Went to my dealer (Pinnacle Mazda in Renton, WA) this morning for the one week check-back and my salesman said a company finally figured out how to put the iPod connection in with the tech package - cost of $400. He is calling to get more info and to set up an appointment for me.
It is a bit of money, but I think it will be worth it.
Went to my dealer (Pinnacle Mazda in Renton, WA) this morning for the one week check-back and my salesman said a company finally figured out how to put the iPod connection in with the tech package - cost of $400. He is calling to get more info and to set up an appointment for me.
MORE INFO PLEASE!!! (picture me begging)
Please share when you have more info. I may try calling your local Mazda dealership to see if they'll reveal details to me, but it would be great if you could share what you find out...
Thanks in advance! I'm DESPERATE for iPod! I was JUST at the audio place today talking to them about ripping my whole system out!
Excuse me... but.... $400 for an iPod connection? That's insane!!! I've been using my ipod in my CX-7 for the last 3 months, and it only cost $20. I bought an FM radio transmitter at my local electronics store. Really cool looking high Tech, little, white gizmo. Works like a champ. I connect my ipod to it when I want to hear my recorded tunes. My FM transmitter is set to a station with a poor FM signal, and wham-bam-thank you mam.... it sounds GREAT! I really don't care to control the ipod with my nav system. If I want remote control, I saw a unit today that comes with a remote for the ipod (very high tech and well under $100). $400....? No freakin way!
I agree totally; though I do love my 30 gig video, I'm not willing to give up my Sirius for it. I also have the FM modulator that plugs into the power port, and it sucks plenty! There just ain't any dead air in Houston to really benefit from it, so I basically stopped using it in the car... BUT if the engineers from Mazda would get off of their happy butts and figure out a way to use the freakin' MEDIA BUTTON that's dead here in the U.S. we might just get somewhere!!!
Figure this; every Mazda has a Media Button on its dash and the only country that outlaws DVD players or video screen operation in the front seat is the US... that means that button serves no purpose for us here, why not come up with something for that slot? Oh wait, they're going to incorporate that new system from Ford that will solve ALL of our iPodBlueToothTextMessagingWindowsVistaiMacNavigationMP3SiriusXMVerizonCingularSp- - rintEmailInstantMessagingCakeBaking dreams, right? Riiiiiight!
FM Transmitters SUCK for those of us that live in areas where free airwaves aren't readily available. FM Transmitters also don't allow control of the iPod through the radio - which is a big convenience AND safety issue. If you "live with" an FM transmitter, good for you, but that doesn't mean Mazda shouldn't come up with a solution for those with the Tech Package. Honestly, they should have come up with it FIRST.
I LOVE the car, but the radio flat-out pisses me off for a number of reasons. Yes, I could have tested it before I bought it but who knew it would be missing the most basic-of features. It makes the fact that it's missing iPod support all the more frustrating.
And NO, there is currently no adaptor out there that claims to work with the Tech Package. Neo's doesn't work. AudioLink's doesn't work. And Mazda, right from their mouth (I have the e-mail to prove it) doesn't work. The fact that I also have Sirius isn't the issue - there isn't a good solution, or even one at all, available yet.
Hence the reason I'm begging BlackCherry to share more details
I have the sirius stiletto. I love it. Wouldn't it be "special" if Sirius piggy backed an ipod adaptor along with the radio recepticle? I'm frustrated too. Mazda should have seen this ipod flack coming. They must have been in a hurry to make some quick bucks. I'm sorry your fm transmitter doesn't work in your area. I live in the S.F. Bay Area in California and have two dead frequencies that I can use for transmission. The sound is extremely clean with great stereo seperation, but..... like you, I'd rather have a built in connection.
I did write a letter to Mazda to complain about lack of iPod support and other missing things from the Tech Package - BASIC things (like Pause and Mute!). It's really annoying, especially when you pay extra for something "fancy" like the Tech Package.
As for FM Transmitters... I do have one, and I think I've tried about every one on the market that includes the ability to charge the iPod too. They all function really poorly, and really, our options should include better technology.
Okay, for the record everyone, I just spoke to Neil (Parts Guy) at Pinnacle Mazda in Washington and he confirms with me that there is NO iPod accessory available for the CX-7 with Tech Package... and NO NEWS on anything coming.
