iPod Cable... - M3 Forum 2010 2009 BMW M3 2008 BMW M3 BMW E90 M3 E92

Ray33 · 11-12-2007, 07:23 AM

i know this has been brought up in other related threads but there have been many varied replies. Can someone finally and definitively answer the question...Does the cable supplied with your ipod for use with the pc allow your car to read and play all the tracks or is there another cable you have to buy?

ChrisW · 11-13-2007, 11:14 AM

Reads and plays all tracks. No new cable needed.

13eastie · 11-13-2007, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisW

Reads and plays all tracks. No new cable needed.

Hi Chris - Ignoring the fat that MY iPod does not seem to work, if this is the case (and I'm sure your not making this up), why did they tell me to buy a new cable... do you get any extra functionality at all with the BMW cable?

Now that I have finally got the Universal Remote Control to work, this iPod nonsense is the one remaining fly in the ointment...

EDIT: OK, my impatience has been getting the better of me...

It works OK with the original cable (although older models will not charge on USB), but you need to give it a few minutes for the song-titles etc. to upload to the head-unit (the bigger the disk, the longer it will take). The iPod used like this works as a gigantic USB stick: the head-unit merely downloads from the file system on the disk only (which I presume must be FAT32/NTFS format) .mp3 files are browsable, all directories on the disk are visible, the audio is decoded on the DRM-compliant head-unit.

The one gripe so far is that, unlike iTunes etc., it groups all the "The ####" bands together under 'T'.

My suspiscion is that the BMW cable will work as follows:
1) The device itself will be recognised as an iPod and control instructions will be sent directly to the device by the head unit.
2) The decoder on the device itself will be used rather than the .mp3 decoder on the head unit (this means that you will not have DRM problems and you can play AAC files)
3) The consequence of 2) is that you must use the auxillary input for audio

I don't have any answers on Mac-compatibility

I'm not going to bother with the BMW cable because I don't need it, but I'm miffed that it wasn't supplied as standard.

Now all I need to do is go and collect the new iPod my mate brought me back from NYC.

apw2607 · 11-13-2007, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisW

Reads and plays all tracks. No new cable needed.

I'm sorry Chris, but you are simply wrong. Using the USB cable supplied with the ipod, you will not be able to playback any songs you have downloaded and purchased from iTunes that are copy protected.

apw2607 · 11-13-2007, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 13eastie

The iPod used like this works as a gigantic USB stick: the head-unit merely downloads from the file system on the disk only (which I presume must be FAT32/NTFS format) .mp3 files are browsable, all directories on the disk are visible, the audio is decoded on the DRM-compliant head-unit.

You sort of right, however the headunit doesn't actually download and store any of the mp3 tracks, it merely builds itself a table of contents that index 's the tracks on the ipod.

The headunit is used to decode (or playback) the mp3, however it doesn't contain any DRM decoding capabilities, so therefore will not playback drm mp3 tracks.

13eastie · 11-13-2007, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apw2607

You sort of right, however the headunit doesn't actually download and store any of the mp3 tracks, it merely builds itself a table of contents that index 's the tracks on the ipod.

The headunit is used to decode (or playback) the mp3, however it doesn't contain any DRM decoding capabilities, so therefore will not playback drm mp3 tracks.

Nit-picking really, but in order for the head-unit to decode an mp3, it must necessarily download it.

Yes, the only way to play protected tracks will be to use the BMW cable - by "DRM-compliant", I mean't that the head-unit's decoder follows the DRM rules.

Ray33 · 11-14-2007, 04:31 AM

I have planned ahead on this issue and asked my dealer to order me whatever cable is needed before i collect the car. He mentioned that there might be a charge - and i told him i hoped he was joking. He agreed to drop the charge, so as soon a get my car i will let you know what the story is with the mythical cable...

13eastie · 11-14-2007, 01:04 PM

"Gapless" playback with the regular cable isn't...

