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What tablet do I get?
I was wondering if anyone had any good suggestions for a tablet to install into my dash. The Archos 5 IMT looks like it has almost everything I want, but I would really like a 7".
It needs:
Built-in GPS (or enough ports for a dongle, and support for a dongle. I don't want bluetooth, because I don't want to have to worry about it losing power)
FM receiver (I know there are internet radio apps, but I want to be able to use this offline.. if it's possible)
Capacitive screen (Cause I want it) with a wide viewing angle.
I don't care much about which version of Android it has, it will pretty much just be used for GPS and Music/video.
As a side note, I'm still doing research, but if anyone knows how to, or knows where there's a tutorial, I need to figure out how to hook the tablet to the speakers. I don't really want to have to use a head unit, though that would be the easy way. There must be some kind of small device I can use that has a volume knob and maybe fade/balance controls that I can install anywhere in the truck.
Thanks for reading!
I have installed the archos 5IT in my dash and love it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kUsui3-5Y0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nN-8Hrf0sM
Its not capacitive but it does not suffer from the glare that the glass screens have. As far as touch sensitivity its pretty acurate for a resistive device.
I dont have the gps signal issues most have as i have the flash version and not the hard drive based ones as most say the hdd must be blocking the gps. I paid for the one time map fee from Ndrive but also tether to my phone and use google maps as well.
I have over 100 youtube music video's in mp4 format ripped to the device and use those as my music and have it set to random play and it goes from one file to the next without having to select a new video once one is over.
Thanks!
Some good input there. I'll have to keep that in mind. I just really think a 7" would look a lot better. Especially in my F150 XLT. Seems like the 5" would look dinky, and I have room for a 7".
If archos put the 5's guts into the 7 form factor, I'd buy 2 right now. Rly.
Also, for anyone who stumbled on this, I think it won't be too hard to set this up without using a head unit. (I could be wrong on some of the technical info, but I think I have the right idea here.) Your amplifier has a 'plug' with like 20 wires attached coming out. Normally, your radio has a plug that fits this plug. You plug it in, and now the radio's attached to the amp, which is attached to the speakers. Good to go. So you buy a new plug (called a wire harness), one that fits your amplifier (assuming stock amplifier, I will just look up 2000 F150 wire harness on amazon, and that's it), and wire up your tablet to it instead of your radio.
The wire harness puts out a 12v (ignition on) wire. You can adapt this to a USB and use that to charge the device. Set it to display/wifi/gps/all other battery draining crap off while not charging. When you turn the car on, it's now "Charging" and everything will turn off. I think it should be able to 'sleep' for a few days, so it should be 'always on' as far as you can tell.
The harness also has a wire for each of the 4 speakers, maybe subwoofers too, I forget now. I'm sure someone makes a product that controls these easily, I'm going to have to go to a local car audio shop, and ask some questions. Hopefully I can put the audio out from the tablet into the audio in of this unknown device. Then I should be able to wire the unknown device to the wiring harness. If I can't find something, I think I'll just make my own circuit, 3 Pots for volume, fade and balance, some resistors or something.. we'll see if I can't just buy something. The rest of the EQ can be done on the tablet.
(If I do make my own, I want to use a slide-style pot for volume instead of a rotating one. I think that'd be the nuts.)
Wiring harness: Ignition on wire adapted to USB. Speaker wires wired to volume/fade/bal device.
Tablet: plug in USB, and connect audio out to volume/fade/bal device.
Easy cheesy.
I'll be updating.
This thing is starting to look like it'll be really easy to do.
I can't get started 'til I find my tablet though. I would love to hear some more ideas! THANKS!
they updated the 7" home with newer hardware but it does not have gps. I would look into the upcoming wifi only samsung galaxy tab and see if it will have gps.
your on the right track with the audio wiring however you would better off getting a cheap 4ch amp to do it as you need power to pump the speakers the way you are talking about wiring it up would basically have the android device trying to power door speakers from the headphone output amp. If you got a cheap 4 ch amp and wired it through the stock vehicle harness you would have all the hookups u need just get the headphone to rca cable and a set of splitters to power all 4 channels of the amp volume could be controlled from the android device. If the amp had external volume remote or if you wired one inline with the headphone output you could have better volume control however the turning on and off of the amp might send a pop to the speakers as the amp would always be turned up.
