Today's Message Index:
----------------------
1. 07:38 AM - Re: Use a Car PC with XDP-4000x - What about UNILINK? (David Kennedy)
2. 01:26 PM - Re: Use a Car PC with XDP-4000x - What about UNILINK? (Randy Visentine)
3. 01:33 PM - Re: Use a Car PC with XDP-4000x - What about UNILINK? (Ethan)
4. 01:44 PM - Re: XA-D211 Optical Output Adaptor NIB on eBay! (Jamie Hanrahan)
5. 02:32 PM - Re: Re: Sony C90s on EBay... (NOTGSXR@aol.com)
6. 02:35 PM - Re: Use a Car PC with XDP-4000x - What about UNILINK? (NOTGSXR@aol.com)
7. 02:49 PM - Re: Re: Sony C90s on EBay... (Ethan)
8. 02:53 PM - Re: XA-D211 Optical Output Adaptor NIB on eBay! (Scott Thibault)
9. 02:57 PM - Re: Re: Sony C90s on EBay... (Scott Thibault)
10. 03:07 PM - Re: Use a Car PC with XDP-4000x - What about UNILINK? (Scott Thibault)
11. 03:15 PM - Re: Use a Car PC with XDP-4000x - What about UNILINK? (Scott Thibault)
12. 04:15 PM - QRe: XMRadio Sound Quality Sucks... (Bobby)
13. 08:12 PM - Re: Use a Car PC with XDP-4000x - What about (Matt Dralle)
Message 1
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| Subject: | Use a Car PC with XDP-4000x - What about UNILINK? |
--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: "David Kennedy" <dkenned1@hotmail.com>
Keeping the XDP4000x is probably the more difficult route.
I've been looking into the software that will let you do all of the audio
processing with the PC. So instead of just having a 2 channel 10 band
parametric, you can have one for each channel, plus a graphic, and reverb
and delay, or whatever you want.
You then just use the PC to take analog or digital in depending on your
sound card, process it and break it out into however many channels you need
(or have on your sound card)
The only downside here would be that you'd need a PC to do the dvd/cd/etc
and another one to do the audio due to CPU requirements.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-xdp4000x-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-xdp4000x-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Randy
Visentine
Subject: Re: XDP4000X-List: Use a Car PC with XDP-4000x - What about
UNILINK?
--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Randy Visentine <randyman@gmail.com>
That sounds cool Matt! And, yes, you are exactly correct - I need to
replicate the "Master" Unilink functions, as if I install a Car-PC, the C90
would no longer be part of my system (just the Car-PC, and the XDP-4k
connected via TOSLINK). The XDP-4k is 100% useless w/o a Unilink master,
and once I get a 7" LCD Touch-Screen Display in my dash, the C-90 MUST go!!!
The beauty of this config is: Full 7" COLOR touch-screen display that you
can actually READ (lol), DVD-Navigation (I still get lost in my hometown of
31 years!), as much music data as you can possibly think of (even in WAVE
format if desired - 400Gig, 1TB, or more, easy as pie), AND still
retain 100% of the XDP-4K's SQ (the C90 really has nothing to do with the
sound if an XDP-4k is used).
I was aware of the XDP's latency/delay issues, and DVD Movies would be few
and far-between (I usually DRIVE when I'm in my Truck). I might rig-up a
seperate analog connection from the Car-PC to a dedicated "DVD-Movie"
speaker set somewhere in my truck (bypass the XDP alltogether for
DVD-Movies) - but I doubt I'd watch DVD's more than once a year -
seriously... I'm not concerned about that in the least for now.
I am VERY serious about paying for time and resources to make this
PC-to-Unilink control happen, but I don't want it to turn into a $500
project on my dime. I am also slightly worried about a Car PC's Toslink
output. The Toslink would most certainly be a 24 bit SPDIF signal. Maybe
using a software Dithering plug-in to bring it back to 16-Bits would do the
trick - but the Optical Transmitter might still be sending 24 bit
Data (16bit Data with 8 Bits of "0" placeholders?). I guess I could scrouge
up an old 16bit Toslink soundcard, and use a PCI-Riser to install it into
the Car-PC - but then I can expect Driver issues and such (only really old
cards would be strictly 16 bit). I'll do some experimenting with a "24-bit
Capable" SPDIF soundcard, and see if dithering to 16-bits in Software still
results in a 24-bit output data stream...
