drive+play: doesnt work with 4gen 20GB iPod and latest firmware 3.1

[ma4u]

Hi community,

I´ve installed the new harman kardon drive + play ipod controller in my car.
Using it together with my 4th gen. iPod 20GB with the latest firmware 3.1 in it didn´t work properly:

Always, when I selectet a new song to play, my iPod began to play the first 0,2-0,5s of that track in a loop, ending after aprox. 30s in a blank display of drive+play and (I guess) a reboot. Afterwards the iPod began to play the song and drive+play was on the "now playing"-screen. Unfortunately, drive+play forgot it´s position within the menü-system and was back again on top of the main-menu.

I then tried drive+play with an iPod mini 2G, 4GB, latest firmware 1.4 and I´ve seen, that these problems doesn´t exist.

This was the signal for me, that I thought, there might be something wrong with the ipod-firmware. So I downgraded the firmware of my iPod 4th gen. 20GB from 3.1 back to 3.0.2 and now i´ve no problems anymore.

It seems to me, that drive+play has a problem with the firmware version 3.1 of 4th gen. iPod 20GB.

Has anybody simillar expierence?

Cu ma4u

[Buckett]

My problems exactly. Thank you for posting. I will have to try and downgrade my firmware.

BTW. When I called HK they told me that the problem lied with my ipod. I guess it sort of does.

[Buckett]

ma4u -

I sent you a PM. Please help me in getting the 3.0.2 firmware back on my ipod.

I have tried many different methods. None of them have worked.

Thanks.

[ma4u]

Hi Buckett,

sorry for being late, I´ve not checked the forum for some days.

I downloaded iPod-Updater 2004-11-15 containing the old 3.0.2 firmware, e.g. visit h**p://***.softpedia.com/get/IPOD-T...d-Update.shtml.

Then just connect four iPod and first save all your music (upload to PC), because all data will be lost during the update.

Then uninstall any new ipod-updater and install the updater dated 2004-11-15.

With iPod connected start the recently installed updater and click the lower button - that´s all, iPod should get downgraded and HK Drive&Play should work.

My Pod is working now with 3.0.2 firmware.

Just now, I´ve seen, that apple released a new FW 3.1.1 on 2006-01-10. Maybe this works also??

I hope, It helps you, pls. tell me!

Bye Ma4u.

[Buckett]

THanks for the info. By some miracle I was able to install the 3.0.2 firmware about two hours after I posted. I had to uninstall iTunes to get it to work though. Anyway, thanks again for the info.

BTW, I could not get the 3.1.1 firmware to work properly either.

[geneaber]

Buckett:

I am having the same problems. When you uninstalled iTunes, did you lose all of your playlists? Which version of iTunes did you re-install?

Thanks.

[Buckett]

I store all of my itunes music and info on a separate partition. I don't know if this is what allowed me to retain my playlists, or not, but I did not lose them.

NOTE: Backup all of your music and info (playlists etc.) before embarking. If you don't know how, do a google search.

Here is what I did.
- Downloaded iPod Updater 2004-11-15 (PM me for location)
- Uninstalled all other ipod updaters.
- Uninstalled itunes.
- Deleted contents of C:\Program Files\iPod\bin folder.
- Reboot (do not connect ipod).
- Install ipod updater 2004-11-15.
- Connect iPod
- Restore iPod via ipod updater 2004-11-15(firmware should now be 3.0.X).
- Installed whatever version of iTunes came on my CD.
- Updated iTunes to 6.X
- iTunes will ask you to update your ipod software (make sure you do not, and select "do not show this message again", or whatever).

Any questions? Please reply in the thread so that others with this problem might gain from your experiences.

Understand that the above methods are not recommended by Apple support. I tried to go the correct route, but received no help whatsoever. The HK representative that told me "the problem is with your iPod" was the most helpful. Outside of that one line of advice, I received no valid technical support from either manufacturer. I encourage anyone on this forum who owns a DRIVE+PLAY to continue to post there findings and questions about this device. It appears that this community is as close as we will get to tech support.

