Disappointing Hyundai response re: iPod flaws

[enjoyingsilence]

So this is mostly about your "incredibly discerning hearing range" reference 3.5mm versus a USB input?

You are "actually" able to hear the difference?

edit: Before I get into a fight with someone, I'm going to note. I can't fix your problem. I can offer outlets of solution and points of contact for this issue. Many of which have been exhausted by the original creator of this thread. However, if one is only worried about signal quality from their iPod using a 3.5 mm line out jack , aka the headphone port on their iPod, into the aux in (headphone port) in the armrest, there are various hardware solutions.

For example. They make a iPod dock connector to 3.mm jack. Here is an example of such an item.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000J022G6?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=dealtime-ce-feed-20&linkCode=asn

Since there is an item description that summarizes what it does, I'll spare the trouble of typing it

The iPod Compatible 3.5mm to Dock Connector Audio Cable allows you to play music from your iPod through your home or car stereo, computer, or notebook. The dock connector sends line level audio out from your iPod, providing better sound quality then when using the headphone jack. The dock connector also allows you to control the volume of your iPod through your stereo or computer instead of having to adjust the volume on the iPod. The lightweight construction makes it easy to take it anywhere you go. Works with iPod Nano 1st Generation, iPod Nano 2nd Generation (aluminum), iPod with color display, iPod with video, iPod Nano 3rd Generation (aluminum), iPod Classic, iPod Touch, iPod with click wheel, iPod 10GB, 15GB, 20GB, and iPod mini.

 

[BaywayRic]

So, yes, I tend to think I know what I'm talking about, since I have a developer key from Harman Kardon & Becker Auto Sound to reprogram the DIS as I see fit.

I don't have an iPod, so don't care about 99% here, but the above note caught my attention. Obviously you wouldn't give up your key [but maybe a contact point where you got it], but perhaps you can illuminate us on where in the DIS interface you enter your key. From what I have seen, the only access for Hyundai techs is by connecting a laptop with Hyundai software to the connector under the steering wheel. They can then "talk" to the interface throught the laptop, at least to the extent Hyundai engineers let them. Are you indicating there is a "magic" button sequence that will display a data entry window on the screen for the key?

 

[enjoyingsilence]

Sorry...

Developer Key- Software application allowing someone access to integral parts of a device, or program. Letting you change things as you see fit, or in most cases, depending on the level of access you have.

It's not a "physical key", it's a "interface".

There is a technician interface, I'm sure. However, I'm able to mount the hard drive in the car, using my own software and interface, via the USB port in the console.

It's not an end all to end all connection. There's things I can't modify, as I'd need a Hyundai tech's computer to do that. But as far as things that are relating to the Harman/Becker, Lexicon, etc... design, it's served it's purpose.

I needed to enable the full 0.5A @ +5V on the USB plug to charge my phone, without the car flipping out, when I plug my iPhone in, thinking it's a USB thumb drive, and in the end, cutting access to the device, saying it's un-supported.

(edit: contact point where I got it: I'm a computer programmer and network engineer by trade, and a musician by hobby, and have contacts not only with the IT field (where this would have been programmed), but the sound industry (as I record on some Lexicon equipment; mostly Mark Levinson equipment; and since it's quite expensive, you tend to make "nice nice" with the folks there. So if you get chummy, they might pull some favors for ya). What I did (with the USB charging thing) wasn't a "overly odd" request. It's not like I wanted to change a bunch of colors, add custom text, and such. It was an isolated request.

What I am NOT alleging, is that they gave me the ENTIRE suite of controls for their API (application program interface) aka "their developer key", lol. Or I would probably be able to do whatever I pleased, and PROBABLY, considering their application is written in Cocoa and Java, with some VB thrown in, been able to add the random function lol That would've been fun to toy with.

 

[cliffbig]

So this is mostly about your "incredibly discerning hearing range" reference 3.5mm versus a USB input? You are "actually" able to hear the difference?

Most assuredly! I agree with you, a dock connector to 3.5mm adapter is an improvement over a 3.5mm to 3.5mm (I had to use one of the former for a while in another vehicle; it was much improved over 3.5mm to 3.5mm, but nowhere nearly as good as the direct interface that the Hyundai connector cable offers, since there's an extra digital-to-analog conversion level in the 3.5mm setup that the Hyundai connector cable avoids entirely.)

As to whether this is what it's "mostly" about--no, that's only one ofr several factors I named, all of which are important. As I said in post #58, this sort of connection still leaves a number of unsatisfactory problems. To quote from that post, "and then you have to put a charger in there if you're going run music for a while and don't want to drain the battery, and you can't use the steering wheel controls, and the only way you can see the song title is by keeping the iPod or iPhone out in plain sight... there are all sorts of compromises there, and I find them even more troublesome than the lack of playlist randomization."

 

[enjoyingsilence]

I was under the impression that with the iPod cable from Hyundai (the 30 dollar (roughly)) with a USB plug and 3.5mm plug. allowed you to control the iPod, be it tech package, or not, via the radio/nav screen (DIS), steering wheel controls?

 

[BaywayRic]

However, I'm able to mount the hard drive in the car, using my own software and interface, via the USB port in the console.

So, your "developer key" is NOT a password of sorts to access the drive once you mount it? I'm assuming a laptop with a dual ended USB cable to connect, and then...... you wrote your own access code or H/K "loaned" you a piece of software that provided the interface?

