It Works!! iPod adapter w/ real Text Display!!
Good find. I, too, want to wait until a few more have completed the install before I buy one. I usually don't scroll through my ipod that much while driving. I usually keep it on shuffle, and then hit the next button if I don't want to hear that song.
The devil made me do it
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,708
Likes: 2
From: Colorado Springs, CO
First, nice find on that iPod adapter. Looks really interesting. Thanks.
No, the text display on the RX-8 isn't coming from the iPod. The data saying what character to show comes from the iPod but then how to display that character (what pixels to light up to show the shape of the character - known as the glyph) is coming from within the factory radio. If the basic firmware (embedded software) on the factory radio is the same worldwide then it probably will be able to show Japanese but maybe not Chinese (don't know if Mazda localizes their software for the Chinese market). If they customize the firmware for each market (or for groups of countries) then it is likely not going to be able to display Japanese or Chinese.
It should be pretty easy to test though. Somebody can send you an MP3/AAC with tags that have Japanese and / or Chinese text and you can take a picture of the display in the car. I could send you an AAC with Japanese text if you would test it out. Send me a private message with your email address and I can send you one for testing.
Any idea if it can display other languages? Japanese? Chinese?
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Huh, my initial (American-centric) response would be no. But, actually I don't see why not, does the iPod display in other languages? That's where the display info comes from, so it's theoretically possible. Another question for their tech support. . .
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Huh, my initial (American-centric) response would be no. But, actually I don't see why not, does the iPod display in other languages? That's where the display info comes from, so it's theoretically possible. Another question for their tech support. . .
It should be pretty easy to test though. Somebody can send you an MP3/AAC with tags that have Japanese and / or Chinese text and you can take a picture of the display in the car. I could send you an AAC with Japanese text if you would test it out. Send me a private message with your email address and I can send you one for testing.
Both of you, stop using the FreeBSD logo and find your own devil images!
I'm guessing it doesnt work wwith the iPhone dock since no useful ipod accessory does yet.
hey Rogman .... or anyone else who may know,
How's the response to changing songs/playlists with this adapter? I've read in some threads the mazda oem adapter is slow to react. Is the Axcess fast?
I'm up in the air between this one and the AudioLink adapter. I know the AudioLink does not lock out the iPod, so it might work better with the iPhone.
How's the response to changing songs/playlists with this adapter? I've read in some threads the mazda oem adapter is slow to react. Is the Axcess fast?
I'm up in the air between this one and the AudioLink adapter. I know the AudioLink does not lock out the iPod, so it might work better with the iPhone.
i need to know if the Audiolink works with the iPhone before I tear apart my interior installing it. it uses the same 30 pin adapter, however like some have said, some accessories don't work. my wife's belkin RF transmitter doesn't work with it.
I wouldn't know off hand just a thought since the adapter doesn't lock out control from the iPod. The iPhone is pretty f-ing sweet though! Messed around with it an apple store recently.
hey Rogman .... or anyone else who may know,
How's the response to changing songs/playlists with this adapter? I've read in some threads the mazda oem adapter is slow to react. Is the Axcess fast?
I'm up in the air between this one and the AudioLink adapter. I know the AudioLink does not lock out the iPod, so it might work better with the iPhone.
How's the response to changing songs/playlists with this adapter? I've read in some threads the mazda oem adapter is slow to react. Is the Axcess fast?
I'm up in the air between this one and the AudioLink adapter. I know the AudioLink does not lock out the iPod, so it might work better with the iPhone.
Anyone in SoCal with an iPhone and wants to try it, we can plug it in and see what happens. PM me.
-Rogman
oh and rogman i was wondering if for example, i don't have anything but a cd player and radio on my stock hu. Will your kit work w/ that cuz i saw you mention something about using the cable from the minidisk...
The devil made me do it
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,708
Likes: 2
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Just got confirmation last night that mine actually shipped. Should be here on Monday. Aiming to have a little fun next Friday...maybe sooner if I get antsy.
