Anyone Come Across MOST A/V Components??
05-26-2003 | 10:30 AM
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Anyone Come Across MOST A/V Components??
Has anyone come across MOST-capable A/V components that can be purchased by mere mortals (and not auto manufacturers)? 
I already have my Becker changer integrated into my Bose system, but am always on the lookout for new "gadgets" to add to the interior of my Cayenne. A MOST-capable phone cradle would be nice - especially if the cradle would support my Pocket PC Phone!
Has anyone come across any MOST components? I checked Crutchfields with no luck. Just curious...
I already have my Becker changer integrated into my Bose system, but am always on the lookout for new "gadgets" to add to the interior of my Cayenne. A MOST-capable phone cradle would be nice - especially if the cradle would support my Pocket PC Phone!Has anyone come across any MOST components? I checked Crutchfields with no luck. Just curious...
05-27-2003 | 02:11 PM
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From: Porschetown, Germany
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by JeffES:
<strong>Try a Google on Siemens or Siemens/VDO (mfr of PCM II System) - or search for MOST (media oriented system transportation).
HTH,
J</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">No Siemens anymore, Becker is manufacturer of PCM II.
<strong>Try a Google on Siemens or Siemens/VDO (mfr of PCM II System) - or search for MOST (media oriented system transportation).
HTH,
J</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">No Siemens anymore, Becker is manufacturer of PCM II.
05-27-2003 | 02:59 PM
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Siemens is a member of the MOST Cooperative, and sells a range of components (so they claim).
The current list of MOST Cooperative companies can be found at:
<a href="http://www.mostnet.de/membership/memberslist/index.php" target="_blank">http://www.mostnet.de/membership/memberslist/index.php</a>
Or go to <a href="http://www.mostnet.de" target="_blank">www.mostnet.de</a> and search.
Becker is one of the suppliers, but the question was @ additional items.
HTH,
J
The current list of MOST Cooperative companies can be found at:
<a href="http://www.mostnet.de/membership/memberslist/index.php" target="_blank">http://www.mostnet.de/membership/memberslist/index.php</a>
Or go to <a href="http://www.mostnet.de" target="_blank">www.mostnet.de</a> and search.
Becker is one of the suppliers, but the question was @ additional items.
HTH,
J
05-27-2003 | 03:17 PM
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Toby,
I do not believe that there are any aftermarket MOST components, nor are there any plans to do so.
This is mainly driven by the vehicle OEM's. The hardware is not the issue; rather it is the network software required. Specifically the headunit software needs to be aware of a new component and how to manage the component on the ring.
BTW, I know a little about this, as I designed the MOST DSP amplifier for Bose, used in Porsche, Audi and DaimlerChrysler MY03 vehicles.
I do not believe that there are any aftermarket MOST components, nor are there any plans to do so.
This is mainly driven by the vehicle OEM's. The hardware is not the issue; rather it is the network software required. Specifically the headunit software needs to be aware of a new component and how to manage the component on the ring.
BTW, I know a little about this, as I designed the MOST DSP amplifier for Bose, used in Porsche, Audi and DaimlerChrysler MY03 vehicles.
05-27-2003 | 03:21 PM
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Lewis -
Do you know if there's been any resolution in "standardization" between the competing systems, or, is there a reliable MOST to "other" link?
I understand that a fiber optic to wire converter now exists. Is this true?
Thanks in Advance,
Jeff
Do you know if there's been any resolution in "standardization" between the competing systems, or, is there a reliable MOST to "other" link?
I understand that a fiber optic to wire converter now exists. Is this true?
Thanks in Advance,
Jeff
05-27-2003 | 05:34 PM
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Jeff,
I don't quite understand 'standardization'. The MOST specifications are fairly clear with regards to system/component behavior. This is a premise behind the MOST concept (like any other computer nework, like SCSI, Firewire or SCSI); each device must obey the rules of the network.
As far as an optical to electrical (wire) converter for MOST, I know of only one such device. It is an OptoLyzer for MOST, built by Oasis (I have one on my bench, I'm looking at it now). It has 2 analog inputs and 2 analog outputs, thus allowing you to interface any external audio source onto the ring. It is approximately $4K each and designed for lab development use, not a consumer product.
However, once you have your audio content on the ring, it is up to the headunit (specifically it's sofware) to properly handle the route the audio content around to the ring to the approriate devices.
There is a sort of loophole for most Becker MOST headunits. That is a OptoLyzer when inserted onto a vehicle ring will look like another CD player so you can somewhat control it via a headunit on the bench. However, things get interesting if you already have a CD changer on the ring!
MOST is fine for the vehicle manufacturers, but it is going to cause people persuing aftermarket products and installations fits. Without the assistance of Becker (headunit prime and big supporter of the MOST concept), it is virtually impossible to get an aftermarket MOST device to work in a vehicle.
Believe me, the hardware if fairly straight forward, it is the software that complicates matters.
Pls feel free to PM or email me with any additional questions or comments.
I don't quite understand 'standardization'. The MOST specifications are fairly clear with regards to system/component behavior. This is a premise behind the MOST concept (like any other computer nework, like SCSI, Firewire or SCSI); each device must obey the rules of the network.
As far as an optical to electrical (wire) converter for MOST, I know of only one such device. It is an OptoLyzer for MOST, built by Oasis (I have one on my bench, I'm looking at it now). It has 2 analog inputs and 2 analog outputs, thus allowing you to interface any external audio source onto the ring. It is approximately $4K each and designed for lab development use, not a consumer product.
