The new iDrive, in pictures.

KevinO · 10-21-2008, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blutapedr3w

hey does anybody know if there is a way to disable the "video only when parking brake is on"?

Please don't.

Rotary Rasp · 10-21-2008, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LionRampant

The drive I am testing with is a 60Gb 4200rpm USB2.0 drive packaged by Apricorn (the Aegis Mini). I am reasonably certain that it uses a PATA interface internally, but it isn't likely to matter--USB2.0 is the bottleneck either way.

I am going to need to do some more testing this evening. I added a few folders to the drive bringing the total up to 24Gb of music files, and it was taking quite a while to index. Merely turning off the car and later restarting it does not seem to prompt a reindex, and there are some indications that only the changed items are indexed when you unplug and plug it back in, which would indicate some sort of caching/change recognition ability. I'll let you know what I find tonight.

Switching songs, even between distant folders, is nearly instant--a moment to read the drive, and the new song is up. Browsing songs in the folder structure is not dependent on the indexing process--you can navigate through the entire drive and listings are pulled up as you go. The indexing is tied to the search function, which allows you to pull up songs by track, artist, album, and/or genre. Until the indexing is complete, the search options are gray (disabled). If there is no search active, random play is limited to the contents of whichever folder you are in.

I use Macs primarily, and most of my external drives are formatted HFS+. I tried one of those first, and received a "not supported" message when iDrive tried to access it. I tried a drive with NTFS next and received the same response. FAT32 is what most PCs will use to format a USB flash drive, so it is perhaps not surprising that hard drives must be formatted the same way to work with the system.

--LR

Excellent information! You've answered so many of the questions I've had about the new iDrive.

Please keep us updated about the indexing test now that you have considerable more music on the drive.

Perhaps a 7200 rpm drive would dramatically lower the indexing time. That is of course if the USB port had enough power.

nukezero · 10-21-2008, 03:43 PM

So is it possible to upload songs to the internal hard disk drive of the iDrive? That way, it will not have to index the music everytime you start the car?

Also, what else can you use store onto the internal hard disk drive that is useful for the iDrive? Mpeg movies??

KevinO · 10-21-2008, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nukezero

So is it possible to upload songs to the internal hard disk drive of the iDrive? That way, it will not have to index the music everytime you start the car?

Also, what else can you use store onto the internal hard disk drive that is useful for the iDrive? Mpeg movies??

Yes, but you only get 12GB (I think) for music. I believe music and contacts are the only things that you can upload to the hard drive.

Zirenz2006 · 10-21-2008, 06:38 PM

Great write-up! New iDrive FTMFW!!

Davin · 10-21-2008, 09:36 PM

cool

Rotary Rasp · 10-22-2008, 03:37 PM

Does the new iDrive play VBR mp3's?

LionRampant · 10-22-2008, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rotary Rasp

Does the new iDrive play VBR mp3's?

It certainly does. I've not found any MP3-format files it won't play. It doesn't seem to mind extended characters in the filename or tag fields (although it shows many of them as "?").

--LR

suffix · 10-23-2008, 06:32 AM

I have ordered an E92 with Navigation System Professional in September. I was informed today that it has finished production and will be shipped in the following days. I am in Cyprus if that makes a difference.

Will it have the old iDrive or the new one?!

I hope it's the new one!

AJerman · 10-23-2008, 06:51 AM

Man I want this so much.

Unfortunately I still have 2 and a half years on my lease.

WDW1Fanatic · 10-23-2008, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suffix

I have ordered an E92 with Navigation System Professional in September. I was informed today that it has finished production and will be shipped in the following days. I am in Cyprus if that makes a difference.

Will it have the old iDrive or the new one?!

I hope it's the new one!

You'll get the new one.

bsd107 · 10-23-2008, 08:08 AM

I noticed under the locking options that you can choose to have the lights flash or not when unlocking the car. Hopefully with the BMW OEM Alarm installed you also can choose whether or not to get the beeps when locking and unlocking....

kennethpetro · 10-23-2008, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJerman

Man I want this so much.

Unfortunately I still have 2 and a half years on my lease.

Me TOO!!! LOL I just got mine the end of May

I ordered it just before news came out about the updated iDrive! I'm just hoping there will be some sort of upgrade/retrofit so we can get some of the updated functionality.

suffix · 10-23-2008, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WDW1Fanatic

You'll get the new one.

So why people say it is included in E92 '09 cars since they install the new iDrive in cars produced now in '08?

WDW1Fanatic · 10-23-2008, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suffix

So why people say it is included in E92 '09 cars since they install the new iDrive in cars produced now in '08?

Because the new iDrive is in the 2009 Model Year versions of the vehicles that started being manufactured in September 2008. I (and others) try to distinguish this point as anyone that may have recently purchased, or can still find a 2008MY car on a dealer lot constructed before September will not have the new iDrive in it

Rotary Rasp · 10-23-2008, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennethpetro

Me TOO!!! LOL I just got mine the end of May

I ordered it just before news came out about the updated iDrive! I'm just hoping there will be some sort of upgrade/retrofit so we can get some of the updated functionality.

you're dreaming...

There will never be an iDrive upgrade for 08 and previous years. It's just not possible.

MB330 · 10-23-2008, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rotary Rasp

you're dreaming...

There will never be an iDrive upgrade for 08 and previous years. It's just not possible.

+1! No Way!

Mantis64 · 10-24-2008, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LionRampant

Note that the USB port in the armrest is not standard equipment--it is included only in cars with the 6FL iPod/USB Adapter option or the dealer-installed USB adapter. If you order a car without the 6FL option, you only get the USB connection in the glovebox, and that seemingly cannot be used to play music directly.

