MkII Mobile Device Interface (MDI)... IPods basically!!

[fireftrm]

Skoda's own accessory site states that the text displays - on MaxiDot fitted vehicles

[shark_90]

I'm also a little skeptical about the track info. They've clearly stated it at some point on Dension's web site that the track info needs cd-text support from HU. Stream doesn't have it. The Dension 100 plugs into the cdchanger port behind the head unit so that requirement makes sense.

The only car where the track name listing works is Audi with MMI. (I've seen it work).

If you get the correct version of the Dension Gateway 100 (i.e. the CAN enabled version) then it integrates into the Maxidot via CAN-BUS which is how it displays the track names and offers a menu system etc.

See this video in a VW Golf YouTube - Dension GW15VC1 Gateway 100 CAN Volkswagen iPod Text

That video is demonstrating the GW15VC1 which has been superceded by GW16VC1 and connects into the CDC port and also the CAN wires at the back of the stereo.

Looking at the description this would be the correct one, which as a bonus seems to be £30 cheaper than elsewhere on the net: ?koda Accessories

HTH

[sms]

i just made a simple mp3 lead up from the back of the stereo into the glove box so when im not using the lead it tucks away in the glove box and i can use any mp3 player being ipod or a cheap £5 one from an unknown company. If you got your ipod in a mount you can see on there what track you on and then press to skip etc and cost me about £5-£10 ish to make and fit myself in about 30 mins.

[shark_90]

I have a Stream HU so unfortunately can't do something simple like that :(

[blackspaven]

Okay, just had an e-mail from Dension directly saying that the Audience does not support the Gateway 100 or 300 and that no Dension product currently exists that does.

So what the hell are Skoda UK on about??!!

[shark_90]

If your head unit doesn't have a CD Changer port then it's not possible to use any of the interfaces that emulate a CD Changer. You would have to change your head unit if you wanted to fit one of the adapters but in my opinion it would be worth it.

Having said that I haven't got hold of one yet so when I do I'll post it up for people to see.

[blackspaven]

Don't mean to be blunt, but that fact has been said by everyone who's tried fitting one so it's fairly common knowledge, on this website at least. I'd like to know why does SUK state that it works with the Audience h/u when it obviously doesn't?!

So annoying not to have something that works an iPod cos they didn't fit one socket!

[roo]

Don't mean to be blunt, but that fact has been said by everyone who's tried fitting one so it's fairly common knowledge, on this website at least. I'd like to know why does SUK state that it works with the Audience h/u when it obviously doesn't?!

So annoying not to have something that works an iPod cos they didn't fit one socket!

To be honest, it just looks like an error from the web designers end rather than Skoda UK.

With regards to sticking a Denison in an Audience, it was me Mannyo was talking about fitting one and not working. Me, my dealer and Skoda Technical services looked into it for about a week to decide if it was possible to do in any way when the ice-link was first made avaliable.

What it is, is that the Denison Ice-link replaces the CD changer in the Stream unit. As Audience equipped cars do not come with external cd changers (being no need), there is no wiring in place to allow for the socket to be turned on. There is the same problem with regards to the aux in connections on non-mp3 stream and earlier audience radios

If you have the aux in socket in the jumbo box, and can use it with the audience the easiest way would be to buy an iPod remote control and control it from that instead.

[shark_90]

Don't mean to be blunt, but that fact has been said by everyone who's tried fitting one so it's fairly common knowledge, on this website at least. I'd like to know why does SUK state that it works with the Audience h/u when it obviously doesn't?!

So annoying not to have something that works an iPod cos they didn't fit one socket!

I can appreciate that but as you asked again I guessed you must have missed it. Skoda have made a mistake about the compatibility, it's quite simple really.

Is the Audience the unit with the built in 6CD changer? I would fully expect that internally the changer connects to the same place that those pins would do, but it's cheaper to mass produce a quadlock connector board with all the pins on it, and that's why the pins are there.

I don't mean to be blunt either, but you appear to want blood over this and I can't understand why. It doesn't work, that's the end of it. If you want it to work, buy a different head unit and lose the internal CDC. Sorry but I can't see the major problem :confused:

[blackspaven]

The reason i'm so f*cked off about this, and if you re-read the thread you'll read it being said beforehand, is that all the dealers i've spoken to assure me categorically that this works with the Audience and that they've had the old inferior system which was superceded by the Dension about a month ago working fully with maxidot and fitted with relative ease, barring two wires in the wrong place upon installation in one dealers example.

