Playing MP3s on a FACTORY BMW CD changer

[X5 Sport]

When you get it can you take a picture of the sticker on the back and let us know if it works as per this post.

Thanks

[eaglesrest]

Originally Posted by X5 Sport

When you get it can you take a picture of the sticker on the back and let us know if it works as per this post.

Thanks

I might not get it yet. At £300 I could get a Denison Ice-Link plus and 30GB video ipod. I think that might be a better bet when you factor in the playlists and better menu control.

If I do then I'll post the piccies with Part number etc.

Decisions, decisions!

[apw2607]

You do have some other options as well .... although I dont want to confuse you .....

You could buy either a Alpine S-634 MP3 CD Changer and/or a Ipod (with KCA-420i see below) and use the Intravention BMW to Alpine interface.

http://www.intravention.co.uk

The interface is still in beta and will be only released when it is fully tested and ready. I'm currently one of the beta testers. Not only can it interface to the Alpine S-634 CD Changer, but also Alpines KCA-420i Ipod interface ... for Ipod connectivity. If you want to get really fancy, you can even add a Alpine KCA-410c and have the Alpine MP3 CD changer and your iPod!

If you are interested you can join the program by contacting Simon at Intravention.

What sets this interface apart from everything else is the Menus that are presented on the NAV screen. There are truely extensive - and since its still in beta, you can influence the menus and layouts as well.

Other cool features including assigning certain unused NAV keys to certain functions, such as the clock key assigned to aways go to the Now Playing Screen. Switching from CD Changer to iPod and vice-versa through the NAV menus ... no extra buttons or wiring necessary.

Example configuration - Alpine CD Changer (CHA-S634 - 6 disk with MP3 playback).



Example configuration - iPod connection via Alpine KCA-420i



Example configuration - Alpine CD Changer and iPod connection using Alpine KCA-410c and KCA-420i.



Here's some snaps of it in action ....





For more screens, go here

Decisions ... Decisions !!

[ambishop]

It seems if you have the new generation BM53 radio that shows TR you can get the audiotext to work.

I am still messing with the MP3s to show the proper ID3 text, but think I have it sorted out now.

I paid almost $400 for mine and may be able to get more from Germany. Mine was built Jan 2006!

Martin

Originally Posted by apw2607

Whats even more exciting is that apparently not only will it play MP3s, but it will also display the ID3 tags as well ... all on the NAV display.

However (yes theres always one of those isn't the) ... right now this has only being verified on 2006 BM54 European NAV Radio, and not the USA BM53 Radio ! So we need someone with a MY 2006 Vehicle to pop one of these new MP3 enabled changers into the vehicle and see if they get the new AUDIOTEXT option after pressing the INFO button. If you do, and you enable it ... you should see ID3 text info ... how exciting is that ...

If thats the case, then the NAV Radio Tuner received a firmware update for MY 2006 to accomodate ID3 tag display.

Heres some screen shots showing the new feature in action on a BM54 NAV System courtesy of one of our friends over in Germany.





With a NAV Radio Tuner that can accomodate ID3 tags ... does this mean that we will finally see a BMW OEM Ipod Interface for NAV systems with ID3 tags .... who knows ... !!

[p-car]

how can you verify what version you monitor has?

and if you install an Alpine CHA-S634 CD/MP3 changer with CD-text funktion, will it display track info on you NAV monitor?

[RichardP1]

Originally Posted by p-car

how can you verify what version you monitor has?

If your CD track number is displayed as TR xx-xxx and you get CDx in small text at the top then you have the newer BM53/54. If you get CDC xx-xxx then you have an older BM53/54.

Originally Posted by p-car

and if you install an Alpine CHA-S634 CD/MP3 changer with CD-text funktion, will it display track info on you NAV monitor?

Only if you use an Intravee (as previously mentioned) as the connection between the BMW iBus and the Alpine AI-Net. All other adapters I know of that allow the CHA-S634 to be used in BMW's use the older Alpine M-Bus system (there is a switch on the CHA-S634 to allow M-Bus or AI-Net). The M-Bus system is not capable of sending track text info, or folder navigation.