Hard Disk MP3 Units - Advice Please

[Charger_Pete]

Sorry if this has been covered before but i have searched the forums and not much was thrown up.

I am considering purchasing / installing an MP3 hard disk unit and before I part with the £'s i would like some feedback from anyone who has installed one. I saw a Denison DMP3 unit installed in the CoolNewMini at a recent show and i was most impressed. Could anyone tell me

a) What connections does the unit require? Does it need a Connects2 kit or Blitzsafe?

b) Will it plug into the phantom AUX IN input at the back of 2003 MY BOOST radio's?

c) Will i have to search through 3000 songs in order to find the one i want or is there a directory structure that sorts the MP3's.

Again, appologies if this has been asked before, any feedback is much appreciated.

Cheers

[paulmon]

All you questions depend on which MP3 HD unit you go with. I've read some good things regarding Kenwood's "MusicKeg" which has a removable HD that "docks" to your home PC. However with this you need a Kenwood headunit. Check it out all the same here:

http://www.kenwoodusa.com/product/pr...productId=2474

Cheers,

Paul

[Dom]

I've been running an Mstation for about 6 months now... haven't had any problems, is easy to use, but it uses an AUX in port... it comes with an FM modulator to use through the radio but that limits sound quality

Dom

[dogzdinner]

The Dension DMP3 is a much slicker solution for the Mini than either of the other two units because it integrates completely with the Boost Headunit.

I have one installed and there is nothing better than being able to use the MFSW buttons!

There are two kits available for the mini depending on whether or not you had the prewired changer cables installed but if you speak to Lee at www.ihavetohave.it he will ensure you get the right one!

I also have one installed in my wife's Astra Convertible connected up to a Sony HU that works with the MFSW and it too works flawlessly!

Cheers,

Tom...

[chiph]

I had a look at the shopping site you mentioned - What's the satellite display they're talking about, and how did you/could you integrate that into your MINI's interior?

I guess I'm asking for a photo or two.

Chip H.

[dogzdinner]

This was mounted on a Dashmount bracket and is only really a display for what is playing, etc...

Obviously if you don't have a phone kit it becomes a lot simpler!

The mount costs £14.95 from www.dashmount.co.uk and means you don't leave any screw holes behind!

The only other thing which you may need is a ground loop isolator (about £15-20 from any good car stereo shop) to take out any engine noise from the phono adapter that the changer lead plugs into.

Cheers,

Tom...

[dogzdinner]

Here we go!

[chiph]

Cool! Thanks for the pic. So the satellite unit is a remote display, and the hard drive/main unit gets stashed under a seat, or perhaps in one of the storage holes in the boot?

Chip H.

[dogzdinner]

I've got mine in one of the cubby holes in the boot where the CD autochanger prewired lead was.

Cheers,

Tom...

[coma]

Take A Look at this unit from sony
http://www.letsbuycaraudio.com/main....=2&product=472

[oldnell]

Coma, that design was what I was thinking they should do. Seeing as so many stereos have flip-out or detachable face-plates, they should mount a 2.5" HDD (laptop size) in the head-unit. That way, it's cost-effective, you don't have any extra flappy displays and you get the full track-name/artist-name display. Also, it ends any compatibility problems and gets rid of the need for Blitzsafe boxes and the like.

The only catch is the "all for only £850" statement. That's certainly more than I'd want to pay. I wouldn't pay more than £450 for that, nice though it is.

[chiph]

The Sony unit is indeed very cool looking. But it only comes with a 16gb hard drive, and I'd lose the MFSW functionality. On the plus side, it'd probably sound better than going through the factory head unit.

Chip H.

[KJ_daGreenMini]

when i was a member on the ffoc.co.uk forums, someone showed me a pic of a 20gb ipod connected to the digital input at the back of thier cd player head unit, and they kept a spare jack in the ash tray. . they also made a custom holder for it, just like a moby holder, and when you leave the car, you just unplug the ipod. must look up the pic.

[addman]

No experience of a DMP3, but thought I'd tip in an alternative...

I'm having a Sony MP30 in my Cooper when it arrives late March. We've already got one in our other car. This unit will play CDs (and CD-RWs) full of MP3s, so about 12 albums at a time.

Although it lacks the storage capacity of the HD-based ones, the low price of CDs makes it a cost and space effective alternative.

Besides, I need the space where you'd mount the control panel for the DMP3 for my iPaq/Navman GPS unit

Drive safe y'all.

[adscan]

for dogzdinner

can you post some more pics of your setup. I am interested in this kit and wondered where the hard drive is located.
cheers