Swap CD Changer to MP3 CD Changer

jaynana · Post by **jaynana** » Sun Feb 26, 2012 7:23 pm

Guys, I feel like swapping my OEM antique cd changer to an MP3 CD Changer.

i've spent a few hrs researching on the topic, and now the clarifications pls:
1. i see that the Alpine CHA-S634 is a popular choice for the CD Changer. readily available on ebay. is this directly plugable? what i see is that it comes with an AI-Net round cable. how do I plug this into the oem cables (what i have is the 6pin + 3 pin cables at the cd changer end).

2. if i directly connect the CD changer to the E53 i presume folder navigation etc will be not possible. i suppose that's where the Intravee II comes in?

3. Is it correct to say that the Intravee II is directly plugable into the E53 CD Changer wires (the 6pin + 3 pin); and then the cd changer is directly pluggable into the Intravee II?

4. both units connected, i'd have seamless folder and track navigation from the E53 head unit (head unit with nav)?

cheers

j

dirtymonkey29 · Post by **dirtymonkey29** » Sun Feb 26, 2012 7:28 pm

If you get an intravee, that plugs into what the cd changer plugs into. So basically you LOSE the cd changer.... Not much of a loss really as youll only lose 6 CDs worth of music or 6 discs of mp3 and you'll gain what ever size iPod you have, for example 80gb, and also some other great features like folding mirrors and pdc sensors display on the nav screen

jaynana · Post by **jaynana** » Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:20 pm

I don't have an ipod. I have other mp3 Players for which I have an aux input. I've got fedup of that setup.

Wouldn't an AI-Net cd changer plug into the Intravee II?

Also what's this about folding mirrors and pdc display? What's that connection?

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:45 pm

There is an MP3 compatible CD Player that BMW introduced as OEM replacing the earlier versions from late 2005. You do need to burn CDs for it so may not be ideal, but it is at least a straight swap.

dirtymonkey29 · Post by **dirtymonkey29** » Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:55 pm

Just the additional features of the intravee. I think you will also need an AI-net switch if you want to use an AI compatible cd changer. As said already you can get an mp3 cd changer that's a direct swap. I use my iPhone on the intravee so it's good for me but if I didn't have the iphone I would probably get a cheap old iPod off eBay.

jaynana · Post by **jaynana** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 8:26 am

[quote=""dirtymonkey29""]Just the additional features of the intravee. I think you will also need an AI-net switch if you want to use an AI compatible cd changer. As said already you can get an mp3 cd changer that's a direct swap. I use my iPhone on the intravee so it's good for me but if I didn't have the iphone I would probably get a cheap old iPod off eBay.[/quote]

That's a good thought actually..

What are the interfaces on the Intravee II? I thought its AI-Net compatible?

dirtymonkey29 · Post by **dirtymonkey29** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 11:29 am

It is. I believe you'll need to plug the intravee into the switch to make the conversion for what ever your hooking up. For me I needed the KCA-420i. I'm not 100% sure I'm telling you the right thing, I'm just assuming going by what I've installed in mine and what the instruction said about installing additional AI-net components.
In sure Sanj will know for sure though.

jaynana · Post by **jaynana** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 7:38 pm

[quote=""dirtymonkey29""]It is. I believe you'll need to plug the intravee into the switch to make the conversion for what ever your hooking up. For me I needed the KCA-420i. I'm not 100% sure I'm telling you the right thing, I'm just assuming going by what I've installed in mine and what the instruction said about installing additional AI-net components.
In sure Sanj will know for sure though.[/quote]

sanj, wakeup man, tell me pls.

the CHA-S634 comes with an AI-Net cable.

does that directly go into the Intravee II? i think it should, without needing an additional switch.

the KCA-420i is another Â£100! that though tbh just might be a better choice though..

j

Sanj · Post by **Sanj** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 7:52 pm

With the current OEM changer you only get the 'wav' file type of option - 16 to 20 tracks on a CD times 6 so 96 to 120 songs at your disposal.

Take the OEM changer out and use it's 3 and 6 pin connections in the wiring loom to connect an Intravee to, a KCA-420i inline (you need this) with an iPod at the other end that can have Gigs worth of hard drive space so not 120 songs but 1000's. And ALL controlled through the OEM steering controls and shown on the screen - nothing extra needed. So initial outlay is Â£150 for the Intravee and no more than Â£50 for the KCA-420i (off eBay).

If intent on adding an MP3 changer to this setup you need the Intravee Switch (Â£100) and to this, you can add the CHA-XXXX changers. Beware though, audio ONLY, no DVD playing changers through the switch. It will allow up to 3 AI-Net connections (I think).

More outlay and for not very good reason - burning extra CDs when no need to with a 30Gb to 160Gb hard drive effectively, on the iPod. And the biggest advantage is very good sound quality playback through the Intravee/KCA unit!

Another search link here, RichardP is the Guru on this topic...

dirtymonkey29 · Post by **dirtymonkey29** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 9:47 pm

Something else to watch for if you go the route of cd changer. Don't buy one that jumps and skips when you go over bumps. The whole reason I went intravee route is because my standard changer skipped constantly which was incredibly annoying. Also it was a pain having to convert mp3 to standard format to make new CDs to listen to when I got bored of the same 6 CDs. If I didn't have the iPhone already and i didnt have an ipod either I'd have got a cheap 80gb iPod classic to leave in the car. No risk of jumping either.

jaynana · Post by **jaynana** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 11:11 pm

thanks guys, really great info.

plus i just watched top gear from yeserday, apparently ppl used something called CDs in the '80s..

Sanj · Post by **Sanj** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 11:16 pm

[quote=""jaynana""] apparently ppl used something called CDs in the '80s..

[/quote]

Saw that - another cr@p episode...

RichardP · Post by **RichardP** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 8:47 am

Just to clarify, if you are intent on CD's and hate iPods, it is possible to connect a CD Changer (CHA-S634, CHA-S624 etc) or DVD Changer (DHA-S680 or DHA-S690) to the Intravee directly with no switch. You only need a switch if you want to connect two or more CD Changer type devices, so KCA-420i and CHA-S634 for example.

jaynana · Post by **jaynana** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 9:13 am

[quote=""RichardP""]Just to clarify, if you are intent on CD's and hate iPods, it is possible to connect a CD Changer (CHA-S634, CHA-S624 etc) or DVD Changer (DHA-S680 or DHA-S690) to the Intravee directly with no switch. You only need a switch if you want to connect two or more CD Changer type devices, so KCA-420i and CHA-S634 for example.[/quote]

a ha!! that's exactly what i kinda suspected and i was after. so it IS possible.

unfortunately by now the cd changer option sounds like an ancient idea.. haven't decided yet, and i have time anyways, cos i have a couple of other priority projects on the X before that..

1. aux heater diagnosis with reslers
2. can't pump diesel into the tank *&%^$%^Â£$%^Â£$"$%"^&&

j

gadgetJunky72 · Post by **gadgetJunky72** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 9:19 am

[quote=""jaynana""]
unfortunately by now the cd changer option sounds like an ancient idea.. haven't decided yet, and i have time anyways, cos i have a couple of other priority projects on the X before that..

1. aux heater diagnosis with reslers
2. can't pump diesel into the tank *&%^$%^Â£$%^Â£$"$%"^&&

j[/quote]

on point 1 i live in NW London and was able to activate aux. heating using a recently purchased 1.4 scanner.

i'm more than happy to do the same for you if that's what you need.

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