Here's my appreciation of the BMW iPod adapter.
While dealing for my new 2004 X3, the announcement for the iPod adapter came out and since I own a 40GB iPod I thought I'd try to add the adapter to the deal - without really knowing about the adapter capabilities (limitations) details. I just thought that this would be better than an FM transmitter, at least for the sound quality. So I got the iPod adapter nicely added to the deal.
I guess at this point everyone knows about the fact that using the adapter, it is only possible to play 5 preset playlists that have to be named "BMW1".."BMW5" which maps to the radio CD 1..5 controls, the 6th one selects the entire tunes library. For some this can be perfectly acceptable but for me I find this useless. I have around 10000 songs on my iPod and my usage pattern is much more selecting by artists or by genre than using the playlists. Also, during road trips, and unless you carry your laptop for organizing your playlists, you have to live with your preset playlists your whole trip. Also note that the song info is not displayed on the radio display.
The worst part though is that I had to go to service about 5 times because the adapter just stopped functioning. The first time they told me a fuse had blown. But for the other times everything seemed just fine on their end. The problem was that intermittently, after turning on the radio, the iPod would not synchronize. Some other time after fiddling, disconnecting, reconnecting, and again, (while following the correct connecting/disconnecting procedure) it would start working but then at some point, after 2-3 songs, it would take a long delay before the song changed after pressing the <next tune> <previous tune> buttons and then after a few song it would not respond at all.
Yes, I made sure I had the latest firmware on my iPod. At some point I decided to directly call Apple and they told me to reinitialize the iPod which I did but the problem reappeared the next day.
Bottom line, the thing was unusable. Service center finally told me that the problem was with the way I was using the adapter: the adapter was meant to have the iPod connected and disconnected every time I'd start/stop the car - it wasn't meant to stay connected all the time.
If (IF!) this is true, this is called a serious flaw, probably more a bug but in any case this is unacceptable and completely defeats the purpose of the iPod that is of being simple and easy to use. Plus this is completely ridiculous to require to unplug and replug every time - or you risk it not to work properly anymore. This is like telling me that if I didn't turn off the radio before turning off the engine I'd risk the radio not to work the next time I'd start the car. Come on.
I finally had them remove the adapter and install what they call the MP3 adapter, which is just a 3.5mm aux input (line-in) to the radio. This is absolutely perfect; I can choose all the songs I want with a great sound quality. Just purchase an iPod car charger and you are set for a great road trip iPod experience!
Anyone else had these kinds of problems with the iPod adapter?
Colin.
While dealing for my new 2004 X3, the announcement for the iPod adapter came out and since I own a 40GB iPod I thought I'd try to add the adapter to the deal - without really knowing about the adapter capabilities (limitations) details. I just thought that this would be better than an FM transmitter, at least for the sound quality. So I got the iPod adapter nicely added to the deal.
I guess at this point everyone knows about the fact that using the adapter, it is only possible to play 5 preset playlists that have to be named "BMW1".."BMW5" which maps to the radio CD 1..5 controls, the 6th one selects the entire tunes library. For some this can be perfectly acceptable but for me I find this useless. I have around 10000 songs on my iPod and my usage pattern is much more selecting by artists or by genre than using the playlists. Also, during road trips, and unless you carry your laptop for organizing your playlists, you have to live with your preset playlists your whole trip. Also note that the song info is not displayed on the radio display.
The worst part though is that I had to go to service about 5 times because the adapter just stopped functioning. The first time they told me a fuse had blown. But for the other times everything seemed just fine on their end. The problem was that intermittently, after turning on the radio, the iPod would not synchronize. Some other time after fiddling, disconnecting, reconnecting, and again, (while following the correct connecting/disconnecting procedure) it would start working but then at some point, after 2-3 songs, it would take a long delay before the song changed after pressing the <next tune> <previous tune> buttons and then after a few song it would not respond at all.
Yes, I made sure I had the latest firmware on my iPod. At some point I decided to directly call Apple and they told me to reinitialize the iPod which I did but the problem reappeared the next day.
Bottom line, the thing was unusable. Service center finally told me that the problem was with the way I was using the adapter: the adapter was meant to have the iPod connected and disconnected every time I'd start/stop the car - it wasn't meant to stay connected all the time.
If (IF!) this is true, this is called a serious flaw, probably more a bug but in any case this is unacceptable and completely defeats the purpose of the iPod that is of being simple and easy to use. Plus this is completely ridiculous to require to unplug and replug every time - or you risk it not to work properly anymore. This is like telling me that if I didn't turn off the radio before turning off the engine I'd risk the radio not to work the next time I'd start the car. Come on.
I finally had them remove the adapter and install what they call the MP3 adapter, which is just a 3.5mm aux input (line-in) to the radio. This is absolutely perfect; I can choose all the songs I want with a great sound quality. Just purchase an iPod car charger and you are set for a great road trip iPod experience!
Anyone else had these kinds of problems with the iPod adapter?
Colin.