Add thumbdrive capability

**cadman** · 11-09-2007, 12:45 AM

I have a 2004 Tahoe LT with the Bose system with the Onstar built in. I like the system fine the way it is, but I don't really do CD's any more as all my music now resides on my computer. Therefore I would like to figure an easy and clean way to simply plug a USB drive into the system and play music from that. I have seen the units that transmit wirelessly to an FM station, but wouldn't think the sound quality would be good there. Am I wrong on that option? What other options do I have? And lastly, will the system be able to read the song info as it does now with the radio stations and CD's and such? Any way to make it do that if not already? Thanks much.

**Steve** · 11-09-2007, 12:52 AM

Originally Posted by cadman

I have a 2004 Tahoe LT with the Bose system with the Onstar built in. I like the system fine the way it is, but I don't really do CD's any more as all my music now resides on my computer. Therefore I would like to figure an easy and clean way to simply plug a USB drive into the system and play music from that. I have seen the units that transmit wirelessly to an FM station, but wouldn't think the sound quality would be good there. Am I wrong on that option? What other options do I have? And lastly, will the system be able to read the song info as it does now with the radio stations and CD's and such? Any way to make it do that if not already? Thanks much.

That's a good idea, I would love a system like that too. But not sure if I've ever seen one. I've seen some iPod connectors and aux connectors that you plug into, and wireless FM too ... not see any thumbdrives though.

**cadman** · 11-09-2007, 01:34 AM

I saw one tonight at Wal-Mart that allowed a USB but then transmitted wirelessly through FM signal, but again, I am not sure how good the music quality is on that and wanted to see what other options there were.

**cadman** · 11-09-2007, 02:01 AM

This is what I found in terms of the wireless FM modulators:

http://www.roadmasterusa.com/fmmod_vr3.php

**JayMack75** · 11-09-2007, 01:10 PM

Maybe this will help you. There are aftermarket decks that do allow USB thumbdrive hook ups, some on the deck, and some with a remote/hidden hookup for it. FM Modulators are really good and you dont sacrifice much S.Q. as long as the batteries are charged, or you have it hooked up to a power supply. There are also aftermarket decks with hard drives that you can just load your music on.

**unplugged** · 11-09-2007, 02:07 PM

I have the roadmaster and I use it primarily to allow my son to plug his ipod into it and blast his tunes in the Silverado. The audio quality is excellent, but sometimes you have to jog around the FM dial to get a clear frequency.

For the burb, I just bought a Kenwood KDC-MP435U that has a front USB port and a rear 3.5 jack. I plug my 4GB thumbdrive in and the Artist and Title are displayed. Very cool.

**cadman** · 11-11-2007, 01:24 AM

I had thought about getting qan aftermarket deck, but then I am not sure if the steering wheel controls of which I have become fond of would work with something aftermarket. I also have 2 old Camaro's, a '71 RS Z28 and a '78 Z28 and I have those mentioned Kenwood decks for them already. Also, it seems like the stock stereo does a great job in it's own right, but just doesn't have this which I would like to add.

**unplugged** · 11-11-2007, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by cadman

I had thought about getting qan aftermarket deck, but then I am not sure if the steering wheel controls of which I have become fond of would work with something aftermarket. I also have 2 old Camaro's, a '71 RS Z28 and a '78 Z28 and I have those mentioned Kenwood decks for them already. Also, it seems like the stock stereo does a great job in it's own right, but just doesn't have this which I would like to add.

Crutchfield offers an adapter that would let you use the steering wheel controls on an aftermarket deck that has an IR remote. You could switch to a deck with a USB input and still use the steering wheel controls. It's like having your cake and eating it too!

**cadman** · 11-12-2007, 01:28 AM

Has anyone used the above mentioned item and know how it installs? Went by Car Toys today to see what they could offer in the way of suggestions and they wanted to go all out. Talking a minimum of $1200. Told them that stock sound was great, although a little more subwofer wouldn't be bad, but that I wanted to keep steering wheel controls. Ordered my free crutchfield catalog the other day, so when it gets here, I will consult it and at the worst, may try one of those Roadmaster wireless cig lighter setups. Worst case scenario, I just take it back to where ever I buy it from.

**Steve** · 11-12-2007, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by cadman

Has anyone used the above mentioned item and know how it installs? Went by Car Toys today to see what they could offer in the way of suggestions and they wanted to go all out. Talking a minimum of $1200. Told them that stock sound was great, although a little more subwofer wouldn't be bad, but that I wanted to keep steering wheel controls. Ordered my free crutchfield catalog the other day, so when it gets here, I will consult it and at the worst, may try one of those Roadmaster wireless cig lighter setups. Worst case scenario, I just take it back to where ever I buy it from.

$1200 min? Well, car toys is a higher end place.