Thanks again to ma4u for posting this thread. I enjoy the DRIVE+PLAY much more since the fix.

[ma4u]

Hi Buckett,

I´m lucky when your´e lucky. It´s nice to read, that I could help you. Since my update, D+P works fine now (I guess it works now as HK did expect it to do.)

Greets from Europe!

[HarajukuGuy24]

This news upsets me a little. I purchased the Drive and Play from the Apple website, and I have a 4G iPod color - purchased in September. The HK product I purchased a couple of weeks ago, and I am having it installed professionally on Friday. I just updated my iPod firmware today - which is the latest firmware update available. My computer (iMac G5) automatically told me it was available.

I hope there isn't an issue because I don't want them drilling a hole for anything in my dashboard if I won't be able to use the Drive and Play.

Anyone had any trouble with the the latest firmware update?

also, how do you like the HK setup? I think it looks great - can't wait to try it!

[Buckett]

The problem only seems to occur in the monochrome version. I have tested a 4G Photo and it works flawlessly.

... and yes, the D+P looks very nice when installed correctly. I ended up doing mine myself. It took almost 10 hours, total, but I am very pleased.

[nutella825g]

Originally posted by HarajukuGuy24
This news upsets me a little. I purchased the Drive and Play from the Apple website, and I have a 4G iPod color - purchased in September. The HK product I purchased a couple of weeks ago, and I am having it installed professionally on Friday. I just updated my iPod firmware today - which is the latest firmware update available. My computer (iMac G5) automatically told me it was available.

I hope there isn't an issue because I don't want them drilling a hole for anything in my dashboard if I won't be able to use the Drive and Play.

Anyone had any trouble with the the latest firmware update?



have you tested it? does it work?

[HarajukuGuy24]

Glad to hear you like it. I've debated on buying the Alpine set up for over a year - but I wasn't happy with what I read about the scrolling speed and the limitations. I hope this HK product works better or at least is pretty good :).

That's good news for me that the problem seems to be only with the monochromoatic iPods.

[HarajukuGuy24]

Originally posted by nutella825g
have you tested it? does it work?

I am getting it installed on Friday - I'll definitely keep you and everyone else up to date. :).

[geneaber]

Buckett:

Your instructions for "downgrading" the firmware worked perfectly. Thanks.

What I don't understand is if apple sells the drive + play on its website why the current firmware will not work with it.

[Buckett]

Haha. Call Apple and ask them. That's what I did.

Basically they tell you that they assume no responsibility for compatibility with third party products. I asked them why they recommended a device if it wasn't compatible with the ipod. They responded "where do you see that we recommend the D+P". I then asked if they made a habit of selling products that they don't recommend that we buy.. The answer to that was that they were not going to issue me a copy of the old firmware, nor would they replace my Ipod with one that was compatible with the D+P. The customer service rep then made up a line out of thin air and claimed it was in the limited warranty, which I just happened to be looking at. At that point I was pretty irate.

Basically, they have left us out to dry. They are not willing to help with the issue, nor replace their product that they ruin with their new software.

[geneaber]

Agreed. The frustration I have with the older firmware is that Podcasts are not listed in the root directory. Since I listen primarily to Podcasts, I have had to craft a work around using a smart playlist and then naming it .Podcasts so it goes to the top of the list.

[ma4u]

@geneaber:
Dont be frustrated. I think using potcasts will not be the main application for using an ipod in a car - or do you really take your ipod every day out of the car for doing the podcast-updates?

In my case, I dont use podcasts, so I don´t take my ipod daily out of the car. I´m mainly using it as a cd-changer-replacement.

That way it works very well now - although there are still some (minor) issues HK could improve (e.g. DP doesn´t remember the position within the menu-system when you switch ignition off and back-on).

