Hi all,

I have Stream MP3 and the lack of USB input was driving me nuts, so I bought and installed XCarLink with SD-card, USB and audio-in. But it is an inadequate solution - the unit acts like a CD-changer, so the file system (SD/USB) must have up to 6 folders named CD00-CD05, with up to 99 files in every folder. Just imagine if you want to search for a certain file...And forget about the tags, even the filenames - the Stream cannot read them through XCarLink. I want to have the freedom to name the folders and to see the information of the ID3 tags like on my Sony CDX-GT 616. So if anyone is using Dension Gateway 300 (or other unit) with Stream MP3, please let me know if there are such limitations (or any at all). Thanks.

The only way you can see filenames on the stream itself is from a CD in the CD drive - ID tags are not supported directly from anything pretending to be a CD changer.

The Dension 300 goes one step better and displays filenames on Maxi-dot, if you have it.

I'm using a Phatbox at the moment, and there is no such restriction on folder structure - it's very simple to navigate by either artist, genre, album, playlist etc. although finding one individual track will still take a few button presses.

Timmy, you're forgetting that the Phatbox talks to you and you can pick the voice.

But on http://www.phatnoise.com/products/digitalmediaplayers/index.aspx it's shown as discontinued... Or the one for VW? http://www.phatnoise.com/vw/

Ah yes, sorry didn't make that very clear!

As Ian says, when navigating for something it reads out the file/tract/artist/playlist/genre over the speakers, so you just keep clicking 'next' until you hit what you're looking for.

And yes, you can load up a sexy foreign sounding lady like I have - much to SWMBO's delight, naturally.

But on http://www.phatnoise...yers/index.aspx it's shown as discontinued... Or the one for VW? http://www.phatnoise.com/vw/

You can't buy them new any more so it'll have to be an eBay job - there's usually plenty around though.

Mine will be for sale as soon as I've sourced a Columbus.

Another possible solution is Parrot MKi9200 - http://www.parrot.com/catalog/products/parrot-mki9200

It uses it's own built-in amplifier and only the car speakers, I don't know if this affects the quality of the sound...

Looks like a clever gadget, but it's something that would be stolen unless you took it out of the car with you every time - at least the other solutions mentioned can be hidden away nice and tidily.

Another possible solution is Parrot MKi9200 - http://www.parrot.com/catalog/products/parrot-mki9200

It uses it's own built-in amplifier and only the car speakers, I don't know if this affects the quality of the sound...

My boss has one of those in his car and it sounds pretty good to me, he's also very happy with it

Edit: The screen is removeable so easy to take with you, or if you go for the 9100 model you get a two line LED display (another colleague has this one) which is a bit more discreet than the colour screen on the 9200

Edited 10 February, 201016 yr by Raglits

Well, I watched

- Dension 300 on a VW. Unfortunately I have no Maxi-dot and multifunctional wheel, so the Parrot seems the more convenient solution. The Columbus should be best, but in Bulgaria you can have it only when ordering a brand new Octavia from the factory... Maybe I'll use something like this: http://www.diytrade.com/china/4/products/2306682/Skoda_Octavia_II_DVD_GPS_Bluetooth_iPod_SD_USB_Dual_zone.html

We have just had no end of issues getting the evaluation units Dension sent us of there new Wi Drive because of the whole maxidot/Canbus issue. The only way to get it working properly is throught the 9200 which I have also just had to install. Although the amp in these is not up to audiophile standards it's not at all bad and the 9200 has proven to be a brilliant piece of kit (As long as you have the latest SW on it....)

We have just had no end of issues getting the evaluation units Dension sent us of there new Wi Drive because of the whole maxidot/Canbus issue. The only way to get it working properly is throught the 9200 which I have also just had to install. Although the amp in these is not up to audiophile standards it's not at all bad and the 9200 has proven to be a brilliant piece of kit (As long as you have the latest SW on it....)