Borrowing my mother-in-law's Jeep, I was playing with her MyGig in-dash DVD, Sirius, mp3, navigation, etc device. It uses a DVD-ROM drive and a hard drive to do all of its magic. I played with it during a road trip and found that it plays DVD-Audio! Pretty cool! Geeked, I grabbed a few titles for the road. Music plays right away without having to grab a remote or navigate any on-screen menus and the display clearly says "DVD-A" rather than a Dolby Digital version from the DVD-V layer. This was also confirmed by the manual.

Channel separation seemed weak and I'm wondering if her setup has a 5.1 system in it. But it was certainly fun to play with and may sway me in my next vehicle purchase.

Oh, this "MyGig" system is offered on nearly all 2008 Chryslers (which includes Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep).

I'll have to give it a shot at work tomorrow....figures we'd not advertise it :)

I work at the Auburn Hills tech center.

now, if you could only find a DVD-A just as easily...

Ah, I used to work at the GM Tech Center in Warren. Small world!

The company that makes this is Harman/Becker (http://www.harmanbecker.com/harmanBecker/www_root/index2.jsp?language=US) out of Germany with a location in Farmington Hills. Apparently, they are very responsive to user input. You can find a few sites (http://mofv.com/mygig/) on MyGig with tips on updating the software, hacking, etc. I've already updated the software and look to buying a hardware hack if I end up buying a new vehicle. The hardware hack lets you use all the menus while the car is in Drive (just like any Garmin will do).

So far, the only disk that failed was the SACD of Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. No, it doesn't play SACD, but the manual claims it'll play the CD layer. That was with an old firmware, didn't try the newer one.

I swear this is the only thing getting me excited about buying a minivan this Fall! Well, that and being able to take some family trips.

EDIT: Forgot to mention... just think of how this might help multi-channel audio if someone realizes that 100,000+ new vehicles a year will be able to play DVD-A.

now, if you could only find a DVD-A just as easily...The car probably comes with one.:rolleyes:

The car probably comes with one.:rolleyes:

An expensive way to amass a collection.:eek:

Yea Chrysler. Funny, now, after many say this format is dead, more and more cars will play them. Of course Acura was the first, and just last week the new 09 Acura TSX Tech added DVD-A. Now all Acuras have it.
I've been researching this, looks like some Lexus play DVD-A, the Infiniti M, some Cadillacs. Some other models from these makes play 'surround' but it looks like it may be only DTS CDs or DTS tracks fron DVD-A and DVD-Video, which are not true hi-rez audio, but can have good surround audio.

maybe more DVD-A releases will come out if people buy these cars! but so many are happy and in love with mp3s.:o

hmm- just went to Chrysler site, I didn't see DVD-Audio listed. Many cars now play DVDs and will play audio from DVDs, but it's not the DVD-Audio format per se. maybe they don't advertise it, oh well, just as bad as not having it IMO.

Yea Chrysler. Funny, now, after many say this format is dead, more and more cars will play them. Of course Acura was the first, and just last week the new 09 Acura TSX Tech added DVD-A. Now all Acuras have it.
I've been researching this, looks like some Lexus play DVD-A, the Infiniti M, some Cadillacs. Some other models from these makes play 'surround' but it looks like it may be only DTS CDs or DTS tracks fron DVD-A and DVD-Video, which are not true hi-rez audio, but can have good surround audio.

maybe more DVD-A releases will come out if people buy these cars! but so many are happy and in love with mp3s.:o

hmm- just went to Chrysler site, I didn't see DVD-Audio listed. Many cars now play DVDs and will play audio from DVDs, but it's not the DVD-Audio format per se. maybe they don't advertise it, oh well, just as bad as not having it IMO.

I don't know if it is that we are in love with mp3's or in love with the ability to have our entire music collection in the car right? My car is so loud that it doesn't matter, mp3, cd or sacd it is all going to be buried under the exhaust note.

