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How-To by Steinola
Steinola
So you're driving along, and it hits you that the FM stations in your area just aren't cutting it for you anymore.
You've thought about a CD changer, but all the changers for a New Beetle ("NB") seem a) expensive, and b) cumbersome.
You think to yourself that you might like the ability to play digital audio files (MP3, WAV, etc.) through your NB's stereo system, but you just can't find any information about options or how you'd go about accomplishing this feat.
A lot of people are dealing with this same problem... MP3's being all the current rage.
Hence, I decided to put together this How To to discuss, not one, but all the solutions that are available to you, the advantages and disadvantages of each, and how you might get them to work with your NB.
This will be a living document... changing constantly as new options or new information become available. If you have anything to add, or feel any of the current information has changed or is just plain wrong, just let me know.
I'll attempt to keep all pertinent information linked from this top post (or top couple of posts, depending on the wealth of information), so you shouldn't have to sift through pages and pages of the thread to find the most recent information... just come here first.
So, if you're ready to take the plunge, read on.
The ability to listen to digital audio media in your car brings with it a whole new level of driving enjoyment. You're not subjected to the moronic banter of morning DJs as you wait to hear your favorite tune, you don't have to listen to a single commercial, you can listen to music at a quality that far exceeds cassette tapes, and you don't have to fiddle with a lap full of CDs after you've tired of listening to the same one over and over.
"But how is this possible? I don't see a 'MP3' button on my car stereo!" I hear you cry.
It's easy, if you have an in-dash CD player
VW introduced the OEM ("Orginal Equipment Manufacturer"... ie - from the factory) in-dash CD player headunit (aka "HU"... the thing with all the station memory buttons and volume controls) sometime in the 2005 or 2004.5 model year. And these OEM in-dash CD player HUs are capable of playing MP3s that are burned onto a CD-R recordable disc.
In addition, if you have one, or care to install one, many aftermarket in-dash CD players are capable of playing MP3 files as well.
[ learn more about using an in-dash CD player for MP3's ]
I don't have an in-dash CD player, what now?
Well... if you don't have an in-dash CD player, it's still definitely possible to get MP3 tunes playin' in your NB, with relatively minimal effort actually. But you need to be able to make a few decisions that only you can make:
1. Do you want to base your system on a built-in MP3 player or a portable MP3 player?
A built-in MP3 player is typically a box, about the size of a CD changer, that you bolt down inside your NB's trunk and hardwire into your car's stereo wiring harness (relax, it isn't as hard as it sounds). An example of a portable MP3 player is the Apple iPod or Creative Rio. These players are pocket-sized (or smaller), and you would typically hook them into the car's stereo system using a removable connector so that you can easily disconnect the player whenever you want.
Advantages to a built-in MP3 player:
- it's typically installed inconspicuously, so it doesn't become an added temptation for theives
- it's built specifically to use in your car, designed around all the odd quirks that a car presents
Disadvantages to a built-in MP3 player:
- it's usually a car-only solution (though some manufacturers offer companion accessories to use parts of the system in your home, it requires additional hardware and expense)
Advantages to a portable MP3 player:
- you can take the music with you and listen to it in places other than your car
- it's small size means you can stash it just about anywhere in your NB (glovebox, center console, etc)
Disadvantages to a portable MP3 player:
- if the player is ever left in your car, it's vulnerable to get stolen
2. Do you want your solution to be fully integrated, or semi-integrated?
A "fully integrated" MP3 player means that you can control many aspects of the experience from your car's headunit: playlist selection, tune skip/repeat, etc. so you can hide the actual player in an inconspicuous place (trunk, glovebox, center console) and still have the control you need. A "semi-integrated" MP3 player means that the solution supports "audio in only"... the sound from your MP3 player will be heard via your car system's speakers, but you'll use the player itself or a separate remote pad to select your tunes and control the playback rather than the headunit.
