MINI2

seanster · Jul 19th, 2005, 11:16 AM

I've searched high and low on this without much success, so I am hoping I might get some input in this forum.

I own a 2005 MCS with the Boost and H/K upgrade, with the factory installed Ipod interface and adaptor cable in the glove box. Whist I am reasonably happy with this, the sound quality is no where near what I would have expected. There is background noise that can be clearly heard during quiet spots in songs and also in between songs - almost sounds like a hiss or possibly the hard drive searching but not sure. The volume is very very low - you have to crack up the stereo to come even close to what the H/K with a CD in it will do.

I was expecting crystal clear digital sound with this Ipod interface, and I am wondering if I have an installation issue or if this is just the way it is...

I am ripping tunes onto my Ipod in a variety of formats, most commonly AAC 128

Anyone have any ideas on this????

RenaultF1 · Jul 19th, 2005, 11:55 AM

What do you have the volume on your iPod actually set at. I've pretty much found that the best sound quality is if I have Sound Check off and the volume control set in the middle or slightly above the middle. On mine if the volume is too low, there is background noise when you crank up the sound on the headunit. Too high and it seems to distort.

Just a thought...don't know if it will help.

StevePSB · Jul 19th, 2005, 11:59 AM

What iPod do you have? I had this issue really badly with my first iPod (Mini), but I bought a 60Gb Photo and the issue is 90% less noticeable now.

seanster · Jul 19th, 2005, 11:59 AM

Well I've tried pretty well everything except the sound. Read somewhere that turning on the backlight resolves the problem - doesn't work. EQ and SoundCheck are off, and the volume (just checked) is lower than middle, so I guess I can try turning up the Ipod volume. However, from my understanding this should not do anything. The Ipod is only acting as a hard drive, so all Ipod controls are disabled when running through the BMW/Mini Cooper interface.

seanster · Jul 19th, 2005, 12:01 PM

I am using a 3rd gen. 40GB Ipod....but have also tried this with my fiance's 1st Gen Ipod Mini with similar results.....

Perhaps I need to do a little test and burn the same song multiple times at different bitrates and see which sounds the best

RenaultF1 · Jul 19th, 2005, 01:38 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by seanster

Well I've tried pretty well everything except the sound. Read somewhere that turning on the backlight resolves the problem - doesn't work. EQ and SoundCheck are off, and the volume (just checked) is lower than middle, so I guess I can try turning up the Ipod volume. However, from my understanding this should not do anything. The Ipod is only acting as a hard drive, so all Ipod controls are disabled when running through the BMW/Mini Cooper interface.

I know...I was under the impression that the volume setting wasn't supposed to affect the adapter...only the aux input. Definitely try it because there is a considerable difference in how mine sounds based on how the volume is set on the iPod. I always notice that it sounds bad thru the HK when I take the iPod out of the car (turn the volume down when I go for a run) and then put it back in, forgetting to turn the volume back up.

Oh, and I too have a gen3 iPod, but mine is 20gb.

rentagas · Jul 19th, 2005, 07:20 PM

I use a both a 3rd and 4th gen 40GB ipod in my car, I have had no volume issues at all, the volume seems about the same between radio, CD and ipod. I do set itunes to keep volume the same. I do get some funny background sounds on quiet tracks but assumed they were compression artefacts.
Occasionally (usually) when i get in the car an switch on I cannot get the ipod to play until I turn the stereo on and off but otherwise it works perfectly!
Hope this helps

seanster · Jul 20th, 2005, 10:13 AM

Well, did a little test last night

Reloaded 3 Test MINI playlists

Playlist 1 - Group of songs encoded in Apple Lossless format

Playlist 2 - Same songs encoded in AAC format with a bitrate of 192

Playlist 3 - Same songs encoded in MP3 format with a bitrate of 128

Plus burned a CD with the same songs

Results:

Same hiss/interference on all three playlists between tracks and during quiet portions of songs when playing through the IPOD - exactly the same 'noise' heard during playback of Apple Lossless, AAC and MP3. This is not a hiss that you would normally hear when you have turned the volume way up on your stereo but have no music playing, however a background hiss within the track itself.

When playing the CD however, the sound was perfect, crystal clear with no hiss or background noise on any track

Of course the sound quality seemed better with the Apple Lossless format as you would expect - crisper, cleaner bass and treble. The MP3 version sounded considerably poorer.

When I switched from the Ipod to the CD, leaving the volume where is was set for listening to the Ipod loud, it almost blew the roof off the car.........

