DIY - Now Add USB Support to your Old Head Unit/Amplifier

idea1979 · 26th October 2009, 15:31

Very intresting. i am glued to this thread. Hope to see updates soon.

ghpk · 26th October 2009, 15:40

I've not yet taken out the PCB from old HU, will try to check it if I am free tonight.
I found the PCB track (in diagram) which is used for FM audio signals, but haven't tried it practically yet.

other Audio which is going from CD to amplification is 4 channel, but this small device is only 2 ch. output, any suggestions ??

lastly if i fail I've a friend who can get me some professional help for a small fee.

I'll certainly like to Hook and try this in car, however I don't mind buying a new HU, cause this unit would not give me few options which should be must for a HU like forward/seek. jump directly to track at particular track number.
but you cannot expect more on Rs.200/- jugaar USB .

EDIT: my blackberry 8330 curve doesn't have a macro mode. Taking a pic from more distance would not give clear and big view.

deep_bang · 26th October 2009, 22:31

Am very interested in this. Please keep updating this thread..

Meanwhile, it may be worthwhile to see if an FM transmitter can be used instead of messing with the electronics ... just a thought..

Zappo · 26th October 2009, 22:39

Yaar, for around 248 bucks you get those FM transmitter modules that have all the features you are talking about (seek, jump yada yada), can play from a SD Card or USB flash drive and transmit over the FM frequency to your car HU. Why not use that as a more elegant solution? Of course, from a DIY POV if you are doing it for the kicks that is another matter.

ghpk · 27th October 2009, 01:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zappo

from a DIY POV if you are doing it for the kicks that is another matter.

Yes its only my D.I.Y. Insect making me do all this.
I'll be deciding a new HU soon.

carboy · 27th October 2009, 05:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zappo

Yaar, for around 248 bucks you get those FM transmitter modules that have all the features you are talking about (seek, jump yada yada), can play from a SD Card or USB flash drive and transmit over the FM frequency to your car HU. Why not use that as a more elegant solution? Of course, from a DIY POV if you are doing it for the kicks that is another matter.

Can you elaborate on this?
I have a HU with AUX in but no USB - if there is a 250 Rs way to get USB support, I would be interested.

ghpk · 27th October 2009, 08:04

there are two ways to get USB support
1). use the FM modulator which reads your usd/SD card and transmit the songs to a FM station which your head unit would play.

2). the D.I.Y. way which i mentioned from 1st post in this thread, this might not be as powerful or easy to do if you are not much experienced with soldering and other D.I.Y. stuff.

carboy · 27th October 2009, 09:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghpk

1). use the FM modulator which reads your usd/SD card and transmit the songs to a FM station which your head unit would play.

How do you do this? What do I need to buy & what do I need to do with it?

pramodkumar · 27th October 2009, 09:58

There are a lot of FM modulators available in the market with different price ranges, but bottom line is you can get one easily for 250-300 Rs

Go to a car accessory shop, and tell them i need a FM modulator. This unit plugs into the lighter slot and you can plug the system directly to it if you have a Aux port on the system, else tune your car stereo to the frequency this modulator transmits its signal at.
These are mostly chinese items so you can expect one dying even before you reach home, but worth taking a risk. I decided to check these on my car stereo before buying and these were blowing fuses, so decided against buying them.

Pramod

deep_bang · 27th October 2009, 11:27

If you do buy a FM modulator - avoid the chinese ones. They work, but not good. I had one which worked well on different frequencies in the morning and evening -due to temperature changes.

I then got one from RadioShack in the US, Accurian brand - that is resonably good. Still not like a CD player though.

So - as said before, avoid the chinese ones if you want quality.

srishiva · 27th October 2009, 11:40

You will never be satisfied with the FM modulators. You will end up not using it.

deep_bang · 27th October 2009, 12:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by srishiva

You will never be satisfied with the FM modulators. You will end up not using it.

yup. I agree. well, I too have an old sony player, so, @ghpk if you get to know the points where to input the other signals, do let me know. I am willing to open up the box and play around soldering new inputs.

The one thing i need though is that the sound is as good as a CD player. Keenly watching this thread....

ghpk · 27th October 2009, 21:27

Deep_bang, I am not satisfied even a bit with sound quality,
I am right now having it connected to my Home system, its a 1000w system and even at high volume High notes are much missing and so is the Bass.

I usually use this system with my computer, and same songs (320kbps) when played off computer is great, but this USB unit is not for quality listening i am sure.

