CarPlay/AA MMI box with MOST connection

[AnubisZed]

Morning all,

Well a lot of you have seen my videos on installing the MMI boxes for CarPlay/AA into your CIC, and I know there has been a fair bit of discussion regarding the AUX connection for the output from the box to the headunit. I know that the AUX is probably the worst sound route within the car so can be a problem.
Well a company called Mr12volt have produced an MMI box that outputs its sound via the MOSTbus fibre optic network, so you are receiving a digital sound signal, which is as best as you can in the car. These boxes work similar to the originals I've dealt with before, but you do need to have the CD Changer option for these to work (otherwise you'd need a little bit of coding done), so instead of accessing the AUX option for the sound you simply go to CDC1 instead.

I've got one of these arriving today so will be installing it very soon and then I'll also be producing a video for my YouTube channel so you guys can see how easy it is to install

Retail cost is $379 (which worked out at £300 through PayPal) with free delivery in the UK (and some other countries), so if it's something you'd like to look into here's the link for the standard box...
https://www.mr12volt.com/collections/bmw/products/carplay-interface-bmw-cic?sca_ref=2115873.wNLPXC4sdI
And here is the new DSP box ($429)...
https://www.mr12volt.com/collections/bmw/products/bmw-cic-carplay-aa-interface-dsp?sca_ref=2115873.wNLPXC4sdI

EDIT**
And to update this post properly, here is my video on the installation of my box...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY4XAzUYiXk&t

 

[B21]

Will be very interested to see how you get on with this…

As discussed the aux out was a showstopper for some of us.

I don’t have a separate CD player so wonder how it works in that case?

 

[AnubisZed]

Will be very interested to see how you get on with this…

As discussed the aux out was a showstopper for some of us.

I don’t have a separate CD player so wonder how it works in that case?

So for those that don't already have CDC Prep then you'd need to have CDC added to the VO (694) and then have a setting within the CIC MAN file changed to MP3 and you're done. This is assuming you've got the MOST network, but even then if you didn't the kit come with enough parts to replicate this for the job

I've already got a customer who wants one fitting so at least I'll have mine done for practice beforehand

 

[B21]

Will be very interested to see how you get on with this…

As discussed the aux out was a showstopper for some of us.

I don’t have a separate CD player so wonder how it works in that case?

So for those that don't already have CDC Prep then you'd need to have CDC added to the VO (694) and then have a setting within the CIC MAN file changed to MP3 and you're done. This is assuming you've got the MOST network, but even then if you didn't the kit come with enough parts to replicate this for the job

I've already got a customer who wants one fitting so at least I'll have mine done for practice beforehand

Great crack on ..if it’s not too good to be true I’ll add it to the audio upgrade this winter…

Look forward to the updates..

 

[mcbutler]

If its better than the shite carsara mt store was selling I will swap mine out for one of these as well.
I noticed that when you check the stores location oin their site you get a 404 error and trying to register for emails/coupons you get more errors.

After my experience i am naturally suspicious - is this another 'its actually in china' company......

 

[AnubisZed]

If its better than the shite carsara mt store was selling I will swap mine out for one of these as well.
I noticed that when you check the stores location oin their site you get a 404 error and trying to register for emails/coupons you get more errors.

After my experience i am naturally suspicious - is this another 'its actually in china' company......

I can't say for certainwhere they are actually located, but i suspect China, but saying that they seem to be a more "with it" company and have been trading for a number of years now.

Test fitted mine today, proper fit next week, and all seems very good. Sound is good, not much set ip required, and i didn't need any coding.

All good so far

 

[mcbutler]

If its better than the shite carsara mt store was selling I will swap mine out for one of these as well.
I noticed that when you check the stores location oin their site you get a 404 error and trying to register for emails/coupons you get more errors.

After my experience i am naturally suspicious - is this another 'its actually in china' company......

I can't say for certainwhere they are actually located, but i suspect China, but saying that they seem to be a more "with it" company and have been trading for a number of years now.

Test fitted mine today, proper fit next week, and all seems very good. Sound is good, not much set ip required, and i didn't need any coding.