Advantages to a fully integrated solution:
- operation is exactly the same as what you're used to (tuning to a radio station or using the in-dash tape deck)
- you don't have to fumble with anything while you're driving
Disadvantages to a fully integrated solution:
- full integration is typically very specific to the type of MP3 player you have (not all makes/models of MP3 player can be fully integrated, and if you fully integrate one make of player chances are that, if you ever decided to buy a different make, the solution you bought previously would not work for the new player)
Advantages to a "semi-integrated" solution:
- the solution is much more generic and can typically be used for just about any audio source (MP3 player, Walkman/Discman, XM radio Roady, etc)
Disadvantages to a "semi-integrated" solution:
- controlling the playback is, at the very least, less convenient than a fully integrated solution
3. Do you wish to buy a system "off-the-shelf", or build your own?
An "off-the-shelf" system is one which you can buy, in a box, from the manufacturer or dealer. All components are typically included in the box or available as packaged options, and you can generally even pay an additional amount to have them professionally installed. A "build-your-own" system is one which you buy in parts and pieces and assemble yourself (often using soldering irons and some sort of programming interface for your computer). Most install places won't install home built components for fear of liability issues.
Advantages to an "off-the-shelf" solution:
- everything is already put together for you
- instruction manuals and product support most likely exist
- can typically be professionally installed
Disadvantages to an "off-the-shelf" solution:
- it doesn't always function the way you'd like it to function
Advantages to a "build-your-own" solution:
- you build it the way you want it, and update it as appropriate
- home-built solutions are much less expensive as a general rule
Disadvantages to a "build-your-own" solution:
- typically requires more in-depth experience and knowledge (soldering, maybe even computer programming)
- requires lots of patience (if it doesn't work, there's no one to blame but yourself)
So let's start with your answer to that first question... but keep the answers to those other questions in mind as you go through these next pages:
[ learn more about built-in MP3 players ]
[ learn more about solutions for portable MP3 players ]
I'll also add a couple of pages on how to actually put some of these solutions together, hopefully with pictures. Stay tuned.
Steinola
So you're driving along, and it hits you that the FM stations in your area just aren't cutting it for you anymore.
You've thought about a CD changer, but all the changers for a New Beetle ("NB") seem a) expensive, and b) cumbersome.
You think to yourself that you might like the ability to play digital audio files (MP3, WAV, etc.) through your NB's stereo system, but you just can't find any information about options or how you'd go about accomplishing this feat.
A lot of people are dealing with this same problem... MP3's being all the current rage.
Hence, I decided to put together this How To to discuss, not one, but all the solutions that are available to you, the advantages and disadvantages of each, and how you might get them to work with your NB.
This will be a living document... changing constantly as new options or new information become available. If you have anything to add, or feel any of the current information has changed or is just plain wrong, just let me know.
I'll attempt to keep all pertinent information linked from this top post (or top couple of posts, depending on the wealth of information), so you shouldn't have to sift through pages and pages of the thread to find the most recent information... just come here first.
So, if you're ready to take the plunge, read on.
The ability to listen to digital audio media in your car brings with it a whole new level of driving enjoyment. You're not subjected to the moronic banter of morning DJs as you wait to hear your favorite tune, you don't have to listen to a single commercial, you can listen to music at a quality that far exceeds cassette tapes, and you don't have to fiddle with a lap full of CDs after you've tired of listening to the same one over and over.
"But how is this possible? I don't see a 'MP3' button on my car stereo!" I hear you cry.
It's easy, if you have an in-dash CD player
VW introduced the OEM ("Orginal Equipment Manufacturer"... ie - from the factory) in-dash CD player headunit (aka "HU"... the thing with all the station memory buttons and volume controls) sometime in the 2005 or 2004.5 model year. And these OEM in-dash CD player HUs are capable of playing MP3s that are burned onto a CD-R recordable disc.
In addition, if you have one, or care to install one, many aftermarket in-dash CD players are capable of playing MP3 files as well.
