Official MB IPod solution

[gregd]

http://www.mbusa.com/ipod

Looks very cool. I like how the track info is displayed on the dash. It appears you still need an aux input in the glovebox for it to be compatible though.. Does anyone know whether this is retrofittable on the MOST Audio 20 Audio (2004 E Class s211)?

 

[garystu1965]

Full integration is for 2005 cars only.

 

[gregd]

I think a US 2005 equates to what we would call a 2004 car in the UK though.. don't think they've change the spec. It can definitely be retrofitted, it's just the requirement of an aux input that's a potential hitch for me (no COMAND you see!).

 

[Shude]

I think a US 2005 equates to what we would call a 2004 car in the UK though..

The true definition of a 2005 model is the 805 code in the datacard/service book, if it says something else then it's not a 2005 model.

 

[saorbust]

Hmm - checking now...

 

[saorbust]

Checked - I have 805 on the option card. Now waiting for UK dealer to get hold of the kit...

 

[andyw]

me too.....patiently waiting.....honest......

HURRY UP MBUK

 

[gregd]

Spoke to my dealer about this the other day. Looks like you still need an aux input for this to work. My Audio 20 audio doesn't have this (just a fiber output for a changer. The forthcoming Dension solution might be may only way of getting hooked up..shame, the MB one looks cool!

 

[MartinC]

Intersesting thread - I'm off the US on business in a week or so and was thinking of buying an Ipod out there as I assume they are cheaper and with the wek dollar etc etc.

I also have a E320Cdi on order - does anybody know if you can specify this unit as a factor fit or is it only available as a dealer fit accessory?

If its factory fit I might be tempted to drop the CD autochanger and have this fitted instead. I have specified Command.

Cheers

Martin

 

[glojo]

Intersesting thread - I'm off the US on business in a week or so and was thinking of buying an Ipod out there as I assume they are cheaper and with the wek dollar etc etc.

I also have a E320Cdi on order - does anybody know if you can specify this unit as a factor fit or is it only available as a dealer fit accessory?

If its factory fit I might be tempted to drop the CD autochanger and have this fitted instead. I have specified Command.

Cheers

Martin

Hi Martin,
This is all about choice and I respect that. First off though I will just make a couple of observations.

You have ordered a very nice vehicle with COMAND and the CD changer.

The front DVD slot will allow you to play a DVD containing approximately 1200 (yes twelve hundred) Mp3's. On top of this your CD changer will allow you to play CD's with Mp3 tracks. (I am not sure how many Mp3's will go on each CD).

These options will give you access to perhaps more music than I imagine you have. I have not tried to see if DVD's will play the original CD music format so cannot comment on that.

The COMAND will display track and singer information for the Mp3's, but the ipod might display more information?

Can members put forward the good points to put in the ipod along with the COMAND and CD changer?

I am not being sarcastic, I am merely curious. If there is good reasons to do it, then I will be amongst those going down this route. (My wife loves listening to music)

Thanks for any further information,
John

 

[MartinC]

Hi Martin,
This is all about choice and I respect that. First off though I will just make a couple of observations.

You have ordered a very nice vehicle with COMAND and the CD changer.

The front DVD slot will allow you to play a DVD containing approximately 1200 (yes twelve hundred) Mp3's. On top of this your CD changer will allow you to play CD's with Mp3 tracks. (I am not sure how many Mp3's will go on each CD).

These options will give you access to perhaps more music than I imagine you have. I have not tried to see if DVD's will play the original CD music format so cannot comment on that.

The COMAND will display track and singer information for the Mp3's, but the ipod might display more information?

Can members put forward the good points to put in the ipod along with the COMAND and CD changer?

I am not being sarcastic, I am merely curious. If there is good reasons to do it, then I will be amongst those going down this route. (My wife loves listening to music)

Thanks for any further information,
John

Hi John

Good points. I was sort of aware that it was possible to play Mp3's via the COMAND - though I am still a little hazy how you load them. Assume you have to download Mp3 files onto a DVD via your PC and then insert them and follow some menu to download. Have to confess I have not actually tried this downloading yet.

As you say 1200 tracks should be enough to be going on with - heaven knows when I would find the time or energy to download a 10th of that number (could be a job for my daughter, its about time I found a use for her!)

The Ipod advantage in my mind is that it is portable and so you can take your music with you - though to be honest in the car is about the only place I find time to listen to music these days - plus the wife and kids over rule me on music choices anyway (they are not big fans of Lou Reed or Jimmy Hendrix ).

