MP3 HeadUnits

[frostproof]

I guess there are a lot of folks on here with the Kenwood mp3 capable Head Units... (duh)

Anybody else using other HU's with mp3 support?

Specifically I'm wondering which ones have the best user interface?

For instance if I have a cd with 200 mp3s on it, the I'd like to organize them into folders (by catagory HipHop, DrumNBass, etc or by album)

Do any of the newer mp3 players recognize the folder directory structure so that you can navigate to you hip hop folder and then pick the mp3?

I played with some of the first HU's to support mp3 discs at BestBuy and for the most part they all seemed to stack all mp3s on the disc in alphabetical order.

Not really effective with a cd that has a couple hundred tracks and you just want to listen to reggae!

any thoughts,

=fp

 

[NYCZMP3]

u can do it wit my car the 919 is what i have...but i still haveyet to have the time an patiencts for that

 

[hihoslva]

I have Kenwood MP8017 in my P5 - decent deck, and I love MP3!

The folder structure/directory navigation is the biggest shortcoming of ALL MP3 decks right now, IMO. There really is no good way to navigate, unfortunately:

*You can name folders, but they don't always display correctly.
*Even if you get to the correct folder, finding tracks can be a pain, even with the ID3 tags - every deck I've ever seen doesn't display the tag until the track loads, so it's more of a gimmick than a true navigation tool. You cant just keep skipping tracks only looking at the names until you get what you want. By the time the name displays, the track is playing.
*Many (but not all, I think) decks cannot random play across folders - only within a folder. I think some can, but the majority cannot.
*Having so much music on one disc without good navigation is tough - basically, I try to organize my discs as best I can, and learn the order of folders and albums, so I can get what I want whenever.

I was going to upgrade my HU, but I think I will wait - I have a feeling that a truly user-friendly interface is the next logical step in MP3 car audio - the navigation needs to catch up to the technology. A windows-style folder view would be great, but can be a lot to handle at 70 MPH .

I'm not sure how the audio companies should tackle this issue, but I'm sure they've got people working on it. Guess I'll have to keep myself from buying that schweet Pioneer for a while at least....

~HH

 

[frostproof]

thanks for the info.... it seems that they've moved along a bit since I last played with them.. At least you have folder structure being recognized..

I understand that you can't get the Tag info until the track loads, but what do you get as you are browsing...? Does it at least show file name or something? I could probably deal with that.

=fp

p.s. (This could be a whole nother post, but...)

with all of these $1400 head units and advanced car audio gear it kind of amazes me that most of the displays and User interfaces are marginal at best and look like they were made on a Lite Brite. What gives with that. Now I'm seeing these nicer radio with dope screens that can display pictures, and nice high end audio features, but no mp3 capability.... (rant)

sorry I'm a graphic designer... It frustrates me. If anyone out there works for Alpine... the LCD fold out is cool, but give me (or some other designer) a ring when you're ready to develop the UI!!!! no more atari graphics!! (rant) (rant)

 

[hihoslva]

I understand that you can't get the Tag info until the track loads, but what do you get as you are browsing...? Does it at least show file name or something? I could probably deal with that.

They all work differently, but mine displays the track number within the folder, as well as the "heirarchy" number - like folders within folders have a number, etc. It's reasonably useful, but no more so than the track number displayed for a regular CD.

Now I'm seeing these nicer radio with dope screens that can display pictures, and nice high end audio features, but no mp3 capability....

Well, you need to take a long look at this Pioneer:

The DEH-P9400MP. Awesome display, very good functions and controls, dedicated sub output with level control, 13 band EQ - and the long list ends with MP3 and WMA capability. If I gave in and bought a new deck, this would be the one for sure. I played around with one, and it is very nice. Check it out for yourself at Crutchfield .

Pricey, but really nice.

And I'm glad to see someone agrees with me that ease-of-use, display, and navigation (especially with MP3s) needs to step up! I've been crying about this crap for years it seems. One day......

~HH

 

[frostproof]

that pioneer is pretty tidy .. a small diamond in the rough... they make good stuff....

keep in mind that for the price of that radio you could get a nice, tight little computer that plays dvds, has a video output, a nice soundcard with RCA/digital outs, and can hold say 80 gigs of mp3's

(... and I'm sure you know everything else that a computer can do)

But the point being is that in a car your looking to play music. Maybe a DVD.

It just seems lik the Car Audio industry hasn't really merged with the computer industry yet.


I have some ideas that are so do-able and would turn the 'traditional Car Head Unit style' on it's ear..

just would take a couple of computer techs, and some crafty interior folks.

Anyone out there?

= fp

 

[Hawk]

I think the JVC decks will do what you want. As long as you name your folders 01_Hip Hop, 02_whatever, you can go directly to folders 1-6.

Oh, and a good site for this info is:

http://www.highwaymp3.com

 

[ChopstickHero]

i have the Pioneer Premier DEH-840MP MP3 player, and yes it recognizes folder structures so you don't have to scroll through a hundreds of songs.

 

[MP3-TV]

The DEH-P9400MP. Awesome display, very good functions and controls, dedicated sub output with level control, 13 band EQ - and the long list ends with MP3 and WMA capability. If I gave in and bought a new deck, this would be the one for sure. I played around with one, and it is very nice. Check it out for yourself at Crutchfield .

Pricey, but really nice.


~HH

yea Crutchfield is outrageously priced...if you are looking for any in-dash cd-players, headrest tv's, or any other car electronice...go to www.etronics.com i have found some of the best prices there, usually 100-150 cheaper than anyhing that crutchfield can come up with. the DEH-9400mp at Crutchfield = $799 at etronics = $518!!!!!

 

[hihoslva]

...if you are looking for any in-dash cd-players, headrest tv's, or any other car electronice...go to www.etronics.com

OMG - PLEASE do not buy from eTronics!! This internet retailer has some of the WORST customer ratings on the net - serious borderline fraud - I kid you not.

They have something like 70 complaints to the BBB in like the past TWO YEARS or something - that is an outrageous number - and think of all the people who got screwed and didn't complain to the BBB.

Before you buy, use PriceScan.com or something. You will usually find eTronics at the top of the list with the best prices - then read some of the reviews of them - you will find some very serious horror stories. Low prices are useless if you don't get what you paid for.

Maybe you had good experiences - consider yourself lucky. Buying from them is a crap-shoot, and I will never purchase anything from ETronics.com. I'd advise people to do the same. retailers like this do not need to be kept in business by unsuspecting consumers - be warned, and stay away.

~HH

 

[MP3-TV]

I HAVE heard horror stories about etronics..but I have never had a problem with them, i have ordered about 5 diff things from them with no problem. Sorry you had a problem, I was just pointing out the price difference. You should always do research on the seller when you buy

 

[hihoslva]

I've never ordered from etronics - because of the horror stories.

I'm glad you have good experinces with them - consider yourself lucky I guess.

I was just warning anyone thinkin of buying to read up on them first.

~HH

 

[Hawk]

yeah, um, www.autotoys.com is pretty darn cheap, but the customer service is questionable too.

I didn't have any problems, and the forum was semi-helpful...so I don't know...but the unit I bought was cheaper here than etronics.