To be or not to be? Digital DSP or not digital DSP?

[RichardP1]

Could be TOTALY wrong here, but I've been told that in the X5 with DSP you always get Digital DSP with a MID and only Analogue DSP with Nav after September 2002. Also, that it MAY be possible for a dealer to code between Digital and Analogue DSP.

Can anyone confirm or prove the above incorrect?

[Tom G.]

We've seen as late as MY05 with Digital DSP. It's always best to do a physical check.

[RichardP1]

Originally Posted by Tom G.

We've seen as late as MY05 with Digital DSP. It's always best to do a physical check.

Yes, but did that vehicle have Nav or MID?

[Tom G.]

Originally Posted by RichardP1

Yes, but did that vehicle have Nav or MID?

We've worked with multiple vehicles that had both configurations.

[Halston Pitman]

Originally Posted by Tom G.

If you are getting no audio with the 3/6 pin adapter, you will need the coax also.

Unfortunately this is just the way it is. Randomly an 05 needs an adapter. Then an 02 doesn't. I don't know exactly what the cut off point or the rhyme or reason for this but it seems you have it down pat what cars need it and what cars don't and then an 05 needs one.

BMW randomly does this on other cars. There is no real rhyme or reason as to what rear speakers a Z3 or M Roadster gets. You just have to look

[DouglasABaker]

Since no one answered your initial question about "digital" and "analog" DSP, I'll give it a shot.

The short answer is that there is no such thing. DSP, by definition, is all Digital since it stands for Digital Sound Processing. Now, having said that, you still need to have a signal to process in the first place, and this is where the Digital vs Analog debate begins. In vehicles using the co-axial cable, the transmission between the cd changer and the amplifier is digital (ie. nothing but 1's and 0's). In a vehicle that uses the 6 pin connecter the transmission goes from cd changer to radio and then radio to amplifier and it is analog (ie. a variable voltage signal). it does not, however, change in amplitude with the volume knob. In other words, if you turn the volume up or down in the front of the vehicle the signal voltage between the radio and the amplifier does not change. The amplifier performs all volume adjusts using its internal DSP.

Hopefully that helps. If not, feel free to ask questions

d-

[acitydweller]

If your car does not have a cd changer, is there any other way to tell if your x5 uses Digital or analog DSP?

I purchased my x5 used so the vehicle history is questionable. The dealer confirmed for me that I have bluetooth, Nav, DSP. I am considering the intravee II with an alpine i-bus setup for my ipod and USB thumb drive adapter. From the info on the forums, I may need an Digital to analog adapter or else it wont work... or possibly damage my system.

Are there any other signs besides checking the cd-changer connections to tell the method of DSP i have? This is probably the only time i really wished i had a cd-changer..

[Tom G.]

Originally Posted by acitydweller

If your car does not have a cd changer, is there any other way to tell if your x5 uses Digital or analog DSP?

I purchased my x5 used so the vehicle history is questionable. The dealer confirmed for me that I have bluetooth, Nav, DSP. I am considering the intravee II with an alpine i-bus setup for my ipod and USB thumb drive adapter. From the info on the forums, I may need an Digital to analog adapter or else it wont work... or possibly damage my system.

Are there any other signs besides checking the cd-changer connections to tell the method of DSP i have? This is probably the only time i really wished i had a cd-changer..

The changer is needed, it's a physical check. Try to install first, if there is no audio - you will need the DSP adapter.

[acitydweller]

browser froze. sorry

[acitydweller]

Originally Posted by Tom G.

The changer is needed, it's a physical check. Try to install first, if there is no audio - you will need the DSP adapter.

Tom G. thank you for responding.

Would plugging everything in to test cause any damage to the system?


my concern is that the car possibly was equipped with a changer in the past (i suspect as the wireharness look stretched and not neatly wrapped up in the boot) and was possibly removed at one point along with any cables attached e.g. coaxial...