Why dont car stereo manufacturers design stereos with an internal hdd?

[jtvang125]

I don't see how hard this can be.
1. Mount a laptop hdd within the chassis.
2. Create a simple yet easy to use interface like on an Ipod.
3. Have a usb port to transfer all your music over.
4. ...
5. Profit!

 

[Aikouka]

The Infiniti G35 has this option if you get the in-dash Navigation system.

 

[iamwiz82]

Chrysler has this as an option. It's called MyGig

 

[markgm]

ssi-america came out with a hard drive based mp3 player for cars around 2000. I think they still sell them.

Edit: Yep, they do.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v...ls/0,,2076_310069681_295632461,00.html

 

[Kaervak]

The probable reason most of them don't is a 3.5mm aux input jack is far easier/cheaper/faster to implement. That way the customer can upgrade capacity, switch players and isn't locked into what's in the dash.

 

[nakedfrog]

Some time last year (twice, even) Woot.com had a setup that consisted of a 20GB HDD for your car, the head unit, and a piece that went inside that you could set up to use WiFi to update the music collection on your car's HDD.

 

[austin316]

Originally posted by: Kaervak
The probable reason most of them don't is a 3.5mm aux input jack is far easier/cheaper/faster to implement. That way the customer can upgrade capacity, switch players and isn't locked into what's in the dash.

For the win. And if you want to see the artist / song on the screen, many iPod connectors will do this.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: Kaervak
The probable reason most of them don't is a 3.5mm aux input jack is far easier/cheaper/faster to implement. That way the customer can upgrade capacity, switch players and isn't locked into what's in the dash.

The funny thing is that almost 15 years ago, Mitsubishi had these in the first generation or two of Eclipses and then they dropped it. Nobody else did it.

And now it's being marketed as the next best thing since sliced bread. I can't believe that it has taken this long to make a comeback as a fairly common featured item.

 

[imported_cheapdude]

The Mark Levinson system in my wife's lexus has a HDD, but only about 8gb of space because the HDD is shared with navigation.

 

[chimmytime]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v...ls/0,,2076_310069681_295632461,00.html

my friend has one of these, but its still a bit clunky in the interface.

 

[jtvang125]

Originally posted by: chimmytime

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v...ls/0,,2076_310069681_295632461,00.html

my friend has one of these, but its still a bit clunky in the interface.

Also IIRC you can't copy your own mp3s straight over. You have to rip the files from a store bought CD (CD-Rs not supported) into its own proprietary format.:thumbsdown:

 

[Tiamat]

harddrives dont like bumps. If, you want embedded memory, a solid-state alternative would be more robust in terms of durability.

 

[Electric Amish]

Ok, so now you have a gi-normous HDD in the dash....how do you get the files on it?

 

[SparkyJJO]

HD in the dash, good idea.

WHAM! oops hit a pothole... crap HD crashed

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: Electric Amish
Ok, so now you have a gi-normous HDD in the dash....how do you get the files on it?

wireless internet

 

[preslove]

I bought a $99 sony head unit with an aux-in on the face, which I use with my 20 gig mp3 player. IMO, an aux-in and mp3 player combo is much nicer because you can take the mp3 player with you, transfer your files from your desk instead of in the car, & you can upgrade you mp3 player more easily than replacing the car stereo's hd.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: Electric Amish
Ok, so now you have a gi-normous HDD in the dash....how do you get the files on it?

The same way you get them on your desktop PC...pop in a CD and rip.

I don't know how it works if you pop in a data disk already in a compressed format...I'd assume it would just copy them to the local drive.

 

[markgm]

Originally posted by: Tiamat
harddrives dont like bumps. If, you want embedded memory, a solid-state alternative would be more robust in terms of durability.

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO
HD in the dash, good idea.

WHAM! oops hit a pothole... crap HD crashed

I've had a car computer for 3 years and the hard drive hasn't had any issues. It's lasted longer than some of my desktop drives have.

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: Tiamat

Originally posted by: Electric Amish
Ok, so now you have a gi-normous HDD in the dash....how do you get the files on it?

wireless internet

Ok, so now we need a Wireless NIC + drivers in the stereo

The same way you get them on your desktop PC...pop in a CD and rip.

Ok, so basically we are advocating putting a computer in the dash.

If you are going to rip from the CD, won't you need ripping software along with an interface and codecs?

If you already have everything on your PC, do you want to re-rip everything onto the car stereo?