I got a Neo Car Jukebox....

[Past_VNE]

In fact, I bought two. I am returning them both. I wouldn't recommend this product. It was simply problematic. The computer wouldn't detect that it was plugged in and once it did and it was loaded, the car had trouble with the menu system and frequently would lock up on certain songs. Detection seems to be a problem no matter where you plug it in. Don't buy one, it is a super idea with terrible execution. Jaclyn

[C5B]

I haven't had any real problems with mine. I have plugged it in and used it on two computers, and have played every bitrate from 128 to 320kbps. The only negative thing I can say is that it occasionally (like once an hour) gives a little hiccup when it is playing a high bitrate song, and I'm navigating through the music. The only real design problem with it is the power supply. Make sure it is powered VERY well because it is sensitive to voltage drops.

So, I do like mine, and I would recommend it.

- C5B

[BigByrd]

I have one wired thru the IP-bus of my XM radio into a Pioneer 9400. Once I figured out how to control it with the radio head (no instructions), have had no problems. Sound quality is as good as CD and the voice-announce option works like a champ. As for downloading, no problems experienced. The computer sees it the moment I turn it on. And, since I am using the Pioneer, I can load WMA files, too. I have run it without a glitch continuously on two all-day runs.

Perhaps the writer is having problems because a newer driver may need to be loaded? My unit driver was newer than those offered at the SSI website, so upgrading was not necessary. But for anyone having problems, that avenue should be explored.

Thus far I have more than 1200 songs loaded. That should carry me to Bowling Green!

BigByrd

[AllCammedUp]

I'm sorry to hear about your displeasure w/ the NEO. I bought one for my car, installed it (check out my pics over at this thread - Be sure to look at both pages! ;) http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=546410) and I'm really satisfied with it.

I did have an initial power-on problem attaching it to the computer, but it was an oder-of-operations thing that proved to be the culprit. After I found out that you have plug it in BEFORE you power it on, it's been working great! ;) It's almost like the USB circuitry in the NEO is only initialized upon power up, and any connection after that would not work. Regardless, it's working like a champ now.

Mine originally came w/ a 7200 RPM Maxtor 20GB drive, but I put in a 5400 RPM Samsung 120GB drive (Samsung V60 (60GB-120GB) Spin Up Current (max.) 750/1800 mA (5V/12V) and it works much better. The big Samsung drive actually draws less power on spin-up than the smaller Maxtor the NEO came with; and as has been stated here before, the NEO draws some power, so it needs to be powered well. I wound up running a relay off the remote power on wire and wired the NEO off the 12V output of the relay, and it has been working great (so far).

I have ~59GB of music (over 10,000 songs = well over 800 albums) loaded on mine, so it makes long trips and cruises a joy. The way I calculated it out is that I could turn it on and let it play non-stop for 24/7 for a hair over 2 months w/o repeating a song! :lol:

Anyway, I digress. Fact of the matter is that my wife saw how cool it was and now I've gotten another one for her car! Don't give up on it so soon.

Check out this forum - ttp://www.funmp3players.com/forum/forum.asp?forum_id=4&forum_title=General +-+Neo+Car+Jukebox for some help.

I have also found that some of the one-off MP3's I download (All of my collection is owned by me, btw) to be 'less than optimal'. I use the following program to test the MP3 file - http://home.arcor.de/shivi/MP3Test/#English

If the MP3 file is 'damaged' as reported by MP3 test, then I've found that the NEO will also have problems playing it. Not to sound trite, but part of your problem may be your music files. I've ripped dang near every song on my NEO from the CD itself, and I have no troubles.

HTH! :cheers:


[Modified by AllCammedUp, 5:01 PM 5/17/2003]