iPod your 8
 

i remember while back ago that some people were trying to hook up their ipod to rx-8.
has anybody done this successfully already? how much was the whole thing?
Timbo did you end up installing the Dension ICElink?

I was initially thinking of getting the FM transmitter like the one from Monster.
http://www.monstercable.com/MP3/prod...r%20the%20Road


however, I found a product that I am considering atm.

http://www.mp3yourcar.com/

this is like the Dension ICElink which provided direct connection to car stereo.
it seems that it's compatible with mazda rx-8 and they can ship to Aus for around us$30.. i've emailed to get more info..

this is the picture of the unit.
http://www.mp3yourcar.com/images/ionmain.jpg

I think you'll find that the Neo is the IceLink, but without the Dension software which was supposed to enable display of track titles (it didn't).

Basically, there is a lot of conflicting information about these devices, so I suggest you search carefully through the Audio threads.

In the meantime, there are two alternatives:

First, there's OverLOAD's Custom Aux-In Module . I have fitted this, and am pretty happy eith it, although it does not give me any control of my iPod from the steering wheel. Also, there is a slight ground loop buzz -- very slight -- you won't notice when driving at all, really. It's pretty cheap. But fitting it to your head unit can be, er,...risky... :o

Secondly, there is a new, device that piggy-backs into the aerial socket, made by THB-Bury, who also make the mobile phone kit I use. This is distributed in Australia by a Melbourne firm, Point-to-Point Technology . I think pricing is around the $70-80 mark.

I'd be interested to hear from someone how this works. It should work much better that the FM transmitters, which I have found to be very frustrating. Again, you will have no control over the iPod from your steering wheel.

Good luck

wow, that OverLOAD's thread is 77 pages long.. but it's quite interesting..
I'm going to need more time to research on that one but definitely interesting.
Timbo, would you have any pictures of how it plugs to iPod?

Here's a pic on OverLOAD's website showing how the unit plugs into the external tape/MD socket of the head unit.

The attached pic shows my set up. I have a Belkin cup holder and charger plugged into the rear outlet, and have also plugged the 3.5m steroe cable in to that, routed through the centre console to the head unit. The charger stops the iPod when the ignition is turned off, which is a good set-up

Just out of morbid curiosity Timbo, do you drive with both ear plugs in or just one?

Oh der, I just realised you've got it hooked up to play through your speakers - slow brain day today!! :o

Out of curiuosity in this month's (June) Motor mag there are some guys in the USA installing mini mac's into their cars...has anyone heard of this being done to an RX8?

Ahh thanks Lock'n'load i just found the link in the american part of RX8 club.com

looks like there is two version of Neo hence the confusion.
the one I'm looking into is the Neo iOn SP. I don't know how big difference there are but unlike IceLink, it doesn't use the Dension UI but rather iPod UI.
this means you can use iPod to select music as well as the radio control from your RX-8 and also the steeringwheel.

Neo/Icelink for Ipod, display text on HU?
 

hi guys, with the Neo/Icelink kit for the Ipod, do the Mp3 tags display on the factory HU display?

This is a matter of some conjecture. You should search around in the Interior, Audio and Electronics section. As I recall, this was only ever likely to be the case (if it worked at all) if you encoded your songs in MP3 rather than the AAC standard that is the iTunes default.

Let us know what you find

no, i don't think so..
anyway, I went ahead and ordered the Neo. will post once I receive and install it ;)

What is the PIE thing they keep talking about. Is there anything that uses the AUX mode of our stock unit and have things that connect to my iPOD? I have searched but it is too technical for me :(

Yes -- the IceLink/Neo -- both of which use the PIE interface device, which plugs into the head unit, and gives you some control over tracks/playlists via the steering wheel controls

Or OverLOAD's Custom Aux-in module, which connects to the same head unit port -- you can only control volume from the steering wheel.

Both covered extensively in the Audio threads.

I have OverLOAD's module, which works fine for me, and -- at $USD59 landed -- was the right price!

Tell us what you think playa...

For this price, it has to be good ;)

yeah, it was US$247 all up (incl. express shipping), so it better be good.
but I have yet to see a bad review about Neo, both here and on ipodlounge.com, so I am hoping it will be all good.

the thing also charges the ipod, so I guess the price isn't too bad considering the Monster iPlay cable which I was thinking of getting costs around $160 in Oz..
and this things will let me control the music from the radio and steering wheel.
I could even take it out later if I ever have to sell the car since it will work on other cars too ;)

I got Polak's gearshift boot, so I am just waiting for this to arrive, so I can do all the mods in one go.. it's hard to remove the gear console for me because I have custom Nardi gear knob.. :( anyway, I will put the pictures up once I get it done.

ah, I finally got Neo unit yesterday..
it's actually, got a combination of neo car audio + Dension IceLink Plus unit..
I will do the install during this weekend hopefully, so I will put the pics and installation review. ;)

Excellent -- good luck with the install (and don't forget to disconnect the battery!)

Ahhh.... (gezzzzz)

Hopefully we do not hear this :o

Sounds very good playa, let us know how it goes.

