pod casts thru standard stereo

[richdave]

I am having difficulty making sense of the way to play pod casts thru the stereo.

I connect the iphone and select CD, pressing again I get "EXT CD" and it will play the music and I can step thru tracks with the < > buttons...

Playing podcats, It seems I have to select the podcast and start it playing BEFORE I plug it into the ipod adaptor cable. The selected podcast plays and loops.

Is this the limit of the standard system? am I missing something? Anyone have some tips/tricks?

TIA

[drbass]

I'll admit it straight away:
Won't be able to contribute much.

I have the same experience. Have to say (repeat) that the iPod interface of the standard system (in my case RCD300, I think) is poor to say the least.

It might be possible to make playlists with the podcasts, haven't tried, but that's more an iTunes-related issue rather than an iPod interface one.

Sorry I can't be more helpful.

Stay cool.

Michael

[richdave]

And to make things worse... the stupid HF mutes the audio for pd casts so I have to turn off BT to listen to podcasts... Might just buy a RF modulator and be done with it!

[Swallowtail]

Get the MDI unit fitted... much more capable, gives you full control of the iPod on the stereo's screen.

[richdave]

Get the MDI unit fitted...

And the retro fit would cost how much??

[Swallowtail]

$300 or so I think... don't quote me though!

[richdave]

So this "new" MDI is retrofittable to an MY08 Passat then and fully functional???

The brochure says

the MDI connects USB audio, iPod or data storage devices and these can be operated via the in-dash audio system

Do you know where the connector is located? Is it a standard USB connector?

[Swallowtail]

Yes it's available retro-fit from the dealer. Goes in the glovebox. You use different cables in it to connect to a USB device or an iPod.

[mtj007]

The MDI isn't compatible with the older head units unfortunately, I think your car would have an RCD-500 (in-dash 6 CD stacker model), that's what my mum's 2007 Passat had. It's only compatible with the new RCD-310 (standard in new Golfs), RCD-510 (standard in the new GTI + new Passats) and RNS-510 (the navigation system option). Not sure how much an RCD-310/510 would set you back but I was quoted close to $4000 to have an RNS-510 + MDI retrofitted to my car by the dealer. Can't remember the exact quote but it was something like $3200 for the headunit, $300 for the MDI + labour.

I ended up just getting one of those Chinese headunits 2nd hand... it's ok as long as you keep reminding yourself how cheap it was, if I had more money to throw around I'd definitely go down the RNS-510 + MDI route.

[Swallowtail]

Good point. If it doesn't have a x10 (RCD310 as opposed to RCD300) gen headset though they can be picked up pretty cheaply second hand.

It's an MY08 though, - richdave what head unit does it have?

[richdave]

It's an MY08 though, - richdave what head unit does it have?

Dunno... whatever they put in the car is what it is... I did not upgrade anything just took the standard unit and it is a 6 stacker CD system and has an iPod cable in the glove-box...

How do I tell?

[Swallowtail]

Ideally post a pic of it. does it play MP3 CDs?

[richdave]

Ideally post a pic of it. does it play MP3 CDs?

never tried to play an mp3 disk... will take a snap when SWMBO brings the car home

[richdave]

The front face has mp3 on it below the CD slot so I assume I can play mp3 cd's...

since you cant upload pics directly here I will not post a pic but it looks like the one on THIS page 5th pic down

[drbass]

Looks like the RCD300 to me, to the best of my knowledge these were put into the MY08.
After that it was 310, and then 510 (I think).

Seeya,
Michael