If someone finds out different, please share SPECIFICS!
As for a petition, I'd be up for it, but I don't know how much good it will do... and honestly, I don't know how patient I'll be. If we're talking a solution six months down the road my system won't last that long before I rip it out and do something custom
Forget the ipod connection.......All I want is an audio jack to plug in any mp3 player including ipods....I traded in a 2003 CRV that I had hooked up a cassette / audio jack adapter to play my iriver mpg player.
Now with my CX-7 GT with tech package I have no way of connecting my mp3 player except for an FM transmitter. You have got to be kidding me????
Last weekend I installed my Audio Link iPod connection to the factory Bose 6-disc changer. The system works as advertised, allowing full control via the iPod itself, or the ability to select from the first five playlists via the head unit disk up/down controls. The centerpoint feature works with the iPod input. There's also a standard headphone jack that is enabled when there is no iPod connected - haven't tried this yet. Even when you are using the iPod interface, you can still fast-forward and rewind tracks from the head unit or steering wheel. I did notice that the first ~.5 second of the song gets cut off in this mode. In the playlist mode, you access any of the first five playlists on the iPod and the screen on the iPod says "ok to disconnect." In this mode advancing to the next track does work properly. There's no song title or artist info on the vehicle display, a limitation I think of the head unit design. Overall I think this is about as good as it gets with the current head unit in the car. Having the iPod onboard is great!
I'm having serious issues with the Tech Package radio/nav system. The screen has gone dim... and I don't mean dim like if you have the headlights on during the day (night-mode dim). I mean at night, with headlights on, the screen is harder to see now and no brightness/contrast has been changed. It's also clearly dimmer on the right-side of the screen than the left side. During the day it looks like it's washed out.
I've also started getting "Antenna Fail" messages on the screen and the satellite radio cuts out.
Dealership said they would basically replace the whole unit if necessary, but I'll wait to hear back from Mazda Corporate before I have the dealership rip the system out.
The Mazda accessory system can either select playlist, artist, album, song, etc. It's cumbersome (and yes, the OEM display only displays numbers, not "real" song information) but at least it works.
I wouldn't mind controlling the iPod directly (the Mazda link doesn't do that) but I like the fact that I plug the iPod in and throw it in the glovebox, out of sight.
I hate to say it, but I wouldn't be too hopeful. Last time I was at the dealer the Service Manager there told me that the Tech Line told him there were some "issues" with the Nav/Radio System, but he didn't get anymore specific than that.
But I do hope for everyone else with the Nav system I'm wrong!
I guess that's the trade off for being able to use the ipod directly.
One nice feature is that it has a standard headphone jack as well. If no ipod is present, it takes the input from the headphone jack.
I basically am in the process of setting up some smart playlists in iTunes so that I'll always have something interesting to listen to in the first 5-6 playlists.
I hope someday Mazda makes a new head unit that can be a replacement for the old-fashioned one they are currently using. In addition to reading MP3 discs it should add RDS for radio station names, and of course have the ability to read album/artist from attached ipods!
PS: Audio link now also sells the same type of interface for USB devices, such as a card reader, portable disk, or thumbdrive. All you do is organize the mp3 files on the drive into 6 folders and it chooses the folder using the disk buttons on the head unit. You can shuffle songs using the random button on the head unit, etc.. I suppose you could buy an external, usb powered hard drive and keep it in the car semi-permanently (take it out to update songs). Pretty clever!
I guess that's the trade off for being able to use the ipod directly.
One nice feature is that it has a standard headphone jack as well. If no ipod is present, it takes the input from the headphone jack.
I basically am in the process of setting up some smart playlists in iTunes so that I'll always have something interesting to listen to in the first 5-6 playlists.
I hope someday Mazda makes a new head unit that can be a replacement for the old-fashioned one they are currently using. In addition to reading MP3 discs it should add RDS for radio station names, and of course have the ability to read album/artist from attached ipods!
PS: Audio link now also sells the same type of interface for USB devices, such as a card reader, portable disk, or thumbdrive. All you do is organize the mp3 files on the drive into 6 folders and it chooses the folder using the disk buttons on the head unit. You can shuffle songs using the random button on the head unit, etc.. I suppose you could buy an external, usb powered hard drive and keep it in the car semi-permanently (take it out to update songs). Pretty clever!
hi just got an email, and driving by saw the new CX9 on a dealer's lot the other day. It just occurred to me that maybe they've figured something out for this Nav package to hook up an iPod?
has anyone inquired or feel the urge to ask their dealer? would it seem a possibility that it could help us CX7 owners?
i may have to speak to my dealer in the next few days (pending my other navigation screen question post on that forum) and will inquire myself.
