Must have iPod

Alright, I can deal without having a Bluetooth interface to the PCM, but I won't accept the lack of an iPod interface. I know this car has the 'MOST' system, but companies such as Dension have built adapters for the iPod using the interface to the CD changer. I don't image that the CD changer is anything special. My bet would be that it comes from Panasonic. So, I'm on a mission to figure out this thing. So whenever someone gets a schematic or even a silly little picture of the cable connector to the CD changer, let me know.

Be sure to check this thread for background: http://www.planet-9.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=350&FORUM_ID=1&CAT_ID=1&Topic_Title=CD+changer+or+Not%21&Forum_Title=Cayman+Chat

Yeppers, saw that in my search. I'm just sayin.... 'Most' should have no affect on the changer interface. Unless Porsche designed their own CD changer, the basic communication in a cd changer should be fairly straight forward. Also, I'm not looking to displaying my iPod. If the system can show song title on the PCM, then I'll be happy to shove an iPod in the CD changer compartment.

I saw one advertised in a magazine that had an adapter that just plugs into the cig lighter. Is that a viable option or will it not work properly through the FM stereo? Russ

I checked with Monster, which makes an iPod interface that works through the CD-Changer interface in vehicles. They said that their interface would not work with the MOST CD-changer interface in the Porsche. I am sure that the CD changer in the Porsche is pretty standard stuff, except for the interface with MOST. So I was thinking you could get the Porsche CD Changer, which does interface with Porsche's MOST,and then wire the iPod in, using the Porsche CD-Changer's MOST interface.

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SF, I am sure we will find a way, but CD's make no sense to me anymore when I can have an IPod with virtually unlimited selections. Thanks Russ

Yes that is why the cd connection mentioned above is so attractive. As is just waiting for Porsche to get to this decade.

I have to admit that the lack of an iPod/MP3 solution is a mark against me ordering PCM. Could they not have added a simple 1/8th" jack? That's all I'm asking for. I hope someone at PCNA reads these posts.

A primer for iPod connections. Only the last seems like a possiblealternative for the current Porsches. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1866732,00.asp

Santa Fe, that's just what I'm hoping for. I have a Dension IceLink on my '98 A4, and cannot live without it. They provided a cable that interfaces directly to the connector where the CD changer was. In my case, it was the trunk. Naturally, I can't use the CD changer anymore, but who cares. For the '98, the system is designed to be controlled by the standard head unit. When I switch from radio to CD, the iPod powers up and starts playing where it previously left off. When I switch back to radio, it powers off the iPod AND charges it. The head unit FF and FR buttons advance or rewind the song. Holding the buttons down does a fast play. The only thing it doesn't do, is display the song on the head unit. But for '98's that's understandable. What I would hope to see for the Cayman is the song title on the head unit or PCM. If any adapter can do that, then I have no reason to look at the iPod. I'll just stick it in the CD compartment and play. For this I'm willing to pay up to $300 for the interface. BTW, I've already emailed Dension about this. Haven't heard anything. I even offered to be their test mule

Item number 6 in the PC Magazine article on iPod connectivity is the Monster iCruze type. I contacted Monster and they said that at this time this method will not work with the Porsche because of the MOST network interface.

Yeah, M.O.S.T. I still think the interface to the CD changer is nothing special. Porsche would not waste their efforts in redesigning a CD changer. So, my theory is the CD interface is standard power and I/O. Just a theory. Don't got nutin to back it up

Do you need the CD changer to add the iPod interface? Hope not since I ordered PCM but not the changer...anyone know?

More waiting I suppose. Telematics Research Group (TRG) said today it predicts that by 2011, 28 million cars in the U.S. and 73 million cars worldwide will offer built-in iPod integration. The research firm said that automotive auxiliary inputs will expand to about 60 million cars in the U.S. and 150 million globally by 2011. TRG expects Bluetooth audio interfaces will be installed in 8.5 million cars in the U.S. and 25 million worldwide by 2011. According to TRG data, 39 models from major auto companies currently sell vehicles in the U.S. market with iPod adapters or auxiliary-input jacks.

Dave I do think you would need a CD for that interface, but I am certain there will be other options soon. SF, I am willing to wait another 3 weeks and that is it! Russ

Dave, I don't think you do. From what I've read, the car comes prewired to accept the CD changer if you decide to put one in later. What's sad is that GM now has an AUX input in their new stereos. VW so far seems to be on top of it. Their cars will have a USB interfaces, so you're not forced to use an iPod. A simple USB memory stick will suffice. Cool eh...

