ipod control on GM factory radios?

quietcoolone · February 28, 2005

I have been using a GM auxiliary input adapter by PIE for my ipod, however my buddy at OSU, sent me the link to an ipod interface that will allow control, playlist and charge the ipod from the factory GM radio -- it all seem cool, because i almost crashed last month trying to change playlist on the ipod-- having the controls on the radio seem like a great idea... i also found the ipod2car product, but it's $189 bucks and does not do playlist as the cheaper $115 PA10-GM.

has anyone heard of usaspec?

dbcomm · March 20, 2005

I have that adaptor. Pretty cool, able to use the steering controls for iPod functions. Dension and Axxess are both saying that they will have a product out shortly that will actually diaplay artist/album/etc on a capable HU. That's what I would wait for.

lrymal · March 20, 2005

Wow, just read the press release. Cool that it integrates so well, including allowing the factory XM receiver to be part of the system:

http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/10381/120213.html

HOLLY HILL, FL, JANUARY 25, 2005: With Apple’s iPod an undisputed consumer electronics phenomenon, Axxess introduces two adapters that allow playback over an OEM radio incorporating a CD controller – and does so with features designed for maximum ease of use and enjoyment.

The GMIP-01 GM-radio-to-iPod adapter and VWIP-01 Volkswagen radio-to-iPod are designed to enhance the iPod listening experience. Advanced technology seamlessly folds iPod functions into the OEM radio of any compatible vehicle to deliver high-quality playback and display functions.

Axxess’ iPod adapters use only Apple-licensed connectors – not knock-offs – which ensure quality performance. The direct connection of audio signals allows clean signal delivery without interference, static, noise or hiss. An additional audio input port permits selection of a second stereo audio source, such as DVD audio, directly from the radio controls.

All radios can fully control iPod functions, including: track up, track down, playlist selection, shuffle modes, scan, repeat, etc. Radios with text capability will display the playlist and track number, artist, track name and album name. Radios without text capability can display the information on a small dash-mounted LCD display.

The GMIP-01 and VWIP-01 retain existing OEM satellite receivers (Sirius or XM), allowing the receiver to operate without any change in function.

The adaptor charges the iPod while the vehicle is in operation or in accessory mode. Clean cabling with the iPod dock connector is visible only to the user.

“The Axxess iPod adapters have the most features in the industry,” said Bill Lauer, Metra’s Vice President of Sales. “These interface products allow users to access their iPod music easily, with all of the playback features and display information they’re accustomed to. Beyond that, our emphasis on high-quality audio delivery makes the listening experience satisfying, so that users expand the entertainment options of both their iPod and their car sound equipment.”

High-resolution images available upon request

Call for availability.

For pricing and additional information, contact Metra Electronics toll-free: 800-221-0932.

Based in Holly Hill, FL, with offices in Long Beach, CA, Metra Electronics (www.metraonline.com) is a leader in the auto sound industry as parent company of such consumer and professional installation brands as Axxess, Install Bay/Fishman, Raptor, Silencer and Tsunami, as well as the Ethereal brand of home audio/video interconnects.

USA1Fan · March 21, 2005

That is pretty cool. I may end up with an ipod in the not to distant future so the wife can stop toting a bunch of CDs from house to car to truck and back all the time. This sure sounds like a great way to take care of the car and truck playback side of the equation.

Edit: took care of the giant all-in-one-breath-runon-sentence.

Superman TNT · April 5, 2005

Wow GREAT ! ! I am relatively new to this forum but this is exactly waht I was looking for. I just got an new 04 Chevy ext cab 2500 HD. It has the factory Bose system with On Star and XM but only 1 CD. Of course GM doesn't seem to have heard of MP3 so the unit won't play them either. I'm sick of carrying around the case of CDs and have an I Pod. I am looking to install something to hold it and some way to connect it into my OEM head unit. This is exactly what the doctor ordered. Great info.

So it sounds like there are two new pieces of equipment that are soon to be released which do this and the ones currently out on the market don't do as good a job. Does anyone know how they interface into the head unit? I am not aware of the OEM unit having even a line in let alone an I Pod port. How does the iPod data and sound get from the pod to the HU? How good is the sound quality?

dbcomm · April 6, 2005

Superman-

iPod adaptors (at least the decent ones) use the changer input of the head unit. With most adaptors, you are able to use your OEM controls (FF/REW, next, prev, shuffle, rpt, etc.) along with your steering controls to control your iPod functions. the only downside is that you lose your factory CD changer, or XM, or both depending on your vehicle. AXXESS is set to release their new model, GMIP-01, in June. Their device will allow you to keep your changer/XM AND will display track/title text on the display of the headunit. Don't ask me how they get the text to work, but they say it will, I've called them a few times. We'll see I guess.

toneman · April 7, 2005

Superman-

iPod adaptors (at least the decent ones) use the changer input of the head unit. With most adaptors, you are able to use your OEM controls (FF/REW, next, prev, shuffle, rpt, etc.) along with your steering controls to control your iPod functions. the only downside is that you lose your factory CD changer, or XM, or both depending on your vehicle. AXXESS is set to release their new model, GMIP-01, in June. Their device will allow you to keep your changer/XM AND will display track/title text on the display of the headunit. Don't ask me how they get the text to work, but they say it will, I've called them a few times. We'll see I guess.

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Yeah, but I think that if you have the RSA option w/ at least any two of: factory slave CD changer, factory XM, and RSE (factory DVD)--you might not be able to listen to any of them via the RSA if you're listening on the iPod w/ the adapter. I'm not saying that the CD/XM/RSE won't work--they still function; you just won't be able to listen to them via the RSA (yeah you can still listen to RSE via the factory wireless headphones, but the headphones don't depend on the RSA in order to function) if iPod is selected. This annoyance is the one bug in the GM head units w/ RSA option that offer at least any two of factory XM, external CD, and RSE--they all share one AUX input, meaning you can't listen to any two of them at the same time regardless of what the instructions for RSA tell you otherwise.

For most folks this is probably a non-issue, but for those of us who have any two of the above three items (I have all three in my truck), it is a pain for folks in the back to not be able to listen to the CD changer via RSA because the person up front is listening to XM...