I'm yet another new Empeg user. The recent price drop means that I can finally afford the MP3 player I really wanted (previously had a Neo 35...), and I'm well impressed.

In order to transfer my existing MP3 files ("only" 3gb), I ended up writing a Perl wrapper for emptool (somewhat inspired by empsync). The tool uses the ID3 tags to automatically file the MP3s into suitable playlists on the Empeg. The tool includes a Perl module which provides a simple API to emptool, making it easy to write upload scripts for the Empeg. I've put the code at http://www.ex-parrot.com/~pdw/empeg/

The only problem I have is that the upload tends to crash when trying to reboot the empeg after syncing a large number of files - have other people seen this with emptool?

The only problem I have is that the upload tends to crash when trying to reboot the empeg after syncing a large number of files - have other people seen this with emptool?

If you are using 2.0 beta 7 or 2.0 beta 11, this is probably one of the known bugs in the beta player software and has nothing to do with emptool.

HI Paul. I believe I remember you from the Neomp3players forums. Weren't you the one that had built a custom panel for your Neo wired remote in your Golf IV?

Anyway, welcome to the boards and congratulations on your new toy! (TM Tfabris)

Yep - that's the one :-)

Installing the Empeg was a bit more straight forward than the Neo. The only problem I had was the sheer number of wires hanging off the back. There's not a lot of space at the back of the DIN slots in a Golf, and finding a home for the serial connector, 2 lots of ISO->ISO connectors, an aerial amplifier, the tuner connector, various RCA connectors etc. gets a bit tricky :-)

I think I'm going to get rid of the other head unit, and just run the empeg straight into the amp.

Paul

Another Mk IV owner

Where did you find the reverse ISO connector to hook up your existing HU? I'm having trouble finding it anywhere.

I think I'm going to get rid of the other head unit, and just run the empeg straight into the amp.

You can do that, but then you'll loose the radio option. Unless you buy a radio tuner to go with your Empeg of course. There are some available on ebay for the mere price of +/- $350!

I made a splitter lead. I already had an ISO -> ISO wiring adapter (with the memory/ignition wires crossed to make up for VW's desire to deliberately break standards). I wired in the additional ISO plug, connecting the memory, and illumination wires directly. The ignition wire is connected to the head unit's power aerial output so that the Empeg always comes on and off with head unit, even if I turn the HU on manually.

Yeah - I'm crossing my fingers for another tuner run. The other problem is that I lose the amp for the rear speakers. I have a 4 channel amp bridged to 3. I could connect the rear speakers to the same 2 channels as the front speakers, but I'd lose fader control...

What do other people do about this? - apart from buying 5-channel amps :-)

Paul

Well, I didn't buy a 5 channel amp, I bought two amps . Seriously, this works very well. I use one amp for my four speakers and one two-channel amp (bridged to one channel) for my sub.
Excellent setup, or at least it fits my needs.

As per Archeon, I too have bought two amps.
One 4 channel for the front splits and rear deck speakers,
and a 2 channel (bridged) for the sub.
The rear channel out of the empeg will be split towards the rear component of the 4 channel amp,
and the sub amp.
This retains full fader control at the back.
Now just have to find the space for two amps . . . .

This is how I went about it.

The page is from my older Neo35 setup I had made and is NOT up to date. Needless to say the Neo has been gone for some considerable time now. But there are also pics on it from my trunk setup. It may give you some ideas.