This is nice! Of course, maybe I should wait for a model with a slot that the iPod plugs into.
I've got a 30GB iPod, but this makes me wonder if the iPod and the iPod mini have the same dock interface, plus if this Alpine works with older iPods that don't have a dock interface.
I'm still interested in the Phatbox from www.phatnoise.com but I like Alpine decks and right now I like the entry level costs of an iPod and Alpine deck with this support. I'll wait to hear reviews of this combo before purchasing an Alpine Deck
Since the press release doesn't give any model numbers or prices, I thought I'd check out Alpine's web site.
I don't see anything on Alpine's site except an even older press release about the iPod. None of the descriptions of head units mention iPod connectivity as a feature, nor do I see a separate iPod Ai-Net box.
Any idea where to find price and availability info on this?
I am an iPod peripheral junkie and will buy this as soon as it hits the market. This is the solution that I have been wanting since I got my first iPod in 2001. I wonder if Alpine backwards engineered it or got help from Apple?
This is nice! Of course, maybe I should wait for a model with a slot that the iPod plugs into.
I've got a 30GB iPod, but this makes me wonder if the iPod and the iPod mini have the same dock interface, plus if this Alpine works with older iPods that don't have a dock interface.
It works with dock iPods only (ie. gen 3 and mini) as it uses the iPod accessory protocol through the dock connector.
That's getting off cheap compared to what Alpine would call "high end".
If there's a US$400-$500 unit among those that support the iPod, I'll probably buy it in a flash. The only hesitancy I might have is that from the picture in the press release, there's an outboard processor box involved in this. I'd like it best if all of the iPod functionality fit completely into the head end.
Looks cool. But wouldn't be cooler if someone designed an unit which accepted the iPod like a cassette? Just slid the iPod in and then navigate the menus through the head unit or steering wheel.
Impractical? Too large an investment into an iPod?
Looks cool. But wouldn't be cooler if someone designed an unit which accepted the iPod like a cassette? Just slid the iPod in and then navigate the menus through the head unit or steering wheel.
Impractical? Too large an investment into an iPod?
I have thought of this before, but it would prove impractical, since it would leave little to no space for a decent display and navigation controls. I'd rather have something like the mentioned 1 cable Alpine solution.
Best of all, I believe this is just the start of a cool line of products compatible with the iPod dock protocol coming soon to a car near you.
Ideally it would be better if you could plug the iPod in somewhere and controll everything from the HU. Not sure if thats the plan, but that would seem like the best idea, instead of fiddling with a little circle while driving. If I can get my steering wheel controls to work with the iPod, then I'll be impressed.
True, 500 would be cheap compared to what alpine would like to sell it to us... but with all the reports on audio quality issues, is this really a good idea? Most people who would buy this HU usually have pretty high end stero systems ranging in the 1000's of dollars. I've seen low quality mp3's on club systems, and they sound horrible. I think a concearn will be the quality of 128 AAC, which I'm not too thrilled with personally.
Ideally it would be better if you could plug the iPod in somewhere and controll everything from the HU. Not sure if thats the plan, but that would seem like the best idea, instead of fiddling with a little circle while driving. If I can get my steering wheel controls to work with the iPod, then I'll be impressed.
Yes that is what this unit does. The way I see it Alpine have come up with a module that you plug the iPod into, it than translates between the bus protocol used by probably any of their head units that support CD Changers/MD changers etc. to the iPod protocol. As a result I don't think you will be limited to only their high end head units.
If you look at the picture they show the head unit and another white box. The white box is the development here not the head unit. Most headunits that support CD/MD changers these days have support for track titles and that sort of stuff so they are basically just making use of that to make the iPod another input source.
this may not be a big issue, but i wanna bring it up. in the pic of the whole system on the alpine page or wherever, there is a check mark on the iPod. i realize this might just a PS job, but if it isnt, that would imply that the ipod must be "connected" (like when it's syncing) at all times, which we all know keeps the hard drive spinning for extended periods of time and causes unnecessary wear and tear on everything. so, if thats true, scratch this alpine thing off the list. if it turns out to just be PS work, then i might just have to get that....
Comments
I've got a 30GB iPod, but this makes me wonder if the iPod and the iPod mini have the same dock interface, plus if this Alpine works with older iPods that don't have a dock interface.
I'm still interested in the Phatbox from www.phatnoise.com but I like Alpine decks and right now I like the entry level costs of an iPod and Alpine deck with this support. I'll wait to hear reviews of this combo before purchasing an Alpine Deck
I don't see anything on Alpine's site except an even older press release about the iPod. None of the descriptions of head units mention iPod connectivity as a feature, nor do I see a separate iPod Ai-Net box.
Any idea where to find price and availability info on this?
ive had myne for a few years now..
Originally posted by shetline
This is nice! Of course, maybe I should wait for a model with a slot that the iPod plugs into.
I've got a 30GB iPod, but this makes me wonder if the iPod and the iPod mini have the same dock interface, plus if this Alpine works with older iPods that don't have a dock interface.
It works with dock iPods only (ie. gen 3 and mini) as it uses the iPod accessory protocol through the dock connector.
Originally posted by scavanger
If its a high end HU, expect around 400 to 500.
That's getting off cheap compared to what Alpine would call "high end".
If there's a US$400-$500 unit among those that support the iPod, I'll probably buy it in a flash. The only hesitancy I might have is that from the picture in the press release, there's an outboard processor box involved in this. I'd like it best if all of the iPod functionality fit completely into the head end.
Impractical? Too large an investment into an iPod?
Originally posted by k squared
Looks cool. But wouldn't be cooler if someone designed an unit which accepted the iPod like a cassette? Just slid the iPod in and then navigate the menus through the head unit or steering wheel.
Impractical? Too large an investment into an iPod?
I have thought of this before, but it would prove impractical, since it would leave little to no space for a decent display and navigation controls. I'd rather have something like the mentioned 1 cable Alpine solution.
Best of all, I believe this is just the start of a cool line of products compatible with the iPod dock protocol coming soon to a car near you.
8)
True, 500 would be cheap compared to what alpine would like to sell it to us... but with all the reports on audio quality issues, is this really a good idea? Most people who would buy this HU usually have pretty high end stero systems ranging in the 1000's of dollars. I've seen low quality mp3's on club systems, and they sound horrible. I think a concearn will be the quality of 128 AAC, which I'm not too thrilled with personally.
I have thought of this before, but it would prove impractical, since it would leave little to no space for a decent display and navigation controls
But, what if the HU flipped down? Then the iPod would be hidden from view. Hey, that could be a security feature too.
Originally posted by scavanger
Ideally it would be better if you could plug the iPod in somewhere and controll everything from the HU. Not sure if thats the plan, but that would seem like the best idea, instead of fiddling with a little circle while driving. If I can get my steering wheel controls to work with the iPod, then I'll be impressed.
Isn't that just what this unit does?
Amorya
I didn't know apple had an API for the iPod like that.
Originally posted by Amorya
Isn't that just what this unit does?
Amorya
Yes that is what this unit does. The way I see it Alpine have come up with a module that you plug the iPod into, it than translates between the bus protocol used by probably any of their head units that support CD Changers/MD changers etc. to the iPod protocol. As a result I don't think you will be limited to only their high end head units.
If you look at the picture they show the head unit and another white box. The white box is the development here not the head unit. Most headunits that support CD/MD changers these days have support for track titles and that sort of stuff so they are basically just making use of that to make the iPod another input source.