CD stacker or ipod connection?

[front seat driv]

My TDI Sport was written off 2 weeks ago (RIP) and I'm going to upgrade to a TDI FR once I've been paid by the insurers. My dilemma is this;

1. Should I have a CD stacker fitted, as I did with the previous car?

I was quite happy with it but I had to carry a wallet containing all of my CDs and the wallet took up rather a lot of the limited storage space in the car.

2. Should I opt for an ipod dock?

I don't currently own an ipod and don't know one end from the other. I like the thought of having thousands of tracks on an easy-to-manage unit but I don't like the idea that I'll have to fiddle about with menus to try to find the right mood music when changing a CD in the stacker was so simple. I believe that you cannot see the track/album name on the display. Is this true?

3. Should I get an mp3 phone and use it plugged into the aux socket?

My mobile phone contract is up for renewal in mid August. If I get the bluetooth pack in the car does it make sense to get a compatible mobile with great mp3 capabilities and just use it plugged into the aux socket? Which phone?

Anyone out there have personal experience that they care to share?

 

[Watchin FC]

You should have a go at making an MP3 data disc of music for the car, that way you get several cd's worth of music on 1 disc.

Didn't bother with the i-pod connection when I got my fr as the phono socket is good enough and a cheaper option.

 

[JulianG]

Or get the USB connection, then you can fill a usb stick with loads of music ! Or even get a usb portable hard-drive and get 1000's of tracks on there !!

 

[front seat driv]

These are both interesting suggestions, thanks fellas.

Watchin FC - can you give me a pointer towards your suggestion to making an mp3 data disc? I'm not familiar with how to go about it.

Also, has anyone tried the mobile phone method to play their music?

 

[Carnivor]

Or get the USB connection, then you can fill a usb stick with loads of music ! Or even get a usb portable hard-drive and get 1000's of tracks on there !!

Has this been proven???? I was informed before picking up my fr on launch day that usb hdd's were not compatible and only usb sticks worked.

Gonna be fuming if thats the case!

If it is can the usb port be added as an after install?

 

[Pummy]

These are both interesting suggestions, thanks fellas.

Watchin FC - can you give me a pointer towards your suggestion to making an mp3 data disc? I'm not familiar with how to go about it.

Also, has anyone tried the mobile phone method to play their music?

There is a thread about the w850i phone and connecting it into the car. You will still have to 'rip' the music from your CD into either the MP3 format or the format the phone software will produce before you can listen.

My suggestion is to learn about MP3 ripping and have CD's in the car. You can get at least 6 / 8 albums onto one CD using this method.

With a phone input, you run the risk of being done for using your mobile.

If you do go the USB route, you lose the Aux in facility but gain WMA playback if the manual is correct.

 

[Watchin FC]

You'll need to get hold of some software for your pc that will let you you can rip cd tracks and store them as mp3 files. Once you've got a list of mp3's you want to put on a disc, burn them as a data disc.
I think Nero would do the trick.

This way, you'll get approx 150 or so tracks per disc with track names etc displayed when they're played. It saves having a stack of cd's in the car and the sound quality is ok too.

 

[ghosty]

You'll need to get hold of some software for your pc that will let you you can rip cd tracks and store them as mp3 files. Once you've got a list of mp3's you want to put on a disc, burn them as a data disc.
I think Nero would do the trick.

This way, you'll get approx 150 or so tracks per disc with track names etc displayed when they're played. It saves having a stack of cd's in the car and the sound quality is ok too.

if your using a pc, the latest version of windows media player (free, or updated with your windows update) will let you do all that. no specialist software needed

 

[Pummy]

At 128kbps, Windows Media Encoder will do the job also if you already have them in WMA format.

 

[JulianG]

Has this been proven???? I was informed before picking up my fr on launch day that usb hdd's were not compatible and only usb sticks worked.

Gonna be fuming if thats the case!

If it is can the usb port be added as an after install?

I haven't actually got the usb port so can't confirm that a hdd will work, although I've been told that they do.....
However I can confirm that the usb port can not be added after And trust me I've tried everywhere !!!