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#30397 - 01/05/2001 07:16 screens and tuner ?
astudler
new poster

Registered: 01/05/2001
Posts: 1
Loc: Switzerland
Hi all

I am a proud owner of a mark 2 player, but I am still unhappy with several things.

1) My screen is not anti-glare. I can't see anything when the sun is shining. I heard something that there is a anti glare blend for the empeg. Does anybody know where I can order this. I would also like to order other colors of the blend.

2) I am still waiting for the tuner module. Is it that difficult to create a tuner module? Empeg announced it before one year, and it is still not there. Sonic Blue just sais wait, wait, wait ....

Thanks
Anatol


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#30398 - 01/05/2001 07:45 Re: screens and tuner ? [Re: astudler]
Dearing
addict

Registered: 22/07/1999
Posts: 453
Loc: Florida
1) Only the first few(?) Mark 2's didn't have anti-reflective coatings. If you have one of these, you can get a new lens from empeg Ltd. Make sure you screen is really not AR-coated, though. There are plenty of threads on this BBS about AR-coating, weak displays, and the like. Check these out and see if your Mk2 really is at fault.
2) Yes, between new developments in Tuner technology (smaller, more complete chips and all) and sourcing problems way back, it is more difficult to make a custom digital tuner module than you think.

_~= Dearing =~_
"WAY too happy about having #99."
_________________________
_~= Dearing =~_
Gettin' back into it thanks to slimrio!

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#30399 - 01/05/2001 07:49 Re: screens and tuner ? [Re: Dearing]
rob
carpal tunnel

Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
Not to mention we have designed TWO tuner modules, having given up on the first (FM only) variant. Anyone want to buy a couple of thousand FM tuner cans?

Rob



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#30400 - 01/05/2001 07:54 Re: screens and tuner ? [Re: rob]
Dearing
addict

Registered: 22/07/1999
Posts: 453
Loc: Florida
You know...if the'yre just sitting around, why not make a PC tuner device or something? Either run the tuner output through the IDE-bus, or much cheaper,give it a line-out. Make it fit in a 5.5" drive bay or something. Cost a bit more in surrounding parts/development/etc, but how much did you lose on the tuners?
Just an idea...
Jason

_~= Dearing =~_
"WAY too happy about having #99."
_________________________
_~= Dearing =~_
Gettin' back into it thanks to slimrio!

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#30401 - 01/05/2001 08:17 Re: screens and tuner ? [Re: Dearing]
rob
carpal tunnel

Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
I doubt they're worth anything to us on paper now.

So, a PC tuner card? Boy, what a come down that would be for empeg!

Rob



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#30402 - 01/05/2001 08:42 Re: screens and tuner ? [Re: rob]
Henno
addict

Registered: 15/07/1999
Posts: 568
Loc: Meije, Netherlands
So, a PC tuner card? Boy, what a come down that would be for empeg!

But it would squarely in the Diamond product range, wouldn't it?

Henno
mk2 6 nr 6
_________________________
Henno mk2 [orange]6 [/orange]nr 6

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#30403 - 01/05/2001 09:39 Re: screens and tuner ? [Re: astudler]
tfabris
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31565
Loc: Seattle, WA
Tuner modules are coming soon!

Regarding the screen, please see this FAQ entry. Your problem might have nothing at all to do with AR coating.

Regarding the AR coating: The earliest Mk2 models shipped with faceplates that didn't have an AR coating. Later, they found someone who could do the AR coating along with the RF coating, and were able to start making AR faceplates. All units are now shipping with an AR coating on the faceplate.

If your faceplate is non-AR, you will be able to tell because it is very shiny. If it appears to have a slight matte coating on it, then it's an AR faceplate already and there's no issue.

In practice, the AR coating only improves readability slightly. If having an AR coating is important to you, then you can contact support and they'll give you an AR version.

I'm going to add this AR information to that FAQ entry.

___________
Tony Fabris
_________________________
Tony Fabris

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#30404 - 01/05/2001 09:46 Re: screens and tuner ? [Re: Henno]
SE_Sport_Driver
carpal tunnel

Registered: 05/01/2001
Posts: 4903
Loc: Detroit, MI USA
Why not offer an FM only tuner at a discounted price?

32GB (JUST UPGRADED!) Mk. II BLUE
Detroit, MI USA
www.PfeifferBeer.com
_________________________
Brad B.

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#30405 - 01/05/2001 10:21 Re: screens and tuner ? [Re: SE_Sport_Driver]
rob
carpal tunnel

Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
Because it would involve a complete redesign, and because they don't work very well. The AM/FM module has much reception.

Rob



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#30406 - 01/05/2001 15:25 Re: what will the tuner be like? [Re: rob]
Amarth
journeyman

Registered: 06/07/2000
Posts: 91
Loc: Helsinki, Finland
Regardless of the problems in acquiring an Empeg in Europe right now..

