theblacklegend

Hi Guys,

I am a frequent pandora user, recently they came out with an update for the blackberry storm that allows you "enable" blue tooth to stream music to devices that have bluetooth. i was wondering if there is anyway to connect this with the bluetooth we have in our cars now? I tried turning it on pressing the HF button and said "trasfer" but it just said that there was no call in place. If anyone knows of a way to connect this that would be awesome! i wouldnt have to spend $140 buying that usaspec unit.

psheu

the bluetooth on RL is only available as hands free.... in order to stream music via bluetooth, you'll need some kind of Advance Audio Distribution Profile or (A2DP) and Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) capability on your bluetooth device..... back in '04 these gagets aren't as popular so the RL doesn't have this capability.....

if you install the afternarket HU or other aftermarket audio stuff, you might be able to stream music in RL via Bluetooth.....

rob-2

I'm interested in this to. Seem to be coming up short with solutions on how to make this possible.

Could we not just update the firmware on the bluetooth? Or is it a hardware limitation?

psheu

it's hardware limitation.... the bluetooth module that came with RL is HFL module (for cell phone and other related phone function)..... bluetooth, in a more understandable general term is the 'invisible wire'.... you need to have a sending/receiving unit to use this 'invisible wire' to connect to your phone or whatever device you want to stream your file..... unless you add an additional module that'll integrate with RL's HU, the HFL module is not gonna do your stream music bidding for ya

Chas2

Only the 09 MMC version can play music via BT.

psheu

the 09 RL can do that wow.... that's another thing i missed..... hmmmmm..... interesting...... did they add an external module for the HU (head unit)? or is it build into the HU? if it's build in, we'll need to wait for some unfortunate 09 RL to donate their audio..... if it's an external module, maybe we can get it to integrate into the 05-08 RL..... I wonder if it'll interfere with the HFL function..... right now, i'm already messing with adding the USB to the 05-08 RL HU.....

TampaRLX-SH

The 09 RL has a newer BT component to allow audio and also cell phonebook transfer. I am uncertain if there are also changes to the MID, Head Unit or the NAVI drive to accommodate the additional functionality.

I did ask my Acura Tech (very tech savvy) if the 09 BT could be plug and play in earlier versions of the RL. He said no. But I am waiting to see if someone tries!

Chas2

See Page 266 of the 09 manual...seems like a cool feature

Your vehicle is equipped with a
Bluetooth audio system, which
allows you to listen streaming audio
from your Bluetooth audio
compatible phone. This function is
only available on Bluetooth Audio
Compatible phones that are paired
and linked to the vehicle’s
Bluetooth HandsFreeLink (HFL)
system

Mr. Incredible

the 2009 TL and RL can do this, a dealer demo'd it for me with my Storm on the test drives..

it was very cool, I could control the player on the Storm with the steering wheel buttons..


however after about 3 songs my Storms battery was more than 50% dead..

so....

I'll stick with my Ipoop.. er I mean ipod

TampaRLX-SH

Indeed BT is a major power drain, particularly on complex smartphones.

When I tether my Moto Q9h with my netbook, the surfing time is limited to 30mins or less (depending on the starting charge level of the Q).

But using the power port in the car will address this issue. At least it is one less cable to deal with.

psheu

hmmm.... I guess it's a new HFL module.... if I can find a spare one from 09, I'd like to try to see if we can integrate that into the pre-09 RL

sirfergy

Any luck?

db22

I have it in my MDX and the technology is great but the audio quality sucks. If you like CD's then MP3 is worse. Bluetooth MP3's takes it down a notch further. Every now and again you should play a DVDA just to prove how low your normal listening sources sound.

thephantom

I've been listening to my Beatles Love DVD-A and I can't bring myself to XM or even CD anymore! Too bad there aren't too many DVD-A (DTS) titles out there.

Toppatop

I'm also curious about the bluetooth streaming. If anyone gets a definitive answers as to whether or not the 09 module will allow bluetooth streaming Pleasent us all know.

pcloadletter

I stream music/podcasts/waze through BT daily with a Nexus 5. '09 stock

mitchkramez

Does anyone know where the actual A2DP bluetooth receiver is (assuming it's not part of the HFT bluetooth) in the '09+ models, or a part number even? I couldn't really come up with anything in my searches.

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

Bumping this to the top to have my solution to this documented somewhere on the boards. I ran a site-wide search for this and came across a viable solution on the TL board. The Blackberry Music Gateway is what I used. It's pretty much an A2DP music streaming audio device with an AUX output. It can be bought for under 40$ and comes with almost everything you need. The only additional piece you would need to buy is a 12V cig. adapter to USB to power it up.


The way it works is this: I stash it in the center console and have it plugged in on one end to the cigarette lighter and to the aux input on the other end. When the car comes on, the Gateway comes on and automatically pairs with the phone, allowing music streaming thru the AUX channel in our car.


