BUILT: Digital Factory Infotainment Integration Honda Civic Bose / Acura Integra ELS

[Ash @ S2i Audio]

Linux should be able to play WAV files natively in most mature distributions.

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[Ash @ S2i Audio]

* "Can I Plug N Play music directly from a USB drive? What is the best way to integrate music directly via USB drive?"

THIS is the #1 most important thing I want to learn how to do. Play my awesome music that I OWN in my awesome car that I OWN! It should be a no brainer, but of course "They" make this damn near impossible to accomplish.
EDIT: We know exactly why "They" make this so difficult.
Ask Kl&us $chwab: "You will own nothing, and you will be happy."

Also,

* "What types of Digital Audio Players (DAP) are recommended for use with this PURE Integrator?"

And,

* "What are the recommended Audio Formats for my music files in order to get the best quality sound from my USB drive or Digital Audio Player (DAP) in my car?"


Personal note:
I want to buy a dedicated mid/high end DAP with SD Card or MicroSD Card slot for my music. I never have, and NEVER WILL pay for a subscription music service scam like SiriusXM or Spotify. (Stop harassing me, SiriusXM.)

Right now I have MP3s and .WAV files on a MicroSD Card that I play via an old Samsung Android phone. I removed the SIM card from the old phone and use it strictly as a BlueTooth audio player.
EDIT: Forgot to mention, that I installed and use the free Hiby music player app for Android in this old Samsung phone. It seems to work pretty well for a free app.

However, recently, the phone occasionally locks up while playing files, and I have to pause, rewind, and skip ahead to the next track, etc. in order to keep listening to my music files. I do not know whether the culprit is:

* The Phone,
* The MicroSD Card, or
* The File Formats, MP3 and .WAV.

Either way, that phone is pretty old, and not really a dedicated audio player anyway.

On a side note, I am looking into switching from Windows to Linux. While I really like .WAV files for their relatively good quality, I'm not sure that is a file type that will be usable via any audio or music programs in Linux. I'm totally clueless in this department. Just haven't done any research yet regarding Linux audio programs.

Ok, responding to your questions in order they were asked....

1) Your FL5 already has a built-in USB drive file reader application, using the Type-A usb port above the phone charger pad. Your car's infotainment user manual details how to use it, but it doesn't mention the most important thing: your drive MUST be formatted in FAT32 or it will not read. And all USB drives these days are typically ExFAT formatted so you need to reformat them with a freeware tool (windows can't do this built-in). Once you've done that, load your music files according to whatever directory structure you want to find your music in (ie artist folders, then album folders, for example).

2) WAV and FLAC are the best file formats since they are not lossy. MP3 is lossy, so avoid it since storage size is no longer an economic limitation these days.

3) Best way to use a DAP is to use a secondary input on your DSP that you switch to. You can still fool the car's infotainment system into using its volume control for the DAP by letting it "play" something, anything. Even FM radio. Since the DSP will be listening to a different input it'll just ignore that source, but this way the car's volume knob will still be controlling the DAP output via the DSP. I know that's a bit complicated so I'm happy to discuss further, offline, if you like.

4) Linux should play WAV natively if you are using a reputable distribution.

 

[Ash @ S2i Audio]

First units are moving already. 3 left in this run...

 

[marcusm86]

On a side note, I am looking into switching from Windows to Linux. While I really like .WAV files for their relatively good quality, I'm not sure that is a file type that will be usable via any audio or music programs in Linux. I'm totally clueless in this department. Just haven't done any research yet regarding Linux audio programs.

VLC media player plays literally everything and lets you convert/remove sound/clip whatever... check it out

 

[JCS]

Hi Ash,
I may have found another FAQ item:

Is it possible to use a remote controller like the Helix Conductor for DSP preset switching when PURE is installed?

I know both use the DIN/SCP port on the DSP. Is the PURE control adapter a pass-through/pigtail setup that still allows a Conductor to be connected?

Thanks!

 

[Ash @ S2i Audio]

JC,
This is an excellent question and suggestion. Another client has asked the same thing and the answer is yes, but it requires a modification to the SCP connector which I am doing for him, and am happy to do for others wanting this solution. Personally, I would recommend using a URC.3 instead of a Conductor to save money, as the complexity of the digital logic on the Conductor could cause some unknown conflict with the PURE, but this is just a guess as I have not yet tested a Conductor in this manner. But yes, in theory, the two devices could be used as you described.

That said, I am actually looking into a totally different way to do this that could be built-in to the PURE device. I am currently working on a firmware update that will enable the optional subwoofer level control built into the PURE to be repurposed for DSP mode/present control. This would allow one to use the "3D" feature on ELS systems (and "Bose Centerpoint" on the Hondas) as a switch for the two presets. Off could be preset 1 and on is present 2.

This would allow one to have this capability within the infotainment system without needing to buy additional hardware. BUT it would mean forgoing the subwoofer level control - you can't have both functions at the same time.

More coming very soon!

 

[Ash @ S2i Audio]

Hey everybody I'm back (on this forum). I am now an official forum sponsor on here as well as Integraforums.

PURE units have been going out the door and the next production run is going to be done in a week. I am also going to be rolling out a new model, for prior-gen Hondas, in about a month, probably less.

Cheers!
-Ash

www.s2iaudio.com

 

[Ash @ S2i Audio]

Assembly of the next production run is underway.

 

[Ash @ S2i Audio]

Huge update!

I had an idea this weekend for a design improvement so I started to build the schematic and will be prototyping it soon. If it works as intended, the change I'm making will make DSP compatibility a non-constraint anymore, so folks who own Audison DSPs will be able to use PURE.

I should be ready to test pre-production units around late July.

If you have been holding out due to incompatibility with Audison DSPs, drop me a DM to let me know and I can put you on a waiting list for one of these newer designs.

Cheers,
-Ash

 

[Ash @ S2i Audio]

PURE is now ready for purchase for the following vehicles:

I have just released PURE for additional models:

2016-2021 Honda Civic Premium System only
2018-2022 Honda Accord Premium System only
2017-2022 Honda CR-V Premium System only

The new model is available for purchase now.

-Ash

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