is it simply a device that enables mp3 playback on cds with the stock 6 cd changer? Or is it an mp3 jukebox that can store music files? If anyone has it any help would be great ...thanks.

It's a single disc player that can play regular CD's as well as DATA CD's that have MP3's on them. You can only fit the MP3, regular CD or the 6-disc changer in the top slot. You can also add a mini disc and tape player in the bottom slot.

Ok great thanks very much voodoo that helps me out alot.

Also, it should be noted that it can only read ID3 v1.0 tags, and doesn't shuffle through multiple folders (kind of annoying for those of us who like to oraganize our files, but still want to shuffle through them all at times).

Sorry if you already answred this, I just wanted some clarification. The option is either:

1.) single disc CD player
2.) Single Disc CD / MP3 player
3.) 6-Disc CD-only changer (no MP3)

And also, does it display ID3 tag info on the center display for the radio? Song title, artist, etc? Can you SEARCH for songs based on filename / id3 info?

and finally, if I have a MP3 CD with each artist in it's own folder, the MP3 player will NOT read the folders at all, or will simply only shuffle random songs from the CURRENT folder?

sorry, I just wanted to make sure I knew how it works. Still in the process of saving up for the car.. fresh out of college with a job. Just got a Toyota Avalon XLS to commute in while saving for the '8. (PS -- WOW that Avalon is FAST.. and HUGE!)

--Geoff

yes it does display the ID3 tag info. One field at a time. You hit the DISPLAY button and it cycles through them.

The display has only 12 characters, but you probably knew this already.

You don't really have the option to buy another aftermarket mp3 player unless you want to replace the whole control cluster (I mean the panel with those buttons)

And no, there is no search. Geez, never occurred to me to SEARCH for a song while driving.

You can navigate nicely through the folders with the CD UP/DOWN switches. As if folder was a separate CD in a virtual CD changer.

-Peter

I wanted the ability to shuffle through folders too, but with some creativity, I found out that I didnt need it.
What I did was put the Album name in the file names for all of my tracks, first. My tracks look like this on a disc: Album-TrackNumber-Title.mp3
What that does is organize every track by album then by track number.
I then put them all in the root folder on the CD and if I want to play an album I just find it, alphabetically in the entire list of tracks, and then start playing at track 1.

If I want to shuffle through tracks on the entire disc, I just set it to random.

Takes a little more prep time at the beginning, but it's the best compromise i've found.

very cool, thanks guys. I could write a linux script that can just pull the songs I want and rename them before burning them for me. Oh wait, I need an RX8 first. 8-12 more months.. my cube at work is covered with RX8 pics and Aerial pics I have shot with my R/C Helicopter... PC wallpaper is of course RX8... obsessed? yes. I can't wait, but its gonna be a while.

Thanks for answering those questions for me!

--Geoff
"Aces Are Wild"
www.rchelicam.com

I was very confused reading through threads where they referred to the MP3 CD player as an MP3 player.

Now those distinguished, I would like to know if the $30 "MP3 Player Trim Panel F151-79-BGX" has AUX IN. (a headphone jack "female" hole) heh.

I fear it doesn't... so is there any way through mazda that I can get some audio input on there somewhere?

Thank you in advance for the help

Corey

Only way to get some audio input is thru PIE converter or auxmod...

I just wanted to say this is the best way to achieve a goal. Everytime I've done this sort of thing with a goal, I've been in a position to make it happen far faster than I expected. When I don't go crazy with the pics, it's easy to get distracted.