I'm going to ask my dealer to send me the cable FOC.

Ray33 · 01-10-2008, 09:19 AM

finally got the correct cable from my dealer today.

When i was using the cable that comes with the ipod some playlists and certain albums were missing. With the new cable all this is solved.

The cable connects to the ipod and then connects to the usb AND the aux input. They normally charge €60 for this!!!!

needless to say i told him where he could go with his €60.

drvai · 01-10-2008, 09:49 AM

Connects also to the audio input?? Why is this?

drvai · 01-10-2008, 10:00 AM

Are you guys sure that the ipod is not the one that plays the mp3 and just sends the signal to the car?? Maybe that's why it need both connections:
USB: controls
Audio Jack: audio signal played through the iPod.

In general, with the normal USB cable, you are not able to read the mp3 files loaded with iTunes into the iPod. (unless you use a program such as copy pod).

All of this sounds reasonable if you consider that you shouln't need the audio connection.

apw2607 · 01-10-2008, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drvai

Are you guys sure that the ipod is not the one that plays the mp3 and just sends the signal to the car?? Maybe that's why it need both connections:
USB: controls
Audio Jack: audio signal played through the iPod.

You got it. Thats exactly how it works, and why you need to plug the USB and audio jack in.

The ipod is used to playback the audio, as only the ipod can playback the DRM files. BMW didn't have any other choice, as apple normally dont license out their DRM.

drvai · 01-10-2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apw2607

You got it. Thats exactly how it works, and why you need to plug the USB and audio jack in.

The ipod is used to playback the audio, as only the ipod can playback the DRM files. BMW didn't have any other choice, as apple normally dont license out their DRM.

So probably it's better to use a pen drive, as in that case the radio will read directly from it. I am sure that some quality is loss over the audio cable.

I read in the manual (recently posted) that the iDrive will recognize the song info on a normal drive so that's a great option (and cheaper, as the ipod adapter is 300 bucks!!)

drvai · 01-10-2008, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 13eastie

Nit-picking really, but in order for the head-unit to decode an mp3, it must necessarily download it.

That's not correct, as the radio can read an external drive. It's like a computer reading files from an external hard drive.

Ray33 · 01-11-2008, 05:17 AM

Originally i was using the standard PC connection ipod cable. All controls were available and most of the music was there but not all of it. About 80% of my downloaded itunes music was showing with about 20% simply not visible. The directory structure also seemed to be a bit messed up.
The BMW cable simply cleared everything up and sorted the missing music.
Quality of playback was the same with both cables.

SS32 · 01-29-2008, 11:37 AM

What's different about the BMW cable? Does it not plug into the USB adapter like a normal iPod cable?

southlight · 01-29-2008, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowmoo32

What's different about the BMW cable? Does it not plug into the USB adapter like a normal iPod cable?

It does, but the USB connection is only to charge and control the iPod; music comes thru the Aux In.

Best regards, south

SS32 · 01-30-2008, 09:33 AM

But can't you buy a BMW cable that doesn't require AUX audio?

southlight · 01-30-2008, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowmoo32

But can't you buy a BMW cable that doesn't require AUX audio?

Don't think so. Playback of DRM protected stuff works only via Aux In. You can use a std USB cable, though. Works even with an iPod as long as you're not playing DRM protected songs. (Didn't try that out myself, but others have said so).

Best regards, south

OzStriker · 01-30-2008, 03:39 PM

This is the iPod cable.

I asked to have it included when I pick up my car, better than a bottle of wine or a BMW shirt I will never wear.....

Jinxter · 01-30-2008, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OzStriker

This is the iPod cable.

I asked to have it included when I pick up my car, better than a bottle of wine or a BMW shirt I will never wear.....

got a part number for that?

AwesomeM3 · 02-20-2008, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OzStriker

This is the iPod cable.

I asked to have it included when I pick up my car, better than a bottle of wine or a BMW shirt I will never wear.....

