The salesman talked me into one of these and at £25 I figured it would always be handy even if I never used it.
Reading a post about CD track tittles on the Nav system got me thinking about my 500 radio/cd unit and this aux socket. There is very little meaningful info in the handbook on this subject, like tech spec, intended use etc.

Does anyone know if I can use an ipod adaptor: 3.5mm to USB and then use an SD card reader to extend my music ????

Could this be a cheap way of extending the format, any ideas as I am a complete dunce with ICE.

I'm assuming that we're talking about the little round hole that looks like a headphone jack? If so, and unless things are different in the UK - that is what could be called a "dumb" input. It doesn't do anything but pass the sound through to play through the radio. As bad as it may sound, it's not such a bad thing. It gives you exellent sound quality (adjust the volume on the iPod so you don't overload it) and you still have full control and display on your iPod (I have to unplug the iPod from the console, make my selections, and plug it back it. And, once plugged in, I have no idea what it's doing.) I'd advise that you enjoy the simplicity of it for your occasional usage. :D

Many thanks for a simple explanation -- most helpful.

I will have to rethink my ideas and find a new toy to plug into this socket.

As I have a few SD cards I need to look for a small compact toy that uses them as a memory medium as I do like the idea of compact storage.

Aux in socket

Information is power is the old adage, how true! Since “Sealy” kindly explained its use I have learnt a lot and had great fun playing with this “Dumb input” I have found that my digital voice recorder works perfectly through it, so I took a leap of faith and bought a miniature Panasonic MP3 player so I can join the “kids” by being wired for sound!
As this player uses SD cards as a memory medium I now have over 680 songs on one 2gb card and I am ½ way through filling another, so in car music wont ever be a problem on a long run once the 6cd’s in the RCD500 have played, its over to the MP3 player and random shuffle of the data base. Finding space for an extra SD card won’t be the problem that carrying spare CD’s is. I have seen the light and my audio future; I now want a new home audio system based around the humble SD card.

The future (and present) is music over Bluetooth via A2DP - no need for wires or sockets.
Using this method you can connect whatever audio source to the stereo speakers - MP3 player, iPod, iPhone, SatNav - all can be done. You also get the added advantage of Bluetooth handsfree when using a MK6000, MK6100 or IO Play kit.
The humble socket and cable still has it's place, but won't be long before it is considered inconvenient.

Well, there will always be a place for simple, reliable technology. For instance; here in the USA VW doesn't even provide Bluetooth for the phone and the whiz-bang iPod integration seems to be a way to get even for bombing Dresden. :rolleyes:

my EOS has the USB port hidden in the armrest, which allows me to play MP3 files on a memory pen.

Superjohn
The spec of your Eos seems so different to that of UK cars that I am allmost jelous, you have Candy white, Hill hold, USB port, and a warning Triangle to name but a few. What is the complete spec of your car ??

hi Graeme,
there is nothing to envy. at least i could not get Candy White with Biege leather.

here is the full spec list, http://www.vwasia.com/publish/vwasia/hong_kong/en/models/eos.ContentPar.74987.file.tmp/08-Eos2.0T.pdf

my EOS came with 36 months warranty, because i pre-order in 2007, whilst other customers will only get 24 months now.

Hi Superjohn
You have a nicely speced Eos as std in HK, very very different to us here in the UK and I suspect the rest of the RHD world.

Should anybody want to check different market places spec try

http://www.volkswagen.com/vwcms_publish/vwcms/master_public/virtualmaster/en2/unternehmen/Weltweit.html

then just click on country of intrest

The future (and present) is music over Bluetooth via A2DP - no need for wires or sockets.
Using this method you can connect whatever audio source to the stereo speakers - MP3 player, iPod, iPhone, SatNav - all can be done. You also get the added advantage of Bluetooth handsfree when using a MK6000, MK6100 or IO Play kit.
The humble socket and cable still has it's place, but won't be long before it is considered inconvenient.
Hi justcarkits

I have googled the tech references and yes I have heard of Parrot, you are right this will be the future when the car companies realise that we the customers want it so our lives seemless intergrate with our cars but VW are ICE ludites so we all make the best of what they will let us have in our own ways as budget plays an important part of everyones life.

Not having a pop.
Why wait for the car companies - they replace models after about 7 years and generally facelift after 3 to 4. Most manufacturers are always behind customer demand.

VW can't even be bothered to put DAB in as a standard option.

As for the RCD300/500 - not a bad sound system as standard, but it has been deliberately hobbled to persuade you to opt for the Dynaudio. The mid-range on the standard system is terrible, due to the missing mid-range speaker. It's so irritating that will be remedying this when the weather changes enough to disassemble bits. Have already resolved the missing DAB issue, and if you have listened to digital radio you wouldn't go back to FM let alone even think about AM..

I take your point about DAB its on my dream Eos list in an earlier post, yet in US satalite radio is an option, is it just that we in the UK dont make ourselfs heard! Dont the dealers care ?
I would like to hear how you intend to improve RCD500 as it does not sound to be an expensive fix ?? can we expect a how to post from you when you have finished.

Have already replaced the RCD300 with a DAB stereo.
The mod will mean removing the door cards and adding the mid range speakers that are fitted on the Dynaudio version. The tricky bit is deciding how to add them into the existing wiring, as am pretty sure that the connector is not present for these speakers.
It's also a bit of a pig to get the door cards off (without doing damage).

I would like to hear how you intend to improve RCD500 as it does not sound to be an expensive fix ?? can we expect a how to post from you when you have finished.

Yes, I'd be interested in that, as well...

Peter