You really need to just decide what type of media you'd like to use. Once we know we can help... although I think the options listed are pretty much it for what your trying to do.

So with that said which do you want?

 

There really is no preference (the CF thing was an observation, nothing more).

I know I know, it doesn't help being vague but, as I said in my last post, this was an informaton gathering exercise - ie what options ARE there at all. Before this thread I didn't know half of these possibilities existed.

That said...

I see why a "normal" harddrive solution is an issue, especially given the suspension of an S so that puts that at the bottom of the pile, despite the Kenwood etc looking like a good bet, the whole hd platter + head thing in a sports car is a bit dodgy I reckon.

I'm liking the Blaupunkt Woodstock DAB units that a few of the UK guys have mentioned. The DAB wasn't a requirement but the SD capability is attractive, in spite of the costs of new cards, given that I have a multicard reader anyway, am familiar with the technology etc.

Despite my reticence on the iPod front, that's still an option, primarily because of the encouraging posts it's garnered.

So the options are :

HU + Portable player + interface
HU + CD changer
HU + HD "faux changer"
HU with higher capacity media slots (CF, SD, MMC etc)
HU with in-unit harddrive (only seen one of these)

Have I missed any?

 

Here's another unit I came across whilst surfing recently.

http://www.gizmag.com.au/go/4805/

 

Another excellent idea. Shame about Sony's latest DRM shenanigans though Not going to touch any of their products for a bit, until this gets sorted out.

 

It's hard not to pick an iPod solution as well as they integrate w/ HU's these days. Plus, it can be transferred from car to car, and you can manage your music easily w/ iTunes. I resisted the iPod movement as long as I could, but am glad to have seen the light!

Mine locks in my glove box, is powered by the adaptor, and controlled by my HU. I'd never have to see or touch it if I didn't want to add music to it.

 

Don't forget safety. I was looking for the same kind of solution, but I couldn't find a headunit with intuitive navigation that I felt safe using at highway speeds.

The headunit location is very inconvenient, and most HUs that either have a HDD or control an ipod have fairly complicated controls. I think it's much safer, if you must navigate while driving, to mount an ipod next to the shifter (www.proclipusa.com) and use the neo ion connector (mp3yourcar.com). The ipod is still the only interface I've used that can quickly and accurately navigate a list of thousands of tracks, and the proclip mount is positioned so you can get to all the controls without reaching or hunching over. The neo ion works with the stock headunit and pretty much any other headunit you can throw at it.

Aesthetically, it looks very clean, since I usually just keep the radio door closed and control volume from the dash. I have a U2 red and black ipod which looks really slick with the red leather - they are recently discontinued, but should be easy to find on ebay. They are 20GB and come with a b/w or color screen. The new black video ipods are a good choice too if you want more storage.

Anyway, still probably not what you're looking for, but a suggestion nonetheless.

 

I agree with ruepx - the ipod can be removed easily, sounds f***g fantastic, its simple to install and there is a huge amount of aftermarket support, both software and hardware.

Most of my rips are 320kbps - you just can't have that qualtiy, sizeable playlist and dash control interface for the bucks elsewhere.