Mediabridge 1500 install on 03 Z4 with DSP

[charlieaf92]

I found that there is some good information online about the general functions of the Mediabridge, but most of the details (especially specific to certain car models/features) are not available.

So, I thought I would post some detailed information about how the product functions in my car for anyone with a similar setup considering a Mediabridge. I tried to include the little details that are unavailable but good to know. Please feel free to ask any other questions that you may have.

To start with, the install was done on a 2003 Z4 3.0 with DSP (no cd changer, no nav).

I purchased the Mediabridge and DSP adapter from Bavarien Soundwerks. I would highly recommend them to anyone considering this or any other product. Their youtube install videos are invaluable and they provide great service and fast answers to questions during your installation. I also purchased the car/trim tool kit set. I would highly recommend the plastic panel removal tool - but the rest of the tools were not necessary (partially because I already had them).

Installation - The installation was pretty straight forward and similar to the install video that Bavarien Sound provided. I only ran into two real problems/questions. The first was trying to find a power source for the DSP adapter. I ended up wiring it directly to the battery, the splitting the Mediabrige wiring harness apart and running the 6 pin to the DSP and the 3 pin to the firewall behind the seats. Everything was relatively easy, except for the way that I ran the USB cable. I wanted it to come out of the mobile phone hole in the center storage compartment. Because of the size of the plug end it turned out to be difficult, but not impossible.

Bluetooth calling (I have an iphone 4s) - Sound quality is very good. Driving with the top down at < 40mph presents no problems. Highway speeds with the top down can be a little difficult to hear clearly though. Caller ID displays the phone number (not the contact name) on the radio display and the number is read verbally through the speakers during an incoming call. To answer the call you can press 'track forward' on the dash and to end the call you press 'track backward'. If you answer the call by sliding on the phone, it will by default bypass the bluetooth and come through the phone.

When you're on the phone walking towards your car the mediabridge will steal the call and interrupt your conversation (when you unlock the doors it seems that it powers on) - but since you haven't turned the key yet the speakers are not on to hear the call. This is annoying, but you quickly get used to it.

Bluetooth music - This is a nice feature, but it drains battery quickly and the sound quality is noticeably flat compared to a direct connection. Something very cool, that I like is that you can play audio from youtube videos through the Mediabrige. Dashboard controls will work for track forward and back during iPod playback - but playlist/artist/etc functionality do not seem to work through bluetooth. When you start your car again, you will need to manually start the music from your iPhone before the dash controls will work again.

USB iPod - Mediabridge is only compatible for 5th gen iPods and above (which sucked because I had a 4th gen). So, I purchased a 5th gen and it works great. Sound quality is excellent. Dashboard controls allow for song switching, artist/playlist/album selection. Song titles, artist and album all display on the dash display - which is very nice. Unfortunately, there is not a way to turn on random shuffle (my factory radio does not have a button for it - and when connected the iPod cannot be controlled via click wheel). There are settings in Mediabridge to make the click wheel functional while connected, but they limit dash control functionality.

I will post some pictures of the install later. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
Charlie

 

[wiseguy]

Good post. I have the MB 1500 in my 07 with DSP. I did not need a DSP adapter. I like it, but in the interest of full disclosure, the following improvements would be appreciated: random track option as you mentioned, the ability to change the bass/treble using the radio on the fly (1 song has too much bass, another not enough, and you can do nothing about it without fiddling with the IPhone), & 2 USB connections (for connecting a thumbdrive permanently and an IPhone when desired). For those without Sat Nav, the Mediabridge is a great option. I bought mine from Autotoys.com http://www.autotoys.com/x/product.php?productid=16042, which includes a free Sirius tuner for $275. Mine was purchased before the price hike. I don't use the bluetooth streaming (no reason) or the bluetooth telephone connection, as my car had OEM bluetooth.

My best tip: locate the MB unit where you can access it easily, as Dice offers numerous software upgrades during the year. Behind the carpet in the trunk would not be a good choice. You have to connect the mini-USB jack to a PC or laptop to update the unit. Mine lives in the center storage.

 

[Darren Slone]

A very informative post

 

[charlieaf92]

Good points wideguy. To clarify about the bass settings (this is something I meant to talk about but forgot) - the on dash display of song information 'takes over' any other display setting. So, you can't really check the time or change audio settings while you're listening to music. I'd you press and hold the time button, you can see it for about 1 second before the mediabridge steals the display back.

Regarding MB mountin position - id you use the Bluetooth mic you are going to be forced to put it under the ashtray area. The chord on the mic isn't long enough to reach back any further into the car after routing around the windshield.

And a couple other interesting details:

- while using Bluetooth to stream YouTube audio, the dash displays the name of the video (neat)
- you can only switch media bridge audio source within 5 seconds of turning on the unit
- you are able to apply multiple filters. So, for example, you can use artist mode to pick and artist - then switch to alum mode and it will show only that artists albums.

Charlie

 

[petermmdk]

I tried to install my new Mediabridge 1500 today but didn't succeed.

Car is 3 liter 2004 with Prof Navi, 10 speakers Hi-Fi, but no DSP.

I think that I found the right cables behind the carpet in the boot (trunk), but I couldn't pull them out. They must be attached to the cdcharger and I don't want to use force.

In the video from BSW he just locates the wires and then has the connectors in his hand!

Do I have to go in via the cabin, behind and underneath subwoofer, to take out the connectors or do I just pull hard?

Hope somebody can clarify - thanks.

Peter, Denmark

Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

 

[wiseguy]

I tried to install my new Mediabridge 1500 today but didn't succeed.

Car is 3 liter 2004 with Prof Navi, 10 speakers Hi-Fi, but no DSP.

I think that I found the right cables behind the carpet in the boot (trunk), but I couldn't pull them out. They must be attached to the cdcharger and I don't want to use force.

In the video from BSW he just locates the wires and then has the connectors in his hand!

Do I have to go in via the cabin, behind and underneath subwoofer, to take out the connectors or do I just pull hard?

Hope somebody can clarify - thanks.

Peter, Denmark

Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

Peter,

Glad to see you went with the Mediabridge after we talked. Here's a pic of the CD changer wires I pulled out from the trunk bulkhead, using brute force. I was worried I pulled them too hard, causing damage, but they work fine. They were really hard to pull out of there. Note: I don't have a CD changer; the unused wires were tucked underneath the bottom of the black center storage compartment, accessible only from the trunk bulkhead. If you have a CD changer, then perhaps someone else can add to my post as to how to unplug them without damage.

 

[petermmdk]

Hi wiseguy

Thanks for another posting from you trying to help me!

My problem was that the Video Module (For in-car-TV I think) was in the way for the left part of the CD Charger.

When I removed it together with the black frame that holds it (very easy just removing four 10 mm nuts) there was free access to the 2 connectors on the back of the CD Charger. The 6 pin connector came out with a gentle pull. The 3 pin connector was very tight and I had to use a set of pliers to get it out.

After that everything was easy. I routed the cable to the battery hole and connected the DICE Mediabridge. You can see the black cable coming from the upper right corner. There is room enough for both Mediabridge and iPod. I put them in old socks.

For now I only have a USB stick and that works as it is supposed to. Tomorrow when the SALE starts I will find a cheap iPod to have more control of my music.

I had to extend the hole for the emergency line (hood?) with a sharp knife and price the black knob through. Otherwice it is not possible to lift the carpet enough. I realised that to late so think I strached the line - hope I didn't do anything wrong by pulling it hard!