Great...Thanks, man.

 

KeithCE I'm from Philly also. I had Sussman install mine, but I bought the Adapter from ebay for $167.00 saving me $83.00 out of pocket. It does have more functionality than you posted such as selecting through albums, artists, playlists, etc. I think it's overpriced. One thing to note to those who never used it; the Music Link locks your iPod so that you cannot control it directly. If Acura/Apple released a hardware upgrade to release the lock, I'd be a little more happy.

Honestly, it's cheaper and the sound is almost just as clear using a tape deck adapter.

 

USA-Spec adaptor installs as clean as Music LInk. even better, because it's iPod cable is not as thick and ridgid. It also allws using iPod own controls and has an aux-in. There are some software issues, but they are not major. Still better than Music Link- I am telling as a someone who tried both.

 

Edemcs,

I live in the Philly area too, I was gonna order the Music link on-line and have Sussman install it/ Did they run it to the glovebox for you or did you have them put it somewhere else. I want to put it in one of the compartments under the radio. Also did you have an '05 or '06. If you have an '05 did they give you any problems about installing it in it.

 

They ran it into the glovebox. I received the actual instructions when I bought in online about how to install it yourself, and Acura recommends that you drill a hole in the glovebox and run it through there. The dealership didn't do that, they just run the cord over the top and in lies in my glovebox.

I have an '06. They didn't give me any issues about me not purchasing it from them. One Caveat though. If it's installed and you don't like it, they can't help you out and take it back because you never bought it from them.

 

I am usually pretty good about figuring things out, but you are saying you can change the artist, playlist, album etc.....How?

Please tell me how!

 

I have been told that Alpine makes something called the VPA-B211A. It's a multimedia hub that allows for a bunch of cool stuff (iPod, backup cam, DVD player, game system, etc) for about $300. You are supposed to be able to view all song info on the Navi screen as well.

Alpine's web site blows so there is no compatibility info there and forget calling them. So, if anybody knows more about this product, please reply ASAP.

I have used every device under $100 and they all suck. I am ready to step up.

 

First, you have to install the Acura TTS program on your computer. This will use Microsoft's Text To Speech program. Microsoft's TTS program will create a sound byte for every artist, album, playlist, and genre. The robotic voice is pretty weak and it sounds even worse compared to the voice system in the Acura TL.

After the software creates a sound byte for everything, it will index it on your iPod. When you connect your iPod to your TL, you'll control the search by selecting Disc 1 - 6. Disc 1 is Playlists, Disc 2 is Artist, etc. Once you select the method of search, you'll have to sit there and listen to the robot go through the alphabet until the appropriate first letter of what ever it is you're searching for shows up. Then you get to listen to it name everything in that category until you find what you're looking for in your collection. God help you if you have hundreds of albums because it can still take a while.

Of course, there are work arounds for this adpater which did not get the attention with design as it should, but it works.

 

Does anyone know, or can anyone elaborate on how it functions for different ipods. I have a 4G color ipod, but was wondering if the "new" apple 1.2.1 firmware from apple made a difference. I am about to get my TL tomorrow and wanted to know how it functioned for different ipods and what firmware version you are using. Thanks.

 

It is pretty much the same for each iPod which is supported. You use the seek button to select your playlist, artist, genre, OR album, etc. (initially), and THEN you sit back and enjoy the tunes. You can hit random on the screen (nav) or the h/u (non-nav, if there is a random button, I'm sure there is) and your entire playlist, etc is shuffled.

When you turn off your car, the song stops where you kill the power. When you turn it on, it starts where you left off including the shuffle feature which with the old Alpine radio I had was defeated each time I turned the car off. Basically with each iPod which is compatible, the same features which are listed in the product instructions are accessible for each iPod.

All in all, I'm still loving my setup since not once has my phantom "Disk not available" error that the Alpine gave me ever presented itself... Nor has the phantom iPod battery drain problem. With the Alpine, every once in a while the iPod would die despite the fact that the h/u and cable were supposed to charge the item continually OR the iPod would go into deep sleep mode where the h/u wouldn't be ablet o wake the device. With this setup, EVERY time I start the car has been a success.