I toally spaced: Actually, I believe I hooked up my Roland VS-2480
hard-disk recorder to my XDP-4000k a long long time ago (the C-90 was still
connected, I just plugged my Roland into the XDP's Head-Unit Toslink
input). I know for a fact it outputs 24-Bit SPDIF DATA, and I believe it
worked just fine (I'm assuming the XDP simply truncated to 16 bits - that is
OK for Car use IMO. We are not hearing those lovely Reverb Tails while
driving 95 MPH down the freeway lol ). I'll double-check this next time I'm
at our rehearsal room (Tues or Wed).
More pondering and experimenting to come :-)
A big THANKS for any more input.
Randy V.
On 12/18/05, Matt Dralle <dralle@matronics.com> wrote:
>
> --> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Matt Dralle dralle@matronics.com
>
>
--
Randy V.
Houston, TX
Audio-Dude/Musician/Crazy Guy
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| Subject: | Re: Use a Car PC with XDP-4000x - What about UNILINK? |
--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Randy Visentine <randyman@gmail.com>
This is what I initially planned on, but if keeping the XDP-4k would be
remotely possible, I'd prefer that - at least at first.
If I did use the Car-PC as a DSP unit, I was going to use Nuendo or Cubase,
as I am very familiar with them, and I already use Nuendo on my DAW with a
good selection of nice VST/DX plug-ins. I think I might be able to squeeze
enough DSP out of a fairly powerful Car-PC. All I'd need is a descent
linear-phase filter to act as a crossover x4, a delay to act a speaker
alignment x4, and a 5-10 bands of linear phase parametric EQ for the Main
feed (like the XDP does). There should be a way to get the PC's audio to
play back into a VST Input in Nuendo/Cubase. Apply (insert) the Main EQ to
this input. Assign this input to 4 stereo "Tracks". Apply
(insert) discrete filters and delay to each pair of outs - just like the
XDP-4K. Assign each pair of "Tracks" to a pair of hardware outputs on the
soundcard, and hook up to your amps. Save a few different scenes to act as
"DSP Presets" (Driver, Passenger, etc). I'd probably find some way to make
a "Real Volume Knob" somewhere using a MIDI controller, as the Multiface
responds to MIDI commands. The 7" LCD Touch-Screen display I was looking at
has a built-in AM/FM + TV tuner, so I can simply return its analog outputs
back into the Multiface's inputs for these sources (it has 8 inputs).
For the soundcard, I was planning on using my RME Multiface with eight +4dBu
outs and ~105dB S/N (requires a PCI card and a PCI-Riser for a Car-PC) (
http://www.rme-audio.com/english/hdsp/multifa.htm ), or possibly an
M-Audio FW410 (Firewire, but the converters aren't fantastic). The
Multiface is rather compact (1/2 rack and very short), and I have another
all-digital "Digiface" I use on my PC-DAW in conjunction with ouboard ADAT
AD/DA's (so I can afford to loose the Multiface, and put it in my truck).
What were you planning on using for the DSP and soundcard?
I'm still on the fence on keeping the XDP-4K. Obviously, my descision is
based on the ability to control the XDP-4k's Unilink from a Car-PC, and if
the availible DSP power in a modern Car-PC will be adequate (not enough room
for 2 Car-PC's). Either way, a Car-PC will be in my future, and the C90
will go into my other Truck's Sony System (currently a C910 + XDP-210EQ).
If I end up not needing the XDP-4k, I'll also put it into the other truck!
It's funny: I STILL haven't finished my Door Panels (like a 2 year
"project" now) - but I bet this major system upgrade would motivate me to
finish them! :-)
Rock on...
Randy V.
On 12/19/05, David Kennedy <dkenned1@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> --> XDP4000X-List message posted by: "David Kennedy" <dkenned1@hotmail.com
> >
>
> Keeping the XDP4000x is probably the more difficult route.
>
> I've been looking into the software that will let you do all of the audio
> processing with the PC. So instead of just having a 2 channel 10 band
> parametric, you can have one for each channel, plus a graphic, and reverb
> and delay, or whatever you want.
