Drat! - you're quite right!
Thanks!

 

From reading Densions website, you will be able to fully navigate the iPod using the radio/steering wheel controls. Which means you should be able to do exactly what you're looking for and only need to glance at the HU. While I haven't tried it before, I doubt this would require any more concentration than changing the station on your radio, much better than trying to dink with the iPod directly...

 

Keep everyone updated on when you guys recieve your unit.

 

Yeah, we're on the same page definitely mbabischkin, forsure.

I'm going to be ordering the ICE Link Plus in the next week or so. I'm excited!

 

This really does sound like the best solution.
Anyone installing one of these along with the Blitzsafe XM (XM Direct or SkyLink)? I'm still waiting to hear back from Blitzsafe and Dension...

 

And that's why the new ICE>Link Plus is so nice. You should have total control over the iPod's playlists by using your headunit interface.

http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/11/...ice62link_plus

 

I don't think the Monster version will have anything that the ICELink doesn't already have, and at the same price I would go with the ICELink, since it has an established track record and this is the first product like this from Monster.

The ICELink will not play the track information on our head unit, because the Mini's head unit is not capable of playing this information, so that feature (which is a big one) is lost and not usable for us.

 

Actually according to the people at Dension it will (from MotoringFile.com):

"We have a planned firmware update that will be released shortly thereafter for the ID3v2 Text support on the BMW and Mini displays, this will support both the Multi-Functional Displays and Navigation units.

When the firmware is released, it will be available as a free upgrade from our website. Load the software into your iPod and flash the ice>Link and ID3v2 support will be added!"

Tom Guagliardo
Dension USA

- I'll be testing one later this week on MotoringFile but probably won't have that software update until later in the month. In fact I may wait to do a full review until then.

 

Just to clarify: with the ice-link, you can definitely control the ipod using the ipod's control panel while it is connected to the system. (Gabe's articles on motoringfile.com explain the ice-link's functionality well.) I agree that it can be a distraction while driving, so I do it only at stops. But I do use it a lot, and I would not buy any system that disables the ipod's control panel because I like this feature so much.
Also, here is another ice-link how-to write-up that I did a while back, with lots of pictures:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...hlight=icelink

 

[QUOTE=Gabe]Actually according to the people at Dension it will (from MotoringFile.com):[QUOTE]

Gabe,
I thought that as well, but everyone says that the display doesn't support the tags and numerous people have reported that they can't see valid tags when using their MP3 discs. So the general consensus was that the display couldn't view or read tag information. Since it can't do it for the iPOD or CD's I was assuming it was a head issue, therefore a firmware release for a connector wouldn't fix it.

If it does, that would be really, really, really great. I look forward to your review on motoringfile.com.

 

[QUOTE=dgszweda1][QUOTE=Gabe]Actually according to the people at Dension it will (from MotoringFile.com):They say that they've tested it and that they guarantee that it works on the stock MINI head unit. We should find out soon enough, people are receiving their IceLink plus already, and they say the firmware should be available for download by the end of the month.

 

I would bet that it is a firmware issue that is prevented ID3 tag info when the CD's are popped in. But, the headunit is capable of displaying text when it gets the right data streams. It does it for the RDS and PTY info, as well as when a compatible Sirius or XM tuner is connected.

My guess is that the Dension software makes the iPod transmit the ID3 tags as a stream that the headunit can recognize, my guess is that it's probably in whatever format the data from a Sirius or XM tuner uses. The headunit can't interpret tag info when it's on a disk, but apparently it can when it's sent via a properly formatted data stream through an input.

My interpretation of Dension's comments is that their software piece is for the iPod and not the radio...

 

Yeah that's my guess as well. I hope to have more info soon!

 

I am extremely interested in the ice>link plus, but not for the same reason as you guys. I am writing a program that will display computer information to the stock HU, for use as a trip computer, mp3 player, message center, weather, etc.

I am emulating a cd changer on the computer, and to date have not been able to send the HU a properly formatted text message to make it display what I want when in CD changer mode (I can when it is in Sirius mode, though).

So, if ice>link plus can do it, then I know I should be able to as well, and I'll keep plugging away. Otherwise, I will have to disconnect my XMDirect and use the Sirius mode for it.

So please post when someone can confirm that the ice>link plus will display textual track information from the iPod...

 

No one has recieved their's yet?

 

About ready to order!!! Is it neccesary to buy the 30 dollar pro clip mount, or is it mountable with the given dock in the bundle?

 

>bump

 

Well, if you want to mount it, that Pro-Clip mount is honestly the best way to do it. The dock needs to be fastened to something though, so you have to do something to mount it if you're not going to get the Pro Clip

 

No one has recieved their's yet?

 

Patience my son, patience. Should be receiving mine soon. :smile:

 

Actually, if you read carefully I think the firmware upgrade is for the ICE-link unit, not the iPod and not the radio. You upload the firmware onto the Ipod, and then from there flash the Ice-Link unit (automatically) by attaching it to the Ipod.

I bet your theory is still essentially correct though-- the firmware upgrade probably makes the ICE-link unit receive the artist/track information from the Ipod and then sends out a stream that the head unit can recognize and display.

 

I recieved mine but won't have time to install it until after the holidays. Of course I'll have a full review on MotoringFile.

 

You know Gabe if you just find yourself too busy, I'd be glad to put it in my car and do the review for you!

 

does the ice-link plus work with the HK in a 2005?
where does it connect? in the boot, or head unit?

thank you.

 

I just put an Icelink + in my '05 with the boost head unit. Plugged it into the back of the head unit.

No tags display on the radio so Im hoping that will be a firmware upgrade...