Moonroof/Bose Audio Option

[joevac10]

I have a question to those who added the moonroof/Bose Audio option. Does that play MP3s?

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[G-Papi]

The Bose Moonroof option plays MP3's without the technology package as well.

[THOUGHT OUT]

Appearantly, the MP3 configuration of the BOSE 6 CD changer is a hit or miss option! I obviously missed(pissed). If you notice the top left coner of the radio (headunit) displays "6 CD Changer" or "6 CD Changer and MP3" if you are lucky. There does not show in writing anywhere on literature that this provided, so I really can go back to the dealer, unless some else can show this to me written differently?

I guess now it will be an even a longer wait for that "limited functionality" ipod connector for $210!

We need someone to do a Electro/Mechanical hack. I can get the mechanical portion done. It should be simple, press the "MEDIA" button and that activates the line in. It should only be two wires that need to plugged into where the "MAZDA iPod connector" plugs into?! Then use the great iPod functionality not some silly "limited" MAZDA functionality. Oh and of course use a FlexPED (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thoughtoutbiz/sets/72157594190850443/)too. Installation pictures soon in my CX-7.

[CX7_Scott]

NOT having iPod connectivity has forced me to listen to more radio these past couple of weeks. God, I hate it more than ever. I just cannot listen to it anymore.

To reiterate what I've said numerous times here... I really, really, REALLY hope someone comes-up with a direct connect solution soon.

-scott

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[CX7_Scott]

I loaded it up with 6CDs in the hopes that I could use it as a means of commute distraction... but over the years, I've grown *very* accustomed to randomly jumping through my music. The 6-Disc changer does not allow for that - and even if it did - the inordinate amount of time it takes to switch CDs would drive me bonkers.

I know - you're right... the world hasn't stopped turning and life does go-on... but I am a musician and use my iPod/iTunes to manage songs we're going to be performing for upcoming shows, etc.

It's VERY easy for me to mix & create playlists in iTunes for upcoming gigs and listen in the car - It's just not the same having to burn (waste) CD-R media each time I make a change... which is sometimes 2x a day... then remember to bring the disc to my car... eject one of the others, and find a place to store it until I go back home and still not be able to be flexible or have options.

I think I've grown too-used to how I live around my iPod... it really *has* changed (for the better) how I organize and listen-to my music... but has also influenced other aspects of my daily life.

I didn't drink-the-cool-aide, nor am I some "Apple™ lover"... I just truly have found the damn, little player to make my life so much easier.

So... worry not...!

It's funny you mentioned it, because I *did* burn another .MP3 CD for tonight's gig... again... not the *same*... but it is a workaround.

Peace...
- scott

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[TheMAN]

mazda will be releasing an ipod docking accessory soon... no price or availability yet, but the part number is C236-69-CFZ

[CX7_Scott]

Very disapointed in the CD/MP3-CD player functionality.

I burned an .MP3 CD this weekend to give it a whirl. Not very pleased with the results:

- As others have pointed-out; You cannot advance to a different track on "Random". You need to basically disable then re-enable "Random" and it will grab a new song.

- It truly *is* random (not a good thing) because it FORGETS that it has already played a track and will continue to go back to it. This disc had about 70-80 songs on it, but out of the 20-30 times I used the "disable/reenable Random" trick... 6 or 7 times... it kept going to the SAME SONG. It seemed to favor one particular track... it happened to be #53 in the list of roughly 70+ tunes.

- Doesn't track well. I use high-quality media that I buy from a duplication company near me and I burn at either 2x or 4x... never at higher speeds. There were 3 or 4 instances where it seemed to jump back & forth between two adjacent songs... as if you were using an A/B switch for your audio source. It was kinda odd. It never lasted long, but happened a few times.

Again - I don't want to sound like I am bashing Mazda or whomever makes the head-unit... but I just feel that NONE of this technology and sense of usability is new. This stuff's been around a while and I feel like this unit is an early "beta" of new technology - when it really isn't.

For now... I guess I'll just keep using the radio - OH! By the way...

Why would I want to only scan preset stations from the steering wheel...? I want to be able to have it seek-out any station across the dial - but cannot find how to do it without manually notching-up one-tenth of a frequency at a time. Am I missing something?

Trust me, I'm no ludite... and I deal with user interfaces a LOT in my line of work... but this one is just killing me.

Oh well... I still love the car. :)

- Scott

[CX7_Scott]

mazda will be releasing an ipod docking accessory soon... no price or availability yet, but the part number is C236-69-CFZ

Any link to authenticate or validate this...? :) I'd love to do more research and find-out if this has the same limitation that excludes Nav/Audio owners from the current Mazda/Ford solution.

Thanks.

- Scott

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[CX7_Scott]

Oh - to be clear... I *am* enjoying the car... I LOVE it. But you're right, I do really want/need a different audio solution. Truthfully, I don't even CARE if I see a display of the songs from the iPod... as long as I can hear it and jump ahead & back while in shuffle, I'd be happy.

<--- done bitching about it. I promise! ;)
(maybe) Heheh...

-scott

[mixmasterlove]

Any SOLID proof that it WON'T work with the Tech Package ???

[CX7_Scott]

Yes - in Mazda's own Press Release about the connectivity kit, they have a disclaimer at the bottom that states vehicles with the Nav/Audio unit are not supported.

I don't have the link handy that was posted here - but it was fairly clear the the specific part they were announcing would not work - I do NOT know if that means they won't have a "different" solution for the Nav/Audio units. I am in-the-dark about that stuff. :)

-scott

[CX7_Scott]

Found it:

Press Release (http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/200608/0804b.html)

Look at point #2 on the bottom.