[ learn more about using an in-dash CD player for MP3's ]
I don't have an in-dash CD player, what now?
Well... if you don't have an in-dash CD player, it's still definitely possible to get MP3 tunes playin' in your NB, with relatively minimal effort actually. But you need to be able to make a few decisions that only you can make:
1. Do you want to base your system on a built-in MP3 player or a portable MP3 player?
A built-in MP3 player is typically a box, about the size of a CD changer, that you bolt down inside your NB's trunk and hardwire into your car's stereo wiring harness (relax, it isn't as hard as it sounds). An example of a portable MP3 player is the Apple iPod or Creative Rio. These players are pocket-sized (or smaller), and you would typically hook them into the car's stereo system using a removable connector so that you can easily disconnect the player whenever you want.
Advantages to a built-in MP3 player:
- it's typically installed inconspicuously, so it doesn't become an added temptation for theives
- it's built specifically to use in your car, designed around all the odd quirks that a car presents
Disadvantages to a built-in MP3 player:
- it's usually a car-only solution (though some manufacturers offer companion accessories to use parts of the system in your home, it requires additional hardware and expense)
Advantages to a portable MP3 player:
- you can take the music with you and listen to it in places other than your car
- it's small size means you can stash it just about anywhere in your NB (glovebox, center console, etc)
Disadvantages to a portable MP3 player:
- if the player is ever left in your car, it's vulnerable to get stolen
2. Do you want your solution to be fully integrated, or semi-integrated?
A "fully integrated" MP3 player means that you can control many aspects of the experience from your car's headunit: playlist selection, tune skip/repeat, etc. so you can hide the actual player in an inconspicuous place (trunk, glovebox, center console) and still have the control you need. A "semi-integrated" MP3 player means that the solution supports "audio in only"... the sound from your MP3 player will be heard via your car system's speakers, but you'll use the player itself or a separate remote pad to select your tunes and control the playback rather than the headunit.
Advantages to a fully integrated solution:
- operation is exactly the same as what you're used to (tuning to a radio station or using the in-dash tape deck)
- you don't have to fumble with anything while you're driving
Disadvantages to a fully integrated solution:
- full integration is typically very specific to the type of MP3 player you have (not all makes/models of MP3 player can be fully integrated, and if you fully integrate one make of player chances are that, if you ever decided to buy a different make, the solution you bought previously would not work for the new player)
Advantages to a "semi-integrated" solution:
- the solution is much more generic and can typically be used for just about any audio source (MP3 player, Walkman/Discman, XM radio Roady, etc)
Disadvantages to a "semi-integrated" solution:
- controlling the playback is, at the very least, less convenient than a fully integrated solution
3. Do you wish to buy a system "off-the-shelf", or build your own?
An "off-the-shelf" system is one which you can buy, in a box, from the manufacturer or dealer. All components are typically included in the box or available as packaged options, and you can generally even pay an additional amount to have them professionally installed. A "build-your-own" system is one which you buy in parts and pieces and assemble yourself (often using soldering irons and some sort of programming interface for your computer). Most install places won't install home built components for fear of liability issues.
Advantages to an "off-the-shelf" solution:
- everything is already put together for you
- instruction manuals and product support most likely exist
- can typically be professionally installed
Disadvantages to an "off-the-shelf" solution:
- it doesn't always function the way you'd like it to function
Advantages to a "build-your-own" solution:
- you build it the way you want it, and update it as appropriate
- home-built solutions are much less expensive as a general rule
Disadvantages to a "build-your-own" solution:
- typically requires more in-depth experience and knowledge (soldering, maybe even computer programming)
- requires lots of patience (if it doesn't work, there's no one to blame but yourself)
So let's start with your answer to that first question... but keep the answers to those other questions in mind as you go through these next pages:
[ learn more about built-in MP3 players ]
[ learn more about solutions for portable MP3 players ]
I'll also add a couple of pages on how to actually put some of these solutions together, hopefully with pictures. Stay tuned.
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