[bmw_solid]

Hi All,

I have purchased a used BMW CD changer from eBay part number 65129196669-01 and I believe this is the 'last' BMW CD changer made for the E9x models according to realoem.com. Hopefully this is the most 'up-to-date' CD changer as I want to play MP3 discs and avoid any software level mismatches between the IDrive/CCC and the changer.

I have NCSExpert to do the coding and have the CD-Changer prep option in my car.

I have been searching a lot of other threads on here and other forums and have found a lot of information but need some clarification as my car has the following:

IDrive (CCC / Pre-LCI Professional system)
Bluetooth telephone
Standard speaker system (4 door speakers, 2 under seat subwoofers and NO tweeters)

From what I know, I have to do the following (after fitting changer and modifying the MOST wiring blocks:

1. Modify the .TRC file to make CDC aktiv
2. Then modify the the .TRC file to make RING_STATUS aktiv
3. Modify the VO to remove CD-prep code and add CD-Changer option code

My questions:

Is Step 2. needed for my car, given it has a working Bluetooth telephone system, therefore I am assuming the MOST system (RING_STATUS) is already set to aktiv?


Secondly, do I need to add 'kmp3' so that the changer will play MP3 discs? If so, where would I need to add this line? In the .TRC file or in the VO?


What is the correct order? Modify .TRC file first then VO or vice versa?


Also, I just want to confirm that I can update the VO using NCSExpert?


Lastly, is there anything that I am missing?


Thanks everyone.

[ctuna]

Normal part of the coding procedure is to go to the Work folder
modify the file copy the modified file to a man extension file.
Then you code the modified file to the module you are manipulating
using the coding profile not the factory profile .
This is different than VO coding .

If you VO code you change or add the options to the VO for both
FRM and CAS . The option you add to the VO then exists but
only in the FRM and CAS . You still have to default (VO code these
changes to the module or modules that are effected by the change)

IN the bimmergeeks download you get two profiles
Factory coding = rewrites the factory coding or the
changed VO code in the CAS and FRM to the module or modules you
select .
Man coding profile writes the changed file directly to the module
you have changed.(uisng the modified trc file that now has the man extension
you save it as)

If you are editing a TRC file you can do all the edits in one operation.
save a copy of the TRC file unedited and the .man file you create.

When you read your idrive files all the parameters will be displayed.

All these files relate to the CIC
CHOST
CAPPL
CGATE
CAUDI
CTUNE

which ones have the cdc and ring status parmeters in them I couldn't tell you.
In a pro radio they are all in the same file.

[bmw_solid]

Originally Posted by ctuna

Normal part of the coding procedure is to go to the Work folder
modify the file copy the modified file to a man extension file.
Then you code the modified file to the module you are manipulating
using the coding profile not the factory profile .
This is different than VO coding .

If you VO code you change or add the options to the VO for both
FRM and CAS . The option you add to the VO then exists but
only in the FRM and CAS . You still have to default (VO code these
changes to the module or modules that are effected by the change)

IN the bimmergeeks download you get two profiles
Factory coding = rewrites the factory coding or the
changed VO code in the CAS and FRM to the module or modules you
select .
Man coding profile writes the changed file directly to the module
you have changed.(uisng the modified trc file that now has the man extension
you save it as)

If you are editing a TRC file you can do all the edits in one operation.
save a copy of the TRC file unedited and the .man file you create.

When you read your idrive files all the parameters will be displayed.

All these files relate to the CIC
CHOST
CAPPL
CGATE
CAUDI
CTUNE

which ones have the cdc and ring status parmeters in them I couldn't tell you.
In a pro radio they are all in the same file.

Thanks for your information.

I have the latest bimmergeeks download and have 2 profiles, Factory coding and Manipulation coding.

So from what you have said, I understand that I have to use Manipulation coding to change the .TRC file and save it as a .MAN file and then upload it.

I then have to modify the CAS in the VO by removing cd-prep code and adding cdc code and then do the same for FRM in the VO also?

You mention the modules that are affected by the change also need to be VO coded. Please explain more if possible or is this the same as modifying the CAS and FRM?

Thanks,

[ctuna]

If you are coding you are directly changing the file
and writing it back there is no VO step.
That is all you have to do.
Once you write the change file back to the car you
are done.

If you want to add the option to your VO then you do not
have to do any editing to any individual file.
You add the change to CAS and FRM which stores the changes
then you factory code the changes to the module .

Method 1 (no file manipulation>)
VO coding add the option to the VO in CAS and FRM.
then write the code for the new option to the modules
using factory profile
that the change effects Done this always happens in this order.
DONE.

method 2(file manipulation)
Coding does the same thing but avoids the VO step .
Read out the module edit the trace file for that module
save it as a man file . Use the man option to write the
edited file directly to the module DONE

The only difference between these two methods is where the data
comes from . In the first case method one it comes for the Car
In the second case it comes from your edited man file.

Advantages of VO coding
if you ever have to replace the module you can just factory code it to get it
back . You don't do any edits to individual files
Disadvantage extra steps.
Coding
Advantages
direct and fast but you have to know what to edit and for some things
this may not be so easy . But for stuff where you just activate something
much faster. If it's just a parameter that goes from nicht aktiv to aktiv this is
faster.
Disadvantage
You have to know what you are doing.

[opjose]

Why add an CD changer instead of just hanging a USB hard drive off the Fakra connector?

There are threads for doing this here.

Wouldn't that be cheaper, faster and more useful?

[bmw_solid]

Originally Posted by ctuna

If you are coding you are directly changing the file
and writing it back there is no VO step.
That is all you have to do.
Once you write the change file back to the car you
are done.

If you want to add the option to your VO then you do not
have to do any editing to any individual file.
You add the change to CAS and FRM which stores the changes
then you factory code the changes to the module .

