Mini Virgin 05" Harmon Kardon Quick Question

[Mini-Speedster]

Hiya all,

I guess everyone is getting fed up with everyone asking the same questions. I'm totally new to the mini world! I ordered a MCSC back in september and will be picking it up in less than a month so as you can guess I'm totally excitied.

As a organsed (scary) person I'd like to start burning a few summer playlists ready for the big day! I had a Alpine Mp3 unit for my old roadster (till it was stolen) which was great no ID3 tags or folders so just had a few questions:

1) My Spec includes the Harmon Kardon speaker upgrade with the CD player and Radio Boost plus MFSW. Can I control the CD/MP3s from the steering wheel as far as changing tracks and I guess volume up and down?

2) If I start to build MP3 cds isnt there any do's or donts I usually burn them in Variable Bit Rate which saves on space and maximises the Quality any recommendations on the format I guess its purly MP3 and not WMA formats?

3) Using the "M" button to navigate through the folders does this display the folder name upto 8characters length or nothing? Anyone tried to name folders/sub-folders.

4) I've also got a iPOD mini which I'm planning to install at a later date. Does that work with the MFSW or do you have to navigate the tracks manually via the iPOD? Also any recommendations for official or unoffical mini solutions! I was also thinking about painting it the same colour (I know taking it too far) anyone tried that? hehe

Thanks everyone for any feedback I'm a complete n00b when it comes to minis so any tips would be well recieved!

[GBMINI]

1) The steering wheel can skip to next/previous track. On the HU you can press "M" (manual) then use << and >> to skip to next/previous directory of MP3s; not sure if the steering wheel buttons do the same when "manual" is active.

2) My MP3s are 192K fixed bit rate and they work. I don't know if VBR works - I guess you can experiment eventually. I did read recently of someone that the player could not read their CDR; I suspect some brands / colors are less readable than others.

3) There is never any display or folder / directory / track / etc. Only two numbers - one which counts up/down to indicate a directory and one which counts up/down to indicate a track. I don't know how the numbering works if you nest directories inside other directories.

4) There are many threads about iPod connection - some interfaces will allow steering wheel control, some won't.
The Dension ICElink plus has some limitations (and in the past some issues too) but *may* be able to provide limited track display info on an '05 head unit.
The BMW/MINI official solution gives no displays (it even suppresses the iPod display I think) but does give steering wheel control provided you set up the playlists in the way required.
The AUX input solution is cheap but has no control - just audio input.
There are probably others. A search would be sensible!

4a) Yes, I know a couple of people that have painted their iPod. Pics of Randolphs BRG on my weblog. Again a search would help you.

[Mini-Speedster]

Thanks alot Ian for provide all the solutions in one stone throw! Looking forward to building up some MP3 discs over the weekend!

Cheers