The pre-MOST iPod post. Help...

Before I get blasted to go "DAFS", I have read every single ipod post around here and have come away disappointed. I have an '01 Cab. I have the HIFI "upgrade" with a Becker head unit. No CD changer. I don't want to rip out all my speakers (yet) nor do I want a funky head unit with screen savers and blue neon/laser light shows. Those belong in Honda Civics... Here's what I'd like to do: Trick my existing head unit into thinking that my ipod is a CD changer. That's it. I believe that's what all the Denison/Icelink-type products are built to do, right? I really don't care that I can't see the song name in the display or search for an artist. I do want power to my ipod and ideally i'd like to "mount" it in the trunk near the amp, since I don't have a glove box. Is this possible? Seems like those Denisons are only being used on MOST cars. Has anyone done the install that I describe above?

I have a 2001 C4 Cab with HIFI and CD changer. I installed the dension icelink + and it works great ! I have the cradle in the car as i really prefer to use the iPOD interface rather than the Dension one that uses playlists. I have a photo somewhere in thye past The cable may not be long enough to go to the trunk... what about using the console storage ? I will probably get rid of mine if i find a nice 997s in the near future. Does this help at all ?

I am out of my depth here. Do you mean that all the posts about connecting an iPod to the Becker CDR-220 with the $16 Becker AUX kit do not help you? If those would help you, I have a bunch of them saved and can email or post links.

$16 Becker AUX kit? I am all ears... never heard of this. I don't even mind if you lay a little DAFS abuse on me.

carpundit, I'm pretty sure that AUX kit would allow me to attach an ipod or even a record player, so long as I wanted that device to sit next to me in the cockpit and I wanted to use it's native interface. I'm just not a big fan of using the ipod interface while driving. Too hard to search for stuff, too hard to read and too distracting. My wife's BMW has the built-in solution where you can switch to a powered ipod, located in the glove box. She creates five playlists (bmw1, bmw2, etc.) and uses the native head unit's controls to advance between songs and playlists. It's not perfect (doesn't display song names, can't search, etc.) but the head unit is "tricked" into thinking that her ipod is a cd changer, with five discs. Main difference is that her virtual "discs" can have hundreds of songs, if she sets up her playlists that way. Dr Karl, I think this is how the Denison works, but I'm not totally sure. It sounds like it does but you opted to forgo the playlist approach and instead went for a cradle. I prefer the playlist approach. Rear console mounting is ok by me, too. Can you tell me exactly which Denison you used? I have seen a group buy thread (Bumperplug Eric, I believe) but I could swear that the model they talked about was only for the 02 and higher MOST systems... Thanks, all.

is it this same one from renntech or another? http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=5190

Well, I won't give you any DAFS grief, for two reasons: 1. I recall that some of the best info is buried in long threads and uses abbreviations, making search hard; and 2. you'd have to search Renntech to some up with the best post. I'm not sure if this is what solves yizzung's problem, but this AUX kit works on Becker CDR-220's without a CD changer (because it uses the plug into which the CD changer cable would go). I have the parts, but haven't done the install yet. Maybe next week, when I'm on vacation. Try this Renntech thread on Becker radio iPod integration. It explains the part and the process and includes photos. It is a very complete install, but you don't have to go all-out like the poster did. I think the Becker part ($16) will get it done, although you may also need an adapter of some kind (under $10 at Radio Shack). Note: the phone number in that post is out-of-date. The new number for Becker USA is [phone removed] M-F till 4pm. The part is BNA-1319-116.

do you have the vw model or specific Porsche model?