Yeah, there are no song names... Yeah, nothing is displayed on the h/u other than when you select random, but all in all, I like this item. I did complain THOROUGHLY to the review person, enough to where they had someone from Acura call me back twice thus far, each became more familiar than the last person did about what I was complaining of. Problem is most of these survey people are non-techie. They don't get it, until you explain it. To get the product redesigned will take a LOT of effort, but in the meantime, despite my complaints, I like this feature a LOT. And again, despite the version of your supported iPod, the results are the same. You have to successfully install the software first to your iTunes/iPod setup, THEN you get the features I describe above.

Rey :)

 

There has been a lot of discussion and questions about Acura Music Link and I am going to be very bold and try to bring some clarity for those who have not yet purchased the Acura Music Link.

When discussing compatibility of your iPod with Music Link there are really 2 issues: whether you can connect your iPod through Music Link to you’re audio system and can you use Acura TTS (stands for Text To Speech) to sort what you want to listen to by artist, album, genre, and Play list.

When you purchase Music Link you are purchasing 2 systems. One Hardware (the music link cable to interface your iPod) and the other is software Acura TTS (TTS stands for Text To Speech). Something important to understand Acura TTS does not mean you can issue a verbal command to the iPod. Acura TTS is MAC and windows Test to Speech software and it talks to you and you have to be agile enough to push the select button in time to search that selection. Also keep in mind nothing will be displayed in the Navi radio screen other than what would be there for a CD-C. There are no id3 tags no list of songs, no genres, no iPod menu screen, just track 1 -6 and that’s it.

There are really 2 compatibility issues here one is the connection to the audio system (provided by Music Link) and the other is controlling the iPod by using Acura TTS.

From reading the forums I think as long as you have the standard pin out and plug in the bottom of your iPod you can attach your iPod to the Music Link and play it through your audio system . I have both 4th and 5th generation iPods and they both are recognized by music link and play through the audio system as advertised.

I can control and sort my music by artist, album, genre, and Play list (albeit awkwardly)with my 5th generation iPod using controls on the dash and the Acura TTS as a software interface. (I will explain later in the post how this works)

I can go forward and backwards through my 4th generation iPod or playlist sequentially using the steering wheel and radio controls. But I cannot use the Acura TTS to control my 4th generation iPod to select artist, album, genre, and Play list even though it plays beautifully through the audio system. I am stuck with just going one song/audible.com book, podcast, etc at a time as it lines up on the iPod or playlist. If I make a playlist and select the playlist prior to plugging it in to music link I can select songs forward and backwards sequentially as they are listed in the playlist (not a bad workaround just not efficient).

Another problem is music link sits in your glove box with no protection for the screen on your iPod. Which we all know is famous for scratching. The music link plug is so large as it does not work in most of the off the shelf iPod protection items. (If your interested Brasso a soft cloth and hard work will remove scratches from your iPod. Google it there are a few websites that discuss it.)

Also keep in mind when you connect your iPod to the music link it disables all of the buttons on the iPod. You can however disconnect at any time without having to worry about ejecting or un-mounting the iPod.

Okay a little on how to use Music Link with and without Acura TTS.

Using Music Link Without Acura TTS

Playing Music
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON (II) or ACC (I) position; turn on the audio system.
2. Select the CD player/changer on your audio system. If the audio system plays a disc in the CD
player/changer, press the CD button (or the appropriate button) again to select Music Link. Music
Link begins playback with the last song played on the iPod. If no song is queued, Music Link shuffles all songs in random order.
Selecting a Play Mode
To shuffle the albums on your iPod in random order,select Disc 5, then press and hold either SEEK/SKIP button ( /– or /+) for at least 1 full second (or, on some models, until you hear a beep).
– Press and release the SEEK/SKIP button to skip to the beginning of the next song ( /+) or currently playing song ( /–) within an album.
– Press and hold either SEEK/SKIP button ( /– or /+) for at least 1 full second (or, on some models until you hear a beep) to skip to the beginning of another album.

Pressing and holding the SEEK/SKIP ( /–) button will not skip to the previously played album. Music Link continues to shuffle albums in random order whether you press and hold the forward ( /+) or backward ( /–) SEEK/SKIP button. In shuffle albums mode (Disc 5), Music Link only
plays songs that have album information entered in the info tags. If none of the songs on an iPod have album information, all of the songs are treated as one album.

