Questions of X5 standard Audio System
 

So I was looking at thee '08 Canadian feature list...


1. It says pre-wiring for CD changer is standard. Does this mean you can add your own aftermarket changer? Will it work while displaying track/artist information?

2. Is the standard in dash mp3 CD player capable of displaying artist/track information if you burn an mp3 CD with that information? Is it displayed on i-drive screen or is there a seperate display for that stuff?

3. Why can't BMW (or the germans) figure out how to put a 6 CD in dash changer. Hell even the new domestic fords have it STANDARD. It really is a GIANT pet peeve of mine. :confused:

Any and all answers to these questions will be appreciated:thumbup:

My reco is to simply get the iPod/USB adapter option and use an iPod instead of a changer. You will see all of your info on screen as well :)

They have....... Buy a 7 series. ;) Even the 5 series has them in the glove box.....:rofl: For me? not an issue i just keep a few cartridges filled and swap it out whenever i'm in the back which is often.

The E70 changer is in the glove box and no longer uses cartridges. So actually, it is kind of "in dash" ;)

Really........... Ahhh yes I remember. That being the case i don't understand the question. :confused:

Alright, so if I burn an mp3 CD it will show song info on the screen? :confused:

Sorry, Greg I wasn't quite sure with your answer

Yea, should show up.
The CD player (or you can have a DVD player) is located in the glove box. The only problem, it is in my opinion, less friendly to use compared to the E53 system, that used a 6 CD cartridge. So now on the E70, a person must open the glove box, manually feed each one in to load, or remove each one individually (not easy when you are driving!). The in-dash single CD is great, cause you have quick access to it even while driving.
SG is right, I guess one day (hope it isn't too soon) it will only be iPOD devices....... what will my kids do with the >3,000 CDs in my collection.....:rolleyes:
Another matter, go with the premium sound option, what a difference, absolutely excellent.

Cheers,

yes - If you burn CDs using WMA or MP3 it shows on the iDrive screen. This is the case for both the CD Changer and the Central CD drive.

hey guys .. isnt the 6 cd changer in the glove compartment of the e70 ?

The new iPod Classic 160GB holds 40,000 songs, so just have your kids copy all of your CD's over to your iPod :D

See post #4 above :)

Thanks SG.
I was avidly doing the upload onto the iPOD Nano, until the software screwed my Windows XP platform on my notebook. Since then I removed the download software, not sure when I`ll be uplaoding more onto the device.
Still not converted though!

Solution, buy a Mac :D

So, for us US guys, is there really much a difference between the standard and premium sound?

In my opinion, go with the prologic 7 system, massive improvement overall compared to the DSP system in the E53.

Cheers,

IMO definitely a difference between the standard and premium sound. I was at the dealer yesterday and sat in a 4.8 with premium sound and a 3.0 with standard sound...the difference was substantial!

The premium sound (DSP) sounded full and filled the space with great sound. The standard sound sounded flat, not bad, but definitely cannot be compared.

I guess the real question would be it its worth the additionall $1800. I'd say change the speakers after - that will help with better clarity...and if you need to...you can always try and get your hands on an amp after.

Sir, in your opinion, is the difference worth the $1800?

One thing that is lacking in the 12 speaker package IMHO...... I find the highs and lows ok.. but it is the middle frequencies that get a bit drowned.. the DSP / equaliser would certainly help that... the speakers are higher power rated in the top system but are still Philips brand :( .. I will be replacing my midranges when I find a good fit...

In the audiophile world, car or home, flat is what you're aiming for. Bright, warm, etc.... is NOT what you want.

$1800 is a tough sell.... but if the sound difference is significant to warrant the extra expense then I'll do it..

I think I'm going back to the dealer with my iPod to test out the standard system.

never tried it so I might as well know for sure...

One of things that I want to test, when I get my X5, is whether the DVD Audio on the Premium Sound is distinguishable from the iPod input (iPod and USB adapter). I'm kinda thinking that it might be. Anyone know?
(The DVD audios will be created from my 7,000 iTunes tracks which are a mixture of 128 kbps and 192 kbps.)

DVD Audio is 5.1 encoded audio ... not a series of mp3's on a DVD although it does mean you can fit a lot more tunes on the disc !!!

so i understand right the premium package will play burnt dvd audio discs?

I assume so.. it should play discs that have mp3 content on them. DVD Audio is an encoded format... I am not sure how to burn DVD Audio discs.

u wud just burn like a mp3 disc but with more songs on it

I think you need to understand - DVD Audio is a special format as previously mentioned . I don't think you can simply copy MP3's to a DVD disc as that is not DVD Audio. DVD Audio is supposedly an encoded format (as previously mentioned) which has the audio already separated to certain channels based on the music playback. I have it in my acura as well and they give you a demo disc. It's like hearing the vocals through the center channel and then other music is mixed into other speakers...more like theater sound.

just from a technical perspective.. DVD format on a player means the unit can read DVD discs in addition to regular CD discs... DVDs offer alot more space for storing data...(in this case music files) MP3s can be written to blank CDs but you can also burn them onto a blank DVD disk too..(and you'll fit 100 times more music)

at the end of the day the unit will still play the contents of both discs...(just alot more music if it's coming from a DVD disk)

as for sound/music quality....it all depends on the recorded format, MP3 or other format you copy it to, and that format must be supported on the sound system unit itself...

I believe the X5 system supports only CDA and MP3 formats only.

DVDs also support music videos....but I don't think you'll be able to view them on the iDrive dash screen...

you can on the rear entertainment system...

Exactly: and from that point on it will depend entirely on the production of the recorded audio source. I have played some CD's on my E-53 and the sound was unbelievable while others sounded like garbage. Hard to believe but much of todays music is an atrocity from an engineering perspective. Hence the reason why many auto systems sound so bad. ;)