Media Device Interface - MDI & AUX Questions

[chilliman]

19.59 GBP from a UK dealer. Got mine there & a friend brought it out with them!

[Squozen]

I've been waiting for my cable for a freaking MONTH.

Do not buy a car from Camberwell VW is all I can say.

[alphabeatsco]

Stuff camberwell... Get it from eBay

[Nath]

Yeah they didnt tell me either, silly me thought I could use my bog standard ipod cable, but all is not lost, they have my cable finally and I pick it up Wednesday, looking forward to something new in my new toy

Now if they can just get me my bottle opener.....

[insidertrading]

christ i paid 100 for that cable at barloworld mascot....

[GTi Crow]

Now if they can just get me my bottle opener.....

Kept my bottle opener from the Mark V - lot better quality than the Mark VI one.

[Tux]

I've had to add the MDI to my order after reading up a bit. Silly me thinking that in a $50,000 car one would be able to hook up a media player!

That same silly me thought that I could connect my iphone via bluetooth too... I find that strange, especially seeing that a $13,000 Hyundai Getz has both of those things...

Yeah, I know what some will say. "go and buy a Getz then."

I had the same problem with my Mini which was valued at around $45,000 when new. I had to buy an aftermarket bluetooth connection and an aux cable to hook up to the head unit.

Why do they overlook such items in this day and age is beyond me!

[Maverick]

I've had to add the MDI to my order after reading up a bit. Silly me thinking that in a $50,000 car one would be able to hook up a media player!

Most VW headunits have a SD card slot for a 32GB card (STANDARD) and a 3.5mm input (STANDARD). The Getz has a USB port and a 3.5mm input.

That same silly me thought that I could connect my iphone via bluetooth too... I find that strange, especially seeing that a $13,000 Hyundai Getz has both of those things...

The only difference is the Getz has a cheap bluetooth kit installed, Volkswagen offer a number of top quality units as an option that you can install both factory fitted and dealer fitted and a number of choices. Again most people don't use it so why should they pay for it?

Yeah, I know what some will say. "go and buy a Getz then."

I had the same problem with my Mini which was valued at around $45,000 when new. I had to buy an aftermarket bluetooth connection and an aux cable to hook up to the head unit.

Why do they overlook such items in this day and age is beyond me!

They're not overlooking anything, most people don't need to connect a media player / icrud in their car so why should every customer be forced to pay for it? It's an option that you can order or have fitted later if _YOU_ want it.

The bluetooth on the Getz like the rest of the car is cheap rubbish, you can't compare them to the quality of the items available on the Golf. With the Golf you get choice and can customise the car to suit you and the same with the Mini.

[Tux]

Most VW headunits have a SD card slot for a 32GB card (STANDARD) and a 3.5mm input (STANDARD). The Getz has a USB port and a 3.5mm input.

Does the Sat Nav have the 3.5mm input? I haven't seen anything to suggest it does. If so then that's great.

only difference is the Getz has a cheap bluetooth kit installed, Volkswagen offer a number of top quality units as an option that you can install both factory fitted and dealer fitted and a number of choices. Again most people don't use it so why should they pay for it?

Yep, it is a cheap unit in a cheap car but it's still a bluetooth unit which is better than no unit. You might have missed the point... which is that if cheap cars like the Getz's have bluetooth then surely premium cars could throw one in... Geez, even the dealer agreed with me on that one.

They're not overlooking anything, most people don't need to connect a media player / icrud in their car so why should every customer be forced to pay for it? It's an option that you can order or have fitted later if _YOU_ want it.

Shirley, you must be joking! I'm gonna want to connect my Ipad when I get it. Might even hook up my Ipod classic, Ipod touch or my Iphone too.

The bluetooth on the Getz like the rest of the car is cheap rubbish, you can't compare them to the quality of the items available on the Golf. With the Golf you get choice and can customise the car to suit you and the same with the Mini.

I don't think I compared the cars to each other at all mate. I love the fact that I can spend another three grand to connect my phone and music player to my new car.

Thanks for the friendly reply btw. No wonder Goose bailed on ya Mav!

[Maverick]

Does the Sat Nav have the 3.5mm input? I haven't seen anything to suggest it does. If so then that's great.

Check the specs.

Yep, it is a cheap unit in a cheap car but it's still a bluetooth unit which is better than no unit. You might have missed the point... which is that if cheap cars like the Getz's have bluetooth then surely premium cars could throw one in... Geez, even the dealer agreed with me on that one.

A cheap bluetooth unit is useless. The integration of the VAG bluetooth units is second to none and the quality is far better than other units out there.

Shirley, you must be joking! I'm gonna want to connect my Ipad when I get it. Might even hook up my Ipod classic, Ipod touch or my Iphone too.

Getz doesn't come with an icrud connector so our argument falls short there. It's really simple, if you want to connect a icrud to your car you order the MDI kit. If you don't and you're happy with 32GB + of storage that the car can handle standard you don't have to spend it.

I don't think I compared the cars to each other at all mate. I love the fact that I can spend another three grand to connect my phone and music player to my new car.

You don't have to spend $3000 at all. MDI is around $3-400 and bluetooth around $1000 (fitted) if you go for the Skoda one.

Thanks for the friendly reply btw. No wonder Goose bailed on ya Mav!

Take it however you want, but next time you might want to actually read about what the car comes with before whining about something that isn't an issue for 99.9% of the buyers except the select few that think icrud connectivity and bluetooth should come standard when most people don't need them. Just because you want them doesn't mean everyone else does.

Shame on Volkswagen for offering choice and the ability to choose, they should do what Hyundai do (offering two variants of Getz) and have two spec levels so you can no options or all of them.

[Axis]

Just for clarity (I just bought a MKV)... if I want to plug my iPhone into the stereo without using the AUX in I will need:

1 - The MDI
2 - A MDI --> iPod cable

Total cost ~$350-$450??

Also - if you're looking for the 3.5mm AUX in... mine is in the centre console under the adjustable arm rest

[G-rig]

Do a search ppl, been covered to death.

You get what you pay for.

[midlifecrisis]

I like to think that the Mk VII will have MDI standard with the Audio upgrade, and that they will come up with a more affordable bluetooth option.

With things like Ford Sync out there, VW are weak in this area for those who want seamless music and phone integration, voice commands etc. I expect this will be a focus area for the next gen Golfs.

I really like what they have done with Park Assist, clever RVC, and the new Touareg corner camera system. Cool ideas. Would be nice if that system allowed you to see surrounding traffic to the rear blind spots when at speed as well.

[Maverick]

Just for clarity (I just bought a MKV)... if I want to plug my iPhone into the stereo without using the AUX in I will need:

1 - The MDI
2 - A MDI --> iPod cable

Total cost ~$350-$450??

Also - if you're looking for the 3.5mm AUX in... mine is in the centre console under the adjustable arm rest

Yes. There is a MDI retrofit kit available.

MDI Information

Cost is around $375 or maybe a bit less. List price is listed on this page.

Installation instructions are above, your dealer can install it in around 45 minutes (see the price list page for recommended fitment times from VW).

Cable is around $70.

[G-rig]

Just for clarity (I just bought a MKV)... if I want to plug my iPhone into the stereo without using the AUX in I will need:

1 - The MDI
2 - A MDI --> iPod cable

Total cost ~$350-$450??

Yes,I paid $350 + $75 for the cable.

Much better than aux, safer controlling it from the head unit than looking down at your iphone whilst driving .