NON-IPOD MP3 Integration

That sounds cool, and is something I would love to have as well. Don't know anything about the product though....Would the stereo software be able to recognize the play list from this? Anyone else with usefull info?

If you try this, please post your results...

 

I am not familiar with this device but I'd guess that it simply reads the MP3 files out of the player and plays them with its own hardware, not the audio hardware of the MP3 player. Thus you could use an MP3 player or a USB flash stick.

You'd need to make sure that your MP3 player allows direct access to the MP3 files via USB. Also, I doubt it would read/understand the player's playlists and such.

 

It looks like this would work with playlists based on folders (that's how my CD player works when I make MP3 CDs) if you're using a flash drive.

I wonder if this would work if you don't have a changer but just have the single CD player that plays MP3s and WMAs.

Does anyone have any ideas?

 

I owned one of these xcarlink adapters for my Lexus IS200 and was very impressed with it.

When I changed my car to a UK 2005 Prius T4 I wanted the same feature, so based on my previous good experience with the xcarlink plus the fact that my JBL headunit doesn't support MP3s on CD, I bought an xcarlink adapter with the right connector.

I got it on Saturday and fitted it the same day.

It doesn't work.

It fits the 12-pin external autochanger plug and when you power on the car you see the USB stick get power and flash to show the xcarlink adapter has cataloged the mp3's on the stick, but when I try and switch to the 2nd cd player from the dash/wheel controls the head unit refuses to take notice of it. It briefly pauses to consider it, but then just switches over to radio.

This leads me in to my second problem. I bought the interface from xcarlink direct an their support appears to be a bit rubbish. They are only communicable via email and I consider myself lucky if i get a response from the only person they seem to have answering emails within 24 hours.

I'll let you know how I get on in due course.

 

I did some digging online for those of us that have a CD/MP3 player but not a changer and it looks like you can probably create a folder on the thumb drive called CD01 and that may work but that would be it.

I also thought that maybe you could add subfolders under CD01 like you can add to MP3 CDs but apparently this won't work.

Oh well, I still love my car!

Beth

 

Will MP3 text be displayed when using xcarlink like it would be on a regular MP3 CD for those of us with radios that have that feature? Also, how many MP3 files maximum would each folder hold? Thanks!

P.S. I own a 2006 Prius with standard audio system

 

I don't know about MP3 text. My headunit supports CD Text but not MP3s.

You can create CD01 - CD10 or CD12 directories (depending on how many autochanger slots your head unit will account for) and populate each directory with up to 99 mp3s.

I'm still awaiting resolution from xcarlink. I had a response on Tuesday which read, "There will be a slight delay in response to your email as the person who deals with our technical support is out of the office until this Friday 15th August. Please be assured that your message is important to us and will be answered as soon as possible."

Their definition of "slight" is clearly flawed. I continue to wait with decreasing patience.

 

Well, Xcarlink say "[I have] consulted with our technicians, and Xcarlink has not yet been tested with this head unit, so it is most likely a compatibility issue."

So that's that. They've offered me a refund.

Looks like I'll have to buy a Dice and an iPod after all.

 

? so you can only place 99 numbers in a total of only 10 cd maps
and you wil only see "track 7 cd 2 " and not the track name's etc

shame i wanted this it s cheap option

 

Some head units will take 12 disc autochangers, so you head unit is the only thing limiting how many CD?? dirs you can have. 1188 mp3s is not a shabby number.

No idea if it supports mp3->text.

Doesn't work anyway, so steer clear. Will let you have an update once my new Dice & iPod show up...

 

ok I bought an 8Gb nano v2 and a Dice. Fitted them the other day and both work brilliantly first time.

The dice even shows the playlist / artist / track names!

xcarlink have taken my adapter back and given me a full refund.

job done.

 

I feel silly. But I got the wife a iphone. and we went on vacation and used an FM tranmitter for a long trip. The Prius is her car. Could I have accessed the AUX port on a standard prius 05? Since it is her car, I don't have access to it most of the time. And it has the standard CD no changer, no backup camera. so i am assuming I have the standard harness.

She does not care to have to VIDEO integration yet, just she hates having the FM screw up her listening. But would like audio into the speakers. Any one help with a picture or where to find or get to the AUX in?

Since the Prius is HER car I don't have access to it all the time and just have not looked for the AUX in. So have not even tried to look.

 

@whk.wang, the AUX would be in the center console in the front. Sounds like you might have a base model and your doesn't have the AUX input though.

 

Rats. I am pretty sure it is the base model, we got the Prius used.

I was hoping there was a AUX input in the back of the radio that had, oh silly me, RCA plugs that I could just add in her iphone by bringing the cable to the front and then all she has to do is get in the car. Turn on the car. Plug her iphone into the audio jack hit play and start driving.

but I think the only way to fix this is to add a Dice or something like that?

Come on guys. I am looking for simple, but better then FM, we have too many stations in the 88-89 FM range and that was the the FM adapter I have. I may have to try a new verison of the FM tunner adapter, but was hoping to try asking about this first.

 

@whk.wang: Check this thread: http://priuschat.com/forums/audio-electronics/51699-diy-aux-in-base-prii-under-100-a.html

However, I would do the Dice or Vais or something like that. The extra $$$ is worth it when you consider it charges it and allows you to control it from the MFD.

Make sure you check things out up front though as I think they are just recently coming out with products which support the iPhone.

 

Hi all, I'm here representing Grom Audio.
We build integration devices for many car makes. I see people using our ipod devices and I will try my best to answer any questions/issues you might have.
As of non ipod integration. We are offering USB stick/harddrive integration now. No text yet but should be later this week. We will also implement folder/file browsing and possibly album/artist/genre via special PC program.
Hope you will like it !