DICE or INTRAVEE - iPOD INTEGRATION

[JimGilbert]

I have been considering which intergation to use. The Dice or Intravee II system. The Intravee seems to have better display facilities but costs over £100 UK more, is it money well spent or should i save the money and get the Dice without as much interactive display information

[RichardPB]

Asked this question myself a few weeks ago and wanted an easY install so decided on the Intravee and Alpine route with my X5 e53 & ITS full sat nav /media. I’m no DIYer but the install was very straightforward now enjoy the delights of my 2000+ songs from my iPod through my BMW head system

I’m very impressed - no extremely impressed with this set-up considering it’s a retro fit and a non OEM / BMW install (my BMW dealer wanted near £700 for this type of full functionality install). I have been driving in and around London today (having paid my congestion charge and 140p/litre for my diesel) so first full run out of intravee/ipod install and have probably accessed most of my 2000 songs! The quick search function is good /quick & easy may not be as good as idrive on newer beemers but works very well!

This is a really cool upgrade for less than £200 - the kit’s supplier ToysInYourCar.com were very good to deal with; the units were delivered within 2 days also their tech support (on the phone) was brilliant as I called before purchase just to check a few queries.

I have also sourced an iPod Dock Extender Female to Male Extension Lead Cable this will allow me to run a cable to the front and change ipod/iphone/ipodnano as required by the various members of my family!

Recommend this set-up to anyone who wants to ipod their e53 x5 - an INTRAVEE II and an Alpine KCA-420i for FULL audio integration of the iPod you can search for album, artist, playlist, song, etc. all using your BMW controls

Richard

[JimGilbert]

Richard,

Can you tell me if i can have my ipod in the arm rest will the cable that comes with the 420i / Intravee reach from the boot. I only have 1 ipod so don't need the changeability. Also i have not noticed anyone else mention this requirement. Intravee i assume goes in the boot near were the CD & Sat Nav are, the 420i goes under the dash in the footwell with cables routed were possible. If this is not the case and i do need the 'extension' cable can you tell me the part number and where you got it from. Bet you wish you hadn't answered now !

Cheers
Jim

[Kris@modmynav]

Jim,

I have Intravee + KCA-420i setup as well, and I put all units in my trunk.
Stock cables which came with Alpine KCA-420i were not long enough to run the unit to front or under the seat.
However, I have no problem to having my Ipod in my trunk since I have full Ipod control through Nav screen.
Back to your question anyway, there is an extension cable for KCA-420i.
You can get it from ebay, http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=019,
This cable connects Intravee unit and KCA-420i unit, 15ft shouldl be long enough to run your KCA-420i unit to front.

Good luck

[RichardPB]

Originally Posted by JimGilbert

Richard,

Can you tell me if i can have my ipod in the arm rest will the cable that comes with the 420i / Intravee reach from the boot. I only have 1 ipod so don't need the changeability. Also i have not noticed anyone else mention this requirement. Intravee i assume goes in the boot near were the CD & Sat Nav are, the 420i goes under the dash in the footwell with cables routed were possible. If this is not the case and i do need the 'extension' cable can you tell me the part number and where you got it from. Bet you wish you hadn't answered now !

Cheers
Jim

Jim,

With my install all kit including the ipod is neatly hidden away in the boot/trunk with my OEM BMW 6 cd changer also in situ but obviously disconnected so I can easily re-connect when the car goes back to BMW.
The cable supplied to me was not long enough so currently I'm using ipod in boot/trunk this is ideally where I want it so it's hidden away - although I've subsequently learnt that the ipod sleep mode may be an issue! The ipod turns off if not used after about 10/12 hours and the only way to re-activate it is to get out of the car and physically touch the ipod wheel this is not ideal!! The answers to this issue and others can be found here http://www.intravention.co.uk/forum/index.php

or no doubt direct by telephone from supplier - toysinyourcar.com

I also want to plug in an iphone this works well too by the way (ipod functions) via this set-up so I have purchased an iPod Dock Extender Female to Male Extension Lead Cable from:http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...B:EOIBSA:UK:31

this will allow me to run a cable to the front and change ipod/iphone/ipodnano as required by the various members of my family!

Hope this helps with your queries

Richard

[JimGilbert]

Well guys the Intravee has arrived along with the required Apline 420c unit and i quickly plugged them in and on first viewings it looks like the right choice. I am just waiting for the 410 interface to come to install a CD player and DVD player alongside the ipod and hey presto away we go. Will let you know final results. Thanks for input everyone

[sbarsap]

Originally Posted by wuzin

Jim,

I have Intravee + KCA-420i setup as well, and I put all units in my trunk.
Stock cables which came with Alpine KCA-420i were not long enough to run the unit to front or under the seat.
However, I have no problem to having my Ipod in my trunk since I have full Ipod control through Nav screen.
Back to your question anyway, there is an extension cable for KCA-420i.
You can get it from ebay, http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=019,
This cable connects Intravee unit and KCA-420i unit, 15ft shouldl be long enough to run your KCA-420i unit to front.

Good luck

I just bought an 06 4.8is with DSP and Nav and was looking at the Dice, till I saw this thread about the Intravee. Are both these options similar and available for my X5? I notices the Dice is alot cheaper thant the Itravee/Alpine option. Do you know if the Dice can also be left in the trunk. I want the easiest install possible.

Jim sorry for the hijack...

[Bimmer360]

I think intravee is better. See the comparison of these 2 in this video clip.

Originally Posted by JimGilbert

I have been considering which intergation to use. The Dice or Intravee II system. The Intravee seems to have better display facilities but costs over £100 UK more, is it money well spent or should i save the money and get the Dice without as much interactive display information

[Tom G.]

Originally Posted by Bimmer360

I think intravee is better. See the comparison of these 2 in this video clip.

That video clip is 1 1/2 years old - a lot has changed. This does not compare the SILVERLINE features, only the HD DICE.

Originally Posted by sbarsap

I just bought an 06 4.8is with DSP and Nav and was looking at the Dice, till I saw this thread about the Intravee. Are both these options similar and available for my X5? I notices the Dice is alot cheaper thant the Itravee/Alpine option. Do you know if the Dice can also be left in the trunk. I want the easiest install possible.

Jim sorry for the hijack....

The DICE can be left in the cargo area if desired.

[Bimmer360]

Originally Posted by Tom G.

That video clip is 1 1/2 years old - a lot has changed. This does not compare the SILVERLINE features, only the HD DICE.

Yes, a lot has changed and i still like it, regardless, today and 1.5 years ago. Seeing it in person before my very eyes, it made me wanna buy one. Don't get me wrong Tom, i respect your product and you have great CS but its just my IMO and really shouldn't matter since its a matter of choice.