PhatNoise PhatBox User Manual
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PhatNoise PhatBox User Manual

Car audio system
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Summary of Contents for PhatNoise PhatBox

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Artist Browser Mode ..........................43 Genre Browser Mode ..........................44 Feature Mode ............................44 Track Info Button............................45 APPENDIX A: UPDATING THE FIRMWARE IN YOUR PHATBOX ....46 APPENDIX B: TROUBLESHOOTING............. 52 APPENDIX C: IMPORTANT SAFETY AND HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS ..56 FCC WARNING ......................56 Installation Precautions ....................

  • Page 3: Audio System

    APPENDIX E: CONTACTING CUSTOMER SUPPORT........66 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 automotive digital music jukebox 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

    PhatNoise Car Audio System, but as a quick overview we will start with 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. In addition to this manual, 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 USB Cradle power adapter PhatNoise Music Manager software CD-ROM Page 7 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 3102-MAN Copyright 2002 PhatNoise Inc.

  • 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

    DMS Cartridge Overview The DMS cartridge is what makes the PhatBox flexible. Just like a computer hard drive, its huge storage capacity can accommodate thousands of music files. When inserting the DMS Cartridge into the PhatBox, make sure the cartridge slides all the way in until the latches click. Press the release button whenever pulling the drive out of the cradle or the PhatBox.

  • Page 10: Usb Cradle Overview

    Please be careful when the DMS cartridge is in the USB cradle. 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

    Safety and Handling Precautions Do not install the PhatBox on the rear deck of a car where it will be subjected to direct sunlight and high temperatures. Do not install the PhatBox where it will be subjected to hot air from the heater or any other high-temperature location.

  • Page 12: Section I: Installation Guide

    Section I: Installation Guide The PhatBox is connected to the head unit the same way a CD changer is connected. Be sure to insert the DMS cartridge into the PhatBox before installation. Important note: The PhatBox should be professionally installed.
  • Page 13 9. Switch to CD changer mode on your head unit. Wait for a welcome track to begin playing. You may have to wait up to 15 seconds for the PhatBox to boot. The PhatBox now needs to be configured to a specific Audi- Volkswagen stereo model.
  • Page 14 CD or Symphony with in-dash CD changer stereo." Even when the stereo is off and the key is out of the ignition, the PhatBox will remember the configuration. You will only need to configure the PhatBox again if: • The firmware is reprogrammed.

  • 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 3102-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.
  • Page 17 Let the Autoplay feature finish. Next, dialog boxes will appear for PHTDTA and PHTSYS: Page 17 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 3102-MAN Copyright 2002 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 3102-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.

  • Page 19: Section Iii: Creating And Managing Playlists

    Section III: Creating and Managing Playlists This section of the instruction manual serves to introduce the core features of the PhatNoise Music Manager software. To explore all the features of the software, press F1 while the Music Manager is running.

  • 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 3102-MAN Copyright 2002 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 3102-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 3102-MAN Copyright 2002 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 3102-MAN Copyright 2002 PhatNoise Inc.
  • Page 26 The criteria category selected will determine what is displayed in the criteria window. For example, if Artist is selected, then a list of all Artists is displayed. Page 26 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 3102-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.

  • Page 27: Accessing The Dms Cartridge

    Enter the number of most recent songs to add and press Add. 5. 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.
  • Page 28 • 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. Page 28 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual...

  • Page 29: Adding Music To The Dms Cartridge

    Appendix A: Updating the Firmware in your PhatBox. Adding Music to the DMS Cartridge The DMS cartridge stores all music in playlists. The PhatBox can play these playlists directly, or sort all the music by Album, Artist, or Genre in the car. Here are several ways of placing content on your DMS cartridge, depending on how you like to organize your music.
  • Page 30 Playlist Based: 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 3102-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.
  • Page 31 3. Give the Disc a name by selecting the disc twice – this name will be read aloud to you in the car when you play this disc. Page 31 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 3102-MAN Copyright 2002 PhatNoise Inc.

  • Page 32: Ejecting The Dms

    Removing the cartridge before this message appears will corrupt the hard drive. 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 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

    Starting the PhatBox The PhatBox is available through the CD mode of your radio. The unit powers on and off automatically, and resumes where you last left playback.
  • Page 35 Label Purpose A. CD Changer Mode Indicator Indicates that the radio is connected to the CD changer device. This means the PhatBox is currently playing. B. Current Mode Displays the playback mode you are currently in. Please see Using SSA below for more information.

  • Page 36: Using Ssa

    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 37: Active Playback Modes

    A voice will describe the features that can be activated. Active Playback Modes Every MP3 file on the PhatBox belongs to a list based on Playlist, Album, Artist, and Genre criteria. Playback order can be switched from one list to another by changing the active playback mode.

  • Page 38: Playback Example

    Beth Jones Rock Beth Jones Looking at all the 4 lists on the PhatBox, you can see this particular song’s location in each list from the arrows illustrated below. The Active Playback Mode is currently set to Playlist Playback (e.g. we are listening to our “My Music”...

  • Page 39: Other Notes

    For example, playing song 14 in Track mode (Mode 1) would look like this: Page 39 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 3102-MAN Copyright 2002 PhatNoise Inc.

