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[05omegav6]

As above really.

Is it possible to add a pair of RCA connectors to the head unit, thereby allowing third party items to run audio to the speakers without having to lose the Bose gubbins? And has any one done this?

If it was done via the CDC input, I appreciate that I would lose CDC functionality but would this then make the CDC button an Aux selector instead?

New acquisition has 2013 with CID, and actually quite like it, but would like to expand it by connecting a third party head unit capable of the extra functionality using that units audio outputs and connecting them to a suitable point before the Bose system, so that the signal gets converted in the same way as the CDC signal would be

[05omegav6]

I guess I am looking at a variation of VXLV6s idea

Is there a how to for these connections? Did look but couldn't find anything

[zirk]

Yep, you basically interrupt the Audio Feed between the CD Player to the HU Audio I/P, whacking through a switch (or Switched Relays) mean you don't necessarily lose the CDC function.

Did one or two quiet a few years back, I added some Caps and a Resister Presets prior to the Aux input as well, in case there were any stray volts on the Aux In Audio Output and the Presents meant you could better match the Aux Device(s) output signal levels for a better match Signal Voltage and Impedance rather than rely on the Headphone out Volume Control of the Aux Device.

[Nick W]

Yep, you basically interrupt the Audio Feed between the CD Player to the HU Audio I/P, whacking through a switch (or Switched Relays) mean you don't necessarily lose the CDC function.

Did one or two quiet a few years back, I added some Caps and a Resister Presets prior to the Aux input as well, in case there were any stray volts on the Aux In Audio Output and the Presents meant you could better match the Aux Device(s) output signal levels for a better match Signal Voltage and Impedance rather than rely on the Headphone out Volume Control of the Aux Device.

I'm very interested, in doing something similar, but that goes straight over my head. A bit of simple soldering is within my capabilities, but I need a complete idiot's guide on the bits/connections involved.


How about some pics? Please?

[zirk]

And yes, whilst there's not a How To on here, theres a few on the web, been discussed here a few times Al, last time I posted up stuff on it, seem to remember it got Nuked for copyright reasons, but we wont go into all that again. as Ive said before I really struggle to see how someone can copyright switching an Audio Signal using a switch or Reed Relays. 

[zirk]

Yep, you basically interrupt the Audio Feed between the CD Player to the HU Audio I/P, whacking through a switch (or Switched Relays) mean you don't necessarily lose the CDC function.

Did one or two quiet a few years back, I added some Caps and a Resister Presets prior to the Aux input as well, in case there were any stray volts on the Aux In Audio Output and the Presents meant you could better match the Aux Device(s) output signal levels for a better match Signal Voltage and Impedance rather than rely on the Headphone out Volume Control of the Aux Device.

I'm very interested, in doing something similar, but that goes straight over my head. A bit of simple soldering is within my capabilities, but I need a complete idiot's guide on the bits/connections involved.


How about some pics? Please?

As said theres stuff on the Web, I last one I did was for a Vectra C, NCDC 2013 and CID was around 2010 so I dont have any pics available from back then Im afraid.

[05omegav6]

Would like to use the amp audio output from A N Other aftermarket head unit rather than mp3 stylee device extras to the second head unit would include a couple of disc changers, so losing Cdc is no big deal

[zirk]

Would like to use the amp audio output from A N Other aftermarket head unit rather than mp3 stylee device extras to the second head unit would include a couple of disc changers, so losing Cdc is no big deal

Makes it slightly easier if you dont mind losing the CDC, that way you dont have to mess about with all the switching between Aux In and the CDC, just feed your output directly into the HU CDC audio in.

Having said that, any chance the the second HU has Line Level RCA type audio output feed rather than using the Speaker output, would sound better in my book and easier to do, whilst you can feed Speaker out into Line Level input via some resistive pads it does go against the grain in the Audio World. 

[05omegav6]

Sorry, could have been clearer there... Idea is to have the Rca amp output as the only audio output from the second HU, leaving its speaker output redundant

[TheBoy]

I've been running a line in on the Bullet for 2 or 3 years, and similar on the Battlebus for a year.  So its certainly possible, but the logisitics of keeping it neat is a bit harder.

