BRZ Navigation Audio Run Through

[Draco-REX]

Originally Posted by R0ME0

Who makes the navigation unit for Subaru? Is it still Fujitsu?

I'm pretty sure the unit in the BRZ is a Pioneer.

[R0ME0]

Originally Posted by Draco-REX

I'm pretty sure the unit in the BRZ is a Pioneer.

After watching the video it does look like Pioneer like menus. Interesting. I sure hope the lag isn't as bad is it makes out in the video.

[pastuch]

The 2013 Genesis Coupe I test drove has a WAY better touchscreen. It was easy to use, responsive and the sound quality is significantly improved over the 2012 model.

[Draco-REX]

Originally Posted by R0ME0

After watching the video it does look like Pioneer like menus. Interesting. I sure hope the lag isn't as bad is it makes out in the video.

If you read my inadvertent rant, you'll know I don't expect much from head units. For me, once I get the system set up in an acceptable way, my interaction with the head unit is usually reduced to just the volume control and track skip. :P

[Spaceywilly]

Originally Posted by Draco-REX

Warning, this turned into a rant in the middle of writing this:

It's my belief that the good programmers do the obvious and go to companies that develop computer software. So head unit interfaces tend to get designed by engineers and programmers that didn't make the cut.

I can pretty much guarantee you the software for these was written by programmers working in India or China for .10/hour. The profit margins on consumer electronic hardware is not as great as you might think so they will put the bare minimum level of software functionality in that they can get away with. All those things you ask for are available, you just have to pay more for them.

[Draco-REX]

Originally Posted by Spaceywilly

I can pretty much guarantee you the software for these was written by programmers working in India or China for .10/hour. The profit margins on consumer electronic hardware is not as great as you might think so they will put the bare minimum level of software functionality in that they can get away with. All those things you ask for are available, you just have to pay more for them.

Car audio has a MASSIVE markup compared to other electronics. When I was younger I worked at Best Buy when the employee discount was still 5% above cost. All of the car audio stuff was nearly half off with the discount.

These companies could do better, but they don't.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Draco-REX

Car audio has a MASSIVE markup compared to other electronics. ....

Its not just the mark-up, its also the volume that has to be considered. Car audio (particularly individual models) doesn't sell in near the number of other tech mentioned.

Also, its not the programmers that designed all the interfaces everyone loves, that was the human factors folks. The programmers just implement what they are given in those cases. HF requires a LOT of investment to get right. Way outside what a car audio system probably justifies.

[Spaceywilly]

Originally Posted by Draco-REX

Car audio has a MASSIVE markup compared to other electronics. When I was younger I worked at Best Buy when the employee discount was still 5% above cost. All of the car audio stuff was nearly half off with the discount.

These companies could do better, but they don't.

That's Best Buy's profit, not the electronics makers. And even with those insane markups Worst Buy is still going under. Smart phones are the one exception right now, even HDTVs which used to be a cash cow has completely crashed. To make it worse new car profits are weak right now too, especially with the Yen being strong vs the dollar, so they are definitely pinching pennies wherever possible. Just look at the Navs they offer in Japan, there's no Pioneer bargain bin units over there.

[Draco-REX]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Its not just the mark-up, its also the volume that has to be considered. Car audio (particularly individual models) doesn't sell in near the number of other tech mentioned.

Also, its not the programmers that designed all the interfaces everyone loves, that was the human factors folks. The programmers just implement what they are given in those cases. HF requires a LOT of investment to get right. Way outside what a car audio system probably justifies.

I don't think they do any HF research at all, to be honest.

As far as volume goes, these companies often have OEM contracts, so they can move plenty of units.

Originally Posted by Spaceywilly

That's Best Buy's profit, not the electronics makers. And even with those insane markups Worst Buy is still going under. Smart phones are the one exception right now, even HDTVs which used to be a cash cow has completely crashed. To make it worse new car profits are weak right now too, especially with the Yen being strong vs the dollar, so they are definitely pinching pennies wherever possible. Just look at the Navs they offer in Japan, there's no Pioneer bargain bin units over there.

Yes, that's their profits, but if the unit retails for X and BBY is paying 1/2X, then the manufacturer has to be making plenty on each unit. Otherwise, they'd sell at a higher cost and BBY would have less Margin. As you've said, other electronics have a very poor margin due to manufacturer costs vs market price.

[pastuch]

Originally Posted by Dizz1e

You think playing through bluetooth would diminish the sound quality at all? I feel like hard wiring through the 3.5 jack or USB would provide the optimal quality sound and allow you to not have to worry about lapse in connection where the music cuts in and out.

All of you discussing Bluetooth audio should review the thread I posted today:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5871

APT-X is high-definition lossless bluetooth audio codec that is being adopted by all the new Android phones and has been in the marketplace for two years. For those of you not familiar with APT-X, it utilizes the same A2DP protocol used for bluetooth communication but features a lossless audio codec called APT-X instead of the piece of shit SBC codec (Sub-band Codec). The difference between lossless audio and heavily compressed SBC is definitely noticeable. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apt-X

Note, Bluetooth audio is pretty mature now, I have multiple devices (Some with APT-X) some without and none loose audio connection but the APT-X ones definitely sound better as long as you use FLAC. I love Android.

[pastuch]

Originally Posted by MmmHamSandwich

Bluetooth is probably better than a the headphone jack since the DAC in the car is likely better than the one in your phone. Unless there is some compression involved in bluetooth. Personally I plan to get a right angle usb cable and just keep my decommissioned iPhone dual locked on the underside of that cubby hole.

The standard bluetooth audio used in 100% of car audio utilizes the SBC codec which is lossy and poorly designed. Having a APT-X compatable bluetooth bridge will give you better quality audio but the only way to get that is to buy an Aux to Bluetooth (APT-X) adapter which is linked in the thread above. I'll probably buy it once I get a Galaxy S III.

Regarding the headphone jack, AUX is a very mixed bag. A Galaxy S with Voodoo sound will blow pretty much any car stereo DAC out of the water because it utilizes the Wolfson WM1811. Widely considered the best DAC on the market.

Iphones/Ipods also provide solid audio quality but don't match the original Galaxy S. The Yamaha DAC in my Galaxy S II is a total piece of shit compared to my old S1 or Iphone/Ipod Classic 2G.

[Fallin2Rhythm]

Here's my solution.. http://www.lcdgps.com/7-inch-motoriz...tor-amfm-radio

Get a touch screen monitor, put a mini pc in the glove box, attach your phone and 500g HD to the PC and call it a day.

[tripjammer]

Originally Posted by Scooby

Don't be sorry, you're spot on. The UI design of car audio systems is beyond retarded measured against today's possibilities. I can't wait for Apple or any of the Android tablet builders to release a 7" with a matching double din docking. Massive new business, waiting to be picked up.

There is a rumor that Apple is going to build a car stereo unit....

Apple do!

[Grateful Dave]

Maybe it would work better with better music choices.