screens and tuner ?

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

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."

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

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."

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

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

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

Why not offer an FM only tuner at a discounted price?

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

Because it would involve a complete redesign, and because they don't work very well. The AM/FM module has much reception.

Rob

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

This one is in the FAQ. In more than one place, in fact.

___________
Tony Fabris

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

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

In reply to:

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Tuner modules are coming soon!

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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.

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.)

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

I will be offering smoke & clear lenses for MarkII/Rio units shortly.

Refer to this post Clear panels?

Bad link?

-jim 080000260 w/18G in a Carrera

in reply to:

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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?

oh btw, when is soon?

just a bit later than just about now

Murray 06000047
I don't think, therefore I am not.

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

Do you know something about the pricing of the tuner module?

TeeMcBee
Got my Mk2! # 080000143

why not give a tuner module to all old EMPEG owners... hmm where the ones who have been over promised! :)

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

In reply to:

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just a bit later than just about now

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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.

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.

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.

The tuner will ship with an extension cable - but we don't have any of those yet.

Rob

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)

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!!!