>
> You then just use the PC to take analog or digital in depending on your
> sound card, process it and break it out into however many channels you
> need
> (or have on your sound card)
>
> The only downside here would be that you'd need a PC to do the dvd/cd/etc
> and another one to do the audio due to CPU requirements.
--
> Randy V.
> Houston, TX
> Audio-Dude/Musician/Crazy Guy
Message 3
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| Subject: | Re: Use a Car PC with XDP-4000x - What about UNILINK? |
--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Ethan <telmnstr@757.org>
> This is what I initially planned on, but if keeping the XDP-4k would be
> remotely possible, I'd prefer that - at least at first.
I while ago I had looked into converting the Behringer units for mobile
use. They can be controlled via MIDI, and I wrote some simple utilities
for Linux that could kick them thru their settings.
I was looking at the 31 band EQ.. Ultra-Graph Pro perhaps. The 1u ones.
Also looking into their crossover product. They aren't regarded as the top
of the line, but the equipment is cheap. They seem to use the same
platform underneath various products and use different software to build
the different products.
> If I did use the Car-PC as a DSP unit, I was going to use Nuendo or Cubase,
> as I am very familiar with them, and I already use Nuendo on my DAW with a
> good selection of nice VST/DX plug-ins. I think I might be able to squeeze
> enough DSP out of a fairly powerful Car-PC. All I'd need is a descent
-snip-
WILD!
Message 4
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| Subject: | XA-D211 Optical Output Adaptor NIB on eBay! |
--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: "Jamie Hanrahan" <jeh@cmkrnl.com>
> Nope, extra cost option. Roughly about $40 back in the day
> as I recall. Three pins it is. You guess it!
Seems to me that it wouldn't be too difficult to kluge up one of these, if
necessary. Rip the Toslink output jack out of something otherwise useless
(any of the never-to-be-sufficiently-damned Sony DAT decks with single-motor
transport, for example). It can't be that difficult to go from their
digital output to the drive for an LED.
> Coax output would have made the most sense.
>
> Matt
The advantage of Toslink is that it eliminates any possibility of ground
loop issues between the HU and the EQ.
--- Jamie Hanrahan
Message 5
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| Subject: | Re: Sony C90s on EBay... |
--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: NOTGSXR@aol.com
In a message dated 12/18/2005 10:53:47 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
dralle@matronics.com writes:
And, and to think there still isn't really anything out there that touches
the C90 for quality or class. Sony continues its downward spirl in to
consumer grade cheap crap. If I had to do a new install today, I don't know what
I
would pick. Amazing.
Matt
Me either..... it's just scary.
Dan
Message 6
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| Subject: | Re: Use a Car PC with XDP-4000x - What about UNILINK? |
--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: NOTGSXR@aol.com
In a message dated 12/18/2005 11:43:41 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
dralle@matronics.com writes:
I'm actually working on an affordable Unilink controlled Hard Drive-based
MP3 player. Similar to the Phatnoise Phatbox, but way more affordable. Not
ready to release anything publicly just yet. Hardware MP3 player is working
great. Hope to work more on the whole project more over the holidays. I'm
thinking of maybe selling kits or something along those lines. A co-release
would be a generic Unilink emulator that would give you relay outputs for major
functions from the head unit like Track-forward/backward, etc. I'm so close
to having some cool stuff to share. I really need to spend a little bit
more time on it all.
Matt
we are eagerly and patiently waiting :)
Thanks Matt.
Dan
Message 7
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| Subject: | Re: Sony C90s on EBay... |
--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Ethan <telmnstr@757.org>
> And, and to think there still isn't really anything out there that touches
> the C90 for quality or class. Sony continues its downward spirl in to
> consumer grade cheap crap. If I had to do a new install today, I don't know
what I
> would pick. Amazing.
> Matt
How is Alpine doing these days? I know little to nothing about their
product lines, but when I was looking at other equipment I came across
Alpine units that did 4 x 4 matrix switching for in-vehicle use, and other
crazy stuff.
Does Alpine make good stuff? They had CD changers that could play Video
CDs, they have DVD changers that actually talk on their bus unlike Sony.
I don't know if they make high-end components like the 4000 from Sony.
Also I have a movie about sweatshops and the guy points to an Alpine car
stereo, evidentially they are made in a mudhole sweatshop (then again,
what isn't).
