RDS ... does anything think it sucks?

mds82 · 01-05-2006, 09:40 AM

Does RDS really suck on the new 3's. I think its slow and doesnt work well? what des everyone else think ?

E90Fleet · 01-05-2006, 10:18 AM

Mosty countries where BMW sells the cars RDS only displays the station name. The USA seems to display a whole heap of info, and the system wasnt really designed for it

F32Fleet · 01-05-2006, 10:20 AM

RDS on E46 display's the song title. What do u expect it to do? Make you coffee?

thd13 · 01-05-2006, 10:21 AM

It's not terrible; just slow sometimes. It may be because of station though.

vladinecko · 01-05-2006, 10:59 AM

i think there should be a middle option in your poll that would say "it works and i'm satisfied with it 50% of the time" at least that's where i stand...

SCA · 01-05-2006, 11:35 AM

Works fine...

You can turn it off.

billgti · 01-05-2006, 03:41 PM

i think it's a pretty nice feature since my previous car didn't have it. that said, i wish they could make the display bigger so that it can display the station, song name and artist all at once instead of scrolling thru each set of words.

canucklion · 01-05-2006, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socom

RDS on E46 display's the song title. What do u expect it to do? Make you coffee?

haha, so true, some people's expectations are so high

lxapilot118 · 01-05-2006, 03:53 PM

I like it...works about the same as all the other RDSs I've used.

Chesmu · 01-05-2006, 03:55 PM

keep your eyes on the road, man!

herschelmbrown · 01-05-2006, 04:38 PM

http://www.gadgetreview.com/2006/01/...-wireless.html

lxapilot118 · 01-05-2006, 04:39 PM

hmmm...

northerncalguy · 01-05-2006, 04:42 PM

What was the original purpose of RDS anyway? If it was just so that the stations could display their names, that's pretty lame.

LEDZEP · 01-05-2006, 05:11 PM

Of all the things I've obsessed about, this isn't one of them. Plus I hardly ever listen to terrestrial radio.

Chesmu · 01-05-2006, 05:14 PM

the purpose of RDS is so you never have to say.. "hey, who sings this song?"
i don't pay an awful lot of attention to...and i've hooked my i-pod into the car, so i don't listen to the radio much

jcoo085 · 01-05-2006, 05:51 PM

In Europe, nearly all radio stations use RDS to at least display the station name and many use the more advanced features of the system. They've been using it for so long that the the stations and radio manufacturers have pretty much figured out what works and what doesn't and so it works as it should in all RDS equiped vehicles I've ever used here.

However, it seems that in the US it's a relatively 'new' thing. From the sound of it, some radio stations are trying to put the song info into the PS (Program Service - used for displaying the station name) field, rather than RT (Radio Text) field, which is in the RDS spec for the purpose of displaying song or other info (this could be because a lot of car stereo's don't support the RT field, probably because it could be distracting or the displays aren't big enough).

So it's not really the fault of the RDS system in the car. It sounds like it's the fault of the radio stations not implementing the system correctly.

ward · 01-05-2006, 06:44 PM

IT's bad due to old fashioned radio stations broadcasting it poorly

sat radio works perfectly!

BMW0 · 01-05-2006, 06:49 PM

RDS! I just found out I can use MP3 burned CD's in my Logic 7, so siked man

Barry626 · 01-05-2006, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moocow

the purpose of RDS is so you never have to say.. "hey, who sings this song?"
i don't pay an awful lot of attention to...and i've hooked my i-pod into the car, so i don't listen to the radio much

You still have to guess @ what the song & singer is.
The letters are way to big & doesn't show complete song or artist.

kobechrome · 01-22-2006, 08:07 AM

I know someone might tell me to read the manual but...

How do you activate RDS from a non iDrive car? I just took delivery 2 days ago - also anyone way to tell what version of the software is currently installed?

View Poll Results: RDS - is it Good or Bad
RDS is Good and works fine	35	71.43%
RDS stinks and is a pain.	14	28.57%
Voters: 49. You may not vote on this poll