To shuffle all songs in random order, select Disc 6, then press and hold either SEEK/SKIP button ( /– or /+) for at least 1 full second (or, on some models, until you hear a beep). After selecting Disc 6, press and release the SEEK/SKIP button to skip to the next song ( /+) or to the beginning of the currently playing song ( /–).


Using Music Link With Acura TTS

Selecting a Play Mode/Category
To search playlists, select Disc 1, then press and hold either SEEK/SKIP button ( /– or /+) for at least 1 full second (or, on some models, until you hear a beep). Music Link announces the first letter of each playlist. – Press and release the SEEK/SKIP ( /+) button immediately after hearing the desired letter. Music Link begins playing the first song of the first playlist that begins with the selected letter.
- OR -
– To hear the names of the playlists that begin with a desired letter, press and release the SEEK/SKIP ( /+) button immediately after hearing the letter, then press and hold either SEEK/SKIP button ( /– or /+) for at least 1 full second (or, on some models,
until you hear a beep).
– Press and release the SEEK/SKIP ( /+) button immediately after hearing the desired playlist name. Music Link begins playing the first song in the selected playlist.
To search artists, select Disc 2, then press and hold either SEEK/SKIP button ( /– or /+) for at least 1 full second (or, on some models, until you hear a beep). Music Link announces the first letter of each artist.
– Press and release the SEEK/SKIP ( /+) button immediately after hearing the desired letter. Music Link begins playing the first song of the first artist that begins with the selected letter.
- OR -
– To hear the artist names that begin with a desired letter, press and release the SEEK/SKIP ( /+) button immediately after hearing the letter, then press and hold either SEEK/SKIP button ( /– or /+) for at least 1 full second (or, on some models, until you hear a beep).
– Press and release the SEEK/SKIP ( /+) button immediately after hearing the desired artist name. Music Link begins playing the first song by the selected artist.


Selecting a Play Mode/Category (Cont.)
To search albums, select Disc 3, then press and hold either SEEK/SKIP button ( /– or /+) for at least 1 full second (or, on some models, until you hear a beep). Music Link announces the first letter of each album.
– Press and release the SEEK/SKIP ( /+) button immediately after hearing the desired letter. Music Link begins playing the first song of the first album that begins with the selected letter.
- OR -
– To hear the names of the albums that begin with a desired letter, press and release the SEEK/SKIP ( /+) button immediately after hearing the letter, then press and hold either SEEK/SKIP button ( /– or /+) for at least 1 full second (or, on some models, until you hear a beep).
– Press and release the SEEK/SKIP ( /+) button immediately after hearing the desired album name. Music Link begins playing the first song in the selected album.

To search genre, select Disc 4, then press and hold either SEEK/SKIP button ( /– or /+) for at least 1 full second (or, on some models, until you hear a beep). Music Link announces the first letter of each genre.
– Press and release the SEEK/SKIP ( /+) button immediately after hearing the desired letter. Music Link begins playing the first song of the first genre that begins with the selected letter.
- OR -
– To hear the names of the genres that begin with a desired letter, press and release the SEEK/SKIP ( /+) button immediately after hearing the letter, then press and hold either SEEK/SKIP button ( /– or /+) for at least 1 full second (or, on some models, until you hear a beep).
– Press and release the SEEK/SKIP ( /+) button immediately after hearing the desired genre name. Music Link begins playing the first song in the selected genre.

Selecting a Play Mode/Category (Cont.)
To shuffle the albums on your iPod in random order, select Disc 5, then press and hold either SEEK/SKIP button ( /– or /+) for at least 1 full second (or, on some models, until you hear a beep).
– Press and release the SEEK/SKIP button to skip to the beginning of the next song ( /+) or currently playing song ( /–) within an album.
– Press and hold either SEEK/SKIP button ( /– or /+) for at least 1 full second (or, on some models, until you hear a beep) to skip to the beginning of another album. Pressing and holding the SEEK/SKIP ( /–) button will not skip to the previously played album. Music Link continues to shuffle albums in random order whether you press and hold the forward ( /+) or backward ( /–) SEEK/SKIP button.