Timbo, their installation instruction (link below) actually tell me not to disconnect the battery..
is there any specific reason to disconnect it?

http://www.neocaraudio.com/installs/...quired%20Tools

Far be it from me to contradict their instructions, but...believe me....it is possible to short out your head unit :o ie, kill it :eek:

Better to be safe than sorry. At least remove the fuses that cover the ICE circuits (in the pax side footwell)...you have been warned...but by a clutz:D

BTW, while they say not to dosconnect, they actually don't say when you need to connect to test....so I'd err on the side of safety

playa -- do not use a screw driver to get the central console up.

Use your finger or risk of breaking the tap. Speaking from an unfortunate experience :o

Good point, taka...I have so far avoided this!

I have a Griffin iTrip with my iPod and it works fine most of the time. Sometimes beset by radio interference (when sitting next to an old car in traffic, or under tram lines). Audio quality is of course only FM radio so not the best but my mp3s are compressed to 192kB/sec so I wonder if I'd hear much better quality anyway, through an icelink?

Of course the iTrip was a lot cheaper than icelink (u get wot u pay 4).

I might see how the icelink is priced in the UK in June and bring one back with me... if the box isn't too big (playa?) and the price is right, is anyone else interested? I seem to remember seeing it online for 99 pounds.

Oh and I have the older firmware in my head unit so it might not work anyway - if so,I'll have an icelink for sale in July!

Will

do you mean the central console with gearshift boot?
I've already removed this few times doing RP shifter etc..
my tap is still intact but almost broken... :(
I can see it coming off the next time I remove it, oh well..

I don't think you can really compare the sound quality with FM transmitters..
after all, this is supposed to be direct connection.. others reasons for getting this was that it will charge the ipod and also you can control ipod from your steering wheel etc.. I believe I had ver 9.55 for my HU, so I'm hoping there won't be any dramas. the box isn't too big.. I will take some pics during install I guess.

Well, IMHO, the FM transmitters are all crap, especially if you have to travel long distances. There's always a local TAB transmitter cutting into the lower frequencies, and the higher frequencies seem to have scads of commercial or ciommunity FM stattions that interfere.

Believe me, after directly connecting your iPod, you'll wonder why you ever spent $75 or what ever on the iTrip POS.

BTW, OverLOAD's custom aux-in module only costs $USD59 inc postage. It doesn't give you steering wheel control, but you can spend $70 or something on an RF remote for your iPod, such as the AirClick, and end up with almost the same functionality. OverLOAD's website

Thanks playa, timbo! I now agree that the FM way is pretty mediocre, after a few days of listening, but it'll have to do for now.
I've been checking out the long threads on all this too - OverLOAD's module looks like the biz for my ver 9.53 HU. I'm getting on the waitlist.
Will

any updates or pictures yet of your install playa78?

there's been a little drama while taking the HU out... :(
it wasn't to do with frying it but yeah my bad...
i couldn't take the HU out for some reason and ended up breaking the board at the back while trying to force it out.. the whole radio and a/c and lights got killed..
in the end I realised that i missed one screw to right which was the problem..
while trying to take it out I also damaged fair bit of the dash with scratches from the screw driver... (even after taping it etc.. )
anyway, i'll be taking it to the dealer tomorrow to have it fixed..
just hoping i won't need to replace the whole HU..

here are some eye candies in the mean time..
u can check out more pics and pics of the red gear shift boot here.

http://spaces.msn.com/members/playa78/PersonalSpace.aspx?_c11_PhotoAlbum_spaHandler=TWlj cm9zb2Z0LlNwYWNlcy5XZWIuUGFydHMuUGhvdG9BbGJ1bS5GdW xsTW9kZUNvbnRyb2xsZXI%24&_c11_PhotoAlbum_spaFolder ID=cns!1pauvFJFpO5ZPZk0KB7W750w!218&_c=PhotoAlbum& _c02_owner=1

i dunno if u can see.. if u can't, tell me and I will post a few pics later..

Did you get this working yet?

playa has gone very quiet...oh dear, after all the warnings, too :o

The thing I want to know is whether playa had the same problem I had in getting the HU replaced...not in getting it replaced, but twice the wrong HU was installed :eek:

C'mon playa....you can't be any more embarrased than I was about this problem

thought I should bring this old thread back up.
sorry about the delay in response to this. I had been away abroad and had some issues with car etc.

after four visits to the dealers it has now been installed properly last week.
had various issues (damaged HU etc.) it is actually a simple matter of plugging the connector which is 2 sec job once you have the HU out.
in trying to force out the HU, it got damaged and I had no heating and music for over a month. on the first visit, they said that I need to book the car in order for them to take a closer look.
on the 2nd visit to the dealer, I left the car with them for the whole day.
at the end of the day they reported that HU needs to be replaced (duh, I told them and they saw that there wasn't any power coming thru on the first visit. I thought they would have a spare ready or at least tell me before I pick the car up) and that they needed to order it but it will be done under warranty.

the next time I went to dealer, they replaced the HU but it still had problems. the radio unit had no power and only cold air came out in this chilly Sydney winter. they said it looks like the replacement was also faulty. they said that they will try their best but could take upto two weeks to have a new unit.
I then had to go abroad for a while.

