controlling music with clip and not with stereo controls

[c5vette168]

Hi. I just bought a 4gb Clip+ and I am connecting it to a JVC Arsenal KD-A615. I am able to connect via USB. I would like to control the music via the Clip and not with the stereo's controls, since controlling it through the stereo is a pain in the ass. Of course, when I am plugged in via aux cable, I can do this. Any help is greatly appreciated!

[saratoga]

Use the headphone jack.

[c5vette168]

Originally Posted by saratoga

Use the headphone jack.

When I use the headphone jack (aux) it just doesn't sound as good as when I am using the usb port.

[Adub]

Originally Posted by c5vette168

When I use the headphone jack (aux) it just doesn't sound as good as when I am using the usb port.

There is no difference in the sound with the clip using usb or the headphone jack.

[FreeZ5]

With the headphone jack, it is best to crank up the player volume to full (or nearly so), and control what you hear with the stereo.

I suspect that from the USB, the player's volume is unimportant. At least, it seems that way when I play a player thru my laptops.

Steve

[jsmaye]

I didn't realize that the sound was also output via the USB port. It's not anywhere in the manual I can find.

[Adub]

The OP stated he is using it the clip through the USB on his car deck, which converts control of the player in every way to the deck itself instead of the player.

[jsmaye]

I understand that connecting the Clip+ to an external device allows that device to access the Clip's contents, like a PC/Mac, but does the USB connection allow the device to "control" the Clip+? How? What control does it allow? Playback, volume, eq, etc.?

[Adub]

Not sure how, but when you connect the clip or any mp3 player to what I'm gonna call usb-aux like a device that is not a computer that has a usb connection meant for mp3 players that device gains control of the mp3 player and uses it's internal UI to control the player's functions.

I'm sure searching google will give you more in depth information as to the why and how if you feel so inclined to research.

[FreeZ5]

Originally Posted by jsmaye

I didn't realize that the sound was also output via the USB port. It's not anywhere in the manual I can find.

Well the manual isn't exactly all encompassing. When I plug my players into the USB port on my computer, the computer can play the music. Actually this is how I make playlists.

So it makes sense to me that a device like a stereo could perform the same function. Unfortunately my stereos are old (newest from 1993) and have no USB plug.

Steve

[thomf]

Originally Posted by jsmaye

I understand that connecting the Clip+ to an external device allows that device to access the Clip's contents, like a PC/Mac, but does the USB connection allow the device to "control" the Clip+? How? What control does it allow? Playback, volume, eq, etc.?

I doubt it actually controls the clip, just the contents. It probably just sees it as a usb drive with music on it.

That's my guess, although I'm not too educated in this area...

[Adub]

Originally Posted by thomf

It probably just sees it as a usb drive with music on it.

Yep you are correct.

You can use usb drive in most of those types of devices as well.

[c5vette168]

Thanks for all the info. My stereo treats the clip like a usb drive as stated above. With an ipod, my car stereo will give me the option to control via head unit or ipod. I'm just used to navigating through the Clip or ipod. Navigating with the car stereo is a pain. At least I have the option of using the aux port and turning the volume up all the way on the clip, which will allow me to control through the Clip. Good thing the battery life is decent.

[jsmaye]

My stereo treats the clip like a usb drive as stated above.

When I use the headphone jack (aux) it just doesn't sound as good as when I am using the usb port.

If the first statement is true, how is the second statement even applicable?

[c5vette168]

Originally Posted by jsmaye

If the first statement is true, how is the second statement even applicable?

When it's plugged into the usb port on my car stereo, the Clip is recognized as a usb thumb drive so I have to control everything through the stereo.

When it is plugged into the aux port, the volume levels are lower, so I need to increase the volume on the Clip. But, when it is plugged in the aux port, I control the music selection through the Clip.

To me, plugging into the aux doesn't sound as good as plugging into the usb port, probably because the volume level is lower. Someone mentioned that there should not be a difference in quality. IDK.

[jsmaye]

My guess - if the Clip+ is an external file storage device to the player, then the player is decoding the files resident on the Clip+ and therefore responsible for the sound quality. When the Clip+ is plugged into the Aux port of the player, the Clip+ is decoding its files and responsible for the quality. It's no real surprise that two different devices would have two different levels of quality and/or volume.