On balance - after sleeping on this and digesting your post - I will probably not be going down this Ipod kit road and will load tracks onto COMAND and stick with the CD changer. I will still get an Ipod, but the cold reality is that it will vanish into my daughters bedroom within days of getting it home (scary place) and all enquiries as to its whereabouts will be meet with huffs and shrugs

Cheers

Martin

 

[pammy]

You may be able to get 1200 songs onto a dvd - but is it enough? It also requires that you have a dvd writer - and they can only be played on certain bits of kit. iPod you can take anywhere and depending on the model you get - get a heck of a lot more than 1200 tracks on it . The other beauty with the iPod is the ability to make up a playlist, select an album, genre or artist of your choice depending on your mood, the weather etc etc.

One of the attrations of my iPod is being able to continue listening to what I was before I got into the car and/or when I get out of the car. I'm working away a lot atm and take the iPod with the iStation and ear buds so I can shut myself off when I want and am sat waiting in airport lounges then blast my hotel room with my stuff rather than the kack on hotel radio. You can't do that with a dvd or cd. :bannana:

It all comes down to what you need something to do and what suits you.

 

[glojo]

Hi Pammy,
I totally agree with every word you have said and I am certainly not criticising the iPod. Hopefully I was merely pointing out the different choices that were actually already installed in Martin's new vehicle and perhaps he was not aware of.

The iPod sounds a brilliant little gizzmo that certainly will have its uses. Could you possibly explain what types of music files the iPod plays and how are they loaded into it?

I am determined to sort out a rewriteable DVD and put some 'CD' files onto it just to see if they work.

Regards,
John

 

[drifting]

I am determined to sort out a rewriteable DVD and put some 'CD' files onto it just to see if they work.

They do and I have! First thing I did when picking up my car last week, was to stuff a DVD disk into Comand to make sure it played MP3's.
Ipod is a great little gadget, but I have given up on them, Apple warranty sucks, and so does the battery life, all three of mine failed after 13 Months. Hence I was so eager on another post to find out about comands ability to play MP3's.

DVD writer = £50.00 Ipod= £100 + and you could use the writer to backup your comand DVD

 

[glojo]

They do and I have! First thing I did when picking up my car last week, was to stuff a DVD disk into Comand to make sure it played MP3's.
Ipod is a great little gadget, but I have given up on them, Apple warranty sucks, and so does the battery life, all three of mine failed after 13 Months. Hence I was so eager on another post to find out about comands ability to play MP3's.

DVD writer = £50.00 Ipod= £100 + and you could use the writer to backup your comand DVD

Hi Drifting
I could not of explained myself properly. I meant actual CD type files as opposed to Mp3's. I have indeed placed all my Mp3's onto DVD. (255 files per folder)

I think there is a case for the iPod and respect anyones decision for either method.

Will the iPod go into the glovebox or the centre armrest?

Bye again, and sorry if I failed to make my point clear.
John

 

[Oslo]

Ready, dock, go

Simply dock your iPod into the specialized connection in the glovebox and you're ready to go. Your iPod stays securely attached while out of view in its glovebox port, and continually charges even as it's playing. Using your iPod in your Mercedes is just as easy and convenient as using your iPod alone. Has high-end technology ever been this simple?

 

[Shude]

I could not of explained myself properly. I meant actual CD type files as opposed to Mp3's.

I'm not sure if it's possible to burn a DVD as a CD-Audio disc, even if it would it might not be readable by anything, or it might be limited to 74ish minutes.

 

[Aswall]

John, one other reason why the iPod may be more useful is the ease of updating. Any time I buy or borrow a cd the first thing I do is rip it into iTunes and then, every so often, sync it with my iPod. Just a bit easier to keep your music library up to date

 

[glojo]

Ready, dock, go

Simply dock your iPod into the specialized connection in the glovebox and you're ready to go. Your iPod stays securely attached while out of view in its glovebox port, and continually charges even as it's playing. Using your iPod in your Mercedes is just as easy and convenient as using your iPod alone. Has high-end technology ever been this simple?

Hi 'old' Chap
I knew I could rely on you. The new E-class is supposed to be iPod compatible. Does this mean that it fits into the same location and do you know if it is fully compatible with the steering wheel controls?

Nice to hear from you, and I hope all is well,
take care
John

 

[saorbust]

Just a few thoughts - I've been using the DVD burned with a number of albums of MP3 songs - it works very well.

However:

1; The number of songs depends on your record rate. I use a very high rate of 320Mps, only because I value the quality ! Gives me about 25 albums on a DVD.

2; The CD Changer is still useful -think of the resale value.

Re the iPod - the reason I like the idea of having it is simple - I can get every CD I own onto the 60GB one. Which isn't bad considering we have something like 2,000 CD's. I thus don't need the MP3 player functionality within Comand and can instead use the DVD video option instead - which I do use.

My two pennies ! Its personal choice at the end of the day - but I am dying to see this thing work. Just waiting on the dealer now - I bet demand for it surprises them.