I am so pissed right now....
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
I am so pissed right now....
I just finished spending more than enough time to track down the details on Alpine's forthcoming HD Radio receiver module.
After finally checking Crutchfields, I find that the receiver only works on 2006 and up AI-Net head units.
That's
I have a 3 year old Alpine 7998... that I spent 740 bones on and I feel so much like a tool I can't stand it.
I am calling those people tomorrow and confirm this... cause if this is true, I have bought my last Alpine head unit.
I spend the extra on them knowing that the AI-Net would leave me with an element of future upgradability... this is crap.
and I am not happy.
After finally checking Crutchfields, I find that the receiver only works on 2006 and up AI-Net head units.
That's
I have a 3 year old Alpine 7998... that I spent 740 bones on and I feel so much like a tool I can't stand it.
I am calling those people tomorrow and confirm this... cause if this is true, I have bought my last Alpine head unit.
I spend the extra on them knowing that the AI-Net would leave me with an element of future upgradability... this is crap.
and I am not happy.
Uber Waxer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 8,651
Likes: 5
From: Hanover MD
Cruise-In 8-9-10-11 Veteran
CI 9, 10 & 11 Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '08-'10
i used to an alpine fan until i had the 9820 in my last car and had all kinds of problems out of it. alpine knew about the issues because there was alot of talk about that same issues all over the web. but instead of swapping out my head unit at the store, they made me send it back and send me a new one once they "looked it over". so needless to say i was without tunes for almost a month.
f alpine from now on!
f alpine from now on!
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From: VA
Ai Net
I feel your pain...........try this website. There is a lot of stuff that might solve your dilemma, or shoot them a e-mail, and see what they recommend. Crutchfield is ok, but overpriced as hell, and the people at DCS seem to know their stuff. Good luck
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
First, I have ZERO intentions of buying from Crutchfield! They do have a easy to use website, tho.
As for my 7998... it's screwed. I talked to a tech support person today. Apparently, HD Radio is "all new" and required an "all new protocol" that didn't exist until this year.
It strikes me as if AI-Net should have been designed to be a little more openended, don't you know?
Also, why must the protocol be all that unique? I mean, it is a new technology, sure, but it's still a radio. Much like XM is all new, but it's still a radio signal. I don't see how the AI-Net has to be so revamped to support this. Signal into the receiver module, digital signal out to the head unit. What is so hard about that?
I think I have bought my last Alpine.
Infact, I am sure I have bought my last Alpine. Screw me for 740 bucks once, that's all it takes.
As for my 7998... it's screwed. I talked to a tech support person today. Apparently, HD Radio is "all new" and required an "all new protocol" that didn't exist until this year.
It strikes me as if AI-Net should have been designed to be a little more openended, don't you know?
Also, why must the protocol be all that unique? I mean, it is a new technology, sure, but it's still a radio. Much like XM is all new, but it's still a radio signal. I don't see how the AI-Net has to be so revamped to support this. Signal into the receiver module, digital signal out to the head unit. What is so hard about that?
I think I have bought my last Alpine.
Infact, I am sure I have bought my last Alpine. Screw me for 740 bucks once, that's all it takes.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis MO
I feel your pain. One of the reasons I bought a 9813 was because of the AI-Net and of course just a few months later they come out with the iPod stuff that requires AI-NET in addition to a model year that is one year newer than mine. Bastages!! 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,394
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area CA
Sorry to hear man 
In a business that changes "models" every single year they purposely do not make "new" features compatible to the old stuff to force you to replace older units. It is part of the core of their business model I am sure for their HU line.
Hope you find a cheap and easy solution. The 7998 is a great deck though regardless of whether or not it has the latest and greatest
Fej
In a business that changes "models" every single year they purposely do not make "new" features compatible to the old stuff to force you to replace older units. It is part of the core of their business model I am sure for their HU line.
Hope you find a cheap and easy solution. The 7998 is a great deck though regardless of whether or not it has the latest and greatest
Fej
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,201
Likes: 0
From: DP(oh you know where) IL
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by fej
Sorry to hear man
In a business that changes "models" every single year they purposely do not make "new" features compatible to the old stuff to force you to replace older units. It is part of the core of their business model I am sure for their HU line.
Hope you find a cheap and easy solution. The 7998 is a great deck though regardless of whether or not it has the latest and greatest
Fej
In a business that changes "models" every single year they purposely do not make "new" features compatible to the old stuff to force you to replace older units. It is part of the core of their business model I am sure for their HU line.