Hmm
I was under the impression that my vehicle came with a stock amp. Everything's stock (as far as I know, got it used and haven't tinkered with it yet.)
Just trying to understand better, as I have never dealt with car stereos before.
So my stereo was supplying power to the speakers before? There's not an amp in my truck right now between the stereo and the speakers?
EDIT:
I'm almost thinking of getting something really cheap, as I plan on permanently mounting it in the dash. Something Chinese maybe?
I'm sure the Galaxy Tab would work really well, but it's a bit expensive for a GPS/radio/computer.. now that I'm typing this out, that's a ****ing deal! Maybe I will get something nice to pop in there.
I found a tutorial online for making the 12v ignition into 2 USBs, so I am now considering a usb-powered bluetooth gps. Too bad it adds $50 to the cost.
Alright
Nope, no amp in the F-150 standard. It's in the head unit. So I will need to get an amp.
I figure I can move this whole system to my next car (Plan on getting a new truck in 3-4 years.. or sooner if this one decides to go on me), so the amp is an investment.
Truck has 4 speakers stock (no subwoofers)
I will hook those 4 speakers to the amp I buy. (I'll have to look up how to install an amp now.. geesh.)
I will put the audio out from my tablet into the amp.
Now I have to figure out how the 12v ignition on is gonna work, since I'm now going through a new amp. I found a tutorial on instructables titled "12v to USB adapter \ 12v to 5v transformer (great for cars)" I'm not allowed to post links yet, but I'm sure you can find it if you want it.
Yeah the amp any small 4ch or 2ch if you dont care about front rear fade will work..
As far as hooking up an amp they are pretty easy just need to run your own main power wire for the 12v constant for the amp. 8-10 gage should be fine for 400-600w 2 or 4 ch amp to power door speakers....
then use your red ignition wire from the harness u get to power the remote to the amp so its only on with the ignition. Extent the speaker wires to reach your amp you can mount under the passenger side dash or behind the center consol as trucks have plenty of room under there.
the wires from the harness you get to plug into your factory radio harness are easy to figure out as the colors have been standard for a while. Black is ground but you will need your own closest to the amp as possible any bare metal spot you can find that has a bolt to the frame or under dash should suffice. The black from the harness will power the usb fine. Yellow is constant + (always on) if you want the usb to always have power if not use the red as its only on with the ignition it will have enogh amps to power the remote for the amp and charge/power the tablet. green and purple are rear speakers, white/gray are front speakers. the remaining wire colors depend on the vehicle if they have them like blue is for power antenna or factory amp turn on. orange is to dim an after market head unit display when the head lights are on.
I was in best buy a few weeks ago and saw the archos 7 home tablet for $129 almost got one just because of the deal but dont need it as the 5it i have is fine and has the built in gps. but if using an external bluetooth gps is the route you go the 7 should be great. You will just need to find your own gps app or use google maps and have to terher to something like a smart phone for data.
http://www.archos.com/products/ta/archos_7/specs.html?country=us&lang=en
they show the gps icon on the home screen however it does not have built in gps. there are a ton of gps solutions you can side load or get from android market.
Damn...
Was just about to order the 7 home. Such a good deal.
No bluetooth...
The search continues.
i was searching ebay for something 7" that had gps or bluetooth and nothing cheap cought my eye so i took the 7" tag out and added 2.2 for froyo and gps...
I came up with this. http://goo.gl/hyNtC
All you would need to look like the soundman from youtube with his f150 ipad 2 install.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jr3_zLHTbY
May have found a contender.
a 10 inch would be nice, but I don't know how to do fiberglass, and for my first car mod, I'd prefer to keep it simple. a 7-inch should just fit in my double din.
Found this little gem.
http://www.dinodirect.com/tablet-pc...camera-android.html?ddse= gps&utm_source= gps
Gonna look at it more when I get home, will probably buy it. Only thing that's funky about it is that it charges with AC. We'll see...
A software to be written to tell it to go to sleep immediately when "ac" power is removed would be nice, also, that app to tell music/radio to resume on "wake" would be nice.
That way it plays the true car infotainment roll.
