Hi Guys,

I initially posted this in the ICE section, however I have yet to receive a reply so I'm posting here in the hope that someone can help:

I want to remove the factory fitted DX Unit from my 2005 Skoda Superb 2.5tdi Edition 100 and replace it with a more up to date one that will allow me to stream music from my iPhone over bluetooth as well as having integrated Parrot handsfree. I have been looking at the Alpine CDE-W235BT and this would appear to tick the boxes of what I'm after BUT;

I have been told that because the amplifier for the speakers is in the boot of the car & communicates with the DX Unit there are no wires at the head unit end (I'm sorry if that doesn't sound very tecky) and therefore I would need some sort of lead to facilitate the connection between the two units?

I do not know what this lead would be called & any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

I am aware (from reading posts within the forum) that others have upgraded their single din Symphony Units to double din units, however I'm struggling to find anyone that has done a similar job to what I am planning.

I appreciate that I will lose the Sat Nav on my DX but I have Navigon on my iPhone for when I need it & I understand that I wil lose the top half of the MAXIDOT, but according to the info for the Alpine Unit I will still be able to retain controlling the volume via the steering wheel? Again, any thoughts or experience would be greatly appreciated.

I know this post is a bit longwinded but I am completely devout of information & really need your help.

Kind Regards,

Scooby

AFAIK you can take the dx out and simply replace with the alpine. You will loose the maxidot radio display inbetween the speedo and rev counter and the use of the steering wheel controls. No one has found a way to make the steering controls work with aftermarket kit I'm afraid.

Many people have done this I think.

Edited 14 December, 201213 yr by chris_1d

Is this really the case if you have the DSP kit in the boot? I was under the impression the speakers are connected to the DSP (which is actually a DSP / amp combined), so unless the DSP knows how to deal with an aftermarket headunit I can't see it working... Usually in cars with DSP you need a special loom to get the speaker connections back to behind the head unit. But I could be wrong...

If your changing becasue you a music lover, have you considered changing the 6 cd unit for a phatnoise box? The system works better if you have a computer with windows XP still though (Although it does work with some windows 7 pc).

A standard parrot kit with VW connection leads is also really simple to fix to the DX unit too.

Hi guys & thanks for the replies;

I know I will lose the maxidot from the display (well at least the small top section if I've read previous posts correctly) but I'm more interested in updating the stereo as I plan on keeping the car for a few years more. The sound system in the car is a good system, I just want to know how difficult a job it's gonna be before I commit money to it!

I hadn't really seen the Phatnoise box that you mention Nackuk, however doing a search online it would appear that the product has been discontinued and there aren't any coming up on eBay as far as I can see :-(

I have looked at the feasibility of a wiring harness that connects the new head unit to the OEM system in the car & also another loom that allows control of the steering wheel functions, but having removed the head unit for a sneak at the connections on the back of the DX unit, it would appear that space is of a premium & I may struggle to get it back in correctly.

As is usually the case, I have now had my head turned by the Alpine touchscreen IVE - W530bt which includes DVD, Bluetooth handsfree, USB input yadda yadda yadda.... at £300.

I plan on taking the car to an audio specialist tomorrow to let them have a look & see what they can suggest, I will keep you posted...

In the meantime, any other suggestions (polite ones) :-) would be appreciated

Thanks,

Scooby

Sorry chaps,

Forgot to mention that the harness I am looking at is:

http://www.warringtoncaraudio.co.uk/ct51-au01-active-system-adapter-1269-p.asp

Thanks,

Scooby

I managed to find a Phatnoise unit through the forums. Dead easy to fit. The Phathack media manager for loading music is great. The developer is always on the end of an email and is uber helpful - adding functionality as and when requested. My phatnoise has a 20gb drive and is nowhere near full..... keep searching if I were you. A useful alternative is a CD emulator that plugs into the changer plug socket. I bought this before my phatnoise. It's a wire that plugs in the back of the DX unit and has phono connectors. I then bought a phono to 3.5mm jack adapter and put a connector in my glovebox. Just run a lead from your phone/iPod to the jack and you have your music on demand. Damn sight cheaper than a new head unit and you retain navigation, steering wheel controls and maxidot.....

