After getting inspired by this thread
http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52355, I was looking for a slim dvd player on ebay to do the job and in the same listings found something even better! Imagine a 2.5" laptop harddrive, put into a usb external enclosure, and having it's own built in interface to play almost all of your media files natively! I found this:
http://www.vantecusa.com/products/avox/p_avx100tx.html (also known as an Al Tech Mediagate MG-25P in Europe)
Then through more research, found an Acura TL forum where someone was doing exactly what I wanted with it:
http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138906
Also comes with component cables and outputs to HD, looks awesome.
So, you connect the drive to your computer like any external usb harddrive. You can then make folders to organize your files:
It's as simple as just putting up straight .ISOs too:
or put up divx, xvid, mpeg2's:
Dvds will play just like a dvd with menus and all. You can see here I'm using the Jazzy Mod and also ran an IR extension cable and stuck the receiving end above the power button:
You can see the 2 holes I drilled for the video cable, aux line, and IR extension cable:
Just enough room to fit all of the wires and the drive itself:
So.. Now onto the items you need:
1) Vantec Avox - cheapest and best place would be
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16855182001
2) 2.5" laptop harddrive - I just grabbed an extra one from work. I'm not sure if mine is a 5400rpm or 7200rpm drive. I'll check up on that later. Mine currently is a 40gig, but of course you can go a lot bigger.
3) Archos Car Lighter Power Adapter (500503) - Do not get a bootleg one that says will work with your Archos, it won't work -
4) Al Tech Mediagate MG-25P IR Receiver -
http://www.ewaggle.com/product_p/mg25p-ir.htm
optional items:
5) For my 06 I needed the Jazzy Aux In Mod and the GLI b/c of the ground loop noise I got from the cigarette lighter.
For the install I used a 1/2 drill bit to make 2 holes on the upper portion of the compartment box. I then ran the audio line, video line, and IR extension cable through some plastic wire loom to keep it neat and not to get caught up in the e-brake cable which you'll see when you pull the armrest out. It is also easier to take the cupholder and top trim out when you're drilling, it is held together by some philips screws.
Then I have a small metal file that I used to file a "channel or groove" on the inside of the silver trim on the left side of the radio to run the IR cable along. Filed another small niche at the top for the IR receiver to emerge out of and double sticked it to right above the power button. Voila.
Any questions, feel free to shoot them my way.
- Mouse
Linear Mode
