[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by bsjd00

Thanks, I was hoping you'd say that!

Sorry, but I do have one other question for you. Currently, you can use the steering wheel buttons to switch between FM, AM, CD, and SAT sources, but not Auxillary - the button just skips over that option. Since iPod will be listed under CD, is it safe to assume that you can use the steering wheel buttons to switch over to iPod?

My steering wheel audio source selector button most definately stops at the Aux selection. My iPod is always connected, so perhaps it might be that you have nothing plugged in to Aux? Could it be that smart? No, it's BMW electronics (what was I thinking).

Anyway, mine allows me to scroll to Aux. Yours should too.


P.S. This answer from me in no way reliquishes your financial obligation to JSpira... I am answering only as a lay-person.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by bsjd00

Ok, since I'm paying...(and seriously, I will send you a check...)

You mentioned earlier that iPod's EQ is disabled. By this do you mean that you simply cannot access it via Ipod (because of the BMW logo) or do you mean that iPod is actually sending a flat signal to the car? It'd be nice to retain the option to set equalization on iPod before connecting it to the car, and then having that setting used.

Aren't you glad you started this thread?

P.S. THANK YOU!

How much do you reckon it costs a bank to process a check for 25 cents?

If I understand what BMW is saying correctly, it´s a flat signal.

[bsjd00]

Well, there’s always PayPal …

I have my Logic 7 equalizer set up now to what sounds good to my ear – settings which are very close to those recommended on this board. I’ve noticed though that music will sound “fuller” and “warmer” when iPod’s equalizer is enabled. (In my testing, I’ve had it set to the “rock” preset.) I would hate to lose this feature, and it doesn’t make any real sense for BMW to disable it.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by bsjd00

Well, there’s always PayPal …

I have my Logic 7 equalizer set up now to what sounds good to my ear – settings which are very close to those recommended on this board. I’ve noticed though that music will sound “fuller” and “warmer” when iPod’s equalizer is enabled. (In my testing, I’ve had it set to the “rock” preset.) I would hate to lose this feature, and it doesn’t make any real sense for BMW to disable it.

Does PayPal have a minimum? I know there´s a minimum to withdraw to a real bank account.

Re eq settings, could you please advise what those settings are and whether you have concert hall or another setting enabled?

[bsjd00]

I'm not sure about PayPal. I guess there's always hard currency via the post office.

My EQ is set based on this recommendation from a post on this board, with each number representing the number of bars above flat.

100hz: +3
200hz: +6
500hz: +7
1Khz: +3
2Khz: +5
5Khz: +9
10Khz: +10

Concert Hall

Would you recommend changes?

[JSpira]

I´ve played around with the eq a bit but somehow I always end up back at flat or maybe a very slight u curve.

My recommendation is, whatever sounds good!

(how many coins did you insert? - I hear there´s a new $50 gold piece, speaking of hard currency )

[bsjd00]

I can't help but wonder how BMW would disable the EQ on the iPod. Does BMW install software on the iPod during the interface install? (I guess the same question could be asked for how they get the BMW logo on the iPod screen.)

$50 gold piece? How 'bout I buy the first round at the next NY meet?

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by bsjd00

I can't help but wonder how BMW would disable the EQ on the iPod. Does BMW install software on the iPod during the interface install? (I guess the same question could be asked for how they get the BMW logo on the iPod screen.)

No, nothing is installed. The iPod uses the external control mode and I have no idea how the logo gets there. Perhaps Apple embedded it.

Originally Posted by bsjd00

$50 gold piece? How 'bout I buy the first round at the next NY meet?

Fair enough.

[bsjd00]

It'd be interesting if someone (?) with the pre-production interface could experiment with listening to a track with the iPod EQ set to off, and then with the iPod EQ set to something like rock. (Actually, something like the bass booster curve would probably be easier to distinguish.)

If there is a difference in the track playback, we would know if the iPod's EQ is disabled by BMW.

But I'm NOT asking anyone to spend time trying this for me. I'm just saying that it'd be interesting.

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by JSpira

How much do you reckon it costs a bank to process a check for 25 cents?

Exactly the same amount it costs to process a check for $1,000,000. Just that the cost-benefin analysis would prove it un-profitable. Credit cards used to have minimums too (like $10) - but I've had numerous charges for $0.99 when I buy a single song from iTunes....

