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No audio from USB kit

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by xanmato, Aug 11, 2009.

  1. xanmato

    xanmato Junior Member

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    I just bought the ipod USB kit from Toyota, have it all installed, and I am getting no sound. Both the XM and ipod/usb both have no sound, but the integration is working, I can see the ipod and I can see the XM stations. I take out the controller box, replug the original XM harness, and I get XM sound again.

    Toyota says they have seen this and some cars need to be 'manually' enabled to get audio, but I cannot find anything in the setup options and the nav manual doesn't say anything. The controller box has no switches or knobs or anything.

    Anyone know what the problem and/or a solution?
     
  2. scottwyden

    scottwyden new jersey photographer

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    I'm interested to know as I'll be doing this install eventually
     
  3. xanmato

    xanmato Junior Member

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    UPDATE:

    I got an US version of the install manual from TIS, the install manual posted here in another thread is completely wrong. The US manual shows the box being installed underneath the XM radio!

    It looks like a much easier install since we don't have to rip out the dash. I will report my findings tonight.
     
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  4. Sphyrna

    Sphyrna Priusite

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    How does the new install instruction fix the problem? Can you post a copy? Thanks!
     
  5. xanmato

    xanmato Junior Member

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    My kit is indeed now working! It looks like the controller needs to go through the XM radio first, and I had it the other way around. There are more connections on the XM radio, possibly sending data and audio seperately, whereas the way I had it I only had the data connection.

    PM me.
     
  6. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    I'm interested in your impressions regarding how well the interface works with a USB flash drive.
     
  7. xanmato

    xanmato Junior Member

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    Quick impressions

    Good:
    - Scans usb drive quickly
    - Can also have data on drive, its ignored
    - ID3 tags are read
    - You can cycle through folders without going back to the main menu

    Bad:
    - Forget organizing, any nested or subfolders are reorganized as top folders, meaning there is only 1 master list of folders. Its the equivalent of sorting by albums.
    - obviously only MP3 and WMA support
    - when testing with data on the drive, I had a folder show up that had no music in it, and couldn't select it



    Side note: The audio level for USB drives and Ipods is much higher than XM, FM, AUX, and Bluetooth. Max undistorted volume with my preferences is around 35 compared to around 50 for the latter. Be careful when switching to USB from another audio source.
     
  8. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    Thanks for the comments.

    It sounds like is works like an MP3 CD--correct? For example:

    When I play an MP3 CD, and use the folder select function, it lists all folders (albums) in the order they are on the CD, and not alphabetically for the whole list. For example, I have a CD with the following music:
    John Coltrane
    --Crescent
    --Giant Steps
    --One Down, One Up
    Miles Davis
    --Birth of the Cool
    --Kind of Cool

    When I use the folder select function, it lists the folders as follows:
    Crescent
    Giant Steps
    One Down, One Up
    Birth of the Cool
    Kind of Cool

    Also--are you totally locked out of folder select when the car is moving?
     
  9. xanmato

    xanmato Junior Member

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    Yes, just like an MP3 CD.

    There are no lockouts as far as I can tell, I was fiddling with it yesterday on the way home from work. Also no voice activation.
     
  10. scottwyden

    scottwyden new jersey photographer

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    I was very happy to find that even my Death Cab For a Cutie CD (a regular store bought CD) said the artist, album and song title on the screen!
     
  11. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    It's hit-and-miss with regular CDs--it all depends on whether the data was included when they manufactured the CD.
     
  12. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    Too bad--at least if it listed the albums alphabetically for the entire list, it would be a bit easier to navigate.

    The USB interface owner's manual says the select folder function isn't available when the car is moving, which is consistent with the CD functionality. With a CD when moving, if you press select folder, it shows a list of 5 folders (albums), and you can select one of them, but you can not navigate to see more than that.

    If you wouldn't mind, could you try to see if this is also the case with the USB? If it is, it's a deal breaker for me. TIA.
     
  13. scottwyden

    scottwyden new jersey photographer

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    Oh I know.. it's just cool that the CD player reads it
     
  14. xanmato

    xanmato Junior Member

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    Confirmed:

    Ipod mode - no lockouts
    USB mode - folder scrolling lockout
     
  15. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    Thanks for the follow up.
     
  16. scottwyden

    scottwyden new jersey photographer

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    I usually put my ipod on shuffle and let it go while skipping or replaying songs as I drive.. I want the iPod connection for the optimal sound quality, less cables (i know its not much less) and the ability to change tracks from the steering wheel. Personally having the ability to scroll the iPod doesn't matter to me. But I know it does to others.
     
  17. Keebler1175

    Keebler1175 New Member

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    Installed the USB kit on Saturday.

    Biggest pain was the molding that hides bolt #5 of the center console. Minor scratches on the console plastic now, but the USB kit installation went very well after I got that piece out.

    Love the integration with the steering wheel controls, and of course the touch screen.

    Thanks to xanmato for pointing me in the right direction on install!
     
  18. Mt View

    Mt View Member

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    Has anyone tried to connect an iPhone 3G running 3.0.1? Mine works great with a flash drive but my iphone won't stay connected. I've tried two different cables and no joy. I actually like the flash drive interface better but can't listen to podcasts.

    thanks,
     
  19. xanmato

    xanmato Junior Member

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    My iphone 3G stays connected. Does your iphone screen stay on when connected? It should go to a no backlight screen but not off.
     
  20. Mt View

    Mt View Member

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    I'll check that, I had it in the console so wasn't looking at the phone.

    I think it is a connector problem between the USB and the phone. I've tried two cables and it seems to be much worse with one than the other, it reconnects if I remove then reconnect the phone and it seems to always disconnect if I hit a bump with the car. Sometimes it disconnects w/o a detectable bump. It usually doesn't stay connected for long enough to be useable.

    Do I need to take the phone out of sleep before I connect it?