Playing music from my Bionic through my Alpine CDA 105 head unit

[matto524]

The Bluetooth connection requires a Bluetooth interface, something like $150. I would much rather just use the aux cord if it comes to that

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[mattman5000]

I just went out and tried it with my Droid X. At first it didn't work, said "device error". I started trying various combinations of plugging/unplugging the usb cable, powering the HU on with the cable already connected, connecting the cable after powering on HU, etc., I got it to work one time. I was looking at the phone when all of a sudden it started playing music. I could then browse the folders on the SD card. I turned it off and back on and it didn't work anymore. I'm not exactly sure what I did to get it work that one time and I could not get it work again after attempting various steps as before. So I guess it sort of works, but it is not reliable. I'm using a off-brand cable that is known to work when I connect to a computer.

I don't update my music collection very often, so I just use a memory stick and leave it connected all the time. I also have an old Omnifi hard drive based player connected to the aux inputs. I prefer using that because navigating files/folders on the Alpine is kind of tedious. As brad92 said, there is also a limit of files per folder. It is actually 100 files per folder on the Alpine. I discovered that one time when I tried listening to an audiobook that had hundreds of files in a single folder. After the 100th played, it skipped to the next folder. I had to re-organize the files into multiple folders of 100 each.

[BroidDrionic]

I just use the car dock from moto, it comes with a crazy usb-to-audio cable (so yes, we can get audio out via usb, but only with the various docks) and a 850 mA (super fast) charger. Just plug in the 3.5mm jack into the aux input and it works great. You aren't going to get any better or worse sound quality from either usb or an aux input.

Edit: Also, I know for sure the factory stereo in my mother's Fiat can play music from the bionic over usb no problem, no folder size limitations or anything. Also, the unit I installed in my boat (link) can play music from my Bionic no problem over usb. But why would you want to use your radio's interface to access your music when the music interface on the bionic is so BEAUTIFUL?!

[k1ngr4t]

You can also try a service like Google Music, a music-streaming cloud, to see if that makes any difference.

[matto524]

BroidDrionic, the HU only allows you to control the music through its interface. The aux cord wouldn't have this issue obviously, so I'm leaning towards that option

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[brad92]

Sounds like a compatibility problem between the Alpine and the phone. I have had Alpine head units and they were good, but I had an 05 model without aux and USB. My Kenwood hasn't had any problems with the few phones I have tried.

X

[b00mb00mchuck]

I had the same problem on pioneer... it turned out to be a timing thing... when you select usb input on the head unit it does a search for device and files... that search doesn't work if you're already in mass storage mode... I would have to select usb input on the HU and then imediately select mass storage mode on the device.... the HU needs to get that mass storage signal during the search... once I got the timing right.. it worked every time .. no problem.. there's a thread about this somewhere but not bionic forum

[jdroid80]

The cool thing about a rear auxiliary output is you can route the cable to a more convenient location, and not have many cords from the head unit.

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[matto524]

I was just informed that getting the auxiliary cord to work would require an adapter and another cord... something around $100. I really wish the USB would play music... it would be so simple!

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[mattman5000]

What type of adapter were you told to get?

You don't need any fancy cable to connect to the aux input. Just a simple stereo 1/8" headphone plug to RCA cable. Under $5. You may need to play with the volume level on the phone to find the sweet spot. High volume on the phone for best signal to noise ratio, and to have full range on control with the head unit volume knob, but not so high that it causes distortion.