In shuffle albums mode (Disc 5), Music Link only plays songs that have album information entered in the info tags. If none of the songs on an iPod have album information, all of the songs are treated as one album.
To shuffle all songs in random order, select Disc 6, then press and hold either SEEK/SKIP button ( /– or /+) for at least 1 full second (or, on some models, until you hear a beep). After selecting Disc 6, press and release the SEEK/SKIP button to skip to the next song ( /+) or to the beginning of the currently playing song ( /–).




Test to Speech (or Acura TTS)

You must have a "click wheel" iPod, iPod mini, iPod photo, or iPod nano (5th Genereation). Acura TTS is not compatible with iPod shuffle, 4-button iPods, or the first 2 generations of iPod. You then need to insure you have the latest version of firmware Please visit www.apple.com to update your iPod to the latest firmware.

Acura TTS generates album, artist and genre name announcements, plus first character index entries such as “A, B, C” for all tracks currently on your iPod. It also ensures that any TTS tracks that are no longer required are removed from your iPod. Note that the tracks must remain within iTunes for the iPod updating to be performed correctly -- if you remove the tracks and playlists from iTunes they will be regenerated the next time Acura TTS runs.

Acura TTS will automatically launch every time an iPod is connected to your PC. If for some reason the iPod mounts too slowly, perhaps because of a “do you want to update” notice appearing in iTunes, you can quit the TTS program. Once the iPod is visible in iTunes, you may re-open Acura TTS from the Windows START menu.

You must run and complete Acura TTS every time you add or delete content (excluding audio books and photos) on your iPod. Otherwise, the music played will not match the selection you made.

System Requirements (as of March 28, 2006)
• iTunes version 4.9 or higher (Latest is iTunes 6.0.4)
• Latest iPod firmware (latest version is 1.2.1)
• USB 2.0 or FireWire
• Mac OS X version 10.3.x or higher, OR
• Windows 2000 or Windows XP with the latest service packs


Okay now for my opinion on the product. Seamless integration it is certainly not. In fact to be safe I would sit in your driveway with the motor off and practice before trying to drive and utilize the Acura TTS. Can you get used to it? Absolutely. Is it efficient? Absolutely not. How does it sound? Which is the real question for most people and I would have to say it sounds better than any other audio input in the car. No doubt it sounds phenomenal. Which I think is the real rub. Acura designs a great product that has great demand but really screwed up the execution. Especially when you consider it is an Alpine product and there are COTS (commercial off the shelf) solutions out on the market they could have used. Am I disappointed? Yes. Would I buy it again? Yes, if I had listen to it before I bought it and that’s even knowing and understanding the limitations. I would have reluctantly bought it and would have grown to love it. It’s the deception of seamless integration line that brings on my huge disappointment for the product.

Okay there it is most of the information is copied from the Read me files and pdf that you get when you purchase the product. Make absolutely sure you do get the grey cd that comes with the product or you will not have all of the functionality. My dealer didn’t know there was a CD until I asked and he went back and looked.

I hope this helps with your decision and please excuse my verbose post.

 

Well , i just read this entire post. and im disappointed. In my ford explorer i had a nice kenwood cd/mp3 deck with the Music Keg and an 80GIG cartrdige. i Had 290 Discs on it with about 20,000 songs on it. I will NEVER be able to have something that awesome in my new 35K car. what a shame.....

quick question though. the Keg connects through a standard CD-C cable. Is it possible to install this in the acura as a CD-C ? I already know every playlist and every songs location. would be really really helpful if anybody knew. Thanks !

 

I not an installer but I would bet if it isn't a standard connection there is an adapter out there. Worse come to worse get a pin out of the plugs and either build it yourself or find someone willing to. If your questions is can you use it with the Navi screen. I don't think (emphasis on think) so. I think the problem is there is no way to output the video to the Navi screen to see the Keg playlist. Music Link is strictly an audio cable connection connecting to a audio input. So I doubt any reports that promise video output of the menus/playlist to the Navi system will ever come about in Music Links current form. It probably could be fully integrated as a selection in the Multi Information Display similar to the Mercedes Benz iPod link. (you can see that at:http://www.mercedes-benz.com/content...ment/ipod.html. Click iPod link and watch the flash video.)

I guess the advertising buzz word for what most of us desire is FULLY integrated (Mercedes Benz's buzz word fully) rather than Seamlessly integrated.

