With the DICE, you can use all of the original iPod controls, or browse via the heatunit/MFSW buttons, without switching "modes."

Browsing via the radio is explained in the PDF manual, but basically, selecting "Disc 1" thru "Disc 4" changes the functionality of the "next track" and "prev track" buttons. With Disc 1 selected, they skip tracks (and work like FF/REW if you press and hold). In Disc 2, they skip from one playlist to the next. In Disc 3 and Disc 4, they skip between albums, and chapters (in audio books), respectively. Disc 5 lets you switch between the iPod and the aux input, and Disc 6 is used to configure the text display.

As I mentioned above, skipping playlists with it is a little awkward, but it made more sense after using it a little bit. I just need to organize them into a better order. Also, of note....when you switch "discs" the audio drops out for a fraction of a second, but whatever. Also, ID3 tags are only displayed in "Disc 1" mode. In "Disc 2" the HU says, "PLAYLIST" (to let you know what you'll be skipping through).

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the explanation, sounds like a nice improvement. Have to wonder about the usability of these features though, since you can't see the actual name when switching a playlist (or album), how can you tell which one you're switching to? By listening to the song clip for a second? Say if you want to skip to the 10th album, do you just press the next button 10 times blindly, or do you have to wait a little between press? It seems the adaptor doesn't prefetch playlists, which could dramatically improve the navigation speed. Also it would be nice if it allows user to customize some of the Disc buttons.

For the harddriver spinning up delay, you can hear it by pressing the ipod against the ear. Ipod has a tendency to park the HD as soon as it can.

 

I think that you can just hit "next" 10 times to go to the next playlist. The thing that can be confusing, is that if you aren't listening to a playlist (which is fully possible, since you can still navigate via the iPod controls) and hit the button for the next playlist. I'm not exactly sure what it does in that situation...

The nice thing is that you can (or, you should be able to, but I haven't tried it yet) select the "on-the-go" playlist, and then let a passenger queue up what to listen to.

Exactly. This both saves battery power and protects the HDD from damage. The iPod buffers the next few songs into its internal RAM, and then parks the HDD. Skipping tracks takes longer when you skip to something it doesn't have buffered. I don't have one, but I assume that the iPod nano doesn't have this issue, since it's based on flash memory instead of a hard drive.

 

Good review and glad to hear you got your's working. Mine was supposed to be delivered today but I'm out in San Diego until Sunday so looks like it'll be Monday before I can give it a go. I guess I'll be the OEM Sirius pass-thru guinea pig.

 

Sounds good. Did you buy the pass-thru from DICE, or did you get the BMW pass-thru cable?

So, who's going to be the DICE-interface-with-Nav-system guinea pig?

 

The cable is the same as the one that connects the changer interface on the right rear side to the Sirius unit in the left side - BMW p/n 84110150532 . The Sirius tuner then has the same 3-pin and 6 pin connections that the IceLink+ or DICE unit can be connected to. I purchased the cable from my local MINI dealer for about $10. This is the same cable that Dension will supply for this purpose.

 

W00t! My DICE is 'out for delivery'! I'm working nights today, so assuming that the UPS driver doesn't take the looooong route, I should have it soon, and a report will be forthcoming!

-Paul!

 

looks like mine is on the way as well. We should have a nice collection of 'yay' or 'nay' comments in this thread in the next few weeks, as we work out the kinks...

 

X2

 

Just received my DICE! I did a quicky hook-up to my stereo. Here's the specifics of my setup:

3rd Generation (3G) 40 GB iPod
4 GB iPod Nano
XM Delphi RoadyXT receiver (thru AUX jack)
H/K stereo (no Nav)

I dug out the connectors from under my H/K amp in the right cubby in the boot and hooked up the DICE cables, tossed the wire up to the front seat, and plugged in my Nano to the control box. Turn on the car, the radio said 'INIT', and the Nano screen went through a couple screens, as per the instructions. After a few seconds, it starts playing, and the Artist/Album/Title starts scrolling! I switch to another song using the MFSW controls, and it works perfectly. NO delay whatsoever! It's just as quick as if I was using the iPod controls themselves. I did notice too that the track number on the stereo matches and stayed synced with the track number on the Nano (the DICE displays only the track number while selecting songs through the stereo, and displays the MP3 tag info when the song is selected)! Cool!

