I'm seeing tons of pictures on installing the various ipod solutions (dice, vais, etc), but zilch on how you actually use them once installed. How do you browse your music once your ipod is connected with these systems? Is it the same interface used for mp3 cds?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(indiepants @ May 5 2007, 04:28 PM) [snapback]436181[/snapback]</div> No, Toyota's system can't allow for anything like that. The interface varies wildly, some map a playlist to the disc buttons, some lock out the iPod, and some use the disc buttons to control how you search the music.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Vagabond @ May 5 2007, 09:44 PM) [snapback]436206[/snapback]</div> Thanks for the info... I've just started looking really--just trying to match up what I want/need with what the devices can deliver. The two main things I want are 1) I don't have to touch my ipod after plugging it in. Driving while trying to use an ipod nano is scary. 2) I want to be able to browse my music without having to jump through silly hoops. For example, pick from a lists of artist then pick an album to play. I don't want to have to create playlists for every possible set of songs I might want to listen to. I'm getting the feeling that (2) is beyond the ability of the current ipod interfacing solutions. MP3 CDs are the way to go for me, I guess. My ideal scenario would be 1) right next to the AUX jack is a USB port 2) plug any storage device into the USB port 3) Prius reads MP3s from the storage device just like from CDs now 4) except that it would actually use the ID3 tags to present data and let you browse/navigate your music like on virtually any MP3 player (drill downs by Artist, Genre, Decade, etc) A man can dream...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(indiepants @ May 5 2007, 09:55 PM) [snapback]436248[/snapback]</div> Or buy a Jeep. Their stock headunits do that.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(indiepants @ May 6 2007, 12:55 AM) [snapback]436248[/snapback]</div> The limitation isn't really the interfaces, but the radio in the Prius. It sounds like you want a Carputer. Bob
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BobR @ May 6 2007, 09:07 AM) [snapback]436315[/snapback]</div> Funny you should mention that-- the solution I have in mind is to usa a PDA. Just going to cook up a full screen interface for browsing mp3s on a CF card (I'm a programmer). After playing something it'll show a nice Now Playing screen or let you hop back and start browsing again. Put a dock for the pda somewhere, along with a nicely stashed aux cable and I've got what I want. Should be a fun little project. I thought I could get by with mp3 cds, but I took a long drive today and the lockout from the folder/file list screens while moving is just infuriating.
