Here are my notes on a little project I did during the 2008 holidays. For the geeks out-there, it’ll clearly be kid stuff. My intention was to help the rest of us. Those with technical background, but no experience working on cars, that won’t trust the BestBuy radio installers of this world, or that feel uneasy about sinking hundreds of dollars with a certified Volvo technician. This entry is for you.
Upgrade Description
My goal was to replace the factory-installed OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) iPod adapter on a 2007 Volvo XC70, with a newer, more capable interface, able to fully support all the hardware controls available on this model car.
A quick solution could’ve been to use the car’s FM radio to transmit the iPod audio signal through the amplification system. I tried a variety of in-line FM transmitters, but as I suspected it, audio quality with any of those products is neither great nor stable enough to warrant investing ‘any amount’ of my money (or your own).
If you don’t want to go through the trouble of a DIY hardware-installation, and don’t mind ‘permanent’ FM static during playback (however low), then an FM transmitter can be the ‘ticket to ride’. Try Belkin’s TuneBase FM with Clear Scan or Monster’s iCarPlay Wireless Plus. Either one will connect your iPod to your car’s audio system, but you’ll loose some on quality and performance. I couldn’t deal with dirty audio and fluctuating volume levels, so I had to look for a solution with a direct connection. Alternatively, Armour Automotive offers a Bluetooth® music streaming kit that could also solve your problem,, and provided your devices support Bluetooth® technology. At the moment my iPod Video 5th Generation did not, so I decided to look for a ‘physically’ connected solution.
iPod Happy Family
After reading on the experience of people that went through a similar process, I ended up with at least four possibilities:
1. the Dension Gateway 500 M.O.S.T (Media Oriented System Transport) Systems (www.automobilitydistribution.com)
2. the Neo Pro Link – PODVOLHUV2 (http://www.neocaraudio.com)
3. the USA Spec PA11-Vol (http://usaspec.com/ipod.html)
4. the iMIV-Volvo Adapter (http://www.imiv.ca)
Without going into product review and comparison mode, I’ll simply say that, based on my personal needs of media playback, I found the iMIV to best fit my current setup and requirements. The iMIV works well with video playback through the LCD panel of the RTI (navigation) system and with external DVD players and other audio playback gear.
In addition, the iMIV could support a factory-installed external 10-CD Changer, an MD Changer (mini disc), or a Satellite/Television channel.
Furthermore, I was told by Sensolutions that the iMIV is being factory-installed on models produced for the European market. For circumstances that remain unclear, Volvo is not using iMIVs for the US market. I haven’t validated it and you’ll have to take it as ‘hearsay’ and then make your own conclusions. Also, positive user feedback I found on some web forums was factored into my decision to give the iMIV a try.
In any event, I was looking for an iPod adapter that at the very least supported:
1. High quality – crystal clear audio
2. iPod powering and charging
3. User control from the radio and steering wheel
4. Direct user control through the iPod interface wheel
5. Inline integration with other vehicle audio devices
Having said that, I should warn the reader that finding the best solution for your vehicle (and personal preferences) may require some time digging up the right information, which may not be found in the obvious sources.
At the outset I checked with the local Volvo dealership and a reputable Volvo repair shop (who in turn checked with another Volvo dealership in another town), and none could offer any alternatives to the factory install, or even one or two of the three products I mentioned above.
So… if you happen to own a Volvo, these notes will give you an idea as to what’s involved in the upgrade, and it may well be comparable on other makes and models, but you should try and solve every possible issue in advance, i.e., before sinking any money, and please… read this post and any other pertinent product installation user guide in its entirety, before attempting any work on your equipment.
For very useful metadata about the iMIV, such as audio and video support of iPod models, supported cars models, HU (Head Unit) models, and product specifications see the iMIV page at Sensolutions.
Installation Options
There are at least FOUR possible ways of installing the iMIV in your car:
- The “front” installation is for cars without an RTI (Road and Traffic Information) system that are not MELBUS cable prepped. In this case the iMIV is placed behind the dashboard, in the glove compartment, or underneath the passenger seat.
- The “rear (with RTI)” installation is for cars with a pre-installed RTI system. In this case the iMIV will be installed in the trunk with a long iPod Cable running to the front (middle arm console).
- The “rear (for MELBUS* prepped cars)” is for cars that already have a pre-installed MELBUS cable in the trunk, but no RTI. The MELBUS cable (foamed) runs from the HU (Head Unit) to the trunk.
- The “rear (for Volvo iPod adapter replacement)” is for cars with an existing Volvo iPod adapter in the trunk. The iMiv can use the existing Volvo iPod adapter power and MELBUS cables, but the existing iPod cable is permanently attached to the original Volvo iPod adapter and it cannot be reused.
* MELBUS is the bus system in a Volvo to integrate multimedia devices such as an external CD changer, satellite receiver, TV module or Road and Traffic Information system. Through that, devices such as external CD changers can be integrated into the car. The so called MELBUS cable runs from the radio (Head Unit - HU) to the next MELBUS device (RTI navigation system, external CD changer, ...) in a serialized connection. In order to integrate more than one device into the MELBUS they simply have to be put in chain using MELBUS chain cables.
It took me a whole afternoon, a few cuts and bruises, 5% inspiration and 95% perspiration. Here are a few shots that I hope will give you a better idea of what to expect.
Components
My car had an RTI system and an iPod adapter, so my installation had to be done in the trunk (driver-side). I had to get (1) a new iPod cable, about 300 cm long, $30.95 – SKU 24-CA-IPOD-DIN13-30, (2) a Power and Video cable to use the RTI system for iPod video and other external video device-playback, $35.95 – SKU 24-CA-VOLVO-P05-01, and (3) the iMIV Rev.2 adapter, $129.95 – SKU 24-EA-IM4-02-00. In addition, I requested Sensolutions to have (4) a firmware update installed on my iMIV to enable the SAT-TV channel on the iMIV, $8.95 – SKU 08-IM4-05. If you rather do it yourself, all firmware updates are downloadable from their website.
