IceLink Install in 2001 A6 - a few tips and some updates (VERY long with pics)

[SouthboroAudiGuy]

[Poster's note: This info is copied from the "history_21x.txt" file that comes with the 2.15 installer package. It's worth noting that the 2.11 release had some Audi-specific bug fixes -- I've highlighted them below.]

[Additional poster's note: The IceLink Plus product is no longer being distributed by Denison in the US. It has been replaced by the DICE product. If the reader is interested, a more recent IceLink vs. DICE thread provides information comparing & contrasting these two solutions and provides recommendations for getting the most out of the DICE product.]

[10/3/2006 - Additional poster's note: A newer revision of the IceLink software has been released, 2.17. As far as I can tell, there are no changes that affect performance/behavior in an Audi, but I include a link to the update here for completeness.]

[4/30/2008 - Additional poster's note: I recently upgraded my iPod to an iPhone and am happy to report that it works beautifully with the IceLink Plus. There have been a few posts on the topic of IceLink/iPhone compatibility, but some of the information has been incorrect. In my experience, the compatibility is excellent. I point to a brief discussion of the matter here for those people looking to use an iPhone with the IceLink. One note: I'm using firmware 2.15 (never got around to upgrading to 2.17).]

History of Ice>Link Plus 2.1x firmwares
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ICEV2 2.15

Bug fixes:
- Fixed iPod UI mode with iPod 5G (Video).
- Fixed firmware version displaying at Warning message. The new format is:
ICEV2-2.15

New features:
- Improved iPod UI mode (not available with 3G and previous iPod's). New features:
CD1 + FFWD/REWD = Fast Forward/Rewind
CD2 + FFWD/REWD = Next/Previous Playlist
CD3 + FFWD/REWD = Next/Previous Album
CD3 + FFWD/REWD = Next/Previous Chapter

[Poster's note: I think the addition of these features makes the IceLink the clear standout from a UI standpoint. As I understand it, no other product offers as much Audi OEM head unit control when in iPod UI mode. It may not talk to me (a nod to you Phatbox fans) or display the song title/artist/album on the head unit, but this is a very high level of iPod control while still allowing use of the native iPod interface.]

Known Bugs:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ICEV2 2.14

Bug fixes:
- Fixed VDO CD-text feature. Now supports Track Title and Track Artist text
fields. Disc Title/Artist displaying is not supported.

Known Bugs:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ICEV2 2.13 Internal release, not for general use

Bug fixes:
- Midified VDO CD-text functionality

Known Bugs:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ICEV2 2.12

New features:
- Added Renault and VDO car interfaces

Bug fixes:
- Fixed Mazda Random function handling,

Known Bugs:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ICEV2 2.11

New features:
- Added Honda-R2 interface. Compatibility with old type Honda headunits. (before 2003)
- added Mazda Car interface and Mazda support, (please see the compatibility list)
- Menu key can be selected via MP3 config file,
- The MASERATI car interface uses CD5 as ice>Link Menu key

[Poster's note: GREAT to know that I can transfer my IceLink to my Maserati if I ever want!]

- Balupunkt Navigation Car Interface config
It uses "next track" for browsing and "prev track" for selecting

Bug fixes:
- Fixed Car interface name displaying,
- "Hot freeze" problem solved. With 2.10 fw the hot ice>Link can stop working
and repaire itself after power off and cool down.
- Fixed Alpine fast seek displaying bug
- The "after more than 10 quick track changes the displayed track number on the
radio did not correspond with the number of the pressed buttons" problem has
been fixed.
- Long (more than 80 min) mp3 songs caused some problem on some radios.
From now on the minutes and seconds counter on the radios reseted to 00:00
after 59:59.
- The Blaupunkt interface became compatible with TravelPilot E1
- Track change problem fixed. It became faster and more stable with Audi
navigation Plus.
- (VW, Audi) Scan, random functions aligned to different radio specifications.
- Better compability with Fiat Stilo (from HW v2.03)
- Modified Blaupunkt interface to improve compatibility with Fiat navigation
and Blaupunkt DX-R navigation headunits

Known Bugs:
- VW Ice-Link is not compatible with standalone VW CD players
- First magazine scan (CDC init.) can take about 3 minutes with ALFA 147
navigation headunits.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ICEV2 2.10

New features:
- Simplified menu structure
* Access iPod UI
* Playlists
* AlbumPlay
* Setup ice>Link
* Language
* Charge
* Audio Level
* Disc change

- IMPORTANT NOTE! The 2.1x firmware serie not containes the BMW interface
There will be a special BMW release.

Bug fixes:
- Fixed menu access bug with using Connects2 adapters.
(Tested with Renault, Peugeot, Honda.)

Known Bugs:
- The car interfaces are the same as in 2.07 firmware version, exept SONY

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Kris Hansen]

[SouthboroAudiGuy]

[Grapeking]

[OCDboy]

[Kris Hansen]

'Cause I have a nano...

[SouthboroAudiGuy]

They actually have several websites:
www.dension.com
www.densionusa.com
install.dension.com/
support.dension.com

The first one does indicate that they now support Nanos. Before plunking your money down, I'd suggest giving Christian at EnfigCarStereo.com a call. He should be able to provide more info. Alternatively, find somebody that lives near you who has an IceLink installed, point them to my post on how to upgrade the firmware, and give it a try on their unit (you're not near Boston, are you?).

One big qualifier for you... The docking cradle I have shown in my post does NOT support the Nano and they do not describe a Nano-specific cradle anywhere. That means that you have to order the IceLink with a docking CABLE instead of a docking CRADLE. With this, you'll either need to run the cable to your armrest area or find a nano-specific cradle that will work with the IceLink.

Good luck! Let us know how you make out.

[SouthboroAudiGuy]

• From ProClip -- at the EnfigCarStereo.com site

[NorCalS6]

had bad luck with cell phone batteries short life span when charged in a car vs. charging from 110V. I believe the car adaptors overcharge cell phones. It would suck to ruin an Ipod battery which is much more expensive to replace. Any issues so far?

[SouthboroAudiGuy]

...allow you to set how you want the iPod charged:
- Not at all (off)
- Only when playing (what I have it on)
- Extended charge (goes for 2 hours after radio is turned off)

Given this flexibility, I think the greater concern is the requirement that iPods occassionally need to have their batteries drained for optimal service life. If you end up only using your iPod in the car or home when attached to a dock, you could run into trouble here. Pretty easy to change the settings using the Denison UI so you can work this issue as needed given your personal iPod usage habits.