What is the tuner module (going to be) like? Is it an external gadget that will be fitted somewhere on the dash or just something that will fit inside the Empeg itself? (the most preferrable choice for me, I'd actually happily leave a 2nd drive out from the Empeg since I keep my mp3's vaulted somewhere else)

I don't particularly listen to radio (the local offerings, NRJ, KissFM etc. just plainly suck for they loop the same music over and over, overplaying the most popular tunes) but I trust my GF would like the Empeg to have a tuner so why not, I'm overly glad she isn't the complaining type, as in about how I'm spending my more or less well earned money ;)

If it is an external gadget (as I suspect it is), how big is it and what kind of mounting options will it have? I'm trying to keep my car (VW Golf V6 2.8 4motion -00 model) as elegant as possible and would hate to have wires running on the dash (or anywhere else where they can be seen)..


Amarth


_________________________
Empeg Mk2 090000839 (BMW 330Ci E46 -02) http://guildhouse.net/BMW330Ci/

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#30407 - 01/05/2001 15:28 Re: what will the tuner be like? [Re: Amarth]
tfabris
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31565
Loc: Seattle, WA
This one is in the FAQ. In more than one place, in fact.

___________
Tony Fabris
_________________________
Tony Fabris

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#30408 - 02/05/2001 01:10 Re: what will the tuner be like? [Re: tfabris]
thinfourth2
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 13/04/2001
Posts: 1742
Loc: The land of the pale blue peop...
okay i don't think this has been asked before but can we get an extension cable for it so i can be mounted a small distance away from the unit. I am okay as i have a good amount of room behind my player in the dash but other folks may be screwed to fit a larger unit.

If not an offical thing on maxinum cable length would be nice Rob

_________________________
P.Allison fixer of big engines Mk2+Mk2a signed by God / Hacked by the Lord Aberdeen Scotland

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#30409 - 02/05/2001 08:59 Re: what will the tuner be like? [Re: thinfourth2]
tfabris
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31565
Loc: Seattle, WA
That's definitely something you'd have to rig up yourself. Remember that you'll have to extend the radio antenna wire, as well.

___________
Tony Fabris
_________________________
Tony Fabris

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#30410 - 02/05/2001 09:14 Re: screens and tuner ? [Re: tfabris]
debauch
enthusiast

Registered: 22/03/2000
Posts: 217
Loc: West Midlands, England
In reply to:

Tuner modules are coming soon!



And, if current form is anything to go by, they won't be for sale outside the US.

Nick.


--
18GB red s/n 080000299, original pos'n 8724. Reproduction of this post is not permitted.
_________________________
-- 18GB red s/n 080000299

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#30411 - 02/05/2001 13:59 Re: screens and tuner ? [Re: debauch]
srhodes
enthusiast

Registered: 30/01/2000
Posts: 262
Loc: Derbyshire, UK
I'm assuming that the tuner module just connects to the aerial and the ISO connector. I'm hoping it'll drop through the whole in the bottom of the empeg sled. If not, I guess I'll have to be removing the whole thing just to install the tuner which I won't be pleased about as I've just installed it again due to a change in cars.

Silly question - how long is soon? Months? Weeks? Days?

Steve.

(18GB Mk II - Blue then Green made my display more serene.)
_________________________
Steve

2x80GB Mk II with Illuminated buttons

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#30412 - 02/05/2001 14:08 Re: screens and tuner ? [Re: srhodes]
tfabris
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31565
Loc: Seattle, WA
I'm assuming that the tuner module just connects to the aerial and the ISO connector.

No, it connects to the aerial and the tuner connector which is a separate connector from the ISO connector.


I'm hoping it'll drop through the whole in the bottom of the empeg sled.

Don't count on it. Even if it could fit through the hole, you'd still need room to work and you'd need to be able to reach the connecors and get them hooked up. Plus, it will have a power-antenna activation lead that (on some vehicles) will need to be connected properly.

Just plan on removing the sled again.

___________
Tony Fabris
_________________________
Tony Fabris

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#30413 - 03/05/2001 04:48 Re: screens and tuner ? [Re: astudler]
DarkStorm
addict

Registered: 13/04/2001
Posts: 481
Loc: Pompano Beach, Florida
I will be offering smoke & clear lenses for MarkII/Rio units shortly.

Refer to this post Clear panels?

_________________________
Steve DarkStorm Designs

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#30414 - 03/05/2001 05:36 Re: screens and tuner ? [Re: DarkStorm]
carrera84
stranger

Registered: 12/09/2000
Posts: 46
Loc: NC, USA
Bad link?

-jim 080000260 w/18G in a Carrera
_________________________
-jim [blue]080000260[/blue] w/18G in a [green]Carrera[/green]

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#30415 - 07/05/2001 23:16 Re: screens and tuner ? [Re: debauch]
Lemmy
member

Registered: 03/12/1999
Posts: 118
Loc: Germany
in reply to:

And, if current form is anything to go by, they won't be for sale outside the US.



So, what about anyone who is liable for a free tuner module from teh upgrade MkI->MkII but is from non-US-countries, will we be busted?


bye
L


oh btw, when is soon?

