So if I leave the ipod in its cradle, run AV cables to the center console RCAs, turn the nav to AUX, then I will be able to run all of the audio and video through the entire system, including both screens? I will just have to control the ipod manually. Do I have this correct?

 

Knute3,

I've got what you're lookin' for! It's called the Valor iLink Multimedia. It turns your iPod into a full mulitmedia onscreen interface. All you do is hook it up to your AUX in and then you control the rest. I actually think I'm going to buy one online right now, just for my music. If you'd like to see it work here's the link to watch it. (Note he's using it on a Toyota or something like that, but you can use it on ANYTHING. You can plug it into your TV at home if you'd like.

This is what you're lookin' for dude! http://www.valordvd.com/product/prod...uctid=iLink-L2

Here's what it looks like in action:
http://www.coastaletech.com/./media/mp_ULTIMATE IPOD_4.asx

Here's one for sale on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/Valor-iLink-L2-A...QQcmdZViewItem

 

So it just plugs into the aux in on the head unit? Please let me know when you get yours how it works. Looks like the ticket. Any I can use my steering wheel controls and the touchscreen? So I can hide the ipod in my glovebox and just have the aux wire hooked in the front?


But will my other option running AV cables to the rear console still allow me to play audio and video on the entire system? Just have to control the ipod manually?

Thanks
Bill

 

I'm not going to get one anytime soon because I don't really have a use to display iPod video. If I do pick one up it will be out of impatiences of waiting to get the new Peripheral piece that does it all (minus the iPod video).

You will not be able to use your steering wheel controls or touch screen with this Valor iLink-L2 device, but it does have a wireless remote so you can hide it all like you want to, and still have control via the remote. So technically you're manually controlling the iPod, just via a remote. You will also see the menus on the nav screen like in that demo video.

Yes you can wire your AUX up in the front hard-lined. That's how I have mine, along with a toggle switch in case I want to plug something into the A/V in on the back console. It's normal position though is the TV Tuner.

And so you know you see and have the same options on the front screen as you do on the back. It's all tied together. So if you plug something into the back A/V in, you WILL see it on the front screen as well.

 

I think this is what I am going to use for now. It plugs into the dock on the bottom, has a charger, and then has the AV cables. My question is if I use this, will any of the menu items appear on the nav screen?

I can mount this next to the nav screen and tuck all the cable under the center console as they run back to the rear AUX inputs.

What do you think?




[IMG]local://upfiles/7089/6A00FDADD88445E9942EDE1B25066B76.jpg[/IMG]

 

It's a "ghetto" way of doing it. I know me personally, I don't EVER want to see an exposed iPod.

Do you see the menus when you plug your iPod into your home TV? Whatever the answer to that question is, that's what it's going to be for your nav screen.

 

Looked at the video for the ilink by Valor. Do I have to have the lockpick installed for this to work while driving? Wont I lose the ability to view anything on the screen when driving?

Just curious...

 

That is correct, without the GMLockPick you will NOT be able to use the Valor iLink-L2 while in motion.

 

So lets see...$250 for the lockpick, $120 for the Valor.... or $50 for Roadshow.....

Hmmmmmm..............Ghetto it is....

 

I bought a Valor iLink from the guy on ebay listed above...quick shipping, no problems w/seller.

Here are a few thoughts / things I have discovered about the unit:

The largest iPod it will accept is a 60 gig... verified by the manufacturer (internal memory constraints, the largest ipod was 40gigs when this was introduced).
I discovered this the hard way after purchasing an 80 gig video to use with it...
Fortunately, my old 60gig photo ipod works fine with it... and older used 60gig units are cheap on ebay, too.
I guess I'll use the 80gig for music when the Peripherial unit comes out. :-)

The iLink does not recognize .mp4 file extentions (ipod default), but does support mpg, mpeg, dat, .vob, and .avi.
I am currently playing with different settings / programs to convert my DVD's to .avi's... and playing with different resolutions / bitrates for both audio & video...to see what is the smallest file size I can achieve, with acceptable video quality on the factory nav & factory rear entertainment screens...

So far I am ripping my dvd's to .mp4's for my video ipod, and then converting these to .avi's...still have not settled on a good setting for the conversion.

the iLink does come with a wired (looks like about4 or5 feet long) remote IR receiver for the remote, so it can be truly hidden out of sight... it is white, so I will probably hit it with some vinyl paint or something, and mount it near the rear view mirror area.
I will also be patching into the backside of the AUX connectors on the rear entertainment center, adding hiddenRCA jacks on the back side of the rear entertainment center, along with an ignition noise filter (I can hear the ignition whine because the audio in the resulting file is on the quiet side, so I have to crank the stereo.)

Thus far I have a ignition switched power source off the fuse box in the engine compartment (unfortunately NOT retained power), an inline fuse, a small wiring bus under the center console cup holder with both 12v and negative ground (for future expansion = wiring at least some of the 5 charger outlets to switched power!).

I have been taking pics, and will post when I am finished with the install...at this rate, it will probably be quite a while.

Frosty

P.S. I have learned the hard way not to drop ANYTHING down between the seat & the center console...impossible to find again...things go the same place the socksdisappear toin the clothes dryer...I have added papers, screws, and french fries to the collection of mismatched socks!