MDI with ipod

[tiguan_hunting]

Hi all,

I've got the dealer fitted option for MDI and will be getting the car in about a weeks time. I didn't upgrade the radio so its basically the RCD310. I'm one of the very few people who don't own an ipod yet. Yes, I don't have an ipod yet!

Has anyone hooked up a 2GB shuffle ipod with a dealer fitted MDI? I would to get some feedback on what it can and cannot do. I've read on other forums where there maybe issues with the ipod not switching off or the battery runs out even if you switch your radio off. Also read somewhere that you can see all your folders in your ipod through the radio but there's a glitch where depending on how you structure your folders you might not see some of your music files.

Has anyone been using their MDI at length and have some feedback??

Thanks!

[Bayman]

Hi all,

I've got the dealer fitted option for MDI and will be getting the car in about a weeks time. I didn't upgrade the radio so its basically the RCD310. I'm one of the very few people who don't own an ipod yet. Yes, I don't have an ipod yet!

Has anyone hooked up a 2GB shuffle ipod with a dealer fitted MDI? I would to get some feedback on what it can and cannot do. I've read on other forums where there maybe issues with the ipod not switching off or the battery runs out even if you switch your radio off. Also read somewhere that you can see all your folders in your ipod through the radio but there's a glitch where depending on how you structure your folders you might not see some of your music files.

Has anyone been using their MDI at length and have some feedback??

Thanks!

I have an RDC 310 and the previous model from the current Ipod Nano. Works ok but I notice the Ipod never turns off but is charged by the car. Works ok with the MFD and steering controls. I have yet to use a Memory stick instead as I reckon that is the way to go saving your Ipod for better use. I plan on getting a 16Gb stick and putting my CDs on at 265K bit rate or better as 128K b/r sounds inferior.

Just make sure the dealer fits is well , see other posts in the forums.

[brh1978]

I don't think the shuffle will work as it doesn't use the standard ipod cable (it comes with a 3.5mm to usb type cable). If you want a cheap nano or classic ipod try here:

http://store.apple.com/au/browse/home/specialdeals

Click on refurbished ipods, i've bought all of mine from here and not one has missed a beat (they still come with 12mths warranty).

I have a ipod classic hooked up to my mdi/rcd510, as long as you let itunes organise your music you won't have any folder issues at all.

I think the MDI is a must have if you want to integrate an ipod to your stock radio, you get pretty much full control from the head unit. I'm pretty sure my ipod turns off as its battery is always the same charge level. I've noticed that as soon as you open any car door the mdi starts up the ipod to get it ready to play, the second i turn on my radio the ipod is playing. Maybe that's why people think their ipods are on all of the time?

I've only had one glitch with my mdi, once morning the mdi option was greyed out on the screen, restarting the ipod or the rcd 510 did nothing, i had to turn the car on/off to reset it and everything was ok...weird but then the alpine i had in my golf did that on occasion too!

[tiguan_hunting]

I have an RDC 310 and the previous model from the current Ipod Nano. Works ok but I notice the Ipod never turns off but is charged by the car. Works ok with the MFD and steering controls. I have yet to use a Memory stick instead as I reckon that is the way to go saving your Ipod for better use. I plan on getting a 16Gb stick and putting my CDs on at 265K bit rate or better as 128K b/r sounds inferior.

Just make sure the dealer fits is well , see other posts in the forums.

Hi Bayman,
When you say memory stick are you referring to a stick with a usb connection? How do you connect that to the MDI connections? Would you still get all the folders etc like you get with the ipod?

[Bayman]

Hi Bayman,
When you say memory stick are you referring to a stick with a usb connection? How do you connect that to the MDI connections? Would you still get all the folders etc like you get with the ipod?

I had to buy a USB lead, I have the part Nos, as this allows the unit to run from a Solid State Hard disk (when they get cheaper) say 60Gb. As for folders etc I have no idea. I'll load some MP3 or AAC on a stick and give it a whirl, should work I guess. I am not sure how much power the unit can supply to hard disks of the spinning variety.

I'll let you know soon how it goes.

[DJY]

I don't think the shuffle will work as it doesn't use the standard ipod cable...

I was thinking the same thing.
Give you and excuse to buy an iPod!
I have several!

[tiguan_hunting]

I had to buy a USB lead, I have the part Nos, as this allows the unit to run from a Solid State Hard disk (when they get cheaper) say 60Gb. As for folders etc I have no idea. I'll load some MP3 or AAC on a stick and give it a whirl, should work I guess. I am not sure how much power the unit can supply to hard disks of the spinning variety.

I'll let you know soon how it goes.

Thanks Bayman. I'm looking forward to hear your feedback.

I might just go borrow an ipod shuffle and try it out.... before I buy anything

[Bayman]

Thanks Bayman. I'm looking forward to hear your feedback.

