[eas] Official DICE iPod integration kit Q/A thread

[Tom G.]

Originally Posted by ronh95

Tom, I just purchased a Silverline Pro (assume Pro as it has the 'Smart' mode dip switch option) from EAS and picked it up at the shop last week. Our '05 X5 has standard business stereo (no nav, dsp, etc).

Got it installed without incident, but despite having the battery cables unplugged for the entire install the stereo would not recognize the Dice unit. I followed the procedure you've recommended to others here on how to reset things by removing cables, touching for 5 secs., leaving off for 5-7 mins., etc., and now I've got music coming from the iPod, BUT I can't seem to change the 'modes'. Perhaps I'm doing it wrong.

I thought to change modes, I need to disconnect the iPod, slide the lock switch to either unlock (allows iPod click wheel control) or lock (allows browsing via the car stereo/steering wheel controls), then reattach. What I see at all times, is the iPod acts like it's locked (Dice logo on iPod) and the song titles are streaming on the instrument cluster display vs. the head unit display. I'd like to control via the click wheel, but can't seem to get the iPod to let me control things there.

Any help you can offer would be appreciated!
Ron Hipwell

Ron,

Feel free to drop by and I would happy to take a look for you.

[nutroberts]

Originally Posted by Tom G.

You'll have to contact them directly for an exchange if one is needed.

I contacted Bavarian, they sent me a new DICE module and I'm having the same exact issues as before so I'm stumped.

-Andrew

[ronh95]

Tom, Thanks for the kind offer to help personally. I'm not sure if I can get by the shop before we head out on our road trip.

This morning, I plugged in the 'unlocked' iPod (30GB Video) and the iPod interface remained up (i.e. clickwheel operational). I then hit 'Mode' on the Business Radio to get to the DICE which worked fine and music was playing and sounded good. The instrument cluster displayed the scrolling song title. Note that during this process I never hit any CD/Track # buttons. I was able to select another song using the clickwheel, so it appears the unlocked mode of the Smart enabled module is working.

I unplugged the iPod and the dash display showed 'Detached'. Without turning the iPod off, I slid the 'Lock' button to the locked position and reattached the DICE cable and there is no music. The iPod interface was still on the iPod's display, NOT the DICE logo screen. Again, at this point I haven't hit any CD or Track # buttons on the head unit as I'm not sure which ones to hit.

Perhaps you've covered it somewhere in this extensive thread already and could just direct me to it, but otherwise, would you please run through the steps for using the 'locked' mode? Sort of a 'DICE for Dummies' step by step would be great. I can try the steps and perhaps save myself a trip since I'm running short on time to stop by right now.

Many thanks! Ron

[Tom G.]

Originally Posted by ronh95

Tom, Thanks for the kind offer to help personally. I'm not sure if I can get by the shop before we head out on our road trip.

This morning, I plugged in the 'unlocked' iPod (30GB Video) and the iPod interface remained up (i.e. clickwheel operational). I then hit 'Mode' on the Business Radio to get to the DICE which worked fine and music was playing and sounded good. The instrument cluster displayed the scrolling song title. Note that during this process I never hit any CD/Track # buttons. I was able to select another song using the clickwheel, so it appears the unlocked mode of the Smart enabled module is working.

I unplugged the iPod and the dash display showed 'Detached'. Without turning the iPod off, I slid the 'Lock' button to the locked position and reattached the DICE cable and there is no music. The iPod interface was still on the iPod's display, NOT the DICE logo screen. Again, at this point I haven't hit any CD or Track # buttons on the head unit as I'm not sure which ones to hit.

Perhaps you've covered it somewhere in this extensive thread already and could just direct me to it, but otherwise, would you please run through the steps for using the 'locked' mode? Sort of a 'DICE for Dummies' step by step would be great. I can try the steps and perhaps save myself a trip since I'm running short on time to stop by right now.

Many thanks! Ron

Yes - this is covered in Post #716.

[ronh95]

Thanks Tom. I have seen that instruction for the 'Display mode', which I understand to be the iPod clickwheel control.

I'm confused about what I should be doing/seeing in the 'locked' mode (radio control - full integration). Will the song names only be available on the OBD in the instrument cluster? I was thinking you could direct it to display on the head unit. Am I wrong? If not, then I need some help understanding how to change the display location. If someone can take me through the process, from hooking up the iPod, turning it on, what CD/track buttons to press and importantly the sequence of these activities to ensure successful operation. The factory manual DICE provides is cryptic as hell.

I consider myself technically savvy, but this thing just assumes too many elemental things are known and done by the user. It's not intuitive. We need the details. Add a page to the manual to accomodate if required. OR even better...post a video of the process from entering the vehicle with the iPod turned off, to hooking it up, all button presses required and in what sequence, etc. The whole process. It would save a lot of frustration and needless questions. It's ease of installation belies the harder task of actually getting it to operate as designed, especially with the newer Smart mode models. All instructions are aimed at the use of the 'locked' mode. How about a video of changing from one mode to the other? I'm getting the sense that the DICE is very temperamental with respect to how it's approached and sequence of connection and setup processes. Not saying it's a bad or even flawed product, but if I'm having trouble figuring out this thing, I KNOW my wife is going to flip out or worse, just avoid using the unit.

Thanks for listening. Any help with successfully switching from locked to display modes with the Smart models would be much appreciated.

Ron

[Tom G.]

Originally Posted by ronh95

Thanks Tom. I have seen that instruction for the 'Display mode', which I understand to be the iPod clickwheel control.

I'm confused about what I should be doing/seeing in the 'locked' mode (radio control - full integration). Will the song names only be available on the OBD in the instrument cluster? I was thinking you could direct it to display on the head unit. Am I wrong? If not, then I need some help understanding how to change the display location. If someone can take me through the process, from hooking up the iPod, turning it on, what CD/track buttons to press and importantly the sequence of these activities to ensure successful operation. The factory manual DICE provides is cryptic as hell.

Text (in either unlocked or Smart Mode) can be ported to either the radio/NAV or OBC - it's up to you. CD6/TRACK4 will place the text onto the radio display, which is typically preferred.

Originally Posted by ronh95

Thanks for listening. Any help with successfully switching from locked to display modes with the Smart models would be much appreciated.

Ron

"On the Fly" only works with an unlocked iPod going to locked mode. If locked, the iPod will need to be disconnected, unlocked and reconnected.

[ronh95]

Just to clarify my previous post. My suggestions regarding amplifying the DICE user manual provided above were aimed at the manufacturer, NOT EAS or Tom there who has been such a helpful resource here!

Thanks, Ron

[ronh95]

Tom you're a gem!

Exactly what I needed. I will try this once I get home and report back as to my success (hopefully!).

Thanks again for your patience, Ron

[jonnyhicks]

I had all sorts of problems with dice dropping settings each time ignition was switched off or iphone removed. To my frustration I purchased another which worked fine. I was on hols when my battery went flat at the airport & now have the same horrible problems all over again.
Please are there any solutions?

[staffop]

I got the Silverline Pro installed today, since I already had a Silverline in there it was an easy job just to pull out the Dice box and the cable from the box to the Iphone/Ipod.
I noticed the cable from the Dice unit to the CD changer plug had different colour coded wires to my current one but all seems to work ok so I assume it doesn't make any difference?
Only issue I do have is that when I plug the Iphone in I get the message 'Accessory not compatible, do you want to turn on airplane mode' or something like that. Its a bit annoying but I can live with it if there is no way to get rid of it?