So since I'm satisfied that it works for my Nano, I switched over to my 40 GB iPod. Unplug the Nano, the stereo says 'DETACHED', and I plug in my 40 GB. Stereo once again says 'INIT', the screen cycles like it did for the Nano, and music starts playing, and the song info starts scrolling. Great, except, my iPod still says 'Ready to Disconnect!'. Hmm, remembering the instructions said that this could happen. I unplug the iPod, reboot, and plug it back in. Success!

After toying with it for a bit, I decide to switch to the AUX adaptor to test that. Well, I selected Disc 6 (text display) accidentally instead of 5 (source selection), and switched to 'Navigation' text display thinking that I was switching to the AUX input. *Don't Do This!!!* The display went to the FM display, music from the iPod kept playing, and I couldn't switch back to the DICE!! I tried cycling the car and stereo power, and things were still wonky. I turned off the car power, unplugged all cables from the DICE, waited a minute or so, and plugged everything back in. Everything back to normal! Whew! Lesson learned!

So making certain that I'm now on Disc 5, I select the AUX adaptor, and turn on my XM radio. It works, but with some loud, obnoxious hiss. Reading back through the instructions, it recommends a Radio Shack Ground Loop Isolator for an AUX device being powered through the car. Ok, so I race off to the 'Shack. After much searching*, they finally find the part. Sitting in the parking lot, I quickly hook it up, and test it out. The hiss is completely gone! So, all in all, I'm loving it so far.

To sum up, and after toying with it some more, here's my observations:

- Do Not mess with the text display selection!

- Worked perfect with the Nano.

- Worked with the 3G, but not perfectly. I noticed that the iPod did not stop playing when the car and/or radio was turned off (it did with the Nano). Other than it needing the reboot, and the inability to select albums or fast forward/rewind with the stereo controls (as noted in the instructions) (you can still select tracks), it seemed to work ok.

- While the Album, Playlist, and Chapter selection are a nice touch, I probably won't use them. It's much easier simply selecting them though the iPod. Plus, while in these selection modes, you lose the stereo text.

- The DICE adaptor itself seemed to get rather warm/borderline hot. Hope this doesn't end up being a problem, especially in the Florida heat!

- My connectors had a very solid feel to them, and didn't seem loose at all. No weird drop-outs during my run to Radio Shack and back while my DICE adaptor was bouncing around on the passenger footwell. It seems as though that claancy got a 'bad apple'.

- I called the DICE Electronics number to order the product, got a Dension invoice, the UPS box was sent from Dension, but the actual product box says DICE Electronics, no mention of Dension. Nothing wrong with that really, just thought it odd. :shrug:

Any questions, feel free to ask!

-Paul!



*Note: (Warning, rant ahead!) Radio Shack is now about three different shades of useless. They're switching to a new store format, which seems to mean that they're now going to sell only cell phones, crappy electronic toys, and more cell phones. When I asked for a ground loop isolator, the employee referred me to the manager, who didn't have a clue what one was. He told me that he probably didn't have them, until I gave him a Radio Shack part number. He looked it up in the computer, and reluctantly admitted to having 3 in stock. He then wandered thoughout the store and into the back room, where he found one, and proceeded to tell me that I was lucky, as they really weren't keeping electronic parts in stock anymore!! And of course, when I went to pay, he asked me if I was in the market for a cell phone... I'm hoping that I can find a decent electronic hobby shop in the area, otherwise, it looks like that all of my parts are now going to be ordered online...

 

radio shack's change sover the last several years have been discouraging but consistent. It doesn't bother me, in itself, that they are becomeing a cell phone store. But what troubles me is the otherwise lack of electronic sundry stores like RS once was...

 

Ok, newbie question here, does this DICE kit negate the use of the AUX cable? If so what is the cablethat goes from the HK radio to the Dice Module? So I can put the $35 or so for the Aux Cable to purchase this device for about $170. TIA Michael

 

The DICE uses a cable with plug-in connector (mimicking the CD changer module) to connect to the radio (from the CD changer connection in the BOOT.) The DICE module itself has a coax set of jacks, so you can connect another device to the system to be used in AUX mode, ie. a non-Apple MP3 player, or other portable device...

