COMAND...DVD maps and MP3 playback

[team_edition]

I'm new to this Forum but I'm impressed already and it's better than a couple of the other MB ones I've been reading.

I have several questions that I'd appreciate some input on. I have searched and read several similar replies but like anything they begin to get confusing by the time you've read through to the end.

I have an SL350 (September 04) with the COMAND DVD sat nav. It plays DVD movies (not whilst driving of course!) and has version 3.0 disc. However, it does not play MP3 through the DVD.

My wife has a C270 CDI (September 04) with COMAND DVD (but not the same one as mine) with version 2.1 disc. So here's my questions.....

1) My SL350 COMAND - should it play MP3 on the DVD slot in the front of the unit?
2) My SL350 COMAND - I've bought a version 4.0 disc from eBay, apart from any map improvements what else will it do differently? Will it play MP3 then from the DVD single slot?
3) My SL350 COMAND - Should it be able to play MP3 from the CD changer?
4) My wife's C270 COMAND - will the version 4.0 disc I've bought from eBay work for this COMAND or are the two COMAND's completely different?
5) My wife's C270 COMAND - should it play MP3 in either the CD changer or the single slot DVD?
6) My wife's C270 COMAND - what is the correct latest DVD disc for the upgrade?

I'm new to Mercedes, not owned any before and now we have two in the family so they must be doing something right, but I'm amazed how behind they are in technology sometimes. My SL350 supports bluetooth but can you connect a phone through it?! No you can't! I want to use the excellent Phatnoise hard drive to replace the CD changer (80Gb storage of MP3 and controlled all by the usual steering wheel etc.) but do they work with MB? No, only every other car manufacturer. I tried using my iPOD into the Aux port but it was crap with all the wires and not be able to control it through the usual car buttons.

All input greatfully received. Sorry for so many questions but I'm thinking one of you might just cut and paste the questions with a short answer.

Thanks, in advance. Seasons Greetings to you all.

Richard.

 

[Shude]

I'm new to this Forum but I'm impressed already and it's better than a couple of the other MB ones I've been reading.

This comes as little surprise to any of us Welcome to the forum

...I'm amazed how behind they are in technology sometimes.

Oh I dunno, they're pretty quick with the safety stuff but the toys they can be a little slow with. I think when you bear in mind the age of the average owner, you might find that things like bluetooth and mp3s mean very little to them.

My SL350 supports bluetooth but can you connect a phone through it?! No you can't!

Apparently the official reason for the bluetooth stuff was "airbag issues" but they seemed to have stopped that now. Is your car definitely wired for bluetooth?

I want to use the excellent Phatnoise hard drive to replace the CD changer (80Gb storage of MP3 and controlled all by the usual steering wheel etc.) but do they work with MB? No, only every other car manufacturer.

I think the problem is that the comand unit and cd-changer are probably made by different companies and the headunit/cd-changer is controlled via canbus, there is no connection between the steering wheel controls and the accessories, the button presses are fed into a computer which floods the canbus with data. Very few manufacturers have been bothered to make devices that will interpret this. There is one for BMW canbus but it only works if you have a car with no options.

I tried using my iPOD into the Aux port but it was crap with all the wires and not be able to control it through the usual car buttons.

Er, what I just said

I'm thinking one of you might just cut and paste the questions with a short answer.

There is a good chance of that

Seasons Greetings to you all.

Seasons Greetings Richard!

 

[Guy]

1) My SL350 COMAND - should it play MP3 on the DVD slot in the front of the unit?
2) My SL350 COMAND - I've bought a version 4.0 disc from eBay, apart from any map improvements what else will it do differently? Will it play MP3 then from the DVD single slot?
3) My SL350 COMAND - Should it be able to play MP3 from the CD changer?
Richard.

I had an 03 E55 for a few weeks, then swapped it for an 04 - so I can perhaps answer some questions, assuming both cars have the same Comand!

1. My 03 car was exactly as yours is now
2. I had the dealer upgrade the software so the DVD slot would play MP3 - not the changer, sadly
3. Don't know if the v4.0 disc upgrades the software automatically, but would guess not
4. The 04 car plays MP3 via DVD slot and CD changer without any upgrade.

Is it possible that the Comand was upgraded on the E but the SL for 04?
Or is it possible that the SL was registered Sept 04 but was not a model year 04 car? Either way, given what you have spent with them recently, they should upgrade both DVD and changer for you foc.!!