_________________________
--- Mk. I Blue 4G Serial [dont remember] Mk. II Green 6G+20G Serial 080000372

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#30416 - 07/05/2001 23:55 Re: screens and tuner ? [Re: Lemmy]
muzza
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 21/07/1999
Posts: 1765
Loc: Brisbane, Queensland, Australi...
oh btw, when is soon?

just a bit later than just about now

Murray 06000047
I don't think, therefore I am not.
_________________________
-- Murray I What part of 'no' don't you understand? Is it the 'N', or the 'Zero'?

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#30417 - 08/05/2001 00:14 Re: screens and tuner ? [Re: Lemmy]
rob
carpal tunnel

Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
First, I hope an international store is online very soon. Second, if it isn't online by the time the tuner starts to ship (also soon!) it won't affect those entitled to a free module. Those customers will receive their tuner automatically.

Rob



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#30418 - 08/05/2001 01:52 Re: screens and tuner ? [Re: rob]
teemcbee
addict

Registered: 04/02/2000
Posts: 687
Do you know something about the pricing of the tuner module?

TeeMcBee
Got my Mk2! # 080000143
_________________________
TeeMcBee
[orange]Mk2, # 080000143, 40+30 GB, Tuner, Peugeot stalk hookup</font color=orange>

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#30419 - 08/05/2001 03:30 Re: screens and tuner ? [Re: rob]
silvercas
member

Registered: 23/10/2000
Posts: 162
why not give a tuner module to all old EMPEG owners... hmm where the ones who have been over promised! :)


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#30420 - 08/05/2001 08:45 Re: screens and tuner ? [Re: teemcbee]
bonzi
pooh-bah

Registered: 13/09/1999
Posts: 2401
Loc: Croatia
Rob said $99 several days ago. It would mean a modest price hike; IIRC. the announced price was around $75, but the announced tuner was FM only, without Sony stalk controller input etc, so i guess this is rather good value...

Cheers!

Dragi "Bonzi" Raos
Zagreb, Croatia
Q#5196, MkII#80000376, 18GB green
_________________________
Dragi "Bonzi" Raos Q#5196 MkII #080000376, 18GB green MkIIa #040103247, 60GB blue

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#30421 - 09/05/2001 18:09 Re: screens and tuner ? [Re: muzza]
PaulWay
addict

Registered: 03/08/1999
Posts: 451
Loc: Canberra, Australia
In reply to:

just a bit later than just about now



Is that Real Soon Now or is it Coming Soon?

Learning the jargon...

Paul

Holder (while I buy it off my brother) of Mark I empeg 00061.
_________________________
Owner of Mark I empeg 00061, now better than ever - (Thanks, Rod!) - and Karma 3930000004550

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#30422 - 16/05/2001 03:11 Re: screens and tuner ? [Re: rob]
Lemmy
member

Registered: 03/12/1999
Posts: 118
Loc: Germany
well,


that still does not tell when...


I have to gut my car soon, to install hands-free for my cellphone, and installing the tuner module wuold fit nicely, but can't wait much longer, as using cellphones w/o hands-free in a car in .de is against the law since march.

_________________________
--- Mk. I Blue 4G Serial [dont remember] Mk. II Green 6G+20G Serial 080000372

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#30423 - 16/05/2001 03:27 Re: screens and tuner ? [Re: Lemmy]
thinfourth2
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 13/04/2001
Posts: 1742
Loc: The land of the pale blue peop...
you could talk really nicely to empeg folks and see if they could supply an extension cable and then just run that and a arieal cable to behind an easily accessable panal as it is always running the cable which is the biggest pain in the arse. Or you could ask them if it is possible to extend the cables on the harness to reach the final destination of the tuner.

_________________________
P.Allison fixer of big engines Mk2+Mk2a signed by God / Hacked by the Lord Aberdeen Scotland

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#30424 - 16/05/2001 03:40 Re: screens and tuner ? [Re: thinfourth2]
rob
carpal tunnel

Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
The tuner will ship with an extension cable - but we don't have any of those yet.

Rob



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#30425 - 16/05/2001 04:17 Re: screens and tuner ? [Re: rob]
Derek
addict

Registered: 16/08/1999
Posts: 453
Loc: NRW, Germany
So what you're saying is ... the tuners are there but you are waiting on the extension cables


It's fun reading something into nothing . Now off to start a few mor rumour somewhere else ....

(list 6284, Mk1 S/N 00299 4GB blue [for sale]. Mk2 S/N 080000094 6GB blue)
_________________________
(list 6284, Mk1 S/N 00299 4GB blue [sold]. Mk2 S/N 080000094 20GB blue)

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#30426 - 16/05/2001 06:19 Re: screens and tuner ? [Re: Derek]
IanL
new poster

Registered: 17/05/2000
Posts: 4
Loc: Surrey, England
If you go in to SonicBlue's store to order a RioCar they mention the tuner module.

"available around June '01'. "

So they have to be fairly close !
Typical !! They release it and I'm off on hols then. Maybe I should of booked to go the the USA then would not have to wait for the UK store!!!


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