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Level II, Sony XNV-770BT Installation

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by mainemanx, Jan 27, 2011.

  1. mainemanx

    mainemanx Member

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    Following LovingLife's lead, for my Level II, I just ordered:
    – Sony XNV-770BT from AudioSavings (though Amazon).
    – (Note: AudioSavings chosen, despite greater cost, because they're here on the East Coast and have an established web-site.)

    Also ordered from Amazon:
    – Metra Axxess ASWC Universal Steering Wheel Control Interface
    – Metra 70-1761 Wiring Harness
    – Metra 95-8226B Dash Kit

    Everything was ordered yesterday. The:
    – Metra stuff shipped yesterday (same day), UPS Ground.
    – Sony itself shipped today (next day), FedEx.

    I hope to interface with my and dear wife's iPhones; will try to document our experiences.

    P.S. My only previous installation was a Becker in a 911T, grad school in the early 70s... so this should be interesting :)
     
  2. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Good luck. It is a piece of cake.
     
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  3. LovingLife

    LovingLife Junior Member

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    Looks like you'll get yours installed before mine. I just finally ordered the Metra TYTO-01 and Pac SWI-PS yesterday via ebay. I don't expect to be able to start my install till Feb 5th at the earliest.
     
  4. mainemanx

    mainemanx Member

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    Ha! After last weekend being "forced" to navigate with her iPhone, SWMBO expects the Sony Nav to be installed by next weekend, the 5th :eek:
     
  5. LovingLife

    LovingLife Junior Member

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    Although the weather is keeping me from installing my Sony XNV-770BT I did start wiring up the harness for this. I've got a question regarding one step in the install instructions.

    Sony XNV-770BT Install Instructions

    Step 4 in the instructions refers to wiring up the ATT, which is identified as "the interface cable of a car telephone". I think I don't have to worry about this, but I just wanted to make sure I'm not suppose to hook this up to the bluetooth in the car.

    [ Update ]
    From a call to Sony I learned that the Sony light blue wire for "ATT" is used to attentuate (or mute) the sound if attached to the interface cable of a car telephone.
     
  6. mainemanx

    mainemanx Member

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    Apologies, I've scanned the instructions but haven't even started making up the harnesses... maybe tomorrow.

    P.S. I've a Level II, no bluetooth... so maybe I've avoided making this decision.
     
  7. LovingLife

    LovingLife Junior Member

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  8. mainemanx

    mainemanx Member

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    Other than "to the telephone," Sony's so-called "Installation Instructions" stand mute... so yeah, I guess it's for the mute... :banplease:

    Seriously, in the absence of a reply, I'd say try it... before reinstalling the facia.

    P.S. Where are you planning to mount the Navigation Module? Upper glove compartment?
     
  9. LovingLife

    LovingLife Junior Member

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    I haven't decided yet. That's probably where I'll install it, but I was also considering mounting it somewhere under the dash (passenger side) where it's a bit more hidden but still accessible. The glove compartment is something that always gets hits when your car gets broken into to. I'd hate to have to try to replace just that module in case of a break-in. I've had 2 car break-ins in the last 10 years on my previous vehicle.
     
  10. LovingLife

    LovingLife Junior Member

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    One more outstanding install question I have concerns where to install the Sony XT-100HD HD Radio Tuner. At 7" x 6" x 1 1/4" I expect I'll have to mount it under the passenger or driver seat. It seems like under the passenger seat on top of the Toyota amp would be the perfect place. Is that the best place to install it?

    If I install it under the driver seat do I just drill into the frame to secure it?
     
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  11. rrolff

    rrolff Prius Surgeon

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    I'm confused about the issue - are you trying to run a 2DIN Sony 'externally (meaning mount the HU under your seat - or???).

    If so, most players have a remote control (IR). You could mount it almost anywhere in the car, then buy an IR extender (basically a wired thing - you place one end pointing at the HU, you place the other end somewhere up front - where you can aim the remote...

    Just a thought (but you lose the screen and GPS)???

    I must be missing something (???)
     
  12. spiff72

    spiff72 Member

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    rrolff -

    I think they are discussing where to mount the "add-on" HD radio tuner and the navigation module dock (which is remotely mounted too). The Tom-Tom module is removable and docks into this cradle.

    I don't think they are talking about mounting the HU under a seat!
     
