sam, this ones for you it's from Harmon

k_ajay · 18th September 2005, 22:55

And the Drive+Play would look a nice addition to these cars.... Wonder how it would look on my Indica... lol... But i wish i can buy it someone in the near future.... 16k Sam, thoda pricey hai, for our market... What do you think? [but absolutely cool gadget]

navin · 18th September 2005, 23:16

to be honest sam i like a neat install. what might be this products shortcoming is that as an install it is not neat. that display is it's shortcomig. i think ver 2 or 3 might work better.

one mod that can be done even at this stage is to make the display wireless. how cool would that be. the display communicates with the black box wirelessly and is so compact it can be velcroed anywhere.

evnetually this technology would be best used it sold as OEM to car manufacturers so that it can be inerated into a dash. ufortunatley MP3 players (ipod, sony, etc.. dont have any standards and no car manufcturer will support ipod over others).

it is going to be a tough sell and not becuase of the price.

gunbir · 19th September 2005, 01:09

Agreed, price is not the major issue here. I think its decent value for what you get. You no longer need to fiddle with the Ipod as the controller can be mounted somewhere handy. It includes an FM transmitter though I dont think its required at this price point but still usefull for applications where interfacing is not possible.

Of course, I'm assuming it doesnt have the "half baked functionality" issues ipod adapters generally have. For example, the Clarion interface doesnt let you go directly to an artist or a song. You can only go through one of five playlists you have to create beforehand with playlist names being clarion1, clarion2 and so on. So you have to go through each track to reach the one you want... Moreover, the buttons on the actual Ipod get disabled while its connected to the interface.

The Pioneer interface also has latency issues. It is too slow and has limited functionality. Sometimes, even the track names are not displayed properly. So far the Alpine interface, though not perfect, seems to be the best implemented of all.

Like Navinji, I dont like the "E.T." display. They could have done better with a DIN sized display with controls and maybe a remote. That is whats actually needed. Im surprised no mfr has thought of this yet...

Some other new stuff...

Scosche IPBCK Bluetooth Ipod Interface.
Instead of FM, it uses bluetooth 1.1 which has more bandwidth so should be able to deliver better sound and the reciever outputs through RCA so you can plug it into your HU's Aux in. You can also add the optional steering wheel remote. No DIN display unit though...

Another one is the

Monster iCruze from Monster Cable

Again an interface, but more universal in nature. You have to order the specific cable for your HU though. Monster does however, have an optional DIN sized for the iCruze. You control the Ipod through your HU and with the optional display, you can see the track info in your dash.

Unfortunately, none of them is perfect...

navin · 19th September 2005, 10:20

all 3 products have their issues.

we have listed the Harman's issues already.

The 1st Scosche product is wireless and we all know that wireless is not as effcient and nosier than wired (and this is also applicable for data although less so). The second ScoSche forces you to look at the ipod screen to see what you are doing.

The Monster product is really made for Alpine M bus HUs and with the interface module can work with some factory OEM HUs that have changer controls. but the display is nice esp since it does not need to be mounted on the base shown.

navin · 19th September 2005, 10:23

also since the interfaces are car specific for those who change cars often and dont have Mbos Alpines the monster unit is a head ache. besides my fear is that for non US markets the interface adapters might not work,

Sam Kapasi · 29th September 2005, 13:39

IT"S HERE!!!!!! YAY!!!! YAY!!!

OK children,

I just got my first piece!! Super excited! Number one piece in India is always Sams...lol (I Wonder why)

Just unpacked the DHL box, took a few pictures and am sharing them. WIll be able to sell this in India by december. I'm going to install this unit in the optra for the Vaahan Yatra in Bangalore! Here are the first physical photos. Comments please!

My first views: It reeks of quality. Great finish. The display is not as big as it looked in the initial photos.... did harman change it? (Maybe they saw Navin's ET remark lol) Chalo Chalo comments, comments.

