azurepalm

Question:
1. So if it's a switch on the unit, then the unit must be visible in order to toggle between video sources?
2. I assume there's a 'navi' switch that returns the screen to navigation?

datmrman

1.) Switch can be extended from the unit. Most people (like myself) install the unit in the trunk and then extend the switch all the way to the front dash (in the blank next to the VSA for me).

2.) That same switch will control the video source from navi or video 1. Wiring Dom's blue wire to the reverse light will force video 2 to display (no matter if your using navi or video 1) when the car is placed in reverse.

Hope that clarifies it for you.

azurepalm

ah ok. that makes much more sense now. thanks datmrman.

Laxplaya11385

does this unit work like an external HD? As in, would you be able to open it up and replace the HD w/ a larger one? If i were to make most of my DVDs into ISO files, as well as putting my mp3 collection into it, i'd need about....200 gigs or so hahaha.

Crook

The unit itself is basically a harddrive case and hardware card to play the files. You have to supply your own harddrive(2.5inch laptop size) so you can pick any capacity you want.

datmrman

but currently 2.5" laptop hard drives are only about 160 GB. Eventually though. For bigger storage space, you should look at the MG-35 which supports 3.5" desktop hard drives. I have a 250 GB drive in mine and I could easily swap it out with a 500 GB one.

BTW, when you buy the Mediagate, its just an empty enclosure. You will need to find your own hard drive.

FADE

I have one on the way from newegg with a 100 gig hd. I found a remote eye on bestbuys parts site so I ordered it. Hope it will work.

datmrman

This "remote eye", if it has a stereo like plug (2 black bands) then I think it should work. Lembowski bought a mono plug version (1 black band) and it didn't work.

Can you give us a link to the remote eye from the bestbuy parts site?

leedogg

So this Mediagate is basically one massive mp3 player? Has anybody utilized the wireless option to allow music transfers between your home pc and the mediagate?

Laxplaya11385

I'm waiting for that link for the remote eye, cause as soon as i get my Navi to DVD module, i'm gonna be installing all of this stuff

datmrman

leedogg, this Mediagate is one massive hard drive based MEDIA player, where MEDIA = music, video, and pictures.

The MG-25 series does not offer wireless networking. The MG-35 offers wired networking. The MG-350 series offers wireless networking. They all use USB 2.0 connection, so you can connect to a laptop and copy over files. More details on the manufacturer's website.


laxplaya11385, once you receive the video module, make sure you check out my other threads for install help:

FADE

I have not recieved it yet to see if it has the 2 bands but this is the link.

datmrman

Wow.. $6! I paid $35 for mine. Hopefully it works for you! Please keep us updated.

datmrman

I received this PM with a few good questions on the device, so I've decided to post them here.

Hi Kevin,

I don't mind you asking questions. Thanks for the kind words.

I've had the Vantec drive for a while now, but you are right, its been fully installed in the car for roughly a week or two. Its been pretty straight forward to use, but as with any device there are always features you hope they would implement. For me, it would be:

• random play mode
• m3u playlist support
• fancier looking interface
• ID3 tag support and display

They might be able to implement these things in future firmware support.

As for the MG-35. I also have that. Its bulkier than the MG-25 and I didn't want to keep that in my glove box. Just a personal preference I suppose. The advantage to the MG-35 is that the hard drives are cheaper than the MG-25. I have a 250 GB in my MG-35 from last Christmas.

I chose 80 GB because I plan to mainly use the Vantec drive for music during my drives. I'm not planning to watch a full length movie in the car, but it is nice to carry some music videos and tv shows in the car for when I need to wait for someone.

Why Hitachi? I'm just a fan. They're orginally IBM branded and I've never had any problems with all Hitachi/IBM drives I have owned. They are reliable and quiet. I stuck in an old Toshiba hard drive from my laptop into the Vantec, and notice its a little nosier than the Hitachi drive, but then again, the Hitachi drive is newer. When searching for a drive for the Vantec, I read a few reviews on Western Digital, Seagate, and Fujitsu. My previous experiences with Hitachi led me back to it.

As for the remote sensor, I am not sure the brand model it is. Lembowski found it for me. A local shop basically pulled it out of one of their car dvd players boxes and sold it to us. I know a few members are looking into other sensors (FADE is one of them). I'm keeping my eye out as well.

