ipod connectivity & bluetooth sound quality

[apricoticca]

I've got a couple of questions I was hoping to get some help/advice on.

Firstly, I've got the full bluetooth with USB kit in my 2008 lovely CooperS Clubman.

It all works, my phone connects to it I can hear the person I'm on the phone to clearly BUT they can't hear me properly when the car is moving. In fact the sound quality is so poor it's only when I stop or take it off hands free and speak into the phone that the quality is good enough. Where is the microphone? Is there anything I can do to improve the sound quality whilst on the move using the bluetooth?

Secondly, what do I need to do to use an iPod through my car?

So far I've found 3 options:
1) I've tried loading tracks onto a USB key and it plays fine but in a random order and won't play tracks I've bought through iStore.

2) Using a 3.5mm Jack stereo cable - which in the little I know about this kind of thing is not meant to be very good sound quality?

3) Using the USB port. This I know the least about. It is a USB to 3.5mm jack that I need? If so can I just go to any good electronic store and get a good quality one? Or do I need to get a BMW one?

Also, on the iPod device, I've got an old iPod Nano - but if I need to I'll upgrade and get a lovely new one. My boyf has an iPhone 3GS will that work too?

Any help would be appreciated,

Thanks

[humph]

For your ipod you need a Y lead from MINI. It basically has the ipod adaptor at one end, and both 3.5mm jack and usb at the other. My understanding is that they all plug in and you can control the pod etc through the stereo.

They're about £40 I believe.

[nicknbecka]

Quote: Originally Posted by apricoticca (original)

It all works, my phone connects to it I can hear the person I'm on the phone to clearly BUT they can't hear me properly when the car is moving. In fact the sound quality is so poor it's only when I stop or take it off hands free and speak into the phone that the quality is good enough. Where is the microphone? Is there anything I can do to improve the sound quality whilst on the move using the bluetooth?

The microphone is in the panel near the reading lamp and sunroof switches. In the US cars, the microphone can sometimes be mounted on the passenger side of the car, rather than the driver's side, so that may be something to check.

Photos and more details in the NAM thread here.

Quote:

So far I've found 3 options:
1) I've tried loading tracks onto a USB key and it plays fine but in a random order and won't play tracks I've bought through iStore.

This will get you the best audio quality, since it's a straight digital connection to the amp. As you noted however, DRM encrypted music can't be played. It's possible to buy non-DRM'd music from Apple, but it's more expensive and not everything is available.

Quote:

2) Using a 3.5mm Jack stereo cable - which in the little I know about this kind of thing is not meant to be very good sound quality?

In general a 3.5mm jack isn't the best audio connection, but for a low level signal in a noisy environment like a car it works well and is pretty much universal.

Quote:

3) Using the USB port. This I know the least about. It is a USB to 3.5mm jack that I need? If so can I just go to any good electronic store and get a good quality one? Or do I need to get a BMW one?

As mentioned, you'd need the BWM supplied one- there's no generic available right now. The USB port is used to control the iPod, and the audio signal comes from the line-out of the iPod to the 3.5mm AUX jack in the car. Since it uses the analog line-out, it avoids the DRM issue that the thumb drive has.

Quote:

Also, on the iPod device, I've got an old iPod Nano - but if I need to I'll upgrade and get a lovely new one. My boyf has an iPhone 3GS will that work too?

An old Nano should be fine, but a 4th Gen Nano changes how they charge, so charging wouldn't work without an adapter.

The iPhone 3GS will work for music, but has a similar charging problem for a different reason- the USB port in the MINI can't put out enough current for the 3GS. The armrest snap-in for the 3G will work for charging.

[andrewk]

Quote: Originally Posted by apricoticca (original)

Firstly, I've got the full bluetooth with USB kit in my 2008 lovely CooperS Clubman.

It all works, my phone connects to it I can hear the person I'm on the phone to clearly BUT they can't hear me properly when the car is moving. In fact the sound quality is so poor it's only when I stop or take it off hands free and speak into the phone that the quality is good enough. Where is the microphone? Is there anything I can do to improve the sound quality whilst on the move using the bluetooth?

I have a similar problem in my convertible (where the microphone is located on top of the steering column). I can hear the other person fine, but they can only hear me if I shout, and the sound is very tinny. If I speak at normal volume, my voice keeps cutting out. I only got the car yesterday, so I haven't had a chance to talk to the dealer about it yet. I'd be interested in hearing whether this is a common problem, though.

- Andrew

[jbensamo]

Andrew - have same problem in my convertible. Would be happy to hear what your dealer said. I saw that there is some kind of a black protection behind the grid of the mic on the steering column. I was thinking about taking it off.