Hi fellow Briskodians,

While new at posting I have checked this forum for quite some time now. We have ordered our VRS TDI estate on Saturday and I have a question that I'm hoping some of you can answer (for which I have also already searched this forum without luck):

 

In Luxembourg (and I realise that the same is not the case in the UK) there are 2 options for extra ports/connectors on the bolero instead of the standard AUX and USB in located under the unit.

1) Mitsumi - Apple connectivity

2) MDI (Mobile device interface)

 

both are absolutely free in Luxembourg, while the Mitsumi option is about 80 or 100 quid in the UK

 

I was under the impression that the MDI is this weird rectangular multi-pin connector that I already have on my Scirocco and for which you need a new special adapter cable for every sort of device you like to connect. While the Mitsumi part sounded like a simple software integration thing for APPLE.

My dealer had to add the Mitsumi option as the system returned an error without. Keeping in mind that I have no APPLE devices (anymore and won't get any) and that I really want the USB connector on the Bolero, I phoned the dealer again after seeing in the UK brochure that the Mitsumi and the MDI plug seem to be the same (the brochure doesn't mention "MDI", just shows a picture of the port and mentions that if you like to conenct APPLE devices to get the Mitsumi option.) I was told that for about 3 months now the mitsumi connector is a standard USB port but with added capabilities and that the MDI port is the one I don't want, since it replaces the USB and Aux ports. Though he said he would check with SKODA to make sure.

 

So very long story short. Do any of you know what the difference between the two, or can confirm that the new models keep the USB port whit the Mitsumi option.

Cheers

PS and why the h... are there so many differences between the different markets. This bugs me every time, you'd think that to be human and having to drive on the same sort of roads we would need and get the same options? Just makes comparing options with fellow buyers that more difficult.

I'm pretty sure MDI and Mitsumi are the same thing. Guessing Mitsumi is just the brand name for the MDI interface Skida use.

They are the same, it used to be called MDI but even then it had Mitsumi branding on it.

cheers guys,

 

simply googling mitsumi and mdi (sometimes called AMI) actually brings up the same thing. What are the chances that Skoda wold fit two similar systems with the same functionality? so Neil I think you are correct with regards to branding. Otherwise it wouldn't really make sense. And it wouldn't be the only error in the Luxembourg brochure. The Irish brochure from 2013 made a distinction between the two systems, but the 2014 doesn't.

On the other hand I don't get why my dealer should get a system error when not selecting "mitsumi". I mean their packages are weirdly restricted (e.g. can't get the challenge pack when selecting grey stitching on the seats) but this seems equally daft.

Oh well, thanks for confirming my fears. I'll see what the dealer says and I'll bug him to get the thing off the list, since I really don't want to spend 50€ (that's what VW charged for the cable) to have a cable hanging around when I can just plug the USB stick where it's supposed to go.

Not sure if anyone's interested in this, since the options differ from country to country but here's the followup after my dealer spoke to Skoda. This is all very confusing tbh.

 

The Columbus and the new Swing have the mitsumi option via the USB port (presumably as stanard in all territories). When chosing mitsumi on the Bolero and Amundsen they will be fitted with the multipin connector, since the units are still of the older generation and can't do that via USB. So the dealer has changed the order to the MDI which should gve me the USB port. I'm thinking that when selecting the Bolero and Amundsen in Luxembourg you need to choose either the mitsumi or MDI (so that SKODA know what connector you want). In the UK it's USB by default. No such choice is needed for the Columbus since it does mitsumi "out of the box" (see Andys post in this discussion http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/332741-new-here-have-just-ordered-skoda-octavia-combi-with-all-extras/?p=4000780 ) and in the configurator on the skoda UK site the mitsumi option (here called AMI) is only available when selecting Bolero or Amundsen and greyed out for the Columbus.

 

The fact that when I googly MDI skoda I see the multipin connector doesn't really fill me with confidence, but I guess we'll know for sure in a few months when I get the car...if they don't change the Bolero unti by then :-D

Edited 30 October, 201411 yr by TomLux

A little followup now that I have the car. I doubt many people are interested or concerned but for completeness sake here's the solution:
I got the car (build week 4/15) with Bolero and MDI option and it has the USB port and AUX in. So presumably the Mitsumi option comes with the rectangular shaped connector.

I assume this only applies to the Bolero until week 22 when the newer version comes out, I'm sure everything will be different again, but for now this is how it is.
 

So you just have the standard USB port on your bolero? Does that control iPhone through USB? (like you would have in a mjtsumi) I know you mentioned you don't have but wonder what the difference between "mdi" and no man is.

I have the USB and aux ports on the main unit under the display. I honestly don't know if it controls an iphone, I have none. From what I've read I doubt it.