As I speculated on the possibility of having to connect other external devices for audio/video playback, it soon became clear the iMIV could facilitate hook-up, so I got an 8-foot (well-insulated) audio (stereo) and (composite) video cable set (+-$25) that I routed together with the iPod cable all the way from the driver-side of the trunk and over to the middle arm console in the cargo compartment.
Preparation
Remove the rear floor hatch in the cargo compartment (the one closest to the hatchback door). You may also want to detach the storage box under the rear floor hatch by turning the clips on the left and right-hand sides. Turn each clip a 1/4 turn and lift out the box.
Remove the front floor hatch in the cargo compartment (the one closest to the 2nd row seat).
Remove the left folding side panel in the cargo compartment.
Remove the left side panel. Remove the cover and the screw from the front edge. Pull the top of the panel inwards until the clips release. Fold the panel inwards and lift the panel out.
Fold the left-hand rear seat cushion forward. You may have to do it with the middle seat cushion as well, to give you enough space to run the new cables under the carpet.
Remove the seat cushions by releasing the red T-locks that hold them safe into place. You’ll have to remove the plastic holders that keep the carpet tightly against the floor of the car, so that it can be lifted up a bit while pulling cables underneath, and also remove the left-hand sill moulding (not shown on picture) at the left rear door to free up the carpet.
Remove the four side-screws that hold the RTI DVD drive in place on the support bracket and pull it partially out without unplugging any cables from the rear ports, yet.
With the DVD drive partially out, try to gain access to the iPod adapter box which should be housed somewhere behind and to the lower-right of the DVD player. You’ll find it connected with three cables: the iPod cable permanently attached to one side (not shown on the picture), and the power (right) and MELBUS cables (left) on the other side as seen on the picture.
Installation
Unplug the MELBUS and power cables from the iPod adapter. You’ll be using the iPod cable as “your electrician’s fish tape” to pull into place the new iPod and Audio/Video cables all the way from the middle arm console, under the carpet, and up to the left side panel of the cargo compartment.
A broader view of how the working area looked like at the time right before moving the new cables into place.
With the left hand rear backrest folded forward, and the left-hand side cushion already removed (just pull the upper edge of the cushion backwards and lift it slightly upwards) here’s a view of how the factory iPod cable (white) looked like, as installed by Volvo (no protection, no wrapping, totally exposed, not pretty, and only my opinion).
Following the iPod cable under the carpet.
By lifting the insulated carpet you’ll be at the location where you can start moving in the new cables. Here are the steps I followed. (1) You’ll need to loosen up the middle arm console by unscrewing the two bottom screws under the arm rest. There’s a picture of the console five pictures down. (2) Tie the new iPod and audio/video cables to the end of the factory-installed iPod cable where the flat iPod connector is connected at (the iPod connector should be in the middle arm console). I used duct tape to tie the cables. Since you’ll have 4 connectors to tie to the iPod cable connector (1 Din and 3 RCAs), do it in a spread out fashion so as to keep the joining of cable connectors as ‘small, thin and cylindrical’ as possible. This way one can avoid getting it stuck while in transit through the console bend and the curves on the carpet. (3) Use common sense while applying pulling pressure down towards the floor, and try to move the cable ‘in small steps’ exerting comparable pressure each time. Remember to pull the cable down while lifting both the console and the carpet a little, so as to create enough space for the bulky cable join to move through. This exercise caused me the most perspiration and if you can get someone else to pull up both the console and the carpet while you pull the cable through, it may turn out to be a simple exercise, and always remember: eaaaaasy does it!
After getting the original iPod cable through the bottom opening of the middle arm console and the carpet, here’s how it looked like and how long the join ended up being with all four new cable connectors tied to it.
The new iPod and audio/video cables coming out under the carpet and a soft-ball I used to keep the carpet up a little while I pulled the cables through.
The new iPod cable (black) and audio/video cables (white) duct-taped flat.
The new cables going back up towards the left side panel of the cargo compartment.
The new iPod cable connected to my iPod Video and the audio/video cables in the middle arm console.
As true as everything else in life, it’s all about the connections we make, and since a picture is worth a thousand words, here’s a diagram with the information you’ll need to connect the MELBUS and power cables to the iMIV.
Here’s the diagram for the iPod and Video cable connections. Not shown in the diagram are the audio IN ports (red and white) and the composite video IN ports (yellow) I ended up using as well, so that I can connect other external playback devices (DVD/CD/MP3 players, and may be TV/SAT tuners).
IMPORTANT: test all your connections before putting everything back together!
And last, but not least, the iMIV already connected to the RTI/DVD system, the MELBUS circuit, the iPod, and the Audio/Video cables as it seats in the back of the DVD drive. To hold the iMIV in place I used a small patch of velcro, but it’s optional.
I’m confident you’ll take precautions as to how to put each part and piece of your car back together again. Even though it is a fairly simple project and non-invasive of your car’s core functions, if your are unsure as to how not to end up with extra screws… wright down your own notes, or take pictures, but try to avoid affecting the structural integrity of your car. I would.
Let me know if you tried it and how it went, and good luck!
DISCLAIMER: Use these instructions at your own risk. I’ve been very careful to cover everything I did on my own car as I replaced an OEM original component to excellent results. If due to negligence, carelessness, or lack of technical savvy, your car or electronic equipment becomes damaged in the process of performing this upgrade, I will not be found liable or responsible in any way for any or all of my hereby stated instructions and/or recommendations.
