I just got a new car and noticed it doesn't come with a CD player, but it does have a USB port. I'm wondering if I can use a portable CD player with it. Also, do CD players still skip, or is that an outdated concern with the latest technology? What features should I look for in a portable CD player to make sure it works well?
4 Answers
Using a portable CD player through a USB port isn't going to work because that's mostly for data devices like flash drives. If your car has a 3.5mm aux port, then you can connect a CD player there no problem! And yeah, skipping used to be a big deal, but most players made after 2000 have a buffer that reduces that risk. You might also want to check out newer CD players that have Bluetooth support or consider getting a Bluetooth adapter for your current device. Another option is to rip your CDs to MP3 files on your computer, put them on a flash drive, and use that with your car's USB port.
A 32 GB flash drive can hold about 40-50 CDs if you keep them uncompressed, and way more if you convert them to MP3!
If you’ve got Bluetooth in your car, a Bluetooth adapter can also be a fantastic solution for playing music without the hassle of cords or skips!
I remember the days when we used special cassette adapters to connect a portable CD player to the car's sound system. Those would definitely skip if you hit a bump, but on smooth roads, it should be alright. Still, using an aux connection is more reliable.
There's also a trend with those radio aux devices where you can plug it in and it transmits a station to your car's radio. It's a bit retro but can work well if you want to play CDs.
So if I rip my CDs, how many can fit on a standard flash drive?