Media Device Interface - MDI & AUX Questions

[coastie]

Hiyas,

Regarding the MDI kit, I've read that you can use the headunit to control your iPhone and you can use the wheel controls to skip tracks. I'd just like to confirm a few other things;

Does the MDI kit charge the phone as well?

Can you access your music by artist, album, playlist and can you play podcasts?

Is the quality better than AUX?

I've connected my phone thru the AUX port in the centre console and the quality isn't as good as playing off a SD card or CD.

I don't have the iphone but the ipod touch, the MDI charges it and plays all functions through the RNS510. The only anomaly I have found is when it is on MIX there is a slight pause or noise at the start of each song like the ipod starts one song and then the RNS510 changes to another song. Sound quality is much better than the AUX in port, same as the HDD. Don't have a passcode activated as the ipod will time out and not restart when you stop and start the car.

[ricksterrr]

Can you access your music by artist, album, playlist and can you play podcasts?

Yup, when selecting MEDIA-IN on the interface, you'll be able to access your music by artist, album, playlist etc as per the menu layout on the ipod. Can definitely play podcasts as well.

[G-rig]

Hiyas,

Regarding the MDI kit, I've read that you can use the headunit to control your iPhone and you can use the wheel controls to skip tracks. I'd just like to confirm a few other things;


Does the MDI kit charge the phone as well?

Can you access your music by artist, album, playlist and can you play podcasts?

Is the quality better than AUX?

I've connected my phone thru the AUX port in the centre console and the quality isn't as good as playing off a SD card or CD.

Yes! to all. I've got the MDI and sound quality is very good, I mostly use apple lossless on an 80GB Ipod Video, and the sound is very close to CD quality (and better than MP3 from the HDD/SD, but mostly noticable if you have aftermarket speakers/amps).

The only quirks are navigating is a touch slower than HDD/SD. I wouldn't mind if they integrated a 'Now Playing' button because when you re-enter the car the MDI menu defaults back to 'Songs' not the folder that is currently playing, however doesn't affect playback and starts at the same place.

[xblode]

Excellent!

The quality being better than AUX is a huge relief and having the same functionality as an ipod is great!

The thought of having to sync my itunes purchases with a SD card all the time, kills me so thanks for all the replies

Now to see what it'll cost. I've had a quick chat with the sales guy and he said it'll be $500 or so

[G-rig]

Excellent!

The quality being better than AUX is a huge relief and having the same functionality as an ipod is great!

The thought of having to sync my itunes purchases with a SD card all the time, kills me so thanks for all the replies

Now to see what it'll cost. I've had a quick chat with the sales guy and he said it'll be $500 or so

Sounds reasonable if that's the installed price.

The MDI ins't that cheap but integrates well. It's the kind of thing i'd order from the factory next time as you could tie it in with the deal. The parts cost me $350 (for the MDI) and $75 for the ipod cable (which was a good deal).

Otherwise you could try this place for a price:
http://volkspower.com.au/

[Nath]

Excellent!

The quality being better than AUX is a huge relief and having the same functionality as an ipod is great!

The thought of having to sync my itunes purchases with a SD card all the time, kills me so thanks for all the replies

Now to see what it'll cost. I've had a quick chat with the sales guy and he said it'll be $500 or so

Dont forget to get them to throw in/provide the iPod cable as there is a backorder in NSW of 112 of them at the moment....

[ricksterrr]

Or have a look around on ebay... cheaper than buying it from a dealer. Part no. for the iPod MDI cable is 000 051 446 C

[xblode]

Cheers all

I did want it factory fitted but I had to go for a car they had in stock as I needed to take delivery by the end of 2009.

I wanted leather too but let's not start that conversation. LOL

[pologti18t]

If you had a MP3 player with a proper aux out (not the headphone socket) then the music quality through the AUX IN would be quite acceptable

[G-rig]

If you had a MP3 player with a proper aux out (not the headphone socket) then the music quality through the AUX IN would be quite acceptable

Maybe, maybe not it's more to do with the loudness but perhaps the AUX IN jack/interface is low quality.. plenty of other devices/headphones sound fine from the headphone jack.

The MDI is still worthwhile as it's a lot more convenient and safer than controlling music from the mp3 player/ipod.