I like VXL V6's idea, which he's been working on for 2 or 3 months. But I'm going down a different path

[VXL V6]

Yeh, took my time as I had a little change of plan!

I was going to use my Ipod Classic in a cradle but that would mean a) removing it from view every time you stop and b) trying to operate the interface while driving didn't seem very clever.

[Dave DND]

As a suggestion -

Use a Harmon Kardon Drive and Play unit - 1st generation units available for around £20 on the bay of e

Connect line out from Harmon unit to BOSE head unit via CD port as described

Throw iPod in the glovebox and forget about it

Far neater solution than messing with head units   

[05omegav6]

As a suggestion -

Use a Harmon Kardon Drive and Play unit - 1st generation units available for around £20 on the bay of e

Connect line out from Harmon unit to BOSE head unit via CD port as described

Throw iPod in the glovebox and forget about it

Far neater solution than messing with head units   

That would presumably require the acquisition of an iPod

[zirk]

Throw iPod in the glovebox and forget about it

That would presumably require the acquisition of an iPod

AS Dave says Al, check your Glove Box, may have a binned one in there already. 

[VXL V6]

Plenty of useable ones from your local CEX.

[Doctor Gollum]

As a suggestion -

Use a Harmon Kardon Drive and Play unit - 1st generation units available for around £20 on the bay of e

Connect line out from Harmon unit to BOSE head unit via CD port as described

Throw iPod in the glovebox and forget about it

Far neater solution than messing with head units   

That would presumably require the acquisition of an iPod

Nope. It has an aux in (as well as iPod connectivity. ) so you can fit a powered Bluetooth gizmo with 3.5 jack to the aux in. Although the dash mount display and controller are a bit pointless without a precious iPod it has to be said.

Hk needs to be hard wired to fm though, and radio reception will suffer. Although the hk works well.

[05omegav6]

Does the HK unit also do video?

[zirk]

Does the HK unit also do video?

No. Stick with your plan Al, far better quality wise doing it direct than using a FM Modulator and then using your FM Radio to demod it / recover the signal. 

[05omegav6]

Does the HK unit also do video?

No. Stick with your plan Al, far better quality wise doing it direct than using a FM Modulator and then using your FM Radio to demod it / recover the signal. 

did that link make sense btw

[Doctor Gollum]

Does the HK unit also do video?

It's not that precious. Audio only.

As said. Direct into the HU via cd slot or multi changer(?) is preferred imo. Either way, there's getting poxy unit in and out of that damn cage. PitArris's!

[Doctor Gollum]

Of course, If you want video, you need hardware killers bit of circuit board

[05omegav6]

Have a perfectly useful 7" screen so not planning to upset the CID

[zirk]

Does the HK unit also do video?

No. Stick with your plan Al, far better quality wise doing it direct than using a FM Modulator and then using your FM Radio to demod it / recover the signal. 

did that link make sense btw

No, no link in the pm, do you want to send again. 

[zirk]

Of course, If you want video, you need hardware killers bit of circuit board

Whilst it does what it says on the tin, its a bit limited, as it relies on a proper RGB + Sync signal to work, kind of thing you could tap out of a scart plug a few years ago, most Video outputs / Camera / Portable / Mobiles etc tend to be simplified with HDMI or Composite Video (CVBS) these days. 

[05omegav6]

Does the HK unit also do video?

No. Stick with your plan Al, far better quality wise doing it direct than using a FM Modulator and then using your FM Radio to demod it / recover the signal. 

did that link make sense btw

No, no link in the pm, do you want to send again. 

Resent

[VXL V6]

Of course, If you want video, you need hardware killers bit of circuit board

Whilst it does what it says on the tin, its a bit limited, as it relies on a proper RGB + Sync signal to work, kind of thing you could tap out of a scart plug a few years ago, most Video outputs / Camera / Portable / Mobiles etc tend to be simplified with HDMI or Composite Video (CVBS) these days.

Composite Video would be my requirement as the only useful thing I can see such a tiny screen being used for would be a reversing camera, even then it's a gimmick as you should be looking behind you!