Since the boot time on this system is very fast, I'm assuming an embedded O/S. Been able to find out what it is?

 

[enjoyingsilence]

I wouldn't professionally dub it a password. More of a software interface to a piece of hardware.

If you're familiar with setting up a Cisco router, or even a home router (linksys, belkin), you sorta have to plug it in, and use software to set it up, or make changes.

So, the software I am using, is just capable of addressing the equipment in the car correctly, and utilizing the firmware.

Yes, it's a double headed USB cable. You can purchase them online, say, cablestogo.com. (which is where I acquired mine; had it for computer to computer ad-hoc networking backups; quite handy)

 

[BaywayRic]

So, the software I am using, is......

What exactly? Something you wrote, or something you acquired? Are you saying once plugged in, you address the car like your would a router? Developer Key = IP address? Enter proper key and the DIS displays it's interface on the laptop just as the router does. And you can basically tinker with whatever the interface lets you see?

 

[enjoyingsilence]

Software from Harman. It's what they use, Except, a toned down version. So I don't break anything, from being curious.

 

[cliffbig]

I was under the impression that with the iPod cable from Hyundai (the 30 dollar (roughly)) with a USB plug and 3.5mm plug. allowed you to control the iPod, be it tech package, or not, via the radio/nav screen (DIS), steering wheel controls?

It does--except that the randomization is non-functional within playlists, and it takes a little finessing to get randomization to work with the iPod in the "all songs" list.

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[enjoyingsilence]

I've never owned a car that had randomization in "all songs" as a feature, by the way. With a factory sound system. And this includes, my most recent car, a 2008 BMW X5 with the "new" USB iPod interface mess. Which was, also, supposed to have this.

 

[cliffbig]

I've never owned a car that had randomization in "all songs" as a feature, by the way. With a factory sound system. And this includes, my most recent car, a 2008 BMW X5 with the "new" USB iPod interface mess. Which was, also, supposed to have this.

I had it in my 2006 Acura RL, my 2007 Acura MDX, and I currently have it in my 2008 Sienna van that we have to use to pick up our weekly comics shipment. The former pair of vehicles had very good sound, the Sienna is wretched... but they all offered randomization of all songs on the iPod as well as all songs within a playlist.

 

[enjoyingsilence]

There are a few things that could be said in regards to why this could be... one that crossed my mind..

if both your Acuras had navi, and your Sienna has navi.. I *think* they shared the same navigation manufacturer -- --- Alpine.

Maybe it's a harman thing? Since BMW's don't do it (as the iDrive is a harman creation)... there could be a path. It just seems too coincidential for both manufacturers, and even others, (Mercedes) to have all left it out.

---

the above is just a thought that just crossed my mind.

 

[rv65]

Sienna Uses Denso/Aisin AW for it's navigation system.

 

[cliffbig]

There are a few things that could be said in regards to why this could be... one that crossed my mind..

if both your Acuras had navi, and your Sienna has navi.. I *think* they shared the same navigation manufacturer -- --- Alpine.

Maybe it's a harman thing? Since BMW's don't do it (as the iDrive is a harman creation)... there could be a path. It just seems too coincidential for both manufacturers, and even others, (Mercedes) to have all left it out.

You may be right--I know very little about this. I can confirm that Alpine was the source for navigation discs for both Acura units, but I don't believe they made the Toyota unit; the name that shows up most frequently is Denso, but I'm not familiar with them to know if they're a subsidiary of another company.

The Lincoln and the Cadillac also allow iPod randomization on all songs or on playlists, I have subsequently verified by talking to friends to own them.

But remember... randomization of all songs is the only form of randomization that does work on the Genesis tech package. It's randomization within individual playlists that's not functional with the Genesis/tech package.

 

[enjoyingsilence]

Was just a theory. Maybe some strange thing on harmans side.

 

[cliffbig]

There's an easy iPod based workaround for any system that doesn't allow all-song randomization: we can simply create a playlist called ALL SONGS and randomize within that list.

 

[enjoyingsilence]

Hi Cliff!

Another creative solution. for ipod owners. Create a smart playlist.

For the most part... you can follow these instructions
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1801

However, I've attached some screenshots.

And the following instructions.

• Open iTunes
• Click File > Create New Smart Playlist
• UNCHECK the "tick" box next to " Match the following rule
• Check the "tick box" next to Limit to (xx) items *selected* by random
• enter the maximum number of songs you want in this smart playlist
• Make sure live updating is checked
• Click ok

Assuming this does what it should,,, and also, assuming, where it said " limit to (xx) items, is LESS than the total number of songs in your library... each time you sync your iPod it should copy new random songs to that play list, in random order.

 

[Simonwpb]

Cliff,

Just a quick note I think this post has generated the most responses!
You certainly sparked some very interesting discussions regarding a key function that many people consider a key requirement in purchasing a vehicle.

Hyundai should most certainly take note. They would earn kudos simply for listening to the voice of the customer by providing RANDOM PLAY functionality to the tech package iPod interface. Not too much to ask.

 

[cliffbig]

Assuming this does what it should,,, and also, assuming, where it said " limit to (xx) items, is LESS than the total number of songs in your library... each time you sync your iPod it should copy new random songs to that play list, in random order.

Has anyone tried this? I'm under the impression that it will randomly select the number of songs specified, but it will still list them in alphabetical order.