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      06-26-2014, 02:16 PM   #1
zeevette
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IPOD woes

I just got a '13 35i, and a couple of things are bothering me. My iPod's cable isn't recognized by the car's USB input, although it will charge the 'pod. I don't carry a cell phone, so the BT won't work for me. Is there a direct USB cable to 30 pin iPod that works with BMW? TIA, Dave.
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      06-26-2014, 04:23 PM   #2
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You need a Y cable. One end plugs into the iPod. The other end has a USB and jack plug that connects to the sockets in the centre console. You can get them on eBay (about £6 in the UK). No need to pay BMW prices. Gives full control through the iDrive.
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      06-26-2014, 09:16 PM   #3
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I plug my iPod into the USB port in front of the shifter and it works perfectly. Displays all of my playlists which I can select from and also shows the album artwork for each song.
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      06-27-2014, 12:57 PM   #4
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Thanks, I've tried the Y cord method with limited success. What I mean, is the sound quality seems poor, and requires a lot more volume to equal the level of say, FM. I don't have Idrive, so just the two inputs in front of the shifter. I thought that USB meant universal. In my wife's Ford, there're 3 USB inputs, and work fine with either of my current iPods, so why wouldn't BMW? I've tried two Apple factory cords, and two aftermarket ones without success. Has anybody tried using a standard flash drive as a MP3 player?
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      06-27-2014, 01:26 PM   #5
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I don't know if the 2015 model has been upgraded. Mine was made in December 2013. I tried normal iPod cables without success. Can't say I've noticed ant difference in volume switching between the radio, CD and iPod. I have used a USB stick and found that worked ok.
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      06-27-2014, 01:54 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zeevette View Post
Thanks, I've tried the Y cord method with limited success. What I mean, is the sound quality seems poor, and requires a lot more volume to equal the level of say, FM. I don't have Idrive, so just the two inputs in front of the shifter. I thought that USB meant universal. In my wife's Ford, there're 3 USB inputs, and work fine with either of my current iPods, so why wouldn't BMW? I've tried two Apple factory cords, and two aftermarket ones without success. Has anybody tried using a standard flash drive as a MP3 player?
The sound quality of devices connected through BMW's y cable is nowhere near as good as FM. I noticed this too when I first got my car and called my dealer. They said it was normal. I wonder if the blue tooth connection also degrades sound quality?
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      06-27-2014, 02:04 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shredjim View Post
The sound quality of devices connected through BMW's y cable is nowhere near as good as FM. I noticed this too when I first got my car and called my dealer. They said it was normal. I wonder if the blue tooth connection also degrades sound quality?
In other cars I've heard, no. BT is as good as it gets, depending on manufacturer. Mine is a MY'13, too. It has an OK sound system, for my tastes, but I'd sure like full fidelity through the inputs, because I like my own music. I will try the USB memory stick method next. On my previous GTI, that worked fine with the factory standard head unit, and the MDI interface that VW/Audi uses. I did have to buy an aftermarket cord that converts the MDI to USB.
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      06-30-2014, 07:30 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shredjim View Post
The sound quality of devices connected through BMW's y cable is nowhere near as good as FM. I noticed this too when I first got my car and called my dealer. They said it was normal. I wonder if the blue tooth connection also degrades sound quality?
On my 2014 X1-35i with a iPod Nano connected using the BMW Y cable, the sounds quality is much better than FM, even better than Sirius. As Sherlock Holmes would say, something is afoot.
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      06-30-2014, 10:25 AM   #9
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I use Bluetooth only and results are surprisingly good
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      06-30-2014, 12:18 PM   #10
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I'm happy to report, the USB , with a memory stick plugged in , plays perfectly. A theory; all the music on a 'stick is encoded MP3, wheras iPod music is a mixture of Apple's ACC, and MP3 -4. This may cause the head unit to not recognize the iPod?
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      06-30-2014, 12:39 PM   #11
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In the case of a USB or Bluetooth connected iPod, the iPod is doing the decoding, so the format won't matter. I tried a memory stick, but much of my music is encoded in ALAC and won't play, so I've just stuck to BT streaming, which is slightly lower quality than USB connection, and skips album art, but is much more convenient.
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      06-30-2014, 05:10 PM   #12
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I previously stated I don't carry a phone; hence, no bluetooth.
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      06-30-2014, 05:27 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zeevette View Post
I previously stated I don't carry a phone; hence, no bluetooth.
Maybe use an iPod nano which has bluetooth?
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      07-01-2014, 12:28 PM   #14
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Maybe use an iPod nano which has bluetooth?
I've got an older nano now, and I've no interest in using a system that's not as good as hard wire. Or getting a new player, until it self-obsoletes. Now I've got a 16GB Sandisk that works fine. I like my music random anyway.
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