I don't know if it is that we are in love with mp3's or in love with the ability to have our entire music collection in the car right? My car is so loud that it doesn't matter, mp3, cd or sacd it is all going to be buried under the exhaust note.Of course. SNR is terrible in cars and that means that dynamic range is limited. Feh.

I think that's an advantage for hi-rez audio in a car, and in higher-end cars acoustics are improved. Sure not as good as at home but much better than over compressed 2 channel. even the analog radio sounds bad to me, so compressed, and much of it speed accelerated, yuckk.

I think that's an advantage for hi-rez audio in a car, and in higher-end cars acoustics are improved. Sure not as good as at home but much better than over compressed 2 channel. even the analog radio sounds bad to me, so compressed, and much of it speed accelerated, yuckk.

Speed Accelerated? Like, the radio stations are speeding up the music itself? Wow, any articles about this?

Speed Accelerated? Like, the radio stations are speeding up the music itself? Wow, any articles about this?

They always have.

They always have.

Crazy, I guess I don't listen to enough radio...

I don't listen to radio much either, but some stations do it worse than others. nothing new, and hey, TV does it too, like Lucy reruns etc, saves some precious time for more commercials.

If there are any doubters, I can scan the owner's manual that has the DVD-Audio logo in it or a screen cap of the system playing DVD-Audio! :)

If anyone from Chrysler is reading this, I just purchased a 2008 Town & Country partly because of it offering the MyGig. Yes, I wish it had a 40 or 80gb hard drive, but the playback of DVD-A plus frequent software updates made me consider this over the Ford Fainlane/Flex, Honda Odyssey.

I don't listen to radio much either, but some stations do it worse than others. nothing new, and hey, TV does it too, like Lucy reruns etc, saves some precious time for more commercials.

(Sorry for getting off topic OP)

It just amazes me how the RIAA can get all up in arms over music piracy and protecting their artists rights blah blah blah yet they allow their artists music to be completely altered and replayed by radio stations.

illy, radio stations pay licensing fees to the artists via either ASCAP or BMI. Even if they didn't, heavy radio play increases popularity in that music (either for CD purchases, concerts or other routes like television commercials, etc.) The RIAA gets up in arms for people downloading music and not paying for it. This used to be called "stealing" and the RIAA is doing what they can, with poor social skills, to stop it.

If the music is either purchased or licensed, the RIAA couldn't give two turds whether you altered the music in any way as long as it is not for commercial use. And such things as compression, even though it pisses off audiophiles, actually makes most music sound better in car stereos unless someone likes constantly changing the volume of the radio to hear.

Of course. SNR is terrible in cars and that means that dynamic range is limited. Feh.

Yep, in most vehicles, S/N ratio sucks with the resultant penalty in dynamic range. What is the average noise floor in a "quiet" current model?

Anyway the wife just got a 2008 Chrysler Town & Country. To get what she wanted meant going to the top of the heap with all that means.

This is the quietest in cabin ride we have owned. For the first time ever I will be taking a meter and measuring an SPL on a nice Interstate section.

Did try a favorite DVD Audio on one of the few times I have been behind the wheel. With the stock audio it did sound quite good. Of course only got to listen for a few minutes. "Dad, is that that Mozart guy again"?

Is there any hope for this current crop of teenagers? I do try.

Joe

Yep, in most vehicles, S/N ratio sucks with the resultant penalty in dynamic range. What is the average noise floor in a "quiet" current model?Dunno. We have various cars in the family, including two Mercedes', and none are suitable for anything except news, sports, traffic, imho.

Dunno. We have various cars in the family, including two Mercedes', and none are suitable for anything except news, sports, traffic, imho.

S/N ratio doesn't really come in to play when I'm listening in the driveway with the engine off in my wife's 2008 Cadilac CTS with surround sound. My DVD-A collection sounds quite immersive and I can listen with my eyes closed and the seat reclined. This also saves enough money on gas to buy more DVD-A's. The special DSOTM edition really grabs your attention.:D
My neighbor just got a Buick Enclave. DSOTM sounds great there also.
I suggest you take a favorite DVD-A to a Cadillac or Buick dealer for a test drive. I'd be interested in your professional opinion.

