[Biturbos4] [s4] Re: board down ?

[John Marshall Harrison]

Sounds (literally) very cool.  Does the PhatBox permit you use pretty
much any audio compression format?  Is the ripping procedure
"proprietary" in the sense that you don't treat it as just a hard drive
with files copied onto it (requires a proprietary sort of cataloging as
with the iPod devices)?  One of my geek friends on campus says there is
an Audi interface for the iPods that uses the factory radio to navigate
much like you describe the PhatBox.  I'm also curious if there is an
interface for PocketPC PDAs that might allow the same sort of navigation
via the factory sound system.

Also looked at a Kenwood in-dash head unit with a nice little LCD
display at a local stereo shop that would fit nicely in the B5 S4 as a
replacement for the factory head.  Its pricey, but would allow
integrated NAV in the dash as well as the ability to play DVDs and
compressed audio CDs.  Not sure if I'm that interested in watching DVD
in the car, but the NAV would be nice - much more convenient that
setting up my laptop in the car with DeLorme Street Atlas.

Cheers  John H.  Laramie, Wyoming

-----Original Message-----
From: Ti Kan [mailto:ti at amb.org] 
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2005 8:58 PM
To: Mark Isenberger
Cc: biturbos4 at audifans.com
Subject: Re: [Biturbos4] [s4] Re: board down ?


Mark Isenberger writes:
> Ti Kan wrote:
> > The weekend project is to remove the factory CD changer and install 
> > an Audi Phatnoise Phatbox!  I've already been busy the past few days

> > ripping music onto the DMS cartridge.  So far I've already done 150 
> > CDs and the 20GB cartridge is only half full.  The prospect of 
> > having most of my music accessible all the time is very, very cool.
> >
> Aside from the physical mounting of the Phatbox, does it directly swap
> electrically with the CD Changer.  In other words, if I can figure out
how 
> to mount it in my 2001.5 Avant, the Phatbox connection to the audio
system 
> is easy?

Yes, the Audi Phatbox is electrically a direct swap for the OEM CD
changer. An adapter cable is included.  The firmware in this version of
the 
Phatbox makes the radio "think" that it's connected to a compatible CD
changer (albeit a _very_ fancy one).

Physically the Audi version of the Phatbox will also fit into the same
space for the CD changer, although due to the protruding cable at the
rear and the cartridge at the front, I am not sure if there is enough
depth in the CD changer mounting slot in our B5 S4s and still allow the
carpeted cover to close.  If not, I might install it under the rear
shelf.

You access the files on your DMS cartridge via personalized playlists,
by genre, by artist name, or by track.  You scroll through the
selections by using the prev/next track buttons on the radio, and the
Phatbox speaks through the stereo speakers to tell you where you are.
You don't have to look at the radio display.

So far I have ripped over 300 CDs onto the 20GB cartridge and it's still
got room left! :)  I use Ogg Vorbis format rather than MP3 for less
compression artifacts and sound quality loss.

-Ti

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