Sony Car Audio Front USB Input

[bob123_]

See picture below of a Sony CD Head Deck. In New Zealand they are calling this model CDXGT860. My question relates to the USB front input. The info on the Sony site doesn't tell you too much about it. Does anyone know what you are able to see and do on the head deck once the mp3 player is connected via USB? Can you use and see the same things as on the mp3 player - ie. artist-band-song or does can you just cycle through the groups or songs? In other words can I plug the mp3 player in and then on my head deck see the list of artists etc.

[MDX-400]

See picture below of a Sony CD Head Deck. In New Zealand they are calling this model CDXGT860. My question relates to the USB front input. The info on the Sony site doesn't tell you too much about it. Does anyone know what you are able to see and do on the head deck once the mp3 player is connected via USB? Can you use and see the same things as on the mp3 player - ie. artist-band-song or does can you just cycle through the groups or songs? In other words can I plug the mp3 player in and then on my head deck see the list of artists etc.

I believe this is the same as the US GT81UW model, however it probably differs slightly.

The instruction manual is not really clear except to say that it supports UMS devices and also [natively/directly] supports "ATRAC Audio Devices". So yes according to that you should get control and audio from a compatible ATRAC Audio Device. However it doesn't mention what models are compatible, but I would imagine all the flash-based ones with the USB connector built-in would qualify. See this thread for some more of what I said about it, but I haven't used it and the manual is vague, unfortunately...

http://www.audiotstation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32544

PS: As for all the controls, I can email you the manual if you want, however it is for the GT81UW not the GT860, but they appear similar enough.

[bob123_]

Thanks for that. I downloaded the manual from a link in that audiostation forum. You would think that an "ATRAC Audio Device" will include the HDD walkmen - guess not clear re MD players that have USB connections. I have a E507 which is flash memory. The cool thing is (and finally!!!) from the manual it looks like this stereo will allow me (because I have an ATRAC device) to access files the same as I do on the player (ie. artist - album - song). It looks like if I don't have an ATRAC device (and instead just a USB mass storage device) then access is only via Groups/Albums. Man I am very tempted to get one of these as I mostly use my e507 in the car. Plus it looks like the player will switch on and off when the stereo is switched on and off - so no need to touch the player which could be in a protected case. Brilliant! All I need now is a player with alot more memory so I will have all my music on the go.

Sony should bring out a Car Stereo to foucs on this by also bringing up an Album Art on the car stereo

[BIGHMW]

Thanks for that. I downloaded the manual from a link in that audiostation forum. You would think that an "ATRAC Audio Device" will include the HDD walkmen - guess not clear re MD players that have USB connections. I have a E507 which is flash memory. The cool thing is (and finally!!!) from the manual it looks like this stereo will allow me (because I have an ATRAC device) to access files the same as I do on the player (ie. artist - album - song). It looks like if I don't have an ATRAC device (and instead just a USB mass storage device) then access is only via Groups/Albums. Man I am very tempted to get one of these as I mostly use my e507 in the car. Plus it looks like the player will switch on and off when the stereo is switched on and off - so no need to touch the player which could be in a protected case. Brilliant! All I need now is a player with alot more memory so I will have all my music on the go.

Sony should bring out a Car Stereo to foucs on this by also bringing up an Album Art on the car stereo

I, too have seen this unit (CDX-GT81UW), and I am thinking of upgrading to it in my 1999 VW New Beetle from an MDX-C5970, which will go in my project 1963 VW Bus, and I am seriously wondering its compatibility with my MZ-NH700 Hi-MD (and all other Hi-MD/NetMD and HDD-based units) Walkman, so I can use it in my Beetle and just use the MDX unit with a Connects 2 ASONWHD001 unit, which works GREAT with it once you tweek it right, in my Bus.

If any of you have any info about NetMD/Hi-MD/HDD compatibility (specifically the 1st generation Hi-MD (MZ-NH1/600/700/F800/900 units, as they all have USB-compatbility a least with PC units, please PM me or e-mail me with the latest news, good or bad. Thanks.

[Azureal]

I realize that this is a really old thread. I thought I would mention that I just ordered the Sony CDX-GT610Ui from Crutchfield. I received the unit and was to install it this weekend, unfortunately they sent the wrong wiring harness for our vehicle, so I am going tohave to wait a few days to see the unit in action.

The unit is supposed to play ATAC3plus CDs as well as CDs with MP3, WMA and AAC files stored in Joliet format. I have our entire library of music stored as ATRAC3 and ATRAC3plus, so this player seemed like a no brainer for us. I would love to see that the unit will control one of our HD5 DAPs via the USB unput.

I was originally interested in replacing the stock radio head unit with one that had an auxiliary input. I was pretty happy to find a few Sony models with all of the features this one has. If anyone is interested, I'll post some results of my experiences with this unit after I get it installed and have a chance to play with it for a bit.

One other note about this unit is that it has an iPod interface cable directly connected, go figure, I ordered it knowing that was there but wanting the other features and one day before the sad email from the Connect Store folks about Sony abandoning ATRAC3/plus...

[flyco]

this is great. This must be a lot of work.

Keep up the great work~!

thanks!