Haven't found time to operate the sony HU, but will certainly do some ungli before i throw or donate it to someone who has been asking for it for few months now.

amit_mechengg · 27th October 2009, 22:09

great ones. did it come with a cover? i saw a similar ones. but its not a kit. its a complete built one with FM and USB port fitted in a tourist tavera. the driver said he bought it from roadside in mumbai near VT. costed 250 rs.

ghpk · 28th October 2009, 09:51

mine was just pcb and other components. no covers or body.

yes its getting popular with tempo and bus/truck drivers now

26th October 2009, 15:31	#16
idea1979 BANNED Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 234 Thanked: 0 Times	Very intresting. i am glued to this thread. Hope to see updates soon.
	() Thanks

26th October 2009, 15:40	#17
ghpk BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ghaziabad Posts: 870 Thanked: 211 Times	I've not yet taken out the PCB from old HU, will try to check it if I am free tonight. I found the PCB track (in diagram) which is used for FM audio signals, but haven't tried it practically yet. other Audio which is going from CD to amplification is 4 channel, but this small device is only 2 ch. output, any suggestions ?? lastly if i fail I've a friend who can get me some professional help for a small fee. I'll certainly like to Hook and try this in car, however I don't mind buying a new HU, cause this unit would not give me few options which should be must for a HU like forward/seek. jump directly to track at particular track number. but you cannot expect more on Rs.200/- jugaar USB . EDIT: my blackberry 8330 curve doesn't have a macro mode. Taking a pic from more distance would not give clear and big view.
	() Thanks

26th October 2009, 22:31	#18
deep_bang BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore / Boise Posts: 888 Thanked: 1,272 Times	Am very interested in this. Please keep updating this thread.. Meanwhile, it may be worthwhile to see if an FM transmitter can be used instead of messing with the electronics ... just a thought..
	() Thanks

26th October 2009, 22:39	#19
Zappo Team-BHP Support Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 5,922 Thanked: 2,699 Times	Yaar, for around 248 bucks you get those FM transmitter modules that have all the features you are talking about (seek, jump yada yada), can play from a SD Card or USB flash drive and transmit over the FM frequency to your car HU. Why not use that as a more elegant solution? Of course, from a DIY POV if you are doing it for the kicks that is another matter.
	() Thanks

27th October 2009, 08:04	#22
ghpk BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ghaziabad Posts: 870 Thanked: 211 Times	there are two ways to get USB support 1). use the FM modulator which reads your usd/SD card and transmit the songs to a FM station which your head unit would play. 2). the D.I.Y. way which i mentioned from 1st post in this thread, this might not be as powerful or easy to do if you are not much experienced with soldering and other D.I.Y. stuff.
	() Thanks

27th October 2009, 09:58	#24
pramodkumar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Gods own country Posts: 2,302 Thanked: 2,208 Times View My Garage	There are a lot of FM modulators available in the market with different price ranges, but bottom line is you can get one easily for 250-300 Rs Go to a car accessory shop, and tell them i need a FM modulator. This unit plugs into the lighter slot and you can plug the system directly to it if you have a Aux port on the system, else tune your car stereo to the frequency this modulator transmits its signal at. These are mostly chinese items so you can expect one dying even before you reach home, but worth taking a risk. I decided to check these on my car stereo before buying and these were blowing fuses, so decided against buying them. Pramod
	() Thanks

27th October 2009, 11:27	#25
deep_bang BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore / Boise Posts: 888 Thanked: 1,272 Times	If you do buy a FM modulator - avoid the chinese ones. They work, but not good. I had one which worked well on different frequencies in the morning and evening -due to temperature changes. I then got one from RadioShack in the US, Accurian brand - that is resonably good. Still not like a CD player though. So - as said before, avoid the chinese ones if you want quality.
	() Thanks

27th October 2009, 11:40	#26
srishiva Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 4,375 Thanked: 2,256 Times	You will never be satisfied with the FM modulators. You will end up not using it.
	() Thanks

27th October 2009, 21:27	#28
ghpk BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ghaziabad Posts: 870 Thanked: 211 Times	Deep_bang, I am not satisfied even a bit with sound quality, I am right now having it connected to my Home system, its a 1000w system and even at high volume High notes are much missing and so is the Bass. I usually use this system with my computer, and same songs (320kbps) when played off computer is great, but this USB unit is not for quality listening i am sure. Haven't found time to operate the sony HU, but will certainly do some ungli before i throw or donate it to someone who has been asking for it for few months now.
	() Thanks

27th October 2009, 22:09	#29
amit_mechengg Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 2,488 Thanked: 2,252 Times View My Garage	great ones. did it come with a cover? i saw a similar ones. but its not a kit. its a complete built one with FM and USB port fitted in a tourist tavera. the driver said he bought it from roadside in mumbai near VT. costed 250 rs.
	() Thanks

28th October 2009, 09:51	#30
ghpk BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ghaziabad Posts: 870 Thanked: 211 Times	mine was just pcb and other components. no covers or body. yes its getting popular with tempo and bus/truck drivers now
	() Thanks