PCMCIA memory card reader possibilities
#1
PCMCIA memory card reader possibilities
I'm waiting patiently for my Honda Civic Hybrid with Navi in Magnetic Pearl to arrive on Jan 1st. I've been thinking about the "audio card reader" feature of the navi model. From what I've read, its simply a pcmcia slot that you can put a pcmcia card reader into.
It makes me wonder what other things you might put into that slot. Since it is expecting just a dumb reader there, it is probably just looking for a file system. If this is the case, could you put a hard drive there? You can get a Toshiba 5 GB PCMCIA hard drive off of ebay from $30-$80. It would be nice to have 5GB of music sitting in your car, especially if it was built into the existing user interface. Does anyone have experience with the audio card reader?
Also, this got me thinking further that a pcmcia card that had a usb host could be extremely useful. Plug your phone/pmp/mp3 player into the usb slot in the pcmcia card, and voila! You've mounted the filesystem. The biggest hurdle I see is that the pcmcia card would have to have enough smarts to mount the usb device as a mass storage device without using any drivers. It would have to just look like a file system from the navi side of the connection. I've checked around, and this sort of device doesn't exist. However, I've designed both USB and PCMCIA interfaces before, and this would not be very hard of a product to bang out.
Finally, what about that ipod connector? Is that basically a firewire host with some driver at the end to mount the ipod? I wonder if it could be adapted to other devices? A firewire to USB converter might work... Then again, Apple is proprietary enough that it probably wouldn't.
Anyhow, the possibilities of integration with gadgets here is huge!
--Brad
It makes me wonder what other things you might put into that slot. Since it is expecting just a dumb reader there, it is probably just looking for a file system. If this is the case, could you put a hard drive there? You can get a Toshiba 5 GB PCMCIA hard drive off of ebay from $30-$80. It would be nice to have 5GB of music sitting in your car, especially if it was built into the existing user interface. Does anyone have experience with the audio card reader?
Also, this got me thinking further that a pcmcia card that had a usb host could be extremely useful. Plug your phone/pmp/mp3 player into the usb slot in the pcmcia card, and voila! You've mounted the filesystem. The biggest hurdle I see is that the pcmcia card would have to have enough smarts to mount the usb device as a mass storage device without using any drivers. It would have to just look like a file system from the navi side of the connection. I've checked around, and this sort of device doesn't exist. However, I've designed both USB and PCMCIA interfaces before, and this would not be very hard of a product to bang out.
Finally, what about that ipod connector? Is that basically a firewire host with some driver at the end to mount the ipod? I wonder if it could be adapted to other devices? A firewire to USB converter might work... Then again, Apple is proprietary enough that it probably wouldn't.
Anyhow, the possibilities of integration with gadgets here is huge!
--Brad
#3
Re: PCMCIA memory card reader possibilities
Actually, the ipod connector is much more, check out this link:
http://automobiles.honda.com/models/...e=Civic+Hybrid
The ipod connector can control the ipod (while it sits quietly in your glove box) from the steering wheel. I'm just wondering what sort of connector it is, and whether the mp3s are played by the ipod, or by the stereo. In other words, is the ipod used as an audio server, or a mass storage device?
--Brad
http://automobiles.honda.com/models/...e=Civic+Hybrid
The ipod connector can control the ipod (while it sits quietly in your glove box) from the steering wheel. I'm just wondering what sort of connector it is, and whether the mp3s are played by the ipod, or by the stereo. In other words, is the ipod used as an audio server, or a mass storage device?
--Brad
#4
Re: PCMCIA memory card reader possibilities
Originally Posted by harperbrad
It makes me wonder what other things you might put into that slot. Since it is expecting just a dumb reader there, it is probably just looking for a file system. If this is the case, could you put a hard drive there? You can get a Toshiba 5 GB PCMCIA hard drive off of ebay from $30-$80. It would be nice to have 5GB of music sitting in your car, especially if it was built into the existing user interface. Does anyone have experience with the audio card reader?
Also, this got me thinking further that a pcmcia card that had a usb host could be extremely useful. Plug your phone/pmp/mp3 player into the usb slot in the pcmcia card, and voila! You've mounted the filesystem. The biggest hurdle I see is that the pcmcia card would have to have enough smarts to mount the usb device as a mass storage device without using any drivers. It would have to just look like a file system from the navi side of the connection. I've checked around, and this sort of device doesn't exist. However, I've designed both USB and PCMCIA interfaces before, and this would not be very hard of a product to bang out.