 

I'm still waiting for someone with Nav to review this unit. However, I do have some question regarding ordering. If you take a look at this link, it asks:
http://densionusa.com/merchant/merch...=DICE_IPOD_BMW

*BMW Satellite radio module connectivity kit for vehicles with factory installed XM/Sirius module located in the trunk. (+$30.00)
*Factory CD-changer harness connection kit for vehicles with DSP and certain Premium sound system with coaxial connection found in 5, 7, X5 [before 2003 only], Z4 (+$90.00)
*Factory CD-changer harness connection kit. The factory harness may be located in trunk, under the subwoofer, in the glove box. No radio removal is needed, however cable needs to be routed back to desired location.
*Radio Only without Navigation
*16 x 9 Widesreen Navigation
*4 x 3 TV Screen Navigation

Can some explain what these options are for and is our Nav screens 16X9 or 4X3. I have XM radio (not installed) and it uses the blitzsafe adaptor. What do I need to order?

Thanks
Peepers

 

I'm kinda disappointed at the fact that Album seach isn't that useful, what's the point of having that when you can't see anything on HU display, well who knows it may be a limitation due to IPod itself which can't send browsing information. Can you do a search by Artist?

May I suggest you put the DICE box inside A/Ced glove box to keep it cool?

 

Just did a 'temporary' installation to test the DICE with my OEM Sirius passthru. Works perfectly and the audio was crystal clear - a problem that I couldn't solve with the Monster iCruze. I was also pleasantly surprised that it came up the first time and that the text actually scrolls automatically (unlike Sirius). We have an IceLink+ in my wife's MCC and I was really happy to find that the controls on the DICE seem to work much faster (response by the iPod) that the + unit. Overall I am very happy with the unit - comparable price to the BMW/MINI iPod interface but with a lot more functionality. The addition of a 1/8" stereo AUX input jack on the DICE module was also a nice touch for interfacing other non-iPod devices. For me, this unit is a keeper!

As for the questions above regarding the options, the Sirius cable that Dice/Dension wants $30 for costs about $10 at a MINI/BMW dealer (see my earlier post for the part number). The rest of the options don't apply to MINIs and I do not believe you'll be able to output the video (from the cradle option) to the NAV screen - only the ID3 tag data so screen size wouldn't matter although I believe for the NAV the correct size is 4x3. There may be a work around to that but would not be legal to have video going to your NAV screen while the car is moving

 

FUEGO and Paul! -

Since you seem to be the only other people with DICE units, I have a couple questions for you:

1) If I select the DICE as my source on the HU, if the iPod audio is quiet (or paused) there's a little bit of a "chirping" noise in the background. Interestingly, it seems to go away if I turn off the text display. My iPod is a 20 GB 4th-gen (black and white screen/click wheel) and I have the H/K system in the MINI. Adjusting bass/treble or changing h/k modes (electronic, festival, etc) didn't seem to make it go away. It's not too annoying between tracks, but I can hear it in quiet parts of some songs too. Have either of you experienced this? Do you hear anything if you pause the iPod and turn up the stereo's volume?

2) I went for a drive earlier (had to finish my break-in ) and was listening to my iPod. After about an hour, it suddenly switched to FM radio....but the display on the radio still showed the iPod text...even after I turned the HU OFF! Even after I unplugged the iPod, it still said, "DISCONNECTED." Reconnected the iPod, I got the "OK to disconnect" screen. Rebooted the iPod, and plugged it back in, and it was OK again (all without turning off the car). It did something similar to this a couple days ago, but I don't remember how long I had been listening to it (maybe 30-40 minutes? I forget) and the problem went away after I turned the radio off and back on. So, have either of you used the DICE for any extended period, and have you seen any issues like this yet?

I think I need to call tech support back and get a replacement unit, especially if you guys aren't seeing these issues.

Thanks.

 

I'll be interested to see if you have any trouble with the Nano, now. I've got the ice>Link: Plus and use it with my Nano, more often than not, in "iPod UI mode". About half of the time that I enable that mode, the iPod won't start/stop with the ignition or change tracks with commands from the MFSW or HU. Sometimes unplugging/replugging the iPod, turning the iPod off (holding play/pause down until the display turns off) or restarting the iPod does the trick, but I haven't found a pattern. The "normal" mode works pretty much flawlessly, however.

 

Does this DICE unit charge the IPOD too?

 

Yes.
I won't have time to finish a more permanent installation until later in the week. So far I am encouraged. Is the interface perfect - no. Does it seem to be a good value - yes. More later but I am hoping it continues to work well for me at less than the cost of purchasing a second IceLink+ for my MCS.

BTW - I'm using this on my 3G U2 iPod.

