More info on new USB port
02-19-2007, 10:04 AM
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Originally Posted by JSpira' post='393186' date='Feb 19 2007, 10:47 AM
The fact that the iPod can only send music out in analog might have something to do with it - or another guess, the iPod has more data traffic so the audio is offloaded to a separate channel.
02-19-2007, 10:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Greg530' post='393108' date='Feb 19 2007, 04:25 AM
Uh oh, that looks strange!
Anyway, the document says that "is also compatible with some non-Apple MP3 players and USB flash drives; allowing for access to music files".
I'm fairly familiar with the ipod interface and it's either accessed as a mass storage drive (like a flash drive) OR as an ipod (for controls, like today's solution).
Either way, connecting the audio jack should not be required.
I can think of only one explanation: BMW built some kind of non-standard, "dual" mode USB socket which functions as a USB host (for flash drives) AND as ipod controls (in this mode it's wired to the CD changer port and is not a real US
. The black box on the supplied cable would tell the computer to switch to "ipod mode" instead of USB.
While this solution would allow playing DRM content (iTunes purchases) it would be equivalent to today's sssslllloooowwwww technology.
Regardless, if I had that USB port, I'd just stick in a huge external hard drive, like 120 GB, and forget the ipod.
(Or get a power brick so I could use an external 3.5" drive in order to reach 500+ GB
I say this while I'm a huge Apple fan (got most of their products!).
Greg
Anyway, the document says that "is also compatible with some non-Apple MP3 players and USB flash drives; allowing for access to music files".
I'm fairly familiar with the ipod interface and it's either accessed as a mass storage drive (like a flash drive) OR as an ipod (for controls, like today's solution).
Either way, connecting the audio jack should not be required.
I can think of only one explanation: BMW built some kind of non-standard, "dual" mode USB socket which functions as a USB host (for flash drives) AND as ipod controls (in this mode it's wired to the CD changer port and is not a real US
. The black box on the supplied cable would tell the computer to switch to "ipod mode" instead of USB. While this solution would allow playing DRM content (iTunes purchases) it would be equivalent to today's sssslllloooowwwww technology.
Regardless, if I had that USB port, I'd just stick in a huge external hard drive, like 120 GB, and forget the ipod.
(Or get a power brick so I could use an external 3.5" drive in order to reach 500+ GB
I say this while I'm a huge Apple fan (got most of their products!).
Greg
). First, iPod does not have digital audio output, so analog connection is required. It does not have digital output because digital out means unencrypted digital stream, ie no copy protection. Apple, of course, can switch off digital out for DRM'ed music, but average user would be confused to no end as some songs would play and some wouldn't.Now, USB connection will probably mount any MP3 player as a disk drive. It would look into files and folders and fetch title and song names from data in files (file names don't matter really). That allows any player to work. USB connection should be significantly faster than current solution which appears to be using CD changer text interface (aka CD Text). CD changer interface is slow (CD changers are no fast devices) and has multiple limitations - 255 song limit per folder I think is one of them, as there are no standard CDs (Red Book, not data CDs) with that many songs per CD. I guess that every folder looks to iDrive as a separate CD, so you effectively using iPod as 255 CD changer with 255 songs max on each CD.
Theoretically any USB device should work, like, for example, an external hard disk drive. There may be limitations on a file system one can use or total number of files and folders. Remember also, that disk will have to be powered from the USB socket and be able to withstand vibrations and sudden power loss. So I don't think your average 500GB 3.5" disk qualifies. 2.5" notebook drives may work, like new 160GB or 200GB ones with proper enclosure. You may still face risk of a crash since in notebooks other hardware handles sudden change in acceleration or power outages. Think drop sensor in Macbooks that is able to detect when notebook is flying toward the floor and is able to park hard disk heads before impact.
This is just an educated guess, but I may be off.
02-19-2007, 11:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Raighne' post='393085' date='Feb 19 2007, 05:09 AM
It's one ugly cable and will look just lovely dangling out of the rear console.
Any idea what is going on here?
Any idea what is going on here?
02-19-2007, 11:20 AM
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Originally Posted by E60Speed' post='393212' date='Feb 19 2007, 08:19 PM
My dealer says he was told the new USB connector will be in the glovebox, so the Ipod will be safe
It would be great it if were true (but that is very doubtful)
02-19-2007, 11:28 AM
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As far as I know the USB interface is located underneath the armrest. That's the reson why you are loosing the "air conditioned" box when ordering the USB interfae option.
In this case the Ipod will be safe even though it is not cooled
In this case the Ipod will be safe even though it is not cooled
02-19-2007, 11:45 AM
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Hmm. I wasnt told about losing the "AC" box with this option. Then again, I seem to know more about LCI then my dealer thanks to this site.
They mush have the brochures ready now... My dealer reckons they will get them in "the first 2 weeks of March".
They mush have the brochures ready now... My dealer reckons they will get them in "the first 2 weeks of March".
02-19-2007, 12:08 PM
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Originally Posted by E60Speed' post='393212' date='Feb 19 2007, 03:19 PM
My dealer says he was told the new USB connector will be in the glovebox, so the Ipod will be safe
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