Peripheral Pxamg Multimedia Gateway (ipod) Review

[D&SYukonDenali]

Unit description:

Made by Peripheral. Allows for full functional use of iPod through the factory navigation/radio system (does not have the artist limitation of other units). Can be upgraded to install HD Radio. Has USB port to allow for future software upgrades.

 

Needs to be installed behind the factory radio.

 

Vehicle for install:

 

2007 Yukon Denali with Navigation and XM.

 

Review (as of 3/1/2008):

The installation of the unit went smoothly (minor difficulty removing the wood trim) until I hooked up the negative terminal of the battery and did not hear the navigation system reading the disc. I knew even before getting back into the truck that this can't be good. Went to power on the navigation/radio system and there was no power to the unit (key was in the accessory position). I waited for about 5 minutes, and still nothing. I started the truck and still nothing. Rechecked the connections and everything was good. Next I disconnected the PXAMG unit and hooked back up the navigation/radio system. Works perfectly without the PXAMG unit installed.

 

I repeated above again, still nothing. Tried again, this time with the negative terminal remaining on the truck, still nothing. Played with the dip switches, still nothing.

 

So I have a call into Peripheral Tech Support (really wish these place were open on weekends) to see what's going on. My guess is they'll send me a replacement unit and I'll try again. However, I'm going to leave the wood trim off for the time being so I don't have to pry it off again.

 

Below are some pictures of the device:

[Bostonsfavson]

Hmm I'm sorry to hear that Dan. Hopefully it's just something simple and Peripheral can resolve it over the phone.

[D&SYukonDenali]

UPDATE:

 

I inspected the wiring harness and found a loose connection. So I went ahead and fixed it and decided to give it another shot. This time when I connected it all I heard the Nav kick in . I couple times disconnecting and reconnecting the unit and it finally comes on. Went through a couple cycles on turning on / off the accessories (opening the drivers door each time) and it works perfectly!

 

Initial Review:

Big positive with this unit is no more wires hanging everywhere (accessory wire & charging wire). I have full access to everything on the iPod (music only); no restrictions on the number of artists. The sound is perfect and the same volume as FM, AM, and XM. Steering wheel control also work. Works pretty much like the iPod; can access songs either through Artist, Album, Playlist, or Genre. It is basically going up or down through the folder structure. One slight annoyance is that you can only see the current selection, unlike the iPod where you can see the surrounding four choices.

 

There are a couple of things that changed on the radio with the unit. First, the XM radio station name no longer appears in the Fav; its just the XM station number (not a big deal to me). The other is you need to go into XM to access the iPod. In XM, you now have four choices (1. Sat, 2. iPod, 3. Acc1, and 4. Acc2). If you want to go from the iPod to Sat, or Sat to iPod, you need to go into either AM, FM, or Aux first, then back into XM to change the input selection (I'm sure I'll get use to that).

 

I'm going to leave the wood trim off for a couple of days and see how the unit works (don't want to go through that pain again; taking off the lower middle portion felt like the trim piece was going to crack). I'll update this thread after I play with the unit for a couple days to get use to it.

 

-Dan

[D&SYukonDenali]

BTW Will, thanks for the butter knife tip, it worked perfectly (did not feel like waiting for the trim removal tool to arrive to do this install).

[Bostonsfavson]

You're welcome Dan. Glad to hear that you got it taken care of! So do the steering wheel controls work as they "should?" I ask because with my PAC Audio unit they're a little quirky.

[topdollr]

where are you guys mounting your IPODs?

[D&SYukonDenali]

Steering wheel controls work fine. Up/down go through artists, albums, and songs. The seek forward button brings you down when level in the folder structure (e.g artist --> artist album --> album's songs).

 

I was going to orginally run the iPod cable to the storage compartment under the arm rest. But that would require drilling and I was not up for it today. I ended up running it the glove box.

[Bostonsfavson]

Good to hear Dan. I ended up installing mine in the center console as well. If you get bored and are inclined to do so, it's not too bad. I ran the cable alongside the passenger side of the center console. There are two screws on the bottom which allow you to pull the bottom out enough to run the cable. After that I drilled a hole from the inside of the center console and fished the cable through. Looks pretty slick

[superjim]

Dan,

 

When in XM....you may be able to get the name back on the buttons by trying this...

 

have it on the station you want.. push and HOLD the button for a few seconds.

My 2006 lost the names when I had my battery replaced a while back.

That was the way I got the names back.

 

Texas Jim

[D&SYukonDenali]

Dan,

 

When in XM....you may be able to get the name back on the buttons by trying this...

 

have it on the station you want.. push and HOLD the button for a few seconds.

My 2006 lost the names when I had my battery replaced a while back.

That was the way I got the names back.

 

Texas Jim

 

 

TX! I'll give that a try today.

[D&SYukonDenali]

I figure I'd update this in case anyone searches for an iPod adaptor for their truck.

 

First, Tx to Texas Jim for the XM tip above, worked perfectly.

 

Updated Review:

 

Well, the unit has to be exchanged. After a couple of days connected and flipping between AM/FM/XM/iPod, the unit will lock up and XM/iPod will not work. Plus AM/FM then cuts in and out.

