I just installed the PAC AAI-NIS interface, which I bought from a guy on this forum, ikSardarG. His service was excellent, and the price lower than almost any other place I found on froogle.com. (the lower place was 'out of stock', and was unfamiliar to me. The guy on this list is also unknown to me, but has posted for many months and seems knowledgeable. At any rate, he was very fast and efficient in my case. I live in Atlanta, and he is somewhere on the West Coast.)

I followed the dashboard dismantling instructions from the double-DIN site. It took me 3 hours with the 'help' of my 9-yr old son. (it would have taken less time alone!). I don't think I had to remove as many panels as the double-DIN instructions, but I would have to re-do the install again to be absolutely sure. And it was too annoying of a project to do again just so I could definitely say exactly which panels have to be removed. Maybe someone else can chime in?

Anyhow, it all went fine, with no damage to the car. I ended up coiling the Radio Shack ($7) double RCA-to-3.5mm headphone jack cable in the center console bay where I used to put CDs. With a few extra feet of cable, I can pass the iPod to my kids in the other seats, and we can explore music. Integrating with the steering wheel controls with the other PAC device would be of limited value - you'll never get anywhere near as much iPod navigation data (Artist, album, song, etc) on the G's limited dash display as the iPod screen already shows (none, actually). And the steering wheel volume control works anyway. All I can imagine gaining from the SWIX is track control: - to a track I can't see the name of in the G's display! From what I've read, the much-vaunted built-in BMW interface is scarcely any better. And what would you expect - there is no "display monitor output" provided by an iPod!

The actual AAI-NIS unit is cable-tied into a handy cavity flanking the automatic shifter lever inside the console. I was very careful to cable -tie all the wires where they would neither rattle nor interfere with the selector lever. I did have to drill a 3/8" hole underneath the cigarette lighter - style power jack in the inside wall of the center console to get the headphone-jack end of the cable out into the CD bay. The hole is obscured by the power-jack, so if I ever remove the cable it will be difficult to notice. And all of this is closed up under the lid anyway.

The end result is ideal. The fidelity is vastly better than the muffled, underwater sound the same iPod delivers via both the iTrip-2 and Monster FM transmitters I borrowed from friends and tested. I crank the iPod to about 75%, and have to set the volume level of the Bose Premium system's amplifier to the 20 - 26 range in order to match the sound pressure level of the built-in radio at a setting of 14 - 21. That is theoretically disappointing, but causes no audible problem. The input signal is so clean that I can't detect any noise or distortion being picked up from the extra amplifier gain, and the amp seems to have plenty of headroom.

Does anyone else on the list know why the output signal level of the iPod seems lower than the radio? I expected it to actually be higher. Perhaps it is an impedance difference between headphones and the Satellite Radio input? Just curious. I'd be surprised if the alleged 30 mW RMS/channel of the iPod headphone amp is actually less than the radio's line output.

Thanks to the unused G35 Sat input, PAC, ikSardarG, and this list community I have a high fidelity interface to a huge library of music. Alternatives like the phatbox are more expensive, and much less flexible than an iPod.

Unless you are willing to spend a few hours contorted under the dash, collecting little scratches on your hands and cursing the difficulty of finding the release latches on cable connetors, I'd pay an install shop. As with all technical chores, just a little experience with the exact screws, clips, panels, tricks to twisting the heavy headend unit without scratching the dashboard while leaving other cables connected, etc, would make a big difference.

Unfortunately, my local Infiniti dealer (Nalley, Marietta) denied that an iPod interface install was possible.

 

I have the volume of my Muvo2 4GB mp3 player turned all the way up and I still have to crank up the factory volume to get it loud enough. I think the PAC could use more (some?) boost.

BTW, I think my installer took less than 20 min to do a perfect job. But he had done it many times before.

 

I agree with the above comments about the PAC interface's levels. When watching a DVD i need to crank my Bose to like 20-25 when i would be listening to the radio or a CD at around 15.

Anybody know if there is any kind of booster that we can put on the RCA's going to the PAC AAI-NIS to increase the gain?

 

You might try a line driver which will allow you to boost the signal from the iPod to the headunit.

David Navone (Godfather of car audio) makes one that can be found here
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Product ID: N-332V Category: Driver Products
N-332V
Description: The N-332 (2 Ch) line driver can amplify a pre-amp signal up to around 13 volts. What makes these drivers so unique is that the outputs can drive a speaker. This makes the N-332 perfect for boosting MP3 players, video games, and low-level decks. The four channel versions can boost DVD-V players to speaker level. And this two-channel unit can power GM ON-Star systems without the factory deck.
Price: $$

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AudioControl also makes a product that does the same thing. Information about it can be found here

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Give your system the boost that it needs. The high headroom power supply of the Overdrive raises any pre-amp signal up to 24 dB. The special low-impedance audio driver circuitry ensures that all of your music gets to the other end of the cable without any loss or distortion. No head unit has this kind of output drive power. This provides better dynamic range and a quiet, noise-free signal. Perfect for running those long cables from the front to the back of the vehicle.

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BLKSNAKE - '04 G35 Coupe
http://hiddensub.info [img]/w3timages/icons/laugh.gif[/img] <P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by blksnake on 09/14/04 07:44 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

Transonic,
Thanks for the great post and kind words. I really appreciate the recognition. I am happy to help any of my customers out... Great job on the install, and I hope you enjoy it...

Congrats!

---------------------------------
**** Official PAC Aux Input Dealer!!! ****
SWI-X units available also!

Navi-Conversion Kits at Discounted Pricing
*Authorized AV Electronic Dealer*

 

Hey guys,
Regarding the output levels - Mine are great! I have a Hacked xBox unit going to my AV Electronic box. The AV box then connects to my PAC Aux 1 input... The sound from the AV and xBox are on par, if not sometimes louder than my FM or CD volume. I have no line booster or anything of the sort... I have never really needed one.

Also, keep in mind that if your RCA wires are picking up alot of extraneous noise from within the vehicle (while running), the noise will start to degrade/lessen the sound travelling through the wires. I would recommend at least using Radio Shack wires that have some thickness to them. PLEASE don't waste your money on Monster or something else like that. You just need a wire with sufficient 'built-in' insulation.

You might be able to test my theory as well: Trying using your sources with the engine OFF, and check the volume setting. Then, using the same sound srouce, start the engine and listen carefully. If you hear a loss in sound or quality - you may want to re-visit your wires/connections.

A bad ground in the setup can also show the same results. YMMV

---------------------------------
**** Official PAC Aux Input Dealer!!! ****
SWI-X units available also!

Navi-Conversion Kits at Discounted Pricing
*Authorized AV Electronic Dealer*

 

blksnake is right, I just installed the PAC unit and IPOD last week that had the same problem with the output. A PAC line driver took care of the problem. I also agree to use shielded RCA to avoid picking up any engine noise.

Do you hear me?

 

I'm happy to be of assistance! [img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img]

BLKSNAKE - '04 G35 Coupe
http://hiddensub.info [img]/w3timages/icons/laugh.gif[/img]

 

Can someone give me the link for thie PAC unit.. I've the AV Electronics unit and would love to stop using that FM transmission.

Thank...

testerg35