For all of us who would have preferred XM over Sirius in the CX7 this is good news. According to their press release: ... "once we are fully integrated, those of you who have factory-installed satellite radio will no longer be limited to the programming provided by the exclusive satellite radio service chosen by their car manufacturer."
I'm also hoping that it will mean a cheaper subscription since adding a second radio to my present XM subscription is normallly cheaper than carrying both seperatly once my free 6 month trial of Sirius expires. I also like XM Channel lineup and programming better. The bad part is that we are back to having one satetlite service with no competition except for broadcast radio. I hope that is not a bad thing.
Don't get too excited...lots of issues abound. First the hurdle of SEC and other government approvals. Overcoming strong resistance from the traditional broadcasting consortium and the simple fact that XM sets can't receive SIRIUS and vice versa.
This is a major upheaval and it'll be interesting to watch this unfold. Hopefully, in the end, it'll stay commercial free and the fees remain stable. If they can sort this all out, it would be a nice change.
"Overcoming strong resistance from the traditional broadcasting consortium and the simple fact that XM sets can't receive SIRIUS and vice versa."
You have some good points but the fact that XM sets can't receive Sirius and vice versa isn't a hurdle at this point. It simply means that they will have to combine the programming and broacast via both systems. Of coursen that is not cost effective and I can see how at some point they may decide to phase out one format but hopefully that will be regulated over time.
I'm waiting for internet radio for my car, since that's what I listen to at home about 30% of the time. And sometimes I'll go to AOL.com and listen to some XM channels for free.
I'm with you Steve. I'd love to be able to stream my own selections to my car at a reasonable price. I'm currently an XM subscriber, but that's mostly for MLB broadcasts. with satellite streaming capabilities, I could leave the MP3 player at home.
"but the fact that XM sets can't receive Sirius and vice versa isn't a hurdle at this point."
I'm afraid I have to disagree with you on this one point. Combining the programming is the least of their problems. There are signficant tech hurdles that have to be overcome. Consider this quote from today's Washington Post:
"If the merger is approved, XM and Sirius must reconcile different forms of satellite technology. XM's two satellites are in low-angle, geo-stationary orbit in the Southern sky above the United States. Sirius's three satellites orbit in a figure-eight over North America. Because Sirius's satellites are directly overhead, their signals are less likely to be blocked by tall buildings, trees and mountain ridgelines to the south. However, because the Sirius satellites move in the sky throughout the day, Sirius customers with stationary units sometimes have to move their antennas from one side of the house to another. The problem is less pronounced for Sirius mobile units, such as in cars.
Both services augment their satellite feeds with hundreds of terrestrial "repeater" devices mounted on structures around the country that help broadcast the signal in high-density areas, such as cities."
I'm looking forward to better service. Keep our fingers crossed!
"I'm afraid I have to disagree with you on this one point. Combining the programming is the least of their problems. There are signficant tech hurdles that have to be overcome. Consider this quote from today's Washington Post:
"If the merger is approved, XM and Sirius must reconcile different forms of satellite technology. XM's two satellites are in low-angle, geo-stationary orbit in the Southern sky above the United States. Sirius's three satellites orbit in a figure-eight over North America. Because Sirius's satellites are directly overhead, their signals are less likely to be blocked by tall buildings, trees and mountain ridgelines to the south. However, because the Sirius satellites move in the sky throughout the day, Sirius customers with stationary units sometimes have to move their antennas from one side of the house to another. The problem is less pronounced for Sirius mobile units, such as in cars."
If this goes through, we'll just have to wait and see. I'm sure they can come up with more than one approach on the technical end on how to make it work. I don't care to much how they do it as long as both my receivers work. I would have thought the simple solution would have been to combine programming and broadcast as they do now or dualbroadcast from one set of satelites if that is technically feasible. For now I have both and one is free. Actually I can live without SAT radio and revert back to FM or CDs. LOL
Hey I'm new here. I'm thinking about buying a CX7 and not having the IPod connection is a make or break for me. I don't use the radio so satellite radio is not important.
