Maximus

Is that a question or a statement?


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CAUTION: Following question may be extremely silly :-)
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QUESTION1:
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Does the MP3 player replace the bose system in the GT package?
OR
Is it installed in addition to BOSE cd player?

QUESTION 2:
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I assume, after reading the thread its possible to get the MP3 player from the dealer and install it urself or have it installed somewhere else. IS THIS CONFIRMED?

QUESTION 3:
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Does the MP3 player play regular CDs?

QUESTION 4:
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Are all the speakers in GT package made by BOSE or some of them? What brand speakers are used in the base model?

QUESTION 5:
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Is it possible to disable the AudioPilot?

QUESTION 6:
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someone mentioned there may not be an equalizer in the bose system. IS THIS CONFIRMED?

QUESTION 7:
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how difficult would it be to install an after market stereo system, like kenwood or alpine etc., in RX8? Where would it fit?

SL01

The MP3 player replaces the CD player module. It doesn't replace the whole head unit, you unplug the CD player and plug in the MP3 CD player. It looks kind of like a computer's CD-ROM drive without any of the exterior plastic or tray.


Yes, I got the MP3 player from Trussville Mazda in Alabama via web order. Very fast service, very good price ($267, I think). Sadly my dealer was completely clueless about this and I had a bad experience with a dealership adding free squeaks to the dash of my current car after mucking around in there--don't trust 'em (dealers, that is) now, they're not always as careful as they should be.

The MP3 player came with good installation instructions that seem targeted at end users--even explains how to reset the DSC after disconnecting the battery. Can't wait for my RX-8 to arrive so I can install it.

Anyone here install one yet? It doesn't look too bad, but who knows... any installation tips?


The instructions say it plays regular digital audio CD's on all disc types (CD, CD-R, CD-RW).

Some other tidbits... The MP3 player says Pioneer on it, so I'm guessing its feature set is probably similar to aftermarket Pioneer MP3/CD players.

It can play both regular sized and 3" discs (the mini CDs). It can not play irregularly shaped discs (like the RX-8 rotor shaped promo CD-ROM).

It shows CD-TEXT for discs that have it, up to 30 characters. It also shows the ID3 tag (v1.0 or v1.1) or the file name for MP3 files. There's supposedly a dial on the head unit that scrolls the text.

The disc changer disc up/down button changes directories instead of discs. The directories are ordered such that sub-directories are right after the parent. So if you made a folder for a particular band, then folders for each of their albums, the disc up/down would jump from album to album. When you reach the last album, it jumps to the next band.

There can be up to 253 directories, and up to 255 files in a folder. Supposedly it can take quite a while to read the directory tree in if there are lots of files and folders, though.

It says it supports sample rates of 16/22.05/24/32/44.1/48 khz, and bitrates of 8kbps to 320kbps and alludes to supporting VBR.

It does not support MP3i or MP3 Pro formats and it can not read packet written discs.


--SL01

pmacwill

replaces console unit. The actual single disk module in both the gt and regular are the same. You will have 1 single disc player that will play mp3s and normal cds



yes. do it yourself. it doesn't appear to be difficult from what our japanese friends have explained. do a search for explaination of installation.


yes

yes, all. I don't know.


yes


yes. bass and treble only.

[/b]
difficult and would require a custom console if you wanted it to still look reasonable.
There are 2 DINs (DD) underneath the integrated console. With a fair amount of work you should be able to fit any aftermarket system in you desire.

anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on any of these, but I'm pretty sure they are correct

eccles

Sweet! Great news - thanks!

B-Nez

Awesome post, SLO1. One of the most informative I've read in several days. Is there an FCC ID# on the mp3 unit? If so, we can look it up and get the exact model number, technical specs, and documentation.

Kawi

Glad I stumbled on this thread. My dealer quoted me a price of $1000 for the unit and to have it installed!!

Boozehound

Has anyone talked to their dealer to see if they're interested in offering a discount to RX-8 clubs / members of the forum? That could be a helluva lot of volume coming in if they were willing to beat other internet prices... I've seen some of the dealers online, but any schmuck can get those prices - how about a further incentive to cement a good relationship with enthusiasts?

Wait... I hope I'm not 'jacking this thread.... just all this MP3 player ordering got me thinking. It was nice having a discount being associated with the Houston RX-7 club - perhaps something for the 8s now?

Racer X-8

Not to be confused with minidiscs, right? That's what the optional minidisc player is for. Right?

Thank you very much for this very informative post BTW! Very well done!

Also, looks like, functionally, you don't need the MP3 player trim panel if you want to save $, right? Just use the one that comes standard if you want, right?

SL01

No problem. And, right, a mini CD is not the same as a minidisc.

Actually I think you'd want the trim panel--as packaged from Trussville, at least, the instructions for installation and the user guide are both boxed with the trim panel. Since the MP3/CD player box was sealed, I'm guessing that's the way it ships from Mazda.

--SL01

SL01

Sorry, I didn't see your question...

Hmm... I don't see an FCC ID#... let's see if I can attach a photo of the MP3 player...

--SL01

jtimbck2

Just a slight correction to pmacwill's otherwise excellent and extremely informative posting!

Actually the Bose system has bass, treble, and midrange adjustments -- not quite an equalizer, but better than nothing.

brothervoodoo

more info:
http://www.rx8forum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7369