iPod interface - disappointing

[mystreba]

Finally received my missing cable today (thanks ebay) and connected my iPhone. I really expected more - better sound, better interface. I mean, the Logic 7 system sounds ok, but I was expecting more.... crispness or something. It all sounds pretty muddled. Played with the equalizer for a while, and with the -->count them, *two*<-- prologic-style sound settings, but nothing seemed to sound all that great.

Also, the interface doesn't mirror the Apple interface. Not sure why BMW would try to re-invent all the work that Apple has done with interface development, but there is no option to shuffle playlists - only to select a song within a playlist. And once you get into a playlist, I don't see any way to get back to the main screen that simply shows the current song playing. Navigation seems clunky.

Ok, done whining. Now I'll wait for someone to tell me what I'm doing wrong, or that my iPhone (the original - antique, according to my 10 year-old kids) is just too old.

[mryakan]

but there is no option to shuffle playlists - only to select a song within a playlist.
Yes there is. Do you have iDrive? I can tell you the instruction for non iDrive and not sure if they work for you.
For shuffle, you need to select the "RND" tab on the radio display.
For selecting a song in a playlist, you hit the tab under "LIST", scroll to the playlist, select the one you want to expand it, then scroll down to the song you want. Scrolling can be painful if you have too many songs.

I don't think BMW can replicate the Apple interface without some hefty licensing fees that is if Apple allows it at all. Blame Apple for that not BMW, Apple is pretty protective of their stuff.

[mystreba]

Thanks, I have the iDrive. I can get to everything, but it's pretty clunky. It's really just a question of expectation - I thought it would be better.

That said, it beats ANY automotive stereo interface I've ever seen for Apple. On the Alpine unit in my Z3, every button has a dual purpose, and you need to keep the manual open on the passenger seat.

I didn't really mean to suggest that BMW replicate the iPhone interface - only offer the same features in a similar manner. So, for example, when a playlist is displayed, there should be an option to play it in shuffle mode.

[mryakan]

If there is anything Apple does really really well, it is user interface. Not easy for others to replicate, so if you are used to Apple, your expectations will always be high and most often than not you will be disappointed with anything else. I don't like Apple much mind you, but gotta give credit where credit is due.

[Titanium09]

If I'm not mistaken, with BMW's iPod cable, the actual music is coming in through an analog connection, correct? That would explain the iffy sound quality.

I have my music on a USB key. Straight digital, which means CD-quality sound.

[tdurden]

I have my music on a USB key. Straight digital, which means CD-quality sound.

You may not lose anything from the analog conversion (if this is the case), but MP3s will not be CD quality sound. Even at a higher bit rate, they are generally 'good enough', but you will always lose something with the compression to MP3.

[gdp]

You may not lose anything from the analog conversion (if this is the case), but MP3s will not be CD quality sound. Even at a higher bit rate, they are generally 'good enough', but you will always lose something with the compression to MP3.

Very true, alot of sound data is deleted when converting to an MP3. That is a big reason why you can store so many MP3s on a stick, ipod etc. As of this point CD quality only comes from a true CD.

[mryakan]

Very true, alot of sound data is deleted when converting to an MP3. That is a big reason why you can store so many MP3s on a stick, ipod etc. As of this point CD quality only comes from a true CD.
Not quite true. There are many lossless compression algorithms that give you CD quality sound without any loss in fidelity but with reduction in size (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_compression_%28data%29#Lossless_audio_compre ssion). Of course MP3 is not one of them since it is lossy, so yeah do not expect CD sound quality from MP3 regardless of bit rate, although some people like me don't have ears sensitive enough to always detect the difference :embarrasm.

[jwoods]

While we're on the subject of iPod interfaces, is there any adapter available to control an iPod through the L7 stereo on a non-premium pkg 335i? (i.e. no USB port, just an aux in)

[mryakan]

While we're on the subject of iPod interfaces, is there any adapter available to control an iPod through the L7 stereo on a non-premium pkg 335i? (i.e. no USB port, just an aux in)
There is a dealer installed option, but it may not work as well as the factory option. Do a search, there is quite a bit of useful info on that in some older threads.
P.S. The USB option is not necessarily tied to the premium package, at least not for all models or outside the US. In fact, it is now standard on Canadian models.

[pesatkin]

There is a shuffle mode, forget how to access it, but look it up in the manual

[mystreba]

You access it at the song level, not the playlist level - very counter-intuitive. The algorythm should be:

Select playlist
Select Shuffle (random)

And instead it is:

Select playlist
Select song
(song starts playing)
Access song sub-menu
Select shuffle (random)


Another problem is that when you choose something like "Tone" from the sub-menu at the song level, you are taken to the audio settings portion of the iDrive setup menu. Very convenient. Until you try to get back to where you were. You've got to go all the way back to the beginning of the Entertainment menu.

ok, so moving on to more important things....

[KYWFU99]

My main disappointment is with the way you have to scroll through the artists. I have quite a variety on my iPod, and having to scroll "vertically" through every single artist name can take quite a bit of time. I wish there was a functionality like with the phone contacts to where you could scroll "horizontally" to a particular letter, then drill down into the artists whose name started with that letter. (non i-drive 335i).

[tzqng8]

Man, I couldn't agree more. Scrolling though my entire lists of artists is such a chore. I guess it is just best to build a few popular play lists. Meh. Your solution would work excellently.

[osofastis]

Ditto! I have like 18,000+ to go through....

[SpeedBuggy]

This from another forum..............................


E90 WITH I-DRIVE SETTINGS:

100hz -2
200hz 0
500hz +2
1khz +3
2khz -2
5khz -1
10khz +4

BASS +4
TREB +1
FADER +2
S-VOL 1
Aux-In Level 3 (center position)
LOGIC7 = CONCERT HALL
For those who have the IPOD adapter as well.. make sure the IPOD internal EQ is turned off! (This applies to ALL CARS!)

[exilio]

There is an all-new iPod interface coming out in 2011 for new BMWs -- not sure if it will be software upgrade or hardware. But the interface is supposed to be vastly improved over the current version and will be very Apple-esque.

[Gyroball]

So 2011 models have the improved interface? Can someone confirm?

[The2011335i]

I have already asked my dealer about the idrive upgrade. My car is June 2010 build, so its about 3 months older than the model that had the upgrade. So its as close to the new thing as you can get in terms of compatibility. But even then the dealer said BMW never allows you to upgrade your idrive for "features", its only for nav or fixes.

You need to get a new car basically.

[ayacucho]

I have no idrive system in my car, how do I get my songs to shuffle using my Ipod connection.

[mystreba]

I have no idrive system in my car, how do I get my songs to shuffle using my Ipod connection.

#2 post explains it.


This from another forum..............................


E90 WITH I-DRIVE SETTINGS:

100hz -2
200hz 0
500hz +2
1khz +3
2khz -2
5khz -1
10khz +4

BASS +4
TREB +1
FADER +2
S-VOL 1
Aux-In Level 3 (center position)
LOGIC7 = CONCERT HALL
For those who have the IPOD adapter as well.. make sure the IPOD internal EQ is turned off! (This applies to ALL CARS!)


This was good advice - make sure the EQ is turned off on your iPhone/iPod

[exilio]

So 2011 models have the improved interface? Can someone confirm?

Here is the article. From what I read, I don't think it will roll out until the 2012 models. Car makers really need to start making it easier to add new features to the vehicles computer--instead having to buy a whole new car for the new features.

http://www.crunchgear.com/2010/09/20/bmw-releases-ipad-and-ipod-out-integration/