What I plan to do is to buy a Navi to Dvd converter. It's just a video switcher. When you start playing the DVD player it switches to the video from Nav to the DVD player. (You still have the audio queues from the nav system making it simple to switch back and forth as necessary). It plugs into the standard plugs for the Acura nav system so no wire cutting. You do have to splice into one wire on the XM for audio output. It uses the XM audio switch to switch audio output from the XM radio to the DVD audio to get sound to the sound system. You don't give up the XM it just adds another function to the XM switch. I'm looking now for a mp3/DVD player with that has a video output of menus/id3 tags etc. I'll just burn my audio collection to DVD and hopefully find a changer with the features I want and a large cartridge. Your Keg will probably work well with that system also. Google it, “navigation to DVD”, there are number of them out there the one I'm looking at can be found at: http://www.avelectronic.com/

If there is anyone who has used this product (http://www.avelectronic.com/) a little feedback on how happy your with it would be nice before I throw down the money for it. Or any suggestions on a DVD player that might meet my needs would be greatly appreciated.

Again if you look at my post I am disappointed by still glad I bought it. With 2 iPods I have found workarounds that work for me. But the last I checked compromise/workarounds does not qualify as seamless integration. Maybe I should have spent another $20,000 and got the Dealership and car experience I expected. But since I wrote a check for my car that could have been painful.

Best of luck
Bill

 

Thanks bill. GREAT information. Yea the keg was my life, it hooked up through a standard CD-Changer cable, could be used with ANY radio (OEM's too) as a CD changer, and if you're OEM Radio has CD-TEXT capabilites, it would display all the info. I had a kenwood head unit because there were a couple more features, but with a kenwood H/U you didnt need to power the Keg, only the Audio CD-C Cable. Other radios require you to run a 12+V power line to it.

I love your idea and i've been researching quite a few companies that do it. (www.nav-tv.com) has some good info. Other than the Keg, which i think is the best alternative, would be a 6 or 12 DVD/CD/MP3 Changer (that does Data DVD's) and just burn a bunch of DL Discs.

Acura really left us the short end of the stick on upgrading the NAVI screen. I think the Non-Navi TL's have more room to work with when it comes to custom installs. That carputer is one HELL of a piece of work. outstanding job.

If anybody here is a computer genius like myself, we should look into hacking the firmware from our NAVI units. If it can decode the XM information, there MUST be a way to have it decode either IDv3 Tags or Romeo&Juliet Windows basic file naming. I wish we could get some more input from people with advanced knowledge of modding the OEM equipment.

Great post Bill.

 

I didn't read the entire thread, just the beginning and end so I'm sorry if someone already posted this idea . . . .

I took a cue from someone who mentioned that one of the Honda(?) adapters requires you to create playlists named Honda-1, Honda-2, etc for your Ipod to work with the radio . . .

Basically I did not want to remember what letter my playlists start with so I named them all "Acura" then a title - this places them all in the "A" list (as long as they all have the same first letter/number they get grouped together).

Usage:
Choose disc 1
Press one of the seek buttons for 1-2 seconds
Computer voice will start listing letters, wait for "A"
Press one of the seek buttons again (quickly, NOT 1-2 seconds)
Press one of the seek buttons again for 1-2 seconds
Computer voice should then list the playlists "Acura Rock", "Acura Jazz", etc
Immediately after the one you want to play press one of the seek buttons

When you want to move on to another playlist just press one of the seek buttons for 1-2 seconds and it will start listing letters again

Steering wheel controls do not work like the seek buttons on the radio (bummer)

I'm not sure if random really works -- my music is a little scattered so I couldn't tell if it did . . . the users guide says it should work . . . .

It took me a few tries to get the hang of consistently changing playlists -- i.e. 1 second push, listen for "A", momentary push, short pause, 1-2 second push.

Since I only have playlists in the "A" sequence the computer voice would repeat "A" over and over again until I pressing seek again.

bottom line I would not pay for this adapter again . . . . . . . for the expense it should at least display song names AND make me coffee every morning . . . . I'm anxiously awaiting a call from Acura asking me about my buying experience and how I like the car . . . .

 

dz06tl sounds like a great workaround and maybe we should start a thread with workarounds. Cuz this is good as I think it is going to get with this option.

