Alpine KCEi Ipod Interface

R

RustyZ4

Veteran
 Maidstone, Kent
Hi

I currently have a Dension 300 for ipod connection to my car stereo, I am thinking about changing it to the Alpine KCE 425i, as i understand it has on screen navigation for albums, songs, artists etc and also plays videos!! and I can have my CD changer back (although with an ipod its a bit reduntant :D ), I did look at the Intravee unit when I got the Dension but a few people I know have had issues with it, and this unit on paper looks like it would do the business but i wondered, has anyone had one fitted or know anything about it? does it look as good as it sounds (excuse the pun :rofl: )


If you are intersted a quick link to it http://www.incarexpress.co.uk/view_product.php?partno=KCE425I


Rusty
 
I guessing this will only work with Alpine Head units and monitors. Cant see how you would connect to BMW headnit
 
I spoke to Alpine today and they say it will work on any head unit with a display e.g. sat nav, it connects in the same way as a Dension or Intravee unit. To be fair I did only mention the Z4, so if it would fit other makes of cars im not sure.
 
I think Alpines reply is a little misleading. It will work on any head unit with a display **that has a video input**.

Basically the KCE425i connects to an iPod and gives you a nice GUI and remote control (via a wired IR sensor, not communicating with your MF steering wheel or dash controls) and video/audio outputs. It's up to you to work out how to get these into whatever system is in your car. So, to make this work in the Z4 you'd need a way to get video into your nav screen (reasonably easy if you have the TV tuner) AND a way to have an auxiliary audio input playing at the same time (the audio input that goes with the video-in on the TV tuner is mono only, so that's no good). It's this last bit that's a pain, although there are aftermarket modules that will do this.

Personally, I think all that makes the Intravee look easy.
 
If you decided you still wanted to try this, I think you'd need something like this:

http://www.tv-in-motion.co.uk/bmw_tv_in_motion.html

The one for the E46 should work fine with the Z4. The important feature on that list is "Listen to CD while watching TV". This would let you select the Tv function showing your video input from the KCE and at the same time have the aux-in audio playing, which would be coming from the KCE also.

So, assuming you already have TV, you'd need to buy:

Alpine KCE425i
A/V input cable
TV in motion module

Most of that lot would hide behind the boot carpeting, but you'd need to run the hardwired IR sensor to somewhere convenient in the cockpit.
 
Spandex said:
If you decided you still wanted to try this, I think you'd need something like this:

http://www.tv-in-motion.co.uk/bmw_tv_in_motion.html

The one for the E46 should work fine with the Z4. The important feature on that list is "Listen to CD while watching TV". This would let you select the Tv function showing your video input from the KCE and at the same time have the aux-in audio playing, which would be coming from the KCE also.

So, assuming you already have TV, you'd need to buy:

Alpine KCE425i
A/V input cable
TV in motion module

Most of that lot would hide behind the boot carpeting, but you'd need to run the hardwired IR sensor to somewhere convenient in the cockpit.
Click to expand...

Thanks


Yes I do have the TV function, and I had realised that the TV would have to be enabled to work "on the move" in order to show artwork and screen etc, and have a list of cables etc I need.

I am very interested to see one working "in the flesh" or find someone who has one. When I spoke to Alpine about would i lose my MFSW controls, he said "he didnt think so!!" not very inspiring,, I was dubious because it comes with its own remote.

I wont do anything till I find out more info, and then I will have the problem of passing the wife,s "waste of money" test.


P.S. while typing this an audio fitter friend of mine has just rung to say he is fitting his first one in a 330i next week, i`ll wait and see what he says :thumbsup:
 
I remember reading this one when I had my old 330...

http://www.bmwland.co.uk/talker/viewtopic.php?t=48916

The fitting is obviously more hard work than in a Z but the end result gives you an idea. He used a different iPod interface, but I guess they all do the same job.
 
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