Wirelessly synched media storage in the car?

June 19, 2009 4:02 PM

I just put a new stereo head unit in my car and it has a USB port for connections to most media players. I'm looking for suggestions for one.

What I'd like is a USB device that is minimum 80GB, has wireless 802.11 b or g, and is powered by only the USB. Bonus: It will automatically synch up by wireless to the music collection in my house without ever being removed from the car.

An 80GB iPod seemed an obvious choice, but these don't do wireless, while the newer iTouch has the wireless but not the capacity.

I figured a portable USB hard drive might be a possibility, but I can't seem to find one that is both powered by USB only and has wireless capabilities.

I've run across the Archos 605 wifi but it's on the pricey side, presumably because of the LCD, which I don't need.

Is there something out there which better fits my requirements?

posted by poppo to technology (10 comments total)

i would absolutely go with the 80GB iPod. is wireless really so imperative?
posted by austere at 4:12 PM on June 19

Possibly a stupid question but I'm assuming you've confirmed that your wifi network's signal reaches the garage?
posted by dfriedman at 4:12 PM on June 19

I would honestly consider a Zune. 120-GB, wifi synchable, powered by USB, and optionally with $15/mo for unlimited downloads (which you can listen to for as long as you pay, but with 10 permanent downloads a month included).

The software for the Zune is absolutely amazing, though I'm not sure if you're on a Mac or not...

WiFi synching actually works really well, too. You can demo the software without a Zune from their website; I think you'll be impressed--it looks like nothing Microsoft has ever produced.
posted by disillusioned at 4:14 PM on June 19

is wireless really so imperative?: yes or i wouldn't be asking :)
confirmed that your wifi network's signal reaches the garage: yes thanks
Zune 120G: wow, i had no idea they made them at large capacity! that's a definite frontrunner now, thank you
posted by poppo at 4:24 PM on June 19

I've got an addon to my OEM head unit that takes USB devices for MP3 playback, but it has very exacting specs to be able to read them - File system, folder structure, filename structure, etc. - check whichever portable MP3 player you choose can hold the files in the correct manner for the head unit to play back.

You may find it easier and cheaper to simply pick up a USB external HDD and accept that you have to unplug the thing and take it to your computer every so often - 250-500GB will hold 4000-8000 hours of music.
posted by Nice Guy Mike at 4:26 PM on June 19

I think the wireless aspect is a non-starter for a variety of reasons, but the first one that comes to my mind is that unless you're planning on leaving your car running (or at least the stereo) while within range of your house for many minutes, it simply won't have time to sync any worthwhile amount of data. I would just do what I do. Use thumb drives. My stereo powers the thumb drive just fine, and you can get them for a reasonable price up to 16GB in size, and much bigger for unreasonable prices. I use a pair of 8s myself. When I get bored with something, I bring one of the drives in with me as I get home and swap out a bunch of stuff, then take it back out to the car the next day as I leave for work.
posted by barc0001 at 6:02 PM on June 19

The Zune is *really* an impressive device, too. Far more polished than any other also-ran that's not an ipod. And I (and many, many others) prefer it to the ipod. If not there, the software is CONSIDERABLY better than itunes, synching is incredibly intelligent, and you can get a great rubber skin for it from speck that will protect if for you and work great.

Seriously, try the software and see what I'm talking about. It's a pleasure to use. (Duplicate songs dealt with, no redownload of tracks you already own, auto monitoring folders intelligently, and a bunch more, like the ability to tag a song on the radio (since it has a tuner) and then auto grab that, or to browse the marketplace and download new music from any free wifi spot.)
posted by disillusioned at 6:04 PM on June 19

Here are some rough numbers for you:

Wireless-G has a theoretical max of 54 Mbit/sec. You'll be lucky to get half of that, or 27 Mbit/sec. I'd expect a third, so more like 18 Mbit/sec, which is a bit over 2 Mbytes/sec. Your basic torrented album is something like 100 Mbytes at a low bitrate.

So for every 120 Megs to sync, you'll be waiting about a minute. That is a long time when you're just picked up a discography of, say, Bruce Springsteen, which clocks in at over 20 minutes for you. Of your car idling in the garage while you wait to get going.

I would join in the recommendations of not using wireless.

I just backed up 200 GBs wirelessly. It took more than 2 days.
posted by Lemurrhea at 6:17 PM on June 19

I hadn't considered having to leave the car on while it was synching! What seemed like an awesome idea now seems like a bad one. Without the wireless requirement, obviously I have a ton of choices from a generic usb flash to mp3 players to portable hard drives.
posted by poppo at 4:37 AM on June 20

Just as a side note, many head unit USB ports don't work with Zunes - I have a JVC that works great with my iPhone and flashdrives/hard drives/other Mass Storage-compatible gizmos but (according to user reviews) doesn't do squat with a Zune.

Also, should you go down the portable hard drive route - double-check the specs on the USB port and make sure it'll run your USB hard drive; many portable hard drives require slightly more power than the USB spec typically provides and won't run off many USB ports without a two-port adapter.

Because of the two of those, the iPod might still be a safe choice, but as long as you double-check your specs you should be all right.
posted by agentmunroe at 5:00 AM on June 20