Xplod MEX-1GP faceplate MP3 player

Integrating a digital audio player into a car stereo's faceplate seems like a no-brainer. After all, most faceplates are already removable, to foil thieves, and if you take yours out of the car every day already, hooking it up to the PC to load it with files isn't too much extra work. Unfortunately, Sony's first effort in this space, the Xplod MEX-1GP looks like, well, a no-brainer. Though the player supports MP3 and WMA files, it apparently can't handle DRM'd WMA files, limiting its utility if you're using a "To-Go" service (unless you're using Sony's own Connect service). More significantly, with only 1GB of storage space, it offers less storage than you can get by burning your digital files to a couple of CD-Rs. It's a shame that Sony didn't add some more memory — is this really the same company that just rolled out a 5GB CompactFlash card? And at $350, it costs more than many units that let you integrate your audio player directly into your car, like Harman Kardon's Drive + Play. But, hey, Sony fans, at least it supports ATRAC.

[TIMMAH! @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

What the heck is taking these companies so damn long?!?! Why can't they come out with a nice docking/portable solution for the car?!?!

[Synthaxx R-or @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Am i the only one who thinks that sony is just one paranoid schizoid company?
They hack into your computer to make sure you're not stealing any tunes (see: http://www.sysinternals.com/blog/2005/10/sony-rootkits-and-digital-rights.html ).
And then they give you a faceplate that let's you play your ripped tunes on your radio.

This does not compute.

[I.E @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

NOT sony's first foray unless u mean having memory in the faceplate.
I have a 2yr old 10gb Sony MEX-1HD with memory stick and crappy magicgate drm.

[qrayg @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Wouldn't be cheaper for everybody if they just put a MemoryStick� slot on the deck and allowed audio playback from that?

Seems like they are trying too hard. Think inside the box Sony.

[Fede @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

At least the Xplod guys aren't so close-minded as the Walkman guys, accepting WMA playback. Well, yeah, no DRM'd WMAs, but they're not alone on that one.
I have to say I like the design as well, moving away from the oh-so-common and ever-present silver I'm runing tired of...
Drag n' drop 1GB faceplate doesn't seem such a bad idea, after all, burning CD-Rs is not as simple/convenient as that!

[Jeramy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

uh, yeah. please don't ever buy this. xplod products are horrible. but i really don't see the practicality of this. i have an mp3 cd player head unit and it works great for my frugal budget. cds hold around 200 songs and cost fractions of a dollar.

[Matthew Price @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Actually, Sony's 1 GB re-writeable Minidiscs (cost - $6) are perfect for the car, especially now that they support both MP3 and ATRAC. But of course, that will never happen.