Vivekphadnis · 29th September 2005, 14:04

I'm jealous! You are a lucky chap, Sam!

Sam Kapasi · 29th September 2005, 14:29

oh well... I a lucky to be doing this in life, I won't be stupid and say nah....

I will let you know how it sounds. Nahi toh, come to vaahan yatra and see it, hear it yourself!

navin · 30th September 2005, 14:35

sam, i think it is only a controller. i dont think the audio signal goes though it does it. so it should not have a sonic signature.

Sam Kapasi · 30th September 2005, 15:31

It also has an FM mod. So that should change the sound a bit na?
Kaisa laga navin?

navin · 30th September 2005, 19:31

it has 5 FM mods. sam. i think i mentioned this before. technically you could have 6 ipods running in the car and be able to choose as it can set 5 FM channels (the 6th ipod will be wired). now you are giving me naughty ideas. :-)

not that i am in the market for this (given my recent KCA 420i and 410C additions) but i would really like to do is see if this fits on a car dash without looking like Elliot's alien friend.

jkdas · 2nd October 2005, 00:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by navin

it has 5 FM mods. sam. i think i mentioned this before. technically you could have 6 ipods running in the car and be able to choose as it can set 5 FM channels (the 6th ipod will be wired). now you are giving me naughty ideas. :-)

not that i am in the market for this (given my recent KCA 420i and 410C additions) but i would really like to do is see if this fits on a car dash without looking like Elliot's alien friend.

me got a doubt . this thing is for ipods only? or u kwn shuffle etc 2 can work with it? and teh new nano stuff from apple works with this 2?

Sam Kapasi · 2nd October 2005, 14:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkdas

me got a doubt . this thing is for ipods only? or u kwn shuffle etc 2 can work with it? and teh new nano stuff from apple works with this 2?

All i-pods that have the similar dataports, basically all the i-pods except the shuffle, will work.

18th September 2005, 22:55	#91
k_ajay Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,379 Thanked: 1,138 Times View My Garage	And the Drive+Play would look a nice addition to these cars.... Wonder how it would look on my Indica... lol... But i wish i can buy it someone in the near future.... 16k Sam, thoda pricey hai, for our market... What do you think? [but absolutely cool gadget]
	() Thanks

18th September 2005, 23:16	#92
navin Team-BHP Support Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 25,198 Thanked: 9,304 Times	to be honest sam i like a neat install. what might be this products shortcoming is that as an install it is not neat. that display is it's shortcomig. i think ver 2 or 3 might work better. one mod that can be done even at this stage is to make the display wireless. how cool would that be. the display communicates with the black box wirelessly and is so compact it can be velcroed anywhere. evnetually this technology would be best used it sold as OEM to car manufacturers so that it can be inerated into a dash. ufortunatley MP3 players (ipod, sony, etc.. dont have any standards and no car manufcturer will support ipod over others). it is going to be a tough sell and not becuase of the price.
	() Thanks

19th September 2005, 01:09	#93
gunbir Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 2,465 Thanked: 32 Times	Agreed, price is not the major issue here. I think its decent value for what you get. You no longer need to fiddle with the Ipod as the controller can be mounted somewhere handy. It includes an FM transmitter though I dont think its required at this price point but still usefull for applications where interfacing is not possible. Of course, I'm assuming it doesnt have the "half baked functionality" issues ipod adapters generally have. For example, the Clarion interface doesnt let you go directly to an artist or a song. You can only go through one of five playlists you have to create beforehand with playlist names being clarion1, clarion2 and so on. So you have to go through each track to reach the one you want... Moreover, the buttons on the actual Ipod get disabled while its connected to the interface. The Pioneer interface also has latency issues. It is too slow and has limited functionality. Sometimes, even the track names are not displayed properly. So far the Alpine interface, though not perfect, seems to be the best implemented of all. Like Navinji, I dont like the "E.T." display. They could have done better with a DIN sized display with controls and maybe a remote. That is whats actually needed. Im surprised no mfr has thought of this yet... Some other new stuff... Scosche IPBCK Bluetooth Ipod Interface. Instead of FM, it uses bluetooth 1.1 which has more bandwidth so should be able to deliver better sound and the reciever outputs through RCA so you can plug it into your HU's Aux in. You can also add the optional steering wheel remote. No DIN display unit though... Another one is the Monster iCruze from Monster Cable Again an interface, but more universal in nature. You have to order the specific cable for your HU though. Monster does however, have an optional DIN sized for the iCruze. You control the Ipod through your HU and with the optional display, you can see the track info in your dash. Unfortunately, none of them is perfect... Last edited by gunbir : 19th September 2005 at 01:14.
	() Thanks