Method 1 (no file manipulation>)
VO coding add the option to the VO in CAS and FRM.
then write the code for the new option to the modules
using factory profile
that the change effects Done this always happens in this order.
DONE.

method 2(file manipulation)
Coding does the same thing but avoids the VO step .
Read out the module edit the trace file for that module
save it as a man file . Use the man option to write the
edited file directly to the module DONE

The only difference between these two methods is where the data
comes from . In the first case method one it comes for the Car
In the second case it comes from your edited man file.

Advantages of VO coding
if you ever have to replace the module you can just factory code it to get it
back . You don't do any edits to individual files
Disadvantage extra steps.
Coding
Advantages
direct and fast but you have to know what to edit and for some things
this may not be so easy . But for stuff where you just activate something
much faster. If it's just a parameter that goes from nicht aktiv to aktiv this is
faster.
Disadvantage
You have to know what you are doing.

Thanks for your information.

I had assumed that the manual coding had to be done first and then the VO had to be changed, should the car ever be updated in the future I will not loose the CDC option from the VO...

This YouTube video shows a chap retrofitting a CD Changer to his E60. First he modifies the .TRC file and saves it as .MAN and then codes the car using the .MAN file. Once he does this, the IDrive reboots and the 6 disc icons are displayed on the screen but are Greyed out. He then goes to update the VO so that the 6 disc icons are no longer Greyed out. He still doesn't get it to work due to a wiring issue but would you say his Principle is correct?

Can this video be used as a reference for the correct way to code my CD changer?

[bmw_solid]

Originally Posted by opjose

Why add an CD changer instead of just hanging a USB hard drive off the Fakra connector?

There are threads for doing this here.

Wouldn't that be cheaper, faster and more useful?

I'm not sure if this is possible as the only way to get a USB to work into my car with album/folder, artist, song name etc search/menu on IDrive is to ether use a Dension Gateway 500 or a GROM MST4, which are really expensive here in the UK, around £300!

The other way is to either retrofit the factory USB port OR iPod retrofit kit..The kit for these 2 options are expensive and involves basically removing the centre console units (button panel, climate control and radio etc) and armrest, which for me personally is not a job I would like to do.

As far as I have searched on the forums, there is no other way to allow a USB device to work with IDrive to allow scrolling through albums/folders, songs etc.

I know its possible to buy a cheap and cheerful Bluetooth streaming device but I need an option which allows me to search folders and tracks via IDrive, and atm a CD Changer with a burned MP3 data disc containing files with tracks in them is the only cheapest and convenient way atm for me,

[ctuna]

If you are going to change the VO you always do that first.
Then the changes you would have made manualy will come from
the VO there need be no editing of files involved. I have explained
this to you three times now.

Instead of a Cd changer this.
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1499808

[bmw_solid]

Originally Posted by ctuna

If you are going to change the VO you always do that first.
Then the changes you would have made manualy will come from
the VO there need be no editing of files involved. I have explained
this to you three times now.

Instead of a Cd changer this.
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1499808

Thanks for your explanation, however I am trying to absorb all the varying information I have got from this forum and other BMW forums, hence I am trying to understand all the different advice.

I have used INPA quite a lot over the last couple of months since I bought my E92 BMW so am now looking to use NCSExpert and learn how to code.



It still remains unclear with regards to the the MOST RING_STATUS line and whether I will need to add 'kmp3' somewhere?

Can anyone shine any light on this also?

Thanks.

[ctuna]

If your in dash in dash cd player already play's mp3's
I don't think you do . There is a cdc install pdf somewhere.

The advice is often not that clear understanding the process is better.

[bmw_solid]

Originally Posted by ctuna

If your in dash in dash cd player already play's mp3's
I don't think you do . There is a cdc install pdf somewhere.

The advice is often not that clear understanding the process is better.

Unfortunately my in dash CD player does not play MP3. I think this is because some E9x models require a CD Changer in order to play MP3.

I have the BMW EBA guide for CD Changer retrofit (attached) but the coding section in that guide is not using NCSExpert obviously, it is their own official software...

[ctuna]

Mine does and its and 06.

[bmw_solid]

Originally Posted by ctuna

Mine does and its and 06.

Update:

I have decided to return the CD Changer and instead fit a used BMW iPod interface that connects to a iPod and acts as a CD Changer, as per this post:

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=603977

I think this is the most cost-effective solution and much cheaper than a Dension or Grom, etc, for me.

I re-arranged the MOST network, all is good. I then updated the VO for CAS and NFRM by removing 694 and adding 672.

I now have CD1 to CD6 in my Idrive, in addition to 'CD'.

I am now waiting for a used iPod to come through the post. Once received, I will add 6 folders (CD 1, CD 2, CD 3 etc) and put subfolders in them to make my playlist.

In the mean time, I would like to ask:

Do I need to add +kmp3 into my VO? It is not in the VO currently but I was checking my FSW_PSW.TRC file and I currently have:

mp3_ccc
full
I assume this has been added either from factory or during my coding of the VO?

Anyways, I would like to know if I require +kmp3 to be addd into the VO in order for the .mp3 files in the iPod to be played via the iPod interface.



And off topic, I have basic speaker system with no amplifier or tweeters, just 4 door speakers and 2 under seat subwoofers.

I would like to know if the rear speaker cables run via the boot/trunk, so I can tap into those for my sub signal? I did this in my previous E87 120d as the speakers were in the boot, but since E92 rear speakers are on door card, do the wires run via the boot?

I was looking around after removing the left side panel in the boot and saw a bunch of wires, some of them looked like the rear speaker wires...but I'm not sure.

I only want to add a 8" active subwoofer Alpine, so nothing too powerful hence using the rear speakers to tap into for the subwoofer..

Thanks,