MP3 Stereo Confusion

08-12-2001, 08:46 PM

RPalka

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I am always seeing stuff about an MP3 headunit. Does that mean that is just able to play CD-RW discs? What exactly is it? I have about 500 mp3's and i'm looking for a system that will hold all of them (maybe on a hard-drive like thing that lies in the trunk or something). Can anyone clarify this for me and tell me what my options are?

Thanks
RJP

08-12-2001, 09:05 PM

kaniksu

Senior Member

Join Date: Apr 2001

Posts: 124

An MP3 headunit is just a cd player that can read cdr and cdrw discs and can deconde mp3's from them. Kenwood came out with one awhile back that was in the 600$ pricerange but I think I saw one from Aiwa in crutchfield that was in the 300$ range. I know someone who has the Aiwa and loves it.

Alec

08-12-2001, 10:54 PM

97GreenMax

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Join Date: Feb 2001

Posts: 850

I have a Sony MP3 head unit, it plays mp3 cd's i make off a computer. A hold about 140 songs avg on a 700mb cd.

08-13-2001, 01:45 AM

OgreDave

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Ive got the Kenwood z828 (the $600 one) .. they have a cheaper one for about $300. KDCMP8017 .. it doesnt have the more powerful preouts, and only has 2 instead of 3.

Whatever you do, try not to buy the aiwa one.. so many people complain about that one, its silly..

08-13-2001, 02:50 AM

24KP-I-M-P

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Join Date: Jul 2001

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if you want one that can hold all of your songs try the rio mp3 player for your car has around 6gb i think
www.riohome.com

08-13-2001, 05:10 AM

Mishmosh

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I have the AIWA CDC-MP3 and I see a few on this board with it also. Although great for a first gen product, the thing skips way too much. It also likes one CDR brand over another despite being "CDR/W compatible." It also does not appear to have any electronic shock protection. Lastly, it comes with a steering wheel remote, but the sensor on the head unit is way over to the right--like it is still made for right-side-driving like in Japan. I think it is now $260 though.

AIWA is part or wholly owned by SONY but I believe SONY doesn't want to deal with the whole controversial MP3 issue, seeing as they have SONY MUSIC too. I don't see them with an MP3 player until the format is legit. I think people are still waiting to see if MP3 is even viable as a medium, and if it can become something more than a vehicle for copyright infringement. Nevertheless, there a few more MP3 car headunit alternatives. Get a Crutchfield catalog. Rockford Fosgate has one now. I think Jensen has one, and maybe a couple more others. It is definitely nice for grouping music on one CD. To get 130 songs or so, I need to have them 128kbps though.

08-13-2001, 06:06 AM

Mishmosh

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SONY

Quote:

Originally posted by Mishmosh
I don't see them with an MP3 player until the format is legit.

Looks like I am behind the times. I see 97GreenMax has one and perusing the Crutchfield catalog verifies it. Xplod series $399.

In any case, get one that displays the song/file name. That is a thing of beauty to be able to ID a song, the second best feature behind having 100+ songs per CD.