Mazda5 with its own built in "iPod"

[Johann]

Now this is clever: The new Mazda5's radio has a 20GB hard drive!!! From: http://www.channel4.com/4car/road-tests/M/mazda/505-/505-.html it says:

"It records a CD as MP3 files in real time as you play it, or you can leave the disc in overnight to complete the job. Track names are added, if you like, by a remote keypad. Mazda has looked at the possibility of downloading tracks from your computer or iPod, but is concerned about copyright issues. To be continued, no doubt... "

Now this idea I like!!! Very nice!

The car itself is also a good looking device I have to say. Very sporty form the front and different from the rear... and rear the bit in the above article about the seats! (http://www.channel4.com/4car/road-tests/M/mazda/505-/505--comequipt.html) Very clever!

Also a good looking dash I think.

More images at: http://www.channel4.com/4car/gallery/M/mazda/5/gallery.html

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[img=left]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-2/11882/a2andme2.gif[/img=left]
2001 A2 TDI SE Crystal Blue with Open Sky, 6CD Symphony II, BOSE upgrade, DIS and HALF a winterpack!

iPAQ 3970 with Sat-Nav sleeve, rear cupholders, luggage net and floppy wiper!

http://www.a2oc.net/pic_show.asp?picid=1572&type=1 On www.A2OC.net pictures UK160 to UK183

 

[runboy]

I was aware of head units with hard drives which record the cd's directly, but to decode into MP3 at the same time is a great idea. 20gb will give you hundreds of songs to choose from.
I wonder if the radio is DAB, then it could record radio programmes for the driver too!

Steve - A couple of A2's, then a Corolla, now an Avensis T3-X 2.0 Auto

 

[Johann]

Perhaps... but contrary to what people believe DAB does not broadcast at very high bit rates. It is good for mainly spoken word stations like BBC4, but for proper music listening 128 kbps or some even as low as 96kbps is not good enough. You are better off ripping CDs to MP3.

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[img=left]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-2/11882/a2andme2.gif[/img=left]
2001 A2 TDI SE Crystal Blue with Open Sky, 6CD Symphony II, BOSE upgrade, DIS and HALF a winterpack!

iPAQ 3970 with Sat-Nav sleeve, rear cupholders, luggage net and floppy wiper!

http://www.a2oc.net/pic_show.asp?picid=1572&type=1 On www.A2OC.net pictures UK160 to UK183