Ford to scrap CD players

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

On BBC News 24 yesterday evening, there was a smug, hardly-out-of-school representative of Ford extolling his company's "cutting edge" decision to replace car CD players with mp3 connections. Personally I've never heard such misguided garbage. Most manufacturers already supply cars with mp3 connections alongside CD players, so Ford's aren't-we-clever advertising ploy could well backfire.

It all smacks of Curry's/Dixon's decision not to sell floppy discs any more (and they backtracked on that) and EMI's discontinuation of mono LPs to bully teh public into buying compatible cartridges to save them money.

One good reason for not buying a Ford car.

[Mr Pee]

Another being that they make the most dull and boring cars imagineable.

It seems a rather stupid idea. This will be hard for the trendy Ford marketing twonks to believe, I'm sure, but there are still a large proportion of the populace (myself included) who don't own an MP3 player. Surely they are at least going to offer a CD player as an option on new cars?

[Three]

I can see their reasoning, but as the top end manufacturers still put cd players in their cars, I can't see why Ford think they should take them out.

Yes, downloads are increasing, but most people (me included) like to buy a cd and then we may put it on our MP3 player.

As someone who is discovering classical music, cds are invaluable to me because of the notes you get with them. You get nothing with a download except the music.

[PJPJ]

As someone who is discovering classical music, cds are invaluable to me because of the notes you get with them. You get nothing with a download except the music.

True, for cheap downloads, as it is for cheap CDs.

However, full booklets, identical to the printed ones which come with CDs, are available with downloads from Chandos, Hyperion, DG and many others.

http://www.theclassicalshop.net/Details.aspx?CatalogueNumber=CHAN%2010426S

http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc...CDA67794&vw=dc ("View sleevenotes, artwork" in left hand menu)

and so on....

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I can see their reasoning, but as the top end manufacturers still put cd players in their cars, I can't see why Ford think they should take them out.

It could be a publicity stunt, like the demise of the tiger by Esso. On the other hand, it may really be that Ford is populated entirely by embryonic beings like the one on BBC News 24.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Personally, I object to paying for a remote machine, somewhere else in the world, to rearrange the metal particles on the hard disc I already own, and to give me absolutely nothing.
And as for the virtual sleeve-notes, you either have to print them out and find somewhere to store them, or to glue yourself to an electronic device, yet again.

[John Wright]

to replace car CD players with mp3 connections.

I read that they were replacing CD with a 'Cloud' internet facility.

I haven't googled what that is yet.

[BBMmk2]

I read that they were replacing CD with a 'Cloud' internet facility.

I haven't googled what that is yet.

Never heard of that before, 'Cloud Internet'!!

[barber olly]

Personally, I object to paying for a remote machine, somewhere else in the world, to rearrange the metal particles on the hard disc I already own, and to give me absolutely nothing.
And as for the virtual sleeve-notes, you either have to print them out and find somewhere to store them, or to glue yourself to an electronic device, yet again.

It seems we agree on Norrington v Barbirolli as well as downloads. I only buy downloads if they are very cheap and then immediately burn them to disc. Also in-car I use my CD player to play WMA discs with more choice and hours of play for any journey on one disc. I probably wouldn't buy a Ford but I can see other manufacturers following suit. This is fine but MP3 connections seem to support either an MP3 player or a memory stick but usually not both!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

It seems we agree on Norrington v Barbirolli

Not much of contest there.

...as well as downloads. I only buy downloads if they are very cheap and then immediately burn them to disc. Also in-car I use my CD player to play WMA discs with more choice and hours of play for any journey on one disc. I probably wouldn't buy a Ford but I can see other manufacturers following suit. This is fine but MP3 connections seem to support either an MP3 player or a memory stick but usually not both!

My new VW Golf seems to have it all - CD player, mp3 and USB connections. So if Ford do otherwise, they are short-changing the customers under a mask of being "cutting edge" (i.e. bullying and mean).

[Mahlerei]

I must be in a minority, as I've never enjoyed listening to music in a car. Even with a decent sound system it doesn't work for me; the road and other noises are just too intrusive.

The 'cloud' - isn't that where you can store all your music and draw it down from anywhere in the world using an iPhone or other device? If that's the case then having one in a car makes good sense (assuming you listen to music in your car, that is).

[Mr Pee]

I must be in a minority, as I've never enjoyed listening to music in a car. Even with a decent sound system it never works for me, the road and other noises are just too intrusive.

Not a problem I have in my car. Here's a picture of it with my new Chauffeur:-

http://www.auto-types.com/images/_autonews/Rolls_Royce_Phantom_1_163982515.jpg

[BBMmk2]

We bought an 'M' registered Vauxhall Tigre the other day and it had one of those cassette player and an 8-cd interchange to!! So we has to buyan ipod adapter to go into it!!!

[Roehre]

I must be in a minority, as I've never enjoyed listening to music in a car. Even with a decent sound system it doesn't work for me; the road and other noises are just too intrusive.

Well Mahlerei, that makes two of us

[BBMmk2]

I just have to have music on, except maybe for short journeys(not worth it!!)