If that's the case it means they're either lying or they're more intelligent than all the people on here who haven't managed to get it to work. It either has to be one or the other and it's f*cking annoying cos the guy I speak to at Skoda CZ is totally on the ball and always answers within a day, but because it's a Skoda UK affiliated product only, he's had to pass it on to the sh*te customer services here, who haven't got back to me with even a courtesy call in the last week despite my SCZ guy contacting them and me calling the person he contacted and leaving a message.

Now, if you can tell me if apparently very knowledgable people, like Mannyo, are either not installing stuff properly or that the dealers, plural, i've spoken to are lying out their a*se, then i'll be happy but I would like a definitive answer when two seperate groups are telling me completely different things.

Before anyone else reitterates, I completely, utterly and 100% understand the theory as to why it probably doesn't work because of the internal changer; I understood this before I started the thread, but my frustration, and the reason I want blood as you put it, is that Skoda are either telling porkies or are correct and it is possible, but nobody can be b*ggered to get back to me on the subject.

Let's put this to bed and i'll get back in touch when I either get SUK to withdraw it off their website or they give me the grail and tell me how you work a device on a apparently incompatable system. Reading the thread in it's entirity might have told you what the 'major problem' is.

[shark_90]

The reason i'm so f*cked off about this, and if you re-read the thread you'll read it being said beforehand, is that all the dealers i've spoken to assure me categorically that this works with the Audience and that they've had the old inferior system which was superceded by the Dension about a month ago working fully with maxidot and fitted with relative ease, barring two wires in the wrong place upon installation in one dealers example.

If that's the case it means they're either lying

I end your quote there because you've said all that matters.

Picture the scenario: You call the dealer and ask about an iPod link. They go onto the SUK Accessories site, the same one that we do, and quote verbatim what it says because they don't know any different.

And there is your answer. People on the forums have been pushing the boundaries for years and elsewhere I've been one of those people. Because of that, the forum collective generally know a hell of a lot more than dealers in general.

You seem to be a knowledgeable chap so it shouldn't be so incomprehensible that perhaps the dealers aren't telling the truth. I couldn't even trust one to order a wiper stalk with buttons on the end for me this week, despite having a 20 minute conversation about it and why I wanted it. On the whole, dealers are muppets when it comes to stuff like this. Simple.

[VRStu]

Call their bluff - Order it on the proviso if it don't work you don't pay.

[blackspaven]

Yeah, I agree that some dealers are complete plonkers and people on here are more hands-on so I know which side of the fence my trust to fall on. It's just that one of them said they'd actually fitted a few of the old systems which they had no problems with (I described it earlier on in the thread) so they said they have had definite success. If it wasn't for that, i'd take the automatic assumption that the haven't got a clue and are just reading what i've read on the SUK website.

Which leads me nicely on to VRStu's suggestion...

For all these probelms, I was thinking of ordering one from whichever my nearest dealer is and getting them to fit it, that way if there's any issue with it not working they can't turn round and say either, A) you bought the part (which can be gotten cheaper elsewhere than from a dealer) and it's faulty or you fitted it incorrectly, and then they consequently charge me a packet for either one!

If they did get it to work, i'd want the connection mounted in the top cubby hole so the only proviso is that they test it before they start drilling cable holes. Assuming that top pocket is all one piece of the dash, I don't really want them to have to fit a whole new dash cos they fitted something they later find out doesn't work!:eek:

If only the bloody woman at SUK would get back to me so I can have a quick check before I start this whole nightmare ball rolling!

[Rhoobarb]

Assuming that top pocket is all one piece of the dash, I don't really want them to have to fit a whole new dash cos they fitted something they later find out doesn't work!

I recently got the gateway 300 and fited it, and used the top cubby hole for the ipod without making any holes, etc. Basically I put it through the right hand rectangular hole for the arm of the hinge, poked it through, stuck my arm through to the right hand side of the stereo and fished the cable out to the back of the HU, no holes, and all nice and tidy. The cubby hole lid opens (maybe not all the way) but closes just fine.

The reason I chose the cubby hole is its easier to get to than the glove box, and I use the glove box, I dont use the cubby hole for anything anyway.

