Comments on: PhatBox Digital Music System… Is it worth it?

By: Elisa

Elisa — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 17:13:37 +0000

I recently purchased a 2001 VW Jetta which came equiped with the Phatbox DMS. However, since I bought it used, it did not include the docing craddle or the DMS cartridge. I was able to download the software from the Phatbox website. Unfortunately, however, they have discontinued the Phatnoise product so finding the items I need is proving rather difficult. I did a search on ebay for the missing items, but everyone seems to be selling either the Phatnose Unit (which I already have) or the complete system, which increases the price to more than I can really afford to spend. Does anyone have a cartridge and docking craddle to sell or donate out of the goodness of their heart :)? It would be so nice to listen to music from my collection instead of the crap on the radio. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Elisa email: elisaharrison@msn.com

By: Don

Don — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:27:04 +0000

I have two VW’s and a phatbox in each. (both 20gig dms) I am a little stressed at reading these problems, but on the bright side, I have yet to experience any problems with my phatbox(s). If anybody has a reasonably priced 40gig or higher dms, let me know. It’s nice to have another dms to “play with” and still have great tunes in the car(s)

By: Timmau

Timmau — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 02:36:23 +0000

Greetings! You might want to try the Phat Noise website:

http://www.phatnoise.com/downloads/index.aspx

If they don’t have what you need there, I would suggest perusing eBay for the software you’re looking for.

Good luck!!!

By: Vw 2000 jetta

Vw 2000 jetta — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 00:47:25 +0000

Hi everyone I just bought a phatbox but unfortunatley I don’t have the media manager software to load my dms could does anyone know where I could find a copy or download ling thanks

By: Dps50

Dps50 — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 15:25:29 +0000

I bought mine about 4yrs ago, as soon as the price hit 120 bucks. I had a problem with the conenctor snapping into the CD connector on the jetta. I had to ziptie the two together to form a tight connection. Otherwise not all 4 speakers would fire. Next issue, it says No Magazine now and then. My fix is to turn the power off on the radio, turn back on, switch to CD, hit fast forward a few times.

For some reason when it says no magazine and then switches back to radio automatically, the song is still playing. I can hear it when I try to switch to CD again. I hear the song for a split second, then No Magazine.

Doing the song and dance with the power button and fast forward button seems to work. Frustrating, but works.

By: Bryan Steinnagel

Bryan Steinnagel — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 23:17:06 +0000

Well, it didn’t take long, and someone snapped up my Phatbox. And yet, great device that it is, people are still asking about it. So I thought I’d just re-post to let the interested know that it’s been sold. I still miss it, though. Ipod integration into the Toyota is okay, but nothing beats those voice prompts and intelligent sorting methods. Best of luck to those still seeking.

By: Bryan Steinnagel

Bryan Steinnagel — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 16:26:26 +0000

I thought my Phatbox was one of the greatest things about my VW. Certainly my tunes were always more reliable than the car in which I enjoyed them. So I sold the car and kept the phatbox, hoping I could install it in my new vehicle. I can’t. So I have a 20gb phatbox for sale. I didn’t use the mounting kit, so I can’t provide that, but a little ingenuity should solve that problem in a fair hurry. Interested audiophiles should contact me at steinnagel@sympatico.ca and we can sort out a fair price.

By: Warren McNeill

Warren McNeill — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 21:10:58 +0000

I have had mine installed for 3 months and have not had the isuues with it becoming unmounted. The issues that I have had to deal with was a 1(1)self created issue when I first installed the unit and started trasfereing my cd’s to the music manager. If you have any issues with the cd drive you will get a lot of corrupts tracks some will play well others will others will play well in spots and the n slow within the same track. (2) the voice function has not worked yet to announce album names or track names.

By: Timmau

Timmau — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 22:04:08 +0000

I did a firmware update, and that seemed to help a bit. I dont have to do the unplug/plug trick quite as often… You can find the documentation on the phat noise website.

By: BARRY

BARRY — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 21:46:43 +0000

I LOVE THE PHATBOX BUT I HAVE TO GO TO THE BACK OF THE CAR EVERY SECOND DAY TO DISCONNECT AND RECONNECT IT TO GET IT TO WORK. IF ANYONE HAS SORTED THIS PROBLEM YOU MIGHT LET ME KNOW.
THANKS.

By: Mrad

Mrad — Mon, 08 May 2006 13:09:04 +0000

Bad scene mang. I love the concept, but I’m glad I held off on one.