19th September 2005, 10:20	#94
navin Team-BHP Support Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 25,198 Thanked: 9,304 Times	all 3 products have their issues. we have listed the Harman's issues already. The 1st Scosche product is wireless and we all know that wireless is not as effcient and nosier than wired (and this is also applicable for data although less so). The second ScoSche forces you to look at the ipod screen to see what you are doing. The Monster product is really made for Alpine M bus HUs and with the interface module can work with some factory OEM HUs that have changer controls. but the display is nice esp since it does not need to be mounted on the base shown.
	() Thanks

19th September 2005, 10:23	#95
navin Team-BHP Support Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 25,198 Thanked: 9,304 Times	also since the interfaces are car specific for those who change cars often and dont have Mbos Alpines the monster unit is a head ache. besides my fear is that for non US markets the interface adapters might not work,
	() Thanks

29th September 2005, 13:39	#96
Sam Kapasi Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai (but wat Posts: 6,997 Thanked: 2,378 Times View My Garage	Harman Drive + Play!! IT"S HERE!!!!!! YAY!!!! YAY!!! OK children, I just got my first piece!! Super excited! Number one piece in India is always Sams...lol (I Wonder why) Just unpacked the DHL box, took a few pictures and am sharing them. WIll be able to sell this in India by december. I'm going to install this unit in the optra for the Vaahan Yatra in Bangalore! Here are the first physical photos. Comments please! My first views: It reeks of quality. Great finish. The display is not as big as it looked in the initial photos.... did harman change it? (Maybe they saw Navin's ET remark lol) Chalo Chalo comments, comments.
	() Thanks

29th September 2005, 14:04	#97
Vivekphadnis BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 690 Thanked: 2 Times	I'm jealous! You are a lucky chap, Sam!
	() Thanks

29th September 2005, 14:29	#98
Sam Kapasi Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai (but wat Posts: 6,997 Thanked: 2,378 Times View My Garage	oh well... I a lucky to be doing this in life, I won't be stupid and say nah.... I will let you know how it sounds. Nahi toh, come to vaahan yatra and see it, hear it yourself!
	() Thanks

30th September 2005, 14:35	#99
navin Team-BHP Support Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 25,198 Thanked: 9,304 Times	sam, i think it is only a controller. i dont think the audio signal goes though it does it. so it should not have a sonic signature.
	() Thanks

30th September 2005, 15:31	#100
Sam Kapasi Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai (but wat Posts: 6,997 Thanked: 2,378 Times View My Garage	It also has an FM mod. So that should change the sound a bit na? Kaisa laga navin?
	() Thanks

30th September 2005, 19:31	#101
navin Team-BHP Support Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 25,198 Thanked: 9,304 Times	it has 5 FM mods. sam. i think i mentioned this before. technically you could have 6 ipods running in the car and be able to choose as it can set 5 FM channels (the 6th ipod will be wired). now you are giving me naughty ideas. :-) not that i am in the market for this (given my recent KCA 420i and 410C additions) but i would really like to do is see if this fits on a car dash without looking like Elliot's alien friend.
	() Thanks