Can do pics if you like. But its not that hard to visualise

It would really depend on how big the adapter plug would be, the denison one is roughly the same diameter as a ps2 keyboard/mouse plug. And best of all no airbag warning light from using the glovebox.

And also, it was stated earlier in thread about limits of 6 cds and 99 tracks on a lot of the changer interfaces. This is true as it took me a long time to hunt one out that doesnt, the gateways dont, they go over the 99 limit, its just the display only that goes back to 1 (but your on track 100 if you get me), and you chosse a playlist using skip so you arent limited to that either. I have about 15 playlists on my ipod and hundreds of tracks in each, no problems yet.

[blackspaven]

I've gotten a reply from Škoda UK about the Densionj unit:

'Dear Mr Spaven, your query to the Škoda factory regarding the use of the Dension Gateway 100 ipod Interface, with the Audience headunit has been passed on to my colleagues in Škoda UK, Accessory Marketing department. They have in turn passed this to myself for reply.

Parts and Accessory Marketing have confirmed that there is a problem and they have removed the reference to Audience from the information. They have also confirmed that they will be having meetings with the manufacturer/supplier later this month and that they have been assured that an alternative is being worked on.

Please accept my apology for any inconvenience and concern you have been caused and thank you for drawing this matter to our attention. As soon as I have further information available I will pass it on to you.'

So there you have it boys and girls, Škoda have categorically said it doesn't work and they've taken the reference off the website, but hopefully something will be sorted soon (but don't hold your breath!).

[gadgetman]

Which is what was said on page 1

[darius]

Dension Gateway 100

I have an audience unit.

Before Xmas

- emailed dension - they said Dension will not work with audience for all reasons above

- phoned Skoda cust services who checked with technical department - they insisted it would work

Asked for a quote from specialist cars Aberdeen and gave the all the info on will it / will it not work including cust services contacts (wrote on a printout of the website entry that said it would work and kept a copy). Stated i'm not paying if it doesnt work - mispreprestation and all that.

In order to quote they ordered one of the units to look at it then decided they needed to try to fit it to see if it would work. Said they would charge £50 + vat if didnt work for their fitting and testing time.

Car was booked in for this Monday - have phoned them to cancel based on info above and updated Skoda website.

Well annoyed at Skoda cust services - looks like the Zenec MC-5600 is the only option for me now. Should be in country in Feb.

[blackspaven]

From the offset I didn't think it would either, but remember nobody likes a smartarse gadgetman.

[blackspaven]

Just looked up that Zenec stereo. It looks SWEEEET!!

[Brimma]

Just looked up that Zenec stereo. It looks SWEEEET!!

Have seen the new Zenec coming out sometime this year and, yes, it does look nice

Zenec - Touch another World : ZE-NC5602 für SKODA Octavia II

Only problem is that because it's a non-standard Skoda/VW unit I presume extra harness leads etc will be required, which means fitting will be more awkward, and you'll have to find space for all the cables to fit.

I've gone down the other route of getting a Columbus unit off ebay from a recognised seller in Lithuania to avoid any potential wiring issues.

[blackspaven]

Nope, spoke to a Zenec dealer in Edinburgh this afternoon and the VW equivalent with blue buttons/backscreen, the MC-2000, has connectors set to be a straight swap with the original wiring. Plug and go!

They guess it'll be about the same price as the 2000: approximately £600 for non-satnav, £800 with. They said that it seems quite good, but the sound quality doesn't seem as good as some of the competitors; Pioneer, Alpine, etc.

I looked up both their equivalent units and both Pioneer and Alpine do similar priced products, but they don't have the green button/backscreen colour and it seems you have to get quite pricey add on units to get satnav: in the Pioneer case, the bluetooth doesn't seem to work without getting the satnav unit!

And they DO need extra cable connectors as well!

[Brimma]

That could make it an interesting proposition then. I'll report back with my views on the Columbus when it arrives.

[blackspaven]

Personally, I think the Zenec might seem better, at least pricewise, cos it's iPod ready and doesn't need the extra Dension unit. However, I have no idea what sound quality is like on either unit. Again, unlike the Zenec, I'm guessing the Columbus isn't Bluetooth ready either, unless the Skoda bluetooth kit is unnecessary if you have the Columbus unit?

Anyone want to confirm or deny that cos I really don't know?

[Oli]

No BT in the Columbus, you would need the VAG kit.

[sms]

i would be interested as it will looking at it slot straight in and has all the extras to a stream.