S/N ratio doesn't really come in to play when I'm listening in the driveway with the engine off in my wife's 2008 Cadilac CTS with surround sound. My DVD-A collection sounds quite immersive and I can listen with my eyes closed and the seat reclined. This also saves enough money on gas to buy more DVD-A's. The special DSOTM edition really grabs your attention.:D
My neighbor just got a Buick Enclave. DSOTM sounds great there also.
I suggest you take a favorite DVD-A to a Cadillac or Buick dealer for a test drive. I'd be interested in your professional opinion.Why would I want to? My Benz is very quiet in the driveway, too, but I can listen in my music room and hear better.

S/N ratio doesn't really come in to play when I'm listening in the driveway with the engine off in my wife's 2008 Cadilac CTS with surround sound.

this ranks up there in terms of acquiring a DVD-A player... ;)

Why would I want to? My Benz is very quiet in the driveway, too, but I can listen in my music room and hear better.

Yeah, but you can't drive to work in your music room! :D

Yeah, but you can't drive to work in your music room! :DAnd I don't drive to work in my car, either.

Hey guys, the snob rides a bicycle to work!! Ha Ha.

Hey guys, the snob rides a bicycle to work!! Ha Ha.If you are referring to me, I will tell you that I walk or take a taxi or a local bus. If you lived in Manhattan, you might understand that taking one's car, any car, anywhere, is usually more of a hassle than it is worth. Of course, if you live in the sticks, ...........................................:p

Hey, the point of all this is whether having DVD-A in your car is a great thing. Well, if you care to listen there, it might be. Just not for me.

Oh, Kal! :) I do live in the sticks, that's why I have no shame about riding my bike anywhere. But certainly, you must be able to put those cars on the road at sometime during the year, no? Where's the joy of owning Mercedes automobiles if you can't drive them? That's all.

And, certainly theres no shame in listening to music in a car equipped with surround sound. If my bike had surround, I'd take it everywhere!

Oh, Kal! :) I do live in the sticks, that's why I have no shame about riding my bike anywhere. But certainly, you must be able to put those cars on the road at sometime during the year, no? Where's the joy of owning Mercedes automobiles if you can't drive them? That's all.I drive out of the city almost every weekend to enjoy the trip and the relief from the constant intensity of city life.

And, certainly theres no shame in listening to music in a car equipped with surround sound. If my bike had surround, I'd take it everywhere!No shame at all. Nor any in not doing so.

No shame at all. Nor any in not doing so.

Agreed!:)

Why would I want to? My Benz is very quiet in the driveway, too, but I can listen in my music room and hear better.

My hope is that someone with quality ears and an open mind would do some comparison listening. Comparing the listening experience in a room or car would be interesting to me. I would also like a comparison of the implementation by auto manufacturers. Having introduced two of my neighbors to the capability of their new cars I saw first hand an interest in more surround software. Increased demand for quality surround software can't hurt our hobby.

I don't see the point of this comparison - they are different environments it would be like apples to oranges

I'd play music whenever I can and wherever I can and if you can take it with you, you accept the compromises of being able to do that

what would be a comparison is how the DVD-A system compares to other car audio systems

I agree that a demand for quality surround software would be great, but from what I can see on the Acura forums, there's a lot of interest in converting their existing CD audio to DVD-A format - for all the good that would do

You may be referring to the Acura discussion that shows how to put 99 CD quality songs on a DVD and play it in the Acura. (as compared to lower quality mp3s on a CD). so you could have almost 600 CD quality songs using the 6 disc changer. the 04-06 Acura TL does not play mp3, thus the interest, plus many prefer CD quality over compressed mp3.
someone also wrote a script just for fun that converts 2 channel CD to 5.1 channel surround, not true DVD-A, but just for surround kicks.

