| rgn2000 |
Seems to me there it would be nice if we would just link Ipods through the Bluetooth. The Bluetooth already goes through the speakers and sounds nice. They have bluetooth adapters for the Ipods and hopefully future Ipods will have them built in anyways. Seems like this would be the best way to do it because you could put your Ipod anywhere you want in the car or even in your pocket. Anybody ever think of doing this? Anybody smart enough to create a hack?
:-)
Rob |
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| andyf |
I have a '05 without bluetooth, but thought I'd contribute anyway. I'd guess that the built in bluetooth is designed primarily for mobile phones, and as a result uses the bluetooth profiles that work commonly with phones. These would be the headset and handsfree profiles.
Many bluetooth audio devices such as Pocket PC PDAs being used as MP3 players, as well as iPods with bluetooth adapters (such as the Logitech iPod adapter/bluetooth headphone combo) broadcast their audio using a different Bluetooth profile. This profile I believe is the advanced audio profile / high-quality audio profile often referred to as A2DP. The primary difference is that it is a much better quality that than the others, which may not even be stereo signals.
Could the deck in your MDX support A2DP, and even profiles that would send steering wheel controls (forward / back) to Bluetooth devices? Well, while I think that would be great - I'm pretty sure it doesn't.
What options do you have to get high quality Bluetooth audio into your MDX? Well, I've installed a PIE X3 input adapter that allows my XM to continue functioning. In one of those three extra RCA inputs I've connected a bluetooth receiver. These devices are just starting to become available. If you can't find one you like, you might try taking apart a set of headphones (such as the HP/Toshiba/Logitech branded ones prone to headband cracking) and re-wiring them (see here).
I'm currently testing a device from geeks.com (their inventory changes regularly) that works with the headset profiles of my Motorola cell phone, and the high-quality audio profile (A2DP) of my iPaq. Connecting it to the car speakers allows the iPaq to wirelessly play audio. I haven't tried connecting a microphone, but I'd guess it might not work due to the mic picking up feedback from the car speakers - as the Bluetooth device is designed to work with a headset instead. I probably won't end up using it to answer phone calls.
When looking at Bluetooth receivers to connect to your aux input, consider that any devices that have internal batteries and can be DC powered will allow the device to remember pairing settings. Without a battery you might have to repair the devices each time you turn the car back on.
Perhaps others have some Bluetooth trials they'd like to share. If I find some different results from my testing I'll post them here.
Andy |
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| rgn2000 |
Seems like if you could just used the voice command "transfer" it would be great. Here is some info on a new product that adds bluetooth to any car. Seems as though it is basically what we have, but has connectivity to "non cell phone" audio. I wonder if there is a way to change out our bluetooth units somehow or somekind of firmware hack or update from acura that could do this.
Scosche Bluetooth Wireless Interface for iPod
This last is actually my favorite of the bunch (pending a full review and considering the 10 minutes I spent with it--this is a blog post, just to be clear). Scosche's interface consists of a Bluetooth transmitter and receiver. The transmitter snaps on to the back of your iPod, while the receiver is installed behind your car stereo or in your dashboard, providing wireless access to the now-Bluetooth-enabled iPod. Scosche says it has better quality than an FM transmitter because it's a digital signal, and it won't cut out the way the iTrip has a tendency to do. You'll want an aftermarket stereo, since the setup plugs into an auxiliary port, but Scosche says an adapter is available for factory stereos, bringing the total cost to from $249 to $299. Cool factor? With Bluetooth's 30-foot range, you can take the iPod (or any other player, really) outside to the parking lot, the park, or to the campfire, and still control the music playing inside the car--handy if the back of your vehicle is just one big stereo. Hey, I've seen it. Also, the unit will pair with any Bluetooth cell phone, and then you'll get that excellent show-off moment where the phone rings and the music shuts off until you're done talking. Plus, and especially if you're performing any of these installations at home, the fewer wires, the better.
Granted, this would all be a lot easier if Steve Jobs would just announce the iCar at next year's keynote, but that might be too much to hope for. Might. |
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| andyf |
| I had seen the adapters, and was a bit disappointed with the price. I would be curious what you think of the quality as you test your model. The stereo receiver is what would sit in the car. It comes with a DC adapter, but how does the power work? I assume it has an internal battery to retain pairing after a car is shut off? Does unit turn "off" when the car's DC power goes off? |
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| Dog |
| Doesn't the Bluetooth only use the front speakers for phone functions? I would assume it would be the same for trying to plug music through. Not necessarily horrible, but definitely would not be optimal sound. |
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| ecsw |
| I believe the bluetooth for handsfree is only mono. If u want to play MP3 through BT, u will need a stereo BT. So I will say it's impossible for now. |
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| andyf |
| Just to clarify, the Bluetooth options some of us are referring to are stereo and higher quality than the phone Bluetooth communications. This is only possible using an auxiliary input/interface adapter (see PIE or Blitzsafe), essentially a line-in for your existing stereo. |
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| ecsw |
quote:
Originally posted by andyf
Just to clarify, the Bluetooth options some of us are referring to are stereo and higher quality than the phone Bluetooth communications. This is only possible using an auxiliary input/interface adapter (see PIE or Blitzsafe), essentially a line-in for your existing stereo.
oic. I thought the first post from rgn2000 was talking about BT from the bluetooth phonelink.
So use a PIE or Blitzsafe eh..... hmmm.... that's a neat idea. |
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