Pre-note: Please don't turn this into an iPod vs other music player debate purely on the merits of those devices; this thread is not intended for that purpose!!

So....I love listening to my own music on the go. Problem is, I do not own an iPod - I have historically had/have iRiver and Archos devices. When ordering my R56, I baulked at the cost of the iPod integration (quoted a ballpark over $600), esp. as I don't HAVE an iPod to take advantage of it!! But, I LONG for the integration aspect of the music player into the steering wheel and dash display. Really, the AUX doesn't cut it for me as I really don't want to take my attention off the road to glance down to where-ever I am hanging my mp3 player to hunt for the 'skip track' button to move on past a track I don't want to hear at the time.

So, my questions are:

1) Does anyone think that MINI will make the USB integration that appears to be coming in the 2008 MY available as a retrofit onto the 2007? I have the patience to wait a few months for this. Historically, do they have a habit of doing that when they make small feature adjustments like this year on year?

2) If not MINI, what are the chances the aftermarket will come up with a product that allows USB integration into the MINI, in much the same way that DICE Electronics offers an iPod integration kit for the MINI for $159.99?

3) Am I going to just have to bite the bullet, get an iPod, get the iPod integration and live with it as the best means of integration of my own music collection?

4) What have people been charged by their dealer for the iPod integration?

5) Is there an iPod to USB adapter / gizmo already 'out there'? (I Googled a bit, couldn't find one)

Here are what some of my issues could be - the biggest capacity iPod 'only' holds 80Gb. I have ~140Gb of lower bitrate versions of my music collection for my current portable device, and that all fits with room to spare. I really don't want halve the bitrate again to make it all 'fit' onto the iPod, nor do I want to decide which 50% of my collection do I want to drop and not have at hand! The other thing is, my current device is also WiFi enabled, so that means I *could* just park the car after coming home from work, go inside, and transfer new music/content to the device over WiFi, without ever bothering to remove it from the car or remember to take it back out after. Or do it from the car directly, just before I leave, if I forgot. Which would be REALLY cool. But it's USB, and not an iPod. Ugh.

(PS if anyone wants to call me lazy or pampered due to my last comment, make sure you don't have 'Convenience Package' or 'Cold Weather Package' in your sig first )

 

I'm going to keep an eye on this thread as I'm almost set to bite the bullet for the iPod integration kit Megabucks option. In all honesty I don't think they'll offer a USB and if they do it'll probably be at just about the same price. Most of the price seems to be the issue of installing the damn thing and not the item itself.

 

I'm curious about the upcoming USB connectivity as well, just from a "gadget geek" perspective (our MINIs are first-gen, and we use the iPod adaptors).

I have this nagging feeling the USB connection will do nothing more than allow you to play MP3 files from a USB flash drive. It *may* let you connect an external USB hard drive, but I don't know if it will be a "powered" USB port that could provide the juice for an external hard drive, or if you'd have to power it separately.

 

I just made a post last night about my Ipod interface installation at the link below. Total cost was$475.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=111483

 

Just courious, what portable device are you using to store 140gb on, an Archos ?

 

Currently Archos 504, 160Gb. Just noticed in my post for the WiFi aspect I meant to say 'planned' device in my post, not 'current' device, as I'm itching to get the 160Gb Archos 605 WiFi, which is hitting the US right about now (Amazon has Sept 1st), which is why I got in this dilemma in the first place, thinking I *could* use the WiFi to be a real lazy ****, but if my need to use integrated controls in convenient, non-taking-eyes-off-road-for-too-long positions on the steering wheel / dash means I have to get an iPod and iPod integration, it'd be a waste to spring on the 605 WiFi. It's just that YEARS ago, years ago, I envisioned this scenario with my bro-in-law - remote WiFi transfer / updating of built in car mp3 players - before it was even close to reality. We're both software geeks and music lovers; he even started his own company years ago, trying to get into the PC music player business in the early days. The car industry lags behind, it seems. I see 2005+ MY of vehicles with cassette players for pete's sake, when I feel that CDs are obsolete

Good point about the actual NATURE of the USB connection. I hadn't really thought about it I'd presumed, in conjunction with a software upgrade, it would be able to simply read USB hard drives and the software upgraded to read tag information and play some of the common formats such as MP3, WMA, WAV, etc. in much the same way as the solution for VW and Renault appear to do. Visteon is their supplier, and Visteon also supply BMW with items such as Bluetooth, Dockable Entertainment System, etc. so I'd guess they'd be supplying BMW? Visteons latest incarnation of their USB Audio Interface has iPod, USB and AUX interfaces to link into the cars audio system, and, again, I would *guess* BMW would use this at factory time to solve for all external PMP connectivity mechanisms in one easy(?) swoop. They already offer AUX standard, iPod optional and are proposing USB as well, so it sort of makes sense to me.

BUT, I forgot about powering the device. Thought it'd just 'happen' from the USB. Doh!

