Iphone Connection

[kasman21]

Hi All

Just a couple of questions as i've just upgraded to an iphone!

Does the ipod connection also charge the handset?

also i dont want to trow my iphone in the armrest! anyone come up with a solution?? or any other cool ideas?

cheers

[S8N]

It will charge the IPhone just fine

I hang the MDI cable of the armrest into the back cup holder so the handset sits in there instead of stuffed in the armrest.

[ashley1407]

The Mdi lead will charge the iPhone without any problems although you will get a message on the phone saying that it is an unauthorised accessary and it'll prompt you to put the phone in airplane mode. Just ignore it and it works fine.

With regards to placing the phone, I have a Brodit Proclip and holder for the iPhone 3G both bought from http://www.dsldevelopments.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. I've now used them twice and had great service both times. It's worth noting that you really need to buy the holder with the 'pass through' connector so that you can plug the cable into the bottom and just slot your iPhone in and out.

As the Mdi iPod lead is so small, it won't reach anywhere near far enough to plug into the Brodit holder. I have mine mounted to the left of the RCD510 so that I can use it as a satnav as well. You need an 30 pin iPod dock extension cable. By all means you can search eBay for these and there are a number sellers distributing these from Hong Kong but if you read the auctions carefully you'll find that most cables don't support audio for the iPhone. The only other place I found that sells the proper cable is a company called Cable Jive and they are based in the US. I ordered one of theses http://www.cablejive.com/products/Dock- ... Cable.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - 6 feet in length and it does the job properly.

As for installing it, the instructions for the dock are included with the holder and it clips in securely. I routed the extension cable from the holder under the centre console (above the two handles and below the climate control) into the drivers side. Then you should be able to tuck the cable into the joins in the trim to the left of the seat near the floor. Once you get in line with the armrest, remove the rubber lining from inside the armrest cubby hole (it's just a few rubber lugs) and you should be able to pull the cable into the armrest from the bottom. Then just reinsert the rubber lining and connect the cables together and leave any remaining slack (not much) under the armrest.

If I get a chance this weekend I'll take some photos/video of the setup in my car.

[Evil Derboy]

Great post. ashley1407. Please do post photo#'s and thanks for the link. This is something that I'm currently looking at and this a great help. Cheers!

[iAmbu]

Great post. ashley1407. Please do post photo#'s and thanks for the link. This is something that I'm currently looking at and this a great help. Cheers!

+1 (I have just got back from town after buying an iPhone)

[kasman21]

yeah sounds great ashley, please do put some pics up for us all to see and copy!!

brilliant!

thankyou

[seacourt]

These are the photos of my Iphone car instal.

I had Richter install an MDI interface into the glove box as I already have a 6 CD installed in the arm rest. (The dealer said this couldn't be done!)

Like ashely I've brought a Brodit Proclip and holder for the iPhone 3G both bought from http://www.dsldevelopments.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (also very good).

From the photo's you can see that it isn't ideal as the glove box shuts on to the lead but I don't open the glove box that much so hopefully it won't be problem in the long term!

The MDI interface displays on the RNS and the Dashboard. Nice.

The Iphone displays "Dock Connector"

Seacourt.

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[seacourt]

More Photos..

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[teejay212]

Seacourt,

You're a man after my own heart - listening to Level 42 - went to see them in concert in Glasgow a few years ago - it was absolutely jumping !! Lol TJ

[ashley1407]

Right here goes with the photos! It's great that seacourt posted some photos but in the UK we have the Mdi installed under the armrest. It's important than when routing the cable to start from the dock end. That way any excess slack can remain under the armrest as opposed to hanging around in the cabin.

This is how the mount looks from a the driving position:


A close up on the iPhone dock end:


This is how the cable runs along under the centre console. There are some cable ties at each side that wrap around the cable and then are held in place between the centre console and dash trim.


This is the driver's footwell. The cable is tucked under the gearbox side trim and follows this line and is then tucked under the plastic trim that meets the floor carpet.


Taken from the rear right hand seat. The cable is still tucked under the plastic but when you get in line with the armrest compartment you should be able to feed it up from the floor.


