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PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual

Phatnoise car audio system user manual
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Summary of Contents for PhatNoise Car Audio System

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    FCC WARNING... 51 Installation Precautions... 51 Digital Media Storage Cartridge Precautions ... 52 PhatBox Player and USB Cradle Precautions ... 52 APPENDIX D: USING AUDIBLE CONTENT WITH YOUR PHATNOISE CAR AUDIO SYSTEM... 53 APPENDIX E: CONTACTING PHATNOISE SUPPORT ... 61 Page 2 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.
  • Page 3 CDDB logo and logotype, and the "Powered by Gracenote CDDB" logo are registered trademarks of Gracenote. Music Recognition Service and MRS are service marks of Gracenote. Copyright  2003, PhatNoise, Inc. – All Rights Reserved. All trademarks, service marks and tradenames, including without limitation, PHATNOISE, PHATNOISE CAR AUDIO SYSTEM, PHATNOISE MUSIC MANAGER, PHATBOX, SSA/VOICE, DPGT and DMS are proprietary to PhatNoise, Inc.

  • Page 4: Getting Started

    Getting Started The PhatNoise Car Audio System is one of the most advanced digital automotive music systems available today. By offering one-touch access to a virtually unlimited number of MP3s, WMAs and other music files, it provides music lovers the ultimate in power and flexibility through its seamless automotive integration.

  • Page 5: Four Steps To A Quick Start

    Four steps to a quick start This manual contains step-by-step instructions for the operation of your PhatNoise Car Audio System. Here is a quick overview of the four major steps: Step 1) Installing the PhatBox in your car. For more information on how to install the PhatBox in your car, see section I.

  • Page 6: System Components

    System Components Please check to make sure your PhatNoise Car Audio System package is complete. You should have received all of the following parts: 1 PhatBox 1 PhatBox connector cable 1 DMS cartridge 1 USB cradle with attached USB cable...

  • Page 7: Manuals And Guides

    There are two manuals that are included with your package – these manuals provide essential information for installing and using your PhatBox. PhatNoise Car Audio System User’s Manual – This manual, a general guide for installing and troubleshooting the PhatNoise car audio system.

  • Page 8: Phatbox Overview

    PhatBox Overview The PhatBox chassis is the “brain” of the PhatNoise Car Audio System. It is a computer that you install permanently in your vehicle. The PhatBox software and the music files themselves are contained on the cartridge that is inserted into the PhatBox.

  • Page 9: Dms Cartridge Overview

    PhatBox. Do not open the DMS cartridge casing. Doing so will void your warranty. Only use genuine DMS cartridges with your PhatNoise Car Audio System — other cartridges with other drives inside will not work with your system. Page 9 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.

  • Page 10: Usb Cradle Overview

    If you bump or drop the USB cradle and DMS cartridge while in use, you may damage the unit. Important! Download and install the PhatNoise Music Manager software in your computer before you connect the USB cradle to your computer.

  • Page 11: Safety And Handling Precautions

    Do not install the PhatBox where you cannot firmly secure the unit, or in high-vibration areas. Do not install the PhatBox in an area of high humidity or where large amounts of airborne dust/dirt are present. Page 11 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.

  • Page 12: Section I: Installation Guide

    The PhatBox should be mounted in the vertical, horizontal, or upside down positions. Avoid mounting the PhatBox on an angled surface for best shock performance. Avoid mounting the PhatBox where screws could hit wiring or fuel lines. Page 12 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.

  • Page 13: Mounting Clearance

    CD changer is connected. Please refer to the included Quick Start Guide for detailed installation instructions for your particular radio and vehicle. Page 13 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.
  • Page 14 Possible Cause You have updated the firmware on the DMS cartridge and the PhatBox is reprogramming itself. Page 14 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc. Solution Reconnect the PhatBox connector cable and/or head unit wiring harness correctly.

  • Page 15: Section Ii: Setting Up At Home

    Section II: Setting up at Home Installing the PhatNoise Music Manager software The PhatNoise Music Manager software is included on the CD found in your package. You can use the software to create and manage playlists of MP3s, WMA and WAV files.
  • Page 16 ‘slapping’ the cartridge into place. The green and red indicator lights should illuminate. The DMS cartridge will then be detected by the operating system. After an initialization period, an “Autoplay” dialog box will appear: Page 16 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.
  • Page 17 Let the Autoplay feature finish. Next, dialog boxes will appear for two new drives, labeled PHTDTA and PHTSYS: Page 17 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.
  • Page 18 If you have USB 2.0 ports installed on your machine, but the cradle is plugged into a USB 1.0 port, Windows XP will give the warning below. To solve this, plug the cradle into a USB 2.0 port. Page 18 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.

  • Page 19: Section Iii: Creating And Managing Playlists

    Now it’s time to start using the PhatNoise Music Manager. The following sections will walk you through the core features including: 1. Creating MP3 files from an Audio CD 2.

