[taninbim]

You can control your iPod using your wheel controls with the Dice module. It works for the most part, but it is finicky and glitchy at times.

 

[yellowgixxer]

Intravee. Is there another solution? Not as far as I'm concerned

YG

 

[mailman]

Here is many many topics of this kind of audio things here in M5b

Intravee. Is there another solution? Not as far as I'm concerned

Yep, I also think that Intravee + that Alpine thing is the best solution. But quite expensive too.. :cool2:

 

[SleeperE39]

Cheap way?
Dump the M-Audio DSP and put in aftermarket amps.
The CD changer will default to analog connection to the radio.
You can then wire in parrallel the left/right analog channels out to a 3.5mm plug that will go to your media player of choice.
You keep your 6 disc changer - replace 1 disc with an 80 minute blank audio that repeats.

This costs nothing.
I am using the USASpec Ipod adapter but couldn't use it due to the noise.
It is still in the system - but it merely is used to make the bus think that there is a CD changer still attached.

I wire the Analog headphone output of my IPOD directly to the radio using socket pins from a DB connector.
Not pretty - but it works great, and I get plenty of gain from the standard headphone output.

This method does require you to remove the DSP though.
If you keep the DSP you will have to buy a DSP compatable digital link.

My opinion? DSP is pretty crap - multichannel amps pretty cheap, and with the wiring all in the trunk - relatively straight forward to implement in a few hours.

 

[RichardP]

Surly the A/D converter required with digital DSP ($80 or so) is cheaper than any half decent multi channel amp? Then you could use your method to connect a proper line out to the A/D line in.

My vote would be the Intravee though, sure it's not cheap, but nether is an M5!

 

[Eight8toy]

Cheap? I use this, cost me $15 on eBay. Sounds surprisingly good.

 

[dan.]

i run a dice system that was in my regular sound system had 3 and 6 pin plugs so went straight in,now adding the dsp loom i have the thin digital connection so dont have the 6 pin plug anymore ,i just score the adaptor and about to plug it all in..
douglas put a connector on hos like that plugs into the radio module but i couldnt find one in the uk ..anyone know of one so i can add an aftermarket amp. 17 pin round connector

the dice can be tricky as it wont connect sometimes but i just about get on with it.

 

[D-RodM5]

Cheap? I use this, cost me $15 on eBay. Sounds surprisingly good.

I would love to know what this device is! How do you have it setup? Does it plug to the cigarette outlet? Anyone know? :confused2

 

[JDMM5]

I would love to know what this device is! How do you have it setup? Does it plug to the cigarette outlet? Anyone know? :confused2

I'm thinkin' you're looking at a genuine FM transmitter w/ Ipod riding piggyback. Could be wrong though. But if I'm right the intravee would trump this many times over.

 

[Cerberus]

Inexpensive IPOD adapter for DSP cars?

I am looking for a simple and inexpensive solution to connect my Ipod in place of the CD changer in the trunk.

I had a HD Dice in a previous e39 several years ago, but thought the interface was very slow. Have they improved? I also saw the OP mentioned memory sticks. How easy are these to incorporate into the system? I didn't see any replies about this method.

Any ideas?

 

[furry]

bumping because grom makes a usb/ipod/aux/bluetooth kit as well but you need to purchase the bluetooth mic and dsp adapter separately.

 

[bdsmitty88]

Here is a brain teaser. The previous owner installed an ipod cable that runs in place of the cd player. Is there anyway to convert this ipod connector to a micro usb (even 3.5mm), say for an android phone.

Which leads to my second question, can android phones stream audio through their micro usb connection?

thanks

 

[sproule905]

Here is what I have. I HAD an FM transmitter, but always found that it was finicky with the stations whenever I went outside of the town I was in.

http://www.usaspec.com/userfiles/editor/file/PA12BMWdsp_MANUAL_20100622.pdf

 

[Solo12]

For those of you who had your CD changer kiss good buy :byee55amg to the world, what have you installed? Ipod (with Dice) or some of the USB sticks adapter. I hear with the USB, you will have control of track and volume through your steering wheel controls, but not with the Dice.
And, yes I do have the DSP "thing" in my car's audio.
Let me hear what you have done :M5thumbs:

Steering wheel control work with dice too.