I know I use an A/D/S/ amplifier, and the build quality isn't very good...
but they seem to be regarded as some of the best designed amps of the
time.
-- Ethan
Message 8
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| Subject: | Re: XA-D211 Optical Output Adaptor NIB on eBay! |
--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Scott Thibault <tbone7467@yahoo.com>
still number one in the sony department. I just got mine back for sony all fixed
up. now I got 2 working faceplates
Randy Visentine <randyman@gmail.com> wrote: --> XDP4000X-List message posted by:
Randy Visentine
See it here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item5843741238&fromMakeTracktrue
And is it just me, or has there been a TON of C90's on eBay lately? Our
babies are getting old!
--
Randy V.
Houston, TX
Audio-Dude/Musician/Crazy Guy
Message 9
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| Subject: | Re: Sony C90s on EBay... |
--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Scott Thibault <tbone7467@yahoo.com>
i agree it is kinda nice to hear so much from the group
Matt Dralle <dralle@matronics.com> wrote: --> XDP4000X-List message posted by:
Matt Dralle
At 07:27 PM 12/18/2005 Sunday, you wrote:
>--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Randy Visentine
>
>And is it just me, or has there been a TON of C90's on eBay lately? Our
>babies are getting old!
>
>--
>Randy V.
>Houston, TX
>Audio-Dude/Musician/Crazy Guy
And, and to think there still isn't really anything out there that touches the
C90 for quality or class. Sony continues its downward spirl in to consumer grade
cheap crap. If I had to do a new install today, I don't know what I would pick.
Amazing.
Matt
Matt G Dralle | Matronics | PO Box 347 | Livermore | CA | 94551
925-606-1001 V | 925-606-6281 F | dralle@matronics.com Email
http://www.matronics.com/ WWW | Featuring Products For Aircraft
Message 10
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| Subject: | Re: Use a Car PC with XDP-4000x - What about UNILINK? |
--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Scott Thibault <tbone7467@yahoo.com>
I like your Idea and i had the some one my self but i think I might attack it a
little diffrent. I currently have a sony Viao vgn-s460 laptop that at I will
introduce to my system. the way that i intended this was with the xa-300 and
a cable that will allow mw to project the laptops display on to my screen in the
car. I might also think about abbing a touch screen to that to control the
laptop. this way I have the c90 the car pc this will keep my deck on the cutting
edge since teh laptop can play dvd's an MP3 an what ever comes out in the future.
there might be flaws in my thinking at this stage as it is a work in progress
but I am still researching it.
Randy Visentine <randyman@gmail.com> wrote: --> XDP4000X-List message posted by:
Randy Visentine
Hello,
I am still heavily reserching a "Car PC" to replace my C90. It would
function as a Music Server w/ a large HD, a DVD-Navigation unit, DVD-Movie
player, and have regular old PC functionallity. I was initially planning on
using an 8-output Firewire soundcard to act as the discrete outputs to each
amp, and process the DSP inside the PC with Audio Software Plug-Ins (make a
seperate "Track" for each set of outs, and insert appropriate DSP plug-ins
on each track for EQ, Crossover, and delay).
Well, I have been noticing just how much I really like the XDP-4000x's DAC's
and EQ. So smooth w/o being harsh, but still "Quick". So, is there any way
to have a PC Talk to the XDP-4k's Unilink port to control Volume and EQ/DSP
preset selection (I'd be removing the C90)? I know I could theoretically
hook up the XDP's Serial Port to the PC, and change DSP presets from the DSC
software, but I'd still need a way to send a "Turn On" signal to the XDP, as
well as a way to control the Volume. I would only need one Toslink Input to
be active, but input switching would be a killer option, too.
I recall reading about Gnu-Link or something. Would this do what I need?
Not much comes up on Google for "Gnu-Link/Unilink/Sony", and I thought this
was more for CD-Players and stuff? If I could retain the XDP-4K, this would
save me over $500 on a Firewire Soundcard, AND the XDP would still probably
sound better (would also lessen the PC's CPU load)!
Spending $200-$300 on a Unilink-to-PC converter that would allow this to
happen is not out of the question... I am even willing to pay for any
correspondence if any tricky programming is needed for the XDP-4k's Unilink
Protocol.
