iPod Hookup: Mazda or PIE?
11-07-2006, 07:38 PM
#16
'04 MT RX8/71 351C Mach1
Well, I'll throw my 2 cents in here. Althought I have posted this in another thread, (https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...31#post1597031) I thought it would be helpful here also. I recently installed the Mazda iPod interface and am very happy with it so far. It certainly isn't perfect, but my main reason for opting for it is that it doesen't require a specific firmware version. Since my Bose system would have required a firmware upgrade for the other available options to work, this was the best option for me.
This is how I think the iPod adaptor unit works.
The top hierarchy is called Music Menus. There are 6 menus – 1. Playlists 2. Artists 3. Albums 4. Songs 5. Genres 6. Composers. The unit looks at all of the songs you have on the iPod and accesses them according to the Music Menu it is in, regardless of the playlists you have on the iPod. (except for the Playlist Music Menu which DOES see your playlists) For example if you are in the 2. Artists Music Menu, the unit will group all of the songs by artist. Thus if you cycle through the lists it will go from one artist to the next. More on lists later. To change from one Music Menu to another you press the Disc up or Disc down buttons on the center console, either twice rapidly or holding the button. The numbers flashing by on the readout mean nothing. The Music Menu is identified by a number which appears in the minutes position where the song time usually appears. It will disappear after about 1 or 2 seconds. Thus, if you see a 2, you are in Artists Music Menu. Continuing to hold the Disc up button will not make the music menus continue to change. Only one step per press.
The next level of organization is the Lists. Under each Music Menu the unit creates Lists of Artists, Composers, etc. dictated by which Music Menu you are in. It doesn’t actually change anything on your iPod, but organizes them internally, I guess. As I said before, the Playlists Music Menu will actually see the playlists you have put on the iPod. You cycle from one list to another by pressing the Disc up button once. The list number is the first number on the digital readout. Although the unit will display only numbers 1 – 6 for lists, if there are, for example, seven playlists on your iPod and you are in Playlists Music Menu, when you cycle from 6 to 7, the number will cycle back to 1 but the unit is actually accessing playlist 7 on the iPod. Thus, since the list numbers may change if there are more than 6 lists, it is nearly impossible to use the list numbers to positively identify which list you are in. You need to identify the first song in the list, or some other cue, to know which list you are in.
The last level is the individual song. The song number in the list is the second number on the display. You cycle through the songs with the up or down buttons on the steering wheel. Pressing the random button on the console will put the unit into a random selection mode within the list that is currently playing. Touching any button after that will take the unit out of the random mode and put it back at the beginning of the list.
Well, that is about the extent of what I have learned so far. The above explanation seems to jive with the way my unit is behaving. Hope that helps!!
Zoom, Zoom!
P.S. If you look at post #74 in this thread - https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...7&page=5&pp=15 - you can also see my comments about installing one of these units.
This is how I think the iPod adaptor unit works.
The top hierarchy is called Music Menus. There are 6 menus – 1. Playlists 2. Artists 3. Albums 4. Songs 5. Genres 6. Composers. The unit looks at all of the songs you have on the iPod and accesses them according to the Music Menu it is in, regardless of the playlists you have on the iPod. (except for the Playlist Music Menu which DOES see your playlists) For example if you are in the 2. Artists Music Menu, the unit will group all of the songs by artist. Thus if you cycle through the lists it will go from one artist to the next. More on lists later. To change from one Music Menu to another you press the Disc up or Disc down buttons on the center console, either twice rapidly or holding the button. The numbers flashing by on the readout mean nothing. The Music Menu is identified by a number which appears in the minutes position where the song time usually appears. It will disappear after about 1 or 2 seconds. Thus, if you see a 2, you are in Artists Music Menu. Continuing to hold the Disc up button will not make the music menus continue to change. Only one step per press.
The next level of organization is the Lists. Under each Music Menu the unit creates Lists of Artists, Composers, etc. dictated by which Music Menu you are in. It doesn’t actually change anything on your iPod, but organizes them internally, I guess. As I said before, the Playlists Music Menu will actually see the playlists you have put on the iPod. You cycle from one list to another by pressing the Disc up button once. The list number is the first number on the digital readout. Although the unit will display only numbers 1 – 6 for lists, if there are, for example, seven playlists on your iPod and you are in Playlists Music Menu, when you cycle from 6 to 7, the number will cycle back to 1 but the unit is actually accessing playlist 7 on the iPod. Thus, since the list numbers may change if there are more than 6 lists, it is nearly impossible to use the list numbers to positively identify which list you are in. You need to identify the first song in the list, or some other cue, to know which list you are in.
