Audi/Volkswagen Offer Digital Audio From PhatNoise

By Staff On May 19 2003 - 6:00am

PhatNoise announced that Audi and Volkswagen will offer its hard-drive-based audio system as a dealer option at 850 car dealers beginning this month.

PhatNoise markets a 20GB hard drive that works with almost any car audio head unit with CD changer controls. The system will be available as an option, called the PhatBox, for new Audi and Volkswagen cars at $795. It will also be available as an upgrade for most current Audi and Volkswagen models.

In an unusual alignment between the car companies and a record label, EMI Recorded Music said it will pre-record tracks from its major artists on PhatBoxes. The PhatBox can store up to 500 CDs. Users can control the player, which mounts in the trunk, through their car radios.