MP3 Player in 5k

[Nate Stuart]

Well, I don't know if I'm the fellow you were referring too... but I had a
MP3 player in my 5ktq at one point, made it's showings at last years
RedBones dinner, and Huw's Belt-a-thon. I have some pics around here
somewhere....

Basically what I did was to leave the deck alone, and I removed the center
vents and clock from the center console. Then I cut out the metal divider
between the clock and vents. This let me put a full faceplate over that
opening and install a 40x4character LCD display in there, as well as buttons
to control both it and the OE trip computer. I ran cabling back to a PC in
the trunk. I had a rather unique audio setup (crummy pic here:
www.mswanson.com/~nstuart/audio%20up%202.jpg) , which consisted of a
equalizer wand that fed the signal from both the deck, and the MP3 player to
my amp, so that part was pretty easy for me. The software that I was using
was dos based, and rather buggy (and also not available anymore). I then
wrote some of my own (at www.mswanson.com/~nstuart/lcd ) which looked _way_
better as far as the EQ display goes, and it runs with WinAmp, so the only
real stability issues were within windows itself (will prolly port to linux
once I figure it all out)... I haven't got the control part done yet, but
plan to this summer, right now it's just a visual playback. There is info
and screenshots of the LCD panel that I used on there as well. As far as
power was concerned I hadn't quite sorted that out, for the brief period I
was using it I just flipped on an inverter in the trunk for the PC. The
front panel controls were a bit sketchy as well, all they were were buttons
hard wired straight to a keyboards number pad in the trunk. It worked, but
really wasn't ideal... to say the least.

Keep in mind this was all _very_ temporary (with the exception of the
faceplate). If I were to do it all over again (and I plan to) I would use a
DC-DC converter, and probably an IR remote to cut down on the cabling.

To transfer new songs I just ran a ethernet line out to the car and uploaded
whatever I wanted through some cheesy dos networking software. It worked,
but I cant wait until I get the new version in there (with my own software
:)

you can also check here for more software/info:
www.mp3car.com

If you have any other questions give me a shout.

Take care!
-Nate
'89 90q


----- Original Message -----
From: "Grant Bessom" <GBessom at Intersections.com>
To: <quattro at audifans.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2001 11:29 AM
Subject: MP3 Player in 5k


> I believe that one of the list members documented the install of an MP3
> player into the stock stereo location.  I believe that they were using a
> non-CD player style.
> Am I correct?
> Are you out there?
>
> I would like to do this, but I have no idea what it entails.
>
> Please CC me so that I can receive any replys before I receive the Digest.
> Thanks
>
> Grant Bessom
> 86 Audi 5ktqcs 240k miles. chip/cam/lowered (most useful)
> 69 Beetle 2.0ltr stroked/cam/45mm Dellortos (not your fathers bug)
> 85 Audi 5ks, my first, bought it back for $80 (forsale)
> 82 Audi 4ks Diesel 375k+ miles, $free (can't wait till she runs)
> 80 Vanagon Westy
> Dulles VA (northern va)
>
>
>