Ipod Now Fitted And Working With Rd4

[BigJohnD]

Citroën have recently brought out the "USB Box 9702.EZ", which fits into the CD changer socket of the standard RD4/RT3 radio found in C2s, C3s, C4s and C4 Picassos. The USB Box has a dedicated connection to an Apple iPod and a USB port for, for example, a flash drive containing MP3 files, as well as simple stereo jack input. Note that it uses the CD Changer port, so if a CD Changer is already fitted, you will need to choose between them. Only one device can be fitted to the port.

 

Up until then, the options were either an FM transmitter (iTrip) or the Auxiliary input lead - 9706AG. Both had short comings. The iTrip had transmission weaknesses and the Aux input required a more powerful signal than the iPod headset out could generate. Neither would power the iPod nor could the iPod be controlled from the radio/steering wheels controls.

 

I have heard that dealers will supply and fit it for outrageous sums like £230 + VAT. I paid £101 plus delivery and VAT for the kit. I installed the box myself (45 mins) in my C4 Berline VTR+ and had "CD Changer present" enabled free by my dealer (Windsors of Wallasey) during the 60K KM service. Thank you Windsors!

 

The USB Box

http://bigjohnd.250free.com/CitC4/usb_box_web.jpg

 

Dedicated iPod cable

http://bigjohnd.250free.com/CitC4/IpodCable_web.jpg

 

USB Box to quadlock cable

http://bigjohnd.250free.com/CitC4/RD4cable_web.jpg

 

Rear of the RD4. "2" is the part of the quadlock where the CD Changer/USB Box cable fits.

http://bigjohnd.250free.com/CitC4/radio.jpg

 

Cable threaded from behind radio to glove box.

http://bigjohnd.250free.com/CitC4/cableroute.jpg

 

Display showing iPod as CD4

http://bigjohnd.250free.com/CitC4/WorkingCorrectly.jpg

 

Sluggish initial detection of meta data

http://bigjohnd.250free.com/CitC4/DocumentUnavailable.jpg

 

Searching through playlists. Note truncation to 8 characters (which do scroll sideways)

http://bigjohnd.250free.com/CitC4/Hendrix.jpg

 

Current track, again truncation to 8 characters (which do scroll sideways)

http://bigjohnd.250free.com/CitC4/DocumentList.jpg

 

The PTY (Programme Type) "Document" is used to identify the menu system of playlists and tracks by holding down the "TA/PTY" button on the radio and selecting "Document". It took several minutes to fully engage.

 

Pressing pre-set 1 on the radio displays the iPod menus and playlists. The upper right scroll wheel moves the cursor up and down. >> on the upper right quadrant selects the menu item. (The joystick buttons ˆ , ˇ , <<, >> allow on the radio do the same).

 

Pre-set 2 displays the name of artist of the current track; << returns the display back to the current Mode.

Pre-set 4 displays the name of the current track; << returns the display back to the current Mode.

 

The iPod's own menu is completely disabled, and displays a warning about it not being safe to use the iPod controls while driving.

 

The display only shows 8 characters of any menu item, though they do automatically scroll horizontally. If you have several, for example, albums starting "The Best of …", it's a nuisance that there is a seemingly lengthy delay while waiting for the complete title to scroll across to identify it.

 

The trick when creating your playlists is to name them so they appear at the top of the list and have 8 or less characters.

 

There also is a limit of 99 items in a list, and that includes "Shuffle" of all your tracks, likely to be hundreds if not thousands,

 

The sound quality is very good, better than I expected

 

I haven't tried the USB connection as I don't have any MP3 tracks, so I can't comment on it.

 

I hope this is helpful for owners thinking about installing the USB Box.

[reggiep]

Thanks for the info, I am currently trying to come up with a solution for playing mp3 files either through an ipod or by alternative means. I currently have the standard cd player installed in my c3 52plate.

 

Do you have a picture of the box once it haseen installed in your car?

 

thanks

 

reg

[BigJohnD]

Thanks for the info, I am currently trying to come up with a solution for playing mp3 files either through an ipod or by alternative means. I currently have the standard cd player installed in my c3 52plate.

 

Do you have a picture of the box once it haseen installed in your car?

The USB Box works with the RD4 and similar radios which I assume is fitted in a C3.

 

The glove compartment on a RHD C4 is miniscule and fiddly to work in because of the location of the fuse box. This is not an issue on (original) LHD cars. I hope to fully fit the box to the roof of the compartment over Easter.

 

I'm not sufficiently familiar with the C3. I can post up pictures from the installation guide of the recommended location in a C3, but they're for LHD. I'm assuming you're RHD.

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Hi Folks.

 

I know this thread is a wee bit old now, but I found out about a gizmo called Xcarlink a wee while ago. I was going to order the Mp3/USB/SD version but was told it had been delayed due to technical problems. It should be available by the end of April according to the email I got from them. You'll find the info at this web page http://www.xcarlink.co.uk/home.php?cat=12 The Ipod version is available for anyone with that player, but if you don't have one then you'll need to wait for the USB version.

 

Cheers. :D

[BigJohnD]

I know this thread is a wee bit old now, but I found out about a gizmo called Xcarlink a wee while ago. I was going to order the Mp3/USB/SD version but was told it had been delayed due to technical problems. It should be available by the end of April according to the email I got from them. You'll find the info at this web page http://www.xcarlink.co.uk/home.php?cat=12 The Ipod version is available for anyone with that player, but if you don't have one then you'll need to wait for the USB version.

Looks like it's specific to the VDO/RD3 head unit.

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Yes John.

 

I believe you may well be right in that assumption but then it would seem that a good few of the current Citroens (and Peugeots) have some version of that unit.

 

Cheers

[justbaz]

Can anyone help?

 

I have had a USB box fitted by a dealer to my new 08 C4 cool, controls all work but it does not display on the screen. The screen display is the option A on the Radio manual not the more detailed option C. In the usb box manual however it seems to show both options for the display type.

 

I am not sure what radio specification I have but may be able to find out. Could it be that the dealer has not fitted the usb box correctly or is it the display screen?

 

Would appreciate your comments.

 

Cheers.

[c5vtr]

..anyone got a working link to download the latest firmware for the citroen usb box, i think its v3.03 or similar...