liqiud

I have no nav, but CD changer...just ordered mine, and can't wait to hook up my XM to it...i am also working on a switch, so i can leave the XM hooked up, but also hook up something else, and by throwing the switch decide what i want to listen to. I will keep everyone posted...

Driver8

No go for me too. I have Bose System and No Nav. Audio works for 15 secs or so while the display flashes EX1 and then the system turns off.
Same results for my XM radio and iPod.

starbucks

Here's Brit's earlier post:

My RX8 has nav, no oem mazda cd changer though. The part I am describing is an aftermarket converter which is meant to allow the use of an external Alpine CD Changer. As long as the 16 pin port on the back of radio is free you should be all set.

No NAV, and NO OEM Mazda CD Changer. Seems you need a non-Bose set-up for this to work. Has anyone tried removing or unplugging the OEM CD Changer?

mrthundercleese

Well isnt that a pile of poo! I was thinking of using this for my carpc install. Looks like ill have to find another way to get the audio...

RandyP

I have the Bose system that comes with the Touring Package, and I also have the 6-CD changer. Does anyone know if a PIE solution is compatible with the Bose system when it's equipped with the 6-disk changer? That may be the component that's necessary.

RX8J

I too have a Bose with Changer (No NAV). It seems that we are out of luck. As far as I can tell it only sounds like it works for a NAV system (although you cant have the NAV screen open or the display goes blank -- But the audio works).

If anyone can figure out a way to get a Bose with Changer and NO NAV to work PLEASE post. There are a lot of us waiting for a solution (but at this point is doesn't sound good).

-RX8J

affenage

Here's my report. I have a Bose radio/cd player - no changer and no Nav.

I finished! It works for me and it works great! I hooked the blue connector from the PIE adaptor to the back of the unit (on the driver's side). I then ran the RCA end down the back and under the ashtray assembly. I hooked up an RCA to miniplug cord there and ran that along the side of the inside of the shifter/emergency brake area, and then out into the cup holder area by exiting through the small opening by the emergency brake. I then plugged the miniplu into the earbud jack, and turned the system on. WIth or without a CD in the CD drive, if I press CD it will switch back and forth between the two.

Main problems I had: finding the side bolt to remove the radio assembly (after I found the TSB about fiinding the bolt I got it.)

FIrst go round it did not work - found out that the PIE adaptor has to really plug in all the way - I hadn't been shoving it on the at the Ppin connector as much as I should have.

No ground noise, it keeps working on EX just fine, with the - 1 flashing. I ran it about 10 minutes with no problems.

affenage

Suggestion for people who are having the problem of it switching off EX-1 - try setting your iPod volume up high, in case it needs a minimum signal to "see" it.

RandyP

affenage,

Good job! Would mind pointing me to "the TSB about finding the bolt"? I can tell I'm going to need it, but my 8 is only two days old and I'm learning my way around this forum.

I had a TransPod for my 2G iPod, hacked to use a cassette adapter instead of its iffy transmitter: http://www.eldoradosoft.com/transPod.htm

I lost use of the TransPod when I got my 3G iPod, but there's now a new 3G TransPod at http://www.everythingipod.com and I assume it will be equally hackable. This time, though, I'll be able to use the PIE for direct input!

The TransPod is a super mounting device when hacked for better audio. It's easily controlled while your hand is on or near the shifter, and reasonably visible so your eyes don't have to wander as far.

affenage

Here are the DIY directions with pictures for removing the head unit.
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-mp3-factory-head-unit-removal-install-7644/
They are misleading in that I couldn't get to the side bolt until I found this
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...s/9-13-03.html

I used a (I forget the name they remove bolts) with an extender on it - you go in from the driver's foot well area on the side of the unit. I ended up not putting it back for now because it was so damn annoying to get out!
here's another thread about it
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...+head+and+unit

good luck... I wish this would work for everyone, I know how badly I wanted something like this - at least until overload gets his fancy one finished.
Sue

starbucks

Those who have gotten this to work with the RCA plugs, where are you mounting them? Did you do do some cutting into the dash or some other place not noticeable?

liqiud

i plan on putting mine in the plastic insert i am making for my ashtray slot...i have my xm commander in there now, and i am working on a plastic insert with a switch and two rca plugs so i can use either my XM or my MP3 player with the aux in...i will post pics when it is complete

SlAoTkAiN

I suppose you guys could get this unit and all you iPod owner out there could then get an ICElink for the M-bus, it's 159 last time I checked, I personally am just going to wait for the RX-8 model of the ICElink, since the Apple created integration is just a meaningless hack anyway and it's sub-par compared to the ICElink which is rather sad, it seems as though apple rushed into this not fully thinking about it, but it's an idea for you guys who just can't wait

RandyP

Thanks for the DIY info, Sue.