All good so far

Excellent news Dave - mine is so bad now its just embarrassing I always keep the display closed. It gets worse as the weather gets warmer so I think its definetely some discreet component error in the box.
Either way I'm gonna stamp on it when i get it out lol

 

[Silverstar]

If its better than the shite carsara mt store was selling I will swap mine out for one of these as well.
I noticed that when you check the stores location oin their site you get a 404 error and trying to register for emails/coupons you get more errors.

After my experience i am naturally suspicious - is this another 'its actually in china' company......

The phone number on the website is for Hong Kong. Most of these Chinese / Hong Kong company's websites are crap and does not necessarily give you an indication of how well the company will perform.

 

[Roddy]

Looks interesting, although my MMI is working quite well no one knows what long term reliability is like. Alternatives are always welcome.
One problem I see with the Mr12volt box is the software update SD card slot, not exactly convenient if the box is fitted above the glovebox.....

Edit: Looks like there is a USB socket in the wiring, that may do it

 

[AnubisZed]

Looks interesting, although my MMI is working quite well no one knows what long term reliability is like. Alternatives are always welcome.
One problem I see with the Mr12volt box is the software update SD card slot, not exactly convenient if the box is fitted above the glovebox.....

Edit: Looks like there is a USB socket in the wiring, that may do it

To be fair there was nothing wrong with my MMI either but I was aware of this new box and wanted to try it out, see how well it performs, make a video and report back on whether it's worth it or not.
So my first "thing" to report on was from my test fitting, now I know that a lot of people "say" they can tell the poor quality of the AUX input, well I don't hear it myself not at least while driving. So I played the same song on both my original and the new one and they both sounded spot on to me with plenty of base and trebble, with nothing missing. Now I'm not saying that this new one is no better, I'm saying that I thought that it sounded good and spot-on, but I've never had any complaints about the sound from the original one, maybe that's just me, or maybe that's because I set the graphic equalizer (in the MMI settings) up for my taste.

Oh and not sure if I've mentioned this, but this new type box does not plug into the quadlock connector at the back of the headunit, so no issues in trying to squeeze all of the wiring back in behind it anymore!

Full report once I've fitted it

 

[Silverstar]

To be fair there was nothing wrong with my MMI either but I was aware of this new box and wanted to try it out, see how well it performs, make a video and report back on whether it's worth it or not.
So my first "thing" to report on was from my test fitting, now I know that a lot of people "say" they can tell the poor quality of the AUX input, well I don't hear it myself not at least while driving. So I played the same song on both my original and the new one and they both sounded spot on to me with plenty of base and trebble, with nothing missing. Now I'm not saying that this new one is no better, I'm saying that I thought that it sounded good and spot-on, but I've never had any complaints about the sound from the original one, maybe that's just me, or maybe that's because I set the graphic equalizer (in the MMI settings) up for my taste.

I have the old style MMI box connected via the AUX and similarly I can't see anything wrong with the sound quality. I have upgraded my base 6 speaker set up with amps and subs and the sound is just great, everyone that has heard my system has said it sounds fantastic. I think you'd have to be a real audiophile to notice any difference. In the MMI I have the EQ set to flat and even so, no issues on the quality front.

 

[Roddy]

I'm not sure what changed in mine since installation, there are no change logs naturally :headbang: but initially I didn't like the aux sound. Recently I tried adjusting with the equalizer that (I think) wasn't there originally, and also changed the loudness settings. Now the sound is OK.
I notice Mr12volt has 2 versions for CIC, there is also a blue unit with equalizer coming soon, so I think that may have appeared on mine after one of the updates if that's possible.
Keen to see how you get on AnubisZed, as mentioned my only (major) concern currently is long term reliability. Future options in the event of failure would be good.

 

[AnubisZed]

I'm not sure what changed in mine since installation, there are no change logs naturally :headbang: but initially I didn't like the aux sound. Recently I tried adjusting with the equalizer that (I think) wasn't there originally, and also changed the loudness settings. Now the sound is OK.

Have you done a firmware update since you had it? That's the only way it could have changed, unless you simply didn't notice it.

