Installed Peripheral PCD10 (CD2CAR) 10-disc CD/MP3 Player

Stereo, security systems, vehicle electronics, and electrical-related discussions
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GMJAP
Posts: 1820
Joined: Thu Sep 02, 2004 4:24 am

Installed Peripheral PCD10 (CD2CAR) 10-disc CD/MP3 Player

Post by GMJAP »

First off - why not just stick with an MP3 player and an AUX input? Good question. I've found the only place I use my MP3 player anyway is in the car, and lately I've been using it less and less and burning more and more audio CDs to use. So I felt a changer with MP3 was the best way for me to go.The PCD10 works with the factory 1CD player (04 & up), connecting as a remote CD changer. It connects directly as opposed to FM Modulated "universal" changers. The CD/AUX button toggles between the changer and the CD in the head unit. That's 11 CDs of music, and with up to 99 tracks of MP3s per disc in the changer, over 80 hours of tunes. The remote changer is not as convenient as and in-dash changer, but it holds more discs and I still have use of the 1CD.Controls for the changer are the same as for the 1CD with the following exceptions:The "^v2" preset button changes discs. It cycles through (no direct access) but will skip over empty slots.The "RND 3" preset button works like RND on the 6CD - press it to random through all discs, or press & hold to random the current disc.It sounds great and so far it works great, although the first unit they sent me had problems with MP3s. The seller, USCarAudio, was very good about getting me a replacement however. I haven't had any of the problems with the replacement.For the installation, i ran the cable down to under the shifter, then pulled it under the carpet to under the center console. From a small notch in the bottom of the console, it goes out under the passenger seat where the changer is mounted.For mounting, they send hardware, but to use it I would have had to remove my passenger seat (with side-airbags; no thanks!) & pull up the carpet to drill holes undereath the seat. So instead I got a piece of sheet aluminum from Home Depot and made my own bracket to use the existing 3 mounting holes under the passenger seat. (2 on top of the hump under the front, one on the inside of the back right seat support.) The threads in the holes are metric; 8mm x 1.2 IIRC.The pic below shows the mounting bracket and the unit installed, with the seat pushed all the way forward. Normally it's not visible, but I can still reach it from the driver's seat to take the magazine in & out.My only complaints so far are minor: 1- (EDIT) It's a bit sensitive to the CD-R or CD-RW media used. I've had some problems with cheapo CD-Rs, but decent ones work fine. 2- It doesn't "remember" previously played tracks in Random mode after the car's been off. So with a large MP3 CD (like 80 tracks) it may repeat a track before playing all the others if you don't listen to it all at once. 3- It doesn't use a standard magazine (to buy spares) and Peripheral isn't selling spare magazines.I also got a PAC AAI-GM12 so I have still have an AUX audio input for MP3 players/laptops/whatever. (Still goes to cord with 1/8" jack in compartment under shifter.) An external switch is used to switch the audio between the PCD10 and the AUX jack. I didn't like the cheesy toggle they send with it so I put a rocker on the blank panel next to the coin slot left of the steering wheel. (See pic in next post).I got the PCD10 for $200 from these guys:http://www.uscaraudio.com/cgi-...PCD10and the AAI-GM12 for $36 from these guys:http://www.sonicelectronix.com...=5277Both have good prices, I think. If you're looking for a Changer/MP3 solution with the stock head unit, I'd recommend it!

Attached files
2005 Platinum Base ManualSide & Curtain AirbagsABSPower PackageTinted Windows"Mods": 'old-style' center armrest, center +12v, wheelskins leather steering wheel, AC/Recirc blue backlight, beeps on keyless entry, dome light switch, AC insulation, PCD10 10-disc CD/MP3 changer, AAI-GM12 AUX audio input, K&N filter, "shark fin" antenna.
GMJAP
Posts: 1820
Joined: Thu Sep 02, 2004 4:24 am

Re: Installed Peripheral PCD10 (CD2CAR) 10-disc CD/MP3 Player (GMJAP)

Post by GMJAP »

Pic showing AUX rocker switch, and display while playing from PCD10. (Showing Disc 2, Track 82, on Random)

Attached files
2005 Platinum Base ManualSide & Curtain AirbagsABSPower PackageTinted Windows"Mods": 'old-style' center armrest, center +12v, wheelskins leather steering wheel, AC/Recirc blue backlight, beeps on keyless entry, dome light switch, AC insulation, PCD10 10-disc CD/MP3 changer, AAI-GM12 AUX audio input, K&N filter, "shark fin" antenna.
abyss-vibe
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat May 03, 2008 6:23 am

Re: Installed Peripheral PCD10 (GMJAP)

Post by abyss-vibe »

Can you give some details about the super clean aux switch components and install? I recently purchased the XM direct unit and PAC AAI-GM12 to add to a basic single CD HU. I need to locate the PAC switch somewhere in the dash or console and you have one of the best looking installs. I wondered if a switch could be located in the blank below the A/C recirc button?
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