  • Page 20: Navigating The Program

    2. You will see the Music Manager splash screen, then the “Load Songs” screen will appear. 3. Choose a location on your computer that contains songs you wish to load into the PhatNoise Music Manager database. This may be a music folder you already have (i.e. “C:\My Music”). Navigating the Program Each icon on the left of the application’s screen represents a different...

  • Page 21: Converting An Audio Cd To Computer Files

    4. If you are not connected to the Internet, the tracks will be listed "Track 01", "Track 02", etc. Page 21 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.
  • Page 22 We recommend the MP3 format at 192kbps for the best combination of sound quality and file size. 9. Press the Start Encoding button in the Encode panel and the process will begin. Page 22 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.

  • Page 23: Finding Music

    Finding Music First, display the library of music you have loaded into the Music Manager. Click on the Library View button: The Library view appears: Page 23 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.
  • Page 24 There are many ways of finding music with the PhatNoise Music Manager. Here are a few you may find useful: Search Box: Type artist, album, genre, path, or filename information into the search box and view the results below. Browse View: Click the browse view button to see a breakdown of your music library by Artist and Album.

  • Page 25: Creating Playlists

    Adding songs to a static playlist 1. Click the Create playlist button. Enter a name for this playlist, choose Empty Playlist, then press Ok 2. Click on the All Songs playlist. Page 25 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.
  • Page 26 If Most Recent Songs is selected, then an input box will appear at the bottom of the criteria window. Enter the number of most recent songs to add and press Add. Page 26 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.

  • Page 27: Accessing The Dms Cartridge

    4. Each time you select a playlist in the PhatNoise Music Manager software, the list of criteria in that playlist is checked against the MP3 collection on your PC's hard drive. All songs that match the criteria are automatically added to your dynamic playlist.

  • Page 28: Adding Music To The Dms Cartridge

    • The PhatNoise Music Manager Playlist and Windows Explorer panels • The All Supported Devices panels 4. Activate the PhatNoise DMS cartridge by clicking PhatNoise DMS in the All Supported Devices panel. When the DMS cartridge is connected properly, a summary screen appears with a red GO button.
  • Page 29 2. Drag the Folder onto the bottom left space of the window to create a “virtual” Disc 1. On the bottom right you can see the music contained in this Disc (see next page). Page 29 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.
  • Page 30 Playlist Based: If you like to create custom mixes of music, follow these steps: 1. Select All Songs, then choose the songs you would like to place on the DMS. Page 30 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.
  • Page 31 2. Drag the selected songs onto the bottom left space of the window to create a “virtual” Disc of these songs. Page 31 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.

  • Page 32: Ejecting The Dms

    The PhatBox can handle as many as 9999 separate Disc numbers, with up to 9999 songs per Disc number. The total number of songs on the DMS Cartridge must not exceed 30,000. Page 32 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.

  • Page 33: Syncing Music

    Syncing Music The PhatNoise Music Manager has a one-click synchronization feature. This allows you to easily update the DMS cartridge with new music you may have. In the Device view, a yellow star next to the Disc icon denotes a dynamic playlist.

  • Page 34: Section Iv: Operating The Phatbox

    The PhatBox operates differently than a standard CD Changer! Please read the instructions below carefully to learn how to properly use the PhatNoise Car Audio system. Becuase every radio is designed differently, please refer to the included Quick Start Guide to learn how to use the buttons on your particular radio.

  • Page 35: Using Ssa

    Using SSA The SSA interface mirrors the music organization performed by the PhatNoise Music Manager on your home PC. You can access the Virtual Discs in the order you placed them onto the DMS cartridge via the Playlist Mode, or you can have the PhatBox sort the music by Album, Artist, or Genre via the corresponding playback modes.

  • Page 36: Active Playback Modes

    NEXT song that will play. The only way that you can change the song that is currently playing is by pressing the Track up/down buttons. Page 36 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.

  • Page 37: Playback Example

    Don't Know Why Mix It Up Rockin Boots Sunday Night → The Best of Beth Jones This is Express Page 37 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc. Artist Genre Beth Jones Rock All Artists All Genres →...

  • Page 38: Other Notes

    Blender, it would be difficult to find out that the other album by the same artist -- “Straight Up” -- is also present in the database. Page 38 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc. Album...

  • Page 39: Seeking

    Track backwards >| Track forwards << Seek backwards >> Seek forwards Page 39 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc. Album Album Name Number The Best of Beth Jones Beats and Rhymes Straight Up Mix It Up...