Now, the money question I'm sure everyone is gonna have, since I had it as well: Will it interfere with HFL functionality? The answer is NO! My Sony Xperia Z has Bluetooth 4.0, which allows multiple devices to be paired simultaneously. So any 4.0 equipped device would operate the same way: You can be streaming music, and when a phone call is received HFL automatically takes over and pauses the music on the AUX channel.


The only extra step comes in when you end the phone call, my phone doesn't automatically resume playback on youtube video's, it only resumes playback on audio music using the walkman app. This may be different on your phone.


Summary: Blackberry music gateway package + 12V gig adapter to usb+ center console= A2DP music streaming without HFL interference for 40$.


Along with the USA-SPEC unit I have, this pretty much puts me at MMC audio interface status, minus a USB jack in the center console

Ken1997TL

Very useful info, thanks.

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

Always glad to return the helping hand to the community! I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that since this works for the RL and the TL, it would probably work with an HFL equipped Acura that doesn't have A2DP streaming.

253RL

Can you post pics of your install? And which music gateway is needed?

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

It's not really much of an install per say, since all the connections are in the glove box already in my '07. This is the one I purchased, since I've had good experience with tigerdirect in the past:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...Q&gclsrc=aw.ds

It does come with all necessary cables to install, with the exception of the usb to cig adapter which you would have to purchase. Just to give you an idea of what it looks like, keep in mind I couldn't care less how "clean" it was since stuff sits on top of it and I can't see it Also, don't judge my dirty glovebox

253RL

Confused. Does my07 come with anything different that my05 and 06 do not?
Does the unit just need a cig to USB for power?
Does the unit connect to hfl and then the phone cconnect to the unit?

I have a car charger that uses USB cables will that work?

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

The power input for the blackberry music gateway is a micro usb. The audio output is a 3.5 mm aux output cable that plugs into your car aux cable. The whole setup stays hidden and doesn't interfere with Hfl as yiour phone car pair to both hfl and the gateway separately.

253RL

My car doesn't have an aux cable in the center console.

253RL

So this music gateway will not work pre 07. Any other solutions to get Pandora to work?

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

If you add a usa spec unit, it adds aux capabilities. That's a good way to circumvent the lack of an aux cabLe.

Nersh7

I think you'd be better off to spend the extra $100 and go for the usaspec piece. Gives you charging and because it's connected via the 32pin connector rather than BT or AUX it's sending a wired data signal to be processed through the headunit/amp. I haven't heard the piece but I would imagine that the sound quality would be noticeably better going this direction.

Yea I get it isn't BT streaming but toss an ipod in your trunk and leave it hooked up all the time and it's like having a built in hard drive, way better than BT streaming IMO

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

What's even better is having both like I do Brings the 05-08 in the modern age, I've had more than a few people be shocked when I say the car doesn't have bluetooth streaming Does come in handy, but IPOD is far superior. Plus if you order the USA Spec, this is an additional 30-40$ to give you the functionality, depending on where you get it.

Nersh7

$30-40 is worth it in my opinion. I'm saving up for a $1600 DSP so $140 for ipod hookup that gives me OEM controls and charging is a no-brainer.

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

Sold

253RL

I have an android note 3. I used to have the USA spec. I used the aux portion for my phone. I didn't want to.spend that coin if there were other options looks like it's the only one. Thanks guys for your quick help.and responses.

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

Oh, you PMed me right?

253RL

I did man Thanks again for your help. I could go usa spec and bb gateway for wireless streaming but I just want Pandora so I'll just do usa spec

titomang

Thanks projektvertx!! Just ordered mine and should be here soon.


Question though, do you get the hissing sound between tracks that some people complain about? I've heard it was due to the 3.5 mm jack provided. I'll be using my monster 3.5mm jack so hopefully I won't get the sound.

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

No problem!! Glad to be of help!


I used the stock 3.5mm wire provided. Honestly, when I'm playing songs off my phone's internal storage, I hear 0 hiss between tracks. With Iheartradio, I don't notice the hiss either. Where the hiss DOES become noticeable is when I'm playing a youtube video and the track goes quiet and the video is still playing.


Please keep us posted on the monster cable idea! I would test it using a youtube video at normal volumes and report back. That's the only usage in which I've noticed it.

titomang

That's good to know. I'll try it out and report back.

titomang

So I had a chance to install the music gateway over the weekend and the sound quality was better than I expected. No buzzing or hissing whatsoever. I did used my monster cable and the USB mini connector that came w/ it. Overall, I'm satisfied as it was only $30 from amazon and the install was super easy. I think this will keep me satisfied for now until I find something else that I might like.

kmotoring

I had a 2007 RL that I used the Acura Mediabridge kit on that worked pretty well. Adds Bluetooth music streaming , USB to connect iPhone and other USB devices to. and XM Sat radio too.

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

From the description, it seems like it would compete with HFL, no? Does give the advantage of steering wheel controls though.