6FL USB/iPod Option Info - View before you order w/o this option!

[cracka]

The Premium HiFi option evidently adds DSP, so I believe it is a different head unit than standard.

The audio system details have been so hard to nail down and so unstable (remember the Logic7 system listed when the new website first went up?) that I'm guessing this tidbit was still up in the air until very recently. Or maybe it still is.

[B25 Jim]

Originally Posted by cracka

The Premium HiFi option evidently adds DSP, so I believe it is a different head unit than standard.

The audio system details have been so hard to nail down and so unstable (remember the Logic7 system listed when the new website first went up?) that I'm guessing this tidbit was still up in the air until very recently. Or maybe it still is.

here's what I've seen everywhere...

[cracka]

Originally Posted by B25 Jim

here's what I've seen everywhere...

Ok, I'm still drinking my coffee, but... doesn't that specifically say that the optional Premium system adds DSP? :biggrin:

[B25 Jim]

Yea, I edited and retracted that part :biggrin: I was thinking of RDS.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by B25 Jim

Okay yea, they call it a Premium Hi-Fi audio system on the upgrade.

No...

Audio system

Anti-theft AM/FM stereo CD/MP3 player audio system with 10 speakers, Radio Data System (RDS), Auto-Store and 3-channel FM diversity antenna

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...s/Default.aspx

It is the same for the 135i.

The Premium HiFi Audio is the $875 option:

Premium hi-fi system $875

Premium Hi-Fi anti-theft AM/FM stereo CD/MP3 player audio with upgraded speakers (including 2 subwoofers), Digital Sound Processing (DSP), Radio Data System (RDS), Auto-Store and 3-channel FM diversity antenna; displays MP3 song title and artist

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...ndOptions.aspx

The part that says "displays MP3 song title and artist" is misleading because it is only stated in the Premium Audio option, however the base audio system also supports MP3 song title and artist. Option 6FL/USB does not require the Premium HiFi option to be ordered.

[B25 Jim]

Originally Posted by Technic

The part that says "displays MP3 song title and artist" is misleading because it is only stated in the Premium Audio option, however the base audio system also supports MP3 song title and artist. Option 6FL/USB does not require the Premium HiFi option to be ordered.

Cool, this is exactly what was tripping me up. Thanks! :thumbup:

[Technic]

Originally Posted by cracka

The Premium HiFi option evidently adds DSP, so I believe it is a different head unit than standard.

The audio system details have been so hard to nail down and so unstable (remember the Logic7 system listed when the new website first went up?) that I'm guessing this tidbit was still up in the air until very recently. Or maybe it still is.

No, what is different is the amplifier, the speakers and the interface between the OEM HU and the DSP amplifier (analog vs digital thru MOST). The Professional OEM HU can support both depending of OEM configuration (HiFi vs HiFi DSP).

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by larryn

(from e90post as well) Here's a few pics of what it looks like without nav (and an ipod plugged in). A USB powered drive should function exactly the same.

Get this guy a duster!

[larryn]

Originally Posted by chriskurn

Get this guy a duster!

...and better musical taste than "Rock Me Amadeus"! :wink:

[ChrisK]

I am going to use a 8gb flash drive for simplicity.

[larryn]

I already bought my western digital 120gb portable hard drive for $55 at Best Buy last week. Going to partition it for me, the wife, and a partition for each kids, and each have our iTunes libraries on different partitions.

[Pac-Man]

Originally Posted by larryn

I already bought my western digital 120gb portable hard drive for $55 at Best Buy last week. Going to partition it for me, the wife, and a partition for each kids, and each have our iTunes libraries on different partitions.

I dont think that one spins at 4200rpm

[shawshank772]

I have a question about the 6fl cable for those who know. Do you need the 6fl cable for the usb option? Or can you use the usb cable that comes with the IPOD?

