iPod cable issue

[MovieDude]

The cable that came with the car seems to be faulty. I can only hear a muted hiss. There is another cable for USB thumb drives which when plugged into the same socket transfers audio fine. Where can I get a replacement and how much are they?

[Umai Naa!!]

Is the hiss from the Ipod-specific MDI cable?

[Ryan_R]

They're on eBay for ~$30 but wouldn't you rather take it back to the dealer to diagnose (i.e. try your cable in another car). Could possibly be faulty wiring behind the head unit.

[MovieDude]

If mp3s play fine from a USB thumb drive through the same connector (under the centre armrest) then would that mean the problem is with the iPod cable?
The salesman doesn't rate my chances (I bought the GTI second-hand) and suggested that I contact his manager.

[Umai Naa!!]

So you're not using an Ipod USB cable?

Just to clarify, you need to connect it up MDI>Ipod Cable>Ipod.

Not MDI>USB Cable>Ipod USB Cable>Ipod.

[MovieDude]

Yes the cable I'm using is MDI at one end and iPod at the other.

[brh1978]

I purchased this cables from eBay: VW MDI IPOD CONNECTION CABLE GENUINE VW 000051446C
The seller was dave250166
It's a genuine MDI iPod cable and works perfectly, took about a week to arrive.
Hope this helps.

[DoggieHowser]

In my quotation, this was an 80 buck item from VW Australia!!!

I didn't manage to strike a big bargain when I bought the car but at least I got them to throw it in for free

[MovieDude]

Don't want to spend $80 for something that offers little benefit over a USB thumb drive. Just wish it was working. eBay showing $20 seems reasonable.

[rossw]

Got the Genuine iPod one with my car before finding out about the eBay ones. Subsequently bought an eBay USB one as well and it works fine.

[MovieDude]

There's one advertised with a lifetime warranty - does VW provide that?

[DoggieHowser]

Don't want to spend $80 for something that offers little benefit over a USB thumb drive. Just wish it was working. eBay showing $20 seems reasonable.

If the MDI connection is like other iPod connections, it should offer a digital output from the iPod to the head unit's DAC.

I find most USB thumb drives only offer MP3/WMA compatibility, maybe WAV. But I use AIFF on my iPod/iPhone and it is noticeably better quality than MP3/WMA. So for me, the iPod connectivity is important.

BTW does anyone know if the MDI/iPod cable disables the UI of the iPod ie you have to control the playlist etc using the RCD or can you still use the iPod to navigate

[Ryan_R]

If you want to use the iPod UI then connect it via AUX 3.5mm cable. I think a VW logo shows on the iPod when you connect it, the idea (or feature) is that can control the iPod via the HU/MFSW

[MovieDude]

If the MDI connection is like other iPod connections, it should offer a digital output from the iPod to the head unit's DAC.

I find most USB thumb drives only offer MP3/WMA compatibility, maybe WAV. But I use AIFF on my iPod/iPhone and it is noticeably better quality than MP3/WMA.

Interesting. I thought the MDI unit would take the source audio as is and play through the head unit. If the USB thumb drive contains digital then it plays digital. Likewise for a connected iPod. I can't compare USB thumb drives and iPods because my cable is faulty but my mp3s sound good running off the little drives.

[Ryan_R]

I've read here before that the MDI streams audio to the HU (which is why you can't copy files from USB to the RNS510) so quality should be pretty much be on par.