AUX Audio input on 2008 M? I can't find it.

[lreinstein]

I am sorry for so many posts and questions. I just bought my M35x and am very pleased that it has an IPOD interface --- though I wish the interface allowed for fast scrolling.

My question -- Is there a normal AUX audio input as well? I can not find it.

If not, is there some sort of aftermarket or converter from the ipod interface that just passes the audio content through to the Bose System?

Why do I want this if I have the IPOD interface??

A few reasons:

1. As I mentioned, the lack of fast scroll is an issue. With a simple audio input I could simply connect my IPOD and use its scroll wheel.

2. I have an iPhone and when in 3G network regions I can stream a lot of audio material onto my iPhone, such as internet radio etc. This can NOT be played through the iTunes interface as far as I know, but would be easy to do with a simple AUX input.

3. The Infiniti IPOD interface does not charge the iPhone .... somehow Apple made this one different...no idea why.

[ghstudio]

I don't suppose you looked in the rear center console ash tray

[lreinstein]

now that you mention it, i just looked and in the rear ashtray there is a set of audio/video inputs. i will try this out for audio only. will it work when in motion?

[SteveTheTech]

A few reasons:

1. As I mentioned, the lack of fast scroll is an issue. With a simple audio input I could simply connect my IPOD and use its scroll wheel.

2. I have an iPhone and when in 3G network regions I can stream a lot of audio material onto my iPhone, such as internet radio etc. This can NOT be played through the iTunes interface as far as I know, but would be easy to do with a simple AUX input.

3. The Infiniti IPOD interface does not charge the iPhone .... somehow Apple made this one different...no idea why.

1.The scrolling unfortunately cannot be changed. The suggestion I have received from a few owners, they usually organize their playlists for easier navigation.

2.Streaming web music??? I really wonder if that would work. Even with Ipod integration I do not know if it will support apps and web media. If you use the AUX input you will have audio and visual capabilities although no integration. I am also unsure if the video will play while driving unless you have bypassed this safety feature.

3. Check this out. Apple in their quest for electronic dominance changed the pinout of the interface connection. Making some previously purchased hardware useless.

[lreinstein]

THanks Steve,

Why do you think that they did not put a FAST SCROLL option?

I am sure that streaming audio from the 3G network does work on iPhone. I use it with the earphones that come with iPhone. So, I will try it on the AUX. Streaming video is not important to me.

Larry

1.The scrolling unfortunately cannot be changed. The suggestion I have received from a few owners, they usually organize their playlists for easier navigation.

2.Streaming web music??? I really wonder if that would work. Even with Ipod integration I do not know if it will support apps and web media. If you use the AUX input you will have audio and visual capabilities although no integration. I am also unsure if the video will play while driving unless you have bypassed this safety feature.

3. Check this out. Apple in their quest for electronic dominance changed the pinout of the interface connection. Making some previously purchased hardware useless.

[SteveTheTech]

I have a feeling the scroll rate is determined by the roller wheel mechanism. It seems like something that was not designed into the product as a simple over sight. At this point I see no ability to scroll any faster, all of the new cars also have this design. Most people will never have an issue with it there are however people in your situation with thousands of songs are looking for an easier seek option.

There has to be some way to balance a plentiful playlist with user functionality. I usually leave me old nano on shuffle and keep skipping songs or use one of my mood based playlists. Since you have an 08 does yours have the music box? If you are looking for better search and playback options you may find that by loading it onto the HDD. That will give you the option to set mood and file location to access the music easier.

I really do like the idea of streaming radio in the car. That's a great idea I really want an Iphone I have no desire to have att as my carrier though, (stupid Sprint, being a user for years has finally got me some benefits) there phones are lame though and there isn't much on the market that can compete with the Iphone and the touch user interface on the I devices.

If you do set up streaming audio would you mind taking a few pics and giving me some of the details around the operation of this I would like to write an article on this as I feel this could benefit the members here. I also have been asked by many of my customers about various operations about the Ipod and possibilities surrounding its integration. Thanks for your help.

[lreinstein]

Steve,

I really appreciate your thoughtful replies. One of my problems with these forums is I never know where to post to get the most likely readership. Since this issue is not solely an M35/M45 issue i tried posting on the more general entertainment forum topic, but there is not as much response there. I don't know what the best approach to that is.. except for multiple posting. please advise.

I will look into use of the Music Box. I think a lot of people have larger and larger music collections that are "ripped" into MP3 files for their IPODS. Possible they don't generally drive Infinti's. On the IPOD itself it is easy to fast-scroll which tells me that there must be some firmware command that it responds to. Though I am not a programmer, I believe that the Nissan Ipod interface does make use of the IPOD command sets and information...or how else could its display on its screen mimic the IPOD so well?

