There is so much knowledge in this forum that I thought I would ask you guys rather than randomly searching for this information on the 'net.
My goal: to get a clean install of a CD Changer that can play regular CDs or MP3 CDs and that hooks into the factory system such that basic controls can be handled through the existing system (steering wheel controls, etc.).
I know there are completely aftermarket solutions, but I am looking for a clean solution that integrates with what the factory already has (similar to the way NAV-TV integrates with the existing GPS system). Anyone who has aftermarket equipment and has done things a different way, more power to you. It's just not my way
I thought I had everything I need when I found this UK company called Connects2. They had an adapter for a Sony CDX-T70MX 6-CD changer that also could play MP3 CDs. Great! I ordered up one of their conenctors (for 1999 and up 3 series and some 5 series as well) and then went to find a CDX-T70MX. Found out those are discountinued, so had to find one on eBay. Which I eventually did. Now I was all set...
Took apart the trunk stuff, found the pre-wiring for the CD changer and the power lines, etc. All was cool so far. Until I noticed that the connector for the CD-changer on the Connects2 box was analog (three or four pins, don't remember) but my in-car connector was an optical connector (later found that is called DSP, I think). No fit! So, no installation :-(
I also have a GPS/NAV system if it matters (I don't think it does, but for completeness of information, I'll just tell you that!) and don't know if that is WHY I have DSP or if some GPS cars are non-DSP. In the end, I guess it doesn't really matter WHY I have DSP - just that I do
I was tipped off to this company called LogJam Electronics by the folks at Connect2 (who are super great in communications - even offered to buy back the adaptor box I had since I couldn't use it - really great guys all around)
They have what appears to be a similar solution for DSP cars (like mine, I guess):
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/blitzbmwalpdmxv1dsp.html
I sent them pictures of my connector just so they could make sure it will physically plug into their unit (I don't want to dissemble the trunk another time for nothing!). They are very slow at getting back (I've been pestering them for almost a month with not much results so far).
My questions:
1) Has anybody here had experience with the adpater offered by LogJam for DSP cars?
2) Has anyone had experience with ANY kind of DSP adapaters such that they got factory controls integrated on a DSP car?
3) Anyone want to make a reasonable offer on a combo of the Connects2 adapater and Sony CDX-T70MX 6-CD/MP3 CD-changer? The Sony unit (by itself) fetches quite a lot of bids on eBay (I know because I had to outbid like 15+ people to win it!) and the Connects2 box is frequently out of stock from the US distributor, so for anybody with a NON-DSP car, I could make things easy on you to get factory steeering wheel controls with the added benefits of MP3-filled CDs in the trunk. I'll eventually put the combo up on eBay, but was thinking I'd give you all the first shot if anyone's interested.
Sorry for the long post. Was trying to cover everything so I could get any useful information quicker and didn't have to "piecemeal" answers as much ;-)
Cheers!
My goal: to get a clean install of a CD Changer that can play regular CDs or MP3 CDs and that hooks into the factory system such that basic controls can be handled through the existing system (steering wheel controls, etc.).
I know there are completely aftermarket solutions, but I am looking for a clean solution that integrates with what the factory already has (similar to the way NAV-TV integrates with the existing GPS system). Anyone who has aftermarket equipment and has done things a different way, more power to you. It's just not my way
I thought I had everything I need when I found this UK company called Connects2. They had an adapter for a Sony CDX-T70MX 6-CD changer that also could play MP3 CDs. Great! I ordered up one of their conenctors (for 1999 and up 3 series and some 5 series as well) and then went to find a CDX-T70MX. Found out those are discountinued, so had to find one on eBay. Which I eventually did. Now I was all set...
Took apart the trunk stuff, found the pre-wiring for the CD changer and the power lines, etc. All was cool so far. Until I noticed that the connector for the CD-changer on the Connects2 box was analog (three or four pins, don't remember) but my in-car connector was an optical connector (later found that is called DSP, I think). No fit! So, no installation :-(
I also have a GPS/NAV system if it matters (I don't think it does, but for completeness of information, I'll just tell you that!) and don't know if that is WHY I have DSP or if some GPS cars are non-DSP. In the end, I guess it doesn't really matter WHY I have DSP - just that I do
I was tipped off to this company called LogJam Electronics by the folks at Connect2 (who are super great in communications - even offered to buy back the adaptor box I had since I couldn't use it - really great guys all around)
They have what appears to be a similar solution for DSP cars (like mine, I guess):
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/blitzbmwalpdmxv1dsp.html
I sent them pictures of my connector just so they could make sure it will physically plug into their unit (I don't want to dissemble the trunk another time for nothing!). They are very slow at getting back (I've been pestering them for almost a month with not much results so far).
My questions:
1) Has anybody here had experience with the adpater offered by LogJam for DSP cars?
2) Has anyone had experience with ANY kind of DSP adapaters such that they got factory controls integrated on a DSP car?
3) Anyone want to make a reasonable offer on a combo of the Connects2 adapater and Sony CDX-T70MX 6-CD/MP3 CD-changer? The Sony unit (by itself) fetches quite a lot of bids on eBay (I know because I had to outbid like 15+ people to win it!) and the Connects2 box is frequently out of stock from the US distributor, so for anybody with a NON-DSP car, I could make things easy on you to get factory steeering wheel controls with the added benefits of MP3-filled CDs in the trunk. I'll eventually put the combo up on eBay, but was thinking I'd give you all the first shot if anyone's interested.
Sorry for the long post. Was trying to cover everything so I could get any useful information quicker and didn't have to "piecemeal" answers as much ;-)
Cheers!