PS - I use an integrated phone, but have tried without success so far to get the bluetooth to work with my wife's mobile. They registered with one another OK, but can't seem to get any functionality.

Still, playing about with that will do as an excuse for hiding in the garage when the in-laws descend

 

[team_edition]

Well, on my SL350 as it stands currently with a v3.0 disc it only plays an MP3 CD from the single slot DVD in the front and not from the 6 disc CD changer, for some reason.

Will v4.0 disc fix this does anyone know?

 

[Maff]

Well, on my SL350 as it stands currently with a v3.0 disc it only plays an MP3 CD from the single slot DVD in the front and not from the 6 disc CD changer, for some reason.

Will v4.0 disc fix this does anyone know?

I would say no. I have not done much work with the new DVD COMAND systems, however all the other COMAND systems had a map disk (which is what you have now) and a software disk which upgraded the firmware on the COMAND system to give extra features/fix bugs.

I would imagine that you would need a software CD/DVD to upgrade the functionally of the head unit to support MP3's in the changer.

For the older CD based COMAND systems you could purchase the software upgrade CD from the parts department for £5 and upgrade it yourself (if you were brave enough!) Don’t know if this is the case with the new DVD COMAND’s, but I would think so.

 

[lil.smartie]

I think for the SL there is an update firmware that the dealers can do to enable MP3 plyback.
The C class one is the same as our Smart Forfour system, most recent disc is V2.1, as yet no one has managed to enable MP3 or DVD movies for this watered down comand. The V4 disc wont work, we have tried! We have managed to connect a MP3 player to the AUX in on the Comand unit, see www.thesmartclub.co.uk/mboardnew.html and go to the forfour section of how to's for the info!

Kate

 

[saorbust]

Well, on my SL350 as it stands currently with a v3.0 disc it only plays an MP3 CD from the single slot DVD in the front and not from the 6 disc CD changer, for some reason.

Will v4.0 disc fix this does anyone know?

It short - no.

I went from V3.0 to V4.0 in a E Class, made no difference in this regard.

Its also due to the lens / laser requirements for DVD versus CD.

Clarky.

 

[glojo]

I can only talk about the COMAND DVD that is fitted in the E-class.

Guy has hit the nail right on the head when he points out how things have changed.

On 'older' 211's With the DVD COMAND they need to have a software upgrade carried out at the dealership which is a ten minute job and 'should' be free.

It is NOT connected to whether you have version 2, 3 or 4 or the navigation software.

Mp3 DVD's and CD's will then be able to be played via the front DVD slot.

If you want to play Mp3 CD's direct from the multi-CD player then you have two, options. Firstly do what lucky Guy did and buy a new\newish vehicle or buy the latest CD changer.

Both options to me are a waste of money though because I think that the CD changer will only play a certain number of tracks on each CD. It works out considerably less than the amount of tracks that you can put on one single DVD with multiple folders.

This information is only accurate for 211's fitted with DVD COMAND, but hopefully it might apply to other vehicles. (certainly the new S-class)

Good luck,
John

As Shude quite rightly points out some of us 'oldies' know zilch about bluetooth (me, but I am not tooo old)

Regards,
John

 

[Oslo]

Glojo (Happy New Year to you, Old Man) just explained it all correctly. Just to add:
The Bluetooth in the MB is very limited. The Bluetooth is actually a part of the integrated phone, not the COMAND. The only thing you can do with other BT devices is to connect a PDA. Then you can dial from the Contact list via the MB BT. All other BT profiles are missing, and it’s very unlikely that this will be dealt with since the integrated phone (Motorola 2700) is not longer produced. BMW and MB just use their (huge?) stock of this “old” phone.

Phatbox: It is not possible to use the Phatbox in a W211. I do have a Phatbox that I used in my BMW. The MB use a new standard for “in car communication” called MOST. Several other manufactures use this system as well. Until now, no one has been able to make interfaces for the MOST. BMW and IPOD won’t work in the latest BMW’s for the same reason.

 

[glojo]

Phatbox: It is not possible to use the Phatbox in a W211. I do have a Phatbox that I used in my BMW. The MB use a new standard for “in car communication” called MOST. Several other manufactures use this system as well. Until now, no one has been able to make interfaces for the MOST. BMW and IPOD won’t work in the latest BMW’s for the same reason.

Well said 'Old Man' (I just wish I understood it. Brown teeth Tri-Pods?? )

I have heard of Fat Boy Slim though, is he related to Phatbox?

Happy New Year Oslo


Regards,
John