iPod cable issue

[DoggieHowser]

The thing is the iPhone DAC isn't fantastic. So an AUX connection would be stuck using the not so great DAC on the phone. A good head unit like the Alpine can take a digital connection from the iPod and send it through to the hopefully better quality DAC inside. And with lossless audio, it should sound closer to the CD.

[AdamD]

The thing is the iPhone DAC isn't fantastic. So an AUX connection would be stuck using the not so great DAC on the phone. A good head unit like the Alpine can take a digital connection from the iPod and send it through to the hopefully better quality DAC inside. And with lossless audio, it should sound closer to the CD.

AFAIK, the Apple proprietary connector still passes the audio to the head unit in analogue form, and it still utilises the DACs in the iPod or iPhone. Here's the pinout showing the left and right channels. The control mechanism is, obviously, still digital.

MovieDude, I take it you've checked the Input Level for the MDI on the head unit? For Apple devices it needs to be set to Low from memory, and if set to other values can cause distortion and possibly no sound at all.

[MovieDude]

I tested with the USB cable and a thumb drive then switched out for the iPod cable and player. Volume level was unchanged and I couldn't hear a thing. At 50% volume and higher I get a tinny hiss that sounds like the track being played. Unplugging the iPod and pressing play again (because it pauses on disconnection) the track plays fine through the internal speaker.

[Ryan_R]

Somewhere in the Tone or Setup menu there's an option for AUX-IN input volume which can be set to Low, Medium or High. This might be what Adam is referring to.

[MovieDude]

Cheers will check later.

[MovieDude]

So I changed the auxiliary level from medium to low and attached the iPod but no go. Then I switched to FM and back to MEDIA and hey presto the head unit showed the track details and the iPod screen displayed 'connected accessories' (or something like that). I can hear the audio perfectly well and control the play from the car.
Thanks for everyone's help.

[Ryan_R]

No worries. I know that I've set mine to High ages ago when I first got the car and once had issues when a passenger connected their iPod (I'm an IT guy and somewhat anti-Apple). After reading that suggestion months ago I've still never got around to making that adjustment and trying it out

[AdamD]

The MDI aux in input level always seems to do the trick eventually.

And for others who are reading this - just because your sound may works via USB cable/thumb drive doesn't mean it'll work via an apple device. So be sure to check this setting if connecting an iPod, and try switching your head unit off and back on after making the change.

[Ryan_R]

Do you have MDI and AUX Adam?

I just borrowed an old iPod which worked fine with the input volume setting set to low, but ever since I've retrofitted the MDI my AUX has stopped working. I've even purchased the MDI to 3.5mm AUX adapter but that doesn't work either. Must be either a coding or wiring issue. Do you have any VCDS settings that I could perhaps look at? Feel free to PM instead.

[Umai Naa!!]

I believe it's a wiring issue.

If memory serves me correct, the MDI and AUX require the same pin-outs at the back of the radio.

[Ryan_R]

Yeah, I thought they use the same as well, but I figured that the MDI-3.5mm cable should still work since the USB and iPod work. So perhaps a coding change is needed for that bit.

[AdamD]

Do you have MDI and AUX Adam?

Sorry, my bad with the terminology here.

Yes, I have MDI and the standard 3.5mm aux jack (which comes on every Golf AFAIK), but I've never tested the 3.5mm. Just to clarify, I was referring earlier to the MDI input level that you can adjust via the head unit, that affects the MDI input from Apple devices.

[Ryan_R]

Does it actually say MDI Level in your setup screen? Mine only says AUX input level, which when changed to Low enabled the iPhone to sound correct via MDI. All Golf's do in fact have an AUX-In jack and mine did work prior to my installing the MDI. I guess with 2 piggy-back harnesses going to the quadlock connector (MDI + Bluetooth) I guess something was bound to go wrong. Maybe I should order a new 9W7 to replace the 9W3 so that I have more motivation to pull out the HU again.

[MovieDude]

I have to say how impressed I am with the standard head unit in my 2010 GTI. A league above the one in my WRX hatch. It's great to be able to see more than 12 letters of the mp3 metadata, navigate through folders, track through the radio frequencies without having to switch from auto seek to manual and that beautiful touch screen!

[AdamD]

Does it actually say MDI Level in your setup screen? Mine only says AUX input level, which when changed to Low enabled the iPhone to sound correct via MDI.

Hmm, good question. I'll check and let you know, but chances are it says the same thing yours does, and my memory is faulty.