I hope that answers it for ya. Let me know if you have any other questions.

waacow

can you post a pic of the remote sensor?

i found one here for $3.50: http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/index...ROD&ProdID=862

but it seems to only have one black band, am i looking for one that has 2 black band on the plug?

lembowski

iTrader: (1)

yeah the one I got for datmrman and myself has 2 rings on the plug, I got it from an audio shop down in PB. If someone doesn't find a cheaper place for these, I can go back and ask them if they can get me another one.......its gonna cost $35, but it might save you time and $ from trying others

datmrman

Look what I've found:

Myron & Davis IR Sensor for AMT-202, Model AIR-01


For sale here for $11.99:
http://www.anythingwholesaleaz.com/i...PROD&ProdID=32

Looks like this might work! You might want to call to verify its a 3.5" mini stereo plug IR sensor. If it is,

lembowski

iTrader: (1)

Looks different from the one we have chris, but who nows I just might work! Who's going to be the test dummy? Waacow? The shop I went to didn't sell them seperately, so he just gave me a price.......they might actually be this cost. I'm still happy I got mine for $25

waacow

I would try it, but not sure about buying from this online store (anythingwholesalesaz) ..

so the store in PB, is it $25 or $35?

lembowski

iTrader: (1)

They gave me the first for $25 then they said if I need anymore it would be $35. They gave me the first at a discount, cause the owner has spoke to me before when they helped me out.

Laxplaya11385

any word on this yet?

datmrman

Laxplaya11385, you can try to locate the Myron & Davis IR Sensor, Model AIR-01 and see if it works with the Mediagate. See post #97 for details.

From pictures I've seen online, it looks like its compatible, but I would locate a store (online or local) that carries it and ask to verify the specs: 3.5" mini stereo plug.

I guess people don't like AnythingWholeSaleAZ.com?

OR

you can try to do what Lembowski did and ask a local auto electonics shop to part out an IR sensor.

FADE

Just to update everyone, I should have the one I orderd in today! It is off back order! Yeah. Now I just hope it will work. As soon as I get it and find out I will let you all know.

Laxplaya11385

i actually saw that post, and tried calling them (i believe a total of 6 times) throughout the day. No one picked up the phone.

datmrman

That sucks. Maybe a search on Google or eBay may bring up another seller?

We should know today if FADE's IR sensor works.

theone

what if you bought a mono sensor then plug that into a mini stereo extension?

then the "other" end would be a stereo input..would that work?

datmrman

Would you like to try it?

FADE

Well shit. I got it in and guess what. It’s a tiny sensor that needs to be soldered to a circuit board. So that’s not going to work…ugh. Guess I will be taking a trip to bust buy for a refund.

theone

ill try it you want to loan me a mediagate?

FADE

Ok so who can hook me up with the right part?

datmrman

theone, you can pick up the Avox locally at Fry's Electronics. If you are in So Cal, I could meet up with you to try it out. Thats also if you buy the IR sensor cables.

FADE, so is that bad news?

theone

I was just kidding, im located in NJ

I am probably going to buy the units soon

but responsibilities first, i racked up a big bill this month and i need to pay it off first

what is going on that Myron and Davis sensor? no one bought it?

im going to check out this local store that usually carries random bits and pieces

Laxplaya11385

where in jersey are you? My local radio shack actually told me to check this electronics store nearby, so i might go check that out this week.

theone

middlesex county - Matawan

FADE

Anyone order the part from anything wholesale yet? I think I am going to give that a shot.

Laxplaya11385

i called them about 7 times on friday to see if it was a 3.5" plug, but no one answered.

datmrman

Just FYI, I've contacted Dominic of TVandNav2Go about this IR sensor. He said he will ask around and get back to me. We'll just see if he can help out.

Has anyone else try to find a different vendor that sells the Myron Davis IR sensor?

Laxplaya11385

I used the USA-spec for my sound, so this is where i put the wire for the Ipod and the IR for the AVElectronics Unit. (Navi2DVD) I dremeled out a hole on the lower accesory compartment.



a view from where i sit:

(i know, my shift knob is crooked! ) The big ugly thing in the 12V port is my cell phone charger. The IR receiver sits right above it.

I put the RCA coupler in the center console like DatMrMan, but i did it a lil different. I dremeled 5 holes (outer two for the screws, and the inner 3 for RCA ports). I felt it looked cleaner that way, although it took me foreeever to measure out and dremel.

Beware of how low you put the RCA coupler though, b/c the e-brake cables are right below the center console, so if you place it too low, you won't have access to the coupler. (I barely cleared mine. My audio wire are a liiittle bent )

enjoy!

datmrman

Laxplaya11385, very nice install there! I didn't want to spend too much time drilling holes so I just used the wall plate. But your method does look cleaner.

So about this AVElectronic device you have... it requires an IR sensor? Can you check the plug on that? If its 3.5" stereo plug, then could you test it on the Mediagate (if you have one)?

BTW, if you dont want the audio cables to bend, check out these right-angle RCA plugs from Radio Shack.

Laxplaya11385

Oh man...I wish i had bought those right angle plugs. It might've helped...oh well. It's not really ruining the cable. It's just slightly bending them when i pull up on the e-brake. It really does take a lot of time to drill the holes, so if anyone is going to do it, be patient. A lot of my friends swung by to check it out and they thought i had it professionally done, so it was well worth the time.

As for the IR sensor. The plug is completely different. I looked as soon as i got the vantec avox. As i had mentioned to another member, my local radio shack recommended this family owned electronics store about 2 town over. I'm going to try and make time to get over there this week, to see if they have an IR sensor. If they do have it, i'll give you guys a heads up.