I work in a car audio shop...   (Eclipse's Top NZ Salesman!!  :-D  Just found that out)


Yes it has the chance of running a harddrive. 

A 3.5' drive will need a power source....  And if you have a 2.5' laptop in a case it will put the headunit to a real strain to supply power.  May work maybe not.


Question :   Why do only 'Cheaper' branded units only have USB Slots??


Answer :   Because they are Crap simply put.  Really bad s/n ratio.  (Bad Sound Quailty)   Bad capablitys.  etc etc



I think you will find your biggest problem is how long it is going to take for you to get to tracks later in the alphabet.   Do Not Under Estimate This Problem!!!    Its Huge!!   Even with rotory knobs.   Trust me it will kill the whole buzz of having gigs on tap.



On the postive note...  There is only one system that i can ever recomend for USB....   Its from Alpine.  Brand new product.  Its an addon to any late model AiNet Alpine headunit can use it.   This product is very new for New Zealand.  Its just that i have been given a 2006 Sales Reference Guide from the Alpine Rep i know this.  Not on Price lists.

Product model number is KCA-620M.   Works with DRM Media and any usb mass storage device.  Iriver etc.


Myself i am stuck on this problem.  I see no super fix for mass storage in a car.   Ipods Suck and still have seeking tracks problems thought the headunit ipod adp.  Playlists dont fully work i feel.   The best i can see is a carputer with a usb touch screen + a high end AUX input headunit.   This way one can choose what O.S they run on the carputer.  Some like WinXP w/ Winamp etc.  Others like the O.S made to be carputers.   Both ofer very diff things.


Food for thought.... 

For a motorhome that already has a 240V Converter, myself i would be on a small computer.  Maybe a laptop/IRiver with a AUX in headunit.

The biggest problem i see with putting a computer in a car is power supply.  Converting power or alternator power is really dirty.  Alot of noise picked up.   Good gear can get over that.

PSLog...  You say because its a moterhome 5volts doesnt matter?   Where in your motorhome you have a 5volt feed that you can put through USB?   I would love to know.

About the comment you made about me branding all USB units Crap...  Please tell me the good quality / "Branded" unit you have found.   And the data sheet you are looking from.   I would love to find a USB unit that works well apart from the Alpine KCA-620M. 


Quote from PSLog   "I wonder if the big brands have been caught napping by smaller manufacturers who can bring innovations to market quicker?"

Dude....  That is the wrong way round man.   Go research the Alpine research center and compare it to the those innovative small companys you talked about because i think you will find there is ony a hand full of manufacter's in the world.  Its all rebranding in a couple of factorys bud... Sony is 100% proof of this on all there products.  


I dont mean to come of sharp its just that i am a sucker for detail...  And feel everyone should see both sides.


Any others that have nice car audio @ GeekZone?

Kezzainc: PSLog... You say because its a moterhome 5volts doesnt matter? Where in your motorhome you have a 5volt feed that you can put through USB? I would love to know.