OESF Portables Forum

Everything Else => Sharp Zaurus => Model Specific Forums => Distros, Development, and Model Specific Forums => Archived Forums => Cxx0 Hardware => Topic started by: Xumbi on August 11, 2004, 11:19:17 am

Title: Two ideas for uses of the Ratoc CFU1 in the car
Post by: Xumbi on August 11, 2004, 11:19:17 am

My C750 is currently on its way from Japan, and I'm already trying to think of ways to connect it to my car stereo.

Here's what I have to work with:

* Sony Xplod CD receiver (can't remember the model number)
* Sony XA-300 Unilink Adapter (http://www.minidisc.org/images/sony_xa300.jpg)

Here are my two ideas of how I might be able to use the Ratoc CFU1 (http://www.ratocsystems.com/english/products/subpages/cfu1u.html) adapter with it:

1. Use the CFU1 to connect to the XA-300's USB input.  In theory, this would give me pure digital audio through my car stereo.  However, I don't know if the Z's kernel would support it, or how I would get a media player to use that device for audio output.

2. Use the CFU1 to connect an external hard drive.  I read somewhere on this board that someone tried this and it worked.  The only problems I see would be how to power it, and whether to use a 2.5" or 3.5" drive.  I assume that a 2.5" would be the better choice.

Idea #1 would give me pure digital audio, but I would be limited to how much I can store on my SD card.

Idea #2 would give me analog audio, but I could have up to 80GB (or whatever size drive I could afford) of storage.

I'm leaning more towards #2.

Has anyone tried anything like this yet?

Title: Two ideas for uses of the Ratoc CFU1 in the car
Post by: ltrm on August 11, 2004, 12:36:30 pm

If you're going to use a Ratoc USB card couldn't you use a USB hub and do both?  I'm assuming that you can get enough bandwidth through the Ratoc.

Title: Two ideas for uses of the Ratoc CFU1 in the car
Post by: Xumbi on August 11, 2004, 01:29:00 pm

Quote

If you're going to use a Ratoc USB card couldn't you use a USB hub and do both?  I'm assuming that you can get enough bandwidth through the Ratoc.

You know what, you're right!  I hadn't thought of that.

I guess that would just leave the question about how to get the Z to use the USB digital audio connection, and how to power the external drive and USB hub.

Title: Two ideas for uses of the Ratoc CFU1 in the car
Post by: Martin on October 09, 2004, 07:26:53 am

Hi all,

Did you all know about some new USB Host cards with 2 Host ports over built in hub?

http://www.twin-paradox.com (http://www.twin-paradox.com)

I try to contact them ... waiting for answer now ... price will be about $89 ... but no info about linux driver or used chipset ...

Martin

Title: Two ideas for uses of the Ratoc CFU1 in the car
Post by: lardman on October 09, 2004, 08:53:51 am

That site has been promising for aeons......

Si