The last level is the individual song. The song number in the list is the second number on the display. You cycle through the songs with the up or down buttons on the steering wheel. Pressing the random button on the console will put the unit into a random selection mode within the list that is currently playing. Touching any button after that will take the unit out of the random mode and put it back at the beginning of the list.
Well, that is about the extent of what I have learned so far. The above explanation seems to jive with the way my unit is behaving. Hope that helps!!
Zoom, Zoom!
P.S. If you look at post #74 in this thread - https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...7&page=5&pp=15 - you can also see my comments about installing one of these units.
Last edited by glassetcher; 11-07-2006 at 07:59 PM.
11-10-2006, 02:45 PM
#17
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I, personally, did not know about the limitations (suckiness) until AFTER Mazda installed it! I bought it from them and they said, "you will be able to control the iPod from the steering wheel & deck." I figured it'd have all the menus written out on the center display. After installation & a bunch of money...the tech expains the suckines!
11-10-2006, 02:57 PM
#18
'04 MT RX8/71 351C Mach1
Originally Posted by bikes2cars
I, personally, did not know about the limitations (suckiness) until AFTER Mazda installed it! I bought it from them and they said, "you will be able to control the iPod from the steering wheel & deck." I figured it'd have all the menus written out on the center display. After installation & a bunch of money...the tech expains the suckines!
11-30-2006, 11:14 PM
#20
Seriously.. FML..
Originally Posted by bikes2cars
I just got the Mazda Ipod interface installed this week. I used to use a high quality fm transmitter but don't like things dangling out of the lighter. It looked sloppy, even though the mounting/bracket was pretty neat. The ipod interface is now available at mazda dealers but Ebay has them for a little bit cheaper. Since it's a mazda part, its covered under the warranty.
I was a bit let down though. With the fm transmitter, you could control the volume from the deck & wheel but could not change songs/playlists, etc. I found it a bit "dangerous" to fondle the ipod while driving so I kicked down the extra money for the mazda part.
The mazda interface allows you to change between cd/ipod/radio. If you have satelite, you cannot use it! It plugs into the 30 pin plug in the rear of our decks. You push the cd button on the deck & it goes to the cd player, press again and "EX" shows up on the console. Then there are a series of numbers--this is the sucky part. The first number corresponds to either playlist, aritist, song, genre, etc. Then you have to memorize how many of these categories you have as it only goes up to the number "6" for some reason. The second set of numbers corresponds to that number in you playlists, artists, genres, etc. That is, if it is in playlist "Mode" (it will not say playlist or otherwise, you just have to figure it out by knowing what song is first on what category. Problem is if you have the same song/aritist on several categories you have to play process of elimination) the second set of numbers is your second playlist, etc. The third set of numbers is like a count down. The second set only goes up to "99," so if you have 101 songs in your second playlist, the 101st song would be number "3" after you have scrolled past the first set of 99 songs.
I've spent entire drives just looking for a song or playlist. I'm hoping it just "takes getting use to" as I'm thinking about going back to the fm transmitter.
The good thing is, it's a clean install. The cord is long enough for the rear passengers to hold the ipod. You can even run the wire through the tranny tunnel/consol and have it pop out of the storage there. The glove box is best though as it locks & you can keep the ipod safe w/o taking it out everytime you get out of the car.
Also, you cannot imput the ipod once it is plugged in. Once plugged, a mazda logo appears & you cannot access it unless you disconnect. The sound is a bit better than the best fm station I've ever got, but its a pain to listen you your one favorite song while driving. Because usually, your home once you find it. Its really cool for long drives maybe.
Installation will set you back about $175 at the dealership, unless you are good at drilling & running wire cleanly. You would have to take the dash apart and remove the glove box. Some dealerships don't even have the "instructions" for the RX8 yet. Mine came with Miata instructions!
All in all, if youre more obsessed with a clean interior than easy access to particular songs/playlsits, etc. this is for you. If you don't mind having something hanging out of the 12v plug, the "RoadTrip" fm transmitter would be a better choice as it is "pole" mounted from the lighter and has locking/ratcheting joints to place the ipod right near the e-brake.
