Ice-Link Control with Audio 10

Stevie1965

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I have just completed instalation of an ice-link unit for my ipod in my w203 c-class.
The unit works, I have music playing through my car hifi- - great - except for two problems.

1. The ice-link instructions require you to use fast forward and track skip functions on the Audio 10 to access the set up menus - I cant drill down into the menu's using the fast forward functio on the audio ten - it doesn't seem to work.

2. I have some "clipping" on certain tracks - which makes them sounds raspy, am I picking up interference? I have tried adjusting the Audio 10 audio settings but this has no effect.

I'm sure I'm on the verge of great sound but need a little help if any has prior experience.

Stevie1965
 

beezer60

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mp3 clipping

Unlikely to be interference. More likely to be the bitrate or 'gain' of the offending mp3s.

Not all mp3s are equal. They range from bitrates of 128 Kbps (OK on an iPod + headphones but unlistenable on a decent audio system) to 320 Kbps or VBR (variable bitrate) which are larger files and closer to CD quality. You won't get as many of the latter on your iPod but the sound quality will be better.

The other possibility is gain. Some people encode mp3s to play back as loud as possible and set the gain at 100db or more. No amplifier can cope with this so the extra signal is 'clipped' off. You can reset the gain of an mp3 to a safe 89db using mp3gain software (http://mp3gain.sourceforge.net)

Well done on installing the Dension in your W203, by the way. I've been trying to pluck up enough courage to do the same in mine but I know I'll break something when removing the fascia to get at the back of the Audio 10. Sextons in Wandsworth have quoted me £220 for the kit and installation to the glovebox, but they're a bit vague as to whether its the Dension Universal or the D2B version.
 
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Stevie1965

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thanks beezer - I'll give it a go.

Took me about 20 mins to get the radio out, not hard - just a bit fiddly. There are plenty of threads around that provide good instructions but you will need a Torx 20 screwdriver.

I used the ice-link kit with the lead rather than the holder as there currently isn't one for the Ipod video's and ran it down the side of the ashtray cover so I can hide the lead in there when not in use.

Good luck - it is worth the effort.
 

beezer60

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IceLink

So the IceLink does work with the new (5th generation?) video iPods provided you use the docking cable. Interesting. I read somewhere that it was incompatible with the video iPods. Sounds like it's just the cradle that's incompatible. Time for an iPod upgrade!
 
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Stevie1965

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the Icelink works perfectly with the Video Ipod - the sound is fantastic! Thanks for the tip regarding "mp3gain" Beezer - it solved all of the "clipping" problems.

Only problem I have left now is accessing the dension software setup menu on the ipod via the Audio 10 controls, but in all honesty I haven't really needed to make any adjustments.
 

Casanunder

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Stevie - was there anything you needed to do to get the Audio 10 to recognise the ice-link? I've just had one shop-fitted, but neither I nor the shop I can get the head unit to switch to the autochanger input that the ice-link uses. I assume I'm doing it right - I'm holding the CD button in for a couple of seconds.

I have a 5th Gen ipod (video), by the way, for which the audio shop ordered a Kenwood compatible ice-link plus, as recommended by Dension. I've tried removing the audio fuse (F64) as I've heard the head unit will often "wake up" and detect that the autochanger input is being used. This had no effect.

So near, so far... looks good, mind.
 
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beezer60

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Casanunder said:
I have a 5th Gen ipod (video), by the way, for which the audio shop ordered a Kenwood compatible ice-link plus, as recommended by Dension.QUOTE]

I'm surprised Dension recommended a Kenwood-compatible Ice>Link Plus for an Audio 10 headunit. These are the Dension Ice>Link Plus part numbers for Kenwood and Merc headunits:

Application 3/4G Cradle MiniCradle DockingCable
Kenwood (CD Text/13 pin DIN) ILKN1334 ILKN13MN ILKN13DK
Merc (fibre optic D2B) ILKWMBD2B34 ILKWMBD2BMN ILKWMBD2BDK

Check which Ice>Link version the garage installed.
 

Casanunder

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Thanks for the info above. Dension definitely recommended and supplied the Kenwood, as indicated by the sticker on the casing.