A device with USB host would almost be required before I dig into android platform for my infotainment system.
I have a custom built net-top based system built in my truck using a 7" touch screen, automatic power supply from mini-box.com, and a USB controller connected to my steering wheel control buttons. USB host is a must for me!
Sounds like a good setup. Honestly i'm fine with the stock radio in my truck, but I like to tinker.
Still haven't found the right device. I'm buying an Arnova 8 when they switch to the new model, and I'll give that a test fit.. see how it goes.
My plan is to set the device to have the display always on when plugged in. It's in settings or something. If it's wired to the ignition, should work right? We'll see.
I think if I get juice defender and set it to aggressive (no gps, no wifi, no bluetooth, no anything), it should stay on for a while in standby.
Well...
Seems like Android Tablets haven't matured enough for my project. I don't see a cheap 7" capacitive tablet with GPS coming out anytime soon. I'm going to go ahead and get a stereo with rear usb and aux ports, and make a mount for my phone. Should be fun. I'll make a new post with pictures and instructions, and link it here.
Oh well...
My 2 cents...
I've been looking to do the same thing. I've been digging around for a good table and this is the best I've got. Specs wise, it fits the bill. But I can't find any good reviews.
http://hotmid.com/wits-a81h-tablet-cortex-a8-7-capacitive-touchscreen-android-2-3-gps-wifi.html
Just in case that link doesn't work...
http://mp4nation.net/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=68&products_id=483
The big thing I'm looking for is a parts list. Amp, harnesses, etc. And a how-to would be the coolest as far as basic wiring for power and sound.
The xoom
T-Mobile G2 1.42 GHZ
I recommend the Asus eee pad transformer. 98percent the same as motorola xoom and lighter
Sent from my U20i using XDA Premium App
concept after-market product
What appears to be lacking in the market currently is a ready-to-use 2DIN or double-din head unit that is basically a permanent in-dash universal docking system such that you can simply pop in a 5 or 7 inch tablet (or adaptable for say a minimum 4 inch or greater smartphone?) with the head unit's rear interface designed for plugging into the car's power, sound system, and steering wheel controls just like an aftermarket care stereo. Sorta like the currently available units that utilize removable electronic faceplates-- except here the tablet or smartphone itself is the "removable faceplate".
Spepper, I have seen one on Ebay. Looks a bit dodgy but might be good:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ES666MO-...153004?pt=Car_Audio_Video&hash=item336b841f6c
ES666MO Car DVD/GPS/ANDROIT TABLET
http://ca-fi.com/en/ it's not a removable tablet, but it's an all-in-one Android-powered double-din radio, looks awesome, but it comes at a price because it has all the hardware built-in
stevey500 said:
A software to be written to tell it to go to sleep immediately when "ac" power is removed would be nice, also, that app to tell music/radio to resume on "wake" would be nice.
That way it plays the true car infotainment roll.
A device with USB host would almost be required before I dig into android platform for my infotainment system.
I have a custom built net-top based system built in my truck using a 7" touch screen, automatic power supply from mini-box.com, and a USB controller connected to my steering wheel control buttons. USB host is a must for me!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The wake-up is covered using plug in launcher from the market.
I am checking if it can be used for the sleep portion.
Hi!
Just picked up the new nexus and I wanted to replace my current ipod+fm transmitter with the Nexus to play music. I was wondering if I were to get a car deck that supported bluetooth, would I be able to play streaming music like spotify/pandora from the nexus to the car? Not just stored music.
Thanks!
As far as I know, yes.. I would say you might be better off getting something with a simple AUX headphone input (3.5mm) on the front, or back, or both sides of the unit. Often times people run a male to female extension behind the head unit and to an inconspicuous place where they can plug the phone in without it looking like hell. Bluetooth is going to drain your battery and may occasionally have connectivity issues, hardwired will almost always sound better too.
Thanks for your input! I was able to find a quality deck with both BT and Aux for a good price! I'll be using the Aux as backup if BT isn't great. Hopefully the BT doesn't use up too much battery.
Great idea / solution! You should have the best of both worlds right there.. good luck!
