Question about the iPod/USB option. Please help.

[WhiteOne]

Doesn't USB+thumbdrive sound much better than using an ipod?

[roldan]

I dunno.. I agree with others that using an ipod is probably better for less technically-inclined users. iTunes takes care of all the ripping and organizing for you, plus you can easily create playlists and stuff without ever having to mess around on the file level.

[canlefty]

Originally Posted by roldan

I dunno.. I agree with others that using an ipod is probably better for less technically-inclined users. iTunes takes care of all the ripping and organizing for you, plus you can easily create playlists and stuff without ever having to mess around on the file level.

You can use itunes without owning an ipod. Set your music library to reside on the memory stick, and you will have a neatly organized file structure and all the "benefits" you mentioned of having itunes take care of all the "stuff".

[1Ronnie]

Originally Posted by WhiteOne

Doesn't USB+thumbdrive sound much better than using an ipod?

Yeah, the problem with the IPod is that the sound is played over the stereo headphone socket out of the Ipod, which is already amped, then into the system. The USB port is ONLY used for Command and Control. Assuming the MP3 decoder on the HU of the system is any good, then keeping the signal digital from the USB port, then decoding it on the HU should produce a cleaner sound, with no preamp issues or interferance while in the analogue transmission.

The only reasons you need the stupid split cable is to allow you to play itunes DRM crap, and for playlists if you use them. I think it's better to rip to MP3, and avoid DRM. But if you buy all your music from itunes ... well you've got no option. Die DRM ... Die !!!

[clived]

The above is kinda true, but doesn't give the whole story. Most serious iPod users would agree that the sound quality from the docking port is superior to the headphone jack. arrons suggests that the sound is played via the headphone jack - that is not the case if you're using the USB input - it comes from the docking port (it does however get into the car via the car's 3.5mm stereo jack socket). So, it's not the best solution (direct digital replay, as suggested) but it also isn't the worst. I'm going to try some comparisons tomorrow.....

[MadisonOne]

I'm preparing my new flash drive (8gb OCZ) with music for my new 1er that I pick up this week.

I'm copying the folders from my Itunes library to my flash drive.

I can see everything the way I want (I'm using my Denon's USB input to make sure everything is working fine).

My question: with USB, there is a noticeable gap between songs. With the Ipod , there is gapless playback, which I've gotten used to. Is there a way to make these tracks gapless? Do I need another piece of software to do this (rather than Itunes, which is a pain).

Side note: this may be my Denon and the way it reads the USB. Wondering if the BMW inserts gaps as it's reading each song.

[1Ronnie]

It's actually a function of the player, to have seamless play, it needs to pre-buffer the file, and begin decoding the file prior to the last one completing. The delay varies enormously by player.

Still, interesting question ... is there a long delay anyone?

[topvega]

Originally Posted by clived

The above is kinda true, but doesn't give the whole story. Most serious iPod users would agree that the sound quality from the docking port is superior to the headphone jack. arrons suggests that the sound is played via the headphone jack - that is not the case if you're using the USB input - it comes from the docking port (it does however get into the car via the car's 3.5mm stereo jack socket). So, it's not the best solution (direct digital replay, as suggested) but it also isn't the worst. I'm going to try some comparisons tomorrow.....

I have seen posts from serious audiophiles stating that the headphone out and the usb out both are the same and one is not better then the other...if you have the mp3's encoded at a good rate they sound great out thru the aux input..

[clived]

Well, those "audiophiles" are obviously more than happy to have the volume attenuation circuitry in the signal path when using the headphone socket.... which isn't the case via the the docking port (which isn't just "usb out" - it also has the un-volume controlled analogue output...).

