Ever since I started making the DCI people have asked "Why doesn't it work like the factory radio, where the CH button does 'Next Track' when in CD mode and 'Next Preset' when in Radio Mode".

It's because that functionality is part of the radio, not the DCI. All after-market head units pair the "Next Track" function with "Seek Up", instead of with "Next Preset" like the stock HU did. The DCI can only mimic the remote control, and the same button that does "Next Track" does "Seek Up" and I couldn't change that.

But while I can't change the way your HU works, I have found a way to change how the DCI works. I have been experimenting with my new Alpine and here is what I've come up with.

By making a connection from the DCI to the Alpine's "antenna power" output wire the DCI can sense when the HU is in Radio Mode (this wire has +12v only when the HU is in Radio Mode). I programmed my DCI to re-arrange the dash button functions when it senses voltage on the antenna wire.

The result is that the CH button on the dash will advance to the next track in CD mode and will go to the next preset station in Radio mode. Just like the stock head unit did.

This requires re-arranging the rest of the switch functions too, so it might cause more confusion than benefit. For example, I had to move the "Band" function to the "CH & Volume-Dn" combination buttons. The Band function used to be on the CH button on the regular DCI.

And this feature requires one more wire on the DCI, which the current hardware design is not made for. I had to solder a "flying lead" to my DCI to get this capability. It has a quick-connect terminal so the DCI can be easily unplugged but it's not part of the normal wiring connector.

So is it worth the trouble or not?

For me personally, I think it is. In addition to this mod, I did a wholesale re-arrangement of all the dash buttons on my system. I actually put Next Track and Next Preset on the MODE button instead of CH, and used CH for Next Folder and Seek Up. I figured the MODE button is easiest to press so I put the most-often used functions on that button, and the second-most used functions on the CH button.

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Fascinating.

 

Sometimes I feel like to only guy NOT running the Alpine, but.... Would this hold true with the Sony DCI also?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ruexp67
Sometimes I feel like to only guy NOT running the Alpine, but....

 

When will your new DCI be available? It seems like a great option. I will have the Alpine 9833.

 

Great answer, thanks.

I had an older Alpine unit in a car many years ago. I found the buttons to be small and hard to read. Basically the "user interface" was pretty crappy. I was turned off by the experience and avoided Alpine because of that. Mabey I will consider it again if anything ever happens to my Sony.

Back on topic:
The Sony I have does have a separate antennea lead, but I am not sure if it is powered all the time, or just when the radio is on.

I did not know about your Custom Programming option. I will have to check it out. I suspect part of the reason no one has shown any interest is for two reasons:

1. No one knows about it.
2. You got the software in the DCI right the first time!

 

rue - I would bet that if it has a separate antenna power wire that it only has power when the radio is on. The real purpose of that lead is for cars with a power antenna, not like ours that has an antenna amplifier. With a power antenna it only extends when the radio is on, when playing CD's the power is off so the antenna retracts.

You're probably right about the reasons for low interest in customizing the DCI, even though I did post here about the possibility of custom software (got some response) and again when I officially announced the program (got no response). But thanks for the compliment, nice to see my work is appreciated.

I really only mess with all these changes and options because I like to tinker, and squeezing one more feature out of the limited amount of software space available is challenging.

Willie Gee - I'm not sure if this feature will make it into production. It requires another wire on the DCI and in order to keep my parts cost down I buy in 100+ quantities and I don't feel like losing the parts investment when I have to change connectors and such. Worst case, if it's not available when you get your HU and you really want it, you can contact me and we'll see what we can do.

 

i would be interested if you had something for the pioneer. any ideas on how this would work if you had XM?

 

OK, I have had a DCI with my Alpine since they were release. So since we are on the subject..

1. The LED leads should be on a seperate harness. My LED is mounted (reads as glued) to the bezel. This would allow the use of the same harness, with a lead to spare. I bet there is room for a two lead connector on the board.

2. I wish I had more 1 button functionality. Just like stock, but I would never give up the addition functionality that the DCI offers.

 

Does the Pioneer have an antenna power lead?

As for XM, I have no clue how it works, or if there is a switched power wire for it.

If your HU provides a switched power wire that only has power when in radio mode then you could use this feature.