E46 USB Audio

Oxide™

Oxide™

Oxide™

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I have a 2001 E46 with cd changer and cd nav and am fed up of burning cd's to listen to music as they only hold around 10 songs each.

I don't have an ipod so what is the best way to perhaps plug a USB drive into the system to play mp3's and use the steering wheel to control song selection?

So far I have only read about the GROM solution - is this the best route to follow?

Any other USB solutions out there? Not looking to break teh bank, just want to plug in USB drive - if it means losing the cd changer then that's ok
 
Thanks Fox - I was hoping you would respond :)

As I say, Intravee is a little too expensive for me and a bit overkill, I was hoping for something simple that perhaps uses the cd changer connection, in which a usb drive plugs into. Would be very convenient to just use my existing 8gig drive - plug it in the boot and from the nav/steering controls choose a playlist and go.

The GROM thing seems to be ok from what I have seen on youtube - busy reading up about it some more
 
I know what you mean, but I have an impending service in december which I'm saving up for and imo it's a lot of money to correct, a now, archaic 2001 sound system. If I had a newer car then yes but atm I have other concerns.

This GROM thing doesn't look too bad though, not OEM but seems to be doing exactly what I want

 
What about the Alpine CD Changer CHA-S634 (think it plays mp3 and accepts CD-RW) with an Intravee II as a cheaper middle ground solution?

I really don't want an ipod and have to deal with itunes so an mp3 cd changer with text is ideal?
 
oh didn't knwo you could use winamp to load tunes onto an ipod, is it quite straight forward? and what generation ipod do you have Fox?

So Intravee replaces CD Changer > this plugs into an IPOD interface > and the Ipod plugs into this interface and that's it? So need 3 bits of hardware?
 
One more thing, Say I got the Intravee and wanted to upgrade my CD based nav to DVD mkiv nav, is that just a simple plug in new nav and all done? Will then have better nav with it's better features + ipod tunes?
 
OllyM said:
The Intravee works best with the Mk4 computer - if you have a Mk3 some of the best bits don't work like the advanced search (list of playlists). I'd strongly recommend that you upgrade to a Mk4 before getting an Intravee. It is indeed plug and play.
Click to expand...

and right there the cost soars :(
 
Just read this on the Intravee Quick Install Guide

The CHA-S634 (The preferred mp3 Alpine CD changer) will only read ID3 V1 tags, not ID3 V2 tags. You can have both types of tags on the same file, however it is strongly advised that you do not use V2 tags that have a lot of information, for example Album Art or lyrics, as this can slow down track browsing or, in some cases, prevent the CHA-S634 from reading the disk at all.

So that rules out a CD changer completely for me as all my mp3's have extended ID3v2 tags with comments etc and album art.

Hope the Intravee can handle them
 
[Corsa]Fox;17902834 said:
The niggle you are on about is an iPod problem - it puts itself into sleep if it isnt used for a certain period of time.

You don't need to unplug it, tho, simply press the centre button on the ipod.
Click to expand...

I'm really decided on a 5th gen Ipod Video 60 or 80 gig (whichever is cheapest) but this hibernate malarkey sounds quite inconvenient going to the boot each time it's not registered on the HU :(

This site seems to give a good fix if anyone wants to test and report back? not sure if there has been a better solution since however
 
mmm intravee ii on ebay mmm

Man they are like hens teeth :(

Question: I take it you need to first disconnect the negative terminal on the battery before installing this? Does disconnecting the battery not mess up the ecu or anything? Is it safe to disconnect and then when finished, reconnect it and the car is fine like nothing happened?

With my luck I'll probably end up spiking the electrical system and blowing odd things here n there
 
Intravee should be with me Wednesday :) Crikey can't wait although I need to get an ipod now - didn't expect things to progress so quickly and smoothly :)

So to confirm I don't need to disconnect the battery at all when installing it?
 
Thanks :cool: - comes with the kca420i and both cables

Now to get an ipod - Is the Ipod Classic 4th generation the best to get as you can disable deep sleep?
 
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