EdmontonBrad

It's obvious that you wont get anywhere near remotely close to full control of a device near that of the programming the Z110BT has for iPod. But jumping to the conclusion that ALL mp3 players will be zero-controlled is a pretty bold statement, that the EXT functions (simple track next and previous) won't work for even but one device that uses windows programming.

If you read the EXT section of the manual, it sounds like some pretty common signals are sent through IP-BUS, such that even simple track forward and reverse might work on some players.

The UB100 USB can be purchased now for $30: http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_903 ... UB100.html

...so what the heck...a $30 experiment.

I already use the USB to control my iPod would be one reason to add another IP-BUS, to attempt to control my Cowon A3.

But my main reason is based on an assumtion that the EXT functions don't control through the "stock" USB connection, that the USB is just for iPod control and USB thumb drives - or am I wrong on that? It's not mentioned in the manual, that I can find.

My ideas is to try to connect my Cowon A3 through IP-BUS USB in attempt to gain basic control (simple next/previous track,...) of it through the headunit EXT functions. From there the A3 would be connected via a 4-pole 1/8th inch mini-jack to the unit for audio/video.

I use the Cowon mostly as a FLAC player (CD sound quality, unlike mp3). I also use the A3 for video formats that an iPod or the Z110 can't play.

Good to hear one can daisy chain!

...uhh...yeah...I kinda got that part...

But my questions are:

1. What hardware do i need to attempt it if my unit has USB.;

2. Can I do it if I already have Sirius connected on IP-BUS

I see it is proprietary.

I have a Sirius tuner on my IP-BUS, so can I connect another IP-BUS device to attempt to control a media player?

In reading the manual Pioneer says it has external unit controls EXT1 and EXT2 for "future devices that are not currently planned for, or to devices that allow control of basic funcstions although they are not fully controlled by the system..."

It's the last part of the statement that interests me. Is there any way to attempt to connect another portable device through the external control to see if the Z110 would control it?

The manual makes it sound like there is a crapshoot there somewhere...

Is the EXT plug an IP-Bus or something? And if it is, is the connection common or proprietary?

Just wondering if there are any rumors that Pioneer might add some devices for the Ext devices...like DVD changer, etc.?

If the USB is used to only control the iPod, then for sure the 1/8th inch female has to be a 4-pole connection to carry both the audio and video from it, different than the standard 3-pole mini-plugs which just carry audio (tell-tale by having three black rings instead of 2):

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-5mm-Mini-plug-cam ... 5635f76c3e

It's a nice way to connect - one small cable instead of a fat one with three connectors. The downside is that I would have to always disconnect the iPod to connect my other unit and also change the input settings for this input change, correct?

Brad

What's a "BT" audio input?

The iPod connection is usb and, what I would figure is, a 4-pole female 3.5 mm jack? That would be another way for me to get my other unit connected if it was...but I'd have to find a 4-pole male to 4-pole male 3.5 mm cable.

So I had my unit installed by a shop. I have the following options connected as inputs:

- rear view camera

- iPod

- Sirius (not that this should matter)

The shop never routed any other auxillary inputs past the dash so I'm wondering what is left - if anything? The reason I ask is that I have another portable device with audio/video out and so I'm wondering if there are 2 RCA and 1 video input back there that could be routed up front.

Thanks!

When I was talking to him he mentioned the old "Z" units ..so he was questioning the mod, saying that with the older units it wasn't so easy...but he was ok to do my unit, if I knew it would work.

He said the one unit the other shop did (the older model), they had to completely reflash the unit and it took two hours.

He was just warning me...just in case I didn't know what I was getting myself into. That's why I posted...just to double-check.

So I was talking to a car audio guy about doing the bypass and having them hook up my vss wire.

He said he didn't think you could hook up the vss and do the bypass - that unit will detect the movement from the vss and give an error. True or false?

So I have the back up cam and Sirius radio. Will I lose any functionallity in doing the bypass - or is it as simple as moving the mute wire over one pin and then thaking that wire with the parking wire and grounding them...?

Something I thought to share for considering the Z110BT:

Quite a few years back I had a beautiful sound system in a car I owned. I've wanted to achieve that sound quality again and so over this year and the last I began a system in my 2006 Dodge Ram Megacab.

I installed a F90BT this summer and was disappointed by the amount of static hiss at high volume (unit goes up to 65). Even though the F90 is rated at 4 volts I thought it would be better. I also was surprised that the cooling fan of the unit could be heard.

So the unit was ok, but I thought maybe to look into buying Kenwood's flagship unit instead. Had a car audio guy show it to me, but I wasn't impressed by the features or the sound - especially for the price.

I decided to buy the Z110BT and I also bought a line driver (Audiocontol Matrix) - got them off of SonicElectronicx for cheap. Well, when the F90BT was swapped out, I had it done without the line driver.

I was SHOCKED at how much better the Z110BT was for sound quality. No fan noise. Very, very little hiss even at high volume. The unit volume goes up to 40, and at 18 (45% volume) it is loud unlike the F90BT which I had to turn up to 50 (76% volume) to be loud. And it was a straight swap...no other changes in my system or gain changes anywhere!

It is like this unit truly does put out 4 volts while the F90BT might be only a 2-volt unit. With all the features this unit has, its speed in its operating system, and the sound quality... I've never had a better head unit!

It will be interesting to add the line driver to finish it off. Pioneer did well in the engineering of this thing. It's well worth the $$$ for those considering buying.

I had the F90BT swapped for the the Z110BT this week. Only changed the RCA and the iPod cable - kept the Sirius, the mic, the backup cam, power harness. Took them 30 minutes to do it in my 2006 Dodge Ram Megacab.

I am new to the site, and very glad I found it!

I have an F90BT and when I turn the volume way up even on pause, I hear a bit of hiss/noise much like you would on cheap amplifiers. I am wondering if this is normal for the unit. In terms of sound quality, I was really hoping the unit would be a good source unit...but now I am unsure...