However, once you have your audio content on the ring, it is up to the headunit (specifically it's sofware) to properly handle the route the audio content around to the ring to the approriate devices.
There is a sort of loophole for most Becker MOST headunits. That is a OptoLyzer when inserted onto a vehicle ring will look like another CD player so you can somewhat control it via a headunit on the bench. However, things get interesting if you already have a CD changer on the ring!
MOST is fine for the vehicle manufacturers, but it is going to cause people persuing aftermarket products and installations fits. Without the assistance of Becker (headunit prime and big supporter of the MOST concept), it is virtually impossible to get an aftermarket MOST device to work in a vehicle.
Believe me, the hardware if fairly straight forward, it is the software that complicates matters.
Pls feel free to PM or email me with any additional questions or comments.
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05-28-2003 | 11:44 PM
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Lewis,
Thanks for the details. I was concerned that the head unit needed to be "aware" of other devices on the ring. It's too bad that the MOST proponents don't open things up a bit and allow for some smaller, niche players to jump in and participate. Who knows.... they might drive the technology even further! (what a concept!)
And BTW, your DSP really shines in the Bose systems. It was good in my 2003 ML350, and is quite extraordinary in my Cayenne. Nice work!
Thanks for the details. I was concerned that the head unit needed to be "aware" of other devices on the ring. It's too bad that the MOST proponents don't open things up a bit and allow for some smaller, niche players to jump in and participate. Who knows.... they might drive the technology even further! (what a concept!)
And BTW, your DSP really shines in the Bose systems. It was good in my 2003 ML350, and is quite extraordinary in my Cayenne. Nice work!
05-29-2003 | 09:07 AM
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Toby,
Given the relatively small number of MOST vehicles currently on the road (all MY03 Porsches, new Audi A8L and Mercedes Maybach and S Class Japan/ROW....and I believe a Saab coming) there is little financial incentive for aftermarket suppliers to produce MOST components, as major US car manufacturers (GM, Ford and Chrysler) have NO plans for MOST, and this is where the volume is.
However, it would be relatively straight forward to someone to reverse engineer the protocol (via analyzing bus traffic and reading the MOST specs) to produce an aftermarket CD changer....the headunit would not know the difference. However, it would be difficult to introduce a component that the headunit (S/W) was not aware of.
The #1 request I get from people (I am usually on the 964 and 996TT boards) is to be able to interface an MP3 player (iPod) without an FM modulator. I have thought about how to do this, but unfortunately I am unable to design and sell such a device due to the terms of my employment contract <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> .....any lawyers on the board? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
Thank you for the compliment on the amplifier.
Ironically, I don't own a Porsche with my amplifier; however I am considering selling my Audi S4 and getting a Cayenne.
It is the same one used in the Boxster, Carrera and Cayenne. The only difference is the # and locations of speakers allowed by Porsche and their final approval for the vehicle tunings/equalization (which is stored in the amplifier).
The Porsche board of directors (and in one case an executive's wife) have the final say on tunings. Most people don't care for the 996 tunings (too much bass), but this is what Porsche wanted. From what I am told, the Germans really like bass, especially at high speeds with high levels of road noise present.
Given the relatively small number of MOST vehicles currently on the road (all MY03 Porsches, new Audi A8L and Mercedes Maybach and S Class Japan/ROW....and I believe a Saab coming) there is little financial incentive for aftermarket suppliers to produce MOST components, as major US car manufacturers (GM, Ford and Chrysler) have NO plans for MOST, and this is where the volume is.
However, it would be relatively straight forward to someone to reverse engineer the protocol (via analyzing bus traffic and reading the MOST specs) to produce an aftermarket CD changer....the headunit would not know the difference. However, it would be difficult to introduce a component that the headunit (S/W) was not aware of.
The #1 request I get from people (I am usually on the 964 and 996TT boards) is to be able to interface an MP3 player (iPod) without an FM modulator. I have thought about how to do this, but unfortunately I am unable to design and sell such a device due to the terms of my employment contract <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> .....any lawyers on the board? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
Thank you for the compliment on the amplifier.
Ironically, I don't own a Porsche with my amplifier; however I am considering selling my Audi S4 and getting a Cayenne.
It is the same one used in the Boxster, Carrera and Cayenne. The only difference is the # and locations of speakers allowed by Porsche and their final approval for the vehicle tunings/equalization (which is stored in the amplifier).
The Porsche board of directors (and in one case an executive's wife) have the final say on tunings. Most people don't care for the 996 tunings (too much bass), but this is what Porsche wanted. From what I am told, the Germans really like bass, especially at high speeds with high levels of road noise present.
05-31-2003 | 02:56 AM
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<a href="http://www.phatnoise.com/" target="_blank">PhatNoise</a> seems to have an interesting product. They make a CD-Changer replacement with 20 to 60 GB cartridges, which you can load with tons of MP3, ripped CDs etc. via an USB-craddle at your PC. Unfortunately, not yet compatible with PCM.
However I sent them an email regarding PCM/MOST and the answer from support was that they are currently developing a MOST compatible version but no word about a release date.
However I sent them an email regarding PCM/MOST and the answer from support was that they are currently developing a MOST compatible version but no word about a release date.