The reason I ask is because I am purchasing mine through military sales and noticed that it said "does not come with cable". Also, do we know how much the cable is? Thanks for the help

[larryn]

If it specifically states that the 6FL option does not come with the ipod cable, you'll need one. Cars with that option in the US usually come with it though.

The ipod Y cable is a dock connector on one side, which splits to a USB connector and a std headphone jack. I've seen them for around $65 (yeah, they get ya).

[john970]

Originally Posted by larryn

If it specifically states that the 6FL option does not come with the ipod cable, you'll need one. Cars with that option in the US usually come with it though.

The ipod Y cable is a dock connector on one side, which splits to a USB connector and a std headphone jack. I've seen them for around $65 (yeah, they get ya).

Reminds me of the $70 HDMI cables from best buy you can get online for $6.

You can't use the apple usb ipod cable because it doesn't split the line out, you have to buy the overpriced BMW one or make one yourself from an apple cable and a trip to radioshack.

[teach 1]

bought the usb connection as an option on my new 120d and was informed by the dealer that all ipods would work on it. Not true mine doesnt!! 3rd generation ipods are not compatible. Am asking BMW for an explanation and compensation as nowhere in its brochures does it warn of possible incompatibility

[randomquickness]

Originally Posted by larryn

If it specifically states that the 6FL option does not come with the ipod cable, you'll need one. Cars with that option in the US usually come with it though.

The ipod Y cable is a dock connector on one side, which splits to a USB connector and a std headphone jack. I've seen them for around $65 (yeah, they get ya).

AHHH...so THAT is why the 6fl was $350 and not $400 on the military sales build sheet!

[Nutkins]

Originally Posted by larryn

I already bought my western digital 120gb portable hard drive for $55 at Best Buy last week. Going to partition it for me, the wife, and a partition for each kids, and each have our iTunes libraries on different partitions.

Can't remember where but on one of the documents somewhere (I think on this site - I've been looking at so much 135i stuff this last week it's unreal so can't remember) it says that the USB option will only read stuff formated with FAT, and will only read 1 / the primary partition, so I don't think you'll be able to that. Perhaps create top level folders for each of you instead...

[larryn]

Thanks Nutkins. Great to know.

One more thing I'm now concerned with is the voltage draw of the drives used. There's recent posts on e90post that allude to faster spinning portable hard drives will have issues, because they need more juice than the USB stadard can give. There's away around that, if you've already bought (or have) a HDD that you're planning on using. You would simply use the power point with a USB out and a Y connector to power the HDD.

Different cars seem to have different requirements, since identical HHDs work in one car, but not in another. That could be firmware though, I suppose.

[Nutkins]

Indeed - either way I like the sound of the USB option. It's a nice solution :w00t:

[john970]

Originally Posted by larryn

Thanks Nutkins. Great to know.

One more thing I'm now concerned with is the voltage draw of the drives used. There's recent posts on e90post that allude to faster spinning portable hard drives will have issues, because they need more juice than the USB stadard can give. There's away around that, if you've already bought (or have) a HDD that you're planning on using. You would simply use the power point with a USB out and a Y connector to power the HDD.

Different cars seem to have different requirements, since identical HHDs work in one car, but not in another. That could be firmware though, I suppose.

I posted on this in a different thread. USB spec is 500ma @ 5v = 2.5 watts, which is more than most portable hard drives draw. Portable hard drives are based on either a 1.8" drive or a 2.5" drive, and the vast majority of 2.5" drives are over 2.5 watts. However, some of them just need that extra juice to seek/spin up and might still work. The HDD iPods use a 1.8" drive.

Any given enclosure manufacturer may swap out the internal drive based on whichever drive is cheaper and meets their advertised specs, so they usually don't offer power specs. I'm going to do a wait and see, but LaCie has some 1.8" drives that I know will work.

[Numb3rs]

16gig flash drive is your best bet. Draws very little power, very small, shock proof, droppable, waterproof, wearable, etc and will hold around 100 albums @ 320kbps. Almost CD quality sound that pocketable and easily hidden.

win/win