And, since the scroll is also actuated by holding up or down the up/down lever on the left side of steering wheel, I think it would be simple enough for the Nissan/???? (whatever company did this interface) to update the firmware by a few lines of code (no hardware change) to say that if I hold down the lever for 2 seconds it will generate the fast scroll command to the IPOD.

Which brings up the question of whether (and if not then why not) the cars firmware is ever updated? I am used to updates in firmware periodically for other gadgets that we purchase which are far less expensive. it would be easy to do for a car with a hard drive i suspect.

As to your questions about streaming audio from the web. The iPhone or any phone that can get Hi Speed internet can do this very easily. The iPhone is particularly simple. You can download any number of free "Apps" such as Pandora, AOL Radio, NPR, and a myriad of internet radio stations. You can also get streaming video from YouTube, Truveo, etc. These operate fairly smoothly on the 3G network which is available in many areas of the country. I wish the Infiniti had created the iPOD dock to allow the audio and video channels to be send through the car audio system...instead of only the iTUNES interface. Or, but the Aux input in the center console and not behind the seat.

This brings up another topic which I should probably peel off for another seperate post. Why do we have to upload our bluetooth contacts to the memory on the car's hard drive? many phones can NOT do this. Instead, why cant the car (Nissan or others) simply look inside the phone contact book and display it while the phone is in the car. This is technically possible.

Larry

I have a feeling the scroll rate is determined by the roller wheel mechanism. It seems like something that was not designed into the product as a simple over sight. At this point I see no ability to scroll any faster, all of the new cars also have this design. Most people will never have an issue with it there are however people in your situation with thousands of songs are looking for an easier seek option.

There has to be some way to balance a plentiful playlist with user functionality. I usually leave me old nano on shuffle and keep skipping songs or use one of my mood based playlists. Since you have an 08 does yours have the music box? If you are looking for better search and playback options you may find that by loading it onto the HDD. That will give you the option to set mood and file location to access the music easier.

I really do like the idea of streaming radio in the car. That's a great idea I really want an Iphone I have no desire to have att as my carrier though, (stupid Sprint, being a user for years has finally got me some benefits) there phones are lame though and there isn't much on the market that can compete with the Iphone and the touch user interface on the I devices.

If you do set up streaming audio would you mind taking a few pics and giving me some of the details around the operation of this I would like to write an article on this as I feel this could benefit the members here. I also have been asked by many of my customers about various operations about the Ipod and possibilities surrounding its integration. Thanks for your help.

[SteveTheTech]

You know what Larry I think I found a new career. You are completely right the firmware can be updated easily. Infiniti has used a simple reflash for a data logging survey recently.

I think the issue is with the company who makes the radio, and more likely than not lack of a dedicated department for this type of advancement. I would be very interested in finding this out. There are many more functions that would need to be adapted to alter something as simple as scroll rate, it is not directly controlled through the audio unit, the input signal be it scroll wheel,directional button, or steering wheel controlled toggle the input is converted into digital pulse signal by the multifunction switch control device so the rate there would need to be altered. Check out the AV section of the esm for a thorough breakdown on the component interaction and control. It may be possible to change the output of one click when using the ipod but I do not know what the outcome of that would be. I have no information available about the software options available on this vehicle but now I have something to look into.

The RCA jack location is something I kind of like about, with the models with the rear monitor is makes it easy for rear seat passengers to add a game system of other peripheral device. Depending on your level of electrical wiring skill you can add a remote RCA jack, I would either put one in the glove box or in the center console box.

My thoughts on Ipod integration in factory installed head units, although I like and use and will indeed purchase more of their products at the end of the day it comes down to business. The company(Infiniti) has little to gain from updating things like user interfaces as their is more than likely very little demand for these products (forum readers and participants aside) and I do not know what Apples stipulations are for using their product software are when it comes to interface devices. Especially with the Iphone and similar devices that change so frequently, the total cost of updating that is continuously variable like mobile device software (bluetooth, cell phone manufactures individual compatibility, ipod devices, gps maps)would not match the return investment.

However if they were to open it up to an outside company to adapt and modernize the user interface they should have one dedicated company to do this, although I feel that they would charge an arm an a leg (ie NAV updates). It's a shame that's something I would really like to try to work on but I just feel like it would be several dead ends as the companies that make the components are not going to give up propriatary information that would allow you to modify it's function and operation. From the companies perspective I can understand that they would not want to have to produce new owners manuals and many of the owners/drivers wouldn't have any interest in this I think the company would find it hard to have a preferred company for this. They are very resistant to change even if it will only cost pennies per unit.

There are companies like KP technologies that offer some modification of electrical components but what we are talking about is on a completely different level. Sounds like fun!

Sorry for the extremely long reply, If you ever have any questions that go unanswered feel free to contact me and I can answer them via email or in your thread.

[lreinstein]

thanks steve,

i will try to figure out how to email you.

larry

[SteveTheTech]

My email is [email protected] you can also find my im and almost any user email by clicking their username in any post of a thread.