In fact, when it was first plugged in, the ipod screen showed a Volkwagen setup screen. After the shop contacted Dension to query this, Dension suggested that the incorrect software may be loaded in the interface and that I should take the unit home and "flash upgrade" the unit to the Kenwood configuration using downloads available from the internet. This has been done, but still no luck. I'm taking it back into the shop tommorrow - I'll let you know how I get on.
 

Casanunder

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Update.

Dension have now changed their mind. There is no Merc Audio 10 compatible ice-link until March/April 2006 and the only option is the FM modulation kit. I'm not at all impressed with their customer service!

Does anybody know if the Dension ice-link FM (which connects directly into FM antenna) sounds any better than those wireless iTrip FM broadcaster devices?
 

beezer60

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Casanunder said:
Update.

Dension have now changed their mind. There is no Merc Audio 10 compatible ice-link until March/April 2006 and the only option is the FM modulation kit.

Odd they should say that. I wonder what these are, if not Ice>Link kits for Audio 10?

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/4338.html
www.addacdchanger.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1045
www.ipodcarkitdirect.co.uk/Mercedes_iPod_Ice_Link_Plus_Adapter
www.dal-tec.com/dension_ipod_carkits_by_vehcile2.asp?sMake=Mercedes%20Benz

I'm told the FM version sounds better than wireless FM but not as good as Ice>Link Plus, and you don't get track info on your headunit, or control of the iPod fom your steering wheel.

Personally I'm going to wait until this new Dension kit comes out and see what's different to the kit that's being sold now as Audio 10 compatible. They said it would be out in January, now it seems to be April. ICE installers I've spoken to seem reluctant to get involved with Merc fibre optics and steer you towards the FM option (relatively simple and risk-free for them), which I definitely don't want. It gets done properly, or not at all.
 
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Stevie1965

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Sorry to have disapeared for so long. Am having major problems with my ice-link plus. The head unit freezes after 30 mins of playback from the Ipod and the only way to unfreeze it is to disconnect the battery.
Dension are useless with regard to customer support and continually ignore my emails, they did point me towards Cooltopia in the UK to get my question answered and they also seem to have gone to the same school of customer service as Dension.
Not sure how to get this resolved all I can say is AVOID DENSION LIKE THE PLAGUE!
 

beezer60

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A few weeks ago I phoned Progressive Consumer Electronics (tel 0871 8719747, www.progressiveice.com). They are Dension's sole UK distributor to the in-car entertaiment market.

As Progressive are located in Heston, not far from me in West London, I was hoping they might give me details of local ICE installers who they had supplied with the Ice>Link Plus for Mercedes - i.e. installers who are familiar with the kit.

However, Progressive informed me that there were so many problems with the firmware that Dension had to withdraw all Ice>Link Plus kit for Mercs in November. Progressive have not suppplied any to the trade since then. A new version of Ice>Link Plus for Mercs is scheduled for release in March.

By implication, the kit installed in your car is unfit for the purpose for which it was purchased and I would suggest you take the car back to the installer for them to remove it and return it to Progressive, or whichever distributor they sourced it from, and refund you.

Dension say on their web site that they offer "a broad technical support system to both prospective customers and users of Dension products". This is complete bollox. What they offer is a FAQ and a system of open-ticket queries which they say will get a response in 2 days [http://support.dension.com/support-center/index.php]. Well, I posted a query using this system in December and I'm still waiting. I would normally run a mile from a company that treats prospective customers in this way but theirs seems the only integrated iPod link available for a 2003 W203.
 
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Stevie1965

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Thnx Beezer - I installed the kit myself but will try to reject it back to the website that sold it to me.
 

dmc

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Dension support

When I got my ICE Link last December, I emailed Dension support and they sent me a config file for Mercedes head units, not Kenwood. This stopped all the clipping etc from the stereo. However, any further contact with them proved fruitless, ignoring emails and suggestions on how to get the thing working as it says on the tin.

I have put up with the limitations as it is the best solution to what I want, but even my simplest solution , modify the firmware so control is via the iPod, not the head unit as default, went unnoticed. As far as I can tell, Dension is a Hungarian firm and they really need to focus on customer support and service if they want to stay in business.
 

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