I think I've found a solution for the CX7 with Nav so you can have inputs. Check this out.
For SUV/Van/Car with single or multiple displays/monitors... we just release this New totally redesigned Navigation Multi Video Switcher System that works with most OEM Navigation System. Once installed, it allows factory Navigation Screen to display up to 4 external Video Sources and 3 Cameras sources. The system supports up to 4 Audio/Video inputs (1 S-Video and 3 RCA)
New Mazda 3/6/RX8/CX7 (require cutting Only 4 wires).
Yeah, the AV Electronic thing... I think it LOOKS pretty cool from what I've seen and read, but if good audio sound is important to you, you'll want to wait. Currently, the only way they can get the audio over is through FM Modulation. There's a guy on another forum who did a multimedia computer on his CX-7 and while it look neat, I know I couldn't live with sound coming through FM radio.
Depending on what's important to you, if you can live without moonroof or smart-key then just get the stock radio -- rip it out and do aftermarket. There are so many great options available... and you could do something KILLER for the amount you'd paid for the tech package.
I am currently thinking about either getting the Mazda iPod link or possibly replacing my Mazda standard 6-cd changer with a mazda mp3 reading 6-cd changer (and using the old one as a doorstop). I may try to install whichever of these two i get myself, if it's not too hard...
Besides any other pro's or con's anyone has to offer, I have one question which may be thought of as less significant than other factors: does the iPod link provide any power supply into the iPod for battery charging/recharging purposes?
Besides any other pro's or con's anyone has to offer, I have one question which may be thought of as less significant than other factors: does the iPod link provide any power supply into the iPod for battery charging/recharging purposes?
Yes. It charges. Just keep in mind, it also eliminates your ability to control the iPod directly - you can ONLY control it through the stereo once it's connected. It also doesn't display track or song info, you have to find everything numerically.
ARE YOU GUYS TELLING ME THERE IS NO AUX JACK FOR MY IPOD! How can they make a vehicle so advanced without this feature. I was going to sell my wife on this car, but I am not sure she will go for it now. What happened here? My 2006 Armada has one!
Yes there is no Aux jack on the CX-7 and it is a disgrace. I assumed (never assume) there was one when I leased my cx. I felt like a real idiot when I realized I couldn't plug in my mp3 player..... Fallback plan is to put native mp3's on CD's and load up 6 of them. That would give you 6 disks x 700MB for a total of 4GB of mp3's. That would cover the capacity of an ipod nano..... I've not done this yet, but it is my plan.......
Lack of iPod support is unfortunate, but it's reality.
Your plan for putting MP3 onto disks is a good workaround. I do that as well.
Just one word of caution. Most MP3 software has the ability to record music into subdirectories, several layers deep, as means of organizing music, just like you do on your computer. Unfortunately,the head unit (for those with the Tech Package/Navigation) takes a very long time to read the directory structure on the disk and commence playback.
Recommend that you record your music at the root level (not in subdirectories). That way, it takes a minimal amount time for the player to spool up your music.
If you check some other Mazda CX-7 forums (I don't know if I can mention "mcx-7 or mazda247" as two forums that may help) you will see that are work'arounds for the IPods and for the MP3 players.
Is there any media information generaly on the MP3 files when they are created by others so that I can simply copy them from the operting system or is it better to use media player or some other software to insure there is artist/song info on the tracks?
I ripped all my CD's on my PC over the past few years using MusicMatch. Yesterday I created a data disk (not an audio disk) using a 3 year old version of Sonic (not sure the app name). My mp3 data disk has all the track information you would want (artist, album ,etc) and is displayed on the Nav display of the cx7.
So I think any application that creates data disks would work for you. the info is retained in the mp3 files
I'm almost embarrassed to ask this question but I've never owned a vehicle that didn't have a stop play button on the CD player. Am I missing it, or does it just not have one?
You're not going crazy... It's not there. I just turn the power off in my non-nav system; it achieves the same result. Another way would be to switch to radio and hit mute... but I think in either case, you can't do it using only the steering wheel controls.
Pleased to report that CD-RW format works in the disk changer. I am finding funny behavior regarding the use of the random key, however. When I am playing in Random mode and I use the advance key to skip a song, it does not advance randomly. It advances to the next song in order.