P.S. Home music setup is thus - Terabyte NAS in RAID 5 configuration so I DON'T have to re-rip on drive failure (been there, done that), storing all my music in WMA Lossless format, a 'perfect' digital copy if you like, so the CDs can be stored away. I use Media Monkey to batch convert all songs to different formats - lower bitrate MP3s (usually 192kbps) for portable audio device and for my Sonos Music System, which does not support WMA Lossless yet.

 

It may well do everything you're hoping for - I don't have any reason to think it won't. But the "USB Connectivity" could be anything, from a single solution that works with *any* PMP that has a USB connection, including being able to power USB hard drives, and provide you with steering-wheel controls that let you browse by artist, playlist, or any other criteria, while displaying track information on the car's display. Or, at the other end of the spectrum, it could be a non-powered usb port on the front of the radio that just lets you plug in a thumb drive and only gives you rudimentary control over playback, limited to MP3/WAV formats only.

One other thing I just thought of -- Personal music players can't provide line-level audio outputs using only a USB cable. After all, the USB plug only has four pins - power, ground, and two for data. For the stereo to play a song off of a PMP that's only connected via the USB port, it would have to read the song in digital format from the PMP, and then use onboard decoders in the stereo to actually convert it to an audio signal. So I guess you'd be limited to formats that the factory stereo can decode.

 

I haven't (yet) found a more technical description of the Visteon USB audio interface yet and how it works, but the blurb in their press releases seem to indicate that, for both VW and Renault vehicles, it does the heavy lifting of conversion, not the stereo itself. It looks like it acts like a CD changer, providing the track / title infomation and an audio stream to the car audio system, so as long as the stereo supports a CD changer, it appears to plug in between that and the USB device and does the real work, making it a great retrofit option?

Here's a cut-and-pastey:


Features of Visteon’s USB audio interface:

• Offers easy plug-and-play solution
  • Controlled via audio system's CD-changer interface – no need to replace the existing vehicle audio system (compatible with all current Renault OEM radios – except Carminat navigation systems and Cabasse models – and with most radios installed on Renault vehicles already in service)
  • Easily installed and fully integrated in the glove box
• Delivers high quality media & device flexibility
  • Offers portable device connectivity: USB, iPod, Aux-In
  • Supports MP3, WMA, WAV and Ogg Vorbis audio formats
• Enables connectivity of many consumer electronics and digital audio devices
• Provides quick connection and user-friendly handling for wide range of music media
• Future-ready through software updates

 

Since 2005 all MINI radios for North Americn cars can play MP3 files off of a CD-Rom. So I believe that MINI radios can already read the digital format. And with USB thumb drives becoming so inexpensive and large 2 GIG for around $25...

Getting around the play list issue is simple create a folder that has just the tracts you want.

 

Or even better, getting a USB connection to a portaable 500gb (100$) IDE drive with a 12 power supple from the car.....in other words ALL my MP3's.

 

My guess would be that the coming USB connection is a feature built into the radio head unit for 2008. So, updating a 2007 MINI with USB would probably require replacing the radio head unit -- if it is even possible to use the new head unit in the '07.

 

I have a Kenwood with a USB adapter in my truck and it is the greatest! It is the single thing I miss most since I got my MINI. I have an 8gb Flash drive I bought for $55 and I just plug it into the adapter and then use the controls on the head unit to play from it like any other MP3 player.

So, I am really hoping to get this retrofitted next year.

That said, there is no need to buy an iPod (unless you want one, of course) or the iPod adapter.

The '07's have an aux input in the dash. I use it with my mp3 player (mine happens to not be an iPod) literally every day.

The drawbacks to the USB approach are:
1) The controls are not integrated to the headunit/steering wheel
2) I have to keep the mp3 player charged, no need to do that with USB

 

I believe if MINI were to add the USB port to the radio, then they would also integrate the controls on the Multi Function Steerig wheel.

 

I agree that the USB support, if/when it exists, will allow you to use the MFSW. My question would be *where* the USB plug would be located?

Of course, it's all probably moot for me since I have an old iPod Mini I can use! (Smart playlists let me easily get the music I want from a 70+ GB music library! ) That and since BMW isn't likely to add another dedicated input*, it doesn't make sense for me to get something I can't use immediately!


* I think the iPod adapter uses the CD Changer input, the iPod adapter install PDF seemed to indicate that at least. I could be wrong on that though.