I've decided that what is going on here is we have a company with the potential to mechanically engineer the best sports car in the world - that has been making the same model for over forty years! Sorry 911 purists. Now they have a new model that really appeals to early adopter types - much more so than the 911. The early adapter wants a Cayman, not a 911 - I know, I am one, and I have owned two 911's. Early adopters are much more likely as a group to have purchased ipods or MP3 players. For example, I've had a ipod since before anyone where I live even knew what one was, or that you could even download music. (Strange how the good old days are so compressed with new technologies). I think that the relative lack of demand for ipod compatibility in the 911's and even Boxster's is the reason Porsche missed the boat on not building this into the PCM system. They are smart at what they do, but misjudged the early adopter component of this potential market - thinking it was more a sports enthusiast market that could care less. That's the way I see it anyway. Tap that market correctly and watch out, we wouldn't even be able to find one of these cars to buy.

Possibility? http://www.mp3yourcar.com/default.asp

Surely Boxster 987 owners will have the same issues. It must be exactly the same installation? Is there a solution for a Boxster 987?

They were coming soon three months ago.

I've been searching that - and there isn't even much discussion about it. Seems to be a solution for older sony radios in some Porsches but that's about it.

Actually I'm convinced there will be an aftermarket product for this soon. But which system it is likely to work with is the $64 question. I went with the PCM for mp3 compatibility (hopefully that is, not something I've actually tested) - and with the thought that ipod connectivity will work better with it in the future than with the standard radio - but I could be wrong about that. My dealer told me that XM and Sirius are likely to come to PCM as a dealer aftermarket addition.

K-Man-sculpture, I agree with your statement. As long as Porsche maintains its desire to build the best sports car, I'm ok with them being a bit behind the times for us 'early adopters'. And, my primary reason for owning this car is to enjoy the track and the road. However, by building an SUV and working on a 4-door, Porsche is stating they want to expand their role. For this reason, they have to compete head on with the other manufacturers. Hopefuly, the part ownership of VW will help to provide Porsche with the electronic engineering they may be lacking. Back to the iPod. Here is what I think would satisfy most of us for an iPod adapter: 1. Adapter connected via the CD changer cable (presumably there whether you get the CD or not). 2. Head unit/PCM CD selection controls power to the iPod. 3. Charging the iPod whether power is on or off. 4. Song information displayed on the PCM and maybe even the standard head unit. 5. FF and FR buttons for song skipping 6. CD 1-6 selection could pick playlists 1-6 (not necessarily a must-have) Have I left anything out?[/quote]

Ok here' s some more info for you guys. I took my 987S to the people who make that auto-up-down top for the Boxster / 911 so they could check out the programming that was new to the 987 (Wilhemy-IT). We discussed tapping into the system to add an iPOD or Sat Radio, etc. and what we discovered was: 1) If you don't get the CD player NONE of the wiring/hook-up exists to patch in at. You would have to order that wiring separately from Porsche which at that time (a few months ago) was not available to be ordered. Or you could buy a car with the CD Changer and throw out the CD Changer. 2) Their engineers spoke to the engineers at the company that makes the IceLink system and were told that they had not been able to get the system to work properly with the MOST system and could not say when they would be able to get it working. 3) Wilhemy IT is considering developing their own system but their dev $ are going to other projects at the moment. I was told that when I got my Cayman if I got the CD Changer to bring it by and they would dissect the car to see how to tap in at the CD Changer. I did not, however, order the CD Changer so we may be back to seeing if Porsche has the parts available to install the CD Changer and if we can just order the wiring for them to take a crack at it. That's what I know...

I think it is great that so many of us are pooling our thoughts in an effort to come up with a way to use our ipods on the Cayman S. In fact, I brought this up on an earlier thread. What I don't understand is what have all the Boxter owners done about this issue all this time. Given that there must be thousands of Boxter owners out there that want to use an ipod, surelly this topic has been thoroughly researched and a concensus must be available by this time. Maybe this has been fully pursued and I am not aware of the results. Do we know that no Boxter has a successful ipod application to date, and are we therefore pursuing what Boxter owners are still pursuing? Or, are we trying to reinvent the wheel? Has this been brought up by many of us to various Porsche dealers around the country?