Hi
I have recently purchased this - http://www.dension.com/product/car-dock-for-smartphone
"Dension's NEW Car Dock for Smartphone is a multipurpose sound transmitter with a generic design to fit all smartphones. Dension Car Dock for Smartphone works with the majority of car headunits
Features:
HPST
Mounts on windscreen or dash
Portrait and landscape position to support navigation and videos
AUX & FM audio output via bluetooth
Phone charging
App audio (entertainment, navigation, online calls) via your car’s audio system
Music
Handsfree calling
Built-in microphone
"
I wanted to show anyone who was interested a short video
Link to a short video - showing it installed in my car. You can hear the sound it coming out of the car stereo via the Bluetooth cradle dock.
https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0B...ring&pli=1&docId=0B97kApWh4s4SRS1GSC1qQ3hyQzA
Really clear sound (if FM signal is not already taken).
It fits my nexus 4 with the case on - however I did remove the foam protectors as it was too tight if I didn't.
Enjoy!
EDIT: Nvm saw the answer already lol. Looks neat! 100 usd is kinda steep but you get an aux cable and fm capability for non AUX headunits, which is good though. You said you removed the cushions to use the mount with a case on. Did you remove it by peeling or cutting?
Just to be clear, this is primarily for those cars without Bluetooth right?
And I've used FM transmitters with phones/mp3 players before. Sadly they are not very useful in large city areas/major suburbs where all the FM channels are basically taken.
locutusx said:
Just to be clear, this is primarily for those cars without Bluetooth right?
And I've used FM transmitters with phones/mp3 players before. Sadly they are not very useful in large city areas/major suburbs where all the FM channels are basically taken.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it has an AUX cable to connect to if you have an AUX port in your head unit. If not, then yes bt via FM is your only choice at that point. Well unless you have an old tape deck of a head unit and get a cassette aux port creator lol. Man those where the days hookin up cd players to your head unit .
Anyways, it seems a bit steep but a combo unit like that isn't that bad IMO. But you are right, if your area is a large metro, the FM frequencies will be too crowded to get a quiet streaming signal to use.
kpjimmy said:
EDIT: Nvm saw the answer already lol. Looks neat! 100 usd is kinda steep but you get an aux cable and fm capability for non AUX headunits, which is good though. You said you removed the cushions to use the mount with a case on. Did you remove it by peeling or cutting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I paid £59.80 inc delivery as I asked if I could have a discount other wise the best i could find was direct via their site. There are cradle with FM transmitters that are cheaper (around £25) however a) there is an extra lead to connect as there is no bluetooth b) the quality is not as good as (so I am told).
You are paying for a Cradle, charger, good bluetooth to FM transmitter, and the extra Aux cable. I selected to mount on dash but you could mount on the window. Yes - if you car does not have bluetooth then yes this is solves the problem. Beware - if you have bluetooth already then it needs to support media profile to stream navigation audio via the car stereo.
I also forgot to say with bluetooth streaming on and GPS on - it charger about 15% in about 15 mins.
kpjimmy said:
EDIT: Nvm saw the answer already lol. Looks neat! 100 usd is kinda steep but you get an aux cable and fm capability for non AUX headunits, which is good though. You said you removed the cushions to use the mount with a case on. Did you remove it by peeling or cutting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just peeled the cushions off with my finger, was OK, and just kept rubbing the glue until it was all gone. I do plan to add a smaller / thinnner rubber pads at some point to replace what I removed - however not really needed at the moment.
Seems you would be better off spending the extra cash having a good Bluetooth stereo installed. I just went to best buy got a really nice Pioneer BT stereo for around 130. After installation, adapters and such the grand total was 240 us. Even with a 20-30 dollar car mount for your phone you're under 3bills and it sounds awesome. Hands free calling music navigation all through my stereo with zero interference.
I have also used all kinds of FM transmitters and from experience I can tell you they NEVER work as advertised. Sure maybe if you live 100 miles or more outside any big city you might get it to work but it will NEVER sound good. I travel from Indiana to Chicago a lot for work and rite about the state line they always cut out no matter what channel I was using. The loudness of the sound you get from them is always about half of what a normal radio station is and even less than that of a CD.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Beaird said:
Seems you would be better off spending the extra cash having a good Bluetooth stereo installed. I just went to best buy got a really nice Pioneer BT stereo for around 130. After installation, adapters and such the grand total was 240 us. Even with a 20-30 dollar car mount for your phone you're under 3bills and it sounds awesome. Hands free calling music navigation all through my stereo with zero interference.