Here you go....

http://cdchangeremulator.com/skoda-audio-aux-input/cat_6.html

Not a Bluetooth streamer, but good nonetheless, and cheaper! Getting the headunit back in is a royal pita......

What about an aftermarket bluetooth kit?

I was thinking of changing my headunit as wanted more media options.

Bought myself an ioPlay bluetooth kit of ebay for about £35 and it works a treat. It just "piggybacks" the existing wiring harness and then mutes the radio etc itself if you play any music or receive a call.

Phil

This one did not sell 2 days ago if you want to give the chap a poke. Note though this is top price I would pay. You would also need to check with them the correct lead is there - a rectangular one to connect to the existing lead already in the car for the CD palyer. (The audi one is a round plug).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-Volkswagon-PhatNoise-20gb-Digital-Car-Audio-System-/170955927536?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&nma=true&si=nCj%2FDM3f%2BkxELOrUWO3wIqyPHsQ%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

Here you go....

http://cdchangeremul...nput/cat_6.html

Not a Bluetooth streamer, but good nonetheless, and cheaper! Getting the headunit back in is a royal pita......

Hi Stunts,

Is there a spare port on the back of the DX unit or would I have to sacrifice the multichanger to plug it in?

Thanks,

Dez

Well Guys, the headache continues....

I went to see an audio specialist today & he reckons that the connector into the back of my DX head unit will be quadlock, although he didn't actually examine it. I would be intrigued to know if any other Edition 100 owners have actually checked theirs (and obviously know what a quadlock connection looks like).

I was hoping for a definitive answer to my issue, but I now feel that I am actually going back over!

In retrospect I think that fitting the Parrot MKi 9200 is still my best option (as it can be removed & reinstalled into another vehicle when I eventually sell the Skoda) but I am concerned regarding the posts about the problems with installation due to the fact that my car has a factory fitted 'active' amplifier in the boot & I can't seem to find any links to a company that sells the correct wiring harness to incorporate this. It would appear that most people have had problems with the Parrot only playing music through the front 2 speakers & I obviously want it through all of them.

Thanks for the posts Guys BTW I'm very grateful,

Regards,

Scooby

I think you might well have that problem if you try to use a parrot for music. I had one in my previous car and it was OK but a little prone to crashing and the built in amp is nothing special. No front / back fading as it is just a stereo amp (which you would need to hook up between the DSP and the speakers you want to output to). Or you could use the line out of the Parrot to the telephone in on the DX, but I think that might only be routed to the fronts.

I've had 3 built-in bluetooth aftermarket kits (a Pioneer head unit, a Parrot MKi9000 and a TH Bury Crystal) in previous cars, all have been a bit disappointing (bluetooth compatibility issues you're stuck until manufacturer pulls their finger out, average sound quality, etc). I have a Plantronics basic BT earpiece (£20) and the people I speak to the most often - who had been used to the other kits - all say the sound quality from the earpiece is far better. I use Cyberon Voice Controller app on my Android phone to give me voice dialing from pressing the little button on the earpiece. For my money I now wouldn't bother incurring much cost / effort on a car that didn't have BT fitted, and I'm the kind of guy who loves a project...

Well Guys, the headache continues....

I went to see an audio specialist today & he reckons that the connector into the back of my DX head unit will be quadlock, although he didn't actually examine it. I would be intrigued to know if any other Edition 100 owners have actually checked theirs (and obviously know what a quadlock connection looks like).

I was hoping for a definitive answer to my issue, but I now feel that I am actually going back over!

In retrospect I think that fitting the Parrot MKi 9200 is still my best option (as it can be removed & reinstalled into another vehicle when I eventually sell the Skoda) but I am concerned regarding the posts about the problems with installation due to the fact that my car has a factory fitted 'active' amplifier in the boot & I can't seem to find any links to a company that sells the correct wiring harness to incorporate this. It would appear that most people have had problems with the Parrot only playing music through the front 2 speakers & I obviously want it through all of them.

