Adding 3.5mm AUX jack back in (2019.5 UK x4)

jimcolyer · 10-09-2019, 09:40 PM

Unfortunately I have only just found out that BMW have removed not only the CD/DVD player, but more importantly the AUX input jack.

I’ve only got the basic UK Sport spec, but the removal seems to be across the range.

I am hoping that the head unit remains the same, and I can retro-wire a jack socket back in, which I am more than happy to do.

I am guessing the AUX option in the ID6 can also be re-enabled, but I could do with some help on this too.

My only other option is to use a £100 usb Aux encoder, which is not as reliable for what I need.

Any ideas guys ?

Schematics or software pointers will be well received - and by the look
Of things others may need this too....

Thanks

Jim

suby01 · 10-12-2019, 07:22 AM

Sorry I had to. I have no actual assistance for you other than just posting this. Good luck in your find though. Hopefully some other members are actually useful.

https://draftpunkt.com/wp-content/up...is-it-meme.jpg

gugin · 10-13-2019, 01:21 PM

I don't believe the head unit has an AUX input anymore, so I don't think it can be re-enabled by taking the head unit out and plugging in an AUX cable. I am at work right now, but will find the schematics when I get home.

titomi · 10-13-2019, 02:47 PM

Check this site:
https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g.../a42-headunit/

Under "Pinout (PIB) A42 Headunit" section, there is table mentioning AUX-IN along with USB - that is probably inside of the HU. As I understand it, you could connect AUX connector instead of USB hub. But there is definitely no connector on the HU itself. Try to search the site, maybe you find something more useful.

gugin · 10-13-2019, 08:11 PM

Thank you titomi. I was referring to this

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...nit/1VnYeyOjMv

No physical connectors for a dedicated AUX input.

TheFiX3r · 01-26-2021, 04:07 PM

FWIW, I purchased this device:

https://www.ensightauto.com/products...ne-aux-adapter

(Looks like they just doubled the price. Was $19.99 when I ordered last week.)

I'm 99% sure this is the Cartizan unit from https://www.icartizan.com/products/a...t-adapter.html

In any case, it works quite well, presenting as "USB AUX" in the iDrive media menu.

Perhaps most importantly it has no noticeable latency, so if you happen to have audio from a video source, the audio and video will be synchronized correctly.

TheFiX3r · 01-26-2021, 04:11 PM

Also, if you really wanted to be slick, you could add a second USB port for the AUX adapter using this HOWTO (https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1574192) and still keep the standard USB port available.

gugin · 01-26-2021, 08:15 PM

Interesting. Do you know how it pushes the audio to the head unit? Does it digitize the analog signal on the 3.5 mm jack to a format that the head unit can play. I read somewhere that the NBT Evo units did not support audio streaming over USB.

TheFiX3r · 01-26-2021, 09:37 PM

Not sure on the particulars. It must do some type of analog to digital conversion, right?

Demo of the latency, or lack thereof (Digging up this video is what sold me on it, as a potential first step in adding an Android Auto box.)

10-09-2019, 09:40 PM	#1
jimcolyer New Member 4 Rep 10 Posts Drives: X4 Sport 2 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: South Uk iTrader: (0)	Adding 3.5mm AUX jack back in (2019.5 UK x4) Unfortunately I have only just found out that BMW have removed not only the CD/DVD player, but more importantly the AUX input jack. I’ve only got the basic UK Sport spec, but the removal seems to be across the range. I am hoping that the head unit remains the same, and I can retro-wire a jack socket back in, which I am more than happy to do. I am guessing the AUX option in the ID6 can also be re-enabled, but I could do with some help on this too. My only other option is to use a £100 usb Aux encoder, which is not as reliable for what I need. Any ideas guys ? Schematics or software pointers will be well received - and by the look Of things others may need this too.... Thanks Jim
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-12-2019, 07:22 AM	#2
suby01 Cowboy Astronaut Millionaire 2314 Rep 2,885 Posts Drives: 2020 X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: CT, USA iTrader: (0)	Sorry I had to. I have no actual assistance for you other than just posting this. Good luck in your find though. Hopefully some other members are actually useful. https://draftpunkt.com/wp-content/up...is-it-meme.jpg
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-13-2019, 01:21 PM	#3
gugin New member 318 Rep 553 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0)	I don't believe the head unit has an AUX input anymore, so I don't think it can be re-enabled by taking the head unit out and plugging in an AUX cable. I am at work right now, but will find the schematics when I get home.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-13-2019, 02:47 PM	#4
titomi Colonel 926 Rep 2,046 Posts Drives: X3 G01 30i xDrive Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: EU iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 X3 G01 [0.00]	Check this site: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g.../a42-headunit/ Under "Pinout (PIB) A42 Headunit" section, there is table mentioning AUX-IN along with USB - that is probably inside of the HU. As I understand it, you could connect AUX connector instead of USB hub. But there is definitely no connector on the HU itself. Try to search the site, maybe you find something more useful.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-13-2019, 08:11 PM	#5
gugin New member 318 Rep 553 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0)	Thank you titomi. I was referring to this https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...nit/1VnYeyOjMv No physical connectors for a dedicated AUX input.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-26-2021, 04:07 PM	#6
TheFiX3r Private First Class 24 Rep 103 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	FWIW, I purchased this device: https://www.ensightauto.com/products...ne-aux-adapter (Looks like they just doubled the price. Was $19.99 when I ordered last week.) I'm 99% sure this is the Cartizan unit from https://www.icartizan.com/products/a...t-adapter.html In any case, it works quite well, presenting as "USB AUX" in the iDrive media menu. Perhaps most importantly it has no noticeable latency, so if you happen to have audio from a video source, the audio and video will be synchronized correctly.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-26-2021, 04:11 PM	#7
TheFiX3r Private First Class 24 Rep 103 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Also, if you really wanted to be slick, you could add a second USB port for the AUX adapter using this HOWTO (https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1574192) and still keep the standard USB port available.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-26-2021, 08:15 PM	#8
gugin New member 318 Rep 553 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0)	Interesting. Do you know how it pushes the audio to the head unit? Does it digitize the analog signal on the 3.5 mm jack to a format that the head unit can play. I read somewhere that the NBT Evo units did not support audio streaming over USB.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-26-2021, 09:37 PM	#9
TheFiX3r Private First Class 24 Rep 103 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Not sure on the particulars. It must do some type of analog to digital conversion, right? Demo of the latency, or lack thereof (Digging up this video is what sold me on it, as a potential first step in adding an Android Auto box.)
	Appreciate 0 Quote