Acura will ask you about your experience. In fact the dealership followed up, someone from Acura on the phone and I received 2 color the circle sheets I think one from JD powers and one from Acura.

I usually give good scores on those aftermarket surveys. But I was completely honest. I was even given the opportunity to discuss my experiences at 2 other dealerships (which were abysmal too).

My buying experience was so poor I'm still questioning why I bought the car. But like the music link I really wanted the car and no inept salesman or dealership was going to stop me from getting it. (Wow did I just write that).

Overall to be completely honest I am pleased with the music links sound and I'll just have to live with the workarounds. And the car I still love even after the unpleasant buying experience.

 

I'd be curious to know if there's a limit on how many playlists it can handle . . . . I wonder if there's a way to overwrite the Acura TTS files with a recorded voice . . . (Windows XP only has the crappy built-in voices and can't take the free ones that were available for Win2K)

I would have preffered the playlist based adapter -- i.e. hard code each playlist to a disk number - Acura-1 = disk 1, Acura-2 = disk 2, etc . . . . but such is life . . . .

I had my survey call today . . . . my dealer was excellent so they got mostly 5s . . . . . I did give the poor girl the sob story on the Ipod adapter controls needing improvement, improper fit of the bumpers & the WDP bumper color not matching (these last 2 are not that noticeable, I just have a critical eye for how things fit) - I'm hoping someone will follow up on these, but I'm not holding my breath since they most likely contract the survey out and it may take a while to get the results to someone who matters . . . .

 

So I'm guessing that there's currently no way to have one's iPod hooked up to their 05 TL and use the Navi screen to select songs, (i.e. not use Music Link in it's current form)?

 

Sure there is. Check out the Alpine Media Hub. Supposedly works like a charm and puts the entire iPod screen and control on your Navi screen. Check Alpine's web site. Plus your nav is made by Alpine.

 

Ok great post.

Buttttttttttttttttttttt

Not to poo-poo the best iPod/TL news I've heard? But.

Have you seen it yet? Is it compatible with the TL ? Is the TL Ai-Net compatible?

Just because it's alpine doen't mean it will be compatible with the TL.

Here's a quote from PC Mag's website: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1908586,00.asp

Much of the music functionality, including the ability to pass along track-and-title information to the head unit, as well as an iPod specific connector, can be extended to cars where you can't pull out the radio. The VPA-B222 Vehicle Hub Pro, $500, provides a custom hook into many (not all) recent cars. The Alpine line comes to market beginning this month; some pieces arrive in early spring.

For those interested here are the press releases from Alpine.
http://www.alpine-usa.com/company_in...506_oemint.htm
http://www.alpine-usa.com/company_in...6_ipodfull.htm

Oh! for those other mp3 player users there will also be a capability to use your player even a USB plug in.

Good Gawd I really hope your correct.

TLworx Thanks for the info you got my hopes up.

Oh! anyone want to buy a slightly used music link cable???????

 

I have not seen it, but I am working with Movin On Sounds on Long Island. They said it will work 100% with the addition of a 3rd party video convertor. This will also allow the navi screen to display other inputs such as a backup camera, DVD player, video game system, etc.

There was another post that I read several months ago where someone in California actually had it done and it showed pix of him watching a movie. The down side to all of this is that the cost of the gear and installation, will likely approach the $1k mark.

Too bad Honda/Acura didn't include MP3 playback capability from the CD/DVD drive. So many other OEM's do these days. Or at least an aux audio in jack. Now how much could that have raised the price of the car? $2.95?

 

usa spec makes a device for ipod for our TL's. part number PA11-HON2Y. it plugs into out cd changer input in the back of the radio. it also charges while plugged in. you can seek through tracks using your cd changer buttin on the radion or you can search using the actual IPOD. NOT BAD FOR ONLY $150. found a few on ebay also for even cheaper. goin to try this out..ill post results after its done!!

 

Holy out-of-date thread batman....

You may want to check out the last few pages of this thread first before you go and shell out that $150.....

https://acurazine.com/forums/audio-video-electronics-navigation-22/dice-ipod-integration-vs-usaspec-355659/

 

AcuraGreek:

There is a summary of popular audio interfaces (minus the DICE adapter) in the 3G TL Audio & Electronics FAQ.

You may also wish to perform a search on the PA11-HON2Y as there are known skipping issues.