[himnbandit]

I am about to start my next project on my 2001 B5 A4 and am looking for some feedback. Here is what I am thinking:

-install Dietz 1417 to interface with RNS-E
-rig a Blaupunkt ME3 into the trunk below the rear speakers
-run 2 sets of RCA cords up to the front
1-for the Dietz
2-for an aux input (mostly my iPod Video)
-run the IR reader up to the front for the remote

I know at least one person has tried installing an ME3 into their B5 glovebox but had little luck. I am thinking of installing it below the speakers on a swivel of some sort. The face of the unit would mostly be turned twoard the rear for the easiest access from the outside, but if a passanger wanted to change a dvd they could fold down the seat, swivel the dvd player twoad them, load the dvd, then put the seat back. I already have 8 gauge power running from the battery to the trunk for a sub i installed, so I am thinking of using that to power the ME3.

If you can see any potential problems with this or suggestions on improvements, please let me know. I am in the middle of ordering parts and should start the project in a few weeks. I will of course be taking pictures and documenting everything for all to see.

 

[brianjpugh]

put a smaller unit in glovebox

either Farenhiet from crutchfield or Pyle unit from etronics.com

i have had all 3 in my b5 and ME3 does not fit in glovebox (btw have new one for sale if you want it)...farenhiet fits but no tv tuner and picture was bit washed out...pyle fits has nice picture, so-so tv tuner and front mounted a/v inputs

I went with pyle and am happy so far...it was cheap about $100 and fits in glovebox.

 

[TeddyBGame]

I've seen lots of pix of single DIN units in the glovebox of the B5 A4/S4. Search Audiworld.com (audio forum). It's a tight fit (like the C5 A6)...but can be done. See my Nav+ pix below for what I did with my ME3.

As for the Ipod, see my post on the ME3 in this section....there are some caveats with running audio via the front inputs. You are better off running two sets of RCA y-cables at the Dietz 1417. Good luck!

 

[fritzner]

As for the Ipod, see my post on the ME3 in this section....there are some caveats with running audio via the front inputs. You are better off running two sets of RCA y-cables at the Dietz 1417. Good luck!

the ME3 has front and rear aux inputs, but for some stupid reason the audio is muted if there is no video signal..

you can Y into you Dietz 1417, but you will need to switch ALL the power sources on the ME3.. if there is power to the ME3 it will interfer with the other input Y'ed into the 1417 even if the ME3 is off..

i have 2 or 3 threads on hooking up an ME3 and iPod to my RNS-E in this section.. at least one of them is also in the "helpful links" thread.. search around..

sorry for the slow response, i was on business travel for the past 2 weeks..

 

[himnbandit]

I have a iPod video and have the component out cable for it. There will be a video signal being sent to the ME3 when I am using the iPod.

 

[fritzner]

is there a video signal provided when playing music??.. if not it still may not work..

to test the video signal theory i used one of those little battery powered PAC-MAN game consuls.. i plugged my (standard) iPod into the ME3 with no video signal and i didnt get any sound.. i plugged the PAC-MAN game in and i got sound when the game was on..

not sure how the video iPod works, so just throwing info out there for you..

good luck..

 

[himnbandit]

Ok - so the ME3 has to be recieving a video signal to allow the audio to run through it... interesting. I tested the video iPod and it only sends video when you are watching a show or viewing pictures, not when you are listening to music. What type type/brand of switch would you suggest? would a normal manual 2 composite selector work?

 

[himnbandit]

It seems like everyone on here installs the ME3... is this just because it fits nicely into the glovebox of newer audis? If you couldnt install it in the glovebox and space wasnt really an issue... would you buy a different DVD/TV tuner?

 

[fritzner]

i simply "Y"ed my ME3 and iPod into the 1417 with those 6" splitter cables (1 male, 2 female)..

for this to work you have to COMPLETELY cut power to the ME3.. simply turning off the ME3 will cause interference..

an actual A/V source switcher would probably be better..



as for the ME3 -- it has a lot of features, its the right size, and seems to better quality than many others in its reasonable price range..

my friend has a PYLE 120 (122 has TV tuner).. it has been working fine for a year or 2 now.. it is actually not as deep as the ME3 (by ~2").. but the faceplate is very cheap plastic and it does not have rear AUX-IN -- however the front AUX-IN do NOT mute the audio when there is no video signal present..

the reason i went with the ME3 is because many others had it and the rear AUX-IN (which as it turned out, dont work for the iPod)..

 

[brianjpugh]

ME3 installs into newr audis only - ask on AW not fun in B5

trust me just buy a different smaller unit not all DIN units are same size many use chassis adapter to make fit. In B5 A4/S4 glovebox is too small for ME3 unless you hack up the dash so get smaller unit install and enjoy. Other units may have "better" input (not dependent on video) as well see post above about pyle which is unit i use.

btw after comparing me3 to pyle - pyle actually looks better b/c black plastic not chrome/silver and interior in our cars is more black than chrome/silver. Also your inputs will work with ipod which seems your biggest issue.

let me know and i'll snap some pics

 

[himnbandit]

Do you have the pyle in the glove-box? How is functionality (minus the video input) of it comparted to the ME3, what about the quality of DVD playback? It'd be nice to see some pictures... thanks

 

[fritzner]

he didnt have his in the glovebox (Acura not Audi).. it is very similar width and height, but not as deep by almost 2" which would help alot in B5 and A6 installs..

picture quality doesnt seem any different, but his Nav screen is different so it is hard to say for sure..

they are really inexpensive, so it is not a huge risk..

check item number 5820544829 w/o TV or 5821217237 w/ TV on ebay

i have a pdf of the owners manual, i think i found it on Pyle's website.. i can email to you if you cant find it..

 

[brianjpugh]

yes size makes big difference here for any car without glovebox cd changer/player...ME3 is both taller, deeper, and wider...height and depth are most important

a few pics...

[siteimg:696468ea70]329[/siteimg:696468ea70]