Help- Understanding RDS

fotovue · 03-31-2003, 08:55 PM

I'd like some help with the factory radio's RDS system- Is there anyone who knows how to make the radio display text that I want it to display? I know the radio stations are broadcasting the RDS signal and message, but I just need to know how to program or hack into my radio to get it to say something specific for a video i'm doing...

Is it possible to do? Or do I need to bribe a techie at my local NPR station to broadcast what I want? I would rather hack the radio myself if I can- Perhaps someone knows how the signal is originated? could I wire something together to send RDS using my CD changers remote FM broadcast?

Please help.

Thanks.

fotovue · 03-31-2003, 09:05 PM

I suppose if it were an easy or inexpensive project you'd see the wireless cd changers that could display track info...

OhioVueBoy · 04-01-2003, 01:04 AM

Hmm, I don't know.. but Saturns don't have RDS though.
~D.J.~

fotovue · 04-01-2003, 01:19 AM

Strange- I could have sworn the one I was looking at did...

It's a generic project- it doesn't have to be a saturn (it would be better if it was). I just need a shot of a radio closeup scrolling the message I want it to say-

I guess no RDS in saturns explains why no one answered my question though. I haven't bought a saturn yet. I'm getting a Vue, but i'm holding my breath for the '04. My chevy truck has RDS in it, and it seems like every GM vehicle has RDS. I assumed saturns would as well. I suppose it's just as well, I haven't seen too much use for RDS here- only one station has it, and they're time and date is always wrong-

It would be nice if a station had it updating every few seconds, displaying the song title and artist for every song- that's one of the claims for RDS, but I haven't seen or heard of it happening.

Oh well, thanks for your time.

~nick

grinnen30 · 04-01-2003, 01:46 AM

My understanding is that the RDS decoder is hardware within the radio (found one exception on the net...but I wouldn't put it in my car)...It looks like there might be some instructions on this site http://www.qsl.net/wa5iyx/rds.htm for converting a reciever to RDS...but I am weary of it.

Looks a little confusing, but not impossible...my recommendation is that if you are not a EE or have extensive knowledge of component level electronics, you probably would need to get a radio with RDS capability already built in.

Either way, enjoy and let us know what you find.

fotovue · 04-01-2003, 01:58 AM

Thanks for the link! that is helpful- confusing but helpful.

OhioVueBoy · 04-01-2003, 11:32 AM

A lot of the reason Saturns don't have RDS yet is that they haven't jumped on the Delphi/Bose/Monsoon bandwagon yet and still use Panasonic headunits and proprietary speaker setups.
~D.J.~

03-31-2003, 08:55 PM	#1
fotovue Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 1,274 fotovue's Photos 2007 VUE Red Line	Help- Understanding RDS I'd like some help with the factory radio's RDS system- Is there anyone who knows how to make the radio display text that I want it to display? I know the radio stations are broadcasting the RDS signal and message, but I just need to know how to program or hack into my radio to get it to say something specific for a video i'm doing... Is it possible to do? Or do I need to bribe a techie at my local NPR station to broadcast what I want? I would rather hack the radio myself if I can- Perhaps someone knows how the signal is originated? could I wire something together to send RDS using my CD changers remote FM broadcast? Please help. Thanks.

03-31-2003, 09:05 PM	#2
fotovue Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 1,274 fotovue's Photos 2007 VUE Red Line	I suppose if it were an easy or inexpensive project you'd see the wireless cd changers that could display track info... ... 2004 RL VUE AWD Black R.I.P. 07/01/06 65k The 1st sold, 49th built 2007 RL VUE FWD Black Born 01/26/07 100k mods: 4 wheel disc brakes, window tint, spoiler, blues and twos

04-01-2003, 01:04 AM	#3
OhioVueBoy Master Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: N. Bethesda, Maryland (DC) (Dayton Ohio Native) Posts: 9,295 OhioVueBoy's Photos 2002 VUE 2.2L	Hmm, I don't know.. but Saturns don't have RDS though. ~D.J.~ ... 2012 Mercedes Benz C250 Sport Sedan 2008 smart fortwo Passion Coupe 8/28/2008 - 3/12/2012 2002 VUE FWD4m - Gone but not forgotten. 5/14/2002 - 10/31/2011

04-01-2003, 01:19 AM	#4
fotovue Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 1,274 fotovue's Photos 2007 VUE Red Line	Strange- I could have sworn the one I was looking at did... It's a generic project- it doesn't have to be a saturn (it would be better if it was). I just need a shot of a radio closeup scrolling the message I want it to say- I guess no RDS in saturns explains why no one answered my question though. I haven't bought a saturn yet. I'm getting a Vue, but i'm holding my breath for the '04. My chevy truck has RDS in it, and it seems like every GM vehicle has RDS. I assumed saturns would as well. I suppose it's just as well, I haven't seen too much use for RDS here- only one station has it, and they're time and date is always wrong- It would be nice if a station had it updating every few seconds, displaying the song title and artist for every song- that's one of the claims for RDS, but I haven't seen or heard of it happening. Oh well, thanks for your time. ~nick ... 2004 RL VUE AWD Black R.I.P. 07/01/06 65k The 1st sold, 49th built 2007 RL VUE FWD Black Born 01/26/07 100k mods: 4 wheel disc brakes, window tint, spoiler, blues and twos

04-01-2003, 01:58 AM	#6
fotovue Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 1,274 fotovue's Photos 2007 VUE Red Line	Thanks for the link! that is helpful- confusing but helpful. ... 2004 RL VUE AWD Black R.I.P. 07/01/06 65k The 1st sold, 49th built 2007 RL VUE FWD Black Born 01/26/07 100k mods: 4 wheel disc brakes, window tint, spoiler, blues and twos

04-01-2003, 01:46 AM	#5
grinnen30 Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Stafford VA Posts: 133 grinnen30's Photos	My understanding is that the RDS decoder is hardware within the radio (found one exception on the net...but I wouldn't put it in my car)...It looks like there might be some instructions on this site http://www.qsl.net/wa5iyx/rds.htm for converting a reciever to RDS...but I am weary of it. Looks a little confusing, but not impossible...my recommendation is that if you are not a EE or have extensive knowledge of component level electronics, you probably would need to get a radio with RDS capability already built in. Either way, enjoy and let us know what you find.

04-01-2003, 11:32 AM	#7
OhioVueBoy Master Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: N. Bethesda, Maryland (DC) (Dayton Ohio Native) Posts: 9,295 OhioVueBoy's Photos 2002 VUE 2.2L	A lot of the reason Saturns don't have RDS yet is that they haven't jumped on the Delphi/Bose/Monsoon bandwagon yet and still use Panasonic headunits and proprietary speaker setups. ~D.J.~ ... 2012 Mercedes Benz C250 Sport Sedan 2008 smart fortwo Passion Coupe 8/28/2008 - 3/12/2012 2002 VUE FWD4m - Gone but not forgotten. 5/14/2002 - 10/31/2011

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