So - I either need a new Ipod, or there is an issue with the installation of the Ipod interface, or....the claims that this interface is a direct digital connection with no loss in sound quality are a load of rubbish.....

2006McsaSteve · Nov 28th, 2005, 10:56 PM

Did you ever get a resolution for this? Yesterday I installed, into a 2006 Mcsa, the ipod adapter with a 30 gig video ipod and get the same sounds as you. Doesn't sound horrible, but sounds more like what a fm transmitter would sound like.

I did try turning the backlight on and that worked for me. I haven't tried the volume, but will do so also.

Minnington · Nov 30th, 2005, 12:39 PM

All iPods sold in the EU are volume limited by some wierd euro law, although having just purchased an American photo, can't say there's a huge difference.

Anyhow, what you need is a piece of software called 'euPod' (Google it). This allows you to boost the volume of your iPod, and makes a big difference, especially when outputting through stereo sytems. With the latest version you can also sound level, which is far better than letting iTunes do it, as it sets everything on the iPod to the same level.

Personally I use MP3 at 192 bit rate, bigger files, but better sound quality IMHO. Don't know if this will fix the hissing, but definately worth trying.

windyrich · Dec 5th, 2005, 12:15 PM

I have just installed the dension ice-link plus and I get the hiss if the volume is turned up a bit but this is also there when the ipod is disconnected but on the ipod channel so I presume it is something to do with the head unit itself.

Revhed · Jan 15th, 2006, 03:49 AM

I have been experiencing this exact problem with my ipod mini - It's a background hiss - sounds like some type of electrical interference and very annoying given the amount that I have invested in the system - have tried various volume levels etc - has anyone resolved this or should I speak to my dealer (who installed it recently and also failed to reconnect the glovebox aircon duct)

Jul 19th, 2005, 11:16 AM	#1
seanster MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2005 Local Time: 05:18 AM Posts: 4 Offline	Ipod factory interface sound problems I've searched high and low on this without much success, so I am hoping I might get some input in this forum. I own a 2005 MCS with the Boost and H/K upgrade, with the factory installed Ipod interface and adaptor cable in the glove box. Whist I am reasonably happy with this, the sound quality is no where near what I would have expected. There is background noise that can be clearly heard during quiet spots in songs and also in between songs - almost sounds like a hiss or possibly the hard drive searching but not sure. The volume is very very low - you have to crack up the stereo to come even close to what the H/K with a CD in it will do. I was expecting crystal clear digital sound with this Ipod interface, and I am wondering if I have an installation issue or if this is just the way it is... I am ripping tunes onto my Ipod in a variety of formats, most commonly AAC 128 Anyone have any ideas on this????

Nov 30th, 2005, 12:39 PM	#10 (permalink)
Minnington MINI2 Regular Join Date: Nov 2005 Local Time: 05:18 AM Posts: 98 Offline	iPod Volume All iPods sold in the EU are volume limited by some wierd euro law, although having just purchased an American photo, can't say there's a huge difference. Anyhow, what you need is a piece of software called 'euPod' (Google it). This allows you to boost the volume of your iPod, and makes a big difference, especially when outputting through stereo sytems. With the latest version you can also sound level, which is far better than letting iTunes do it, as it sets everything on the iPod to the same level. Personally I use MP3 at 192 bit rate, bigger files, but better sound quality IMHO. Don't know if this will fix the hissing, but definately worth trying.

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Jul 19th, 2005, 11:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
RenaultF1 Of course it is... Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Maine Local Time: 12:18 AM Posts: 647 Offline	What do you have the volume on your iPod actually set at. I've pretty much found that the best sound quality is if I have Sound Check off and the volume control set in the middle or slightly above the middle. On mine if the volume is too low, there is background noise when you crank up the sound on the headunit. Too high and it seems to distort. Just a thought...don't know if it will help.

Jul 19th, 2005, 11:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
StevePSB MINI2 Master Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Bedworth / Doncaster Local Time: 06:18 AM Posts: 1,631 Offline	What iPod do you have? I had this issue really badly with my first iPod (Mini), but I bought a 60Gb Photo and the issue is 90% less noticeable now.

Jul 19th, 2005, 11:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
seanster MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2005 Local Time: 05:18 AM Posts: 4 Offline	Well I've tried pretty well everything except the sound. Read somewhere that turning on the backlight resolves the problem - doesn't work. EQ and SoundCheck are off, and the volume (just checked) is lower than middle, so I guess I can try turning up the Ipod volume. However, from my understanding this should not do anything. The Ipod is only acting as a hard drive, so all Ipod controls are disabled when running through the BMW/Mini Cooper interface.