I also tried 2 disks, 1 using folders and 1 not with folders and the Random player does not appear to want to jump folders. Anybody else observe the same thing? Plus there is no indicator when the player is playing in Random mode???
Just bought CX-7 with Navigation system and yes, not being able to connect and use through the $4000 technology package is very frustrating. However, I have found what I consider a suitable solution until APPLE/MAZDA figure out a permament solution.
It has both a display and separate hand controller and allows me to charge and keep IPOD in the glovebox. Its is relatively easy to set up, is easy to use (easier than the actual IPOD) and blends in very well with interior of car (especially if you have black with silver trim). It took me about 2 hours to get everything connected and in. And I didn't have to cut any wires or drill any holes. (I power unit through console lighter plug, but may later go find a hotwire connection)
I did not like the quality of the wireless FM transmission so I directly connected it to FM radio with optional FM direct connection and found the sound is very good. Getting to back of radio is not really not that difficult (although my wife didnt like the idea) and is as simple as popping the bezel off and removing the four radio screws. On a side note, it took 30 minutes for me just to gain enough confidence to remove bezel cover to gain access to radio, but once I did it was a snap. I certainly understand anyones reluctance to do so.
There is a second version of Harmon/Kardon unit coming out that has a color display for album artwork, has a wireless controller and includes the direct wired FM connection and has more advance skin features. I havn't seen it for sale yet, but am sure it will cost at least twice as much.
Until something better comes along, I am completely satisfied with this approach, but admittedly I want to use the big color navigation display. I am begging anyone with connections to MAZDA/APPLE to help out here.
I'm anxious to get to the back of the stereo, but, I am struggling with starting to remove the bezel. I can't see any starting points nor where the clips or plugs are. Can you provide any guidance or a pic? Do I need to pull out the glove box? Thx
cx7mike, Mazda provides instructions on how to remove the bezel with the factory iPod kit (which I have). Try searching online for them. If you can't find them, message me with your e-mail address and I will scan in the pages from mine. (You may have to set up your Carspace home page first)
Taking off the bezel is fairly easy, but you have to be real careful not to scratch the fake metal on it, or the dash behind it. I think there are 3 clips on each side, but I'm not sure. I can't even remember now how I did it, but I think I went from razor blade to screwdriver to kitchen spatula or something until I got the gap big enough to get a finger in.
Thanks! I searched some this morning, but I'll look some more. I found the removal for the mazda3 but not the CX-7. I am looking at the iPod unit from MazdaGear so I assume that is the factory unit so hopefully it has instructions. They have a Contact Us button so maybe I can ask first. I looked all around the bezel and there is no obvious gap to start with. I was thinking maybe I need to remove the glove box to get to it. I'll see what I can find and maybe I'll take you up on your offer. Thanks, again!!
...Although I guess the real nitty-gritty starts on page 6. The iPod interface instructions had the same business about removing the center console (the sheets prior to 6), but I never could figure out why. I was able to get the radio out, connect the part to the radio, stow the part in the dash, run the cable to the glovebox, and get it all buttoned back up through only the center bezel area. I did drill a hole in the side wall of my glove box to run the cable through - since the hole is smaller than the "big" iPod connector, it prevents the cable from falling back into the dash. I'm not sure taking all the rest of those dash/console pieces out would have prevented me from drilling the hole, though.
Comments
It is a bit of money, but I think it will be worth it.
MORE INFO PLEASE!!! (picture me begging)
Please share when you have more info. I may try calling your local Mazda dealership to see if they'll reveal details to me, but it would be great if you could share what you find out...
Thanks in advance! I'm DESPERATE for iPod! I was JUST at the audio place today talking to them about ripping my whole system out!
Vince.
though I do love my 30 gig video, I'm not willing to give up my Sirius for it. I also have the FM modulator that plugs into the power port, and it sucks plenty! There just ain't any dead air in Houston to really benefit from it, so I basically stopped using it in the car...
BUT if the engineers from Mazda would get off of their happy butts and figure out a way to use the freakin' MEDIA BUTTON that's dead here in the U.S. we might just get somewhere!!!
