offdaheeze

This would be a nice accessory for the 8 http://www.phatnoise.com. Because all the head units have the disk up, disk down buttons, even the single disc, I think that a changer of some sort could be added. That would make it able to control the phatbox. Hopefully there is an rx-8 version in the works.

Sputnik

I didn't go through every little corner of that site, but basically what the Phatbox does is replace an external CD changer. The cars that are compatible have CD changer controller software, and an input jack in the rear of the head unit for connecting an external CD changer that resides somewhere else in the car, like the trunk. The Phatbox will come with an appropriate adapter which decodes the CD changer control signals, and basically replaces that external CD changer. It's a very clean, excellent way of adding something like that to a stock stereo, IMHO.

But the problem is that the RX8 head unit does not have an input for an external CD changer, so unfortunately, you will not be able to use the Phatbox with the stock RX8 head unit. To use the Phatbox, you will have to install an aftermarket head unit that the Phatbox is compatible with.

---jps

offdaheeze

I'm not sure that's the case, I think the stock head unit controls the different modules you attach ie. cassette and mini-disc player, they dont have there own separate controls. And being that even the single player cd has disc up and down buttons that leads me to believe that there exist a way to control a changer in the future. The mini disc and cassette have to connect in some manner. The phatbox would not be plug and play, but looking over the sites they work with manufacturers to make there product compatable. I think that everything is there to control a changer, it's just a matter of making it compatable.

Sputnik

Take a look at the other threads in this forum. All of the connections to the cassette, MD, CD/MP3, and CD changer "modules" in these head units are internal and proprietary (non-standard).

As far as "everything there to control a changer", remember that different changers speak different languages, just like different TV manufacturers have different remote control codes. Some are closer than others, but they are all different. That's why Phatbox has different interfaces for each of the different types of changers. Not only will you have to reverse engineer the head unit to determine how that controller functions, but then you will have to design some electronics to translate it to a set of codes that the Phatbox understands. If that's what you're up for, then more power to you.

---jps

offdaheeze

Whoa cowboy, I did not say I was gonna make it compatable, sorry for the confusion. Phatnoise is in the business of making their phatbox's compatable with oem headunits. They do the reverse engineering and research, most time with help from the automaker.

The key here is that those connections do exist for the modules. And because those connections are there, I am sure a company that specializes in reverse engineering and making there products compatable will be able to make it work. The controls are there to do it, it's just a matter of Phatnoise "breaking the code" to make it work, not me.

Again i think it will happen, they make a version for the infiniti G35 coupe that uses the headunits satellite radio connection. I'm sure the more cars they support the more revenue they make, I see to reason technically or financially why they would not produce and rx-8 compatable phatbox. I'm sure Mazda would not care either.

ggreen29

Are phatboxes available only through the internet? I searched websites of a few electronic stores and came up empty. I hope there's a better price than phatnoise's.

Sputnik

You're right, Phatbox does all of the engineering.

For the Phatbox to be a viable consumer product for a certain car, the head unit must have an external connection (whether it is for a cd changer or external XM tuner) so that the Phatbox can be plugged in. As far as we can tell, the RX8 head unit does not have an external connection. And a product that requires the consumer to open up and perform surgery on the head unit is not very viable, so it is highly doubtful that Phatbox will put it out (short of a version that uses FM modulation, and a separate control panel).

---jps

ggreen29

So I'm back to the Kenwood Music Keg option, eh?

offdaheeze

If you remove the bottom half of the stereo where the md player goes, there should be some kind of connector there , proprietary or not, there is something there that the md player plugs into and talks to the head unit indirectly. I dont understand why you do not think that this connection cannot be manipulated in some way to talk with other devices ala phatbox. It's not a typical external connection but an external connection none the less.

I have not seen the cage that holds the components but if the devices talk to each other, there has to be connections on it that allow the head unit and md player to talk. I am aware that the head unit itself does not have inputs but the cage does, it has to unless they are using bluetooth to communicate. As confident as you are that it will not work, is how confident I am that it will, without FM modulation.

We will just have to wait and see, unless there is someone out there that knows exactly how the devices talk to each other.

Sputnik

Ahh, I think that's where you are confused. The head unit in the RX8 is not a pair of single din units, but a one-piece, double-din unit. There are two "bays" of different size in the head unit. The top is shaped to receive the CD "modules", and the bottom is shaped to receive the smaller MD and tape "modules". To install a module, you have to remove the stereo, remove the faceplate, insert the module into the head unit, and install the appropriate faceplate. This is similar to replacing a memory stick or internal hard drive in a notebook computer. All of the connections are made inside the device.

The Mazda6 has the same head unit, we don't have to wait for the RX8 to arrive to see.

---jps

offdaheeze

Oh well, back to the drawing board, thanks for the info.

jdaled

Actually, I had my head unit apart just a couple days ago. The top portion (CD unit) is standard single DIN size, and the lower portion is configured such that the receiver/control unit occupies a standard DIN sized space, which is open in the center to receive a cassette or MD module. The modules all interface via matching connectors on their tops/bottoms.

There IS one additional external connector on the back of the receiver/control unit (next to the antenna input) that is not used by the CD unit. I don't have the nav system, so I don't know whether it uses that connector or not. Regardless, it's there.

There's a nice pic of the back of the unit in one of these threads... but I can't find it right now

Just found it... it's in a tread titled Installation possibilities by Sputnik

http://www.rx8forum.com/showthread.p...=head+unit+out

Sputnik

I assume that the unused connector that you are referring to is the small one on the lower right-hand side of the unit as shown in this picture?

---jps

jdaled

Yes indeed, the one adjacent to the antenna port. Nothing is connected there in my car.