....
Anyhow, the possibilities of integration with gadgets here is huge!
--Brad
Also, this got me thinking further that a pcmcia card that had a usb host could be extremely useful. Plug your phone/pmp/mp3 player into the usb slot in the pcmcia card, and voila! You've mounted the filesystem. The biggest hurdle I see is that the pcmcia card would have to have enough smarts to mount the usb device as a mass storage device without using any drivers. It would have to just look like a file system from the navi side of the connection. I've checked around, and this sort of device doesn't exist. However, I've designed both USB and PCMCIA interfaces before, and this would not be very hard of a product to bang out.
....
Anyhow, the possibilities of integration with gadgets here is huge!
--Brad
#5
Re: PCMCIA memory card reader possibilities
Prices for memory seem to be on a downward trend. With rebates, I picked up a 2GB SD card for ~ US $80. It's nice to be able to see the songs on-screen. There is an iPod add-on mentioned above, but for US $200, I think I'll take a pass on that. The sweet spot would (IMHO) be for less than US $100, but it's a niche of a niche market and likely not profitable in the short-run.
#6
Re: PCMCIA memory card reader possibilities
Originally Posted by IMAhybrid
i think the iPod connection is just an auxilary input.
#7
Re: PCMCIA memory card reader possibilities
Originally Posted by JJanney
It is, unless you purchase the accessory that harperbrad linked too. Then you are able to charge the iPod too.
Here are the details. I found it online for US $165. Not including installation.
http://www.hondapartsdeals.com/produ...ink-2006-civic
Let the music play – The Honda Civic iPod Link
So you just picked up the new 60GB iPod and have loaded a ton of music on it but still have to resort to playing CDs in your car. If you’re a proud owner of a Honda Civic then you’re in luck. The Honda Civic iPod Link now lets you play music from your iPod. Designed specifically for Honda the iPod connection for Civics produces crisp, digital-quality sound results. Thanks to the amazing technology of this link you can easily play your ipod in Honda civics. Some other fabulous features include:
- Use the steering wheel-mounted audio control buttons to search for and play music from your iPod iPod connection for Civics charges your iPod battery while it's connected and the vehicle is on
- Use the audio system's controls to search for and play music from your iPod.
- The Honda Civic iPod Link kit includes a dealer-installed music link cable, a quick reference guide to get you started, and a Honda music link CD
- Play music from your Apple iPod through your vehicle's audio system
- Get crisp, digital-quality sound results
- Music Link will work with the 4th-generation iPodm iPod mini, iPod nano, and iPod u2 Special Edition.
- Use the audio system's controls to search for and play music from your iPod
- Use the steering wheel-mounted audio control buttons to search for and play music from your iPod
- The Music Link system charges your iPod battery while it's connected and the vehicle is on
- Honda Music Link kit includes a dealer-installed Music Link cable, a Quick Reference Guide to get you started, and a Honda Music Link CD
Last edited by HyMinded; 03-02-2006 at 07:38 AM. Reason: Addition
#9
Re: PCMCIA memory card reader possibilities
Originally Posted by tarabell
Is anyone else getting shocked by their Hondas? For me it always seems to happen in the morning when I get in and reach down to adjust the seat. Any recommendations that would dissipate the static build up before I touch metal?
#10
Re: PCMCIA memory card reader possibilities
I've been using my ipod connected to the AUX input for the past week or so with a $5 cable from Radio shack. The positives are that it sounds surprisingly good and as i mentioned it only costs $5 to get going. The downsides are that you can't control it using voice or the audio screen, just the ipod itself which takes your eyes off the road and there is no power to the ipod so after a few days you will have to remember to recharge it. I would reccomend mounting it securely and high on the dashboard if this is going to be your preferred solution. Comparing the PCMCIA adapter, it is much better integrated into the Audio System - even the Honda iPod adapter doesnt show you the name of the song or artist on the screen but the PC card does. You can also search for song's using the keypad as well as by voice. You don't have to worry about power and the steering wheel controls work as well. With a 4 GB card you can hold approx 100 albums (4 GB card = $125 at Amazon). 8 GB cards are much pricier but should come down in price. Unfortunately im a ipod and itunes fan so i've got a huge library of aac files but i will now be ripping to wma and leaving the ipod at home except for long trips. The PC card is a much better solution than the Aux port and even the aftermarket Honda iPod adapter - too bad i've got to use wma now but its well worth it for the integration with the rest of the system.