Thanks for the posts Guys BTW I'm very grateful,

Regards,

Scooby

Some really boring photos of the DX unit

Before the parott was attached.

DX unit in the superb does not have Quadlock, its standard ISO. Quadlock did not make a presence until the Octavia MK2 and the Stream headunit.

Some really boring photos of the DX unit

Before the parott was attached.

Cool pics, does it switch to reversing cam automatically on selecting reverse, or do you have to use the input selector menu?

Yes the DX unit switches to the reversing camera when in reverse. It has to be wired as per the diagram shown to do it though.

So even if you are listening to a CD from the changer it will switch to rear view automatically? That is very cool.

Yes it does. And very useful for parking it is too.

I gotta get me one of those then!

Lads,

Just came across this item on a facebook page, i`ve seen a few queries about replacing the DX unit on a superb. So i thought this might be useful to someone, it is written in Chzech (i think) so ive translated it with google it reads as follows:

TRANSPORT ZDARMANAINSTALUJEMENOVINKA

Navigation AUDIOSOURCES AS-8601 Edition 3G, DVB-T

Your price:

13 CZK 990.00

(11 658.33 CZK without VAT 20%)

Code:

131026

Delivery time:

14 days

Availability:

On request

Warranty:

24 months

Short description:

Navigation unit for SKODA cars with 6.5 "LED display. Plays music and movies from a CD / DVD / USB / SD card reader, supports media up to 64 gigabytes, an amplifier 4x60 Watts, Windows Mobile 6.0, with a choice of navigation software, support steering wheel control, 3G Internet connection, replacement for older navigation Skoda MFD / DX

For more information:

The latest version of DVD radio with GPS and DVB-T for SKODA OCTAVIA I, FABIA SUPERB I. and I. The system offers a 6.5 "touch screen and high-quality resolution of 800x480 pixels. Valid substitutes for older types of navigation SKODA DX / MFD, offers However, a plethora of other functions, including movie playback from DVD, USB and SD Card up to 64 GB, 4x60 watt power amplifier, GPS navigation support various types of maps in the Czech language. course, with the support bluetooth handsfree phonebook. device is equipped with a CAN-Bus adapter that ensures communication newer cars with steering wheel and smooth on the radio by inserting the key. radio is possible to add a reversing camera or other monitors.

3G version edition offers innovative and easier menu full of new features. The big advantage is the ability to connect the radio directly to the Internet via a USB modem. From your car so you can access your favorite websites, social networks or email. All this on a large touch screen, on which you can freely upo?ádat icons as needed. In addition, this edition contains a faster dual-core ARM11 processor with a frequency of 1 GHz for a fast and bezroblémový the entire system.

Technical parameters:

full touch 6.5 "LED resistive screen - SHARP

high-resolution screen HD 800 x 480 (16 million colors)

upgraded firmware and hardware with a wide range of settings

Dual DualCore 1Ghz ARM11 processor with enhanced support for MPEG-4 and digitáních processes

Amplifier Power 4 x 60 Watt

Built-in FM / AM tuner with RDS support

DVD / CD Drive Samsung (electronic and mechanical anti-shock system)

Format Support DVD / VCD / CD / MP 3/MPEG4/DIVX/CD-R/WMA/JPEG ASF / AVI / WMV / DIVX, MP3/PCM/WMA

2x rear USB input, 2x SDHC card slot, support for media up to 64 GB

DVB-T digital tuner - control via touch screen devices, including 2 active antennas at speeds of 250 km / h

support for connecting an iPod, iPhone or iPad

built-in GPS SIRF IV

Windows Mobile 6

supporting maps iGO 8, iGO Primo, Sygic, Dynavix, Route66, NDrive, Road, Destinator and other

function PIP (Picture In Picture) allows tracking of multiple sources at the same time - such as navigation with TV in a single image

DUAL ZONE - can listen music or radio while navigation is on

VIEW ZONE function - in any mode, you can watch video from DVD, CD, SD, Flash headrests or overhead monitor

Bluetooth handsfree with memory recent calls (dialed, missed, received)

phonebook synchronization and support for caller name display

Integrated microphone for handsfree bluetooth

connection parking camera - automatically activated when reverse gear is engaged with the option to install relays, which leaves back a few seconds after the image of reverse gear - suitable to maneuver forward and backward

automatic intensity of the backlight in daylight závilosti

quick brightness control using the DIMM in 3 modes

Backlight option and logos Model car (green / red, Skoda / Seat / VW)

support factory steering wheel

suitable replacement for the older original navigation Skoda MFD / DX or Škoda Symphony radio, etc.

