Dension Gateway 500 iPod Adapter Arrived Today

[bolkar]

Did you get a chance to try the usb connection? Also the other audio input. I dont want to use an ipod, I have a creative mp3 player with 120gb hdd (which I replaced the original 40gb). Therefore, I am curious how it will work.

I have PCM with CD changer. If I understand correctly, you can change between cd changer or the dension with a button on the dension unit? So that means I have to get out of the car open the trunk and change it? Wish there was a way to do this inside the car.

Thanks a lot for your post about this product. My last question is, is there a company that imports them to here? Or should we get them from UK web pages?

[rickhuizinga]

Originally Posted by bolkar

Did you get a chance to try the usb connection? Also the other audio input. I dont want to use an ipod, I have a creative mp3 player with 120gb hdd (which I replaced the original 40gb). Therefore, I am curious how it will work.

I have PCM with CD changer. If I understand correctly, you can change between cd changer or the dension with a button on the dension unit? So that means I have to get out of the car open the trunk and change it? Wish there was a way to do this inside the car.

Thanks a lot for your post about this product. My last question is, is there a company that imports them to here? Or should we get them from UK web pages?

I've only used the iPod connector so far, and don't really intend to use the AUX in or USB input.

You can switch between the Gateway 500 and the CD changer using a bypass switch on the Gateway. The change only takes effect the next time the MOST bus is turned on. You can mount the cables inside the main cabin. I choose the front trunk so the install would be easy enough to do myself, and because I plan to keep a dedicated iPod up front.

Eric @ Bumper Plugs will be doing a group buy (http://www.bumperplugs.com/DensionGroupBuy2.html). I ordered from maxcount.de where I paid 361EUR + 25EUR for shipping.

[SD987]

The more I read about these convoluted and expensive iPod integrations the more annoyed I become with Porsche. My annoyance had settled for awhile and become sullen resignation, but now I'm just feeling verklempt.

And the most asinine aspect of the Dension solution is that they would release the PCM version first. If I had PCM I'd be fine just burning songs in data-format. My playlists are really not that sacred to me.

Seriously, this calls for a big WTF and maybe a little ass-kicking. Now where did I put those Lufthansa tickets...

[rickhuizinga]

Originally Posted by SD987

And the most asinine aspect of the Dension solution is that they would release the PCM version first. If I had PCM I'd be fine just burning songs in data-format. My playlists are really not that sacred to me.

That's not true. The Dension unit has DIP switches to select whether it is used with the CDR23/24 vs. PCM. The operation of the Gateway 500 on the CDR23/24 was discussed earlier in this thread.

Check out this link to save $50-100 on the iPod adapter:

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=12290&hl=

[laphil]

Originally Posted by rickhuizinga

I've only used the iPod connector so far, and don't really intend to use the AUX in or USB input.

You can switch between the Gateway 500 and the CD changer using a bypass switch on the Gateway. The change only takes effect the next time the MOST bus is turned on. You can mount the cables inside the main cabin. I choose the front trunk so the install would be easy enough to do myself, and because I plan to keep a dedicated iPod up front.

Eric @ Bumper Plugs will be doing a group buy (http://www.bumperplugs.com/DensionGroupBuy2.html). I ordered from maxcount.de where I paid 361EUR + 25EUR for shipping.

So HOW did you get it to work? I have an 05 987 with BOSE and no CD changer. I have the GW500 and took the unit to a very reputable audio house (recommended by BH Porsche, etc) The installer flipped the dips to Porsche mode and installed in the front trunk downstream from the amp. He also tried as first unit on the bus as there's only a BOSE amp. Oddly enough, whatever was downstream from the GW500 failed (the bus wouldn't recognize it.)

BH Porsche was kind enough to verify MOST bus for me (verified that the Head Unit had CDC enabled as well...) The end game was this unit DIDN'T work on my bus. It kept killing the BOSE or the head unit.

Any thoughts????

Also, the Porsche documentation / fiber packet that comes with the kit says the GW/CD bypass switch doesn't work on Porsches... yours does??

[rickhuizinga]

Originally Posted by laphil

So HOW did you get it to work? I have an 05 987 with BOSE and no CD changer. I have the GW500 and took the unit to a very reputable audio house (recommended by BH Porsche, etc) The installer flipped the dips to Porsche mode and installed in the front trunk downstream from the amp. He also tried as first unit on the bus as there's only a BOSE amp. Oddly enough, whatever was downstream from the GW500 failed (the bus wouldn't recognize it.)

BH Porsche was kind enough to verify MOST bus for me (verified that the Head Unit had CDC enabled as well...) The end game was this unit DIDN'T work on my bus. It kept killing the BOSE or the head unit.

Any thoughts????

Also, the Porsche documentation / fiber packet that comes with the kit says the GW/CD bypass switch doesn't work on Porsches... yours does??

Hmmm - I didn't get the notice about the bypass switch not working, but that explains why I couldn't get the configuration menu to come up (it requires 3 cycles of the bypass switch).



Does your car have NAV?

With the Gateway 500 installed, do the rest of the devices work? I.e. Can you hear the radio and/or CD? This would indicate that your installer didn't reverse the input vs. output, and that your Gateway 500 is getting power.

What I'm trying to get at is that I've read that the CDR23/24 requires recoding using the dealer's PIWIS system when adding a CD changer. The PCM can, however, auto-discover the addition of a CD changer. I'm no expert, I just read this somewhere about installing a CD changer.

Since the Gateway 500 emulates a CD changer, a CDR23/24 head unit would need to be re-coded using the PIWIS system by your dealer.

I've also attached the install notes for Porsche that were provided to me by maxcount.de - I just received this yesterday. Note that there are two different DIP switch settings for Porsche, depending on whether you have a PCM or CDR23/24 head unit. It also mentions whether the Gateway 500 should be up or down stream from the head unit.

Rick

[rickhuizinga]

After reading the install notes a second time, it sounds like the 987/997 need the Gateway installed downstream of the head unit, whereas the Cayenne needs it installed upstream. Based on your description, it sounds like your Gateway 500 is installed downstream of the AMP and upstream from the head unit which differs from the requirements in these install notes. You may want to change this and give it a try again.

Rick

[laphil]

Originally Posted by rickhuizinga

After reading the install notes a second time, it sounds like the 987/997 need the Gateway installed downstream of the head unit, whereas the Cayenne needs it installed upstream. Based on your description, it sounds like your Gateway 500 is installed downstream of the AMP and upstream from the head unit which differs from the requirements in these install notes. You may want to change this and give it a try again.

Rick

We tied both downstream and upstream and definitely checked the direction. I didn't get the insert that shows two dip settings. This is new! I'll take it in today and report results

Thanks

[z12358]

I'm with SD987. I was seriously considering this gizmo but all this complexity and $$ just to plug in a simple player is starting to border on the bizarre. Porsche could have just provided an AUX IN socket on the face plate and be done with it. Sheesh.

Z.

[laphil]

Originally Posted by laphil

We tied both downstream and upstream and definitely checked the direction. I didn't get the insert that shows two dip settings. This is new! I'll take it in today and report results

Thanks

RESULTS: The unit is going back. We've set the dips properly. We've verified the fiber direction and locations in the loop (with Dension on the phone.) The distributor upgraded the firmware. I give up! It may be a faulty unit... I haven't ruled that out. I will say this: The folks at Haas Entertainment in Los Angeles (Culver City) are top notch, very professional, and there's a reason why BH Porsche and Pacific Porsche recommend them. They really stand behind their work.