  • Page 40: Appendix A: Updating The Firmware In Your Phatbox

    Your PhatBox has firmware programmed inside of it. It has already been setup at the factory to work with your car stereo head unit. PhatNoise periodically releases updates to the firmware in order to fix problems or to provide feature upgrades. A notice of firmware...
  • Page 41 4. Click the text PhatNoise DMS and then press the “GO” button. 5. Press the Hardware Options button. Page 41 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.
  • Page 42 6. If you have the Ford/Visteon MACH MP3 Jukebox, make sure the ‘Installed Product’ is the MACH MP3 Jukebox. Otherwise, ‘Installed Product’ should be PhatNoise Car Audio System. Press the Start Wizard button to begin the update process. Page 42 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.
  • Page 43 7. The wizard will begin. Press Next to skip the introductory screen. Page 43 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.
  • Page 44 8. Press the Check for Updates from PhatNoise Website button to load the latest set of head unit firmware available for download. NOTE: if the Version number of the firmware package is higher than the version number in your “Current Setup,” it is newer firmware.
  • Page 45 10. Press the Next button one more time. This screen summarizes the options you have chosen. Press Update PhatNoise DMS when you are done, and the firmware will then be downloaded to your DMS Cartridge.
  • Page 46 When the PhatBox is done reprogramming, all the PhatBox lights will turn off. Now the PhatBox is ready for normal operation again. Page 46 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc. Now the...

  • Page 47: Appendix B: Troubleshooting

    The DMS cartridge is not fully inserted. Fully insert the DMS cartridge. File(s) on your cartridge may be corrupt. Run the PhatNoise DMS Doctor on your computer and follow the recommendations. You have updated the firmware on the DMS cartridge and the PhatBox is reprogramming itself.
  • Page 48 The DMS cartridge is not fully inserted. Fully insert the DMS cartridge. File(s) on your cartridge may be corrupt. Run the PhatNoise DMS Doctor on your computer and follow the recommendations. No playlists were found on the DMS cartridge. Please place playlists on the DMS cartridge using the PhatNoise Music Manager.
  • Page 49 To fix the database: - Close the PhatNoise Music Manager software. - Run the Database Doctor in the PhatNoise Music Manager folder on the Start Menu. If this does not fix the problem, delete the folder “Data” in the PhatNoise Music Manager installation directory (usually C:\Program Files\PhatNoise Music Manager).
  • Page 50 Voice prompts are missing in the car Page 50 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc. proper USB support. - The USB interface has been disabled in the system settings or in the motherboard BIOS. Check your voice prompt settings: 1.

  • Page 51: Appendix C: Important Safety And Handling Instructions

    8. The spare tire, tools or other equipment in or under the trunk should not be interfered with or damaged. 9. Make holes only after making sure there is nothing on the other side of the mounting surface. Page 51 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.

  • Page 52: Digital Media Storage Cartridge Precautions

    7. The only effective protection for data and other material stored on the DMS Cartridge is the regular backing up of that data by you, the consumer. PhatNoise Inc. shall not be responsible for the loss of any such data or other material.

  • Page 53: Appendix D: Using Audible Content With Your Phatnoise Car Audio System

    PhatBox and listen on the go. Getting Started with Audible This guide is a brief introduction to using the PhatNoise Music Manager with Audible content. For a thorough explanation of the Audible service visit Audible’s website at www.audible.com, and view the PhatNoise Music Manager Help File by pressing F1 while the program is running.
  • Page 54 Click the Tell Me More! Button to get more information about audible.com Existing Users - Click Here! Click the Existing Users Click Here! Button if you already have an audible.com account. Page 54 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.
  • Page 55 Yes button. New Users - Click Here! Click the New Users Click Here! Button to create a new audible.com account and take advantage of our special introductory offer. Page 55 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.
  • Page 56 Manager and your PhatNoise Car Audio System. Audible Content on the PhatNoise DMS Audible files are transferred to the PhatNoise DMS in much the same way as mp3 files are transferred to the PhatNoise DMS. The only difference is that most Audible files are indexed according to chapter or section breaks in the content.
  • Page 57 3. Click on the "PhatNoise DMS" text under the All Supported Devices panel 4. Click on the red GO button 5. On the top portion of the Device view click on the "All Audible Content" text in the Playlist panel 6.
  • Page 58 It is possible to create discs that will automatically update with issues of Audible subscriptions. To create a dynamic audible subscription disc, follow these steps: 1. Click the Disc Wizard button from the PhatNoise DMS view. Page 58 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual...
  • Page 59 4. You will then be asked if you'd like to include all of the issues of the subscription, or only the most recent issue. Click yes or no as desired. Page 59 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.
  • Page 60 At any point you return to the Audible playlist, the PhatBox will remember where you left off and will resume at that point. Page 60 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.

  • Page 61: Appendix E: Contacting Phatnoise Support

    If you can’t find the answer to your question there, please feel free to contact us at: Web/Email: http://www.phatnoise.com/support Phone: 310-954-3650 Call center is available 10:00am – 6:00pm PST Monday through Friday. Page 61 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 1302-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.

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