I'm going to get an mp3 head unit fitted tomorrow (I know it's supposed to be easy, but I had a bad experience changing the head unit on my Golf so I'm going to pay someone to do it).

But it occurred to me that maybe I could put an mp3/cd changer in the boot. When I bought my Octavia (Mark 1) the cd changer was missing, so perhaps I could put one in that can cope with mp3s on cd-roms and keep my existing head unit? This would save me the trouble of removing the front cover on the new mp3 head unit everytime I got out of the car.

Do mp3 changers exist? Would they be compatible with the existing stereo head unit in the Octavia?

Any help much appreciated before I spend

I know that sony make an MP3 multi-changer, but no idea if there's anything out there that would talk to the head unit you have at the moment. I guess it's possible!

On the other hand, you'll be able to get quite a few albums onto a single MP3 CD, so would you really need a changer anyway?

Thanks for the reply. It's probably not worth the risk if no-one else has done it.

But the 2 advantages would be 1. more albums and 2. no need to worry so much about security as the Skoda head unit is less likely to get stolen.

You should find exactly what you are looking for at addachanger.co.uk

They will supply an interface for the head unit. I used to have a Sony 6 disc MP3 changer and I'm sure there will be others.

Excellent - that does indeed look exactly like what I'm after.

Something like this: http://www.incarexpress.co.uk/view_product.php?partno=CDX757MX would be perfect then, as it's not that much more than a new head unit and I wouldn't have all the hassle of removing/hiding a new head unit.

VRStu, which model have you got? Are there any compatibility issues to consider? I presume all cd changers are the same size? Thanks in advance :-)

Mine didn't come from there and TBH I can't remember the name of the interface.

The changer I had was a six disk but not fitted to a Skoda http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/261.html

These list an interface for the symphony but you may have to shop around for better pricing.

This is the type of interface I used

http://www.soundmasterscotland.com/cd_md_adapters_sony_audi_sony_changer_interface_to_audi_i014361.aspx

Some more links

http://www.ecwuk.com/auto/changers/vehicle/skoda/

Thanks for the info Stu.

Couldn't get the ecwuk link to work.

Just to summarise - need to purchase 2 items 1. the changer and 2. the interface?

Also, on the SoundMaster site it says "INTERFACE PLUGS IN AT BACK OF RADIO". I presume that it actually goes between the cd changer and the HU, i.e. in the boot?

I think the ecwuk site is down

Just worked for me.

Yes you need the 2 items.

AFAIK it plugs directly into the back of the radio. The changer then plugs into the interface.

http://www.packetradio.co.uk/Cars/octavia/radio.htm Multipin Plug I

Imagine the potential for random play with a 10 CD MP3 changer with 10 or 12 albums on each CD! :eek:

Would be like random play on a pub jukebox system

I must admit I'd be tempted to get myself an IRiver or something rather than a boot changer.

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=65123&_LOC=UK

Yes, I'm tempted by the portable mp3 players. However, I don't think they're suited that well to in-car systems due to the security risk, the extra fiddling around selecting tracks and the fact that they don't fit well with the existing dashboard/controls (whatever that bit of the car is called that has all the buttons etc). But that's another debate.

I'm hoping I can find someone to supply and fit the cd/mp3 changer. The chap I spoke to at Halfords (to cancel the appointment to fit the mp3 head unit 2morrow) seemed to think they had an mp3 cd changer, but the radio guy had gone home (obviously, because it was 5 minutes to closing time). So they're phoning me back 2morrow, supposidly. Also these guys: http://www.lowcostcaraudio.co.uk claim to be able to install, and they have the Sony CDXT70MX at

Well I found someone to supply and fit the cd/mp3 changer, the Sony CDXT70MX.

Day 1 they told me they had ordered the wrong interface cable so I had to go pick it up with no work done.

Day 2 (they came to collect and will drop the car off) they tell me when everything is installed, the sound comes out at a 'warbling' noise. Anyone ever heard of anything like that happening? They tried a different cd changer and got the same noise. They're going to order another interface cable in order to check whether that's the problem.

Bit of a pain. I thought by paying someone else to do it, it would be pain free!

Any thoughts appreciated...

As an audio guy I am absolutely appaled with the existance of mp3s. The quality of music and sound just really hits the pits, EVEN mp3s with low compression rates.