My hope is that someone with quality ears and an open mind would do some comparison listening. Comparing the listening experience in a room or car would be interesting to me. I would also like a comparison of the implementation by auto manufacturers. Having introduced two of my neighbors to the capability of their new cars I saw first hand an interest in more surround software. Increased demand for quality surround software can't hurt our hobby.Stereophile has done this from time to time with signature auto setups but it is far from our mission. I, for one, am simply not interested since the better the sound and music, the more it distracts me from paying attention to my driving. Then, again, I do not commute by car over a slowish, repetitive route that does not demand my full attention. Frankly, this is probably the job of an autosound mag because, imho, there's no way to get a proper soundstage for one person in a car, let alone a few. If you are talking about listeners in the passenger compartment of a chauferred vehicle, it may be possible.

Now, don't all of you jump on me about this. It is just that the listening requirements and standards for in-car sound are not the same as those in a room.

Now, don't all of you jump on me about this. It is just that the listening requirements and standards for in-car sound are not the same as those in a room.

Perhaps, but I believe certain automakers (Acura) are trying to narrow the gap. The acoustics in these cars is just as important as listening to surround music in your home and are really designed to appeal to the driver. Acura's are considered "Drivers Cars" and not neccessarily a mobility appliance for the family. The fact that DVD-A was included on all but a few models for the past 4-5 years and that a new ELS designed Panasonic system option is available, speaks volumes about Honda's commitment to quality sound. I certainly prefer listening at home. Let's just not make it mandatory or eliminate a great car system as something "inferior" to our home setup.

I think it is worth noting that Acura mentions surround sound in their current TV ads. Given all the possible items to mention in a very short time shows it's importance in their minds.

Yep.

Well since the home vs. auto issue came up, let's not forget that the automobile is a mass-produced product with a very predictable shape, volume, and acoustic properties. That is to say that sound engineers have a relatively stable environment in which to work.

Yes, there are variables, like number of passengers, size of passengers, amount of highway noise, amount of wind noise, etc., but still there are fewer unknowns than in the average house. Well-engineered automobile systems can be very effective. I would surmise that many luxury car owners have better engineered systems in their cars than in their homes.

That's not to say they couldn't have spent a lot more money on their home systems. But the speakers may not be right for the volume of the room, there are random openings in the walls, there is arbitrary placement of objects in the room, the speakers are pushed up against wall, speakers are forced into corners, room modes run rampant, noise from the dimmer switch buzzes through the system, the HVAC system blows in the background, the toilet flush gurgles through the walls, people move about creaking the floor and shutting doors, the garbage disposal grinds, the washing machine spins, the refrigerator compressor kicks in, etc.

Yes, they are absolutely two different environments with significant deficits. It may be possible to get a much superior audio experience in the home with all the details worked out, but most high end, factory installed vehicle systems perform better and more consistently in their environment than a significant number of the systems I've listened to in people's homes.

Not in Kal's case, not in mine, and not in a lot of members here I suppose, but many, many people have absolute junk in their $1 or $2 million dollar homes compared to what's in their luxury car.

Oh yeah, I doubt that the car is an ideal environment for DVD-A playback, but I think I'll go down to the Chrysler dealer to find out.

Not in Kal's case, not in mine, and not in a lot of members here I suppose, but many, many people have absolute junk in their $1 or $2 million dollar homes compared to what's in their luxury car.And that may be what makes the car system sound so good to them: They are comparing it to junk.;)

And that may be what makes the car system sound so good to them: They are comparing it to junk.;)

Not to belabor the point, but that is why I have a desire to hear a comparison from an educated ear. But I do understand your reasoning and reluctance.

I think you can look at it this way. Surround Sound in the car is nice. [I have it in my cars ( 2 Acura's, 1 previous Acura, and one previous old car with a Q8 from 100 years or so ago) :D.] The fact that it is "HiRez" does at times get lost in the road noise, tire rumble, and other distractions - even in a well made car like the Acura's, Lexus's, etc.