Take a look at this http://www.russandrews.com/product-G...-iPod-2204.htm I'm guessing not many of you US guys will know Russ Andrews, but I recently bought this cable, having previously used their mini-jack to mini-jack cable to good effect for iPod on in my '04 535d. I'm really surprised that anyone who considered themselves a serious audiophile can't hear a difference in clarity (on a well mastered track, ripped at a high bit rate, connected using quality cable, on a decent stereo) between the two outputs. I'm talking from my personal experience here, are you just quoting others or have you tried both scenarios in serious blind testing? Genuinely interested.

[Nice1]

i will be trying this solution, or similar:

http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-3550.../dp/B000J022G6

[Kris]

Originally Posted by clived

Well, those "audiophiles" are obviously more than happy to have the volume attenuation circuitry in the signal path when using the headphone socket.... which isn't the case via the the docking port (which isn't just "usb out" - it also has the un-volume controlled analogue output...).

Take a look at this http://www.russandrews.com/product-G...-iPod-2204.htm I'm guessing not many of you US guys will know Russ Andrews, but I recently bought this cable, having previously used their mini-jack to mini-jack cable to good effect for iPod on in my '04 535d. I'm really surprised that anyone who considered themselves a serious audiophile can't hear a difference in clarity (on a well mastered track, ripped at a high bit rate, connected using quality cable, on a decent stereo) between the two outputs. I'm talking from my personal experience here, are you just quoting others or have you tried both scenarios in serious blind testing? Genuinely interested.

clived, does the mini jack version of the above cable allow the BMW to control the unit via the steering wheel and display track information???

[clived]

Kris,

If you're using just mini-jack, you get just sound, not control. In the early days of BMW providing just a mini-jack "aux-in" this was the only choice - but in the 5 it was easy to mount the ipod in a cup holder solution and operate it direct - but this was via the headphone socket so sound quality was slightly compromised (but the 5's Logic 7, which from memory was somewhat more powerful than the 1's, seemed to do ok with it ).

[Kris]

Damn. That's a shame, so it's an audio only solution. I still think the USB thumbdrive in 16GB size represents the best audio quality and ease of use..

I think ill sell my ipod..

[clived]

Might be a bit extreme - the BMW USB / audio iPod cable doesn't exactly ruin the sound - it sounds fine

[Kris]

Its also $120!

I can get a 8GB USB drive for that.. hmmm

[aus_buster]

$120?! i picked up a 32GB Corsair for $200 :wink:

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by clived

I'm really surprised that anyone who considered themselves a serious audiophile can't hear a difference in clarity (on a well mastered track, ripped at a high bit rate, connected using quality cable, on a decent stereo) between the two outputs.

Audiophile and IPod don't belong in the same sentence together to begin with, but the mini-plug and the headphone jack on the IPod use the exact same output signal. There's no way ANYONE will ever convince me the mini-jack provides a better connection, or that you're going to be able to hear a difference between 6 inches of headphone cable.

[clived]

Jeremy, can you exaplain how the docking connector and the headphone jack use exactly the same signal when the former is not attenuated by the latter's volume control.....?

If you can't hear a difference, that's finr, but it doesn't make the blantantly untrue correct ;-)

[wrongprotocol]

wow i didn't even realize you could plug a usb key in - my car came w/ the ipod adapter connected already so I thought it was hard-wired, i didn't realize it comes out! this is great!

[mikeo]

Has anyone queried Apple tech support with the docking connector/headphone jack output signal question? Seems to me they could resolve this seemingly endless debate.

[vanbmw]

Originally Posted by Kris

Its also $120!

I can get a 8GB USB drive for that.. hmmm

I got a Kingston 8gb USB drive from Best buy for $19 on sale. It works great.

[MadisonOne]

Sorry to ask again, but it seems like lots of people on here are using USB flash drives...is there a gap between songs, and is it fast to access the songs on USB?

Side point: Disappointing that the $$$ Ipod interface relies on the headphone jack for audio...why not have a true digital cable like Alpine for data+audio. This "interface" seems pretty weak sauce compared to what's been out there in the aftermarket for the last 4 years.