Aux input and keep your XM - June 14 is the day (maybe!!)

[EXLNavi]

:jumping: Just saw this today on LogJam electronics website:


http://www.logjamelectronics.com/blitzhonsnyitiv2.html

IMPORTANT AVAILABILITY NOTICE: (06/10/05) Blitzsafe has announced that this device is being pulled off the market and will be replaced by a newly designed, self-manufactured product, as yet not identified by a part number. Blitzsafe has indicated this new product is to be available at Blitzsafe on June 14th, which means we will have product in our warehouse on or around June 17th. You can continue to place orders for the device under the old part number and we will ship the new product when it arrives. Keep in mind, we NEVER charge your credit card until your order actually ships. Therefore, there is no risk in placing your order with us. We apologize for any inconvenience this product changeover may cause.
- - - Logjam Electronics Management


I can't wait! Finally I can get rid of my FM modulator! Woohoo!!!!!

:banana:

[EXLNavi]

Just confirmed with Blitzsafe - the new adapter will allow both XM and aux input!!!

:banana:

[CA05LXDriver]

Ok, so noooooob question here:

I just want to add XM, and I have the non-nav, single CD deck. Do I just purchase that and the RCA to headphone jack thingy??? That's what it looks like to me.... :D

[EXLNavi]

Ok, so noooooob question here:

I just want to add XM, and I have the non-nav, single CD deck. Do I just purchase that and the RCA to headphone jack thingy??? That's what it looks like to me.... :D


There is an aux adapter for the single disc accords, IIRC, but it's not the same as the one for the accords with 6 disc changer.

[EXLNavi]

What a disappointment. Blitzsafe is now saying the xm compatible aux adapter is pushed out a month and more.

[ncelk]

Disappointing to say the least!

I was eagerly awaiting this, as I do want to start using the IPOD in the Accord.............. :paranoid:

[kosherbacon]

At least it looks like they keep updating the message about the delay. It is now dated 7/25. Still no precise ETA.
Len

[kosherbacon]

I just emailed blitzsafe to ask about the new interface. The response:

Yes we will have a new interface being released shortly. No, it will not allow for retention of XM nor will you be able to control the Ipod thru the headunit.
Thanks,
BlitzSafe Technical Support
201-569-5000 800-597-SAFE
Fax: 201-569-5042

:furious:

[EXLNavi]

I hope soundgate or PIE releases something and eats their lunch.

[kosherbacon]

Amen brother.

[kosherbacon]

PS, It's out now:
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/logjam/piehon03fmm1.html

It states explicitly that it will disable the XM radio. I have a tough decision to make, or will wait for another provider to engineer something better.
Len

[CA05LXDriver]

Two words: TAPE PLAYER

Buy a tape player and use a cassette adapter. Sound quality is good with them.

[kosherbacon]

Doesn't the tape player disable something else--Nav voice or something?

[BenjiBoy650]

I wonder if anyone has a wiring diagram for the harness that plugs into the head unit. I wanted to try and see if I could use some iPod wiring and just splice it directly into the harness. Of course, I have no idea how that harness works, so I don't know... :dunno:

[Chris_B]

The only real solution appears to be a manual switch between XM and Aux input for the iPod. If you try to put both on the same circuit, the signal is too weak for XM. Unfortunately, nobody has either done this or done it and documented it online. Apparently the market for an easy solution to this is not large enough for any company to bother with it.

[EXLNavi]

The solution to fix XM is so simple, I don't know why blitzsafe is dragging their ass on this one.

All they need to do is modify the audio portion of the adapter to unload the audio line on the honda cd changer/XM bus when CD-C is not selected. That can probably be done with a minimum of additional parts and it would take one extra output line from the PIC.

[Uncle Skid]

Hi everyone -- been lurking for a few months, very nice board! :thmsup:

This whole XM/iceLink/aux thing is really silly, and I also can't believe that Dension or Blitzsafe haven't come up with a fix yet.