I do believe that mp3 CD changers exist though. Don't know which brand but I have heard of them.

What you want is an Mstation otherwise known as a Neo Jukebox. I got mine on Ebay for

Thanks for the thoughts chaps. I haven't given up on the Sony mp3 changer yet though (I'm guessing, but I don't think you read my last post before this one).

Mil: Yes, mp3's are lower quality than cds. However, the vast majority of people can't tell the difference, especially at higher bit rates. And in a car, with road/wind/engine noise, I certainly can't.

Johnnyc: I want to keep the standard head unit as I believe it's less of a security risk.

However, I've been after something similar for use in the lounge at home. But 40GB isn't really enough for home use. And I'd really want a home one to take standard IDE hard drives. But that's really another topic.

It was obviously 2nd hand on Ebay.

I'll take a photo of the install in my Megane and post it.

You can use an FM modulator to get the audio through your head unit. If you have a Symphony or Melody HU then the following kit will give you an aux in from your autochanger connector on the HU. In theory it should also work for the Stream radio as they are all compatible with the same Skoda(panasonic) changer but if you have a new Octavia, the Stream has an aux input built in I believe. Not sure about the Fabia.

http://www.nexxia.co.uk/Auxillary_input_kits/audi.htm

I take Mil's point on audio quality but it would take a pretty good home system or a serious car system to tell the difference in quality between CD and a 320 Mps encoded MP3 track. ou won't notice any drop in quality through a Skoda HU's at this bitrate.

Monkey chops. It does take standard IDE hard drives. Current firmware allows up to a 133Gb HDD if you want and it's dead easy to change the drive. You don't even invalidate the warranty on the unit (if their is one) by upgrading the standard 10Gb drive like I did.

The controller doesn't replace your HU unless you want it to. On my Megane I cut up the side a broken 80's B/W TV and trimmed it suit the space left in the dash after I removed the little storage box below the standard HU. I then installed my own HU with Aux input although the more recent Megane's have an aux input built in.

I used the TV housing as the colour almost matched that of the dash trim.

Watch out for the photo.

Johnny - thanks for your posts. I'm slightly confused, but it sounds like you would keep your original head unit but you'd have an additional controller. Looking fwd to the photo.

Definitely interested in one of these for home use as I like the idea of plugging in standard IDE disk. The iPods (and most others it seems) don't allow you to do this. Obviously your music collection is going to expand and obviously hard discs are going to get more capacious...

Imagine the potential for random play with a 10 CD MP3 changer with 10 or 12 albums on each CD! :eek:

Would be like random play on a pub jukebox system

I've just that - a Kenwood head unit with a 10-disc changer in the boot. 100-120 tracks per disc :eek: :eek: The maths is easy.......

Here are a few photos of my install in my Renault Megane 1.5 dci (2004 model)

Comments:-

It would have looked better with the stock HU or a facia adapter for a standard radio but it the stock HU didn't have a aux input and I like my Kenny MD HU for radio recordings I make at home. I wasn't buying a facia adapter for a car i'm only leasing for a year either.

The 3rd line on the controller screen is blurred because i've programmed the unit to scroll any text that won't fit on the screen.

The boot install is a bit untidy but like I said, it's only there for a year. Didn't mind taking a bit more time over the dash install because i'll be able to use the faceplate on another car eventually. It is attached it to the dash with silicone to ensure it can easily be removed. I just cut a hole in the dash plate I made, separated the front and back of the controller and sandwiched the dash plate between them.

The base plate is missing from the boot caddy but like I said it was 2nd hand. Doesn't affect operation anyway.

Only problem which isn't an issue for me is the PC caddy which is only USB 1.1 (newer models are USB 2.0). Still I copied over 60 albums off DVD to it in less than an hour one time.

Come October i'll be putting this into my new OctyII Elegance. I plan to buy another dash top storage box. I'll then butcher it to accomodate the controller, my radar detector and a Parrot CK3100 or 3300 hands free unit. I'll retain the pop up function to hide the gear when I park the car. A motorised system would be better but that might be beyond my abilities. We'll see.

Mil: Yes, mp3's are lower quality than cds. However, the vast majority of people can't tell the difference, especially at higher bit rates. And in a car, with road/wind/engine noise, I certainly can't.

I think this is an excellent point. At home I can usually hear the difference between the CD and even a good MP3, but in the car it's much harder.