GCHQAgent

Yea its cool stuff, unfortunately this time around the people who helped create the format are seeking heavy royalties not just on the encoders but on every playback of the file. Because of that, the competition, and because its so new I doubt it'd take off. If are looking to buy a proper mp3 player system for your car then I'd suggest looking for one that can be flash upgraded to support new music formats, if not, then look for a format known as Ogg Vorbis - its free and better than mp3, not to mention that it has a better uptake than mp3PRO.

Anyway, I'm going to shut up now, I'm deviating from the original post too much.:tumble:

Am I missing something here? The easiest way must be to see if there is a multi changer that you can straight swap where the head reads MP3 as well as normal audio. Maybe you could just change the head unit? I work with computers and most CD-Roms or CD-RW (re-writers) and now even domestic DVD players can see MP3 (along with lots of other formats).:wow:

I'm not quite sure I follow you... CD-ROMS that contain MP3 files are usually in ISO9660 format. Some DVD players can read and play MP3s files from CDs but normal CD drives can only read the data, not do anything useful with it like extract the MP3 file data.

Also, you'd need a way to decompress the MP3 file data once you've got it so that you can output it as audio.

There are head units around which can play MP3s on CDs but they're usually not high quality head units and again, they are a bit over priced.

What I am hoping to do is use a laptop and write a piece of software that will interface with the Lexus' stereo and pretend to be a CD changer (with directories being CDs and files being tracks). The MP3s will be stored on hard disk.

The cassette adapter is perhaps the easiest way but you are right, it is pathetic in terms of quality (and it also looks a but ugh). A better way (in terms of quality) is to use a little FM transmitter and listen to it via the radio. If money doesn't matter and quality is everything, you can buy a professional system but they're way to expensive for what they are...

I am hoping to put a little laptop computer in the boot and interface to the Lexus system using the CD changer interface (does the 2000 IS200 have such an interface?). If all goes to plan then I should be able to control the laptop via the changer controls on the facia because to the stereo the laptop should just appear as a changer.

Anyway, its not a new idea but it isn't exactly easy either so if I do suceed I'll let everyone know.

It depends on the quality of the mp3s you want to play and also on the hardware that'll connect the audio to the stereo... most of my music is encoded at 160kbps to 320kbps and I don't notice any difference. Most people have MP3s at 128kbps and on a decent system like the one on the Lexus you could probably tell the quality wasn't CD perfect...

I'm planning to... I'll drop you an email if I figure out how ;)

It may also help (for those driving in London) to know that only 1 in 10 speeders are actually prosecuted purely because the met aren't efficient enough to process every offence within 14 days... I think its important to note that if more money went to those boys then no doubt that figure would increase, and we dont want that do we...

Eagle Star Direct,

Don't know the number see www.eaglestardirect.com,

£2452 Fully Comprehensive and £350 compulsory excess... not bad considering I'm 18.

A word of warning though: these people won't let you do any modifications (not even a small boot spoiler ) no matter who you are

2000/X IS200 Sport

[Edited on 22-3-2002 by GCHQAgent]