Loading music onto HDD
12-07-06, 08:27 PM
#32
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Given hard drive prices/densities, I expect Lexus will up the HDD capacity over time. Part of the issue may be sourcing a hard drive that has very high MTBF (mean time between failures). Given that the hard drive is spun up and down each time the car is started/stopped, that's VERY hard on a hard drive mechanism, so it's possible Lexus couldn't get higher capacities at high reliability and reasonable cost, plus they may have sourced the part years ago as the car has been under development a LONG time.
I had the HD nav in my old GS400 and I had one HD failure (dealer replaced it). No biggie for a nav only system, but if I've ripped 100 CDs to it and it crashes, big ouch so it had better be reliable. Actually they might need (or maybe they do
) mirrored drives. 
I had the HD nav in my old GS400 and I had one HD failure (dealer replaced it). No biggie for a nav only system, but if I've ripped 100 CDs to it and it crashes, big ouch so it had better be reliable. Actually they might need (or maybe they do
) mirrored drives.
12-08-06, 06:31 AM
#33
Given hard drive prices/densities, I expect Lexus will up the HDD capacity over time. Part of the issue may be sourcing a hard drive that has very high MTBF (mean time between failures). Given that the hard drive is spun up and down each time the car is started/stopped, that's VERY hard on a hard drive mechanism, so it's possible Lexus couldn't get higher capacities at high reliability and reasonable cost, plus they may have sourced the part years ago as the car has been under development a LONG time.
I had the HD nav in my old GS400 and I had one HD failure (dealer replaced it). No biggie for a nav only system, but if I've ripped 100 CDs to it and it crashes, big ouch so it had better be reliable. Actually they might need (or maybe they do ) mirrored drives.
I had the HD nav in my old GS400 and I had one HD failure (dealer replaced it). No biggie for a nav only system, but if I've ripped 100 CDs to it and it crashes, big ouch so it had better be reliable. Actually they might need (or maybe they do
) mirrored drives. You know what else could be very cool is if they added a USB2.0 socket so that you could play music or movies of of it.
Just my .02 cents,
Dmitry
12-08-06, 07:03 AM
#34
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Considering Lexus is the first to put this out to the public, I think they did a remarkable job. Had this feature not been in the car, then we would not have missed it.
Hats off to Lexus for being on top of the game.
Hats off to Lexus for being on top of the game.
12-08-06, 07:24 AM
#35
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I remember the days when cars had no music at all apart from the 'music' from the engine. Then the radios, 8 track, cassettes and CD and now the choice is just amazing.
For a car company to have the vision of having a hard drive for music and make it user friendly like Lexus has done, is in my opinion ground breaking. Sure, next year there may be many other cars with it. And may include more features and bigger HD's, USB access etc.
But for the moment I am happy with the Lexus system and I don't want the LS to be let down in the JD Power ratings etc., because of a more complicated hard drive for music.
For a car company to have the vision of having a hard drive for music and make it user friendly like Lexus has done, is in my opinion ground breaking. Sure, next year there may be many other cars with it. And may include more features and bigger HD's, USB access etc.
But for the moment I am happy with the Lexus system and I don't want the LS to be let down in the JD Power ratings etc., because of a more complicated hard drive for music.
12-08-06, 07:43 AM
#36
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PhatNoise had the removable aftermarket HD for years that dockto your car/trunk and home computer. Of course, with iPOD no one is buying them anymore.
12-08-06, 08:34 AM
#37
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12-10-06, 12:01 AM
#39
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I would think that the less compression, the more hard disk space each song would require. If you are copying without any loss, then each song would be about 4 to 5 megs. Compressed, each song could be closer to 1 meg. Most of the hard drive is dedicated to the NAV system and the audio part is only getting 8 gigs. I still think 8 gigs is quite a bit for music.
Read: mygig option on many Chrysler/Dodge vehicles. The aftermarket has had it for quite some time as well. Eclipse navis come to mind. Kudos to Lexus for doing it nonetheless, revolutionary or not.
12-02-07, 04:20 PM
#40
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This may be a silly question, but in the 2008 LS460 SWB, is it required to have the ML audio system in order to rip CDs to the hard drive, or can this be done with the standard audio system?
12-02-07, 04:55 PM
#41
Yes, it is required to have the ML package with HDD song capability, this usually also comes with the HDD-enabled NAVI system. One of our forum members recently just traded in his LS 460 for a ML-equipped version in order to have this feature.
12-02-07, 05:20 PM
#42
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I added a ipod dock mounted in the center console, works great and best of all it is hidden from sight. It works with the ML and the steering wheel vol, track up and down and all the buttons work just like a Ipod. cost was about 300.00 money well spent......
12-02-07, 08:21 PM
#44
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12-02-07, 08:30 PM
#45
I think that you have to have ML to have the HDD song capability. This also comes with gracenote, the system which IDs the mp3 tracks as they are copied to the HDD. 2,000 songs max is sort of similar to connecting an iPod nano through the AUX input.