  13. LovingLife

    LovingLife Junior Member

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    Correct. I have the add-on HD Radio tuner that I need to mount somewhere. I figured under the seat was the correct place. Just wasn't sure whether there was any reason not to mount it on top of the JBL amp.
     
  14. mainemanx

    mainemanx Member

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    At one point I was wondering where to mount the Sony's external nav module, not the Head Unit itself. (I have neither satellite nor HD radio.)

    Decided the nav module's initially going into the lower glove compartment--simply because it's so accessible. Actually, it's kinda scary to open the lower compartment and though the wide open spaces, find youself gazing over at the back of the head unit! Likewise, at least temporarily, the iPhone/iPod connector will be living in there.

    BTW, there's a convenient grounding screw on the bridge (small Phillips-head) just forward and to the right of the shifter. Loosen it and the HU's black ground (and if you prefer--the green "parking brake on" wire) can be slipped right under. Tighten down the screw, and you're home free.

    Yes, the screw is a true ground. Being the paranoid, compulsive type, I checked the continuity between it and the negative battery cable. (And yet another--yes, I had to do the through-the-back seat routine to get the rear hatch open... having previously disconnected the negative 12v battery lead.)
     
  15. mainemanx

    mainemanx Member

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    Well... maybe not a "piece of cake" (for me, at least) but it was much easier than I had any right to expect.

    Have yet to hook up the SWI and check out all functions, but the AM/FM Tuners, Nav, and DVD work.

    :drum:
     
  16. spiff72

    spiff72 Member

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    How does the iPod interface work for you? Easy to navigate? I thought I read that you have to "start over" at the top of your list of artists (or whatever mode you are in) every time you want to navigate to a new song? Is this correct?
     
  17. mainemanx

    mainemanx Member

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    Just tried the iPhone and all I can confirm is yes the mp3s play...

    'Sorry, wife has assigned me other tasks for the afternoon... but I suspect your supposition is true... sounds cumbersome... there may be a work around... or maybe there will be firmware upgrade somewhere along the way.

    P.S. What makes you expect Sony and Apple are gonna' play nice... Sony's got to leave in at least one glitch... now I've really gotta' run... she's home in less than an hour!

    :)
     
  18. mainemanx

    mainemanx Member

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    Re: Sony XNV-770BT Sat Nav Antenna

    BTW, as noted by at least one of the Rosen adoptees, bundling up the 97' of connector cord, and "slapping" the magnetized Sat Nav Antenna on top of the metal HU, and then just shoving it all back into the dash seems to work fine with the XNV-770BT.

    Heavily overcast day here in Portland, quick run out to Whole Foods this morning, no problem at all... maybe there's some "acid test" I could run?

    So far, so good. We really like the unit... you can separate your music into separate playlists, etc.

    Plenty of audio power... only issue is mediocre speakers and the "oil can effect" of the doors. I swear the music is louder outside the car than in... the doors seem amplify certain frequencies... yet another project! May not need separate power amp.

    Rear camera, SWI, sound dampening, etc., all postponed for warmer weather.
    -----
    Addendum: Nothing scientific, but the AM and FM reception seem significantly improved over the original, Level II, Matsushita unit. Just make sure you connect the blue antenna power lead.
     
  19. LovingLife

    LovingLife Junior Member

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    Finally finished the install of my Sony XNV-770BT install this weekend. I just wanted to thank all the people of this forum that helped me out. I would of never been able to do it without the folks here and some great support from Mark at Metra. Sony support on the other hand was useless and tell you to get it professionally installed. This will probably be the last product I buy from Sony due to there non existent support.

    Here's a list of all the parts I used for a Prius III w/JBL:

    Being an absolute beginner with respect to car stereo's the install went smoother than I expected. It was a bit scary ripping out all the trim required to install the back-up camera. I had to rerun the back-up video line since it didn't work by the time I finished running it. If I ever do that again I'm going to do a wireless back-up camera.

    The hardest part of the install was figuring out which wire was the reverse wire on the harness and tapping into the speed wire on the JBL amp (thank green curly expert for figuring where to tap the speed wire)

    Using the Metra ASWC and 70-8114 harness for the steering wheel controls was super easy. I didn't have to program a thing or add any resisters. I also like that it allowed me to retain the AUX port in my console box.