Even a standalone Unilink controller would be fine as long as I have a
tactile Volume control, and a way to change DSP presets (and access to one
Toslink Input). I am no good at programming and "Reverse Engineering" code,
but I can easily build a PC. Making harnesses or adaptors is cake - but
having to program anything is a bit above my head right now.
Thanks a million for any insight. I have a feeling if I can make this
happen (with your help), I will dive into this project very very soon.
Otherwise, it will linger for a while longer, and my C-90's display will
continue to be 100% un-readable during the day ;-) ...
--
Randy V.
Houston, TX
Audio-Dude/Musician/Crazy Guy
Message 11
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| Subject: | Re: Use a Car PC with XDP-4000x - What about UNILINK? |
--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Scott Thibault <tbone7467@yahoo.com>
Matt what is your purpose for the reverse engineering?
Matt Dralle <dralle@matronics.com> wrote: --> XDP4000X-List message posted by:
Matt Dralle
Certainly an interesting project idea. GNUlink is the "Changer-side" emulation.
What you're talking about is the "Master-side" emulation of the Unilink protocol.
There have been no projects on the web that I am aware of that address Master-side
emulation. I have personally done nearly a full Changer-side reverse
engineering of the Unilink protocol and have embedded code running that works
well. It is 100% custom code and does not utilize any other projects code found
on the web. With the experience I got in reversing the changer-side emulation,
I was thinking the other day that writing a master-side emulator would be
kind of an interesting project. But, this is a formidable task and would take
a fair amount of time and programming. Something I might try in the future, but
not till I finish the changer-side emulator. By the way, I have full CD-Changer
emulation working including full Track, Artist, and Listing functions working.
MD-Changer emulation is mostly worki!
ng but I still have a few things left to get going. One problematic thing about
the Unilink protocol is that its not particularly tightly emulated or specified
it would seem. There are lots of what-ifs and good-enoughs in the protocols
and support for various functions. Timing also seems to be equally lax and inconsistent
from head unit to head unit. It all makes for a rather perplexing reverse
engineering task.
Matt
At 07:51 PM 12/18/2005 Sunday, you wrote:
>--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Randy Visentine
>
>Hello,
>
>I am still heavily reserching a "Car PC" to replace my C90. It would
>function as a Music Server w/ a large HD, a DVD-Navigation unit, DVD-Movie
>player, and have regular old PC functionallity. I was initially planning on
>using an 8-output Firewire soundcard to act as the discrete outputs to each
>amp, and process the DSP inside the PC with Audio Software Plug-Ins (make a
>seperate "Track" for each set of outs, and insert appropriate DSP plug-ins
>on each track for EQ, Crossover, and delay).
>
>Well, I have been noticing just how much I really like the XDP-4000x's DAC's
>and EQ. So smooth w/o being harsh, but still "Quick". So, is there any way
>to have a PC Talk to the XDP-4k's Unilink port to control Volume and EQ/DSP
>preset selection (I'd be removing the C90)? I know I could theoretically
>hook up the XDP's Serial Port to the PC, and change DSP presets from the DSC
>software, but I'd still need a way to send a "Turn On" signal to the XDP, as
>well as a way to control the Volume. I would only need one Toslink Input to
>be active, but input switching would be a killer option, too.
>
>I recall reading about Gnu-Link or something. Would this do what I need?
>Not much comes up on Google for "Gnu-Link/Unilink/Sony", and I thought this
>was more for CD-Players and stuff? If I could retain the XDP-4K, this would
>save me over $500 on a Firewire Soundcard, AND the XDP would still probably
>sound better (would also lessen the PC's CPU load)!
>
>Spending $200-$300 on a Unilink-to-PC converter that would allow this to
>happen is not out of the question... I am even willing to pay for any
>correspondence if any tricky programming is needed for the XDP-4k's Unilink
>Protocol.
>
>Even a standalone Unilink controller would be fine as long as I have a
>tactile Volume control, and a way to change DSP presets (and access to one
>Toslink Input). I am no good at programming and "Reverse Engineering" code,
>but I can easily build a PC. Making harnesses or adaptors is cake - but
>having to program anything is a bit above my head right now.
