Enabling your NB to play MP3s - (How-To) - Discussion Thread

[marvins_dad]

This thread is for Discussion on the How-to titled:

Enabling your NB to play MP3s - How-To<---click on title to go to link.

[N8Zvw]

I was just wondering in the 2006 models they have a connector under the center of the console for mp3 players. Does anyone know if this cable that goes into the stereo is compatible with earlier indash cd player HU? I have asked at my local dealership and even called Volkswagen Customer Service no one could answer this question for me. Thanks Nathan

[Nerd]

Ok i got a good question that i hope someone knows and can answer for me.

In my 2006 Beetle that will show up next week it has the mp3 connected under the dash. Here's what i want to do if possible.

I have an Alpine 9853 head unit out of my old 1997 Jetta TDI. This deck is i-pod ready and does have aux-in inputs. Can i pull out the stock headunit, put in my head unit and possibly connect the mp3 hookup to my deck via the aux-in?? i can't see why its not possible, other than there may be some splicing into factory wires???

Has anyone looked to see how this connects to stock headunit?

thanks
ben

[Steinola]

Near as I've been able to determine, the aux-in connector is a pigtail that piggybacks onto the blue connector at the rear of the headunit. It doesn't appear to be a separate piece... it looks like it's built into the harness... but I was only able to look at one very briefly (so there may be a way to separate it that I just didn't see).

So my first thoughts are:
N8Zvw - while I don't believe you would not be able to purchase the cable separately to hook it up to a OEM cassette headunit (as I don't think it's a separate "piece"), what's confusing me about your post is that... the aux-in jack should be there if you have a OEM in-dash CD deck. The in-dash CD headunit was introduced late in the 2004 model year... and AFAIK, the aux-in jack was introduced at the same time. Though it could be that the aux-in came in with the 2005 model year... leaving half a model year (2004.5's) with no aux-in. Are you sure it's not already there? Some people have had trouble finding it even though they look. Anyway... if it's truly not there, you might check in the EKTA to see if there's a part number for the cable... that'd tell you right away if it's a separate piece.

Nerd - I don't think you would not be able to purchase the cable separately to hook it up to your aftermarket headunit, for the same reason. But even if the cable was available separately, the connectors on it would be factory specific... and wouldn't be generic enough to hook up to your Alpine. You can certainly install your Alpine in your NB... you'd need the Alpine-VW harness adapter. But for your aux-in, you'd most likely only need to run a mini-phono male to mini-phono female patch cable to wherever you wanted to mount it... no need for the factory cable anyway. And if you want iPod integration, that would be completely in Alpine's court... as there is no factory iPod integration solution from VW... yet.

[arrival]

Its easy just to buy similar converter and put in cassete deck

[Steinola]

Originally Posted by arrival

Its easy just to buy similar converter and put in cassete deck

Sure... if you don't mind horrible audio and a lot of whinning and whirring as the cassette adapter spins in your deck.

If you want good audio, the only way to do is a direct connection.

[arrival]

then its much easier to connect mp3 player to Cd changer or just to buy changer playing mp3

[Preston]

omnifi dmp1... perfect solution for me

[scooperhsd]

Originally Posted by Preston

omnifi dmp1... perfect solution for me

Ditto - with a VWCDPIC providing the interface to the factory radio.

BTW Preston - where did you put the control panel ? Mine is cable-tied to the grip in front of the passenger.

2000 RED TDI 4 speed Automatic

[Preston]

i havn't had a chance to install it yet, im thinking maybe on the stering wheel, or perhaps right after the visor where there is that hump i could mold it in... i also thought about making a consel under where the hazard light and other buttons were being as i will have 3 faceplates once i install the rux unit to control my sound processor

[suzyq2463]

I read the wonderful how to (thanks Marvin's Dad), but not being good at techno language I still have a question. If you covered this in the how to, my apologies (I didn't see it or understand it!)

Is it possible via the factory mp3 connector in the stereo system to control the mp3 player via the stereo buttons? I've got a simple jack connection and can play my mp3 player through the stereo, but I still have to use the mp3 player to control the music. I'd like to be able to use the stereo controls.

Also, I've found that in order to listen to the music, I have to turn my Ipod volume way up and the stereo volume way up. The sound is just so-so. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

[marvins_dad]

All the adapter I am using is an "Auxillary-In" Meaning - that it allows you to pump audio into your radio and the radio thinks that it is getting the information from your CD Changer.

I have mine plugged into the ear port of my MP3 player so all you get is audio out of the player...no controls of the player itself. I'm thinking that there was some Ipod specific devices out there that might control the unit, but I find that unlikely.

For the volume I crank the volume of my MP3 Player up all the way and adjust the volume on the radio to suite...with no distortion. I have an Archos, not an Ipod, so I am not sure exactly how those guys work. I do know that I have a "Line-Out" and "head phones" jack on my MP3 Player and the head phones jack always performed better than the line out in my case.

Hope that helped a little.

[Sambeaux]

Thanks Antoine,

After reading your how-to I chose the USA-Spec PA11-VW Ipod to VW Interface. From crutchfield.com Replacing my failing 6 CD changer and installing this in its place took all of three minutes. Instead of 6 cds to choose from I have 5 large playlists and 1 very large playlist at the touch of a button on my console. Nice that the mix button works on these playlists as well. My Ipod hidden in the trunk. Sounds great. Works great and is EASY to install.