I have also used all kinds of FM transmitters and from experience I can tell you they NEVER work as advertised. Sure maybe if you live 100 miles or more outside any big city you might get it to work but it will NEVER sound good. I travel from Indiana to Chicago a lot for work and rite about the state line they always cut out no matter what channel I was using. The loudness of the sound you get from them is always about half of what a normal radio station is and even less than that of a CD.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In reply - I have since driven around to test this and agree trying to find a FREE FM signal is quite hard.
I have since connected the cradle to the stereo via the removable but supplied aux lead and this is much much better. I still Bluetooth enabled - so can connect any Bluetooth device however I now do not get the FM interference.
Hope that help.
It is a good car kit and for me better than replacing my car stereo - as you would also need to get a cradle and method to charge with out!
im looking for something to connect to the back of my stock radio in my Audi thats plays music and charges at the same time. is there anything out there that does this and doesnt break the bank? or am i asking for too much? Thanks
GrapeBandit said:
im looking for something to connect to the back of my stock radio in my Audi thats plays music and charges at the same time. is there anything out there that does this and doesnt break the bank? or am i asking for too much? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you are... first my new aftermarket stereo that has a USB input doesn't read the MP3 files off my S4 because the S4 doesn't have a mass storage option when you connect to USB. My old Droid Razr Maxx did have this function, so the stereo would see my SD card as storage. I don't think it's possible for a stock stereo to read the MP3's through USB if it's not a factory built-in feature.
What you need is an aux input and you can play music through your phone's app.
If your stock stereo doesn't have any type of aux input then you need to get a wired FM modulator. It gives you a powered isolated (no alternator noise while charging) input that connects in-line with your FM antenna. This is your best option for playing music from your phone to your older stock stereo.
http://www.amazon.com/Scosche-FM-MOD02-Universal-Modulator-Satellite/dp/B001QBG614
With that being said, for $150 I bought a new stereo with Bluetooth, aux, and USB input from Crutchfield and it came with free shipping, adapter kit, wiring harness, and instructions. I can also change songs and Pandora channels while streaming BT from the stereo
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130X700BT/Pioneer-FH-X700BT.html?tp=5684
I still have my old wired FM modulator hooked up behind my dash, not being used I just forgot to take it out when I put in my new stereo a few weeks ago.
nice radio. my car has a single din, otherwise id go for an in-dash double din that can play dvd's.
this is what came with my car when i bought it. ipod adapter.lolz
http://blitzsafe.com/catalog/audi/audi-/-m-link1-v-1b/prod_111.html
this plugs in to the back of the radio and plays in the stock cd changer mode, not fm frequency.
if used with apple, it would charge wile playing, but not the case when using a 3.5mm headphone jack.
i had the female ipod to 3.5mm adapter so i can use it on my android, but the ipod cable that attaches to the interface broke. so im just looking for other options.
they have this, 8 pin mini din to female rca cable, then i can do male rca to 3.5mm adapter to get my android to work.
http://blitzsafe.com/catalog/universal/8-pin-mini-to-rca/prod_285.html
trying to figure out how i can play music and charge at the same time without using the damn cigarette lighter. i would probably need, if they even make them, and if it would even work, is male rca to 3.5mm jack and male micro usb
OK, AFAIK, playing music and charging at the same time isn't possible with a single standard Micro USB cable. Now, that said, I have a different setup that lets me do this when i drive. I bought the iBolt car dock for Samsung phones. it comes with a split cable that is Micro USB on one end and then splits into regular USB and AUX-Out on the other end. Connect the phone into the dock, then the AUX out into the radio (radio needs and Aux In) and finally the regular USB into the charger port. Also, make sure your Dock settings are turned on in Settings/Accessory.
Works pretty well for me and i have used it with S#m S4, Note 2 and Note 3. Doesn't work with S5 running stock ROM.
I know you were looking for a solution that did not need the cigarette lighter, but I hope this helps.
for the life of me I cant find male rca on one side that splits to a micro usb and 3.5mm headphone jack. I bet thats probably not even made. lol.
