USB / Audio Interface - Advice please
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Originally Posted by Rudy' post='513672' date='Jan 4 2008, 01:25 PM
The dock connector and the USB interace would be two different things. There's no way an analog audio signal would (or even could) pass through a digital USB interface.
The BMW cable splits the analog audio out of the dock connector and into the aux connector...
The BMW cable splits the analog audio out of the dock connector and into the aux connector...
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Originally Posted by JSpira' post='513709' date='Jan 4 2008, 03:10 PM
I understand what you are saying but I will go back to my source at Apple because they made it quite clear a while ago that they did not have a digital output for audio.
Make sense?
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I feared that this would become rather 'technical' and it has!
So, if I understand the simpler responses correctly, you can NOT upload from ANY device to the hard drive as a 'one time' exercise and sound quality is no better than via 'Aux in'?
The ONLY difference is being able to control the iPod or device from the iDrive menus rather than the device itself?
Also, once you remove the device from the car (as any sane person would when you park), the iDrive retains no memory of the songs and you have to start over again when you next get in the car (connect the device and let it load etc).
Could someone please clarify the above in non-technical terms?
So, if I understand the simpler responses correctly, you can NOT upload from ANY device to the hard drive as a 'one time' exercise and sound quality is no better than via 'Aux in'?
The ONLY difference is being able to control the iPod or device from the iDrive menus rather than the device itself?
Also, once you remove the device from the car (as any sane person would when you park), the iDrive retains no memory of the songs and you have to start over again when you next get in the car (connect the device and let it load etc).
Could someone please clarify the above in non-technical terms?
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Originally Posted by Rudy' post='513717' date='Jan 4 2008, 03:26 PM
I agree that they don't have a digital output for audio. They have an analog output for audio that is available on the dock connector. They also have a digital output for audio files that is available through the USB connection which is how the car can play the music files using drive mode...
Make sense?
Make sense?
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Originally Posted by UK 5 Series' post='513726' date='Jan 4 2008, 03:46 PM
I feared that this would become rather 'technical' and it has!
So, if I understand the simpler responses correctly, you can NOT upload from ANY device to the hard drive as a 'one time' exercise and sound quality is no better than via 'Aux in'?
The ONLY difference is being able to control the iPod or device from the iDrive menus rather than the device itself?
Also, once you remove the device from the car (as any sane person would when you park), the iDrive retains no memory of the songs and you have to start over again when you next get in the car (connect the device and let it load etc).
Could someone please clarify the above in non-technical terms?
So, if I understand the simpler responses correctly, you can NOT upload from ANY device to the hard drive as a 'one time' exercise and sound quality is no better than via 'Aux in'?
The ONLY difference is being able to control the iPod or device from the iDrive menus rather than the device itself?
Also, once you remove the device from the car (as any sane person would when you park), the iDrive retains no memory of the songs and you have to start over again when you next get in the car (connect the device and let it load etc).
Could someone please clarify the above in non-technical terms?
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Get the option
Rather than put a big hard-drive in, what I do is use a 4Gb memory stick (about ?20). That's more that enough to put a big heap of music on to and, because it's so cheap, and hidden in the centre console, there is no worry about anybody breaking in and stealing it. The integration with iDrive (all of your music/folders/songs etc appear on screen) is excellent.
The only thing that gets loaded from the USB device in to the car is the INDEX of the songs - that is, the directory names, song names, etc. If you put a new device in, it takes just a few seconds to load the data. Leave a USB stick in the car and although the index gets uploaded, the songs don't. By the time you've started your engine, all of the songs are there and ready to play.
Many people have not gone for this option and regretted it. It's very cheap. It's the kind of thing that would cost you ?1,000 to retrofit but ?100 to buy from the factory. It's a million times better than CD or Aux-Input.
Rather than put a big hard-drive in, what I do is use a 4Gb memory stick (about ?20). That's more that enough to put a big heap of music on to and, because it's so cheap, and hidden in the centre console, there is no worry about anybody breaking in and stealing it. The integration with iDrive (all of your music/folders/songs etc appear on screen) is excellent.
The only thing that gets loaded from the USB device in to the car is the INDEX of the songs - that is, the directory names, song names, etc. If you put a new device in, it takes just a few seconds to load the data. Leave a USB stick in the car and although the index gets uploaded, the songs don't. By the time you've started your engine, all of the songs are there and ready to play.
Many people have not gone for this option and regretted it. It's very cheap. It's the kind of thing that would cost you ?1,000 to retrofit but ?100 to buy from the factory. It's a million times better than CD or Aux-Input.
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Originally Posted by Russ1974' post='513739' date='Jan 4 2008, 09:09 PM
Get the option
<SNIP>
It's a million times better than CD or Aux-Input.
<SNIP>
It's a million times better than CD or Aux-Input.
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I didn't realize that you could use a USB memory stick. That's pretty cool!! I was actually thinking about going out and buying another ipod, so I never had to take it out of the car.
Right now, if I browse my iPod via iDrive, I can browse by Song, Album, Artist or Playlist. What options do you have to browse with when using a memory stick?
One other related question.... I sometimes have to wiggle the BMW USB/aux cable to eliminate static. Anyone else have that problem?
Right now, if I browse my iPod via iDrive, I can browse by Song, Album, Artist or Playlist. What options do you have to browse with when using a memory stick?
One other related question.... I sometimes have to wiggle the BMW USB/aux cable to eliminate static. Anyone else have that problem?
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Originally Posted by jackstraw' post='513789' date='Jan 4 2008, 06:57 PM
I didn't realize that you could use a USB memory stick. That's pretty cool!! I was actually thinking about going out and buying another ipod, so I never had to take it out of the car.
Right now, if I browse my iPod via iDrive, I can browse by Song, Album, Artist or Playlist. What options do you have to browse with when using a memory stick?
One other related question.... I sometimes have to wiggle the BMW USB/aux cable to eliminate static. Anyone else have that problem?
Right now, if I browse my iPod via iDrive, I can browse by Song, Album, Artist or Playlist. What options do you have to browse with when using a memory stick?
One other related question.... I sometimes have to wiggle the BMW USB/aux cable to eliminate static. Anyone else have that problem?
I bought a 16gb usb memory stick on ebay for $35 and it works great.
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Originally Posted by jackstraw' post='513789' date='Jan 4 2008, 05:57 PM
One other related question.... I sometimes have to wiggle the BMW USB/aux cable to eliminate static. Anyone else have that problem?