xmatt

I notice in the pictures of the RX-8s head unit that alongside the normal AM/FM, CD selections, there's this Tape/MD button. Does that mean there's an input jack somewhere for use with portable devices? That'd be great for an iPod or whatnot and would make me feel a lot better about not having in-dash mp3 like the Kenwood I installed in my FD...

Hercules

There's a button but I don't see a place to insert tapes or MDs..

Beemer

This picture is from the yellow pre-production car. There's a minidisc slot in the unit and a 6 disc front loader. I guess MD is just an option that they didn't put in the production show cars yet. I hope they still offer the md slot as an option because I don't use audio tapes anymore.

Gaz

I have friend who has Mazda 6 and he bought the MD as accessory several months after the purchase of the vehicle. This is difference between options & accessories...

Sorry for bad English, I'm from France ;-)

xmatt

Yeah, on the concept I was assuming that it was just a feature that would go away in the final version, but the reason I posted this was this boowana shot of the production car's interior:

<img src="http://home.att.net/~superotter/808-0080_IMG.JPG">

So is there an input somewhere or add-on modules or something?

Gaz

I think that's add'on modules.. MD or tape or 6cd's in dash

tallguylehigh

Hmm is the add-on feature just available on the BOSE, or will it be available on the standard setup as well? Cuz an add-on module would be nice, does that mean you can hook up external MP3 players to it?

xmatt

Yeah, I'd like to see some information on this "module" setup. I've never heard of it before.

Sputnik

Basically, the thing now is that there are different proprietary inserts that can be put in the radio for a tape, or MD player. I don't think that you'd have to give up the slot-loaded changer to get that, but I'm not absolutely sure.

Toyota already has this on some cars, and Mazda already has this for some radios in the Miata. The thing is, to get the MD module for the Miata, you have to import it, and it is beacoup expensive. But basically, there is a "slot" or location for either a tape or MD mechanism behind the lower "half moon" piece of plastic below the main volume button, above the climate controls. You can see in the Yellow prototype model where that would be located.

Alas, it is not referring to an input jack for any portable device. Can it be rigged? Anything is possible, but that's the best answer you'll get...

---jps

P.S. I despise slot-loaded changers... grumble grumble grumble...

Sputnik

BTW, the smooth face of the radio/climate controls, and the locations of the climate controls, will make it much easier for people to swap that setup to an aftermarket deal and make it look factory. It's lookin' good.

---jps

xmatt

How much do the modules cost? Is there an MP3-playback module?

I can't seem to find any info on these at all on the web.

Sputnik

That's going to be more of a matter of whether the regular head unit plays MP3s or not. I can tell you that it won't be available in a module.

Dunno the costs at this time.

---jps

Kam

The MD and CD players are multi disc changer units which will be hidden away in the trunk/boot.
You will not be able to insert CD/MD from the dash unit.

AccessoryMan

The RX-8 will have a MDLP player and MP3 player as part of the modular audio system. Check out the Mazda6 page at mazdausa.com. That shows the MDLP and MP3 units.

P00Man

I need MD player, i really hope it will be an accessory rigged in-dash, like, if the lower half-moon flips up/down and theres a "module" in there, thatd be great.

by the way, the new forum layout is crap, please change it.
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