Denison Gateway iPod connector

[yeti]

Anyone had this fitted?

Struggle to find tracks, playlists, anything! - edited to add that it takes a long while to scroll across and needs to be done when car stationary!

Do you have to redefine everything on your iPod/iPhone to be readable on the tiny strip of a screen?

Does it get better with familiarity? (2006MY by the way)

Edited by yeti on Saturday 14th May 21:55

[Paralight]

yeti said:

Anyone had this fitted?

God it's awful!! Have lost the use of my 6CD changer, can't ever find tracks, playlists, anything!

Do you have to redefine everything on your iPod/iPhone to be readable on the tiny strip of a screen?

Annoying! Does it get better with familiarity? (2006MY by the way)

Hi Mr Yeti,

Where was it fitted and when? You will not use use of the CD Changer, if it has been set up properly. You get the info scrolling across the screen, again if set up properly, and you can select Playlist, Artist and Albums from the radio display. You can also get random play and alphabetical search function among other things.

If it is one of my installations, I am truly sorry it didn't get handed over properly....

If it was fitted by elsewhere, what can I do to help?

Kind Regards,

James

[helipilot]

James,

Mine defaults to starting on disc five with the ipod UI and I have to select disc 6 track 3 to get the track names every time I start the car. Is there any way round this?

Mark

[yeti]

Hi James, I had it fitted at Chiltern Aston, I intend to go back there and ask for an explanation as to how it works and to see if this is as good as it gets. It could well be operator error... but it is not intuitive if that's the case.

I can plug in my iPod and it will play what it pleases, usully starting at the alphbetical track one, 'About a Girl' by Nirvana! But it's hard or impossible to find what I want with regard to an album or playlist. I would also really like the use of the CD Changer back again, I belive there is perhaps an extra gubbin that can be installed to bring it back. I also cannot work out what is my 'source' button so I can at least have the radio on.

Car is at DMS so I might ask if Rick knows how they work. If not, is there an online user manual? I got a leaflet which is very basic indeed and of course not specific to the car.

[Gatso]

I have the system fitted correctly and can switch between CD and Ipod (little switch on interface)

but have to say the interface via the stock display is terrible, really frustrating!

my advice, start your playlist; podcast whatever first then plug it in...

[yeti]

Gatso said:

I have the system fitted correctly and can switch between CD and Ipod (little switch on interface)
my advice, start your playlist; podcast whatever first then plug it in...

Good tip, thanks!!

Also you say switch on interface... can you be more specific? iPod is in the glovebox (DB9) so whee would this switch be?

[Murph7355]

Yeti - if you do a bit of Googling you can find various install documents. I think in one of them I've seen there's a little box that goes near the iPod cable that has a switch to select CD or iPod. Not all do though, and I'm pretty sure some actually say it overrides the CD. But you'll need to know the specific gateway model you have (Ipod Car Kit Direct seems to have a bunch of manuals on them).

Does anyone have photos of the screen etc in use? I was tempted to buy one of these and have a bash at a home install. But if it's clunky to use....I probably won't bother.

[Paralight]

yeti said:

Gatso said:

I have the system fitted correctly and can switch between CD and Ipod (little switch on interface)
my advice, start your playlist; podcast whatever first then plug it in...

Good tip, thanks!!

Also you say switch on interface... can you be more specific? iPod is in the glovebox (DB9) so whee would this switch be?

Mr Yeti,

Would you have a lovely pale green DB9 perhaps? If so you will find the changeover switch at the end of the centre console, in the passenger footwell, where the carpet meets the centre console.

Give me a ring at your convenience, number on website, paralight.co.uk, and I will talk you through the operation of it.

Kind Regards,

James

[Paralight]

helipilot said:

James,

Mine defaults to starting on disc five with the ipod UI and I have to select disc 6 track 3 to get the track names every time I start the car. Is there any way round this?

Mark

Mark,

Please give me a call on my mobile, at your convenience, and I will talk you through the options.

Kind Regards,

James

[Paralight]

Murph7355 said:

Yeti - if you do a bit of Googling you can find various install documents. I think in one of them I've seen there's a little box that goes near the iPod cable that has a switch to select CD or iPod. Not all do though, and I'm pretty sure some actually say it overrides the CD. But you'll need to know the specific gateway model you have (Ipod Car Kit Direct seems to have a bunch of manuals on them).

Does anyone have photos of the screen etc in use? I was tempted to buy one of these and have a bash at a home install. But if it's clunky to use....I probably won't bother.

Hi Murph,

If you can PM me I will email the PDF guide I've put together describing the operation of the Dension Gateway 500. I can also send photo's of a car in bits having an installation done. In all honesty, it is not the easiest install to undertake. All the trim along the centre console has to come out along with the Sat Nav top cover, then the ICM (radio control) comes out followed by the CD Changer. All along there is the possibility of trim damage, plugs not going back in properly.

The way the unit operates is partly down to me, partly down to Dension and partly to the limitations of the Aston Display. I admit that it can be a bit clunky in operation, and try to explain to the customer exactly how the kit works to make it as easy to understand as possible. I will also then be on hand to answer any questions further down the line if things get forgotten.

When the idea first came up, I hunted around for a manufacturer to assist in the development of an Ipod interface for Aston. Initially I looked at one that would show the track info on the Sat Nav. No Sat Nav = No Ipod, and if you had Nav you would need to have the screen up all the time you wanted Ipod. So that idea was discounted. Next Dension were approached due to their extensive knowledge of MOST and Fibre Optic systems. Two of the technical guys from Hungary came over to visit and were taken to inspect and data log an 06 V8. From there they sent over a couple of samples for me to test, they were tried, software modified and then Aston Software was released to me.

Dension kept quiet about the GW500 fitting the Aston, initially, partly through a gentlemans agreement and partly to the fact they didn't want to have to worry about technical support on a car they knew nothing about. They have issued compatability chart for DB9, but still do get quite a number of calls from installers who have come unstuck. In recent days, Dension distribution has been taken over by a third party, so the brilliant chap I know that heads up the tech for Dension, who has moved to the new distributor, may be more difficult to reach.

If I can be of any more help then please let me know.

Kind Regards,

James

[yeti]

Paralight said:

Mr Yeti,

Would you have a lovely pale green DB9 perhaps? If so you will find the changeover switch at the end of the centre console, in the passenger footwell, where the carpet meets the centre console.

Give me a ring at your convenience, number on website, paralight.co.uk, and I will talk you through the operation of it.

Kind Regards,

James

You sir, are a gentlemen, and it's a Chiltern Green DB9, yes! I will edit my earlier post in due course as I don't wish to denigrate your work, when it looks like a combination of user error (me) and no handover from the dealer. And we're agreed the display is clunky but that's hardly your fault.

I get my car back from Rick at DMS tomorrow so will give you a call then, thanks.