Hope this helps.
I was a bit let down though. With the fm transmitter, you could control the volume from the deck & wheel but could not change songs/playlists, etc. I found it a bit "dangerous" to fondle the ipod while driving so I kicked down the extra money for the mazda part.
The mazda interface allows you to change between cd/ipod/radio. If you have satelite, you cannot use it! It plugs into the 30 pin plug in the rear of our decks. You push the cd button on the deck & it goes to the cd player, press again and "EX" shows up on the console. Then there are a series of numbers--this is the sucky part. The first number corresponds to either playlist, aritist, song, genre, etc. Then you have to memorize how many of these categories you have as it only goes up to the number "6" for some reason. The second set of numbers corresponds to that number in you playlists, artists, genres, etc. That is, if it is in playlist "Mode" (it will not say playlist or otherwise, you just have to figure it out by knowing what song is first on what category. Problem is if you have the same song/aritist on several categories you have to play process of elimination) the second set of numbers is your second playlist, etc. The third set of numbers is like a count down. The second set only goes up to "99," so if you have 101 songs in your second playlist, the 101st song would be number "3" after you have scrolled past the first set of 99 songs.
I've spent entire drives just looking for a song or playlist. I'm hoping it just "takes getting use to" as I'm thinking about going back to the fm transmitter.
The good thing is, it's a clean install. The cord is long enough for the rear passengers to hold the ipod. You can even run the wire through the tranny tunnel/consol and have it pop out of the storage there. The glove box is best though as it locks & you can keep the ipod safe w/o taking it out everytime you get out of the car.
Also, you cannot imput the ipod once it is plugged in. Once plugged, a mazda logo appears & you cannot access it unless you disconnect. The sound is a bit better than the best fm station I've ever got, but its a pain to listen you your one favorite song while driving. Because usually, your home once you find it. Its really cool for long drives maybe.
Installation will set you back about $175 at the dealership, unless you are good at drilling & running wire cleanly. You would have to take the dash apart and remove the glove box. Some dealerships don't even have the "instructions" for the RX8 yet. Mine came with Miata instructions!
All in all, if youre more obsessed with a clean interior than easy access to particular songs/playlsits, etc. this is for you. If you don't mind having something hanging out of the 12v plug, the "RoadTrip" fm transmitter would be a better choice as it is "pole" mounted from the lighter and has locking/ratcheting joints to place the ipod right near the e-brake.
Hope this helps.
Na, I'm playing, but that right there makes me think twice.. Hmm.. I should just go for the Sirius install instead.
12-01-2006, 03:16 PM
#21
'04 MT RX8/71 351C Mach1
Sirius sounds like a good idea as well, but if you think about it, it's kind of like the Mazda interface except you have to listen to the random songs they pick, not the ones you want. The Mazda unit works fine for me because I mostly want to listen to podcasts I update daily and/or all of the songs on the iPod in random mode. I don't have any desire to find any one song. Oh, and i can also lode playlists of, say a single artist, and listen that way too. Can't do those things with Sirius, can you?
12-01-2006, 04:18 PM
#22
Purveyor of fine bass
whoa, glassetcher, I missed your description the first time around.
So if you are trying to flip through the lists (say you know you want list 5), and you're in a hurry and press Disc Up or Disc Down TOO FAST (so it thinks you pressed it twice), then instead of moving on to the next list, it'll throw you to the next "music menu"! AAAH! I'd go crazy.
Wow, unbelievable! So much for any type of ability to positively select music. It's like fumbling in the dark.
I'm sorry, I don't mean to sound like a whiney bastard, but it galls me to no end that in the 21st century it is considered acceptable to release a piece of electronics with such obviously substandard usability. I wonder whether the sales literature advertises it as "easy to use"--if it does, then they have some *****!
Heck, who the heck released this thing out into the wild? It must've been some crazy sales/marketing pressure (hear the chant of "Must have iPod integration! Must have!"), because I wouldn't have released such a thing even as an internal company tool. This must've been a mole planted by a competitor (Nissan?), designed to ruin the public opinion of Mazda's iPod integration.
To change from one Music Menu to another you press the Disc up or Disc down buttons on the center console, either twice rapidly or holding the button...
