Topic: CD Changer options for Ford Focus '05

[tpl]

Nef and MD.  The protocol converters that (probably) available to go between the Ford cable and an after market CD changer are not very expensive.
I did some of this research for my car to get MP3 capability and discovered.   Various CD changers for the trunk that would fit into the factory brackets AND would use the steering wheel controls. Then I needed TWO widgets!  a cable converter from the BMWs ( obsolete) bus cable to a newer cable type  ($15US) and a protocol converter ( $49.95US) ...I didnt do this for various reasons...not the least being that my commute really requires constant listening to 680Am for the traffic.

So Nef I an confident that there is a proper and correct aftermarket solution that will keep the steering wheel controls and the factory look. The focus is such a popular car that there must be many possibilities. Hence why I suggested a specialist that I know is good even if not in Miss.

My head unit  vintage 2003 wont even play musivc on CD-RW discs to my annoyance...I guess it just doesnt like the look of the disc.

[Mdxtasy]

I was looking on the internet for a compatible converter to post but got sidetracked.  Do you have links Tpl?

[nefcanuck]

Tpl,

Well, that's certainly something to look at in terms of what I do.  I mean I'm not adverse to going to Kromer necessarily, but it will require a few phone calls, 'cause I want to make sure this is one visit and done type of deal.  Driving in Toronto is a test of nerves, esp. with a new car

NefCanuck

[nefcanuck]

Just an update folks,

Decided to bend over and let Ford have at my wallet whilst I grab my ankles.  

I didn't want to have anything extra in the way of controls to distract me as I was driving down the road, given that the upmarket Ford radio will let the steering wheel mounted controls work and will also have the speed sensitive volume & be a plug & play operation (a mere 30 minute labour charge according to my dealership), it seemed the lesser of all the evils out there.

Now the tech question becomes:  Is there anything I should be doing specifically while I'm burning CD's with mp3's on em?  (Bit rate, whether to use 680MB or 800MB CD's, which brand of CD works best?)

Thanks for any information you can give me.

NefCanuck

[tpl]

Excellent.  I would try a few flavours of CD in the car player myself.

SOme drives are not happy with those very dark blue CDs  Some drives will do CD-R but not RW.

Of course if the Ford instruction book says it will play anything....

The only MP3 disk I have is a compendium of everything the Beatles ever recorded. Plays fine in a computer, mostly plays on my home dvd player, which gets upset over the dpth of the directory structure and of course the stupid car just wont.  SO from that, make disks with flat structure...which is still a lot of music on a disk.

Now I dont know what you listen to but the stuff on my disc was never all that Hi-Fi even when first recorded 40 yrs ago.  cars are unfriendly environments for music so a super clean recording with a wide dynamic range may get lost.

Not much help but some of the forum experts will be along soon!

[nefcanuck]

Tpl,

I'm not sure if CD/RW will work, of course that would be ideal, but even if the player can only read CDR's I'll live.

My plan was to simply rip & burn mp3's keeping the directory structure of the CD's that are the source (Meaning each folder on the CD contains the contents of one disk)

I was assuming to burn at 128kbps and seeing how that went, using 800MB disks that should mean roughly 9-10 music CD's worth, if my math is right.

As to how hi fidelity the mp3's are, I'm realistic, I'm recording mp3's for a car, I can't expect miracles now can I?

This should be interesting, I'll update once they install the new deck

NefCanuck
(P.S. returned the Sony cigarette lighter based FM transmitter, apparently I wasn't the first to do so... looks like Sony has to go back to the drawing board)