Jul 19th, 2005, 12:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
seanster MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2005 Local Time: 05:18 AM Posts: 4 Offline	I am using a 3rd gen. 40GB Ipod....but have also tried this with my fiance's 1st Gen Ipod Mini with similar results..... Perhaps I need to do a little test and burn the same song multiple times at different bitrates and see which sounds the best

Jul 19th, 2005, 01:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
RenaultF1 Of course it is... Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Maine Local Time: 12:18 AM Posts: 647 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by seanster Well I've tried pretty well everything except the sound. Read somewhere that turning on the backlight resolves the problem - doesn't work. EQ and SoundCheck are off, and the volume (just checked) is lower than middle, so I guess I can try turning up the Ipod volume. However, from my understanding this should not do anything. The Ipod is only acting as a hard drive, so all Ipod controls are disabled when running through the BMW/Mini Cooper interface. I know...I was under the impression that the volume setting wasn't supposed to affect the adapter...only the aux input. Definitely try it because there is a considerable difference in how mine sounds based on how the volume is set on the iPod. I always notice that it sounds bad thru the HK when I take the iPod out of the car (turn the volume down when I go for a run) and then put it back in, forgetting to turn the volume back up. Oh, and I too have a gen3 iPod, but mine is 20gb.

Jul 19th, 2005, 07:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
rentagas MINI2 Master Join Date: Mar 2004 Local Time: 06:18 AM Posts: 1,428 Offline	I use a both a 3rd and 4th gen 40GB ipod in my car, I have had no volume issues at all, the volume seems about the same between radio, CD and ipod. I do set itunes to keep volume the same. I do get some funny background sounds on quiet tracks but assumed they were compression artefacts. Occasionally (usually) when i get in the car an switch on I cannot get the ipod to play until I turn the stereo on and off but otherwise it works perfectly! Hope this helps

Jul 20th, 2005, 10:13 AM	#8 (permalink)
seanster MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2005 Local Time: 05:18 AM Posts: 4 Offline	Well, did a little test last night Reloaded 3 Test MINI playlists Playlist 1 - Group of songs encoded in Apple Lossless format Playlist 2 - Same songs encoded in AAC format with a bitrate of 192 Playlist 3 - Same songs encoded in MP3 format with a bitrate of 128 Plus burned a CD with the same songs Results: Same hiss/interference on all three playlists between tracks and during quiet portions of songs when playing through the IPOD - exactly the same 'noise' heard during playback of Apple Lossless, AAC and MP3. This is not a hiss that you would normally hear when you have turned the volume way up on your stereo but have no music playing, however a background hiss within the track itself. When playing the CD however, the sound was perfect, crystal clear with no hiss or background noise on any track Of course the sound quality seemed better with the Apple Lossless format as you would expect - crisper, cleaner bass and treble. The MP3 version sounded considerably poorer. When I switched from the Ipod to the CD, leaving the volume where is was set for listening to the Ipod loud, it almost blew the roof off the car......... So - I either need a new Ipod, or there is an issue with the installation of the Ipod interface, or....the claims that this interface is a direct digital connection with no loss in sound quality are a load of rubbish.....

Nov 28th, 2005, 10:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
2006McsaSteve MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pleasanton, CA Local Time: 10:18 PM Posts: 5 Offline	Did you ever get a resolution for this? Yesterday I installed, into a 2006 Mcsa, the ipod adapter with a 30 gig video ipod and get the same sounds as you. Doesn't sound horrible, but sounds more like what a fm transmitter would sound like. I did try turning the backlight on and that worked for me. I haven't tried the volume, but will do so also.

Dec 5th, 2005, 12:15 PM	#11 (permalink)
windyrich MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Sep 2005 Local Time: 06:18 AM Posts: 40 Offline	I have just installed the dension ice-link plus and I get the hiss if the volume is turned up a bit but this is also there when the ipod is disconnected but on the ipod channel so I presume it is something to do with the head unit itself.

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Jan 15th, 2006, 03:49 AM	#12 (permalink)
Revhed Rollin Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sydney Local Time: 03:18 PM Posts: 30 Offline	I have been experiencing this exact problem with my ipod mini - It's a background hiss - sounds like some type of electrical interference and very annoying given the amount that I have invested in the system - have tried various volume levels etc - has anyone resolved this or should I speak to my dealer (who installed it recently and also failed to reconnect the glovebox aircon duct)