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#4933 - 07/09/1999 21:45 Radio Quality
Clarke
journeyman

Registered: 18/08/1999
Posts: 90
Loc: Scottsdale, AZ USA
I just finished my install today. I realize the Radio (as well as the rest of the unit) is in beta. I'm running the B6 code which has the RDTS, a signle strength meter and stereo indicator. I get the RDS info on the stations that have it.

The signal strength meter always reads two bars (of five) when there is no station tuned. I have never seen five bars and when tuned to a "strong" locak station the signal/sound quality fluctuates significantly. What I'm not getting is very good radio quality. I'm interested in finding out what others think of their radio - is it working well? How well does it lock onto the signal and stay locked.

Let me know what you think.

=-Clarke



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#4934 - 08/09/1999 08:17 Re: Radio Quality [Re: Clarke]
Sheetzam
member

Registered: 09/06/1999
Posts: 105
Loc: Annandale, VA
I have gotten 5 bars, but only when I am sitting in traffic. Otherwise, my experience is the same as yours, very poor. I'm willing to be patient, but it would be a shame not to have the FM work as well as my old head unit.
Sheetzam S/N 73


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#4935 - 08/09/1999 10:12 Well that's a relief... [Re: Sheetzam]
Clarke
journeyman

Registered: 18/08/1999
Posts: 90
Loc: Scottsdale, AZ USA
At least I'm not alone in my feeling. I'm sure it will get better - I know these guys are working hard on all of this. I just wanted to see if it was my install or if others were having the same problem.

Hugo, I've got a BMW and it's got the euro antenna plug. The bay came with an american antenna plug. Rather than use an adaptor - which is what I'm currently doing, is it possible to change out the recepticle for a euro one? Is this something that I can buy from you guys?

Thanks!

_______________________________
List 351, empeg 00045, 10gb, Amber
_________________________
______________________________________ Queue 351, Mk I, 30GB Mk II #60000022 80gb, Blue - docked Mk2a, 80GB, Bruface, lighted buttons and dial

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#4936 - 08/09/1999 11:38 Re: Well that's a relief... [Re: Clarke]
altman
carpal tunnel

Registered: 19/05/1999
Posts: 3457
Loc: Palo Alto, CA
We're working on the radio and have some improvements which should appear in the next beta: however, the radio quality is always going to be limited by the fact that there's a 220Mhz CPU about an inch from the tuner - something most car radios don't have to contend with...

As for the antenna plug on the cage - feel free to remove the existing one (it's screwed on) and fit your own. The next batch may have a euro connector, we've not fixed on this yet.

Hugo



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#4937 - 09/09/1999 01:03 Re: Radio Quality [Re: Sheetzam]
jfranke
member

Registered: 09/06/1999
Posts: 124
Same here, radio quality is poor. Compared to my 'old' radio before, this is more than poor. Just a figure, In my garage, under weak conditions, i got about 10 stations tuned well (stereo, no noise) with the old radio, with the empeg i get 0 ... no station tuned at all. I have to admit, i'm using a combined GSM/Radio antenna which provides not the best signal strength. First i thought it was broken. But no big deal, i don't listen to radio...Jo


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#4938 - 09/09/1999 09:27 Re: Well that's a relief... [Re: altman]
andy
carpal tunnel

Registered: 10/06/1999
Posts: 5916
Loc: Wivenhoe, Essex, UK
the radio quality is always going to be limited by the fact that there's a 220Mhz CPU about an inch from the tuner

Is there any possiblity of a mode that runs the tuner with the CPU powered down (I suspect not somehow, but I had to ask).

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Unit serial number 47 (was 330 in the queue)...
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#4939 - 11/09/1999 10:26 Re: Well that's a relief... [Re: altman]
jwilliams
new poster

Registered: 14/06/1999
Posts: 6
Forgive me if I'm wrong but doesn't the Clarion Auto PC have a processor in it too. If it does then how do they achieve their radio quality?


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#4940 - 12/09/1999 13:45 Re: Well that's a relief... [Re: jwilliams]
altman
carpal tunnel

Registered: 19/05/1999
Posts: 3457
Loc: Palo Alto, CA
They have a couple advantages:

- Access to OEM radio tuner modules which we don't
- Many many years experience in designing tuners

Unfortunately, they don't seem to be very good at making MP3 players :)

Hugo



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#4941 - 12/09/1999 15:21 Re: Well that's a relief... [Re: altman]
Verement
journeyman

Registered: 02/09/1999
Posts: 97
Loc: Boston, MA, US
In reply to:

Unfortunately, they don't seem to be very good at making MP3 players :)


You mean fortunately, don't you?


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