New Valor Ipod adapter [Archive]

TJElite

06-01-2006, 10:56 AM

I put one of these in an explorer yesterday. Its pretty cool.

Basically, it is a device, about 2/3 the size of an ipod, that has an input cable from the ipod, and AV outputs to whatever.

When hooked to a video screen, you can access all of your songs and playlists, sorted by artist, album, title, genre, etc. The unit has a wireless remote, so you just scroll up and down the screen, and select whatever.

What makes it even cooler, is that you can play videos from a non-video ipod. You just copy the video files to your ipod (like an external hard drive). When this device accesses the ipod, it will find the video files, and allow you to play them back on any video source with a component input. You can also store and display pictures the same way.

And its very easy to use. The home screen lets you select Ipod, video, music, etc. Then, you get easy to use menus to select from there. In ipod mode, it will also display the ID3 info, elapsed time, and time remaining. Its very professional looking on the screen, and allows much easier access to ipod music than many big name adapters.

Best part...retail is less than $200.

My only complaint was that it was a bit noisy out of the box. Some filtering got rid of it, though.

I'm putting one in my showroom this week, and I'll post some screen shots. Any of you coming to the meet next weekend can see it in person.

Toby

Notladstyle

06-01-2006, 01:12 PM

Pics Pics Pics!

93ex

06-01-2006, 05:27 PM

http://www.macobserver.com/article/2006/01/valor.jpg

http://www.valordvd.com/images/iLink/big/iLink-L2.jpg

http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136466

TJElite

06-01-2006, 06:01 PM

That's it. I'll post some closer screen shots when I get it hooked up tomorrow.

Toby

TJElite

06-02-2006, 04:09 PM

93ex

06-02-2006, 04:35 PM

Here are the screen shots. Like I said, this will work with any video screen that has a composite (RCA) input. I'm actually thinking about doing a 'headless system'...one of these, and maybe something like the Clarion NICE...nav, screen, and Sirius all in one.

Toby

I have been thinking about that for a bit now, except I still listen to radio so I'm kinda up shits creek. I had a feeling that sooner or later someone was going to do an ipod based head unit.

TJElite

06-02-2006, 04:41 PM

I have been thinking about that for a bit now, except I still listen to radio so I'm kinda up shits creek. I had a feeling that sooner or later someone was going to do an ipod based head unit.

Radio ? Ugh...

Alpine has some new 'universal' tuner thing...called a Vehiclehub, or something like that. Supposed to be good for Benz's and the like. Hooks to the factory nav screen, and gives you menus for all the audio / video.

Probably going to be pricey, though.

Toby

P057

06-02-2006, 04:53 PM

Here are the screen shots. Like I said, this will work with any video screen that has a composite (RCA) input. I'm actually thinking about doing a 'headless system'...one of these, and maybe something like the Clarion NICE...nav, screen, and Sirius all in one.

Toby

crazy frog?
:roll::blahblah::thumbdwn::gay::monkspk::ban:

TJElite

06-02-2006, 04:59 PM

crazy frog?
:roll::blahblah::thumbdwn::gay::monkspk::ban:

I have Crazy Frog, and you have Monkey porn avitars...

Toby

P057

06-02-2006, 05:17 PM

I have Crazy Frog, and you have Monkey porn avitars...

Toby

actually they belong to TR =D

how do you control what to play next? im pretty sure touchscreen is out of the question so do you use the Ipod itself? that'd be a bit of a pain to use as a headunit...

Notladstyle

06-02-2006, 06:01 PM

theres a wireless remote that you can use with the av box that controls the functions. From what Ive read on other forums, its almost as fast and smooth as the ipod itself.

If I had an ipod I might consider getting this box and using the DIN.5 location of the headunit now for a nice 7"... but alas I will not support a software giant that doesnt allow me to freely pirate my music should i feel so inclined.

TJElite

06-02-2006, 07:37 PM

Notladstyle

06-02-2006, 10:21 PM

Just because they don't endorse it, doesn't mean it can't be done. There are several ways to remove the M4P protection of itunes...

Toby

itunes songs are encoded with some sort of pgp encryption, without a key to unlock them the only way to recode them is to rip them from wav output or analog and that is way too much trouble and you lose the dolby downmix data. Bittorrent for me!