Does anyone know what the BMW part number is?

11-12-2007, 07:23 AM	#1
Ray33 Private First Class Drives: 2008 Alpine White M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 194 iTrader: (0)	iPod Cable... i know this has been brought up in other related threads but there have been many varied replies. Can someone finally and definitively answer the question...Does the cable supplied with your ipod for use with the pc allow your car to read and play all the tracks or is there another cable you have to buy?

01-29-2008, 11:37 AM	#16
SS32 Major Drives: 08 M3, 87 325 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Raleighwood, NC Posts: 1,326 iTrader: (0)	What's different about the BMW cable? Does it not plug into the USB adapter like a normal iPod cable? __________________ V1 DIY - Blinder M45 DIY - Exhaust Cutouts - Removed Clutch Pedal Spring DIY - Fiamm Air Horns

01-30-2008, 09:33 AM	#18
SS32 Major Drives: 08 M3, 87 325 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Raleighwood, NC Posts: 1,326 iTrader: (0)	But can't you buy a BMW cable that doesn't require AUX audio? __________________ V1 DIY - Blinder M45 DIY - Exhaust Cutouts - Removed Clutch Pedal Spring DIY - Fiamm Air Horns

11-13-2007, 11:14 AM	#2
ChrisW Private Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North East England Posts: 36 iTrader: (0)	Reads and plays all tracks. No new cable needed.

11-14-2007, 04:31 AM	#7
Ray33 Private First Class Drives: 2008 Alpine White M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 194 iTrader: (0)	I have planned ahead on this issue and asked my dealer to order me whatever cable is needed before i collect the car. He mentioned that there might be a charge - and i told him i hoped he was joking. He agreed to drop the charge, so as soon a get my car i will let you know what the story is with the mythical cable...

11-14-2007, 01:04 PM	#8
13eastie Lieutenant Drives: 2007 E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: London Posts: 563 iTrader: (0) View 13eastie's Garage	"Gapless" playback with the regular cable isn't... I'm going to ask my dealer to send me the cable FOC.

01-10-2008, 09:19 AM	#9
Ray33 Private First Class Drives: 2008 Alpine White M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 194 iTrader: (0)	finally got the correct cable from my dealer today. When i was using the cable that comes with the ipod some playlists and certain albums were missing. With the new cable all this is solved. The cable connects to the ipod and then connects to the usb AND the aux input. They normally charge €60 for this!!!! needless to say i told him where he could go with his €60.

01-10-2008, 09:49 AM	#10
drvai Captain Drives: E92 M3 AW Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: FL Posts: 881 iTrader: (0)	Connects also to the audio input?? Why is this?

01-10-2008, 10:00 AM	#11
drvai Captain Drives: E92 M3 AW Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: FL Posts: 881 iTrader: (0)	Are you guys sure that the ipod is not the one that plays the mp3 and just sends the signal to the car?? Maybe that's why it need both connections: USB: controls Audio Jack: audio signal played through the iPod. In general, with the normal USB cable, you are not able to read the mp3 files loaded with iTunes into the iPod. (unless you use a program such as copy pod). All of this sounds reasonable if you consider that you shouln't need the audio connection.

01-11-2008, 05:17 AM	#15
Ray33 Private First Class Drives: 2008 Alpine White M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 194 iTrader: (0)	Originally i was using the standard PC connection ipod cable. All controls were available and most of the music was there but not all of it. About 80% of my downloaded itunes music was showing with about 20% simply not visible. The directory structure also seemed to be a bit messed up. The BMW cable simply cleared everything up and sorted the missing music. Quality of playback was the same with both cables.

01-30-2008, 03:39 PM	#20
OzStriker Captain Drives: BMW E92 M3, Ducati 1198S Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 884 iTrader: (1) View OzStriker's Garage	This is the iPod cable. I asked to have it included when I pick up my car, better than a bottle of wine or a BMW shirt I will never wear.....