GrapeBandit said:
for the life of me I cant find male rca on one side that splits to a micro usb and 3.5mm headphone jack. I bet thats probably not even made. lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
does your car stereo have an Aux in for the 3.5 headphones? if so i see tons of micro usb to 3.5mm adapters available for cheap cheap, wont charge your phone though... thought about wireless charging dock for your car? they're around and kinda cheap. i charge my S4 all the time wirelessly even in my truck. also they do have apapter plugs around that you have to mount into your car ?(pulling out the radio and hooking either into the head unit or jumping the wires there. That'll give you both the usb and aux adapter
i just typed into Ebay mhl to RCA and you will get way better results
edit #2 this is from ebay micro usb to audio out, but once again cannot charge (limitations of electronics and stereos)http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-3-5mm-Micro-USB-Aux-Car-Audio-Cable-Adapter-Connector-For-Samsung-S3-S4-HTC-/251577813190?pt=US_Cell_Phone_PDA_Cables_Adapters&hash=item3a9334c8c6
FordNate said:
does your car stereo have an Aux in for the 3.5 headphones? if so i see tons of micro usb to 3.5mm adapters available for cheap cheap, wont charge your phone though... thought about wireless charging dock for your car? they're around and kinda cheap. i charge my S4 all the time wirelessly even in my truck. also they do have apapter plugs around that you have to mount into your car ?(pulling out the radio and hooking either into the head unit or jumping the wires there. That'll give you both the usb and aux adapter
i just typed into Ebay mhl to RCA and you will get way better results
edit #2 this is from ebay micro usb to audio out, but once again cannot charge (limitations of electronics and stereos)http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-3-5mm-Micro-USB-Aux-Car-Audio-Cable-Adapter-Connector-For-Samsung-S3-S4-HTC-/251577813190?pt=US_Cell_Phone_PDA_Cables_Adapters&hash=item3a9334c8c6
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a 8 pin mini din plug that I can hook a 3.5mm headphone jack to. adapter for that is like $5 lol
but that doesnt help for charging lol
so with that said, the car came with iphone/ipod cable that hooked into that 8 pin mini din plug, and that plays music and charges an apple product at the same time. dont have, never had, and never will have an apple product though
While this isn't really what you're asking for, IIRC Pioneers App Radio double din deck allows this... But it is going to break the bank, and from the reviews I remember reading a couple years ago it's not worth the $. I think they're on their 2nd or 3rd gen of this deck now though so maybe it has gotten better.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
jeren17 said:
While this isn't really what you're asking for, IIRC Pioneers App Radio double din deck allows this... But it is going to break the bank, and from the reviews I remember reading a couple years ago it's not worth the $. I think they're on their 2nd or 3rd gen of this deck now though so maybe it has gotten better.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
trying to keep the stock look in my car, I think it looks good. factory bose system, but its only a single din tape deck...lol
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GrapeBandit said:
im looking for something to connect to the back of my stock radio in my Audi thats plays music and charges at the same time. is there anything out there that does this and doesnt break the bank? or am i asking for too much? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have recently installed a Fusion CA-ML650BT 'Mechless' Head Unit in my 1994 model Mazda Astina. It has no moving parts, simply because it does not have a CD player. Not that it needs one, when I can plug in a USB flash drive full of MP3's, or my iPod, or connect my Galaxy i9505 to it via Bluetooth. I got it on special at an auto parts store for AU$99.00, but their regular retail price is AU$149.00.
What I want to know is, why do you want to keep the car's standard stereo? If you've got an Audi, then why haven't you got a couple of hundred dollars to get yourself a good single-DIN head unit? There is a huge range of single-DIN head units on the market, even those which slide out a large screen for you to watch movies on and also connect to a 'reversing camera' for extra safety.
These days, you don't need a CD player in your car, and I challenge anyone to prove to me why you do. Oh, and don't say, "So I can play DVD's on a 2-DIN screen!", because apps like MX Player and Neutron can stream video via BT into a head unit that accepts such streaming protocols (Alpine, Clarion, JVC and Sony already have such units in their range). The music you've got on compact disc can be converted to MP3 quite easily on a PC, and the top-ranked Android 'media player' apps play almost every standard format of audio and video.