I bought a 3G TransPod yesterday, and found it has an "Aux Out" jack already built into it. I just have it on its mounting stick plugged into the lighter, but it's pretty stable even so. I haven't figured out where to do the permanent mount, and I'm really not happy about drilling into the brand-new dashboard... but I do like the utility of the TransPod.

In another thread I saw someone mention high-freq noise from the car's ignition. I hear this with the TransPod, and heard it with the 2G TransPod (hard-wired) as well. I'm concerned about the noise isolation of the TransPod and will be experimenting with it.

Randy

affenage

Hi Randy -
I bought the Belkin power adaptor for the car. I looked at the Transpods - and I saw that they make an Aux out one now, but I decided to wait on it, since I don't know what my final hookup will end up being. Ideally I would like a more permanent solution like the Transpod, but for now I am content to hook up the two wires and leave the iPod on the center console or in the cup holder.
If eventually I have a hookup that will allow me to read the text on the dash and control the stop/next song/etc with the radio controls, then I will probably mount the whole system in the covered compartment behind the cup holder.
I don't have any noise at all - you might see if hooking it up through the earbud jack vs the aux out on the Transpod makes a difference - it may tell you where the source of the problem is. I was a little hesitant to add the power line, after early reports of the high frequency feedback, but as I said, mine has been smooth sailing so far.
good luck!

RX8J

I appreciate everyone’s attempt to tackle the issue of not having AUX-IN source(s) on the RX8. However, the more explanations I see, the more it seems people are being confused. So, in an attempt to provide some clarity, it appears that there are 4 basic configurations out there that we are all trying to address with the P.I.E. + M-Bus add-ons:

1) CD Changer – No Nav. Does this work?
2) CD Changer – Nav. Does this work?
3) Single CD – No Nav. Does this work?
4) Single CD – Nav. Does this work?

Can anybody who has made these attempts please confirm or deny that the P.I.E solution will or will not work. And please specify which configuration (above) you have.

Thanks to everyone in advance.

affenage

#3 single cd - no nav (and it is Bose)
iPod mini connected through headphone jack

works

ymmv

Sue

Driver8

Option #3 DID NOT work for me. (Single CD Bose system.)
I was attempting to connect either a 2nd generation iPod or an XM Commander. Neither worked - just 15 seconds of audio before shutting off.
It may be helpful to also list what audio source works as I suspect it may have something to do with the strength of the signal received instead of the combination of audio components.

AWillsea

Option #2

2) CD Changer – Nav. Does this work?

DOES NOT WORK!

I have it and I have talked to the Tech Guys at PIE.

affenage

So ask your buddies at PIE why mine works. Mention I bought the adaptor in early April. I bet they aren't allowed to sell a version that can do this, and the newer ones are disabled.
just a hunch.

BritSti

I have finally had the time to play around with this some more.

My car OPTION #4
1. Bose
2. Navigation - Updated NAV software to latest rev.
3. Single CD
4. PIE CD CHanger adapter for Alpine with M-BUS AUX-in.
5. Rio S35 Sport, headphone jack, no line in.
6. PAC Ground Loop Isoloator for Audio

This is working fine for me, my "EX 1" flashes but audio and my nav does not cut out. I can leave the Mp3 player off, and the the EX 1 still flashes, I can have the NAV open or closed, no issues.

So with all these different results it seems this solution is a little bit of a crap shoot.

I have an IPOD incoming I will be using with the Belkin auto kit, I'll post on the results...

S

AWillsea

I don't have the updated NAV software. I am wondering if that is the problem I might be having get my PIE adapter to work.

liqiud

My Adapter's just arrived today, i am going to try it tonight, and let you know about Option 2...i believe it will actually work, if you have a high enough output...

RandyP

'affenage' mentioned earlier an idea about turning up the volume to try and clear up the EX-1 problem. Line-In inputs expect a 1V P-P signal such as what comes out of your Levinson at home. If you're using the earphone output, you really should crank the volume up all the way to get that 1V signal. 3G iPods have a Line Out in addition to the earphone output - it's the best choice for this kind of application.

Nobody reported results about the original post. I'd be interested in knowing if it clears up the EX-1 issue - or perhaps even fixes unworking installations. I'm buying 'ectomort's tape unit... I really do think OverLOAD will succeed; I think he got into the project and found out how do to it *right* and is doing just that. Still, I monitor this thread as a fallback.

RX8J

liquid,

I thought you said you had option #1? In your previous post it says NO NAV + Changer, but your last post mentioned option #2. Which is it? The reason I am asking is because I am an option #1 myself and I am trying to watch and see who has luck and who does not...

I am also interested in seeing if cranking up the headhone out will have any affect.... This would not help us XM commander folks who would only have line out's to deal with... but it would help out others. If this is the case, a simple amplifier circuit might do the trick, but we should wait and see....


-RX8J