Which Mp3 Interface Adapter Should I Get?

mdrew · December 11, 2008

I have spent a few hours with the search tool reading through what seams like a gazillion different threads and posts speaking to this topic. I’m overwhelmed, to say the least. Each one of the threads tends to wander off topic and just adds to my already confused state of mind.

I should also mention that until recently, I have avoided moving from CD’s to ripping them all to FLAC (1100 CD’s). I went with FLAC for my home audio systems and am using a media server and Slim Devices Squeeze Box and external DAC. I have not bought an Ipod or other device yet. I figured I’d go through the agony of ripping disks to a lossless format first, then figure out how to deal with them. After about six horribly painful months ripping all my CD’s, I would like to buy one of the Ipods or other device for use in my truck. I would like to use the steering wheel controls and store the media device away unseen.

It would seam that there is the GM PAL interface and several other aftermarket adapters. Knowing what you all know about these devises today, and their related bugs, is there a general consensus that one is better than the other, or should I just get a PAL from GM Accessories? Also, is Ipod the preferred choice of portable media device? A friend of mine was telling me to get a Zoom….. I'm clueless.

I do not have the Nav system and XM radio is spotty at best in Alaska, so I do not expect to subscribe to that service any time soon. I have the Rear entertainment system and factory Bose that came with my 08 Sierra Denali.

Thanks in advance for your patience.

asilverblazer · December 11, 2008

The peripheral PX-AMG I have performs exactly like the GM unit, no reprogramming required, and its not on national back order.

I like my iPod because its much more popular, so more accessories and all the adapters for adding them to our trucks works with them, not sure if a zoom will play through any of the integration devices.

What, another off topic thread, I never would have dreamed of such. Wonder who started that trend?

mdrew · December 13, 2008

Thanks!

Is there anything in particular that I should request when ordering? I recall seeing someone mention a particular model number, or maybe it was a firmware revision....

mdrew · January 5, 2009

Sorry to belabor this subject……

I finally got an iPod Classic 120 gig and was going to order one of the Peripheral adapters, but I’m not sure which one to get. I emailed Discount Car Stereo and got a canned response.

They list two different adapters for what they call NBS Sierras; 06-09 GM LAN. One is a 29 bit and the other is 11 bit. From reading the descriptions of each, I can’t really tell which one to get and really don’t want to go through this twice.

The application guide says I need to get the PXAMG-GM1, which is the 29 bit unit. The PXAMG-GM2 is the 11 bit unit. Again, I have the Bose system with rear entertainment system, but I DO NOT have the navigation unit. I think the Nav unit requires the 29 bit, but I’m not positive. Does anyone know for sure which one of these adapters I need??

Also, is there a trick for getting the radio fascia off without destroying it?

Thanks again….. mike

asilverblazer · January 5, 2009

My truck took the GM1 adapter.

To get the radio bezel off, grab a corner of it, top right, and pull like you mean it.

mdrew · January 6, 2009

Thanks! It's in the mail.....

mdrew · January 19, 2009

Update:

This past week I installed the adapter. I took a few photos of the installation and will post when I get more time with a step by step guide. I learned a few things during the installation that might help others.

In the event anyone reads this, be very careful with the bezel. If you pull too hard or pull on it unevenly, you’ll break it.

Also, there is a firmware update on the Peripheral Electronics web sight for this device. When I initialized it, all I got was a “busy” display. Apparently, the larger iPods require this firmware update to work correctly. Both Discount Car Stereo and Peripherals were excellent to work with. They walked me through the entire process from start to end.

smattei14 · January 19, 2009

Update:

This past week I installed the adapter. I took a few photos of the installation and will post when I get more time with a step by step guide. I learned a few things during the installation that might help others.

In the event anyone reads this, be very careful with the bezel. If you pull too hard or pull on it unevenly, you'll break it.

Also, there is a firmware update on the Peripheral Electronics web sight for this device. When I initialized it, all I got was a "busy" display. Apparently, the larger iPods require this firmware update to work correctly. Both Discount Car Stereo and Peripherals were excellent to work with. They walked me through the entire process from start to end.