01-05-2006, 09:40 AM	#1
mds82 Major General 364 Rep 5,842 Posts Drives: 2006 325xi Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South Central Connecticut iTrader: (40) Garage List 2006 325xi Snow Pics [0.00] 2006 BMW 325xi [0.00]	RDS ... does anything think it sucks? Does RDS really suck on the new 3's. I think its slow and doesnt work well? what des everyone else think ?
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01-05-2006, 10:18 AM	#2
E90Fleet Lieutenant General 1312 Rep 10,185 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	Mosty countries where BMW sells the cars RDS only displays the station name. The USA seems to display a whole heap of info, and the system wasnt really designed for it __________________ BMW if you are reading, I need a job, Please.
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01-05-2006, 10:20 AM	#3
F32Fleet Lieutenant General 3608 Rep 10,373 Posts Drives: 2015 435i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southeastern US iTrader: (0)	RDS on E46 display's the song title. What do u expect it to do? Make you coffee?
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01-05-2006, 10:21 AM	#4
thd13 Major 46 Rep 1,445 Posts Drives: A07 330i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Murrland iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	It's not terrible; just slow sometimes. It may be because of station though. __________________ My other ride is your mom.
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01-05-2006, 10:59 AM	#5
vladinecko Brigadier General 285 Rep 3,924 Posts Drives: '11 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [9.00] 2008 BMW 335i [0.00] 2006 BMW 330i [0.00] 1994 BMW 325i [0.00]	i think there should be a middle option in your poll that would say "it works and i'm satisfied with it 50% of the time" at least that's where i stand... __________________ 2011 E92 M3 - IB/Beige/Sycamore Wood/6MT/EDC/ZPP2/Nav/PDC/Heated Seats/iPod-USB/Enh. Audio 2008 E92 335i - Montego Blue/Black/Gray Poplar/6MT/ZPP/ZSP/Nav/PDC/Heated Seats/HDRadio/iPod-USB - *Sold* 2006 E90 330i - Mystic Blue/Black/Aluminum/6MT/ZPP/iDrive/PDC/Heated Seats/Sat. Prep - *Sold* 1994 E36 325i - Boston Green/Beige/Automatic/ZPP/Heated Seats/Premium Sound - *Sold*
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01-05-2006, 11:35 AM	#6
SCA Brigadier General 565 Rep 3,742 Posts Drives: Multiple BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: 🇺🇸 iTrader: (0)	Works fine... You can turn it off.
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01-05-2006, 03:41 PM	#7
billgti Lieutenant 26 Rep 506 Posts Drives: 06 BMW 330i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	i think it's a pretty nice feature since my previous car didn't have it. that said, i wish they could make the display bigger so that it can display the station, song name and artist all at once instead of scrolling thru each set of words.
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01-05-2006, 03:53 PM	#9
lxapilot118 Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 218 Posts Drives: 330i + SC Mustang Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: MS iTrader: (0)	I like it...works about the same as all the other RDSs I've used. __________________ TiAg E90 330i 6-Speed, Silver w/gray/burl, sports package, premium package, nav, heated seats, sunshades, comfort access, satellite radio, PDC, Mattig Eyelids:rocks:
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01-05-2006, 03:55 PM	#10
Chesmu Brigadier General 89 Rep 3,011 Posts Drives: 2013 X6 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Phoenix,AZ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	keep your eyes on the road, man! __________________ "Teach the ignorant. Ignore the stupid."
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01-05-2006, 04:38 PM	#11
herschelmbrown Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	iPod to get RDS capability http://www.gadgetreview.com/2006/01/...-wireless.html
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01-05-2006, 04:39 PM	#12
lxapilot118 Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 218 Posts Drives: 330i + SC Mustang Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: MS iTrader: (0)	hmmm... __________________ TiAg E90 330i 6-Speed, Silver w/gray/burl, sports package, premium package, nav, heated seats, sunshades, comfort access, satellite radio, PDC, Mattig Eyelids:rocks:
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01-05-2006, 04:42 PM	#13
northerncalguy Throw your hands in the air, if you's a true playa. 79 Rep 436 Posts Drives: 2006 325i, 2014 435i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	What was the original purpose of RDS anyway? If it was just so that the stations could display their names, that's pretty lame. __________________
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01-05-2006, 05:11 PM	#14
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 419 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	Of all the things I've obsessed about, this isn't one of them. Plus I hardly ever listen to terrestrial radio. __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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01-05-2006, 05:14 PM	#15
Chesmu Brigadier General 89 Rep 3,011 Posts Drives: 2013 X6 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Phoenix,AZ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	the purpose of RDS is so you never have to say.. "hey, who sings this song?" i don't pay an awful lot of attention to...and i've hooked my i-pod into the car, so i don't listen to the radio much __________________ "Teach the ignorant. Ignore the stupid."
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01-05-2006, 05:51 PM	#16
jcoo085 Lieutenant 43 Rep 463 Posts Drives: E90 320d Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stuttgart, Germany iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 320d [0.00]	In Europe, nearly all radio stations use RDS to at least display the station name and many use the more advanced features of the system. They've been using it for so long that the the stations and radio manufacturers have pretty much figured out what works and what doesn't and so it works as it should in all RDS equiped vehicles I've ever used here. However, it seems that in the US it's a relatively 'new' thing. From the sound of it, some radio stations are trying to put the song info into the PS (Program Service - used for displaying the station name) field, rather than RT (Radio Text) field, which is in the RDS spec for the purpose of displaying song or other info (this could be because a lot of car stereo's don't support the RT field, probably because it could be distracting or the displays aren't big enough). So it's not really the fault of the RDS system in the car. It sounds like it's the fault of the radio stations not implementing the system correctly. __________________ E90 320d - Black Ext/Fluid Grey Int \| Steptronic \| Business Navigation \| PDC \| Sunroof \| Alarm Exterior Pictures \| Interior Pictures \| Video
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01-05-2006, 06:44 PM	#17
ward Major General 155 Rep 6,158 Posts Drives: F Join Date: May 2005 Location: T iTrader: (0)	IT's bad due to old fashioned radio stations broadcasting it poorly sat radio works perfectly!
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01-05-2006, 06:49 PM	#18
BMW0 Colonel 241 Rep 2,059 Posts Drives: AW E90 330i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Spokane, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	RDS! I just found out I can use MP3 burned CD's in my Logic 7, so siked man __________________ 330i 6MT l 255 HP @ 5900 rpm 214 lb-ft Torque @ 3500 rpm l Alpine White l Beige l Aluminum l ZSP l 494 l PDC "Freude am Fahren" = "Joy to Drive"
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01-22-2006, 08:07 AM	#20
kobechrome Captain 38 Rep 699 Posts Drives: 2013 F30 335xi Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ashburn, VA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW 335xi Sport [0.00] 2013 Lexus RX 350 [0.00] 2006 BMW 325i [0.00]	I know someone might tell me to read the manual but... How do you activate RDS from a non iDrive car? I just took delivery 2 days ago - also anyone way to tell what version of the software is currently installed? __________________
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