Do let us know how it goes. I read through all the Q&A here and just to be sure:
- It allows steering wheel controls to operate next/previous/mute etc correct?
I'll wait on your install devilboi but it's looking likely that I will be picking one of these up as well.
- It allows steering wheel controls to operate next/previous/mute etc correct?
I'll wait on your install devilboi but it's looking likely that I will be picking one of these up as well.
The devil made me do it
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,708
Likes: 2
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Well...it is in. Took just about an hour to do, minus the hour of swearing at mazda. Just a couple side notes really.
1) I hate working under dashes.
2) That stupid gold bolt that everyone talks about, yea...it sucks and it is silver on my 07.
3) The "mount" that is provided to attach the plug to the MD slot...yea...it's useless. The connection is so loose that I had the plug come off 3 times while I was putting the stereo back in the car. Hooray for ZipStrips.
4) There really is no good place to mount the Axxess box. There is a small section right behind the ashtray that is filled with some foam though that it squeezed right into.
5) Everyone with "the other cable" has asked that the cable be longer to the iPod. I can tell you that I have about 2'..maybe 3'...stuffed under the gearshift cover. You could mount your iPod in the trunk if you wanted it is that long.
6) All of the pictures on the net about how to get a stereo out are really damn good. Going into it I was worried, and I had my camera in hand, but there really wasn't anything else to snap a picture of.
Hand controls on the wheel work. Text display does work, however I wish it scrolled automagically. Using the EQ in the iPod did help with the sound of the stock audio system. Ermm...yea...I think I got everyones questions. If you want a picture or have more questions let me know.
1) I hate working under dashes.
2) That stupid gold bolt that everyone talks about, yea...it sucks and it is silver on my 07.
3) The "mount" that is provided to attach the plug to the MD slot...yea...it's useless. The connection is so loose that I had the plug come off 3 times while I was putting the stereo back in the car. Hooray for ZipStrips.
4) There really is no good place to mount the Axxess box. There is a small section right behind the ashtray that is filled with some foam though that it squeezed right into.
5) Everyone with "the other cable" has asked that the cable be longer to the iPod. I can tell you that I have about 2'..maybe 3'...stuffed under the gearshift cover. You could mount your iPod in the trunk if you wanted it is that long.
6) All of the pictures on the net about how to get a stereo out are really damn good. Going into it I was worried, and I had my camera in hand, but there really wasn't anything else to snap a picture of.
Hand controls on the wheel work. Text display does work, however I wish it scrolled automagically. Using the EQ in the iPod did help with the sound of the stock audio system. Ermm...yea...I think I got everyones questions. If you want a picture or have more questions let me know.
Installation pics
Hey, sorry I didn't post these sooner -- swamped at work.
Cool you found a good deal Devlboi. Glad it's workin' for ya.
Here are some pics of the package and my install. I took the Axxess Adapter thingy (which looks like an old school garage door opener) and stuffed into the space for the MiniDisc. Fit's okay. Certainly ain't falling out.
Also, as I mentioned before, I didn't end up connecting the line in cable. It wouldn't fit as neatly stuffed in with that cable attached and that cable is short so it would be difficult to use. And all I really want is the iPod anyway. . .
enjoy,
-Rogman
Cool you found a good deal Devlboi. Glad it's workin' for ya.
Here are some pics of the package and my install. I took the Axxess Adapter thingy (which looks like an old school garage door opener) and stuffed into the space for the MiniDisc. Fit's okay. Certainly ain't falling out.
Also, as I mentioned before, I didn't end up connecting the line in cable. It wouldn't fit as neatly stuffed in with that cable attached and that cable is short so it would be difficult to use. And all I really want is the iPod anyway. . .
enjoy,
-Rogman



I'll keep diggin though, didn't know there was another around...actually found that one on Google. Sorry