I had to take it back to dealer last week to get it sorted. they were initially thinking of charging me about $40 for install in the first visit (although it's just matter of plugging the port) but because of numerous visit I had to make, said that they will waive it off.

to cut the long story short, I am happy to report it works brilliantly!

(i am finishing up at work, so I will update this once i get home ;)

There must be a standard Mazda operating procedure which involves not being able to replace the HU a minimum of two times! :eek: :rolleyes:

Well, glad to hear it is now working. So, what functionality do you have? Track display? Steering wheel controls switch tracks/playlists?

What's the odds the dealers didn't read the workshop manual and didn't know about the hidden bolt?

I have an Auxmod on it's way should be here next week. Will post a review once it's installed. I'll be running my CarPC into it with a hard disk full of lossless compressed audio :D

well, initially the dension logo came on the ipod (i have ipod photo 40Gb).
I had no control on the iPod during this mode where icelink controls the unit.
I thought I could control from both rx-8 and ipod but couldn't.
also, you could only play the first 5 playlists.. I was disappointed but was happy in the fact that it worked.
but then I read the manual :)
i had to select iPod UI mode in the option (rather tricky because you have to choose this mode from using rx-8's HU).
now I can control and select from both iPod and also skip to next song etc from rx-8.
the sound is truly great. much better than FM units I tried b4.
also, I have tried the same song from CD and also iPod.
to my amazement, it sounded better from the iPod ;) i think it's probably because of the EQ that I can choose when I play from iPod (jazz, pop, rock mode etc) and also that it sounded more loud and strong when in same volume.

track and playlist number is displayed on the HU but it's not really accurate. but you can always check this from your iPod if you set it to iPod UI mode. skip and volume and mute all work from the steering wheel too. all in all very happy with it.
I will post some pics for viewing pleasure next week. (don't ask me why ;)

Ah, sounds like it is a success! Would like to see pics.

Yes, I reckon the sound is better than the CD, but that may be because of the equalisation, and the volume gain which the iPod provides. I assume it is also charging your iPod?

I get a tiny bit of static which is noticeable at low volumes with car not moving, probably due to a ground loop somewhere

yes, it charges the iPod and when I turn the car off, it will power off the iPod too ;)
i haven't noticed any static at low volume but yeah stay tuned for pics next week.

sorry for taking so long for this.
but here are some picture of how it is connected.

I have also created a .wmv movie to show you guys how it works.
it's about 6Mb, so i don't think I can upload here.
I will upload it somewhere and have it linked soon.cheers ;)

here is the link to the video. enjoy ;)

http://members.dodo.com.au/~sunghoon/rx-8_ipod.wmv

just one final useless info.
I can still use one cupholder to put my drink with this setup :D heheheh

Good video -- looks a nice clean set up. Can you please confirm what control integration you get?

ie:

Steering wheel -- volume up/down/mute?
Steering wheel -- next track/last track/mode?
Head unit -- play list up/play list down?

Thanks

timbo

Timbo,

you can get all those except the playlist sometimes plays up when you are in iPod UI mode.
it seems to work better when you are in Dension mode but you can't control from iPod in this mode. i'm not too sure what you mean by the steering wheel mode..
you can listen to cd's also if that what you meant.

he meant.... can you use the rx-8 steering wheel functions with the dension? is it fully compatible. also for those waiting for the second batch of modules from www.mp3yourcar.com has anyone contacted them to see when these will come out. i just know (i called probably 3 weeks ago) this one should get rid of most (if not all) of the bugs they had with the first neo ions.

i've already mentioned that above :D
you can use all the buttons on the steering wheel to control ipod.

I have a first year RX-8 and a BOSE system - Single CD - no changer or MP3. The Headunit version is 9.5.

How do I update the HU to support (at a minimum 9.55)
Will the NEO work with BOSE.

I want to get the NANO and hook it up!

THX

i don't know what you mean by BOSE?
they are all BOSE. well, I think the HU is based on Alpine system and they give you appropriate connector which hooks at the back in the ext. cd changer port.
i don't there's any way to upgrade firmware other than to replace it in Australia but I heard there is a guy in US who do this at a fee. you should check the audio forum and do a search. btw, I am pretty sure that NANO will work with mine. I heard that NANO will ues the same docking port so all iPod accessories can be shared.

Has anyone heard any of the details for the upcoming Mazda iPod support?

Cost?
Ability to install on older 8's?
Availability?

Playa78, if you had taked your NEO to Mazda right from the start, how much would it have been to have them do the connection. I don't wanna scew with anything and risk having to fix it for more money. BTW your video was great.

Is there a factory iPod support coming for the RX-8?

madhops, I've pm'ed you on this. But just so everybody knows, they were thinking of charging me $40 Australian dollars which is about an hour of their labour charge.
It's really easy once you know how to get the HU out.
i think it's about 30min job and even less once you figure out what to do..