I notice Mr12volt has 2 versions for CIC, there is also a blue unit with equalizer coming soon, so I think that may have appeared on mine after one of the updates if that's possible.

Yes the blue one (DSP inside) is the new version that has the equalizer built-in, which is following some complaints regarding the low end frequencies, as I posted previously though I heard/had no issues with my sound set-up.

Keen to see how you get on AnubisZed, as mentioned my only (major) concern currently is long term reliability. Future options in the event of failure would be good.

Well I'll keep this thread updated as I have info, and I'll post the video up as well as soon as I complete it.

 

[Roddy]

Have you done a firmware update since you had it? That's the only way it could have changed, unless you simply didn't notice it.

Yes, a few updates for the CUST version, and once for MCU. I remember getting advice on another thread about adjusting volume levels, pretty sure I would have noticed the EQ and Loudness options. Whatever that Loudness <400+h> setting is, it made a world of difference

 

[AnubisZed]

Have you done a firmware update since you had it? That's the only way it could have changed, unless you simply didn't notice it.

Yes, a few updates for the CUST version, and once for MCU. I remember getting advice on another thread about adjusting volume levels, pretty sure I would have noticed the EQ and Loudness options. Whatever that Loudness <400+h> setting is, it made a world of difference

IMG_20220330_100016.jpg

That'll be it then, those weren't in the original firmware only in later updates

 

[B21]

Following on from AnnubisZed work on CarPlay boxes I pressed the trigger on the second generation version of the MOST based box, the first generation MOST box had an issue with poor bass performance that for some was irrelevant and for some a major issue.

The problem rested in the hardware so could not be resolved by a firmware fix.

This second generation box addresses that issue. Reviews elsewhere suggest the bass problem is now fixed and provides audio close to what can be provided by the USB CIC connections.

Box arrived very speedily (around 5 days)…

Quality of everything looks good..there’s an improved quality video cable connecting the box to the CIC unit.

I’ll wait till the winter and plug it in when I do the major audio upgrade.

Figured inflation and availability may affect matters later in the year so banked it whilst I could.

 

[Wolter]

Hi all, thanks for all the useful information on this forum.

Have installed the latest version of the mr12volt as well.
Noticed the installation changed the CDMM_CHANGER_3 to mp3_cdc by itself but no cd changer options/list appear in my cic display and the mr12volt box does not show up on screen.

The idrive button works well in the original cic menu (so assume connector is put correctly in the idrive harness)..
The red power led on the box is on.
The mr12volt box does show up in the bluetooth menu of my phone and when selected responds to my apple phone as well (asking me to allow carplay).
I have no cd changer installed in my car.
The other audio inputs seems to work well (radio and tune2air module when connected in the armrest audio/usb connectors).
I do not have bluetooth music via oem car audio.

Anyone has a clue what’s might go wrong?
Have reached out to mr12box as well.

Thanks for your responses in advance.

 

[Wolter]

Checked all the cabling and connectors again today. Experimented with the dip switches but no luck so far.
Only cd/aux list that keeps popping up is as per screen below…

 

[Wolter]

Gave it an other thought overnight and realized I couldn't see an icon for my cd player in the head unit either so decided to dig up a cd and putting it in.
After 2 or 3 times removing and inserting the cd it started playing music and the cd/multimedia settings finally shows the cdc in the list.
Maybe a strange coincidence but these steps seem to have woken up something…
I have never played a cd since I got the car and all the modules where updated/rebooted with the latest software releases when I bought it.
Anyways; time to explore the new options and see how the bass in my car sounds when streaming music using the carplay function…

 

[B21]

Gave it an other thought overnight and realized I couldn't see an icon for my cd player in the head unit either so decided to dig up a cd and putting it in.
After 2 or 3 times removing and inserting the cd it started playing music and the cd/multimedia settings finally shows the cdc in the list.
Maybe a strange coincidence but these steps seem to have woken up something…
I have never played a cd since I got the car and all the modules where updated/rebooted with the latest software releases when I bought it.
Anyways; time to explore the new options and see how the bass in my car sounds when streaming music using the carplay function…

Keep us updated pls