jgkell00

Does anyone know if the new AMI is going to work for the 2005 A6? It looks like based on Audi's website that it is an option for the 2007, but doesn't discuss the 2005 and 2006 A6.

If the AMI isn't available, then does anyone know any other solutions for ipod connectivity? I have tried FM modulators and they don't work that well.

drive4fun

Comments in the various articles I've seen made it very clear that the AMI will be a retrofit option for the 2005-2007 C6A6 platform. Timing and price don't seem to have been determined yet. I think another vendor has come out with a solution (Denison?), but from what I've seen, their package is nowhere near as nicely integrated as the Audi AMI.

pierreb

<ul><li><a href="http://www.dension4u.de/presse/prnews_eng_Gateway500_Audi-MMi.htm">http://www.dension4u.de/presse/prnews_eng_Gateway500_Audi-MMi.htm</a</li></ul>

drive4fun

I believe the Dension can output video, but I'm not positive. In it's current form, the AMI is audio only. Most of the other features seem to be the same.

From what I've seen, the AMI seems to have a more intuitive menu structure. The Dension appears to still map things via the CD changer interface - discs 1-4 are the playlists for example.

I'm not sure what impact connecting the Dension will have on the warranty. If Dension tinkers with the car's software, I could see some issues. Also, unless the Dension is cheaper than the AMI or you really need something now, I'd definitely stick with the in-house Audi solution.

pierreb

Menu Navigation <u>is</u> better with the AMI from the reviews I've seen.

But there's still one big difference:

Audi's AMI solution isn't shipping for our MY cars yet, we don't even know for sure if it ever will.

Dension's ships <b>today</b>, with more features.

I'm not saying it's necessarily better, but your dismissal is a little bit hurried imho.

drive4fun

By the time the retrofit becomes available, the USB and 3.5MM jacks probably are going to be part of AMI. The articles I read implied something in mid-2007. If mid-2007 comes along and we hear nothing, I'll consider the Dension then. However, with manufacturers all providing their own solutions, I'm not sure how viable Dension as a company will be in the future.

pierreb

Yep, that's the choice: wait yet some more for Audi, or buy something 3rd party now.

Audi-Found!

Is the AMI the one that resembles the iPOD nearly identical in menu structure and operation via the MMI?

You mentioned CD Playlists 1-4 on the Denison. Does this means playlists ONLY or that you'll still be able to navigate via the iPOD directly or MMI?

drive4fun

With the Dension, you can navigate the Ipod menu structure if you select CD 5, I believe. It's just that based on what I've seen on their website, the Dension solution looks like a hack of the Audi software whereas the AMI appears to be much more integrated.

I'm just guessing though, since Dension's website and instruction manual include zero pictures of the actual interface on a MMI screen. The manual shows real MMI pics for a song list but when it talks about navigating the iPod menu structure the pictures revert to mockups. This inconsistency makes me a little wary of Dension. Maybe I'm just paranoid.

pierreb

Follow the link I included to see the Dension in action.