P057

06-02-2006, 11:02 PM

itunes songs are encoded with some sort of pgp encryption, without a key to unlock them the only way to recode them is to rip them from wav output or analog and that is way too much trouble and you lose the dolby downmix data. Bittorrent for me!

i believe its the .mpa files? its the .m4a files that you can trade around or maybe i got it backwards... either way i hate those filetypes, people have been trying to find ways to get around the protection to really no avail.. pretty aggravating....

BitTorrent and Azzy for me.

Notladstyle

06-03-2006, 12:00 AM

i believe its the .mpa files? its the .m4a files that you can trade around or maybe i got it backwards... either way i hate those filetypes, people have been trying to find ways to get around the protection to really no avail.. pretty aggravating....

BitTorrent and Azzy for me.

Fighting the original creators of the GUI operating system abd pioneers of PCs doesnt bode well for joe consumer. there are some software programs that will rip them from the wav output which is almost perfect reproductions but I dont see that as very practical. If people like the music, they buy the CD.

If and when filesharing colapses I will hopefully be far enough progressed that I can design my own new filesharing protocols but I will never give complete control over where and in what format I store my music to the music industry.

BUT back on topic:

I cant wait to see the headunitless car setup with the ipod interface toby!

TJElite

06-03-2006, 08:00 AM

itunes songs are encoded with some sort of pgp encryption, without a key to unlock them the only way to recode them is to rip them from wav output or analog and that is way too much trouble and you lose the dolby downmix data. Bittorrent for me!

Incorrect. There are a couple programs that will remove the itunes key digitally.

Jhymn is free, and it not only removes the lock, it removes all the ownership info, so no one knows who bought the song.

Tunbite is not free (but its like $20) and it will most likely work on any form of copywright protection. Basically, it plays the song and re-records it, but it does it digitally through the sound card, so there are no losses.

Of course, none of these are designed to let you steal music, etc, etc, etc.

Toby

TJElite

06-03-2006, 08:09 AM

i believe its the .mpa files? its the .m4a files that you can trade around or maybe i got it backwards... either way i hate those filetypes, people have been trying to find ways to get around the protection to really no avail.. pretty aggravating....

BitTorrent and Azzy for me.

Itunes uses AAC, which is the audio codec of MP4 DVD movie files, but they do add a 'lock and key' system, which only lets the song play on authorized players / computers. Another thing many people don't know is that they encode the song with the info on who purchased it. So, if it ends up on napster, or something, they can tell who did it. The file extension on itunes files is M4p, which signifies this protected MP4. There are ways around this.

Toby

Notladstyle

06-03-2006, 01:09 PM

Incorrect. There are a couple programs that will remove the itunes key digitally.

Jhymn is free, and it not only removes the lock, it removes all the ownership info, so no one knows who bought the song.

Tunbite is not free (but its like $20) and it will most likely work on any form of copywright protection. Basically, it plays the song and re-records it, but it does it digitally through the sound card, so there are no losses.

Of course, none of these are designed to let you steal music, etc, etc, etc.

Toby

Good shit, im already on google checkin this out.

P057

06-03-2006, 03:30 PM

I just saw this thing in person, i dont even like ipods (or really any mp3s for that matter... well not that i dont LIKE THEM its that i have no use for them) and i think this thing is pretty tight. Very clean interface and a buttload of features, makes it pretty worth it if you got the req's

93ex

06-04-2006, 09:27 PM

If I had an ipod I might consider getting this box and using the DIN.5 location of the headunit now for a nice 7"... but alas I will not support a software giant that doesnt allow me to freely pirate my music should i feel so inclined.

You dont have to Buy from the itunes store to use an Ipod... I dont see whats the big deal.

Notladstyle

06-04-2006, 11:05 PM

You dont have to Buy from the itunes store to use an Ipod... I dont see whats the big deal.

who makes the ipod, runs itunes, and pioneered encrypted music storage?

93ex

06-05-2006, 07:53 AM

who makes the ipod, runs itunes, and pioneered encrypted music storage?

You also dont have to use itunes to use an ipod.

so far youve got apple making the ipod, you dont need i tunes, or to use itune related songs.

I'm still not seeing the problem. Download all your songs however you want, use a a different program, and stick it to the man! Or however you feel you are bieng violated.

Notladstyle

06-05-2006, 02:05 PM

You also dont have to use itunes to use an ipod.

so far youve got apple making the ipod, you dont need i tunes, or to use itune related songs.