Yizzung, Just noticed you are my neighbour... im in Mtn View :-) The group buy is for the MOST version, i have the older IceLink Plus and its been available for several years. My wife also has the BMW version for her X5 but prefers mine as she likes to see the songs and select them on the screen ... The icelink allows you to select either interface... Dension Playlists or iPOD UI. I like to see whats playing and change selections. My playlist get old too fast.

carpundit: yep, I saw that post. Didn't want to go that route because of (a) alternator noise and (b) have to pull ipod out of the console to change the songs/playlists. Dr Karl: hey, neighbor! Your playlists get old? How about relying on ten radio station presets and crappy Bay Area radio stations? I'll gladly take some stale playlists... If you can find the Denison model number, please let me know what it is. I could probably solve this with a trip to Best Buy but then I have to interact with those knuckleheads... Or you could just go buy that 997 this weekend and donate your old one to me! How come no group buy options for this older unit? Certainly seems like there might be some demand.

I only ever listen to two Bay Area radio stations so the ten presets are kind of worthless. Dont bother with Best Buy, they dont know a thing and cant get the Porsche models anyway. I ordered mine direct from Dension.

This is what I'm talking about : http://www.dension.com/oem1.php?car_vendor=Porsche There own site says this thing is only compatible with 2003-2004 911s. Can anyone give me a model number on this thing? I suspect they don't make it any more.

"Their" own site... (Where is my proof reader this morning?)

This cable assembly will take care of all your issues: http://www.pie.net/pie_store/shopexd.asp?id=616&bc=no I used this through my CDR-220 on a 2002 C4S, taking the place of the CD changer input on the Becker unit. It will power your iPod, and give you controls *at* he iPod. You will need to manually go to "Aux" on your Becker to get sound. I recently upgraded to the new Panasonic "Strada" nav unit, but that's another story... -- LEP 2002 C4S Coupe

Sorry, this won't work. I want to control from the Becker head unit, not the ipod interface.

Yizzung, Sorry man, but it looks like Dension have discontinued this product in the US... bummer. If you can wait a little you could take mine ??

I'm with you on this - I also want to load all my songs onto the Ipod, mount it in an inconspicuous and secure location, have the unit recharge when the car is on, and access the music through the head unit. Without a lot of hacking, soldering, etc... It would be nice if Dension had an analog (non-MOST) unit still available...

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Yes what he said above. I have the PCM system and certainly there must be an easy interface so that an Ipod could be controlled from the head unit...

Here's my install from a few years ago. https://rennlist.com/forums/diy-996-1998-2003/218345-another-ipod-install.html

Tom, Does that setup work in that your ipod can be controlled from your head unit??

No, this won't allow you to control from the head unit. This is yet another ipod-in-the-cradle install. You have to put the head unit on "AUX" and control the music from the ipod.

John, It doesn't seem like anything easy to me. I mean, wouldn't the head unit have to be programmed to recognize and control an iPod? If it wasn't originally intended to do so, I can't think what would make it easy to retro-program. But I am, admittedly, out of my expertise when it comes to electronics. CP

Me too.... I just thought that with all the electronic gizmos available these days that certainly an interface was avilable. Guess not though as you point out. An ipod was not really popular at the time my car was built (2002). Sort of like asking them to see into the future.

Fellas, Have an '02 C2 Cab with Bose and CD changer and also am looking for the Dension IceLink type set-up for my IPod so it can basically be controlled through the head unit while supplanting the CD changer. I have spent the last two days reading sites and searching the forums...no luck. After reading this thread, I have one idea: I had an older IceLink in my M5 working in the manner in which I would like it to function in the 996. However, in order for it to work, I had to purchase a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) from Radio Shack so the IceLink could interface with the BMW's digital head unit. Seeing that we're discussing pre-MOST systems, yet the current available IceLink is only for MOST digital systems, does anyone more tech savvy than I have any thoughts as to whether or not the current IceLink (MOST) would work for our cars (pre-MOST) but with a DAC in place in addition to the IceLink to convert the signal back to analog for use with our head units? Just a thought... -Cami

carpundit, the Denison basically tricks the head unit into thinking that the Denison is a CD changer. It converts the CD changer instructions from the head unit into ipod instructions. So, when you "skip" to the next "track" it actually skips to the next song on the ipod. The downside is that it's a one-way integration (unlike the 2-way integration by Alpine). So no song information or playlist information is displayed in the head unit's interface. It's basically like have a CD changer in your car that can hold hundreds of CDs instead of six... The Alpine's show you song names, let you search, scroll through albums, etc. But they look too electronic for my tastes.

