Has anyone tried this?

http://www.harmankardon.com/drive-1/where_to_buy.aspx

It looks interesting...

 

I looked into it for my Audi, before I bought my TL. One of the reasons I bought the TL was the factory integrations like bluetooth and iPod Music Link. If the Music link falls short on the display and control functions, I may get the HK unit. My concerns are: Which connection method to use (wireless FM, wired FM, line input) and where to mound the display and how well the wires to the display and controller can be hidden. Functionally the HK looks good from what I've read, plus it has an AUX input of it's own if you want to add another audio source. Let me know if you decide to try it.

jjh1234

 

What year is your TL and are you planning on trying out iPod Music Link as well?

I would'nt mind trying out the HK; however, I'm not sure I want a CC or BB employee tinkering around inside of my TL.

Music Link will probably be a better bet since Acura will more than likely do the install, plus the noted intergrated convenience features.

I guess not one has actually tried this ?

 

Im most likley going to get this after the new year. 6-disc changers just dont do it these days. My only concern is where to mount the display...any ideas guys?????

 

I just bought a 2006 Royal Blue Pearl w/Parchment interior. I need more info on the Music Link before I spend ~$400 on it. If it does not display the song info on the Navi display, I probably won't buy it. I worry about installers mucking about in my car too. That's why I usually end up doing it myself. For something complicated like the HK, I might let Best Buy do it. They are fully insured, unlike some private stereo shops. If they break something, they will pay to take it to the dealer for repair. For the music link, I would probably let the dealer do it. Check my link to the installation instructions, and no, I don't think it's out yet.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127777

jjh1234

 

It looks like the Acura Ipod integration kit might not be what people hoped for. This harman kardon setup might be a better option. You would have to use a relay to make an aux-in with the xm input. Now I have an idea. I wonder if it would be possible to show the text (music/track info) that is being sent to harman kardon LCD on the NAV LCD using a NAVI to DVD converter. In other words connecting the display output of the harman kardon's brain unit to the NAVI's LCD. Click here for Harman Kardon's diagram Anybody think this might work?

 

I'm getting this installed today, I'll post pictures and my impressions within a couple of days.

Happy New Year

 

OK, I just had the Harman-Kardon Drive + Play installed in my TL and here are my initial impressions:

PROS:

The display is fantastic. Looks very similar to the 4th generation iPod display. It is nice to see the actual tack name, artist, track length, etc.

The menus are almost identical to the iPod menus. Press up on the control knob to move backwards through the menus. Press the knob to enter. Press right to advance. Press Left to go back. The bottom is Play/Pause

Sound is very clear (CD Quality). Mine is hooked up through the XM input, with a toggle switch so I can switch back and forth between the iPod and XM (although I’m not subscribed to XM right now…not worth the money), but this is a nice fail-safe for later.

Not having to set up playlists.

Can shuffle all songs/albums on the iPod

CONS:

Scrolling through a long list of songs and/or albums can be a bit of a pain. It’s very easy to scroll one screen at a time, but if you hold the controller it will scroll faster. You can set it to scroll through 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% or 25% of your library at “speed”. 5% seems to work fine for me.

It is an extra controller and display. I would have much preferred to control through the main headunit, but the Acura solution looked like @#^%!


Overall I’m VERY happy with this set-up. Sounds fabulous and works like a dream.


Here is the link to the owner’s manual:

http://www.harmankardon.com/drive-1/...ers_manual.pdf

and installation guide:

http://www.harmankardon.com/drive-1/docs/install.pdf

I’ll post picture of my set-up in a couple of days.

 

XitWound,

I'm interested in some details on your installation. My son got me the HKD&P for Christmas and installed using the FM Modulator. This sound really degrades once the volume is over 20. We didn't think there was a way to connect to XM input. Could you provide more detail on connection to XM. What extra equipment is required and cost?

I don't intend on using XM and would really like to improve the sound.

Thanks

 

I'm insisted on the direct connection becasue I was worried about the signal on the FM modulation.

I had mine installed at Car Toys....I really didn't feel like pulling apart the dash. I'm heading over later in the week, and I'll get some more details for you regarding the XM switch and how he patched it.

 

I'm curious about how he tapped into the XM as well. I've heard some people are splicing wires and soldering. I'm hoping there's a plug-in way to do it.

 

If you don't care about XM, you should be able to use this.

http://www.logjamelectronics.com/blitzhonauxdmxv2.html

 

Does that thing just plug into the XM plug directly? (i.e. unplug XM, plug in Blitzsafe?)

 

That is my belief. I would contact LogJam or Blitzsafe to be positive.

 

XitWound, how much does this cost you?

 

Drive + Paly $199.95

Install, Including labor and custom bracket for the screen, the switch for XM and mounting the controll pod $205.

 

Damn! $205? This must be one tight setup! Post pics, post pics

 

It does look pretty damn good, I didn't want to do anything to mess up the clean lines of the interior. I've gotta work this week, but if I have a chance tomorrow, I'll take some photos and get them posted. If not tomorow, it will be Saturday.

 

where did you place the controller? i can'd find a place where it would be flush. And when you say custom bracket. Did you take the LCD out of the housing and place in another housing, or is it a bracket for the whole display unit?

 

XitWound,

Where did they put the screen? Is it backlit at all times, or only when your headlights are on?

 

Pics are posted here:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...45#post1360945

Regarding the backlight, you can set the timing to always off, always on, or on for 10 seconds...the headlights do NOT need to be on.

Another cool feature I discovered today while playing around is that you can reverse the contrast of the display.

 

XitWound, it would be great if you can find out from the installer what they used/did to connect to XM.

 

I'd like to know as well...i ordered the HKDP yesterday and I'd like to keep my XM