Figure this; every Mazda has a Media Button on its dash and the only country that outlaws DVD players or video screen operation in the front seat is the US... that means that button serves no purpose for us here, why not come up with something for that slot? Oh wait, they're going to incorporate that new system from Ford that will solve ALL of our iPodBlueToothTextMessagingWindowsVistaiMacNavigationMP3SiriusXMVerizonCingularSp- - rintEmailInstantMessagingCakeBaking dreams, right?
Riiiiiight!
I LOVE the car, but the radio flat-out pisses me off for a number of reasons. Yes, I could have tested it before I bought it but who knew it would be missing the most basic-of features. It makes the fact that it's missing iPod support all the more frustrating.
And NO, there is currently no adaptor out there that claims to work with the Tech Package. Neo's doesn't work. AudioLink's doesn't work. And Mazda, right from their mouth (I have the e-mail to prove it) doesn't work. The fact that I also have Sirius isn't the issue - there isn't a good solution, or even one at all, available yet.
Hence the reason I'm begging BlackCherry to share more details
As for FM Transmitters... I do have one, and I think I've tried about every one on the market that includes the ability to charge the iPod too. They all function really poorly, and really, our options should include better technology.
If someone finds out different, please share SPECIFICS!
As for a petition, I'd be up for it, but I don't know how much good it will do... and honestly, I don't know how patient I'll be. If we're talking a solution six months down the road my system won't last that long before I rip it out and do something custom
Now with my CX-7 GT with tech package I have no way of connecting my mp3 player except for an FM transmitter. You have got to be kidding me????
AAAGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!
Even when you are using the iPod interface, you can still fast-forward and rewind tracks from the head unit or steering wheel. I did notice that the first ~.5 second of the song gets cut off in this mode.
In the playlist mode, you access any of the first five playlists on the iPod and the screen on the iPod says "ok to disconnect." In this mode advancing to the next track does work properly.
There's no song title or artist info on the vehicle display, a limitation I think of the head unit design. Overall I think this is about as good as it gets with the current head unit in the car. Having the iPod onboard is great!
I'm having serious issues with the Tech Package radio/nav system. The screen has gone dim... and I don't mean dim like if you have the headlights on during the day (night-mode dim). I mean at night, with headlights on, the screen is harder to see now and no brightness/contrast has been changed. It's also clearly dimmer on the right-side of the screen than the left side. During the day it looks like it's washed out.
I've also started getting "Antenna Fail" messages on the screen and the satellite radio cuts out.
Dealership said they would basically replace the whole unit if necessary, but I'll wait to hear back from Mazda Corporate before I have the dealership rip the system out.
I'm very unhappy
The Mazda accessory system can either select playlist, artist, album, song, etc. It's cumbersome (and yes, the OEM display only displays numbers, not "real" song information) but at least it works.
I wouldn't mind controlling the iPod directly (the Mazda link doesn't do that) but I like the fact that I plug the iPod in and throw it in the glovebox, out of sight.
Oh, that sucks! Let's hope this is only an isolated occurrence! I'll be interested in learning more.
Vince.
I hate to say it, but I wouldn't be too hopeful. Last time I was at the dealer the Service Manager there told me that the Tech Line told him there were some "issues" with the Nav/Radio System, but he didn't get anymore specific than that.
But I do hope for everyone else with the Nav system I'm wrong!
One nice feature is that it has a standard headphone jack as well. If no ipod is present, it takes the input from the headphone jack.
I basically am in the process of setting up some smart playlists in iTunes so that I'll always have something interesting to listen to in the first 5-6 playlists.
I hope someday Mazda makes a new head unit that can be a replacement for the old-fashioned one they are currently using. In addition to reading MP3 discs it should add RDS for radio station names, and of course have the ability to read album/artist from attached ipods!
PS: Audio link now also sells the same type of interface for USB devices, such as a card reader, portable disk, or thumbdrive. All you do is organize the mp3 files on the drive into 6 folders and it chooses the folder using the disk buttons on the head unit. You can shuffle songs using the random button on the head unit, etc.. I suppose you could buy an external, usb powered hard drive and keep it in the car semi-permanently (take it out to update songs). Pretty clever!
One nice feature is that it has a standard headphone jack as well. If no ipod is present, it takes the input from the headphone jack.
I basically am in the process of setting up some smart playlists in iTunes so that I'll always have something interesting to listen to in the first 5-6 playlists.