I finally decided to give up waiting, and wire up a solution myself. This thread (and others) was a huge help in figuring out what the problem is, and an appropriate way to fix it. Thanks, Chris_B and EXLNavi!

I ended up using the Dension iceLink Plus and the 08A31-0F1-000 (http://honda.autowebaccessories.com/store/accord-audio-sub-harness-prod24_127_5510.php) Y cable, and added a 4DPT relay and a switch to disconnect the iceLink audio when listening to XM. I also added 2 RCA jacks for an auxilary audio input.

This gives me the iPod interface, unmuted XM, and aux inputs for my other hard drive Mp3 player (Archos). The only issue with the aux input is that the iceLink must be plugged in to use it -- if not, "CDC" won't show up on the HU. I also should mention that I don't have Navigation, so I'm not sure if this scheme will work in that case.

Here's a link to a schematic diagram and pictures (http://home.comcast.net/~x3ms1/) of this project.

Another way to do this (without a relay) is to either find a 4PDT switch (or use two 2PDT). This just requires running more wires between the Y cable and wherever you mount the switch. If anybody is interested in that option, I'd be glad to draw up a wiring diagram.

I hope this helps!

[kosherbacon]

Awesome!! :banana:

Now how much do you want to come do the same to my Accord? :naughty:

[Uncle Skid]

Awesome!! :banana:

Now how much do you want to come do the same to my Accord? :naughty:

Well, now that I have AM, FM, XM, 6 CD Changer, 20GB iPod, and 40GB Archos, there's no excuse to not go for a long road trip! If you're in Philly, that's less than 800 miles from here! :cool:

I discovered today that the iPod doesn't need to be plugged in anymore for CDC to still show up on the HU, allowing use of the AUX inputs without any messing around.

I found this accidentally -- the HU would no longer recognize the iceLink (no matter what I did), and I was ready to give up and contact Dension tech support, but then I tried their suggestion of pulling the HU fuse. Now everything's working great, and I hope it stays that way...

Also, I added a diagram of how to do this with a 4PDT switch, instead of a relay. Although it will require more wire, it should be easier as there's no need to splice into the +12V and ground lines in the Y cable.

[Chris_B]

Uncle Skid,

Thanks very much for the wiring diagram and the digikey part #. I have Navi and I am not sure exactly how to wire it in my case but I think what you have here provides a way to make it all work.

Hopefully, these pages will be indexed by Google so others can find this information.


Also, I added a diagram of how to do this with a 4PDT switch, instead of a relay. Although it will require more wire, it should be easier as there's no need to splice into the +12V and ground lines in the Y cable.

[si2exl]

Hey Uncle Skid,

Nice electronics handy work!

Just wondering if you ever had problems with the loss of CD-C recognition when you start the ignition with the ipod and icelink connected.

I have the icelink wired to a 5G ipod and always have this problem.
I've already pulled the HU fuse many times and it's getting annoying.
Now, I just turn on ignition then plug in the ipod wait for the dension to load up then I can switch to CD-C but it's such a pain in the butt taking the ipod in and out all the time.


Thanks

[Uncle Skid]

Just wondering if you ever had problems with the loss of CD-C recognition when you start the ignition with the ipod and icelink connected.

Yes, I had the same problems, and to say it was frustrating is an understatement. I ended up simply disconnecting the XM radio, and everything now works just fine.

There's more detailed information about this problem on this thread (http://logjam.d3datasolutions.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=297&st=0&p=1070&#) at Logjam.

So after all the messing around with wiring in a relay and switch, I end up having to unplug the XM anyway! :headbash:

However, it wasn't a complete waste of time, as I do use the RCA inputs with my other (non-iPod) MP3 player.

[Uncle Skid]

si2exl,

I should add that Dension's tech support gets a big :thumbsdow :thumbsdow :furious: from me! Your post in the SNHOND3 thread pretty much sums up my experience with them as well.

Do you have the XM unit plugged in (with the Y-cable)? All of my problems with CDC recognition disappeared once XM was disconnected. In fact, CDC now shows up all the time, even when the iPod is not connected. I can install and remove the iPod at any time (car off, running, HU set to CD/CDC/FM), and it always works.

