[brocken]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Dude, better to stay quiet and have people think you are an idiot, than to use your keyboard and remove all doubt. No one has any idea what you're talking about.

I could be as juvenile as you and make inane quotes I pulled from the web. "Opinions are like assholes- everybody has one, but I don't want to hear about yours".
I was refraining from reading this thread because of rude posters but I got really bored today and decided to look in. I have to ask, where the heck are you coming from? I wasn't even talking to you and you call me an idiot.
I guess the attitude isn't a regional thing only.
If you don't know what I'm talking about then just ignore my post, easy enough. No need to throw in your rude opinion. Be very careful when calling someone an idiot, especially if you know nothing about them.

Anyway, back on track. It sounds like no matter which BMW option you get for the iPod or other mass storage device, the control via our head units is what's lacking. Besides the ridiculous cost associated with the parts and install.
If it wasn't so firmly integrated in the car I would have taken the HU(Head unit, just in case not everybody knows the acronym) out and installed the Pioneer deck I had in my last car. The ipod interface with that system was great. It had a dial on it that functioned almost as well as the ipod click wheel and it allowed you to dial down, i.e. artist then album then track, instead of the flat setup BMW is favoring.
Until they get that part of it corrected, I personally won't be buying any adapters.
I'd rather leave my ipod in the arm rest console hooked up via line out.
The only negative is openening the console to change tracks/pause but I've thought about getting a little remote for that.

[gjdavies]

Originally Posted by brocken

Anyway, back on track. It sounds like no matter which BMW option you get for the iPod or other mass storage device, the control via our head units is what's lacking. Besides the ridiculous cost associated with the parts and install.

Haven't you figured out yet that this is exactly what the interface gives you? Full control via head unit/idrive to scroll through playlists/songs/albums/artists.

As for the cost, well, the phrase 'You have to pay to play' springs to mind.

[LEDZEP]

[quote=gjdavies;699581]Haven't you figured out yet that this is exactly what the interface gives you? quote]

Obviously not.

[brocken]

Originally Posted by gjdavies

Haven't you figured out yet that this is exactly what the interface gives you? Full control via head unit/idrive to scroll through playlists/songs/albums/artists.

As for the cost, well, the phrase 'You have to pay to play' springs to mind.

That's the thing, the ipod adapter doesn't sound like "full" control to me. I realize that you have basic selection through the head unit like album/artist/playlist, but from reviews it sounds like it's a "flat" system. Meaning that if you select artist you can only listen to all songs by that artist instead of being able to select a specific album or song by that artist.
Example: on my ipod it's faster for me to select Artist-Audioslave then Album-Revelations than it is to scroll through all my albums to find that specific one.
It's not a huge issue but to me it makes the BMW ipod adapter even less value for the money. I'm all for paying for what I get but I don't overpay for things either.

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Obviously not.

Did it take you a long time to come up with that reply? Why bother posting if you're going to waste space like that. To save space when viewing threads I guess I'll have to put LEDZEP on my ignore list.

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by brocken

Did it take you a long time to come up with that reply? Why bother posting if you're going to waste space like that. To save space when viewing threads I guess I'll have to put LEDZEP on my ignore list.

Yes, by all means please put me on your ignore list. You're an annoying ass. I'm sure you have genuine interest and curiosity about the 6FL option, but you do not express yourself very well. You are continuously asking the same questions after other members have answered them, and you don't seem to pay any attention to the responses. You also don't seem to "get it" that no one has this system yet and BMW has released very little information about it.

My reply, incidentally, was to another poster and not to you. If you want to argue and bicker back and forth, I'm all for it but I'd rather see this thread stay on topic. You should also know that you'd be bringing a knife to a gun fight.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by jmonier

I believe that the dealer installed interface (and the 6FL iPod/USB) uses the line out analog audio available at the dock connector. This is perfectly good quality.

Your belief is correct. There simply IS no digital sound output from the iPod; it's all analog.

[LEDZEP]

I find the current output quality to be quite satisfactory, now that I am not using the headphone output! The volume is much lower compared to other sources, and it would be nice if they fixed that, but it might also just be the behavior of iPod.

Thanks again Jonathan!!