I hope someday Mazda makes a new head unit that can be a replacement for the old-fashioned one they are currently using. In addition to reading MP3 discs it should add RDS for radio station names, and of course have the ability to read album/artist from attached ipods!
PS: Audio link now also sells the same type of interface for USB devices, such as a card reader, portable disk, or thumbdrive. All you do is organize the mp3 files on the drive into 6 folders and it chooses the folder using the disk buttons on the head unit. You can shuffle songs using the random button on the head unit, etc.. I suppose you could buy an external, usb powered hard drive and keep it in the car semi-permanently (take it out to update songs). Pretty clever!
just got an email, and driving by saw the new CX9 on a dealer's lot the other day. It just occurred to me that maybe they've figured something out for this Nav package to hook up an iPod?
has anyone inquired or feel the urge to ask their dealer? would it seem a possibility that it could help us CX7 owners?
i may have to speak to my dealer in the next few days (pending my other navigation screen question post on that forum) and will inquire myself.
cs
I'm also hoping that it will mean a cheaper subscription since adding a second radio to my present XM subscription is normallly cheaper than carrying both seperatly once my free 6 month trial of Sirius expires. I also like XM Channel lineup and programming better. The bad part is that we are back to having one satetlite service with no competition except for broadcast radio. I hope that is not a bad thing.
This is a major upheaval and it'll be interesting to watch this unfold. Hopefully, in the end, it'll stay commercial free and the fees remain stable. If they can sort this all out, it would be a nice change.
Vince.
You have some good points but the fact that XM sets can't receive Sirius and vice versa isn't a hurdle at this point. It simply means that they will have to combine the programming and broacast via both systems. Of coursen that is not cost effective and I can see how at some point they may decide to phase out one format but hopefully that will be regulated over time.
We'll just have to wait and see.
I'm waiting for internet radio for my car, since that's what I listen to at home about 30% of the time. And sometimes I'll go to AOL.com and listen to some XM channels for free.
Check out XM & Sirius Satellite Radio too.
I'm afraid I have to disagree with you on this one point. Combining the programming is the least of their problems. There are signficant tech hurdles that have to be overcome. Consider this quote from today's Washington Post:
"If the merger is approved, XM and Sirius must reconcile different forms of satellite technology. XM's two satellites are in low-angle, geo-stationary orbit in the Southern sky above the United States. Sirius's three satellites orbit in a figure-eight over North America. Because Sirius's satellites are directly overhead, their signals are less likely to be blocked by tall buildings, trees and mountain ridgelines to the south. However, because the Sirius satellites move in the sky throughout the day, Sirius customers with stationary units sometimes have to move their antennas from one side of the house to another. The problem is less pronounced for Sirius mobile units, such as in cars.
Both services augment their satellite feeds with hundreds of terrestrial "repeater" devices mounted on structures around the country that help broadcast the signal in high-density areas, such as cities."
I'm looking forward to better service. Keep our fingers crossed!
Vince.
"If the merger is approved, XM and Sirius must reconcile different forms of satellite technology. XM's two satellites are in low-angle, geo-stationary orbit in the Southern sky above the United States. Sirius's three satellites orbit in a figure-eight over North America. Because Sirius's satellites are directly overhead, their signals are less likely to be blocked by tall buildings, trees and mountain ridgelines to the south. However, because the Sirius satellites move in the sky throughout the day, Sirius customers with stationary units sometimes have to move their antennas from one side of the house to another. The problem is less pronounced for Sirius mobile units, such as in cars."
If this goes through, we'll just have to wait and see. I'm sure they can come up with more than one approach on the technical end on how to make it work. I don't care to much how they do it as long as both my receivers work. I would have thought the simple solution would have been to combine programming and broadcast as they do now or dualbroadcast from one set of satelites if that is technically feasible.
For now I have both and one is free. Actually I can live without SAT radio and revert back to FM or CDs. LOL
I think I've found a solution for the CX7 with Nav so you can have inputs. Check this out.
http://www.avelectronic.com/NavigationVid-Switcher.htm
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Product Description
For SUV/Van/Car with single or multiple displays/monitors... we just release this New totally redesigned Navigation Multi Video Switcher System that works with most OEM Navigation System. Once installed, it allows factory Navigation Screen to display up to 4 external Video Sources and 3 Cameras sources. The system supports up to 4 Audio/Video inputs (1 S-Video and 3 RCA)
New Mazda 3/6/RX8/CX7 (require cutting Only 4 wires).
