ryeh20

Any help with a program or method to help me listen to my mp3's from my computer in my 98 accord ex ?

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

Create an Audio CD either with iTunes, Nero, or another burning software. A "MP3" cd will not play.

AccordVT

Yeah make sure the songs are in a .wma or a audio file format. MP3 is a compressed format that the factory head unit cannot play. Use a CD-R disc, a CD-RW disc will not work. You can use Windows Media Player to burn your cd's its free, but there are plenty of others out there.

ryeh20

I have found that a mp3 cd won't work, thats why I was asking if there is a work around for the factory radio/player. Anyone figure this one out?

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

There is not a work around on the radio itself, you have to burn it as an "Audio CD" with whatever format of files you want. If you use iTunes it will work.

ryeh20

Hey AccordVT, Thanks for replying, I was typing when you replied. I'm an old guy not the best on computers, so will the Media player convert the mp3 to the .wma file I need? If not, how do I convert the mp3 to the correct format before I burn the cd-r?
Thanks again
I have I-Tunes program, if I put the mp3s into that program I will be able to burn them from there and they will work MuffinMan?
Thanks for the replies

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

The burning software will convert it to the proper format if you burn it as an AUDIO CD.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO CONVERT IT FROM MP3!

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

http://support.apple.com/kb/TA38263

^^ The "How To" burn

No reason to convert from MP3 as it's the better format - apologies if I come off as harsh. That will work flawlessly, if you want to do it via Windows Media Player it should do it too. Let me find it.

ryeh20

Thanks guys, I will try these things. Wish me luck!

Jcon8

Well man it doesnt have to be hard. LET the word mp3 cd leave your mind. If you have your songs you want on your i Tunes then your set. Next go to your local walmart or where ever and buy either a CD-R or RW put that in your computer burn(rip) 10 or more songs depending how much the cd can hold and your done.

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

I think his issue is burning it as an MP3 cd or as an Audio cd. I think he knows how to burn files to a cd haha.

An MP3 cd is formatted different from an Audio cd. The older players do not recognize the MP3 cd format.

ryeh20

I tried the Windows Media option last night and the cd didn't play in the Accord. It did however play in my Acura TL. I burnt it as an Audio cd.
I will try the iTunes option next and get back to ya.

MarcosMarcusM

I have a 99 EX. I have tried everything.

I have burned three different discs with different formats and at different lower speeds. Nothing works. I gave up.

Tell me if you figure it out, but I tried everything and nothing works. I ended up actually buying CDs...

naoandlata

Burnt cd's from my experience on the stock head unit don't work too well. I got alot of error messages on the display often.

I ended up getting an aftermarket hd because burnt cds kept getting stuck in head unit.

Heat

Use good quality CD-Rs, and burn them at a slower rate (say, 12x).

Or buy an aftermarket radio for your car - then you'll be able to pop in a CD-R loaded with 8 or 10 albums worth of CDs. Or if your new head unit has a USB port, you can skip the burning process altogether and just use flash drives (which is what I do in my commuter car). Or you can use an iPod and control it through the radio.

There are some really neat things out there in aftermarket radios, and none of them are on your '98 OEM radio.

For what it's worth, another option would be to buy an Alpine CD changer, mount it in your trunk, and connect it to your OEM radio with an adapter. I don't recommend this since you still won't have .mp3 capability, and CD changers are obsolete.

ryeh20

Hey Guys
I used the second method of the iTunes (burn as audio cd) and it didn't work either.
I used a quality cd and the slow burn rate.
I'm still open to any ideas as I know the wife will not spend any money on a new aftermarket unit to replace the oem head.
Thanks

Heat

Take the CD that you just burned and try to play it in a different CD player, make sure that the CD itself isn't bad.

Assuming the CD is good... well, you have a very sensitive CD player. You can buy a nice aftermarket for around $150, kit, harness, and shipping included (add about $10 for a crimper and a box of red butt connectors), look at www.crutchfield.com

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

I'm beginning to think your cd player may be sketchy. That's the method I use for all of the cars in my family with older oem players (I play it in a 96 Accord).

I agree with Heat, it's possible the CD media is bad - what brand are you using? I'll double check mine and see what it is.

YeuEmMaiMai

also do not put labels on your cd's the player will jam

ryeh20

The cd is ok. I play it in my 06 Acura TL. Both cds I burned (Windows Media, iTunes) play in the TL. Also, she listens to store bought cds in the unit, so it is working. I'm using maxell

EvenStar

If you're planning to burn a cd playing more than 30 songs, then burn it as a DATA cd instead of audio..

mddock58

Older CD players only recognize an Audio CD, This is not how you "burn" the disk that I am referring to, but a formatting of the CD itself. If you go to buy the CD blanks, look for CD's manufactured for Audio.

This sounds funny, but this is a common problem, some older CD players do not recognize the plain CD-R media.

Newer players don't require the specifically formatted Cds, and audio is fine.

ryeh20

Hey mddock58
I didn't know that about the disks. It is very important to me to do this small thing for the wife (music). I will go out and find this type of disk and try again. are there any specific manufactuers of this type of disk (Audio)?
Thanks

mddock58

Memorex is one, but if you look at them they will specify that they are for music.

Heat

Look for CD-Rs that are made in Japan, preferably a name brand like Fuji or Memorex. Don't look for the ones that are designated "music", that just means that they have pre-paid a royalty to the RIAA or some other similar group - in other words they are just more expensive.

When you find some name brand ones that are made in Japan, burn them at a low rate (e.g. 12x).

If that doesn't work - well, when's your anniversary or your wife's birthday? I can think of a nice gift that you can give your wife...

Note: The Japanese CD-Rs were better as of about 8 or 10 years ago, I'm sure other manufacturing plants have caught up since then but just to be safe, buy Japanese.