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

I find the current output quality to be quite satisfactory, now that I am not using the headphone output! The volume is much lower compared to other sources, and it would be nice if they fixed that, but it might also just be the behavior of iPod.

Thanks again Jonathan!!

The volume is lower by design. It´s line out, not amplified headset volume out.

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by JSpira

The volume is lower by design. It´s line out, not amplified headset volume out.

When I grow up I want to be smart like you! Oh, who am I kidding. I'll never grow up.

[LEDZEP]

Attached is the latest official bulletin on this option from BMW. I also have the bulletin for HD Radio, which I'll post in another thread.

[funkahdafi]

Originally Posted by brocken

I just noticed both offenders are from Europe...maybe the attitude is a regional thing...

Well now it is you who is ahowing an attitude!

[LEDZEP]

A better look at what the 6FL will look like in the center console:

[SCA]

Very nice! I was acutally just getting ready to post a link re: info.

[LEDZEP]

The other nice thing about this, is that it will leave the power outlet available for phone charging, etc!

[3Wagon]

So, other than maybe an i-drive software update and some possibly complex wiring, why couldn't this be retrofit on only e9x's?

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by 3Wagon

So, other than maybe an i-drive software update and some possibly complex wiring, why couldn't this be retrofit on only e9x's?

Well, I don't know the schematic details of it, but I'll make a guess:

1. Wiring the USB into the center armrest compartment would require removing the center console and possibly portions of the dash.

2. A change might be required to the size of the opening in the console (or not).

3. A new chipset or board is likely to be required in the audio head unit to accomdate the input of the iPod without using the CD changer.

Of course, anything could be a retrofit. You could turn your 325iT into a 325xiT if you wanted to... it would just be really really difficult.

[STE92VE]

Here's a question for the sages: Looking at the new module in the center console,
is it possible that all E9x will be produced with this for better flow in manufacturing and what you're really paying for as the 6FL option will be the interface cable? To answer my own question, probably not. If that was the case, you could just use your own USB interface that came with the Ipod and a patch cable for the audio. The real qustion should be, why did they design the BMW interface that requires a separate connection for the audio?
Inquiring minds are a terrible thing to waste.

[LEDZEP]

You're probably right Steve, I'm sure if you don't order 6FL you will only have the 1/8" AUX input. I think the real 'meat' of the option is the chipset in the audio and iDrive systems to allow the integration and control.

Notice the option verbiage does not say "iPod". This is a Euro brochure. I'll bet the U.S. brochure will say "iPod".

[rmorin49]

I'm new to this digital media stuff but did order the iPod/USB adapter on my E93. I am researching the various digital media players and understand that Microsoft is selling a unit called the "Zune". What are the pros and cons of this unit vs. the iPod as it relates to using them with the 6FL option in a BMW? Thanks.

[Bimmerforlife]

Does anyone know if you order the factory installed iPod intregration option can you also have your local dealer install a 6 disc CD changer in the trunk, can you have both with the Nav/iDrive?

[LEDZEP]

Yes, yes, and yes. One of the advantages of the factory installed iPod system is that it does not use the CD changer selection. You can have both.

[STE92VE]

Originally Posted by rmorin49

I'm new to this digital media stuff but did order the iPod/USB adapter on my E93. I am researching the various digital media players and understand that Microsoft is selling a unit called the "Zune". What are the pros and cons of this unit vs. the iPod as it relates to using them with the 6FL option in a BMW? Thanks.

Check this out:
Announcement: Compatible Apple iPod Devices and MP3Player
With the new option „USB-Audio-Interface“ (option 6FL) the following mp3
players can be connected to the vehicle and operated via the control
elements in the vehicle from March 07:
• Apple: iPod devices of the 4th (with Click Wheel) and 5th generation (iPod
Video), as well as iPod devices with colour display (including iPod
photo).
• Apple: iPod nano of the 1st und 2nd generation.
• Apple: iPod mini of the 1st und 2nd generation
• Creative: Nomad MuVo TX SE.
• Maxfield: G-Flash.
• Philips: SA177.
• Teac: MP-500-1G-BT.
• TrekStor: i.Beat organix and i.Beat vision.
For further information please refer to the upcoming release of the Product
Information USB that is expected to be provided in the Marketing Portal in
January 2007.