 

Found this:

http://anycom.com/products/bluetooth...&partno=CC3317

You plug it into an iPod adapter, and then it will connect with Bluetooth devices that can stream music. The website also states:

"If remote control commands like stop, pause, play, next or previous title can be executed from the steering wheel of a car to the iPod, the same functionality is provided through the ANYCOM FIPO adapter to the connected Bluetooth device (AVRCP profile)"

However, my current (and planned!) mp3 player doesn't have Bluetooth. Nor does this seem to be able to pass track/title information. Still, seems like a neat device though. Let me keep Googling, this is the best hit I've had on SOMETHING that can 'convert' an iPod dock into something else

 

Err, umm, sort of, but the description seems odd:

http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop...uctshow&id=403

USB2 interface for R56 2007 Mini This interface gives a USB2 socket suitable for memory sticks & most MP3 players (not ipod). It connects via the cars aerial leads. Volume is controlled by the factory stereo while folder/track browsing is done via the supplied wireless controller. Titles will scoll across your factory stereo/nav display. There are 3 wires which require splicing. An upgraded version with ipod interface in addition to USB is also available.

 

Sounds like their adapter/base-station/socket is a wired FM modulator combined with a MP3/WMA player that accepts USB media. Hence the reference to "aerial leads" and wireless remote. Music and tags are piped-in through the antenna, wireless remote provides the song control/navigation.

 

This one sounds super cool! I'd love to be able to get a stereo Bluetooth connection into the MINI (that will still be able to use the MFSW controls and the nav display) and this one sounds like it may just do the trick. I'm an iPod hater (absolutely HATE all things Apple!!!! ), but I ordered the iPod adapter for our MINI as a last resort. If this works in the MINI, then I'll be able to use my Sony Walkman phone with the iPod adapter instead of a POS iPod. I'm going to order one from Amazon.com right now.

Thaks for sharing.

 

Bluetooth... I haven't had much luck with using A2DP and getting quality stereo stream. For some reason I consistently get either drop-out/skips with sequential files or the quality goes "tinny". It could be a function of the source but... Just a head's up.

Also, you'll still have to worry about charging your music source.

One day there will be a true USB plug-in adapter for MY07, or so I hope.

 

I've been using A2DP with my Sony Ericsson W950i Walkman phone for over a year now and it works (and sounds) beautifully. SE is one of the few companies that seems to be able to get stereo BT working properly (although I can't speak for Anycom). I currently have a stereo BT connection in my 1st gen MINI using a SE stereo BT dongle and the AUX input and it's sweet. The only thing it lacks is use of the controls on the MFSW.

I don't see it being much longer before we start seeing stereo BT connections from the factory. However, knowing MINI/BMW, it will be really expensive, poorly implemented, and non-retrofitable. Thus, I'm not holding my breath for that one. If the FIPO works with the iPod kit, then it could be a much better implementation than even a factory set up (since it can use all of the features from the iPod kit like MFSW control, dash/nav display, etc.).

EDIT: Oh, and the FIPO unit would get switched power from the iPod kit so there's no need to worry about that one. The phone itself (i.e. the music source) has over 30 hours of MP3/AAC playback time built into it and it's always charged anyway (since it's my mobile phone) so that's a non-issue. The FIPO will simply auto connect with/pair to the W950i each time the car is started, and disconnect when it is switched off. A nice 100% wireless solution.

 

Just wanted to let folks know that the FIPO unit won't work with the MINI's iPod adapter. I picked one up and our MINI simply claims that it can't locate the drive with songs on it when we attach the FIPO unit to its iPod adapter. Bummer...

 

http://indashpc.org/new/ipod_adapter...-ipod-bmw.html

works for preR56 non DSP....so if you have a R56 whithout a digital amp it may work, since i heard that it that it is the same head unit

 

Hi Bhatch,

Actually I already have the OEM iPod adapter in our car and it works great. What the FIPO unit was supposed to be able to do was allow me to connect other stereo Bluetooth devices up to the car via its existing iPod adapter.

I tried it with a home dock for the iPod and it worked great (i.e. I could send songs from my Sony Ericsson W950i Walkman phone over to the iPod dock via Bluetooth and they played just like they were on the iPod itself), but unfortunately it won't work with the MINI's OEM iPod adapter (which I can't say surprises me too much since BMW is a real goof when it comes to electronics).

Thanks!

 

iPOD now comes in a 160Gb model.

Sorry - that's the only question I can answer for you. I have an 07 MCS with the dealer installed iPOD integration and I use my 80Gb iPOD. I love having my own music. and you are right -- the integration is much nicer than using the AUX interface. HOWEVER!!! Unless there has been some software upgrade to the 07 MCS that I am not yet aware of (I have not taken mine in for the 10k mile service at which point I hear there are some software upgrades, but I've not heard that any apply to the iPOD integration), the iPOD interface for the 07MCS does not have enough memory to hold a pointer to all of my songs/artist/albums. When I choose to have the iPOD interface display by artist, it seems it will only recognize the first 256 in alphabetical order. Same if I list by album. Not enough RAM? Seems that's the case or else the 256 limit is EXTREMELY coincidental.

Good luck with the after market stuff.

 

As the manual states, the limit of items available inside any folder/subdirectory is 255. I am sure this is a memory limitation, but it is not a bug or issue that will be addressed in a future upgrade. I'm sure it has to do with how much the head unit display can hold in its buffer.