What is the AUX input for?

[CharlieBee]

Does anybody know what the aux input is for? I plugged my iPod into the aux (3.5mm stereo jack) and 30 pin connector into the iPod and sound only came out from one side. My ipod works fine with other aux inputs. Is the aux input not compatible with iPods? If not, what is it for? I'm utterly confused. I just want to play my toons! PLEASE HELP, it's driving me insane!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

It’s for auxiliary music spurces like CD players, tape decks, and MP3.

Apologies for getting technical on your @ss but, “wiggle” the cable when it’s plugged in to the jack socketn. It could be a poor connection or a damaged cable. Wiggling it might trigger audio from both sides, even if only momentarily.

 

[CharlieBee]

It’s for auxiliary music spurces like CD players, tape decks, and MP3.

Apologies for getting technical on your @ss but, “wiggle” the cable when it’s plugged in to the jack socketn. It could be a poor connection or a damaged cable. Wiggling it might trigger audio from both sides, even if only momentarily.

Mr Dazzler,

Thank you for your reply. No need to apologise for getting technical, I Googled it. Yes it does amost play from both sides when I wiggle it, except that the right channel sounds like the music is going through a phaser, hence I thought it was some kind of incompatibility. So, what is all the fuss about the media interface for the iPod? Why is that necessary if the iPod is supposed to work through the AUX?

Apologies for sounding like a common thickie, it's just that I want to avoid ripping out the COMAND if it's not going to cost a fortune to be able to play my music. Since a bought the car, a few weeks ago, I have considered an aftermarket 2 din system, a media interface, new amp, new speakers and increasing my dose of happy pills. The thing is, it's my first decent car in years and I just want to be able to play my music and hear it clearly with out costing exorbitant sums of money. There's so much conflicting information out there about COMAND systems that it's impossible to know what to do!

Cheers everyone

 

[whitenemesis]

There's so much conflicting information out there about COMAND systems that it's impossible to know what to do!

There is one authoritative resource out there, all you will ever need to know
http://www.mercupgrades.com/COMAND-category-4.html
and in conjunction with these guys, you can't go wrong
Mercedes Retrofit Specialist - Comand.co.uk

 

[MancMike]

Apologies for getting technical on your @ss but, “wiggle” the cable when it’s plugged in to the jack socketn. It could be a poor connection or a damaged cable. Wiggling it might trigger audio from both sides, even if only momentarily.

Stop blinding me with science!

OP, also try another source, on another cable to determine if the issue is in the car or the cable/ipod.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Is it in properly?

 

[CharlieBee]

Is it in properly?

I hear that quite often.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

I hear that quite often.

I know.

Seriously though is it right the way in?

I was whinging about my new laptop not charging until I realised I had not been firm enough with inserting the nozzle.

 

[CharlieBee]

I know.

Seriously though is it right the way in?

I was whinging about my new laptop not charging until I realised I had not been firm enough with inserting the nozzle.

Yeah, I made sure that it was pushed all the way in and I wiggled it and part pulled it out and wiggled it. I tried everything. I've just ordered a new lead to see if that makes any difference. Do you know what the media interface is for? Why do people get a media interface if it's supossed to work through aux?

 

[Deleted member 6183]

I only has the aux in on my W211, same year as yours.

Can you elaborate on what you mean by media interface - you might have a better version of COMAND than I had.

 

[clk320x]

I hear that quite often.

Push it in deeper

 

[CharlieBee]

I only has the aux in on my W211, same year as yours.

Can you elaborate on what you mean by media interface - you might have a better version of COMAND than I had.

The COMAND in mine is the NTG 2.5 APS with the SD card slot. This link takes you to the media interface that I've heard a lot about on various forums:

Media Interface (UCI) Retrofit Kit for last E class and CLS (W211/W219) - Left Hand Drive

 

[Deleted member 6183]

The COMAND in mine is the NTG 2.5 APS with the SD card slot. This link takes you to the media interface that I've heard a lot about on various forums:

Media Interface (UCI) Retrofit Kit for last E class and CLS (W211/W219) - Left Hand Drive

I never had that option.

Presumably the interface will give you extended functionality over the aux input solution.

 

[moog999]

Aux input is an entirely passive connection from any audio source to the car. You can't control anything from the car or see what's playing on the car screen. All has to be controlled from the player itself.

MMI interface is a way of plugging in either a usb stick full of mp3s or an iPhone (using itunes) to the car. This does give you control over track selection and shows up on the screen.

Ultimately though. Car audio tech, in the form of apple car play and Android auto has only just caught up with current ways of consuming audio content. Only cars built in the last 3-4yrs have compatible systems really. And, unfortunately, with mercs of this age you can't just wack in the latest Kenwood head unit and get all the functionality you want.

My 15 year old Clio has better connectivity than my e class....just by using a second hand dab/bt head unit I bagged off Facebook for 35quid!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

With the media interface, you have full control of the media device (eg iPhone) through COMAND and your steering wheel controls, and the track information is displayed on COMAND and in the instrument binacle, and maybe even artwork (cover).

If the auxiliary port works, then you can plug in using the device jack socket, or better still plug a Bluetooth receiver into the auxiliary port, and then control it using the remote control which comes with the Bluetooth receiver, or by voice/watch if that’s your preference.

I can recommend the Anker SoundSync as a Bluetooth receiver. If you search this forum you’ll find information I’ve posted on it before.

PS I’ve had several Mercedes with auxillary sockets and all of them have been a bit temperamental, requiring a wiggle, but not to the degree you describe. Perhaps it’s a well worn hole which has been stretched in the past through use and abuse, hence it doesn’t seem like it’s in properly. Ahem.

 

[CharlieBee]

Thank you all for your replies, I really appreciate your help. This all makes sense now. I'll let you know how I get on with the new cable

 

[AMMANATI]

Guys, is this the aux input hole? I cant seem to unplug it. Any advise please?
Its w211 sport 2009

 

[flowrider]

Guys, is this the aux input hole? I cant seem to unplug it. Any advise please?
Its w211 sport 2009

No.