The rubber lining of the armrest compartment comes out by gently pressing out the rubber grommets by my thumb. You can just see how the extension cable is coming out of the top. You may also want to remove the Mdi housing which is also very each. Insert something thin and strong into each of the two groves and the whole assembly then slides out. I found out that feeler gauges were brilliant for this.


Then it's just a matter of connecting the cables together.


Finished results:




Media In photo:


If anyone has any questions, just let me know. I'm fully aware that I'm not the best at explaining things!

Ash.

[trix]

Ash
sny reason you didn't run the cable into the central console from the passenger side?

S

[ashley1407]

I did it that way because of how much the mounting bracket for the phone sticks out. It would have created a loop which could have been 'yanked' or caught accidentally and pulled out of the trim. By routing it towards the driver and under the centre console, it takes the cable completely out of the way of being caught.

Another thing to note, it make this job easier if you have a set of trim removal tools. They're only a few quid from eBay but it means you don't scratch the trim!

[Danscirocco]

great post ashley im considering getting an iphone when current contracts up, and wondered how i could install better within roc.
kudos to ya buddy cheers

[joe4186]

hi Ashley.

just looking at your post, very informative, however when i clicked on the the link to dsl deveopments, the one listed appears to have a 12v connector attached, is this the one you have installed or am i looking at the wrong one. to help me could you note the model number of the holder you have if its not too much trouble.

cheers

[ashley1407]

hi Ashley.

just looking at your post, very informative, however when i clicked on the the link to dsl deveopments, the one listed appears to have a 12v connector attached, is this the one you have installed or am i looking at the wrong one. to help me could you note the model number of the holder you have if its not too much trouble.

cheers

No problem Joe. The holder you need is the one with the pass-through connector. On the DSL site it is part number 915246 (just do a search).

Hope this helps.

Ash.

[slicedbread]

does anyone have an iphone 3gs? I can't get the thing to charge using the MDI cable. Plugging in I get the same "error" about it wanting to turn on airplane mode, and plays music fine through the stereo, just the damn phone won't charge.

I recently switched from a 3g, and it worked perfectly, charging as well.

[ashley1407]

Not sure about that one SB. You could check that you haven't got a loose connection at the Mdi end but I have to say it's unlikely. I'm pretty sure that the power specs are the same for the 3GS as they are for the 3G so it shouldn't have a problem. Failing this, you might have to take a trip back to the dealers.

[S8N]

does anyone have an iphone 3gs? I can't get the thing to charge using the MDI cable. Plugging in I get the same "error" about it wanting to turn on airplane mode, and plays music fine through the stereo, just the damn phone won't charge.

I recently switched from a 3g, and it worked perfectly, charging as well.

3Gs works fine here

You might have a problem with the handset or the MDI cable isn't all the way in?

[neildownie]

I had the MDI cable fitted by VW about 3 months ago, and to be honest its never worked properly.
I still have the cd multi changer in the armrest, although I can only use 1 disc in it, so the MDI cable is routed through the glove box.
When I connect up the iPhone 3G (not S), I get the warning message (that's not a problem), but either
a) the phone starts playing the audio through the iphone speaker, although its connected on the 510 screen & I can control it.
b) it plays through the car for 5-10 seconds and then just loses all connection, or
c) if I'm really lucky and all the planets are in alignment, it'll stay connected for the duration of my hour long commute.
"Frustrating" doesn't even come close.
Has anyone else experienced this problem?
I thought that maybe it was associated with the Bury cc9060 bluetooth phone kit, but even with BT turned off, the phone still gives me the same grief.
Don't necessarily think its an iPhone problem, as I've tried different firmwares and even jailbreaking.

[neildownie]

Just as an FYI, took the Roc in VW on Friday, and they completely stripped down MDI kit and replaced cable. They then tried with 2 other iPhones and an iPod and were unable to replicate my problem, though the engineer did very kindly feed through the extension cable that I'd bought from the US to connect to Brodit kit.
Then made appointment to go visit a Genius at the Apple Store who reckons the problem is actually something to do with latest iPhone OS (3.1.3) as he had also recently been experiencing a similar problem.
His recommendation.... wait for next software release, which looks like its going to be June at the earliest
So I have lovely dog's bo**ocks car kit all bluetoothed up, but if I want to listen to my iPod, I have to resort to good ol' fashioned headphones.....