iPod Interface Issues

[rtraver]

I have had my 2010 Prius back to the dealer 2 or 3 times trying to make the iPod interface work better (iPod in glove box, control from audio controls). Have spent time on the phone with the Toyota tech support center. Bottom line: this is an absolutely terrible interface, apparently mostly due to the limitations of the JBL unit they chose to use.

1. The selections for album/artist/playlist/genre are at the top of the scroll list with the contents, i.e. you select artist and scroll down, scroll back up to the top to select album or playlist instead, same list.
2. Once you have selected a specific artist/album/playlist and start playing songs, you can go forward/back from steering wheel, tuning knob, or by scrolling a screenful on the display. HOWEVER, if what you want to do is select a different artist/album, your only choice is that screen display scroll. The only way to scroll is a single screenful at a time, about 5-6 entries, takes a few seconds for each scroll. So if you have an iPod full of hundreds of albums, you have many minutes of scrolling, you will never get there. If you do get there, and you want to instead go to genre, you need another 10-15min to scroll back. Clever, no? There is no "skip by 10", or fast hold-the-button, nada, tech support did all the research.
3. To add insult to injury, when you start the car moving, the screen scroll buttons disable. You can still go forward/back songs for your album/artist, but scroll to new artist? Forget it.
NOTES: this is with the iPod connected to DVD input, which is what they say works best. They tried hooking it to CD input first, and that gave me an alphabet selector for album/artist, but then cleverly would not show any information on what was playing.

Someone ought to be ashamed of themselves. Just a guess, but I suspect the profile of Prius owners and Apple gadget lovers have a large overlap, and few people care much more about individual CDs or DVDs or MP3s.

Is there hope for an upgrade, anyone?

Thanks for your feedback. Otherwise, BTW, I absolutely love the Prius.

[Dark_Prius]

I found the interface cost way too much. The nav. system has BT stereo built-in, I rather use the money and buy a BT MP3 player.

[Dark_matter_doesn't]

I just got my 2010 back from the dealer who installed the iPod interface, and they screwed things up such that both the satellite radio signal AND the iPod provide audio at the same time. Why they didn't try it out before declaring it done is beyond me. So, back I go, probably Saturday, to get them to fix it again.

[rtraver]

Originally Posted by Dark_Prius

I found the interface cost way too much. The nav. system has BT stereo built-in, I rather use the money and buy a BT MP3 player.

Beware, the tech tells me that the MP3 input has the same lousy scroll behavior as the iPod, only a few at a time and the scroll gets disabled when the car starts moving.

[EJFB1029]

Anyone that thinks that Toyota has a clue about car audio, needs to have their head examined, the iPod interface is designed to add revenue to Toyota, like everything they do, add a switch and a cord, charge $250, will it work, doesn't matter, they got you to pay $250.

Toyota really needs to work on their audio systems, the overall sound quality is really lacking, even on the JBL, and why they didn't integrate a better radio with direct USB connection instead of an add on or separate unit is beyond me.

[nola_Prius]

I am actually very pleased with the audio quality in my Prius IV with the 8 speaker system...ESPECIALLY for not having a dedicated subwoofer. Those 6x19's really get decent bass. It didn't sound as good at first, of course, because the EQ was all flat.
After tinkering with it for a second, it sounds great. However, I will add a dedicated sub in the future.

The iPod interface is horrible. I'm really happy I didn't waste any money on it.
It does the iPod ZERO justice and it's just a plain disgrace.
It just makes me sick. With all the nitpicking I've seen people do about seat comfort and center console being in the way and whatever else... my biggest gripe is the crappy iPod interface - even though I don't have it.
I really wanted a nice and intuitive integration for my iPod, and now it looks like I'll only get that if I upgrade to an aftermarket stereo.

It's not that the one Toyota offers isn't "flashy" enough or "beautiful" enough or that is isn't some "super special" iPod interface.... It just plain sucks.

If they ever do some sort of software upgrade for it, I'll definitely consider it in a heartbeat. Until then, no way in hell.

I mean SERIOUSLY... The Prius is one of the biggest symbols of technological achievement on the road today.
A much better iPod interface should have been included STANDARD (at least with the upgraded stereo/Nav package) from the very beginning... not as some half-assed $250 late upgrade.

Sorry for the rant, but this one really gets me mad.

[Pugsy]

Two questions: Does this apply to the IPod interface that will come pre-installed with the cars they're currently producing?

And the cars that come with the USB port, will they also come with an AUX jack? Or is the USB replacing the AUX?

Thanks

[dsviv]

I have to correct one thing - yes, the scrolling is locked out when the car is moving, but only for the touch screen.

The controls on the steering wheel still allow scrolling. It still has that annoying 2-3 second delay for each selection, but at least it is possible to scroll while driving.

[TKY]

Bravo, Bravo; and add EJFB1029's point about working with JBL to improve overall audio quality, with integrated iPod/USB port.

--TK

Originally Posted by nola_Prius

I am actually very pleased with the audio quality in my Prius IV with the 8 speaker system...ESPECIALLY for not having a dedicated subwoofer. Those 6x19's really get decent bass. It didn't sound as good at first, of course, because the EQ was all flat.
After tinkering with it for a second, it sounds great. However, I will add a dedicated sub in the future.

The iPod interface is horrible. I'm really happy I didn't waste any money on it.
It does the iPod ZERO justice and it's just a plain disgrace.
It just makes me sick. With all the nitpicking I've seen people do about seat comfort and center console being in the way and whatever else... my biggest gripe is the crappy iPod interface - even though I don't have it.
I really wanted a nice and intuitive integration for my iPod, and now it looks like I'll only get that if I upgrade to an aftermarket stereo.

It's not that the one Toyota offers isn't "flashy" enough or "beautiful" enough or that is isn't some "super special" iPod interface.... It just plain sucks.

If they ever do some sort of software upgrade for it, I'll definitely consider it in a heartbeat. Until then, no way in hell.

I mean SERIOUSLY... The Prius is one of the biggest symbols of technological achievement on the road today.
A much better iPod interface should have been included STANDARD (at least with the upgraded stereo/Nav package) from the very beginning... not as some half-assed $250 late upgrade.

Sorry for the rant, but this one really gets me mad.

[darkleafar]

forget Toyota's! Anybody has any compatibility info about this one yet?
Video,Audio Information Solutions for Toyota and Lexus (iPod integration,XM and Sirius SAT radio integration,MP3 integration,Auxiliary input)