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Just back from taking my insurance docs down to the dealers - they've just installed the Audi iPod gizmo - leaves a connector in the glove box. It connects to the back of the Nav system in place of the CD changer.

Only problem - you don't seem to get iPod specific controls. Still allows you to select CD's (1-6), although it makes no difference which "CD" you select. Track selection only shows tracks 1-25. There does not seem to be any iPod display, or the ability to read artists, tracks etc.

Even more puzzling - when the iPod is connected, it disables the click wheel on the iPod, meaning that you cannot manually select artist/track etc.

Anyone have any experience of this, and know how to get it working properly? Collecting the car Friday, and would very much like some tunes to get me through the run-in!

Cheers, Mark

It sounds like a Dension ICE-LINK ?

Not sure - did a bit of surfing, and I agree it looks like the same thing - waiting confirmation from the dealer. Saw the box - it was all marked up with standard Audi logo's, but nothing saying Dension. They say it's the first one they've installed!

I've got a Dension fitted in my CSL...the navigation is a bit wierd, preferred the Phatbox that I had in my RS4...

Hi Guys

Isn't it something to do with IPOD play lists. I think your ment to setup the first 6 play lists on your IPOD and this then represents your 6 CD's that can be selected through your headunit.

I also think it's a design feature of the connection to disable the click wheel because your not ment to use it whilst driving (same thing as mobile phones)

Fluff

Fluff is correct. I had the same unit fitted to my RS6. Bit of a pain really as I had to move all my tracks around in order to get them all into the first 5 or 6 playlists. Trouble is you end up with a playlist containing 1000 tracks - which can be very tedious trying to skip to your favourite one's.

Definitely sounds like a Dension unit.

I used to find that mine would sometimes completely freeze. It would require a full reset to sort it out.

Forgot to mention that a friend of mine bought some contraption from ebay for about 5 quid that plugs into your cigarette lighter and allows your iPOD to play through one of the radio frequencies. Really good sound too.

I have dension IPod in S4 Cab now for a year or so and love it and always use the iPod interface rather than track selection or disc selection (which I think is playlist selection). Works brilliant and quality is greate - shame the ipod interface is pretty dangerous for use in a car though. Then again 3000 track navigation in any UI is hard.

Hoping someone will do a real Sat Nav + user interface for the ipod integration until then i'm just going to use the 2 SD cards in the SN+ for about 1000 tracks.

With the Dension you can access the tracks/artists etc...well, you can on the BMW at least - you're not just limited to choosing 6 playlists...it's a bit strange to get used to, but it does work.

You also need to form playlists which have BMW in the title for it to recognise........ and you do loose the Multiplay....
Itrip works really well, having tried a pucker link to son's Mini, I have to say, I can't hear any difference......

I don't think that's the case on mine Simon...I know you can update the firmware on the Dension, maybe you're on an old version ?

It will be the new "audi" Ipod adaptor, it's been out a few weeks now. It uses the CD changer interface so I would assume it has fairly limited functionality. Until Audi update there cars with better CD changer interfaces, then thats it.

OK, had the car a few days now. Had to go out and buy a new iPod, as the "version 3" one I had only saved 1 playlist.

BUT.......

I would not recommend buying the Audi iPod adapter. Reasons....

1). It does not display tag information - shows tracks as "track 1, track 2" etc.
2). It works by saving playlists on the iPod - the first 5 saved playlists "imitate" CD changer slots 1 to 5.
3). CD 6 lets you "enjoy" all the tracks on the iPod - useless though, as you can't tell what you're looking for - not tag info!
4). The iPod itself - you can create "on the go" playlists, and then save them - but you cannot delete them on the iPod itself - limiting you to 5 lists only, especially bad if you happen to holiday using the car! iTunes will delete them, but it's a bind having to take a laptop with you if you are away for a while.
5). The iPod is "locked" whichever "CD" you choose - I believe the Dension version keeps the click wheel active.

OK, my suggestion list..... anyone at Audi listening?

1). Change the user interface on the Nav screen to allow full iPod listings.
or....
2). Don't lock the trackwheel - at least you can then select any track using the iPod itself.

Cheers, Mark

I'm v.interested in this thread. My RS4 is 2 months away ad currently have iPod in my S4 with Dension link and Concert II head unit. Works well if you like navigating 3000 tracks via the iPod interface while driving - not too safe but you can just take iPod out of docking unit while at lights and select your playlist or new album etc and then just drop it back in.

I tried 2 FM radio type connectors previosuly and never had any real useful results.

Have Sat Nav+ in new RS4 so looking for options. It has 2 SD card slots which are good for 512 files (software limitation at moment) but I wil lhave to convert from AAC to MP3 which is a shame.

Dietz are producing a DVD unit that will plug into SN+ and has a USB connector for other media such as a hrd-drive and it will show track listings etc in Nav display.

Also, have a look at www.3pmdev.de for an even more expensive alternative.

Why oh why didn't Audi put a USB or fireware connector on the SN+ rather than bloody SD slots!

Ahh, will have a go at taking it off the flying lead, changing album, and then plugging back in.

Will look at the other alternatives you mention - any idea when the Dietz unit will be out?

Agree - USB or Firewire would be better - BUT - so far in testing with the SD cards I have come across another problem. You cannot seem to navigate the directory structure. It plays all bottom level directories in sequence - you do get very basic tag info on the track listings (one directory at a time), and full tag info on the current track by pressing a button.

BUT - I loaded a 2GB card last night with 14 albums on it (320bit rate), and will test today, but as it plays the directories in sequence, the only way to get to the last album, is to select the last track on each sub directory, play it, and then "forward track" by pressing the button - a hell of a lot of button pressing just to start playing the last album!

If only they'd thought it through a bit more - unless I am missing something!!

Cheers, Mark