So, you have to agree with Kal that an auto is not the ideal environment for high quality, detailed sound. However, that does not mean you cannot enjoy surround sound in the car. In fact, for over 30 years folks have been installing rear speakers in their cars. I know I did it quite a few times. Since they're already back there, why not send them their own discrete audio signals. It just makes the listening more enjoyable (to me, anyway).

Not to belabor the point, but that is why I have a desire to hear a comparison from an educated ear. But I do understand your reasoning and reluctance.Well, I have heard the ELS system, in the car with Elliot Scheiner, and all I can say for it is that it is LOUD!! It was also in my face in a disagreeable way. Of course, that could reflect my preference for a real soundstage but such a bias would underlie any formal review as well.

Well, I have heard the ELS system, in the car with Elliot Scheiner, and all I can say for it is that it is LOUD!! It was also in my face in a disagreeable way. Of course, that could reflect my preference for a real soundstage but such a bias would underlie any formal review as well.

Well, I would like to hear your opinion if you had the car by yourself and set the levels to your satisfaction instead of someone elses. When I drove my first TL with DVD-A in the car, the salesman had the bass/treble/center all maxed out. I thought I was listening to two boom boxes and the center speaker was overpowering the others since it's "in your face".

If it's your car, you can adjust the whole thing for the drivers seat, which makes it much more listenable - at least to me.

But then again, maybe you did set it up for you. Again, it's not a serious audiophile listening environment as you say! ;)

Not to belabor the point, but that is why I have a desire to hear a comparison from an educated ear. But I do understand your reasoning and reluctance.

Well, it could be a bit of a dilemma. I've avoided telling acquaintances "Your car's Bose Audio system sucks, but it's a lot better than that Polk system in your house." No friends to be made there. :o

Well, I have heard the ELS system, in the car with Elliot Scheiner, and all I can say for it is that it is LOUD!! It was also in my face in a disagreeable way. Of course, that could reflect my preference for a real soundstage but such a bias would underlie any formal review as well.

Let's also not forget that any attempt at demonstrating anything of a rock/pop/jazz nature is probably an assault on your delicate sensibilities as a classical music elitist. Or not.

Let's also not forget that any attempt at demonstrating anything of a rock/pop/jazz nature is probably an assault on your delicate sensibilities as a classical music elitist. Or not.Not really. In fact, I am more likely to listen to pop/rock in the car since their compressed dynamic ranges are more suitable for the noisy environment.

Not really. In fact, I am more likely to listen to pop/rock in the car since their compressed dynamic ranges are more suitable for the noisy environment.

Quite so. Then you can get really lucky if you have teens along forcing the selection of the genre that takes compression to a whole new level. And they call it music. Of course I still can't groove to Schoenberg so what do I know :)

Joe

Quite so. Then you can get really lucky if you have teens along forcing the selection of the genre that takes compression to a whole new level. And they call it music. Of course I still can't groove to Schoenberg so what do I know :)
JoeMy kids are grown and gone but my grandkids do this for me. As for Schoenberg, he is a different kind of groove. I prefer Prokofiev or Shostakovitch...........when, rarely, I listen to music in the car. :D

My kids are grown and gone but my grandkids do this for me. As for Schoenberg, he is a different kind of groove. I prefer Prokofiev or Shostakovitch...........when, rarely, I listen to music in the car. :D

Well I get revenge with a little Sinatra / Riddle. How do they not get it?

Might try Reiner / Bartok, got to me at 15.

Always trying

Joe

Well I get revenge with a little Sinatra / Riddle. How do they not get it? Frankly(!), I'd rather listen to their stuff than Sinatra/Riddle. I might fall asleep at the wheel................................

Just because I've been around for a long time doesn't mean I am old.;)

still not buying a chrysler

Frankly(!), I'd rather listen to their stuff than Sinatra/Riddle. I might fall asleep at the wheel................................

