So I thought I put my research up, maybe someone finds it useful, and maybe others can fill in the holes in my research and make it a sticky?
DAB Radio
I found out that there is know that there is a lot of talk about UK’s DAB radio being “under par” comparing to the new DAB+ technology and that current DAB tuners would not be compatible / upgradeable. Main gripe being that the current DAB is needs wide-band for decent signal and the need to cram lot of channels traded off against the sound quality. There is also talk on t’internet about US-style satellite radio (XM) entering European markets but that also looks like a bit of a remote possibility.
Anyways, it is looking like the decision to kill off current DAB incarnation is unlikely to come very soon, with rumours of transmissions running in parallel on DAB and its successor for years yet. (And probably FM too) Besides, my primary reason would be the extra stations, so it may well be worth going for it at least for some people.
- I know that there is a (somewhat unpopular) OEM “Technical Pack” that comes with DAB tuner, but I don’t seem to be able to find much information or the prices anywhere. (Kingo?)
- Obviously there is always the ripping out the existing unit and fitting a “fascia adapter “ ( for example) and then going for an aftermarket unit solution. This may incur further costs/problems rigging up the steering wheel control (and probably wouldn’t work with my Bluetooth setup). This option looks like it could get really expensive
- There are also add-ons like “Pure Highway” ( Bloke from the gadget show reviewing it ) But I didn’t fancy that one as it uses an FM transmission to the main car’s system. I have a Belkin transmitter-gizmo that was my first attempt at the problem, but I find it next to useless in providing very similar functionality.
Research is still continuing on this one...
External sources
iPod connection
Covered beautifully @ this post by Anchorman
OEM AUX-IN
I know that our US cousin comes with AUX socket in the armrest and that 2009 RAV is meant to have it, but I don’t seem to be able to find even a mention of an OEM solution from Toyota. Again Kingo?
The solutions I did come across:
RAW
Way too complicated for me, but some electronic enthusiast may find easy enough:
AVCLAN
(schm’s original topic)
Connects2 “CTVTYX002” AUX-IN (about £30)
Example
Another example
Then I started to look at the idea of USB connection as well. It may come in useful to charge stuff and play music off the USB storage. I came across these:
Connects2 “CTATYUSB002” USB/AUX (about £70)
Example
GROM USB/AUX ) (125 US$)
ExampleI didn’t find a UK distributor for this one (yet). And I am not sure it will work with our head units
All of these seem to work by making use / impersonating the CD multichanger. This reflects on the USB in the following way: you basically have to arrange your music into folders named “CD01,CD02...CD06” and put up to 99 tracks into the folders. These are then accessed like CDs on the multichanger. This works well for people who like using USB sticks, SD cards with readers. Unfortunately, not so much for people with loads of music on a portable hard-disk based MP3 player with its own folder structure. (I have an old 80Gb Archos with loads of folders all over the place)
As both if these USB solutions seem to also support an AUX-in, I am still considering going for the USB solution. (Particularly if the added USB port would be able to charge our mobiles, MP3 players, GPS and other gizmos.)
Phew. That was a bit of a typo-thone.
Hope someone finds it useful. Opinions, suggestions, links very welcome.
Small disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with any of the links above, they are just random Google hits I encountered researching. I also rounded-up the prices to reflect that there may be delivery costs to add... Google it yourself, I’ve put the model numbers in the quotes for easy searching.