 

I spoke with Peripheral tech support, they tried some troubleshooting with me over the phone, but it still did not fix the problem. They recommened exchanging it. I emailed Discount Car Stereo for and an exchange request, they stated they will send me a new unit with the most update software (.24 v .13 currently).

 

So we'll see how the new unit with updated software works. But when the unit does work, it's great.

 

Dan

[quietcoolone]

I figure I'd update this in case anyone searches for an iPod adaptor for their truck.

 

First, Tx to Texas Jim for the XM tip above, worked perfectly.

 

Updated Review:

 

Well, the unit has to be exchanged. After a couple of days connected and flipping between AM/FM/XM/iPod, the unit will lock up and XM/iPod will not work. Plus AM/FM then cuts in and out.

 

I spoke with Peripheral tech support, they tried some troubleshooting with me over the phone, but it still did not fix the problem. They recommened exchanging it. I emailed Discount Car Stereo for and an exchange request, they stated they will send me a new unit with the most update software (.24 v .13 currently).

 

So we'll see how the new unit with updated software works. But when the unit does work, it's great.

 

Dan

 

Dan, great work.

I know its only been a few days but did discount car stereo send you the updated software unit and if so can you update us on the operation. I'm looking to buy this for my uncles truck without XM.

 

Thanks

[D&SYukonDenali]

I figure I'd update this in case anyone searches for an iPod adaptor for their truck.

 

First, Tx to Texas Jim for the XM tip above, worked perfectly.

 

Updated Review:

 

Well, the unit has to be exchanged. After a couple of days connected and flipping between AM/FM/XM/iPod, the unit will lock up and XM/iPod will not work. Plus AM/FM then cuts in and out.

 

I spoke with Peripheral tech support, they tried some troubleshooting with me over the phone, but it still did not fix the problem. They recommened exchanging it. I emailed Discount Car Stereo for and an exchange request, they stated they will send me a new unit with the most update software (.24 v .13 currently).

 

So we'll see how the new unit with updated software works. But when the unit does work, it's great.

 

Dan

 

Dan, great work.

I know its only been a few days but did discount car stereo send you the updated software unit and if so can you update us on the operation. I'm looking to buy this for my uncles truck without XM.

 

Thanks

 

 

Sorry for the delay, just saw the question.

 

I put the new version (updated software unit) in last week (Thurs) and so far it works great! Kept all functionality of XM and have complete access to the iPod.

 

Discount car stereo was excellent to work with.

[Wires]

I figure I'd update this in case anyone searches for an iPod adaptor for their truck.

 

First, Tx to Texas Jim for the XM tip above, worked perfectly.

 

Updated Review:

 

Well, the unit has to be exchanged. After a couple of days connected and flipping between AM/FM/XM/iPod, the unit will lock up and XM/iPod will not work. Plus AM/FM then cuts in and out.

 

I spoke with Peripheral tech support, they tried some troubleshooting with me over the phone, but it still did not fix the problem. They recommened exchanging it. I emailed Discount Car Stereo for and an exchange request, they stated they will send me a new unit with the most update software (.24 v .13 currently).

 

So we'll see how the new unit with updated software works. But when the unit does work, it's great.

 

Dan

 

Dan, great work.

I know its only been a few days but did discount car stereo send you the updated software unit and if so can you update us on the operation. I'm looking to buy this for my uncles truck without XM.

 

Thanks

 

 

Sorry for the delay, just saw the question.

 

I put the new version (updated software unit) in last week (Thurs) and so far it works great! Kept all functionality of XM and have complete access to the iPod.

 

Discount car stereo was excellent to work with.

 

 

I need to call them. I bought the .13 version, and as much as it works, it's far from stable. I've rebooted more time than my old windows PC! And, with it located behind the deck, makes it nasty since you have to pull the trim off all the time.....

[D&SYukonDenali]

I figure I'd update this in case anyone searches for an iPod adaptor for their truck.

 

First, Tx to Texas Jim for the XM tip above, worked perfectly.

 

Updated Review:

 

Well, the unit has to be exchanged. After a couple of days connected and flipping between AM/FM/XM/iPod, the unit will lock up and XM/iPod will not work. Plus AM/FM then cuts in and out.

 

I spoke with Peripheral tech support, they tried some troubleshooting with me over the phone, but it still did not fix the problem. They recommened exchanging it. I emailed Discount Car Stereo for and an exchange request, they stated they will send me a new unit with the most update software (.24 v .13 currently).

 

So we'll see how the new unit with updated software works. But when the unit does work, it's great.

 

Dan

 

Dan, great work.

I know its only been a few days but did discount car stereo send you the updated software unit and if so can you update us on the operation. I'm looking to buy this for my uncles truck without XM.

 

Thanks

 

 

Sorry for the delay, just saw the question.

 

I put the new version (updated software unit) in last week (Thurs) and so far it works great! Kept all functionality of XM and have complete access to the iPod.

 

Discount car stereo was excellent to work with.

 

 

I need to call them. I bought the .13 version, and as much as it works, it's far from stable. I've rebooted more time than my old windows PC! And, with it located behind the deck, makes it nasty since you have to pull the trim off all the time.....

 

 

Version .24 worked for me. Make sure you request that version, or you may get .13 (that is what the originally sent me), which had to be unplugged to reboot every other day. I guess they truely follow FIFO (first in, first out) for their inventory.