[si2exl]

Uncle Skid,

Yeah, I don't think Dension should be selling a faulty product with all these promises of what the device should do and not have the plums to back up the problems. I would have returned it along time ago if it didn't take so long to install it into my car and realize that it would slowly function abnormally. Unfortunately, Best Buy's return policy is 30 days. :rant:

For my setup i just have the icelink plugged into my CD-C port, no XM radio.
Do you recommend that I get that Y cable? I don't see how this would help with my setup...unless my lack of electrical circuitry knowledge is telling me otherwise. For your setup the CD-C is always there and the ipod always plays the last song from where it left off and never hangs? Just curious as to which setup you recommend for my basic icelink to CD-C port configuration?

OK, I'm editing my post now after reading pages and pages of forums and postings!!! from TSX's to MDX's

It seems like this y-adapter magically makes the CD-C mode appear all the time whether the ipod is plugged in or not. I really wonder why that is? It just seems to be an extension cable for the icelink to plug into for my non XM/icelink only setup. But please correct me if i'm wrong! :dunno:


Many thanks.

[Uncle Skid]

I agree that Dension certainly has some "opportunities" to improve their product. It's pretty lame that they are not updating the firmware any more, as there still seems to be bugs in the current code, plus a lot of areas where things could be improved, features added, etc. I expected better from a $200 product.

I would not recommend getting a Y cable, as there really is no need for it unless you are attempting to keep XM. In fact, now that my XM is unplugged, I really don't need it anymore in my setup. I left it there only because the added relay gives me a "free" auxiliary input.

CDC is always there on the HU, and I have not had any problems since the XM was unplugged. When the car is turned off (or I switch to CD or FM), it will pick up right where it left off when I select CDC again. I am able to plug and unplug the iPod at any time, and CDC never goes away.

I find it very hard to believe that the Y-adapter has anything to do with this -- since nothing is plugged into one of the Y's, it is really just an extension cable, as you mentioned. Do you have any links where people claim otherwise?

Edited to add: I should also mention that I am using the "iPod UI" mode, rather than "Dension UI". I don't know if that has anything to do with your problem, but it might be worth a try...

[si2exl]

Hmmm..apparently it's says on p.5 of the users manual that ipod UI can only be accessed by classic ipod. With that being said, it looks like my 5G ipod is out of luck. The ipod is locked in the dension UI. I can only use the HU's buttons "5" (playlist down) and "6" (playlist up) for control. Also, I can only access a maximum of 5 playlists but i'm not too picky about that since i like to use the random option on my HU. :paranoid:

I recall sending an email to Dension asking if 5G ipods were supported and a simple "yes" reply is what i got. Who knew most of the UI option would not be useable!??! :censored:

No, I don't think that anyone claimed that the y adapter would always allow the "CD-C" mode to be seen just thought there could be a special "connector" like the soundgate that your icelink plugs into to allow this. But the soundgate only provides audio in via rca cables.

[Uncle Skid]

Now you've got me wondering... my manual says the same thing on page 5.

I just verified that both iPod and Dension UI modes work in my car. I have a 4G iPod (U2 model, won in a drawing!); and the selected mode doesn't seem to make any difference with regard to CDC being available on the HU. As far as I know, the 4G models aren't considered to be "classic" iPods.

I also checked the iceLink firmware -- it is version 3.02.

I wonder if you have a (slightly) defective iceLink? It sure sounds like everything should work.

[si2exl]

I really doubt that my unit is defective(whatever that means with icelink, anymore!?!?!?!) This is the 3rd one I've had to exchange, as of now. All of them functioned as previously described.

My firmware is 3.02, also. I've even upgraded to a V3.04 off the net and no luck.

Which leaves to wondering why it says "made for iPod" on the box in reference to the 5G as the "iPod" or all iPods?

I guess I should have gotten the U2 iPod as originally planned or went with the Alpine or Sony CD changer option.