Hope you find a cheap and easy solution. The 7998 is a great deck though regardless of whether or not it has the latest and greatest
Fej
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
I had a problem with an Alpine too once. Purchased at Circuit City with protection coverage. I had to send it back 3 times. I love how they think that TODAYS electornics can be fixed or repaired. It is such a laugh.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,985
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Originally Posted by Drav1212
I have a 5 year old computer that I spent $1,500.00 on.
Basically, what Bogus said is true...electronics suck when it comes to upgradablitity (is that a word?) and they decrease in value fast. What's worse, the return on investment on install fees. For those who spend big $ on upgrades (whether audio or performance) will receive pennies on the dollar.
I have a car that has over $100,000 invested in it and I'll be lucky to get $10,000 for it
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by knewblewkorvette
Me too...now you can get a better computer for half that
Basically, what Bogus said is true...electronics suck when it comes to upgradablitity (is that a word?) and they decrease in value fast. What's worse, the return on investment on install fees. For those who spend big $ on upgrades (whether audio or performance) will receive pennies on the dollar.
I have a car that has over $100,000 invested in it and I'll be lucky to get $10,000 for it
Basically, what Bogus said is true...electronics suck when it comes to upgradablitity (is that a word?) and they decrease in value fast. What's worse, the return on investment on install fees. For those who spend big $ on upgrades (whether audio or performance) will receive pennies on the dollar.
I have a car that has over $100,000 invested in it and I'll be lucky to get $10,000 for it
And a 5 year old computer has functionality, right up until you run into the desire to add a feature it won't support. Alpines AI-Net was fine for like 10+ years. Then XM came in, and that make the original AI-Net obsolete... now they have made every head unit from 2005 and back out dated. If I had just bought a 2005 head unit, I would have been livid. So much so, I woulda taken it back.
It reminds me of a honda I bought... 1991, Accord LX. I bought that because the difference between the LX and EX was 10hp, some wheels and a sunroof. I could do without.
Well... in 1992, the EX was upgraded with airbags and ABS... crap. missed that one. Then comes the Prelude Si, 1992, Airbags and ABS, great! 1993, R134... crap... missed that one, too.
I was like 1 year behind all the major changes.... it was really getting old. then I got the 94 Prelude VTEC, and that rocked! I got the 134, the sunroof, and the new upgrades to the VTEC - leather and a wing with CHMSL.... It's all good, I guess.
I am seriously thinking Eclipse for my next head... or stick with Alpine... I donno... But I just ain't happy with this rapid, and rather thoughtless upgrade. I can't believe they didn't know HD Radio wasn't coming and couldn't integrate it into the XM concept.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,394
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area CA
I have always been an Alpine or Pioneer guy, and I just installed my first Eclipse head unit. So far it has very nice functionality and great SQ and features (Eclipse is generally known for its SQ). I bought a brand new (but has not been made in 2 years) 8053 because of its 3 way active crossover, 10 band peq, and the burr brown DAC (I think it is 20bit might be 24). It is not as "pretty" as Alpine decks IMO but the features it has more than makes up for it.
Fej
Fej
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,752
Likes: 3
From: Bethlehem PA
Originally Posted by Metal Wulf
good stuff also plug-n-play if you own a toyota
also plug-n-play if you own a toyota 
I looked at the whole pre amp section of the Alpines and see they, like almost ALL other HU's are using 1 bit DAC's
Eclipse uses 24 bit DAC's and there is a HUGE difference in imaging, staging and clarity.
Once I dumped my Alpine and put in the Eclipse, I was amazed at the difference.
I considered a McIntosh HU, but they are so fugly its scary! Excellent internal though, and probably better than you'll find anywhere in the world for mobile audio.
Scott
Pro
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 695
Likes: 1
From: Edgewood WA
My 7998 keeps "parking" back out in the open lately. Goes in then comes back out when I turn off the car. Then it goes in and comes back out when I start the car back up.
Well, maybe that mount I sent will fit a newer HU.
Well, maybe that mount I sent will fit a newer HU.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
I was pretty pissed when i had to ditch my awesome 7998 for the craptacular 9855 to get ipod support. the 7998 HAD a search button, it just didnt work in this app.
This is also my last alpine.
I'm also going Eclipse next time.
This is also my last alpine.
I'm also going Eclipse next time.