    The Metra TYTO-01 was equally as nice since you don't even have to connect the radio's antenna power on connector since the harness does it automatically for you.

    Gotchas that bit me:

    • There's too much info on this forum. It was hard figuring out all the components I needed given most of the written instructions are for Prious II owners. For example I initially wired in an extra wiring harness since I didn't understand that I didn't need the generic wiring harness that Prius II owners do. Also I didn't realize you should buy all your wiring components from the same manufacturer.
    • Sony support was TERRIBLE. They either wouldn't answer your questions or give you incorrect data. I read a review on the HD Radio Tuner indicating you needed a Y-Antenna adapter so the HD Radio Tuner and normal tuner would both work. I asked Sony about that and they said I didn't need it.
    [ Edit: This is both True and False. The HD Tuner will tune in normal stations so that part is true. But you don't appear to be able to disable the original tuner, thus each time you source to it you'd get static without the Y-Antenna. You also appear to lose some functionality with the HD Tuner that is supported by the Tuner but not by the HD Radio.]
    • I order a back-up camera that had distance lines. The Sony HU has distance lines built into it's display.
    [ Edit: On the Sony HU you can turn off the built in distance lines and also adjust there position. So this turned out not to be a problem. ]
    Still have a few open issues:


    • Illumination Wire - I didn't hook this up since the TYT0-01 doesn't have the dimmer wire available on it. I'd have to add it or connect into the stereo harness. Hopefully connecting into this will allow the Day/Night mode setting on the HU to work automatically. (Thanks spiff72 for figuring which wires are for the dimmer)
    [ Edit: Illumination/Dimmer wire is recognized by the Sony Unit. It will correctly changing from Day/Night mode with the dimmer/illumincation wire]
    • Never could find a MUTE wire I could access. Not 100% sure whether this is necessary for me at this time. But I figure it must be since there's an ATT button on ever screen on the display.
    [ Edit: When you answer the phone the music and such will cut off so I'm not really sure what this wire's purpose was. Also finally figured out where the Mute wire is. It's pin 7 on the L40 harness]​
    • The HU sticks out a bit more than I expected. I matched the holes in the Metra mount so they agreed with the ones on the HU so this must just be the way it is.

    My initial impressions:

    • The stereo system in the car sounds excellent now
    • TomTom navigation is excellent. I really like the fact that it doesn't constantly say recalculating like my Garmin does when you miss the turn or take a different road then the one recommended. Red light and speed camera notifications are nice. I also really like that the GPS module can easily be removed from the car.
    • Sony Sensme is pretty neat. I set a USB stick with a copy of the material on my Ipod Touch. It's interesting choosing a mood and have the music fit that mood based on the tempo/beat of the song
    • Bluetooth Audio stream from my Ipod Touch works great. It even pairs with my Ipod Touch when it's in my house
    • Ipod integration works great so far. Although I haven't played with it enough to know whether the reported issue always going to the top of the menu will annoy me or not yet.
    • Most of the Non Navigation screens on the unit are pretty boring. There either a grey or black (grey = day, black = night). They could use some color to jazz them up
    • HD radio works great with the tuner but it's pretty basic. I know there's allot of information available via the HD channels but it's not displayed on the screen. I really disappointed in this aspect of the unit.
    • I'm not much of a phone person so I'm probably not going to be the best person to comment on the phone capabilities of the deck. I was able to pair my Samsung Intercept to it and transfer my phonebook to the deck. It has a speed dial list display but you can't change the name of the speed dials which are currently defined as P1-P6. That will negate it's usefulness to me since I probably won't remember what I set each # to.
    • Voice Dialing isn't supported by my phone so this is one area where the bluetooth in the Prius III exceeded what I have now. But given that I can select a dial via the screen it's not a huge lost.
    What's left on my list to do:

    [ Edit: Turning on the Sub-woofer solved this ]
    • I'd like to figure out how to make the HU a little more recessed if that's possible.
    Anyways I'll follow up this post later after I've had a chance to play with it a bit more.
     

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  20. Narboza

    Narboza New Member

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    Ah, the world is desperate to understand whether the ipod interface on this unit is acceptable or not. Some evidence points to the inability to use the shuffle/random function. It seems like a deal-breaker on a stereo's ipod use if there is no way to shuffle. A thorough review on that ipod/iphone compatibility on this unit would really help potential buyers out.

    Thanks!