Just because I've been around for a long time doesn't mean I am old.;)

Heresy;)

I have SACD multi-channel in my car and it can play DVD-A disks in Dolby Digital and DTS multi-channel format. I also have about 250 SACD mono/stereo and multi-channel disks and about 12 DVD-A disks and several high resolution stereo audio DVD disks it will also play. On any day there are over 300 or so SACD disks for sale on ebay. I am a happy man.

My friend has a year old Acura. He has not been able to find many DVD-A disks but I have lent him a few of mine. On any give day very few DVD-A disks are offered on e-bay. Am I missing someting here or are these car company's out of touch with the marketplace?

My friend has a year old Acura. He has not been able to find many DVD-A disks but I have lent him a few of mine. On any give day very few DVD-A disks are offered on e-bay. Am I missing someting here or are these car company's out of touch with the marketplace?Sure. I bought a car in 2002 that came with an in-dash cassette player and without an option for CDs (except for a glove-compartment CD changer add-on). When I challenged the company, they said that most of their customers have a library of cassettes according to their research. Sure. (I installed the changer myself.)

. On any day there are over 300 or so SACD disks for sale on ebay. I am a happy man.

My friend has a year old Acura. He has not been able to find many DVD-A disks but I have lent him a few of mine. On any give day very few DVD-A disks are offered on e-bay. Am I missing someting here or are these car company's out of touch with the marketplace?

That's funny, I shop on ebay for dvd-audio discs all the time and there's a ton of them....
I went to ebay right now and there's over 500 dvd-audio discs. I wouldn't call that "very few", and it sure is more than "300 or so sacd disks". BTW there's currently 232 sacd discs listed on ebay, so less than half. I have plenty of both, so would love to be able to afford a car that had a system that plays both. What kind of system/car do you have which plays both?

Am I missing someting here or are these car company's out of touch with the marketplace?

And don't forget that most still don't have the simple 1/8" jack so you can use your portable device. Oh wait, that doesn't pertain to surround sound. Sorry. ;)

As far as Acura, I think it's a cost cutting move to just keep offering the same DVD-A player since 2004 TL. It would cost more to offer a whole new setup with say a hard drive etc. Even the new 09 TSX just released has DVD-A added, it did not have it in 08. Not sure why other makes are adding DVD-A in, probably because it's now a cheap 'upgrade' to a perceived premium stereo since there is not much demand for DVDA anymore.

Many DVD-A titles on ebay however are pricing up to the stratosphere, and some DTS surround CDs too. Paul McCartney DTS CDs go from $100 - $200. Eagles, America, ELP, Carly Simon, Dire Straits, Neil Young, Fleetwood Mac, and other DVDA go for $40-$100.

There are tons of "junk" DVD-A's from Silverline on eBay, but these are the same crappy titles that helped torpedo the format at the retail levels by hogging the shelf space and creating the "there's nothing I want on DVD-A" mentality.

These discs are selling for nothing, and that's what they're worth. The "real" titles, from WB and legit labels, are the ones selling for the "big bucks".

Well I just bought a Crowded House, Queensryche, Bonnie Raitt and The Beach Boys all for $13.97 each on amazon a couple days ago. Pretty reasonable and I'd call them "real" titles. There's plenty of good titles that can still be found, but once they sell out from the "amazon's" I agree they become really expensive on ebay.

Now if Chrysler only made a true sports AWD sedan with 3 pedals on the floor and 300+ ponies like the 335xi, S60R, S4/RS4 i might swing for it:)

Testament to American car design (Daimler association ignored since it's failing) to offer a premium function that's dated by about 8 years.

Testament to American car design (Daimler association ignored since it's failing) to offer a premium function that's dated by about 8 years.

It would have been interesting to see what would have happened had Detroit and Japan put DVD-Audio players in their cars back in 1999/2000 at the dawn of the format, and the record companies provided an email/mailing service to new car owners to sell their discs.

The awareness factor would have increased. Maybe we would have seen more of the titles we were told were "on the way"..............

Ah, "IF"! ;)

http://www.imperialclub.com/Repair/Accessories/HiWay/Chrysler.htm

They have tried before.