I just bought my first mini, an '05 mcs, and it came with an alpine stereo with an ipod adapter. Im noticing that when I plug in the ipod, I dont have a choice over which playlists get played. The stereo (or the ipod, but I think its the stereo) is just choosing a song and playing everything in the ipod. When I try to select menu on the ipod, it does nothing. The only option I seem to have is to push "next" on the stereo face, but then I have to search for a specific song, I can't just select "rock playlist" or "jazz playlist" for example. I have found one button that when I push it displays "Playlist" on the screen of the stereo, but it quickly switches to "Not supported". Is there a trick to this, or do I just have to get over it and search song by song till I find what I want to hear? Sounds like kind of a dumb design to me, but what do I know? Thanks everybody!
Melissa

 

My Alpine 9857 works well with iPod. You should find the model number then you can find manuals online. Also, what generation is your iPod - some features only work with newer iPods.

 

the ipod is brand new, I just bought it this spring. Thats a good idea with the manual, thank you!

 

Ok, so I found the manual, and did what it said and its still saying "Not Supported". I have the alpine cda-9856. Any suggestions?

 

I can only guess it's too "new" for Alpine. Is it a "touch"? You'd have to contact Alpine USA and ask if that is the issue ...

 

You have the first generation Ipod adapter for alpine. it works basically off the cd changer input so playlist and and things like that can not be displayed, because it is the first generation adapter with an older radio, the adapter you have was made to work with any Alpine radio with Ai-net (alpine bus) controls the newer "high speed" Alpine radios give you the ability to view playlist, view song titles, artist and so on. the only way around this is to upgrade the radio to a newer alpine. the good about this is the Ipod adapter for the new radio is only about $25 and I think on crutchfield.com there free with purchase, where as the adapter you have although inferior to the new one was about $75 when it was made. P.M. if you have anymore questions.