Re: [ARSCLIST] MP3 player for public

[Tom Fine <tflists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I believe most new aftermarket car radios have a line input jack. There are numerous other options. 
See for instance www.crutchfield.com.  For my wife's 2002 Chevy Blazer, our best option was the FM 
modulator, which complete with generic-to-GM antenna adapters cost $50. I wired it into the Blazer 
ashtray since neither of us smoke. Where the lighter was is now the on/off switch (off reconnects 
the antenna without the modulator between the outside FM world and the radio). The modulator sits in 
the ashtray cavity and is powered by soldering into what used to be the lighter socket wiring. The 
whole thing can close up and be out of sight when her iPod or CD player isn't connected. What 
prompted this was the death of the cassette player after 5 years of mostly running a cassette 
adapter thing with the CD player. The FM modulator sounds much better and is more reliable. Given 
the quality of the car audio system it is more than fine for her purposes. Another option for some 
vehicles is a line-level adapter via the CD changer socket. Hondas, for instance, allow this on 
certain models. My brother got a device from Crutchfield that not only brings audio to the car 
stereo but also allows control of his iPod from the "CD Changer" controls on the Honda dashboard.

There are numerous other ways to skin this cat, depending on how much $$$ you want to spend and how 
much effort you wish to take.

-- Tom Fine

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <dnjchi@xxxxxxx>
To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2007 9:14 AM
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] MP3 player for public


> Speaking of MP3 players, is one made to be used in the dash of automobiles?
>
> Don Chichester
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: tflists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Sent: Sun, 22 Apr 2007 7:04 AM
> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] MP3 player for public
>
>
> Hi Mark:
>
> Well, there is a reason the iPod is far and away the best selling digital music player -- ease of 
> use and user-friendly interface. You'd be hard pressed to find a better interface, although 
> someone probably makes a specialized player of some sort for institutional purposes. I've seen 
> specialized CD players in museums -- the covers are locked and they are ruggedized and offer only 
> play and stop buttons, covered in rubber so slimy little fingers can't break them. Someone must 
> make a similar MP3 player.
>
> Another idea -- seek out an Apple refurb or recycling place in Europe. You might find a load of 
> iPod Mini or even an early Nano for very cheap. A Nano might be your ideal choice because it's got 
> solid-state memory, not a hard drive, and will thus last longer under constant jarring.
>
> -- Tom Fine
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark.Davis" <Mark.Davis@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2007 10:04 PM
> Subject: [ARSCLIST] MP3 player for public
>
> > Dear All
> > I apologize of this topic has been dealt with in the past (though I did do a search)
> > My institution is considering audio commentaries of exhibits, no doubt a well worn path.
> >
> > Does anyone know of a cheap larger non-purpose built mp3 player with simple buttons and few > 
> > options to confuse the user.
> >
> > Ideally it should display a numbered playlist, play one track on command and fall back to the > 
> > playlist. Other than select/play/pause/stop and volume no other functions are needed.
> >
> > I know some institutions use either purpose built units, or have custom programming for pda's, > 
> > however both are outside our price range.
> >
> > Looking in the local shops produces a maze of differing products, all seemingly for the > 
> > technologically adept user and with far too many other features. Also these products change so > 
> > fast that by the time one were to be purchased and tested it is superceded and no longer > 
> > available.
> >
> > Any advice would be welcome
> >
> > Thanks
> > Mark
> >
> >
> >
> > Mark Davis
> > Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery
> > 2 Wellington St Launceston Tasmania Australia 7250
> > Ph 061 3 63233753 Fax 061 3 63233776
> ________________________________________________________________________
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