For the latest music, you simply install into your computer a 'Youtube Downloader', then convert the music video you've grabbed to MP3 and you're off and running. Next step, buy a high-capacity Class 10 MicroSD card for your phone - eBay's the cheapest place for them - and fill it with those MP3's. Once you've got that, you 'pair' your phone with the head unit in your car, select 'BT-Audio' as the input source, set the phone's music player to 'Shuffle' and away you go. If you're listening to a song and think, "Urgh, I don't want to hear that now", you simply click the => button on your car stereo and it chooses another at random. With a i9505, you can even play music via Bluetooth while running a navigation app., and the music volume will drop while the GPS guy (or girl) says, "Turn left here!" The other great feature is, if you're driving around (with your phone connected to the stereo via BT) and get a phone call, the head unit will automatically shut off the music, answer the phone for you and you'll hear the caller's voice through your car stereo speakers.
With an increasing number of governments across the world introducing laws restricting mobile phone use whilst driving, these 'hands-free' systems are definitely a good thing, and also worth investing in to lessen the chance of the Police handing you a penalty notice. A bit of shopping around will get you a quality brand head unit at a good price. JVC, Fusion, Clarion, Kenwood, Alpine and Sony are the best manufacturers, they all have 'mechless' head units in their range and eBay is a great place to start your search.
Hope that helps you decide that a move to what is fast becoming standard equipment in vehicles everywhere is worth saving your pennies for...
GrapeBandit said:
I have a 8 pin mini din plug that I can hook a 3.5mm headphone jack to. adapter for that is like $5 lol
but that doesnt help for charging lol
so with that said, the car came with iphone/ipod cable that hooked into that 8 pin mini din plug, and that plays music and charges an apple product at the same time. dont have, never had, and never will have an apple product though
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8 pin mini din plug to micro usb adapter or get a OTG cable and then a usb to ipoo (sorry 8 pin mini female cord).. mice AUDI though. i use BT in my truck. i just picked up one of those BT receivers and when i need to charge i just plug in with a cord to the aux/cigarette lighter., phone sits on my lap or under my leg and io use GoneMad or PowerAmp with Viper4Android and its all smooth
FordNate said:
8 pin mini din plug to micro usb adapter or get a OTG cable and then a usb to ipoo (sorry 8 pin mini female cord).. mice AUDI though. i use BT in my truck. i just picked up one of those BT receivers and when i need to charge i just plug in with a cord to the aux/cigarette lighter., phone sits on my lap or under my leg and io use GoneMad or PowerAmp with Viper4Android and its all smooth
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thanks! I love my audi's lol...have 2 right now and my 5th overall...I figured out what im going to do since we cant play music through our usb let alone charge and play music through usb at the same time. I will eventually get a mechless head unit like Shotty said, they can be had for cheap. I would probably play music through BT. I dont want to use a plug in car charger through the cigarette lighter outlet, so im going to hard wire in a 4post usb outlet under my center console to come out behind the e-brake handle. it will be a 12v to 5v 2amp unit, with 4 usb ports. they are cheap and I can do the wiring myself.
question, how is the quality of the music through BT? is it a digital quality or sub-standard like hooking up to play through my 3.5mm headphone jack?
GrapeBandit said:
thanks! I love my audi's lol...have 2 right now and my 5th overall...I figured out what im going to do since we cant play music through our usb let alone charge and play music through usb at the same time. I will eventually get a mechless head unit like Shotty said, they can be had for cheap. I would probably play music through BT. I dont want to use a plug in car charger through the cigarette lighter outlet, so im going to hard wire in a 4post usb outlet under my center console to come out behind the e-brake handle. it will be a 12v to 5v 2amp unit, with 4 usb ports. they are cheap and I can do the wiring myself.
question, how is the quality of the music through BT? is it a digital quality or sub-standard like hooking up to play through my 3.5mm headphone jack?
