23 replies to this topic

[RobJaxon]

I got an ipod photo 40GB (it's about 4 or 5 years old and you'll get them on ebay for peanuts). you can get head units that plug the ipod in and use the head unit touch screen to control everything. you can then leave said ipod hidden in the car (like a hard disc) and operate it on your head unit.

always more than one way to skin a cat.

check out this head unit

That is an amazing idea you know. I think i'll go with that. That touchscreen headunit looks amazing. Has loads of other ace features like bluetooth, equaliser, av in, usb in, dvd/cd playback and its all touchscreen. Got a detachable face aswell so I could hide it away! Might be a bastard fitting it though. Ill have a think and post whats going to happen.
Thanks, Rob/

Edited by RobJaxon, 06 April 2008 - 12:37 PM.

[lankydan]

[quote name='RobJaxon' date='Apr 5 2008, 11:29 PM' post='919465']
[quote name='biggav' post='919427' date='Apr 6 2008, 12:00 AM']I got an ipod photo 40GB (it's about 4 or 5 years old and you'll get them on ebay for peanuts). you can get head units that plug the ipod in and use the head unit touch screen to control everything. you can then leave said ipod hidden in the car (like a hard disc) and operate it on your head unit.

always more than one way to skin a cat.

That is a great idea.
Exactly what im doing in my mini once i have passed my test =) lol
And its easy to use and extremely simple.
Im not sure however how hard they are to wire the headunit up? =S
Good luck mate.
dan

[coopersmate]

Cheaper than an ipod is a hard drive
then get a usb to ide cable of ebay Item number: 250232959428
Sort out a 12volt supply to the hard drive
Get a head unit with a rear usb port or similar and away you go.
Just a thought
Lloyd

750Gb hard drive £50ish Item number: 280214488036
Lead £1 Item number: 250232959428
Head unit £130 Item number: 130210623945

[MiNi2iNFiNiTi]

Sort out a 12volt supply to the hard drive

You dont just tap a HDD onto a 12v from the battery! For starters it isnt a constant 12v, and secondly it has to be at a certain wave otherwise hard drive go boom!! boom!! Not to mention that is also requires a 5v feed aswell with the same factors mention above.

[RobJaxon]

Thanks lankydan but i wouldnt be able to control playlists on the headunit with a harddrive.

THEY SHOULD DO A HARDDRIVE WITH AN INTERNAL HARDDRIVE THAT YOU CAN DETACH AND PLUG INTO YOUR COMPUTER AND PUT SONGS AND STUFF ON IT, AND PUT IT BACK INTO UR CAR AND IT PLAYS IT THROUGH UR SPEKERS!!! OR SHOWS PICS, OR VIDS, DEPENDIN ON what HEADUNIT YOU HAVE

[langers2k]

THEY SHOULD DO A HARDDRIVE WITH AN INTERNAL HARDDRIVE THAT YOU CAN DETACH AND PLUG INTO YOUR COMPUTER AND PUT SONGS AND STUFF ON IT, AND PUT IT BACK INTO UR CAR AND IT PLAYS IT THROUGH UR SPEKERS!!! OR SHOWS PICS, OR VIDS, DEPENDIN ON what HEADUNIT YOU HAVE

Any reason for caps lock being on?

If you get a "mobile" hard drive that is designed to be powered by the USB of the computer its plugged in to (max 500mA) then you will be able to attach it to either your car or home pc very easily.

An example of such a hard drive is: this

It even comes with a second USB cable so if the head unit isn't providing enough power to it so if need be you can plug it into your car using one of these to make sure it has enough power.

You don't even *need* a USB headunit, for instance Blaupunkt make this to give USB capabilities to more of there headunits. If you read the blurb it says: Control of USB device playback from head unit (Source selection, Pause, Previous track, Next track, Track repeat etc.)

I would have thought that most other USB headunits would be able to go through the tracks on a device plugged into them, just check the specifications first.

I believe a headunit such as this may even be able to play DivX movies from a USB device plugged into it. Not sure, but if you really want to go that far, check the specifications on the manufacturers site. If they aren't clear, email/phone either the manufacture or the the supplier!

All of these options should allow you to control the harddrive from the headunit, keep it easily removable and not need an inverter in your car.

Good stuff eh?

If you hook any of them up, post some pictures up, as for me I am content with MP3 CD's, it takes minutes to create one and they are cheap too!

Edited by langers2k, 08 April 2008 - 10:29 PM.

[RobJaxon]

ill post some pics up when i get my choice sorted out

[MrTimmington]

I'd question if you really need 500gb, I have approx 10,000 MP3's and that only takes up 50gb.

And when there are 80gb portable music players available, iPod for instance, I'd think that's probably plenty, and then you'll be able to carry it around when you get to your destination.

Although I think ideally I personally would have something to run WinAmp. Although perhaps too bulky.

Could just have a laptop mounted under the dash or something. One just for music needn't be high spec, and you could get one for under a £100, although you'd probably have to add external storage.

I'm sorry, I don't half ramble.

[tomzo22]

Maybe RobJaxon just picked that harddrive because its very good value for money....