Cami, I don't know. That might work. I will shoot an email to Denison tech support and see what they recommend.

How about this model: www.2point5.com http://www.2point5.com/compatibility.php?maker=Porsche I first came across the brand while supermarket browsing one of those car stereo mod mags, and checked out the Website. I am glad I did, because it was exactly what I was looking for: a clean, sleek iPod interface that does not leave an ugly cord or bracket sticking out, nor does it require me to reach into the glove compartment just to hook up the iPod. Or, no way, have to open the trunk lid every time I start, and every time I arrive?? Close the lid to the tray when you are parked, and there is no sign that you modded the car. And yes, you CAN control it using the dashboard controls. (In my M3 I control it with my steering wheel buttons.) The 2point5.com website says this interface is compatible with 1999-2001 radio, and 2002-2005 PCM radio. This tricks the stereo into thinking the iPod is a CD changer, just like the Denison, but there is a dock made specifically for the Porsche coin tray that you install. Looks and feels like a custom job. I did mine in about 30 minutes from start to playing the first track. I am totally surprised these 2point5 models have not taken over the market for M3 and Porsche 996 and Boxster iPod interfaces. Doesn't this setup make Denison/ICELink in the glove compartment or trunk look prehistoric?

That one looks awesome, would buy one in a heartbeat but still no luck for a 1999 996 with PCM ...

I am not familiar with that....the site does mention that it will work with PCM in the latter models of Boxster and 996. Is your PCM audio taken from the latter model, or are there actually two kinds of PCM found in earlier model and later model?

Maybe... They have a $600 for 997s that claims to allow you to navigate using the stock stereo controls. The model for my 996 says the following: SKU: POR996V2AV - Connects directly to any aftermarket or factory radio that supports auxiliary audio and/or video input. The integrated cable terminates in left, right and composite video male RCA outputs with power and ground connections for charging the iPod while docked. This model can also connect directly to the Becker CR-220 factory radio unit, replacing the CD changer if equipped. Please choose radio type below. All control of music is performed from the iPod itself. Fits in OEM center console ashtray location. Ashtray door will continue to function normally. Unfortunately, it does not specifically say that you can control the ipod from the head unit. Only that it will connect "directly" to Becker and replace the CD changer. Sounds like an AUX cable with power, plus a really fancy storage tray. I'm not sure I like the location. (Seems like your elbow would knock that thing out when shifting into fourth. Honestly, I'd prefer it inside the console and out of sight. Hence my desire to just use the stereo buttons.) That $199 price is actually a core exchange price, btw... Ok, so I think I give up on this. I guess I need to do a ghetto-fabulous neon aftermarket stereo with chrome buttons... Or maybe I'll just drive around with earbuds in and my ipod in my shirt pocket.

Give the guys at 2point5.com a call or an email before you give up. They were very helpful to me and answered lots of questions before I bought mine. The way you wire it is first in the trunk to the ends going to the changer, then back into the cabin, so I cannot imagine that buttons to control the CD changerwould not work. But definitely call them or email them. As for the stability of the iPod: I can attest that it will not come out even if there's a lot of bumps. Just say NO to the ghetto neon Civic aftermarket stereos!

I have PCM1 and cd-changer in a 1999 C2. Bought the AUX unit from [email removed] for $62. It works perfectly, now I just need to figure out how to best mount the Ipod and power it in a neater way than via the dash 12V.

Could you elaborate a bit more? Product? Is there a website? Can you control the IPOD from the stereo controls? TIA

Quotes source post: 5087126

Since it's an AUX type of unit you cannot control it from the stereo. One part fakes the CD-changer and then you have a cable from the Ipod into the AUX, but that one only carries the sound. Magnus