Re: Hard-drive based "cd multichanger"


"Douglas Payne" <douggie@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:62o5ftF23kkroU1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article
<c3517ae3-1f99-4748-9b4a-b781d8b98932@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Mike <mikedavies621@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I'm trying to find a device like a hard-drive based "cd multichanger"
which has the same interface as a normal multichanger so it can
replace the one I have but which will allow me to copy my entire music
collection to it in the form of a bunch of directories containing MP3
encoded music albums.


Does anyone know if such a system exists ?


I'd say the problem might be that the head unit couldn't cope with that
number of 'tracks' as it were. So it might play it but be unable to
select what you actually want to listen to. A bit like MP3 CDs in some CD
players.

I have a box of tricks that makes my Mazda's factory stereo think my iPod
is a CD changer. The stereo uses the first 6 playlists in the iPod as the
6 CDs it would normally support, which you can change between using the
stereo controls. Other than that you can use the iPod's own controls to
select tracks/albums/artists.

The stereo's screen shows timing information and track numbers, but I
don't think any of it relates to the track numbers or timings of the
tracks on the iPod.

Some headunit manufacturers do iPod specific interfaces which display
track names etc. There are also manufacturers of iPod boxes o'tricks like
Dension.

If the OP doesn't want to buy into iPod, I found somebody making Hard
Drive CD Changer devices for JVC or Kenwood stereos I think when I was
working out what I wanted. Only the later models supported them.

As someone else pointed out, some the Headunits that take USB Pen drives
will also merrily read a portable hard drive but as you say, finding music
in a cavernous disk is going to be pretty slow.


I have a set top box that plays divx and MP3 off a USB slot. It would not
detect my USB HDD, so check it out before you buy. It may just be an
NTFS/FAT32 problem though (it is NTFS formatted). Also the problem of
siting it, and removing it to prevent scrote attention. HDDs don't like
shock and vibration, so are probably not ideal for in the car.

Also, bear in mind that if you go for a 4+ gig USB stick instead, you end up
smacking it when changing gears or have it dangling on a USB extension
cable. (I have gone through 2 USB/SD head units - got my money back when
they developed faults - not related to smacking USB drive though). If I buy
another one, it will have a recessed SD card slot as that was useful.

Bob


.

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