ipod users. Need your advice on setup for Symphony II radio
08-25-2008, 09:31 PM
#1
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ipod users. Need your advice on setup for Symphony II radio
I currently have a Phat Box but I got a new computer with Vista and Phatnoise is no longer supported. I can't even get the software to reinstall it on my old computer. 
So I'm thinking about getting rid of it and getting an ipod setup. I'm just looking for suggestions on what to look for. I basically want to just keep it in the armrest or glove box. I know I won't get names and titles but I just want to be able to sort through the lists. I'd like to be able to just control it from the radio/wheel controls. What generation ipod do you suggest? I guess DICE is the way to go for an adapter?
So I'm thinking about getting rid of it and getting an ipod setup. I'm just looking for suggestions on what to look for. I basically want to just keep it in the armrest or glove box. I know I won't get names and titles but I just want to be able to sort through the lists. I'd like to be able to just control it from the radio/wheel controls. What generation ipod do you suggest? I guess DICE is the way to go for an adapter?
08-26-2008, 10:07 AM
#2
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None of them do a particularily tight integration
I have the Icelink/DICE device, and it works in two different ways. The first is full control of the iPod via the radio controls, but I find it annoying and flakey to use, especially since you have to look at the iPod anyways to use it; why not just use the very capable iPod controls to choose music?
The second is allowing track skip/ff/rw via the radio controls, and doing all song selection via the iPod. This is the mode I prefer. I have the iPod in a cradle next to the stereo, I can skip songs with the radio (probably with the wheel as well if I had the buttons), and choose playlists/albums/etc using the iPod itself. The sound quality is great, the integration is easy, and the cost is minimal. If mine broke today, I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.
The second is allowing track skip/ff/rw via the radio controls, and doing all song selection via the iPod. This is the mode I prefer. I have the iPod in a cradle next to the stereo, I can skip songs with the radio (probably with the wheel as well if I had the buttons), and choose playlists/albums/etc using the iPod itself. The sound quality is great, the integration is easy, and the cost is minimal. If mine broke today, I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.
08-26-2008, 10:17 AM
#3
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agree 100%. I use mine the same way. it's too bad the Symphony doesn't support ID3.....
to allow the display of song/artist titles.
But the icelink does the job pretty well and I was able to get it real cheap off ebay a while ago.
But the icelink does the job pretty well and I was able to get it real cheap off ebay a while ago.
08-26-2008, 12:54 PM
#4
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Re: ipod users. Need your advice on setup for Symphony II radio
on the subject of phat box... where in the trunk can i find the wire to connect it? i got the one out of my dads rs6 and want to install it into mine.
08-26-2008, 08:31 PM
#6
AudiWorld Super User
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You'll have to get a cable from ebay like I did. There's one that's like 8ft or sow.
This cable will go from the head unit to the box. The old B5's had a CD changer in the trunk, so this wasn't an issue the first time I installed it.
08-26-2008, 08:33 PM
#7
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Thanx for the advice. I'll prob go that route next time becaus....
I finally got my voice prompts to work with Vista! So now the software is working just as crappy as it was with XP :P Hate the software, but the voice prompts just work so well in the car. I'm going to hold on to it for a while longer.
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