You cycle from one list to another by pressing the Disc up button once.
You cycle from one list to another by pressing the Disc up button once.
Although the unit will display only numbers 1 – 6 for lists, if there are, for example, seven playlists on your iPod and you are in Playlists Music Menu, when you cycle from 6 to 7, the number will cycle back to 1 but the unit is actually accessing playlist 7 on the iPod.
I'm sorry, I don't mean to sound like a whiney bastard, but it galls me to no end that in the 21st century it is considered acceptable to release a piece of electronics with such obviously substandard usability. I wonder whether the sales literature advertises it as "easy to use"--if it does, then they have some *****!
Heck, who the heck released this thing out into the wild? It must've been some crazy sales/marketing pressure (hear the chant of "Must have iPod integration! Must have!"), because I wouldn't have released such a thing even as an internal company tool. This must've been a mole planted by a competitor (Nissan?), designed to ruin the public opinion of Mazda's iPod integration.
12-01-2006, 04:28 PM
#23
Lubricious
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Originally Posted by bikes2cars
The mazda interface allows you to change between cd/ipod/radio. If you have satelite, you cannot use it! It plugs into the 30 pin plug in the rear of our decks. You push the cd button on the deck & it goes to the cd player, press again and "EX" shows up on the console. Then there are a series of numbers--this is the sucky part. The first number corresponds to either playlist, aritist, song, genre, etc. Then you have to memorize how many of these categories you have as it only goes up to the number "6" for some reason
The dension does sacrifice "CD number 6" to allow you to go into "iPod UI mode", where you get to control the ipod with its own controls -- but then you lose some of the steering wheel controls. Frankly, I almost never use the iPod UI mode. Fiddling with an iPod Mini while driving is probably not a good idea, at least with my middle-aged eyes! In fact I've realized the mount I fabricated really isn't doing anything for me and the unit would do just as well in the glove box.
As far as the suckiness -- I guess it's all relative. For me, if I'm going to be using the pod in the car, I just plan on my first 5 playlists around that fact. Works pretty well. If there are tunes I really must hear, I make the first playlist short and put them there. Not as good as having the head unit actually behave like an iPod, but close enough. I guess ideally, you could have a Nav video-screen with touchscreen that interfaced directly to the iPod video and UI.
12-01-2006, 04:32 PM
#24
'04 MT RX8/71 351C Mach1
Astral, you are right that this is not what we would have asked for in a product. I'm guessing they had to deal with some severe limitations in the radio head units that are in the current fleet of cars. As you probably know, Mazda has announced iPod compatibility starting with 2007 cars, I think. I'd be willing to bet that product won't be as cryptic as this one is. But, they were probably trying to at least give all of us that recently bought a Mazda something better than the current crop of FM transmitter products with less that stellar sound performance. Anyway, it does what I want for now, so I'm willing to live with it. 
Last edited by glassetcher; 12-01-2006 at 05:10 PM.
12-01-2006, 05:34 PM
#25
Pining for the Fjords
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Originally Posted by glassetcher
As you probably know, Mazda has announced iPod compatibility starting with 2007 cars, I think.
12-01-2006, 06:02 PM
#26
'04 MT RX8/71 351C Mach1
Originally Posted by DrDiaboloco
Unless I'm mistaken, the "iPod compatibility" is nothing more than an aux-in jack on the front of the HU. While that's better than nothing, it's not TRUE compatibility, like that found on stereos that are designed to accept (and control) an iPod... And of course this means it's compatible with ANY device that makes sound and can be connected to a cable with a 1/8" jack on one end.
I haven't seen a detailed description of their implementation. Quite a few car manufacturers now claim iPod interfaces. How do they work? I don't know. I guess we'll just have to wait and see!!
12-01-2006, 06:07 PM
#27
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The only manufacturer I know of that directly supports iPods is BMW/Mini. You leave the player in your glovebox and the stock HU will control it... Though I don't know if the radio displays track info.
Of course, other auto manufacturers may offer this but I'm not aware of them. Most "interfaces" are generic aux-in jacks, which makes more sense from the manufacturer's standpoint as anything can be plugged into it.
Maybe what Mazda meant is that they're going to offer the same system you now have to buy as a separate part as standard equipment?