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This just might do it.
Depending on what's important to you, if you can live without moonroof or smart-key then just get the stock radio -- rip it out and do aftermarket. There are so many great options available... and you could do something KILLER for the amount you'd paid for the tech package.
Besides any other pro's or con's anyone has to offer, I have one question which may be thought of as less significant than other factors: does the iPod link provide any power supply into the iPod for battery charging/recharging purposes?
Thanks
Yes. It charges. Just keep in mind, it also eliminates your ability to control the iPod directly - you can ONLY control it through the stereo once it's connected. It also doesn't display track or song info, you have to find everything numerically.
How can they make a vehicle so advanced without this feature.
I was going to sell my wife on this car, but I am not sure she will go for it now. What happened here? My 2006 Armada has one!
Fallback plan is to put native mp3's on CD's and load up 6 of them. That would give you 6 disks x 700MB for a total of 4GB of mp3's. That would cover the capacity of an ipod nano.....
I've not done this yet, but it is my plan.......
Your plan for putting MP3 onto disks is a good workaround. I do that as well.
Just one word of caution. Most MP3 software has the ability to record music into subdirectories, several layers deep, as means of organizing music, just like you do on your computer. Unfortunately,the head unit (for those with the Tech Package/Navigation) takes a very long time to read the directory structure on the disk and commence playback.
Recommend that you record your music at the root level (not in subdirectories). That way, it takes a minimal amount time for the player to spool up your music.
Vince.
Good luck.
Do you know if the deck supports CD-RW format? I would prefer reusing cdrw's vs. permanent burn.
Vince.
So I think any application that creates data disks would work for you. the info is retained in the mp3 files
-c92
I also tried 2 disks, 1 using folders and 1 not with folders and the Random player does not appear to want to jump folders. Anybody else observe the same thing? Plus there is no indicator when the player is playing in Random mode???
Harmon/Kardon sells a kit called the Drive and Play for about $100 at Best Buy. ($50-$75 on EBAY)(http://www.harmankardon.com/drive-1/default_dp1.aspx).
It has both a display and separate hand controller and allows me to charge and keep IPOD in the glovebox. Its is relatively easy to set up, is easy to use (easier than the actual IPOD) and blends in very well with interior of car (especially if you have black with silver trim). It took me about 2 hours to get everything connected and in. And I didn't have to cut any wires or drill any holes. (I power unit through console lighter plug, but may later go find a hotwire connection)
I did not like the quality of the wireless FM transmission so I directly connected it to FM radio with optional FM direct connection and found the sound is very good. Getting to back of radio is not really not that difficult (although my wife didnt like the idea) and is as simple as popping the bezel off and removing the four radio screws. On a side note, it took 30 minutes for me just to gain enough confidence to remove bezel cover to gain access to radio, but once I did it was a snap. I certainly understand anyones reluctance to do so.
There is a second version of Harmon/Kardon unit coming out that has a color display for album artwork, has a wireless controller and includes the direct wired FM connection and has more advance skin features. I havn't seen it for sale yet, but am sure it will cost at least twice as much.
Until something better comes along, I am completely satisfied with this approach, but admittedly I want to use the big color navigation display. I am begging anyone with connections to MAZDA/APPLE to help out here.
Taking off the bezel is fairly easy, but you have to be real careful not to scratch the fake metal on it, or the dash behind it. I think there are 3 clips on each side, but I'm not sure. I can't even remember now how I did it, but I think I went from razor blade to screwdriver to kitchen spatula or something until I got the gap big enough to get a finger in.
c92
Try this link: http://www.finishlineperformance.com/instructions/cx7/CD_MP3_Changer_CX7.pdf
Vince.
...Although I guess the real nitty-gritty starts on page 6. The iPod interface instructions had the same business about removing the center console (the sheets prior to 6), but I never could figure out why. I was able to get the radio out, connect the part to the radio, stow the part in the dash, run the cable to the glovebox, and get it all buttoned back up through only the center bezel area. I did drill a hole in the side wall of my glove box to run the cable through - since the hole is smaller than the "big" iPod connector, it prevents the cable from falling back into the dash. I'm not sure taking all the rest of those dash/console pieces out would have prevented me from drilling the hole, though.