Designed for cars:

SKODA Fabia I.

SKODA Octavia I.

SKODA Superb I.

After changing the logo and the backlight menu suitable for these cars VW / SEAT:

SEAT Ibiza

SEAT Cordoba

SEAT Alhambra

VW Bora

VW Golf IV

VW Lupo (-> 04)

VW Passat (-> 04)

VW Polo 9N (01 ->)

VW Sharan

Description provided navigation:

-The latest version of iGO Primo navigation program

-Fast and intuitive system

-Navigation Guidance and entering descriptive figures including newly CR

-Very fast route calculation (contains the data to the calculations of routes)

Dis-

zuje 3D terrain, in the centers of large cities also buildings and monuments

-Navigation with shifting lane, the thumbnail shows 3D junctions and motorway signboards

-Information about the speed and safety camera locations with traffic controls

-Option to display a warning in the form of road signs and acoustic signals (right of way, the danger of skidding, road narrowing, zigzag, crosswalk, etc.)

Newly-TTS function in the Czech and Slovak language, which has actually pronounced street names, route description or traffic restrictions

-Provides detailed coverage of the whole of Europe - 44 countries (maps second quarter 2012)

-Calculate the route according to criteria - fast, short, ecological, with views, easy

-On the basis of price and the average consumption is calculated on the price of the entire route

Comes with:

The navigation device AUDIOSOURCES AS-8601 3G Edition

4 GB SD card with maps

External GPS Antenna

Cable reduction

Czech / English instructions

The tax certificate with the name of the buyer

Install:

The device is available in our fim? have professionally installed, including a complete set navigation program and bluetooth.

The exact price and date of installation you want to ask something, if you inform us about the type and year of the vehicle.

Product Rating:

Navigation ZDARMANAINSTALUJEMENOVINKA RIGHT AS-8601 AUDIOSOURCES Edition 3 g, DVB-T Your price: 990,00 Eur 13 (11 $ 658.33 without VAT 20%)

a simple google of "facebook edition 100" should take you to the page and its down a bit.

its not really my thing, but may be useful to somebody else. In fact from a bit more research it seems that its a chinese make

Link to the chinese site

http://www.audiosour...42&sid=42&id=49

i have no connection with it, or have not spojkken to anybody who has installed one, so can verify if iot works or not!

Somebody on here may know better!Just make sure its a legit site/product!

That chinese unit looks pretty funky, found a thread about them on the TDI forum, looks like they've been a round for a while in various versions:

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=307768

Sadly with those Chinese units you usually get what you pay for, some have tried on here and got burned. They usually sound worse than the factory system and are full of software bugs.

If you have the upgraded sound system then the you are usually stuck with the DX navigation system. If you want to upgrade it then get a car that has a standard sound system.

Whilst it's not impossible to upgrade it, you'll need to rewire all the speakers, put crossovers in and effectively bypass the whole system since only OEM headunits can fully control it.

Did the same with my Audi, which has an upgraded Bose sound system. I replaced the factory radio/cd/cassette unit with ironically the Audi equivalent of the Superb DX Navigation system. The system is no that bad, and you can get 2012-2013 maps for it as well. I still have the use of the excellent Bose audio, rather than ripping it all out.

Seriously, no-one has been able to get steering wheel controls working on after market????? I've spoken to a few wiring distributers and they seem reasonably confident that there is one of a possible three options. I however am a little stuck because my 2008 Superb I does not appear to be one of the cars supported by these harnesses.

If anyone knows of a harness that will allow steering wheel controls on an after market late model superb, please let me know