[mixmasterlove]

I saw this, before.... I guess all we can do is wait to find out for SURE or wait for after market.

[mixmasterlove]

I spoke to someone I know in MAZDA CORPORATE today and was told that they are in the middle of figuring out how to make the ipod adapter for the navigation...it will be out soon.

[CX7_Scott]

If there is *any* shred of truth to what you claim or what they claim... I am a happy man. Thanks for sharing.

[mixmasterlove]

I GUARANTEE the truth....straight from the inside of Mazda

[CX7_Scott]

I just called Mazda customer service (corporate) but got conflicting info. I'm willing to bet that the CS-Rep on the phone with me may not be as up-to-speed with what's going on as others in the company, but he had me on-hold for about 10-min. while he looked-into it.

When he got back, he affirmed that the current offering will not work and that they (Mazda) are looking into a solution for us Tech-Package owners, but there's no timeframe or even a guarantee that there ever will be a solution that works.

Again... he may not be getting accurate information... so I don't know. I'm hoping *your* source is more reliable. It truly may be that the stereo itself will not ever be able to support it and we may need to get a swap-out for a "newer" head-unit (at a cost?)... who knows?

Anyhow... still hoping for the best! :)

Thanks!

[Antonio DiMarco]

I just called Mazda customer service (corporate) but got conflicting info. I'm willing to bet that the CS-Rep on the phone with me may not be as up-to-speed with what's going on as others in the company, but he had me on-hold for about 10-min. while he looked-into it.

When he got back, he affirmed that the current offering will not work and that they (Mazda) are looking into a solution for us Tech-Package owners, but there's no timeframe or even a guarantee that there ever will be a solution that works.

Again... he may not be getting accurate information... so I don't know. I'm hoping *your* source is more reliable. It truly may be that the stereo itself will not ever be able to support it and we may need to get a swap-out for a "newer" head-unit (at a cost?)... who knows?

Anyhow... still hoping for the best! :)

Thanks!

Yeah CS can't promise anything, becasue they're are typically the last to know :)

They're all about supporting what's already available.

[egartin]

Mine has the Tech Package with Moonroof. It will not play an mp3 cd. Should it? I did notice on the left of the cd opening it says 6 cd changer. I think I saw in the manual that some say mp3.

[CX7_Scott]

some do - mine does.

[G-Papi]

Mine will play the file if it's in a music format.

[RaiderMP5]

^^yes, it will play mp3s, ours does. not sure the high tech way of instruction, but when you go to make the CD, choose to make a music CD.

[G-Papi]

That's what I was trying to say. The capacity of the CD is lower that way, but it will play.

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[RaiderMP5]

yup, just need to make sure it is mp3, and they work.

[wongster]

mine works plaing mp3s.. i just choose make data disk on nero.. and dragged all my mp3 on the cd, and it plays fine for me...

[G-Papi]

mine works plaing mp3s.. i just choose make data disk on nero.. and dragged all my mp3 on the cd, and it plays fine for me...
I can't get mine to work from tha data format. What program do you use?

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[swank_x]

Why not just make a regular audio CD if the mp3 player is giving you problems?

1) Its really easy with iTunes (and prob. with Nero and others)
2) If your source materials are mp3s then they are already compressed and you shouldn't have a capacity problem...

if you ripped a CD to a WAV and then immediately burned an audio CD, you'd have a problem because you've basically left the audio file at full resolution (which usually sounds best, unless you make really high rez mp3s). If you have mp3s, they are already compressed and cannot be uncompressed and are a smaller filesize...so making them into an audio cd shouldn't be a problem...

Once an audio track is compressed to mp3, it can't ever return to its full size and resolution (caveat: although I imagine someone could figure out a way to tinker with it to make it big again, it can't ever SOUND like the original source material again...)

[swank_x]

Okay, so I guess although I'm correct about compression and all that, i'm not correct about making audio CD's; apparently that process adds a bunch of data that makes the files large again. Not sure what that data is, but it makes the files larger than mp3s...sorry for spreading misinformation!

[Thom_y]

Calling mixmasterlove ?

I am fed up of not having my iPod in my CX-7. Have you heard anything more for those of us who rushed to get the factory installed NAV option. The sound of my iTrip sucks. I want a hard wire solution ??

[CX7_Scott]

Agreed - I bought a stop-gap solution... the DLO TransPod FM transmitter.

Although "technically" it does work, it sounds horrible. Along my commute, I need to change stations at least 4 times and I don't know what to change it to - I don't have time to pull-over the vehicle and "scan" for dead frequencies... only to have them filled-up again in another 8 miles.

I really am hoping for a hard-wirde solution soon. Even if I still only control the iPod from itself.

[Tequila Cat]

If you're so hooked on the iPod, unscrew the antenna then use your FM transmitter to heart's content. I found this worked really well for me when the Sirius debacle was underway and I was using an aftermarket Sirius radio.

[THOUGHT OUT]

If you're so hooked on the iPod, unscrew the antenna then use your FM transmitter to heart's content. I found this worked really well for me when the Sirius debacle was underway and I was using an aftermarket Sirius radio.

Or go with a WIRED FM Transmitter.....I think I am after this (http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123649453)

[THOUGHT OUT]

Every needs to go to this link (http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2767718#post2767718)for the answer to this issue.

Sorry it does not work the navigation system.