I am looking for a simple and inexpensive solution to connect my Ipod in place of the CD changer in the trunk.

I had a HD Dice in a previous e39 several years ago, but thought the interface was very slow. Have they improved? I also saw the OP mentioned memory sticks. How easy are these to incorporate into the system? I didn't see any replies about this method.

Any ideas?

I have been told the new system is much snappier than the one one, but I did no have the old system so I can not compare it.

More thorough review for those interested:

I went with the Dice Mediabridge and a spec.dock from BSW. I have enjoyed the setup for over 7months now and have not had too many problems (knock on wood). Once the system would not recognize my ipod and I unplugged the connector in the trunk waited a couple of minutes and then reconnected it. Other than that any other hiccup has been cured by turning the radio off and turning it back on. Initially I had some issues getting the album information to display on the radio rather than the cluster, but that was fixed by messing with the dip switches. So now I have the album info on the radio. IIRC the included dice instructions and instructions from online forums on how to change the location of the album artwork do no not apply to the mediabridge. You need to use the dip switches not the radio controls to change the display location.

I went with the media bridge because I liked that it had a usb connection to the ipod, the flexibility to plug in a usb flash drive or use an aux cable. To me the bluetooth streaming and bluetooth microphone were added bonuses. The ability to add satellite radio was of no interest to me, but at least I have the option to add it in the future. To me the big selling point was the usb ipod connection. I figured the usb connection would be more stable than the old serial port connector and have less potential for charging issues. BSW also said the usb connection makes for a much faster and responsive connection than the older style connection. Unless the pictures online are not accurate Dice silverline and Dice duo do not have usb connections media bridge is the only Dice that has usb.

Before the mediabridge came out I was deciding between the Dice silverline pro and USA Spec ipod interface. The usa spec units seemed to be getting good reviews, but I did not like how you were limited to 5 playlists (I think the number of songs in those playlists is unlimited). I was leaning towards the dice, but was concerned about negative reviews. They seemed to be centered around connection and charging issues. Although it is hard to tell if the complaints were limited to earlier dice versions or the sliverline pros too. In any case when they came out with the media bridge and I saw it had a USB ipod connection I went for it.

As far as use goes I have only used it with my ipod nano (3rd generation). IIRC when I first set it up I tried my ipod (5th generation) and iphone (3gs) just to test them and I think they both worked fine. I may have also tried a USB drive with some music connected to it but I don't recall. I have not used the Bluetooth streaming and I have yet to hook up and route the bluetooth microphone for hands free calling.

The steering wheel controls do work with the mediabridge. You can change songs or albums and also raise and lower the volume from the steering wheel or radio.

The system works with the ipod locked and unlocked. IIRC when the ipod is unlocked it does not display album information on the radio display. I have many times picked up my ipod (taken out of dock so its disconnected from dice) changed albums and songs then put the ipod back in the dock (reconnected) and it starts playing from the selections you just made. It does not seem to matter if the ipod is locked or unlocked you can disconnect and reconnect it either way.

Just for info this is my set up:
Media bridge (unit is under the front left console trim panel)
Trunk connection (snaked cord up to the front of the car on driver's side per bsw instructions)
Speck.dock ashtray mount for ipod (not necessary can use use the ipod to usb cord)
3rd generation ipod nano (wanted a shorter ipod to rule out interference with shifting)
I do not have DSP
I do not have Nav
My car is a 2003

fyi:
good source for longer and shorter ipod cords
CableJive: Adapters and Dock Cables for iPad, iPhone and iPod

 

[VacMan]

Search mediabridge here. There are lots of in depth reviews including mine. I haven't had a single issue with mine since I installed it.