Iphone/Ipod Extension cable for 128i/135i

[lbortnick]

I already have the short cable that connects my Iphone to my 128 so I can play and control the ipod section of the phone and bluetooth for the phone functions.

I can't seem to find online either an extension cable or a longer version of the cable that came with the car as I would like to mount the phone on my dash rather than in the pouch under the armrest that that cable is designer for.

Any ideas as I've already tried a plain 30pin connector extension cable that won't charge or play the music as well as an extension usb cable and 3.5mm cable extension and that doesn't work either (and even if it did, it would look pretty awful).

Thanks,

Laurence

[lbortnick]

Bump

[GtiGyver]

I bought a ipod-dock connector extender and it is working great.
I can't hear any sound degradation beyond the already low quality of the iDevice output.

It also charges fine.
I use an iPhone 3g 16gb.

[JHZR2]

I was going to do a short USB extension wire and a short gold-plated audio extension as well. I figured that due to the surface area of those connectors versus the pins on the iphone connector side, the connection surface and quality would be better.

I would keep them as short as possible all the same.

Make sense? Who makes the highest quality USB and audio miniplug cables?

[lbortnick]

Unfortunately, this won't work for the iphone. The usb connection will not give you control of the iphone's music through the head unit. Only charging.

[JHZR2]

huh? When I attach my iphone cable to my iphone, I can access and control the iphone through the headunit and my steering wheel...

Are you saying that using an extension USB cable somehow would change that? This is why I was advocating making the extension on the generic USB end, rather than the proprietary iphone end...

Now, Im hearing that in the future the iphone cable wont need the mini audio plug to connect to the HU, it will just use the audio signal somehow through the USB I guess? If so, wonder if my 11 can get flashed to do this too... Id think it would open up the possibilities.

[esky]

Originally Posted by GtiGyver

I bought a ipod-dock connector extender and it is working great.
I can't hear any sound degradation beyond the already low quality of the iDevice output.

It also charges fine.
I use an iPhone 3g 16gb.

What is the name of the product? Do you have a picture of it mounted on your dash?

[lbortnick]

When using the BMW Y cable that plugs into the usb and audio input in the arrmrest console, this works. I want to get a longer version of this cable or extend it. I've used a dock extension cable plugged into the end of the y cable; resulting in no audio transfer an no ipod control, only charging. I've also tried to extend the y cable on the armrest side by using a standard USB cable and a 3.5mm audio extension cable; result audio plays but no ipod control or charging.

[SupremePower3335]

Ditto, I am looking for the same thing. I was thinking about changing Armrest to snap in charger b/c of this short cable and trying to get the cable in that pouch - what a pain! I am reading here that the snapin adapter does not allow you to control the iPod. Can someone confirm pls?

thx!

[JHZR2]

someone then needs to pull apart the cable and look at an ipod connector pinout and figure what is going on. Adding a standard USB connection should just be an electrical connector, unless there is some funny reference voltage at ground or similar to aid in charging rates, which doesnt correspond correctly when an extension cable is used...

[VP Electricity]

Was the cable you used the Cablejive? I've heard that that one passes thru every single pin...

[MikeinAlexandria]

I took a look at the BMW connector Y cable. It is quite unique, not a straight through cable, but something Apple must have speced for BMW. The only way to extend it, I am guessing would be to use a USB extension cable and an audio extension cable. That way the signal is not being changed in any way. It does mean there would be two extension cables, but if it works, they can always be zip tied together. I just store my iPod in the pouch under the arm rest, whch has worked fine so far.

[gnat]

Originally Posted by MikeinAlexandria

I took a look at the BMW connector Y cable. It is quite unique, not a straight through cable, but something Apple must have speced for BMW.

Nope, it follows the design of the 30-pin connector.

The USB portion is connected to the USB pins (15, 16, 23, 25, & 27) for the purposes of power and control and the audio cable is hooked up to the line out pins (2, 3, & 4) for better sound quality than using the head phone jack.

You can see the pin out here.

If you want to build your own, SparkFun is a great place (well, it's always a great place..). They also have an extension cable, but I don't know how that price stacks up (apparently not according to Amazon for the purpose at hand).

5ft long enough for you?

[esky]

BMW just showed at the Paris Motor Show an iPhone mount on the dash.