2000 GLX Stock Non Monsoon radio unit

[alessa]

Can someone tell me more about the ipod adapter that vw sells directly? Is this a direct connect to the OEM head unit? I'm not much of an audio person, but I'd like to know more about this. I like the idea of having my ipod tucked away in the glove compartment at all times.

Is there a cheaper alternative or is VW the only one who sells this particular cable?

[Steinola]

Originally Posted by alessa

Can someone tell me more about the ipod adapter that vw sells directly?

It connects to the rear of the headunit. So you would need to pull the radio out of the dash (which requires a special tool, or reasonable facsimile thereof). It should be usable on radios in all years of NBs.

Originally Posted by alessa

Is there a cheaper alternative or is VW the only one who sells this particular cable?

No, there are several available. Some connect to the headunit, like the VW cable, and some connect to the CD changer cable (in the center console on '03-'05's, otherwise it's in the trunk). 1stvwparts.com is selling the VW cable for right around $150... which is a cut-rate price (your dealer will charge you more). But it's right on par with most other makes of cables/adapters of this type. If you take a look at my how-to linked to at the top of this thread, most are listed in there.

The audio quality of a direct-connect cable is far superior to an FM transmitter like an iTrip, or a cassette adapter.

[alessa]

Originally Posted by Steinola

Some connect to the headunit, like the VW cable, and some connect to the CD changer cable

Which one would you prefer?

If I purchase one that connects to the CD changer cable, my ipod will then be in the center console rather than the glovebox? My center console is way too cramped for all that... it only has room for my garage opener and cellphone lol

[Steinola]

Originally Posted by alessa

Which one would you prefer?

If I purchase one that connects to the CD changer cable, my ipod will then be in the center console rather than the glovebox? My center console is way too cramped for all that... it only has room for my garage opener and cellphone lol

Preference is pretty subjective. I've helped a few buddies install the iCruze, and I really like that it offers an optional external LCD display that you can mount on the dash. It's kind of nice seeing what tune is currently playing. But it's hard to justify the full retail price for just that nicety alone. I did find a full iCruze set up on eBay for ~$40-50, including iCruze, display and adapter cable. That makes it a little harder to pass up. And it sounds great. The quality you expect from Monster Cable.

But the USA Spec from Crutchfield, or the Blitzsafe/PIE variety are just fine, too. Kind of depends on what you want to pay, and where you want to buy.

I have not heard, nor installed the VW cable. From all reports, it's simple to install. But a really question whether it works as well as some of the others. I know with my VWCDPIC, I definitely need a supplemental amp (even if it's something like the Belkin Auto Kit) between my iPod and the adapter. The line out level that the iPod dock connector provides is simply too low powered to make it very usable by the NB headunit. AFAIK, the VW cable has no amp. Meaning you're going to have to turn the volume up pretty far on your radio... leading to distortion. But maybe they're doing something else with the inputs to make it acceptable. I just don't know enough about it yet.

If I was going to do it all again, I would build my own VWCDPIC v.3. And I'd have a fully operational (and upgradable) adapter for under $5 cash, and a little bit of soldering time. Hard to beat that.

I do keep my iPod in the center console when I'm driving, currently. For one, the older version of the VWCDPIC that I have does not allow you to control the iPod via the buttons on the headunit... so I need the iPod kind of close by to skip songs, etc. But, even if that wasn't the case, I'd still stash it in the center console. That's just where I like it. Reaching over to put it in the glove box just seems way too inconvenient. Not only that, but the NB glove box just isn't like a glove box on a standard car. It has no flat area to really put the iPod. Your pod would get jostled around just by closing the glove box door. Not really what I want to do. Plus, having a 'vert, I like to keep my glove box locked at all times. That way I don't have to remember to lock it when I leave the car.

Besides... your garage opener should get clipped to the visor, and your cell phone should be on a mount in your cup holder

[dunno513]

Originally Posted by N8Zvw

I was just wondering in the 2006 models they have a connector under the center of the console for mp3 players. Does anyone know if this cable that goes into the stereo is compatible with earlier indash cd player HU? I have asked at my local dealership and even called Volkswagen Customer Service no one could answer this question for me. Thanks Nathan

Has anyone ever contacted VW Customer Service with a valid VW question and had it answered in a satisfactory manner? I called about missing my radio code and bud vase, and they said they could call the dealer to find out where they were. I told them that I already went that route, and the rep said, well that's all we can do.

Really, all Volkswagen of America can do to get replacement items is contact the dealer. Hmmm..

I purchased my connector at Radio Shack for 5 bucks. Pricey for a 1 foot cable, but it's exactly what I wanted.



To answer your question, I think, there is an adapter out there that gives the older radios the same input as the new 2005.5 & 06's but I don't think it fits on all prior year radios.
http://www.newbeetle.org/forums/showthread.php?t=5134

[heyou]

I'm planning on mounting my ipod in the bud vase,(http://home.earthlink.net/~datcas/budpod.html) but I want a better sound quality than a tape deck converter. Which adapter would be best? I don't want headunit control, but I want the quality of a headunit connection.

[cocorunwild]

i got one better idea for an mp3 player (actually my hubby's idea). im using a motorola V3i unit and it has an itunes. what he did was instead of a normal jack to connect the tape to an mp3 player, he took one of my moto earphones and connected it to the tape wires. so now i have a playlist of my own with out having the trouble of drained batteries. i just charge my phone whenever im in front of any pc. and since using a mobile fone while driving is already prohibited in this country, whenver someone calls me, i can speak to them in "surrounds" with my beetles speakers handsfree!