I have a 2005 model boxster fitted with and early PCM2.1 , so it will not support the MP3 playback on the main CD audio drive. I am looking to buy either a dension , nav tv ,or mobridge unit to be able to play MP3 files direct from a flash drive or I pod. I am advised by tech support at dension that their gateway 500 will not support ID3 tag display for the Porsche , so the best I can expect is the folder name and a track number. Do any of the other devices i've mentioned do a better job ? Any advice from those with these units already installed would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
You were informed improperly, perhaps Dension thought you had a cdr-24. I have an early PCM 2.1 which won't play MP3 cd's and shows me ID3 information, playlist names, etc. The Dension unit has proven to be the least buggy unit with the most steady stream of firmware updates so far and is the one most people are using. I would recommend the Dension Gateway 500.
- Suneet
Thanks suneet. Dension told me that folders and playlists can be displayed but not track names in the folders, is this correct ? Is it also true that the dension does not retain a memory of the last track being played , so after turning off the car you have to start at the beginning of the folder/ album ? I am considering the dension as I would prefer to play music from a USB flash drive permanently in the car , have you tried this facility , is it any different in user interface than using an ipod ? Many Thanks
My Dension shows all the track names, from both the iPod and the USB drive that I sometimes use. I know the iPod retains memory of the last song played; but I'm not sure about the USB drive, I'll check tomorrow and let you know. The USB drive functionality is somewhat different from the iPod functionality; the iPod functionality mirrors the interface of the ipod, different cd's act as display playlists, display artists, etc. But in the USB drive, you get the choice to play all or display folders. I've never tried putting a playlist on a USB drive, so I'm not sure if the Dension supports that... maybe somebody else who uses usb drives can chime in. I usually just throw on some freshly downloaded songs and stick the drive in and they are played in alphabetical order and the track names all show up.
- Suneet
so does the dension play in track order or alphabetical when you select an album or genre ? Can this be user selected ? Thanks
If you check an iPod, it will play the songs in alphabetical order if you start them from Menu/Songs.
But if you start an album from Menu/Artists/Album, then of course it will be in the album order.
The USB works very similar, but unlike iPod it also support folders. So if you play songs in a Folder then in will be in ABC-order, but if you choose an album from the ID3-database, then it will be played in the original album-order.
And yes, the Gateway keeps the track position with both iPod and USB.
The support made a mistake or maybe you misunderstood something? The ID3 title is displayed from both iPod and USB.
Thanks for the feedback guys. Seems that the reseller I spoke to were very inaccurate in their understanding of the equipment. I spoke to the UK importer and they confirmed all the specs I was interested in and concurr with the replies you have given. I've now bought a GW500 unit rather than the mobridge as I like the versatility of using the USB flashdrive. Hopefully to install this weekend using the info on the forum. Thanks again.