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In my 2009 Ranger I'm running a month old Pioneer head unit that pushes 50W x 4 to the speakers and to a Bazooka tube. the BT dongle/receiver is a class 2 receiver (i didnt realize our phones were class 4 till way later), but i notice a quality issue as compared to just running a wire. yes i still have the wire as back up but my audio profiles through V4A are just a bit different. BT seems more robust and louder with the music while the wire is ok, but the earphone plug can get dirty and sound is compromised.. the wire i seem to have to turn up the volume on the head unit just a little more (although slightly) for siiliar quality, tested without V4A installed as well as installed and with 3 players (GoneMad, PowerAmp, and Playerpro all paid versions). only problem so far i've encountered is i have to keep the dongle plugged into power all the time for it to push into my stereo, but it was $13 off ebay so i knew something might be wrong of course.
I was looking for a Pioneer unit with BT built in but nothing fit my budget at the time (Pioneer is known to fit Ford exactly with no size conflict and great sound)
GrapeBandit said:
I will eventually get a mechless head unit like Shotty said, they can be had for cheap.
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Good idea, for not just music but the ability to make and receive phone calls hands-free.
I would probably play music through BT. Question, how is the quality of the music through BT? Is it a digital quality or sub-standard like hooking up to play through my 3.5mm headphone jack?
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It's exactly the same output quality as what you'd hear through a very good set of headphones. If you use the Samsung headphones that came with your device, you will hear poor quality sound no matter what it is. BT streams exactly what is being played, without any loss of sound quality, so it then depends on what the music player does to 'enhance' the track, and also the quality of the track itself. A song ripped from a CD as a 128kbps 22100Hz stereo MP3 sounds nowhere near as good as that same song from the same CD ripped as a 24bit 96000Hz *.FLAC. PowerAMP and Neutron play *.FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) files, and direct stream them in all their glory and pure clarity to the BT receiver. It's then a case of having good quality speakers to reproduce that sound. Every stereo system on the planet is only as good as the speakers they're feeding sound to. You can have a $10,000 receiver+amplifier system but listening to that system through $10 speakers is a waste.
I don't want to use a plug in car charger through the cigarette lighter outlet, so I'm going to hard wire in a 4post usb outlet under my center console to come out behind the e-brake handle. it will be a 12v to 5v 2amp unit, with 4 usb ports. they are cheap and I can do the wiring myself.
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From an auto-electrician's point of view, do that off the cigarette lighter circuit, which will give you a 15A fused loop. Simplest way to do that is to splice in a new female cigarette lighter socket - behind the center console - off the main wiring harness leading to the existing lighter. Then plug an in-car micro USB charger into that female socket, wrap electrical tape around it to insulate and secure the connection, then run the charger lead out from behind the center console near a point where you situate the phone cradle/holder.
All of this is quite simple to do, if you don't go looking for the most complex solution.
Hi guys, hope I'm posting this in the correct section
I have a Ford Mondeo MK4 and bought an Android navigation for it. The navigation is this, or very similar to it (it's an older version, i bought it about 2 years ago). It comes with Android 8.1, 1 GB RAM and 16 GB storage.
Anyways, the amplified sound that comes from it it's not that good compared to the original multimedia system from Ford (not a Sony one, the standard one but still it sounded better).
So, I want to amplify the sound externally, from a car amplifier, specifically Sony XMN1004. I found out that this is a great way to improve your sound and it's decent price convinced me..
The question is: is it possible to amplify the sound from the Android navigation with this amplifier? Can I connect it to the Android navigation? Has anybody done that and has a tutorial, or a recommendation on how to do it? I mean, I think it is not that hard. I noticed that the Android navigation has some RCA cables to connect to the amplifier, but is it like a plug and play operation, or do I need anything else?
Also, forgot to mention that I changed my 4 main speakers (one for each door) with these ones: Hertz UNO X165 (55 W each). They could do much better than they are doing now only with the Android navigation. I know that because i made a speaker out of them with a ~100W board amplifier and it sounds very good. But, I also have a tweeter on each door, would I be able to use them too? I don't know exactly what and where is the filter responsible for the higher frequencies sent to those tweeters, but if they are like on the doors, and then from that filter there are only 2 cables (+ and - ) going on to the Android navigation, than I will have 4 pairs of main speakers + tweeters (one main and one tweeter from each door) going into the Amplifier..
What is your opinion?
Thank you very much!
Well, that's not an FYT, so your question is in the wrong thread.
Still, you can attach the RCA out to an amp, and let the amplifier do the crossover to the tweeters.
Also need to attach the amplifier power signal from the head unit