[325er]

Thanks for the great tips on ripping CD's. I did not get music match but rather I used window Media player and ripped them as MP3's at 256. A couple of questions for you. When I open a music file, it automatically default to Itunes, is this a good idea or should I defaul to Media player? Also how do i get the MP3's onto the Ipod? Should I use Itunes or just do it through My Computer? Dumb questions I know but I want to do it right.

[cobradac]

Is this because your E90 and E91 came with Aux as standard equip? All the 100s of E60 and E63 retrofits I am aware of are unable to select Aux from the steering wheel. I have not queried any of the new E60s that can now get an Aux as OEM in the rear of center console.

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

My steering wheel audio source selector button most definately stops at the Aux selection. My iPod is always connected, so perhaps it might be that you have nothing plugged in to Aux? Could it be that smart? No, it's BMW electronics (what was I thinking).

Anyway, mine allows me to scroll to Aux. Yours should too.


P.S. This answer from me in no way reliquishes your financial obligation to JSpira... I am answering only as a lay-person.

[gr8sho]

Originally Posted by 325er

Thanks for the great tips on ripping CD's. I did not get music match but rather I used window Media player and ripped them as MP3's at 256. A couple of questions for you. When I open a music file, it automatically default to Itunes, is this a good idea or should I defaul to Media player? Also how do i get the MP3's onto the Ipod? Should I use Itunes or just do it through My Computer? Dumb questions I know but I want to do it right.

One other thing. The act of building your MP3 library is an independent activity to managing the data via iTunes and downloading them to your iPod. For instance, you could get a gift from a friend of a bunch of already tagged MP3s. Then you could simply add them to your iTunes library, create playlists, and download to iPod. I don't know if this is helping or not.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by gr8sho

For instance, you could get a gift from a friend of a bunch of already tagged MP3s.

A gift... for which the gifter of course purchased the rights separately to ensure compliance with copyright.

[gr8sho]

Originally Posted by JSpira

A gift... for which the gifter of course purchased the rights separately to ensure compliance with copyright.

...Lest one draws the unnecessary ire of law enforcement...

[hkj]

JSpira, did you get a chance to test the iPod interface support for foreign characters? e.g. Chinese/Japanese mp3s..

It's probably a long shot.. but, I'm keeping my hopes up.

-hkj

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by hkj

JSpira, did you get a chance to test the iPod interface support for foreign characters? e.g. Chinese/Japanese mp3s..

It's probably a long shot.. but, I'm keeping my hopes up.

-hkj

Well, I don´t have any mp3s that are in those languages so unfortunately, I couldn´t say.

If your iDrive supports the characters (try this with your mobile?), then you have a chance I suppose.

[bsjd00]

JSpira, as a follow-up to our earlier discussion on the topic:

Any chance you can find out from BMW (when you next speak to them) whether the EQ on the iPod is really disabled (meaning it sends a flat signal to the car) or if just access to the EQ through the iPod is disabled?

In other words, if I set the EQ to "rock" before plugging the iPod into the interface, will the iPod continue to apply the rock EQ, or will it send a flat signal to the car?

[Pangearox]

why are so many people in this thread worried about the eq setting on their ipod...

our cars do a much much better job of equilization....well..i guess if you have the logic 7 anyways...

[SeattleSE]

Originally Posted by bsjd00

JSpira, as a follow-up to our earlier discussion on the topic:

Any chance you can find out from BMW (when you next speak to them) whether the EQ on the iPod is really disabled (meaning it sends a flat signal to the car) or if just access to the EQ through the iPod is disabled?

In other words, if I set the EQ to "rock" before plugging the iPod into the interface, will the iPod continue to apply the rock EQ, or will it send a flat signal to the car?

The ipod has two analog outputs: headphone and line out which is only available through the docking connector. I'm assuming the headphone output goes through the EQ as it passes through the ipod's internal amplifier whereas the line out does not. One of the problems with the Aux In solution is that you are feeding an amplified signal into another amplifier. Since all amplifiers distort the source to some extent, you are then amplifying that distortion.

If the new MOST adapter uses line out on the ipod, I guess I don't care if the EQ gets bypassed.

Cheers.

[Vise]

Speaking of the new MOST ipod interface, any update on the general availability and/or part number?

[JSpira]

Nothing yet.