Cu ma4u

[HarajukuGuy24]

OK,

I had it installed today, and I was nervous because of what I read on here and I was waiting for them to tell me something is wrong or something won't work, but to my surprise, the installation was flawless. I am SO impressed with this product. Within the second of touching the "wheel" I knew what I was doing because it IS almost identical to the iPod. The speed is good for searching, which is a big thing with a large library, the sound is excellent - They had to supply a wire for me to use the "Aux in" instead of the FM Transmitter thing that was supplied (That's the LAST thing I would want to use). So, it plays through my speakers - and I got to keep my factory installed head unit. Which was a plus for me. I haven't played with it long enough to see any issues that i'm not crazy about - i'm sure there will be one or two, but so far, like I said, i'm REALLY happy with this product. It was about $500.00 for me - between the product, the installation, the special "wire" (I don't know much about car audio, so I don't know what that "wire" is called).

I have a 4th Generation iPod 20GB color and it was installed in a 2004 Jeep Liberty...just incase any of you are wondering about issues. Oh, I also downloaded the latest hardware update for the iPod 2 days before using it with the Drive + Play.

[Buckett]

The special wire is probably the FM hardwire. I have mine conected this way also.

[geneaber]

The "special wire" is to use the AUX IN, not the wired fm modulator. I had mine installed with the fm modulator and am experiencing a slight hum when the volume is turned up. Anyone else with the wired fm modulator having the same problems? Just wondered if it is normal.

[Buckett]

I get a little static with the FM modulator, but my headunit does not have a AUX IN, so I don't mind it.

I thought that maybe the above poster was confused, as there should have been no special wires needed for an AUX IN install. The DP comes with the wires for auxiliary jacks.

[geneaber]

Buckett - my understanding was that not all factory head units can accept AUX in and may need a connector to go into the CD Changer wiring. Is this incorrect?

[HarajukuGuy24]

Originally posted by geneaber
Buckett - my understanding was that not all factory head units can accept AUX in and may need a connector to go into the CD Changer wiring. Is this incorrect?

yeah, I think that may have been what I needed - I'm so bad at this, so I went to a place that I trusted and they hooked me up - hopefully I didn't get ripped off. In the box, I thought there was only the FM transmitter cable - anyway, when I turn it on - my head unit does say "Disc 1" so it probably is a connector to go into the CD changer wiring - I didn't have a changer, but I have the set up for one...the buttons and all.

anyway, i'm still happy with the product - looks great, sounds great - best iPod accessory i've seen - it's pricey, but worth it.

[HarajukuGuy24]

I told them flat out - NO FM transmitter - lol

it may work for some people, but in my area, good luck finding an empty signal.

[TheProfessor]

I have a 6GB mini and I'm having the same issues that you all seem to have with the skipping/reboot when songs are selected from the menu. When I shuffle from song to song, it works fine, but I can't go into a folder and pick a song without the problem.

The older version of the firmware that you mention doesn't recognize the mini, so it didn't work. I'm still trying to find and older version for the mini. If anyone finds a copy of the older firmware for a mini, please let me know.

[HarajukuGuy24]

after using it for a week now, the only thing i've noticed that's kind of strange is maybe about 3 times instead of saying the song title, and then the artist, it said the artist name twice - but if I went back and selected the song again it was back to normal. Anyone have this happen?

also, one of the complaints that i've read (and I think it was in this thread) is that the memory in the menu navigation isn't the same as the iPod...meaning if you select a playlist, and start it - but want to browse through others while listening, you have to start from the beginning of the list, not in the J's, or the M's where you last selected.

although, another weird quirck, was at one point, It did, in fact remember where I left off...

and the last complaint is it starts as soon as you turn on the car. this isn't that big of a deal, if I have my stereo off, the iPod plays but I can't hear it. I usually just hit the pause button to stop the iPod from playing because I'm really into my playcounts and I don't want that screwing it up ...yeah, i'm crazy.

but all in all, I must say i'm pleased with it.