iPod: VW iPod interface (with remote control)

Somebody couldn't wait for the official VW iPod integration kit to be available, so he made his own small homebrew, even including a remote control!

This is the VWCDPIC with an iPod remote control cable. The cable was made by chopping off the cable of an iPod head phone wired remote control, then soldering it to a standard DB25M solder cup connector. The iPod-VW firmware is then used to convert commands from the head unit's buttons into remote control commands for the iPod.

Alternative Design

A similiar cable could be made to interface with the iPod's dock connector, but it is difficult to obtain bare dock connectors that you can solder your own cables to. Most off-the-shelf dock cables do not contain wires connecting to the iPod serial remote control pins. The advantage of using the dock port is that you get access to the iPod's battery charging pins, which could be connected to the optional power control board to recharge the iPod while used in the car (you should add a fuse to the yellow VW CD Changer cable for this application).

The iPod dock connector also has access to the iPod's line out signal, which might be useful. Some people find the iPod audio output to be low. We think they just need to set their iPod to higher volume setting or build the optional pre-amplifier module.

We haven't tried it, but it should also work for Audi cars.


Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, iPod, Apple, VW, Audi

Source: K9SPUD

Read more

Read what others are saying about it: Bloglines, Feedster, Technorati