What do you mean about a Firmware update (sorry...this is a dumb questions)...what did you have to do to update the converter? I have the same one as you, i don't have a "busy" displayed but i wounder if I have to update mine too.

mdrew · January 20, 2009

Peripheral Electronics iPod Adapter installation:

First thing you should do before installing the adapter is check the firmware version. I would call Peripheral and have the adapter’s serial number handy. They can tell you if the adapter is up to date or not. Installing the firmware is fairly painless. You will need a USB to mini-USB cable. If you have a digital camera, chances are pretty good that you have the right cable. You will have to install the device driver first, then the firmware. The Peripheral Electronics web sight has a very good step by step guide for installing the firmware. Here is a link (select XP or Vista for windows) http://www.peripheralelectronics.com/firmware/ Here is the main firmware page http://www.peripheralelectronics.com/

After you have successfully updated the firmware, the next step is to remove the bezel so you can access the head unit mounting screws. As ‘simple’ as that might sound, it was the most frustrating thing I went through during this installation. If you’ve never seen how the bezel is mounted, it’s an exercise of faith that you won’t destroy it while removing it. Now that I’ve seen how it attaches, it’s simple. The bezel is attached by some rather robust spring snap-in widgets. The bezel is going nowhere without some manual persuasion…ever. I ended up using a small pocket knife to pry the bezel out enough to slide a plastic putty knife behind it. After I got the putty knife behind it, I could then pry it out a little further and get my fingers on it. At this point I just said a quiet prayer and pulled. The first pin let go and I then worked my way around the bezel, pin by pin. Take extra care at the top and bottom where the bezel is the narrowest.

After the bezel is off, remove the bottom control panel. Just unplug the thing and get it out of the way. I didn’t, and was wished I had later. (Be advised that all these plugs are stubborn). GM obviously did not want them coming off. It takes a fair amount of effort to unplug them.) After it’s out of the way, pull the heater control panel and remove it too. You can now remove the head unit. You’ll need to unplug the antenna, which is on the driver’s side of the unit.

Now you’ll want to route your iPod cable. I ran mine from the truck’s center consol to the adapter. I just drilled a 7/16” hole in the consol, slipped a grommet over the iPod connector, and then ran the cable under the consol on the passenger’s side up behind the head unit. Take care to rout it where it will not be riding on any sharp edged plastic. I wasted an hour routing this several different places thinking I could ‘squeeze’ the adapter above the head unit. I found the best place to mount the adapter was under the head unit. I used Velcro to attach it to the bottom of the HU.

After you get this far, just follow the instructions and connect the adapter. After it is connected, you’ll want to make sure it works before putting things back together. DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING after you turn the radio on. The adapter needs to initialize. This may take a few minutes. Just read your instructions first and follow them to the letter. After it has initialized, you should be able to navigate to “SAT” and IPOD should show up as an Auxiliary input.

Hopefully by this point, IPOD is displayed on the HU and you can start playing with it. I still don’t know how to navigate through the menus very well, so you’re on your own in that regards.

mdrew · January 20, 2009

Bostonsfavson · January 20, 2009

Looking good Mike! I have my ipod hooked up in a similar manner.

longhorn_giant · January 28, 2009

Great write-up Mike. Have you noticed any issues with it so far? Any weird freezing or anything? I'm still at odds myself figuring out which way to go for ipod interfaces.

Draenor · January 28, 2009

Nice job...

piscator · January 28, 2009

Don't all of the GMT900 trucks have an 'aux' input for an Ipod?

The 09's I'm looking at are supposed to be "MP3 Compatible" -- what does that mean?

------

I do know a little about DAPs (Digital Audio Players) and personally prefer the 'classic Iriver' players.

Still, I don't think the hardware (iPod, Zune, iRiver) is especially significant. Software is a different story!

If you have modest computer skills and want to avoid all the 'iZuneTunePod' MP3 sales crap... Or want to use 'FLAC' files for THE best 'lossless' sound quality... Or just want to the experience a superior firmware interface that's absolutely FREE...

ROCKBOX !!!

at Rockbox.com -- join the open source movement!

also, check out misticriver.com

also, anythingbutipod.com

piscator

mdrew · January 28, 2009

Great write-up Mike. Have you noticed any issues with it so far? Any weird freezing or anything? I'm still at odds myself figuring out which way to go for ipod interfaces.

No problems yet. It seams to work just fine.