Of course, other auto manufacturers may offer this but I'm not aware of them. Most "interfaces" are generic aux-in jacks, which makes more sense from the manufacturer's standpoint as anything can be plugged into it.
Maybe what Mazda meant is that they're going to offer the same system you now have to buy as a separate part as standard equipment?
12-16-2006, 08:42 AM
#28
Registered
After reading glassetcher's post, it sounds to me you just need to pre-plan your music. That is something that the iPod let's you do on the fly but the interface takes that feature away from you. I'm still trying to decide which way to go but I think the Mazda install will be fine for me. I prefer to set up a playlist before I go anyway. The one thing that bothers me is the inability to control it from the iPod itself.
Another thing, if you wanted to use it to listen to an audio book, how would you pick back up at a given chapter? I don't think that would be possible. Will it retain its location as with a CD?
Another thing, if you wanted to use it to listen to an audio book, how would you pick back up at a given chapter? I don't think that would be possible. Will it retain its location as with a CD?
12-18-2006, 01:14 PM
#29
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Harmon Kardon Drive + Play
The HK Drive + Play also allows you to run a direct interface (not just FM modulator). I just installed mine, with the Sylfex AUXMOD. Works great!
http://www.sylfex.com/products/AuxMod/
http://www.sylfex.com/products/AuxMod/
Originally Posted by DrDiaboloco
Actually... There kind of IS a unit that allows you to remotely control the iPod, the Harmon Kardon Drive+Play (at least that's what I remember the name of it to be). The problem is that I think it gets plugged into your stereo via the FM input, so the limitations of the FM unit now constrict the dynamic/frequency range that the iPod is capable of. However, it does give you a remotely-viewed screen and a separate joystick for the purpose. Whether you want this stuff sitting out in plain view in your car is another issue entirely. In my case, with the cupholder lid closed, there's no evidence that I have anything other than a stock stereo installed.
12-18-2006, 03:32 PM
#30
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Hmmm I've had the audiolink unit for about 7-9 months now, can't remember when exactly I got it. Easy install with basic hand tools and a little patience. Definitely not something I'd pay to have done and I'm not particularly mechanically inclined.
Reading the comments here about Mazda's unit, it seems people are forgetting the limitations that are put upon Mazda as a corporation vs. independent aftermarket manufacturer.
-Mazda does not want you to condone use of said iPod while vehicle is in motion, that could lead to some crazy lawsuit where someone gets into an accident while fiddling with their OEM iPod integration kit, much like how all OEM GPS contain a disclaimer now.
-Mazda had to ensure their solution would work with every HU out there already (correct me if I'm wrong on this point)
-The car came out in 2003, iPods were on the rise but not ubiquitous like now. That means the stereo specs were probably set in stone even before then ~ 2002? The built in LCD was never meant to display any more information
Now back to the audio link unit, I have mine come out in the cupholder area and unless I go into playlist mode via the disc -+ buttons, I retain full use of iPod through the clickwheel. That means I have easy access to one handed album/artist/playlist etc switching via iPod or I can go into my first 6 playlists via the HU. Very happy with this unit, sound is clean and I also have the option to connect other mp3/Pda/Laptop devices via the stereo 3.5mm jack. Haven't learned of another product that I would trade up for so far......
Reading the comments here about Mazda's unit, it seems people are forgetting the limitations that are put upon Mazda as a corporation vs. independent aftermarket manufacturer.
-Mazda does not want you to condone use of said iPod while vehicle is in motion, that could lead to some crazy lawsuit where someone gets into an accident while fiddling with their OEM iPod integration kit, much like how all OEM GPS contain a disclaimer now.
-Mazda had to ensure their solution would work with every HU out there already (correct me if I'm wrong on this point)
-The car came out in 2003, iPods were on the rise but not ubiquitous like now. That means the stereo specs were probably set in stone even before then ~ 2002? The built in LCD was never meant to display any more information
Now back to the audio link unit, I have mine come out in the cupholder area and unless I go into playlist mode via the disc -+ buttons, I retain full use of iPod through the clickwheel. That means I have easy access to one handed album/artist/playlist etc switching via iPod or I can go into my first 6 playlists via the HU. Very happy with this unit, sound is clean and I also have the option to connect other mp3/Pda/Laptop devices via the stereo 3.5mm jack. Haven't learned of another product that I would trade up for so far......
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