>
>
>Thanks a million for any insight. I have a feeling if I can make this
>happen (with your help), I will dive into this project very very soon.
>Otherwise, it will linger for a while longer, and my C-90's display will
>continue to be 100% un-readable during the day ;-) ...
>
>--
>Randy V.
>Houston, TX
>Audio-Dude/Musician/Crazy Guy
>
Matt G Dralle | Matronics | PO Box 347 | Livermore | CA | 94551
925-606-1001 V | 925-606-6281 F | dralle@matronics.com Email
http://www.matronics.com/ WWW | Featuring Products For Aircraft
Message 12
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| Subject: | XMRadio Sound Quality Sucks... |
--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: "Bobby" <bobbybraun@comcast.net>
I'm there with ya. I just cancelled my XM subscription a couple weeks
ago due to my frustration with how bad it sounded. I could never listen
to it for any extended period of time because it just sounded so bad. I
guess for that reason the selection of music available never really had
a chance to grow on me. I'll just have to do a better job at keeping my
changer selection up to date from here on out.
And I ran into the same issue as you when trying to address my
frustration with XM about the terrible sound quality. I called them up
to comment about the bad SQ twice while I had service with them, once
just out of the blue while I was driving down the freeway when I started
to wonder if there was any hope for it to get better, and again when
they asked what my reasoning was for canceling the service. Both times
they tried to tell me that there must be something wrong with my
equipment or how I had it installed, because they 'never' hear anything
but rave reviews about the sound quality of their format. Terribly
frustrating...
Bobby
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-xdp4000x-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-xdp4000x-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Matt
Dralle
Subject: XDP4000X-List: XMRadio Sound Quality Sucks...
--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Matt Dralle <dralle@matronics.com>
I've had XM radio since near its introduction a few years ago. I have
the XT-XM1 on both of my C90 systems as well as couple PCR USB
controlled units and a number of the Delco Xfi boxes. I listen to
primarily two channels, "Audio Visions" on 77 and "BPM" on 81. While
the sound quality on 77 seems to have remained fairly consistent, the
quality on 81 just continues to degrade in my opinion. 81 plays Pop
Dance music and there is a lot of synthesized digital music with a lot
of highs. It seems like they are compressing the channel so much that a
32bps Internet radio channel sounds about as good. My 128bps MP3s sound
fantastic in comparison. Frankly, AM radio sounds about as good as BPM
and most of the XM channels these days. I know they have a really small
channel bandwidth for all of the XM stuff - something like 12.5Mhz - but
still they keep adding all of this crap (weather, traffic, bla bla bla)
to the channel line up and continue turning the bps down on all the
musi!
c channels.
I've written XM numerous emails and even talked to them on the phone
once about the fidelity issues. It was so aggravating; all they kept
repeating was "Its digital quality; you must have a problem with the way
you have it connected...". I've gotten that both on the phone and over
email. Its like they refuse to admit how crappy the quality is.
Am I alone in this, or have others noticed it too?
Matt
Livermore, CA
Matt G Dralle | Matronics | PO Box 347 | Livermore | CA | 94551
925-606-1001 V | 925-606-6281 F | dralle@matronics.com Email
http://www.matronics.com/ WWW | Featuring Products For Aircraft
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| Subject: | Re: Use a Car PC with XDP-4000x - What about |
UNILINK?
--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Matt Dralle <dralle@matronics.com>
The purpose? A full Unilink controlled MP3 hard drive player, of course! And,
well, just to see if I could actually do it. It was pretty fun, but a real head
scratcher. Full, robust, compatible Unilink emulation is quite a coding project.
I'm also supporting multiple devices as well, e.g. more than one CD changer
appearance with a single connection to the bus. Not exactly sure what
purpose this will serve, but nonetheless the code to support it is there and working.
I really started this project back before Phatnoise came out with the
Phatbox or at least before I'd heard of it. Now its more of an exercise in proving
I can actually engineer and program the whole thing. Might be nice to
sell some kits or something.
Matt
At 03:14 PM 12/19/2005 Monday, you wrote:
>--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Scott Thibault <tbone7467@yahoo.com>
>
>Matt what is your purpose for the reverse engineering?