 

Thanks for all your information, everyone. I'm a new MINI owner and the ONLY thing I can gripe about with my new car is the shoddy iPod adapter from the dealer. Very disappointing. I'm interested in this DICE product, as well as the Harman Kardon solution found here:
http://www.harmankardon.com/drive-1/default.aspx

Anyone ever use this?!?


Spike

 

What precisely bothers me is that there's really no easily available alternatives!

It kinda-sorta does. The DICE actually has a mini-stereo jack AUX in, not RCAs (surprised me when I got it). While it does the same job as the standard AUX that you can get or install with your MINI, the DICE box was designed to be hidden. So you will still need to get a cable from the DICE to wherever you want to install the AUX port. And when you factor in the purchase cost of the ground loop isolator ($17 plus tax) and a decent cable ($5-$10), you really aren't saving too much money. In my opinion, if you were going to do a 'permanent' install of something that was going to use the AUX (ie, my XM radio install), I would use the DICE port. If I planned on using the AUX for a myriad of things that will be going in and out of my MINI, I would use the BMW/MINI cable, and install it in a convenient place.

I recommending calling Dension direct and asking. Their sales dept. seems to be knowledgable on their items, and they would be able to give you the best answer!

There's not even a selection to search by artist. My guess is that it's a iPod limitation like you suggest. But it really isn't a big deal. It's much easier using the iPods screen for that than going line-by-line on the stereo screen! But, it would have been another nice touch.

There is. I seem to remember reading something about it on Motoring File. If I remember correctly, it also cost $$$. And it still wouldn't let you watch video while the car was moving!

No, didn't notice. And since you previously mentioned it, I was listening for it, too. I didn't try maxing out the volume though... I'm willing to bet that I could hear a little bit of 'digital noise' if I did that. But certainly nothing obvious.

That almost sounds like what happened to mine when I messed with the display controls. I haven't used mine for an extended period of time yet though. I'll definitely give you and everyone else a heads-up if it occurs! I plan on doing a good drive tomorrow.

For the little while I played with it, the Nano seemed perfectly behaved! We'll see if the story changes tomorrow!

I'm willing to bet that the H/K solution will perform flawlessly! However, I'm not really interested in it. I have enough screens blaring information to me as is, and I couldn't figure out a good place for the screen or control. It just seemed like a lot of redundant parts to me. I really wanted for myself a more 'integrated' look and feel!

-Paul!

 

Actually, the U2 iPod is a 4G, since it has the click-wheel, rather than a row of buttons.

The volume doesn't need to be all the way up, or even close to it. It's noticeable at normal volume levels, and much more pronounced if it's turned up above that (either for motoring with the windows down, or just listening to some loud tunes).

Well, it did it to me again, on my drive to work. This time, though, it did it after 1 song, so maybe 5 minutes? Something's definitely screwy here. I'm going to borrow a friend's iPod, just to make sure that mine isn't to blame.

 

Glad to hear you guys are having fun with yours and everything is going smoothly I called Dension on April 18th (when they had the Icelink or DICE for $130) and tried to purchase the DICE. Lisa (Dension Employee) said they were out of stock, and that she would call me when they came in. Well, later on the day, she said they had one left (after looking), and that if I still wanted it, she would ship it out. Of course, I said yes. Well a week later, I received my package, but it wasn't the DICE, it was the Icelink+... Along with that disappointment came some more disappointment when I found out that they had sent me the CD changer connector and not the connector for the back of the head unit like I profusely told her I wanted. So, since I couldn't find my iPod (had been missing for months), I sent the cable back to her to be replaced with the head unit cable (she stated they would have them in stock in a week...).

Just called yesterday to see if they ever got the head unit cables in, and she's now saying they're 3-4 weeks out before getting more in. Supposedly, they aren't producing the head unit cables anymore, and are doing away with that option...

Well, on a good note, I finally found my iPod and can't wait to hook it up to the Icelink... I was hoping for a clean install to the back of my head unit, but at this point, I'm tired of CD's. I want my iPod back in the car where it belongs. Sorry for the long rant, I just think they should have more of an idea what is going on around there instead of keeping me hanging on waiting for a stupid cable. At least they're shipping me the cable back until they get the headunit cables (if that ever happens... ).

 

Hey y'all
Those interested in the DICE, they DO still have them in stock, though they are moving through current inventory pretty quick. As of this morning at 10:45am PST, they still had some available...
Mine ships today...