What are you guys doing for ipod connectivity??

[SoVeReIgN]

So I hear VW connector is rubbish,

What do you guys do?? (08 TDI without NAV)

[bennobee]

Not at all. It depends if your talking about the MDI or not. If you have a MY08 then I guess you cant get the MDI (which gives you full control of the ipod through the head unit). The older one is rubish (it operates as a cd stacker I believe and has very limited connectivity). What about an FM transmitter ?

[Brisben]

Not at all. It depends if your talking about the MDI or not. If you have a MY08 then I guess you cant get the MDI (which gives you full control of the ipod through the head unit). The older one is rubish (it operates as a cd stacker I believe and has very limited connectivity). What about an FM transmitter ?

I use an IGRIFFIN, they are awesome.

They have a website and Australian outlets. well happy with it.

[R36 Dreamer]

So I hear VW connector is rubbish,

What do you guys do?? (08 TDI without NAV)

I have the 08 without Nav, and have an ipod connection in the glovebox.

Sound is fine.

Problem is you cannot use the ipod controls when it is plugged in. It comes through the headunit and your top 5 playlists are selected using the buttons on the side of the screen. 6th button is all songs on your ipod.

Apart from being able to shuffle using the "mix" button there is little control.

I like having the connection, but just thought anyone should be aware of the shortcomings of the connector.

Burning MP3's onto CDs is a better option IMO.

[SoVeReIgN]

Yeah the VW connector with the 6 buttons sounds very useless to me.
FM transmitter is a no go - SQ too poor.

This little guy looks the goods..

http://enfigcarstereo.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/VW_MLINK1_5.html

[Lance B]

I have the 09 R36 Passat and the new standard sound system allows for direct access to iPod controls and music lists, although you cannot use the iPod controls themselves whilst it is connected.

[Swallowtail]

I have the 09 R36 Passat and the new standard sound system allows for direct access to iPod controls and music lists, although you cannot use the iPod controls themselves whilst it is connected.

With the Media Device Input option... ?

I have speced my new R36 with the MDI for iPod connection.

[Lance B]

With the Media Device Input option... ?

I have speced my new R36 with the MDI for iPod connection.

I have the MDI with the iPod cable interface in the glovebox as I had installed post delivery. You can get a cable for any media device that will interface with the standard head unit.

If you get it as a factory option, which is cheaper, and I think the MDI is installed in the centre console storage.

Having said that, with mine, I think they could have installed the MDI cable into the centre console for me as well, but it would mean they would have to cut a hole inside the centre console storage box big enough for the connector and this may look a little unsightly to some people. I think they could still do it this way and then use a grommet to cover up the hole, so I may investigate that option.

[Swallowtail]

Cool. I just wanted to clarify as you said the "standard sound system" and MDI is not standard equipment. Once you have the access method in place (MDI) then yes, the standard VW sound system in the Passat will work seamlessly with an iPod.

[Lance B]

Cool. I just wanted to clarify as you said the "standard sound system" and MDI is not standard equipment. Once you have the access method in place (MDI) then yes, the standard VW sound system in the Passat will work seamlessly with an iPod.

Sorry for the confusion.

Yes, the MDI connection capability can be a factory option which is installed at the factory during manufacture, or post delivery by a VW workshop.

I am so glad that I had the iPod connection installed as it really gives a great option for what music you want to listen to. Using the CD's makes it very limited as to the music you can listen to in car as it means that you are limited to the CD's you have in your car. With the iPod interface all of my extensive collection of CD's can be accessed easily and quickly and the sound quality is very good.

I am sure that you will also find the iPod connection very valuable.

[reverseworm]

I really cannot speak more highly for the SD card functionality. It does take a little time to set up initially but I just loaded all my music on to the HDD from SD cards. If you set up a file directory on your PC first say for eg. artist/album/song names and load the files to that straight from itunes or media player, it loads into the car a lot quicker.

[Rocket36]

How do you coppy from the SD card to the HDD?

[reverseworm]

put the card into the slot and once the file comes up and starts playing, there is a button that appears on screen to the right of the file. If you push that it offers a couple of options - can't remember off the top, but one says 'copy'. hit that and you can then decide where you wish to put the file/s - exactly like a traditional file management system. I think there is 30gb of space on the HDD so that's plenty 'o' songs.

[Rocket36]

put the card into the slot and once the file comes up and starts playing, there is a button that appears on screen to the right of the file. If you push that it offers a couple of options - can't remember off the top, but one says 'copy'. hit that and you can then decide where you wish to put the file/s - exactly like a traditional file management system. I think there is 30gb of space on the HDD so that's plenty 'o' songs.

Thanks for that. I have 18Gb of space on the HDD which is enough for plenty of music.

Now to download iTunes so I can download some new albums and DoubleTwist to crack the iPod security. I'll just copy from SD cards to the HDD. If I can drive somewhere in one hit that means I start doubling up on 18Gb of music then I think I'd be better off flying. lol

[drbass]

Thought I'd better kill this thread - every time I write a response that seems to be the end

Anyway, make sure your files are either .mp3 or .wmp (I think). As far as I'm aware .aac files (which is what you download from the iTunes Music Store) will not play.

What exactly do you mean with "iPod security"? Do you refer to the fact that (under normal circumstances) it's a one way street from computer to the iPod?
If so, I generally use Senuti (which is iTunes backwards) which is a Mac program allowing transfer back from the iPod into iTunes.

While I enjoy great sound quality using the iPod adaptor I am hugely disappointed with the control options (or lack thereof) in my MY08 RCD310. The top 5 playlists and the complete iPod contents is not particularly useful. Having said that, I discover a lot of music on "Mix" that I would otherwise not listen to . You can always turn the Mix function off when you get to a great album/band and focus on that.

Our new car (MY09 Eos with RCD 510, I think) does have the SD card option (no iPod adaptor), and I LOVE it.

Anyway, happy driving and listening.

Seeya,
Michael