KillaIS250

iTrader: (1)

Really? Because all the Bluetooth streaming i've heard in cars is pretty clear. It's not CD quality, but its definitely clear and never heard any interference. Shouldn't be getting static and random cut-offs.

PDubs

This is a great idea; make room for something else or remove the weight entirely. I don't understand why my 05 GX has a factory cassette player in it when that was phased out with other 2003 non-Lexus vehicles that have passed through my garage.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

05 gx? ask about 09 gs.... that was a complete mystery to me

mmarshall

I'd say keep the CD-players and toss the joystick/video-screen stuff like I-Drive, MMI, Mercedes-Command, Sync/MyTouch, etc.....

I got a lot of old CDs I enjoy listening to, especially 70s Rock and 80s Heavy-Metal. But I find I-Drive/MMI-typs systems to be little more than a PITA.

On the surface at least, I may sound selfish by saying this (thinking only of myself), but I'm pretty sure that my opinion here is not alone.

BertL

For now, I appreciate having at least a single CD or DVD slot in my dash, even though I keep a Classic iPod with more than 700 albums plugged into my iPod-capable cars all the time. My 2006 RX400h has cassette which I have never used once in 7 years, but sure did use the 6-CD autochanger for the first several years. I've probably only used the autochanger twice a year on road trips the past three years or so, and that's only because the RX does not have iPod capability. My new RX will have iPod connectivity, so I expect the single CD/DVD player will only be used a few times a year when sharing tunes with family and friends on road trips. Within another few years, well, I'll be fine without it too. Life moves on, but don't take my single CD player quite yet please!

RX_330

I much prefer CDs over iPods or other common audio sources in term of sound quality. It's too much work to find lossless audio files and download them to my iPod. CD is much simpler and cleaner sounding.

rkyat

I think the cd in my car right now is the same one i put it the first week i bought my car. (Apr 2011) Ever since then i've used the USB port or aux port.

spwolf

since CD sales still overtake download sales of music, worldwide, i very much doubt they will lose the CD. I hope they will not, because only good reason for them would be cost cutting.

Blackraven

I think the deletion of the optical disc will come sooner or later................but I think it's too soon to delete it now.

For instance, there are rumors that the next Macbook Pro will not have an optical drive anymore. Sure that's good for weight reduction and all.......BUT remember that there are those who still use optical discs (even in the age of Ipod, mp3 players, usb, etc.)

For instance:
1) Some teachers/professors in the academe still ask for CD/DVD hard copies of academic work
2) Game vendors still sell optical discs (i.e. so how are you going to install Diablo 3 on your MBP without an optical drive? External optical drive? That's a big step back)

Oh and personally, for areas with sub-par internet connection, downloading huge files (i.e. whole games) is still not an option.


So in a sense, it will happen.............but I don't think it should happen immediately. You'd have to wait for people's habits and preferences to change gradually.........and not to instill or force change against them.

geko29

I doubt this is the case, but can find no evidence one way or the other. In the US, digital sales exceed CD sales, with digital increasing by 8.4% per year, while CD sales drop 5% per year.

Factor in the frequency with which people rip CDs to a digital format, or acquire digital music in other forms--illegal downloads/file sharing, plus legitimate services like Pandora, Spotify, Rdio, etc, none of which are counted in these sales figures--and it's safe to say the overwhelming majority of music consumption today occurs in a non-physical format.

adamls2

Usually it is pretty good. You have to be really picky like me to notice some things. For ex. in between songs or blank areas the static can be heard especially when the volume is pretty high. An example of the cutoffs might be driving next to some shopping area and it cuts-off for a few seconds (I want to say it is because of the sliding doors at some places but I can't confirm it), also when a use a 3rd party garage opener it tends to happen as well. Don't get me wrong it is a very great system and use it 95% of the time.

LexFather

Yeah Bluetooth streaming is awesome in cars

Jewcano

iTrader: (4)

If they remove CD Players, I'm guessing that'll eventually put 'aftermarket' installation shops in a bind. CD's though are becoming an antiquated technology and times are moving towards a more digital approach to storage for media.

@lpher

Guys, dont forget that the tape deck was standard equipment in lexus just a few years ago... And this is how many years after the tape format was considered dead? in other words the CD frmat will be with us for quite a few years...

spwolf

In US, digital overtook physical only this year, while worldwide, digital sales of any goods are much lower.

and now everyone wants them to cut off the cd? thats just dumb... hey, they want to do it since it will save them few bucks per vehicle, it is just not good for us.