Using the MDI with RNS510

[slipshot]

Just wondered if there were any tricks to using the MDI with an ipod and the RNS510. To choose tracks, I have to go back to the basic start screen, then scroll up to see playlists or artists, then when in artists, just guess with the slider to the first letter then keep tapping to go up and down to find the artist I want.

Now, I realise this is one of the perils of having too many tracks , but I wondered if anyone had any tips for setting up the ipod (which lives in the car) to make lief easier when controlling it via the RNS510 touch screen?

Also, anyone with this system found the ipod crashes every now and then and just freezes, requiring a disconnect from the system and a reset? Just intrigued... this is a 160gb ipod so it;s not exactly the smallest which may not help.

Any thoughts or opinions gratefully received. Cheers

Andy

[elisiX]

I find the MDI almost uselss other than the charge my iPhone.

At times I will use it to control tracks, but most of the time ill disconnect it - select the album I want and plug it back in.

Having to use the menu is a PITA IMO. Alternative is to use a simple cable into the AUX input. Control it off the phone/ipod.

[slipshot]

Cheers chap

At least it is not just me. My previous HU was an Alpine with a rotary knob that mimicked the ipod and thus it meant you could scroll quickly through to individual letters. Just making sure there was one a page on the (massive) RNS510 manual that I missed...

Andy

[sVWatt]

I find the MDI almost uselss other than the charge my iPhone.

.

Agree.

What a monumental disappointment the MDI is. The 'media' is mainly music. It does not allow video. Last time I checked video was a media type. If my media device is an iPod, I'd have liked my media device interface to 'interface' effectively and allow access to all the features of my chosen device. Alas not. Charging iPods and iPhones is about it.

Hey VAG how about revisiting the RNS 510 user interface and making better use of it's touch screen, and Apples media devices inherent capabilities.

[MikeB]

Works 100% for my needs. I put a genius playlist on and there it goes randomly through my while music collection. It's great.

[Pepe]

I agree with just about everything in this thread! The key to less frustration with the MDI really is based around using play lists. If the bloody SDHC card reader didn't have that stupid 2000 song limit, I wouldn't bother with MDI at all.

[Maverick]

Agree.

What a monumental disappointment the MDI is. The 'media' is mainly music. It does not allow video. Last time I checked video was a media type.

Shame about those pesky common sense laws about watching video and driving being dangerous. Last time I looked the RNS 510 like the other head units was sold as an AUDIO system.

BTW you can interface video with the RNS 510 and this includes from the iturd.

If my media device is an iPod, I'd have liked my media device interface to 'interface' effectively and allow access to all the features of my chosen device. Alas not. Charging iPods and iPhones is about it.

The MDI works fine with all the different hardware that can interface with it, it gives control of the RNS 510 using the existing controls including steering wheel which enables you to drive the car and pay attention to the road not some obscure feature on a tiny screen mounted down between the seats.

Hey VAG how about revisiting the RNS 510 user interface and making better use of it's touch screen, and Apples media devices inherent capabilities.

VAG are well aware of the laws and what is safe when driving, stuffing around a iturd or similar device is not something they're going to support. And BTW not everyone has an iturd, the support for USB and audio in is just fine IMO, there are already enough problems with Apple's buggy interface, constantly changing "standards" and firmware incompatabilities without introducing more. The interface on the RNS 510 (like the other head units) is designed to be easy to use whilst driving, as soon as you have a alpine/kenwood/etc interface on them you're starting to have to squint to read tiny poorly laid out menus.