I might just go borrow an ipod shuffle and try it out.... before I buy anything

USB Memory stick works just fine. I did have a track that the RCD 310 wizzed through but must be corrupted and was an old 512MB stick that I just wanted to try out. I see you can get a Kingston 32GB datatraveller for $100 so something like that with ripped CDs as MP3 files at a decent bit rate say 256k should hold enough music for my liking. Unless you wish to leave your I-pod in the Glove box but pulling it in/out is just a pain. For a $100 the convenience of swapping USB sticks is far easier.

Also USB sticks keep getting cheaper. You can browse through the tracks and I guess folders depending on how you store your files on the USB Mem stick. MFD in dash read file names OK so no different to using an i-POD.

I like the MDI install on the blanking plate where all you need is the USB lead and the stick hanging out which could all fit under the paper clip in the glove box. Neato!

I would like the RCD 510 but really using CDs in cars now is old technologyas CDs with moving parts and lasers to wear out don't blend with hot weather so I think the next RCD 5xx will just be a RNS 5xx and a solid state hard disk and a single disk player that just loads up CD music. Technology in vehicles is just taking off big time and will be mind blowing the things that will be offered. Cars Guide a week or two ago had an article about what's coming in sound and driving technology in cars. Hopefully VW will be at the forefront of it all.

[tiguan_hunting]

USB Memory stick works just fine. I did have a track that the RCD 310 wizzed through but must be corrupted and was an old 512MB stick that I just wanted to try out. I see you can get a Kingston 32GB datatraveller for $100 so something like that with ripped CDs as MP3 files at a decent bit rate say 256k should hold enough music for my liking. Unless you wish to leave your I-pod in the Glove box but pulling it in/out is just a pain. For a $100 the convenience of swapping USB sticks is far easier.

Also USB sticks keep getting cheaper. You can browse through the tracks and I guess folders depending on how you store your files on the USB Mem stick. MFD in dash read file names OK so no different to using an i-POD.

I like the MDI install on the blanking plate where all you need is the USB lead and the stick hanging out which could all fit under the paper clip in the glove box. Neato!

I would like the RCD 510 but really using CDs in cars now is old technologyas CDs with moving parts and lasers to wear out don't blend with hot weather so I think the next RCD 5xx will just be a RNS 5xx and a solid state hard disk and a single disk player that just loads up CD music. Technology in vehicles is just taking off big time and will be mind blowing the things that will be offered. Cars Guide a week or two ago had an article about what's coming in sound and driving technology in cars. Hopefully VW will be at the forefront of it all.

I totally agree Bayman. I would prefer to just get a usb stick. I just have a few more questions if you don't mind.

1. I obviously need a lead to connect from the MDI to the usb stick. But what is the MDI connection look like? Is it a USB connection as well or something else where I will need to get an adaptor (or similar) to connect to the USB cable?

2. Are you able to store the MP3 music files and categorise them into folders on the USB key and still be able to scroll through them via the radio head?

If I can save them on different folders and still access and view those folders on the radio head then I'm definitely up for using the usb key instead. Much cheaper than getting an ipod.

Thanks!

[tiguan_hunting]

I totally agree Bayman. I would prefer to just get a usb stick. I just have a few more questions if you don't mind.

1. I obviously need a lead to connect from the MDI to the usb stick. But what is the MDI connection look like? Is it a USB connection as well or something else where I will need to get an adaptor (or similar) to connect to the USB cable?

2. Are you able to store the MP3 music files and categorise them into folders on the USB key and still be able to scroll through them via the radio head?

If I can save them on different folders and still access and view those folders on the radio head then I'm definitely up for using the usb key instead. Much cheaper than getting an ipod.

Thanks!

bump!

anybody hooked up a USB stick to their MDI?

[Bayman]

bump!

anybody hooked up a USB stick to their MDI?

USB lead part No is 000051446B to MDI Media-In/USB

Plays MP3 fine. As for USB limitations (size) I have not tried a large USB stick only 512mb so far and works fine, LED flashes on USB key whilst playing.

I was intending to try a 32Gb stick out shortly but there may be a limitation on what these RCD 310/510 RNS 510 can address.

[tiguan_hunting]

USB lead part No is 000051446B to MDI Media-In/USB

Plays MP3 fine. As for USB limitations (size) I have not tried a large USB stick only 512mb so far and works fine, LED flashes on USB key whilst playing.

I was intending to try a 32Gb stick out shortly but there may be a limitation on what these RCD 310/510 RNS 510 can address.

Hi Bayman,
Did you purchase the lead directly from Volkswagen? Or can you get it from any car audio dealer like JB Hifi? I assume you need to get it from a Volkswagen dealership because MDI is specific to Volkswagen. If you did purchase it fom Volkswagen, can I ask how much you paid?
I currently have MDI with the ipod cable. Another option I thought of is to get an adapter that can convert the ipod end to a usb end.
Thanks!