DAB radio

antijoke · 6 Jul 2009 at 10:49

Just have a question regarding DAB and the digital switchover in the future.

How am I supposed to get a DAB radio in my car? Am I expected to find a nice headunit that links in to my BMW 6 disc changer and also compliments the dash before the analogue radio service is switched off?

They haven't really thought about this one have they. Or is this not supposed to happen for many years into the future?

:mad:

paradigm · 6 Jul 2009 at 10:50

Will you still have your current car in 2015?

antijoke · 6 Jul 2009 at 10:51

paradigm said:
Will you still have your current car in 2015?

Unless it implodes into a shower of metal and steam then possibly yes.

paradigm · 6 Jul 2009 at 10:51

Plenty of time to get saving for a nice retrofit of BMW's DAB system then.

antijoke · 6 Jul 2009 at 10:53

So BMW do a DAB system that can be retro fitted to an E46.

Wicksta · 6 Jul 2009 at 10:54

anticonscience said:
Unless it implodes into a shower of metal and steam then possibly yes.

You can fit a generic head unit, although it will look ****. I guess you have to weigh up which you prefer, DAB radio or asthetics. You will need a new CD changer though, but I doubt many people will be using CDs in 2015.

paradigm · 6 Jul 2009 at 10:55

anticonscience said:
So BMW do a DAB system that can be retro fitted to an E46.

Yep, I've been looking into fitting DAB to mine (330d saloon).

antijoke · 6 Jul 2009 at 10:56

Granted if I get a new headunit it will play MP3's so the cd changer would be redundant.

Time to search for a new headunit that suits an E46.

Wicksta · 6 Jul 2009 at 10:57

paradigm said:
Yep, I've been looking into fitting DAB to mine (330d saloon).

He'd have to retrofit nav then though, quite an expensive upgrade for someone who only wanted DAB!

I guess he could go for an Intravee and an Alpine DAB tuner instead though, but still very expensive.

paradigm · 6 Jul 2009 at 10:59

Probably going to go the alpine DAB tuner route myself given that I've already got an intravee II.

Moeks · 6 Jul 2009 at 11:00

Wicksta said:
but I doubt many people will be using CDs in 2015.

I still use vinyl from time to time, I'm pretty sure I will still be using cd's then. I have quite a large collection and a cd player that once had a 4 figure price tag on it (9 years ago it did anyway). I still use a 2-channel setup too, it's all about the sound quality for me.

Although I did buy my first DAC earlier this year, to run my PS3 media centre and Skybox through etc, so I guess it's begun, even for me. I still dislike compressed music though, I do like FLAC's mind, those sound great when I run a digital connection straight out of my computer into the DAC and then intol my Krell amp.

Wicksta · 6 Jul 2009 at 11:04

paradigm said:
Probably going to go the alpine DAB tuner route myself given that I've already got an intravee II.

Good luck finding one!! They were going for about £500 when I was looking, luckily another Intravee beta tester had a spare that he lent me.

miniyazz · 6 Jul 2009 at 11:13

anticonscience said:
Time to search for a new headunit that suits an E46.

I wouldn't. Not unless you want it now. I believe there'll be a new standard of DAB coming out, supporting higher quality sound, but it won't be compatible with existing DAB players..

paradigm · 6 Jul 2009 at 11:36

Wicksta said:
Good luck finding one!! They were going for about £500 when I was looking, luckily another Intravee beta tester had a spare that he lent me.

Have you played with the intravee switch?

I'd been trying to find a KCA-400c or KCA-410c for a while and thought it might be better to hold off for the actual release of the Intravee switch?

Thoughts?

Wicksta · 6 Jul 2009 at 11:56

paradigm said:
Have you played with the intravee switch?

I'd been trying to find a KCA-400c or KCA-410c for a while and thought it might be better to hold off for the actual release of the Intravee switch?

Thoughts?

I've not no - I have a KCA-400c though. Although none of my intravee stuff is currently installed as it's a PITA on the Z4 to install it, plus I only have a very early business cassette unit in the 328ci which doesn't work well with the Intravee.

I would go for the Intravee switch though, the Alpine ones again cost a bomb due to rarity.

Jez · 6 Jul 2009 at 12:10

Why are you worried about which stereo to buy in 2015? That's 6 years away, a long time. Worry in 5.5 years.

Tinders · 6 Jul 2009 at 12:11

Its a pity aftermarket radio's look so cack in the BMW's, as the std radio leaves a lot to be desired imo, A friend put the old Pioneer 77MP in his a few years ago, which didnt look too bad.

Im still surprised car manufacturers have been so slow to put dab in cars, VX and ford do it as std now, and BMW,MERC,VAG are offering it as an option. I have a JVC AV33 with the dab add on which isnt bad, im also experimenting with a PURE Highway, which seems to perform quite well so far, but its a big ugly looking thing tbh.

antijoke · 6 Jul 2009 at 12:18

Jez said:
Why are you worried about which stereo to buy in 2015? That's 6 years away, a long time. Worry in 5.5 years.

Just want it sorted really.

What about the steering wheel controls, what sort of headunit do I need to get that will work with the steering wheel controls?

Moeks · 6 Jul 2009 at 12:20

I would honestly be surprised if you had the same car in 2015.

ci_newman · 6 Jul 2009 at 12:23

anticonscience said:
Just want it sorted really.

What about the steering wheel controls, what sort of headunit do I need to get that will work with the steering wheel controls?

You weirdo! Worrying about something that will happen in 6 years. Any number of things could happen before then:

You could sell the car
You could crash the car
Someone could steal the car
The car might burst into flames
You could die

Seriously, stop fretting about it!