Anyone able to get Phatbox to work with Mac?
09-17-2003 | 08:54 AM
#1
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From: New England
Anyone able to get Phatbox to work with Mac?
I would love to get a Phatbox, although all the computers in my house and office are Mac's. I'm running OS X at home and use and iPod. I am curious if anyone has been able to use the software for the Pahtbox on a Mac? There are some unsupported software options out there but not enough testimonial to convince me to pull the plug and buy. Any feedback would be helpful.
09-17-2003 | 09:45 AM
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From: New England
Go to:
http://www.phatnoise.com/products/di...yers/index.php
It's a digital music player/management system for your car. Memory cartridge can be loaded up with music and used in the player, which replaces the changer in the trunk.
The key is the software you need to manipulate/download music to the cartridge on your computer, like iTunes on a Mac. Currently they are PC only, but I have read about using Virtual PC on a Mac in combo w/iTunes to get it to work. I wanted to know if anyone out there is doing this and if so, how difficult it is.
http://www.phatnoise.com/products/di...yers/index.php
It's a digital music player/management system for your car. Memory cartridge can be loaded up with music and used in the player, which replaces the changer in the trunk.
The key is the software you need to manipulate/download music to the cartridge on your computer, like iTunes on a Mac. Currently they are PC only, but I have read about using Virtual PC on a Mac in combo w/iTunes to get it to work. I wanted to know if anyone out there is doing this and if so, how difficult it is.
09-19-2003 | 02:51 AM
#7
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From: Houston, TX
Franklin,
The cartridge seems to plug to the computer through USB. If it's seen as a storage device, the mac will mount it, and then if it's not too much a proprietary design, maybe you'll be able to transfer your files manualy. But I would not bet on it and buy it without being sure it works.
Can you find someone who has one, and plug it's cartidge on your mac to see if it's recognized ?
Otherwise, the Virtual PC solution should work. But I assume you buy your software ;-) and the cost of virtual PC + a windows license will make it even more expensive.
Now, it does not seem the ideal solution to me. I mean, it's nice, but not cheap. I just replaced my CR1 and the crappy CD changer for a Pioneer DEH4500MP, it plays CDs and MP3 CDs. Costs around $160 on the web. And for a 20 more bucks, I got a line in AUX adapter, where I can plug my ipod, or my minidisc.
The nice thing about this pioneer model is that it has front + rear line outputs, so I kept the factory amp that came with the hifi package.
I'm really happy with this solution. Mp3 CDs are great, it's like 6CDs at one, but you can change them while driving, the sound is very nice, way better than the CR1.
For the price of the phatbox, you can get such a pioneer and nearly 2 ipods !
And BTW, ipods are firewire, not USB. It must take days to upload 20 gigs through USB !
Hope it helps,
-Guillaume
The cartridge seems to plug to the computer through USB. If it's seen as a storage device, the mac will mount it, and then if it's not too much a proprietary design, maybe you'll be able to transfer your files manualy. But I would not bet on it and buy it without being sure it works.
Can you find someone who has one, and plug it's cartidge on your mac to see if it's recognized ?
Otherwise, the Virtual PC solution should work. But I assume you buy your software ;-) and the cost of virtual PC + a windows license will make it even more expensive.
Now, it does not seem the ideal solution to me. I mean, it's nice, but not cheap. I just replaced my CR1 and the crappy CD changer for a Pioneer DEH4500MP, it plays CDs and MP3 CDs. Costs around $160 on the web. And for a 20 more bucks, I got a line in AUX adapter, where I can plug my ipod, or my minidisc.
The nice thing about this pioneer model is that it has front + rear line outputs, so I kept the factory amp that came with the hifi package.
I'm really happy with this solution. Mp3 CDs are great, it's like 6CDs at one, but you can change them while driving, the sound is very nice, way better than the CR1.
For the price of the phatbox, you can get such a pioneer and nearly 2 ipods !
And BTW, ipods are firewire, not USB. It must take days to upload 20 gigs through USB !
Hope it helps,
-Guillaume
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09-19-2003 | 05:44 AM
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From: NorCal in body, England in spirit
Franklin - alternatively, grab an el-cheapo pc and use it as a dedicated Phatbox machine. A couple of hundred bucks will buy you enough spec to run PMM (Phatnoise Music Manager).
09-19-2003 | 08:14 AM
#9
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From: New England
Guys-thanks for the info-very helpful!!
I have thought of using an AUX for the iPod but still have the battery drain issue (I use my iPod every other day for the gym and need to recharge it). Currently, I have the Transpod adapter which is a charger AND FM transmitter in one unit (read: no cables to snag). Still, would like to have something more "built in".
I'm going to check out the "el-cheapo pc" route.
I have thought of using an AUX for the iPod but still have the battery drain issue (I use my iPod every other day for the gym and need to recharge it). Currently, I have the Transpod adapter which is a charger AND FM transmitter in one unit (read: no cables to snag). Still, would like to have something more "built in".
I'm going to check out the "el-cheapo pc" route.
09-19-2003 | 01:30 PM
#10
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Originally posted by tabasco
And for a 20 more bucks, I got a line in AUX adapter, where I can plug my ipod, or my minidisc.
-Guillaume
And for a 20 more bucks, I got a line in AUX adapter, where I can plug my ipod, or my minidisc.
-Guillaume
09-19-2003 | 11:47 PM
#11
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From: Houston, TX
Originally posted by Ruairidh
Guillaume - what is this "line in AUX adapter"? does this plug into an aux slot on the front of your headunit or does it provide an AUX connection to headunits that don't have one? If it is the latter, please could you let me know where you got it from as I think that may answer my current In car audio issue!
Guillaume - what is this "line in AUX adapter"? does this plug into an aux slot on the front of your headunit or does it provide an AUX connection to headunits that don't have one? If it is the latter, please could you let me know where you got it from as I think that may answer my current In car audio issue!
The Aux adapter plugs in the rear of the unit. It probably only works with some Pioneer units, and it provides 2 RCA inputs.
That's the same plug to add a CD changer. BTW, there are 2 models of AUX adapters : the one I have, that takes it all, and another one that has a "through" so that you can have an aux and still have a CD changer.
I'm not affiliated with GoPC, but here are the items I bought :
http://www.gopcplus.com/pcplus/produ...roductID=90708
http://www.gopcplus.com/pcplus/produ...roductID=90917
-Guillaume
