Buh Bye CD players?

[Bubba1]

http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2 ... cd-players

According to Automotive News, the old fashioned CD player appears to be headed toward oblivion just like the Cassette and 8 track players. In fact, the 2013 Sonic will have a smartphone/mp3/handsfree phone link but no CD player.

I imagine CD players will continue to be offered for awhile in more traditional old fart cars like Buicks/Caddy/Lincolns, and as aftermarket alternatives.

Thoughts?

[Kompresshun]

I still play CD's from time to time, but it's pretty rare. I have a few hundred songs loaded on my phone and tablet both, so since I always have at least one of them with me, there's really no need for a CD. I can also download a song on demand when i'm on the road, so if I decide there's something I want to hear, I can have it playing within a few minutes.

[alms24sebring]

I dont think quite yet. Maybe before the end of the decade though. Its sad to see, I still like buying CDs. Theres just some authentic feeling about having the case, cover, and the booklet.

[Jesda]

The Lexus SC430 was the last car to have a factory tape deck. I suspect luxury cars will also be the last to have CD players as an option.

[MinisterofDOOM]

What a stupid decision. I wish my LS had a cassette player. Just because it's not current tech doesn't mean it's not used.

[frapjap]

This is one of those "you dont know what you've got 'til its gone" things. My Corolla has its original tape deck (which won't play tapes!) but I'd KILL for a cd player right now.

Cd's still have FAR better quality than most of that compressed crap played through phones, ipods, and the like. Getting a high quality recording is tough, IMO- it doesn't "sound right."

God, maybe we're just getting old...

[themadscientist]

I haven't had a functional sound system in the Jet for over a year. I don't really miss it that much. The silence is calming; just me alone with my thoughts. I don't expect the 180 will have one either when I get it running again. I just like listening to the wastegate crack.

[skydragoness]

What a stupid decision. I wish my LS had a cassette player. Just because it's not current tech doesn't mean it's not used.

You're patient enough for cassettes? It always seems that after a while they start to sound all garbled (first warning) and then the tape flys out at you when you're driving and you get tangled in all that ribbon. No thanks.

[Dattebayo]

You're patient enough for cassettes? It always seems that after a while they start to sound all garbled (first warning) and then the tape flys out at you when you're driving and you get tangled in all that ribbon. No thanks.

That's more a symptom of a cheap tape player going bad, not the tape itself. But I'm sure you knew that.

I love tapes, so much harder to screw up than CDs are. And, more portable as well.

[asoomal]

I just bought a tape player and brand new CD player for my S13.

[alms24sebring]

^ Bwahaha.

The only thing I had used a tape player for was for the early ipod and walkmen. Are you guys serious? You still buy cassettes??
......Really?!?!

[asoomal]

Depends...I drive a car from the 90's, I kinda have too.

[Jesda]

I have some actual tapes, but I primarily use mine for iPod input.

[BusyBadger]

Cd's still have FAR better quality than most of that compressed crap played through phones, ipods, and the like. Getting a high quality recording is tough, IMO- it doesn't "sound right."

The solution you're seeking, provided you have a device that supports it, is FLAC.

[frapjap]

Cd's still have FAR better quality than most of that compressed crap played through phones, ipods, and the like. Getting a high quality recording is tough, IMO- it doesn't "sound right."

The solution you're seeking, provided you have a device that supports it, is FLAC.

Interesting, how does one get this?

[Bubba1]

Interesting, how does one get this?

I suppose If you post something bad enough, you get it for free... or am I using the wrong spelling?

[AppleBonker]

Joel, I love your comments.

Back on topic: the problem with FLAC is a lack of support from Apple. Given that Apple manufactures the most common products used in the mobile audio world, things can be a pain. Just about any aftermarket stereo will come with iPod support. Getting one that supports a device that can handle FLAC encoding is a bit harder. Once you've got it set up, it's also harder to find audio files encoded using FLAC (seems most people who pirate them just don't care).

How about we just bring back vinyl...

[MinisterofDOOM]

I have some actual tapes, but I primarily use mine for iPod input.

Exactly. My Q had a Pathfinder CD + tape headunit (in addition to the 10 disc magazine changer in the back) and I used the tape for MP3 player input. FAR better quality than even in-line FM, and far easier to install, plus it doesn't screw with your radio presets. I'd love to be able to use my phone with Google Music in the LS, but the only option is in-line FM which sounds like butt. Of course, my desire to use an MP3 player DOES NOT MEAN I don't ever want to play another CD in my car ever again.

[R/T Hemi]

I guess I'm a cheap @$$, but I'm looking for Pandora like technology to replace much of what we now have over the next few years.

[Rex]

They have "App radios" for the dash now.

The idea is you connect your iPhone (or the like I guess) and it supports a number of the apps running on the phone to allow you to control things through the head unit.

Search amazon and you'll see a few. Pretty decent if you ask me.

[DJ_B_Easy]

I'll take a CD over a compressed file any day of the week, FLAC encoded or not. Ive never heard (at least I dont think I have) a FLAC encoded file, but I bet if you play identical songs on CD and FLAC files on the same audio set-up you WILL hear a difference. If Im reading the Wiki correctly, seems that FLAC encoded might chew a bit more memory from whatever device you are storing it on as well?

That said, the 30GB of music on my iPod probably wouldnt fit on CD in my entire backseat.

[AppleBonker]

Ive never heard (at least I dont think I have) a FLAC encoded file, but I bet if you play identical songs on CD and FLAC files on the same audio set-up you WILL hear a difference.

Doubtful. A decoded FLAC file should be bit-for-bit identical to the original.

[DJ_B_Easy]

I still feel you lose fidelity through compression and decompression though, no? I dont know, like frapjap said it just never sounds quite right to me.

[AppleBonker]

Not if it's a lossless compression (which FLAC is). You'll lose more fidelity through recording an analog instrument to digital media.

[DJ_B_Easy]

Meh, guess I need to read up on it some more.

[Jesda]

AAC has a lossless format as well.

I'm baffled by lossless compression. I guess a zip file doesn't lose the data, it just shrinks it.

[themadscientist]

I think the laser is misaligned, it keeps skipping over bumps.

[Rev_D21]

I will always own CDs. I miss the large and wasteful cardboard packages they used to come in.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Its sad to see, I still like buying CDs. Theres just some authentic feeling about having the case, cover, and the booklet.

I actually agree. There is something I like about buying the CD's.

[sx moneypit]

Its sad to see, I still like buying CDs. Theres just some authentic feeling about having the case, cover, and the booklet.

I actually agree. There is something I like about buying the CD's.

Kinda like it was when i used to buy albums.