--LR

So I don't need the 6FL option to be able to put music on the Idrive, because that's what my dealer told me and I spent 300Eur on an option I don't really need

I only need to put music on the Idrive, don't use an Ipod or external USB stick to play music from.

MrHarris · 10-24-2008, 04:24 AM

Wow I'm jealous!

rob72 · 10-24-2008, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mantis64

So I don't need the 6FL option to be able to put music on the Idrive, because that's what my dealer told me and I spent 300Eur on an option I don't really need

I only need to put music on the Idrive, don't use an Ipod or external USB stick to play music from.

Correct you do not need 6FL unless you want to hook up a music player (iPod). If you do not order the 6FL option you still get the USB port in the glovebox, but that one can apparently only be used to upload music/videos to the integrated HDD, after which you can play them.

I had a look at some of the new iDrive equipped cars a few days ago at the dealer. They had four in the showroom.

Also new I noted is that when you do not have the key and you press the volume button that the iDrive switches on in a limited mode. Namely you can only control some of the music/radio functions, all other functions (Navigation/Settings and such) where grayed out.

rob72 · 10-24-2008, 06:59 AM

What I am wondering is how it will handle map updates. I guess that when you put a newer MAP DVD into the drive, it will recognize it as such and give you the option to copy it to the internal HDD.

But I am wondering if you can backlevel or re-install an installed version. The reason I am looking for this is because of adding Speedcameras.

Also, does the system now allow you to have more then one POI category displayed on the map simultaneously? Again the reason is because of speedcameras, right now I use the same icon for all types, and if I can have multiple POI categories displayed, each type of camera (50km, 70km, red light-only, etc) can have a different icon.

bsd107 · 10-25-2008, 09:49 AM

PLEASE tell me what type of USB cable should come with the car when equipped with 6FL. I'm about to pick my E90 LCI and want to make sure they give me the right cable. Thanks!

10-21-2008, 03:43 PM	#47
nukezero Major 343 Rep 1,465 Posts Drives: BMW 3 series Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Irvine iTrader: (8)	So is it possible to upload songs to the internal hard disk drive of the iDrive? That way, it will not have to index the music everytime you start the car? Also, what else can you use store onto the internal hard disk drive that is useful for the iDrive? Mpeg movies??
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10-21-2008, 06:38 PM	#49
Zirenz2006 Brigadier General 1535 Rep 4,555 Posts Drives: G80 M3 Comp IOMG Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: US - NE iTrader: (0)	Great write-up! New iDrive FTMFW!!
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10-21-2008, 09:36 PM	#50
Davin Lieutenant Colonel 54 Rep 1,721 Posts Drives: Yes Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Trinidad & Tobago / NYC iTrader: (0)	cool
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10-22-2008, 03:37 PM	#51
Rotary Rasp Lieutenant Colonel 241 Rep 1,857 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SoCal - Torrance iTrader: (6)	Does the new iDrive play VBR mp3's?
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10-23-2008, 06:32 AM	#53
suffix New Member 2 Rep 14 Posts Drives: BMW E92 M LeMans Blue Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cyprus iTrader: (0)	new iDrive for me?! I have ordered an E92 with Navigation System Professional in September. I was informed today that it has finished production and will be shipped in the following days. I am in Cyprus if that makes a difference. Will it have the old iDrive or the new one?! I hope it's the new one!
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10-23-2008, 06:51 AM	#54
AJerman Major 29 Rep 1,381 Posts Drives: '08 335i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC iTrader: (0)	Man I want this so much. Unfortunately I still have 2 and a half years on my lease. __________________ 2008 BMW 335i: Jet Black, Jade Gray, Gray Poplar, 6MT - Stock... for now.
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10-23-2008, 08:08 AM	#56
bsd107 Captain 46 Rep 627 Posts Drives: 2009 335i E90 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: US iTrader: (0)	I noticed under the locking options that you can choose to have the lights flash or not when unlocking the car. Hopefully with the BMW OEM Alarm installed you also can choose whether or not to get the beeps when locking and unlocking....
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10-24-2008, 04:24 AM	#63
MrHarris yodog 197 Rep 5,026 Posts Drives: '86 Corolla Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Diamond Bar, Ca iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 BMW [10.00]	Wow I'm jealous! __________________ 2009 E92 M3 \| Alpine White \| Black Extended \| Advan RS \| Turner Test Pipes \| Dinan Axle-Back \| OETuning \| Eibach Springs \| UUC SSK \| VRS Front Lip \| VRS Type I Diffuser \| Matte Black \| RPi Scoops \| MS Filter \| Yokohama AD08 \| F1 Pinnacle Special Thanks: Gintani \| OETuning \| eAs
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10-24-2008, 06:59 AM	#65
rob72 /dev/random 31 Rep 353 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	What I am wondering is how it will handle map updates. I guess that when you put a newer MAP DVD into the drive, it will recognize it as such and give you the option to copy it to the internal HDD. But I am wondering if you can backlevel or re-install an installed version. The reason I am looking for this is because of adding Speedcameras. Also, does the system now allow you to have more then one POI category displayed on the map simultaneously? Again the reason is because of speedcameras, right now I use the same icon for all types, and if I can have multiple POI categories displayed, each type of camera (50km, 70km, red light-only, etc) can have a different icon.
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10-25-2008, 09:49 AM	#66
bsd107 Captain 46 Rep 627 Posts Drives: 2009 335i E90 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: US iTrader: (0)	PLEASE tell me what type of USB cable should come with the car when equipped with 6FL. I'm about to pick my E90 LCI and want to make sure they give me the right cable. Thanks!
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