  • Page 40: Voice Prompting

    When changing modes, the PhatBox will announce which mode it is entering. This will help you as you learn the functions of the buttons on the head unit. After using the PhatBox SSA interface for a period of time and the functions of the buttons are memorized, you can disable this voice prompting in the Features Mode.

  • Page 41: The Album Sort Order

    Rockin Boots Rick's Jamhouse Sunday Night The Gangles Don't Know Why Various Artists Best of Classical The order represented in table above is implemented in the current software. Page 41 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 3102-MAN Copyright 2002 PhatNoise Inc.

  • Page 42: Seeking

    Stop playback and enter The playlist number “...the current Playlist mode currently playing playlist is...” press 2 Incremented >| Go to next playlist Playlist name playlist number Page 42 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 3102-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.

  • Page 43: Album Browser Mode

    Announce the previous letter of the alphabet. The current artist Letter of the << When seeking is done, the number alphabet first artist with the selected letter is announced. Page 43 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 3102-MAN Copyright 2002 PhatNoise Inc.

  • Page 44: Genre Browser Mode

    Configures the system for these radios. Volkswagen Premium VI radios Configures the system for these radios. Audi Type I radios Configures the system for these radios, including Concert I and Symphony I. Page 44 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 3102-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.

  • Page 45: Track Info Button

    Track Info Button Pressing the SCAN button while in Track Mode will announce the current playlist, album, artist, and genre names, if known. Page 45 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 3102-MAN Copyright 2002 PhatNoise Inc.

  • Page 46: Appendix A: Updating The Firmware In Your Phatbox

    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.
  • Page 47 5. Press the Hardware Options button. 6. ‘Installed Product’ should be PhatNoise Car Audio System Volkswagen/Audi Edition. Press the Start Wizard button to begin the update process. 7. The wizard will begin. Press Next to skip the introductory screen. Page 47 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 3102-MAN Copyright 2002 PhatNoise Inc.
  • Page 48 8. Press the Check for Updates from PhatNoise Website button to load the latest set of head unit firmware available for download. If the Version number of the firmware package is higher than the version number in your “Current Setup,” it is newer firmware.
  • Page 49 DMS Cartridge. Make sure you are choosing the correct options. Reprogramming the PhatBox for an incorrect head unit may damage your system! 11. The wizard will close. Now press the Save/Eject DMS button.
  • Page 50 This will take about 7 minutes. Do not pull the cartridge out while the lights are blinking. 15. You may turn off the radio and lock the car – the PhatBox will turn itself off when done. 16. When the PhatBox is done reprogramming, all the PhatBox lights will turn off.
  • Page 51 CD or Symphony with in-dash CD changer stereo." Even when the stereo is off and the key is out of the ignition, the PhatBox will remember the configuration. You will only need to configure the PhatBox again if: • The firmware is reprogrammed.

  • Page 52: Appendix B: Troubleshooting

    PhatBox is reprogramming itself. seconds. DO NOT REMOVE THE DMS CARTRIDGE. Allow the PhatBox to reprogram itself for up to 10 minutes. When reprogramming is complete, the lights will turn off and stay off. Using the PhatBox:...
  • Page 53 Note that during firmware reprogramming (green light flashing), your head unit will NOT recognize the PhatBox – for this reason, it is often better to have the head unit off during programming. No Sound. The head unit File(s) on your cartridge may be corrupt.
  • Page 54 “Codebase” message. To fix the database: - Close the PhatNoise Music Manager software. - Run the Database Doctor in the PhatNoise The PhatNoise Music Manager Music Manager folder on the Start Menu. playlists are missing or not working properly.
  • Page 55 3. Press the Hardware Options button. 4. Open the DMS Database/Voice Prompts tab and click Fix Voice Prompts. Page 55 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 3102-MAN Copyright 2002 PhatNoise Inc.

  • Page 56: 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 56 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 3102-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.

  • Page 57: Digital Media Storage Cartridge Precautions

    Do not subject the DMS Cartridge to extreme cold temperatures. 4. Do not place more that one DMS Cartridge at a time into the PhatBox player. 5. Do not drop the DMS Cartridge or subject it to a violent shock.
  • Page 58 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 59 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 59 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 3102-MAN Copyright 2002 PhatNoise Inc.
  • Page 60 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 60 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 3102-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.
  • Page 61 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 62 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 63 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 63 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual...
  • Page 64 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 64 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 3102-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.
  • Page 65 For example, suppose you are listening to an Audible playlist and you switch to a different playlist. At any point you return to the Audible playlist, the PhatBox will remember where you left off and will resume at that point. Page 65 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 3102-MAN Copyright 2002 PhatNoise Inc.
  • Page 66 Call center is available 8:00am – 7:00pm EST Monday through Friday. For Audi Web: http://www.phatnoise.com/audi Email: PhatNoise@audi.com Phone: 1-877-ASK-PHAT (1-877-275-7428) Call center is available 8:00am – 7:00pm EST Monday through Friday. Page 66 PhatNoise Car Audio System User Manual 3102-MAN Copyright 2003 PhatNoise Inc.

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