I'm still not seeing the problem. Download all your songs however you want, use a a different program, and stick it to the man! Or however you feel you are bieng violated.

OK, my point wasnt clear enough. Apple runs itunes, thats enough reason for me not to buy the ipod.

93ex

06-05-2006, 02:37 PM

OK, my point wasnt clear enough. Apple runs itunes, thats enough reason for me not to buy the ipod.

No, it was clear enough, just seems like a nonsensical one.

P057

06-05-2006, 02:39 PM

OK, my point wasnt clear enough. Apple runs itunes, thats enough reason for me not to buy the ipod.

Sorry Dalton, thats a sucky excuse. :roll:

I just dont like them because

A. everyone has one and its boring to look at, every other college student has those white earbuds hangin off em and a white box in their hand.

B. expensive. Shit battery dies and you're fked.

C. I have no real use for it, who needs to be listening to music all fargin day? the two hours in the day i spend driving is good enough.

those are good reasons.;) Itunes is just ...whatever, at least it isnt some devil software like RealPlayer...:crack:

93ex

06-05-2006, 02:49 PM

Sorry Dalton, thats a sucky excuse. :roll:

I just dont like them because

A. everyone has one and its boring to look at, every other college student has those white earbuds hangin off em and a white box in their hand.

B. expensive. Shit battery dies and you're fked.

C. I have no real use for it, who needs to be listening to music all fargin day? the two hours in the day i spend driving is good enough.

those are good reasons.;) Itunes is just ...whatever, at least it isnt some devil software like RealPlayer...:crack:

A. Mine is black! and they make a variety of cases if you want pizazz. Besides, how much time do you spend looking at your portable music players? I had a walkman, and that think was hideous, as all my cd players.

B. Yes. Battery replacement isnt too expensive, but yeah, I probably wouldnt have gotten one if it hadnt been a gift.

C. I thought the same about it before hand, but having 2400 songs on my ipod, I havent even had a cd in my car since I bought it. I download whatever i want, pop it on the ipod and then I'm rockin out. Not to mention videos.

TJElite

06-05-2006, 03:30 PM

And like it or not, if Itunes didn't have a pretty good copy protection scheme, they wouldn't be able to get artists to sign on. While Itunes AAC is not the best format, its loads better than many (most) of the MP3's out there in cyberspace. If it weren't for Apple, we'd still be trading hit or miss recordings on Napster.

I have probably 1200 songs on my ipod, less than 25 of which are from itunes. Again, I don't really like 128kb AAC. The rest are ripped from CD's I actually own (shocking, I know). its just cool to be able to plunk down .99 and get the one song from an album that I like, and know it will be of decent quality.

Its amazing how many people wouldn't even think of walking into a music store, and pocketing a CD, but have no problem with an illegal copy. News flash...same thing.

And I like the Ipod because there are good interfaces for it into aftermarket and factory stereo's.

Toby

P057

06-05-2006, 03:54 PM

hrm you guys make valid arguments and i have re-evaluated my belief on them.
They sound OK but I'd still not like to invest 700 bucks on an ipod (unit plus the adapter plus the video screen) HU.

maybe after this alpine hu dies or something....

but then i'd probably just make a car PC..

Notladstyle

06-05-2006, 05:52 PM

FIXED PER P057

Any song that I liked enough to go to the trouble of downloading, burning to CD, and listening to in my car several times is worth buying.

if its a trendy top 10 for the a day kind of song, hell yeah I'm gonna download it and I'm not buying a whole CD full of crap songs for a single track that happends to be the in thing at the moment.

...when they are whining from a 2 bedroom apartment on the south side I will feel guity and change my opinion.

I think bubba sparx should give me a refund for my time and computer use to download it.

P057

06-05-2006, 06:48 PM

Any song that I liked enough to go to the trouble of downloading, burning to CD, and listening to in my car several times is worth [BUYING].

if its a trendy top 10 for the a day kind of song, hell yeah I'm gonna download it and I'm not buying a whole CD full of crap songs for a single track that happends to be the in thing at the moment.

...when they are whining from a 2 bedroom apartment on the south side I will feel guity and change my opinion.

I think bubba sparx should give me a refund for my time and computer use to download it.

those points, fixed and summarized... A-MEN!

93ex

06-05-2006, 09:33 PM