>
>Matt Dralle <dralle@matronics.com> wrote: --> XDP4000X-List message posted by:
Matt Dralle
>
>Certainly an interesting project idea. GNUlink is the "Changer-side" emulation.
What you're talking about is the "Master-side" emulation of the Unilink protocol.
There have been no projects on the web that I am aware of that address Master-side
emulation. I have personally done nearly a full Changer-side reverse
engineering of the Unilink protocol and have embedded code running that works
well. It is 100% custom code and does not utilize any other projects code found
on the web. With the experience I got in reversing the changer-side emulation,
I was thinking the other day that writing a master-side emulator would be
kind of an interesting project. But, this is a formidable task and would take
a fair amount of time and programming. Something I might try in the future, but
not till I finish the changer-side emulator. By the way, I have full CD-Changer
emulation working including full Track, Artist, and Listing functions working.
MD-Changer emulation is mostly worki!
>ng but I still have a few things left to get going. One problematic thing about
the Unilink protocol is that its not particularly tightly emulated or specified
it would seem. There are lots of what-ifs and good-enoughs in the protocols
and support for various functions. Timing also seems to be equally lax and inconsistent
from head unit to head unit. It all makes for a rather perplexing
reverse engineering task.
>
>Matt
>
>
>At 07:51 PM 12/18/2005 Sunday, you wrote:
>>--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Randy Visentine
>>
>>Hello,
>>
>>I am still heavily reserching a "Car PC" to replace my C90. It would
>>function as a Music Server w/ a large HD, a DVD-Navigation unit, DVD-Movie
>>player, and have regular old PC functionallity. I was initially planning on
>>using an 8-output Firewire soundcard to act as the discrete outputs to each
>>amp, and process the DSP inside the PC with Audio Software Plug-Ins (make a
>>seperate "Track" for each set of outs, and insert appropriate DSP plug-ins
>>on each track for EQ, Crossover, and delay).
>>
>>Well, I have been noticing just how much I really like the XDP-4000x's DAC's
>>and EQ. So smooth w/o being harsh, but still "Quick". So, is there any way
>>to have a PC Talk to the XDP-4k's Unilink port to control Volume and EQ/DSP
>>preset selection (I'd be removing the C90)? I know I could theoretically
>>hook up the XDP's Serial Port to the PC, and change DSP presets from the DSC
>>software, but I'd still need a way to send a "Turn On" signal to the XDP, as
>>well as a way to control the Volume. I would only need one Toslink Input to
>>be active, but input switching would be a killer option, too.
>>
>>I recall reading about Gnu-Link or something. Would this do what I need?
>>Not much comes up on Google for "Gnu-Link/Unilink/Sony", and I thought this
>>was more for CD-Players and stuff? If I could retain the XDP-4K, this would
>>save me over $500 on a Firewire Soundcard, AND the XDP would still probably
>>sound better (would also lessen the PC's CPU load)!
>>
>>Spending $200-$300 on a Unilink-to-PC converter that would allow this to
>>happen is not out of the question... I am even willing to pay for any
>>correspondence if any tricky programming is needed for the XDP-4k's Unilink
>>Protocol.
>>
>>Even a standalone Unilink controller would be fine as long as I have a
>>tactile Volume control, and a way to change DSP presets (and access to one
>>Toslink Input). I am no good at programming and "Reverse Engineering" code,
>>but I can easily build a PC. Making harnesses or adaptors is cake - but
>>having to program anything is a bit above my head right now.
>>
>>
>>Thanks a million for any insight. I have a feeling if I can make this
>>happen (with your help), I will dive into this project very very soon.
>>Otherwise, it will linger for a while longer, and my C-90's display will
>>continue to be 100% un-readable during the day ;-) ...
>>
>>--
>>Randy V.
>>Houston, TX
>>Audio-Dude/Musician/Crazy Guy
>>
>
>
>Matt G Dralle | Matronics | PO Box 347 | Livermore | CA | 94551
>925-606-1001 V | 925-606-6281 F | dralle@matronics.com Email
>http://www.matronics.com/ WWW | Featuring Products For Aircraft
>
>
Matt G Dralle | Matronics | PO Box 347 | Livermore | CA | 94551
925-606-1001 V | 925-606-6281 F | dralle@matronics.com Email
http://www.matronics.com/ WWW | Featuring Products For Aircraft
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