Dension has been working hard in recent months to increase the compatibility and functionality of the BMW kits in the Dension Range. The new kits are part of the Dension gateway range and offer increased performance over the older and now obsolete Ice>link Plus in many ways. Due to the complexity of the BMW vehicles and production and installation options when purchased from new, Dension have had to design numerous variations of the BMW kits. The kits produced mainly differ in the different types of connection looms, as many head units (Stereos) have different physical compatibility. In addition to this, the software (Firmware) installed on the stereo also differs from unit to unit adding to the complexity of the Dension Gateway range.

Dension has produced two types of kit depending on which vehicle and stereo you have installed. Firstly an option of the Dension Gateway 100 or Gateway 300 for vehicles with normal wiring looms. Usually found in vehicles pre 2004/5. The Gateway 100 and 300 share the same vehicle and stereo compatibility so if one of the kits is compatible so too is the other. These kits offer a digital connection to the stereo through the CD Changer port, and provide full control of the iPod and track selection through the stereo and or steering wheel controls. The 100 & 300 also offer track display on select stereos and charge all iPods including the new 5V charging iPods and iPhone 3g and 3gs. The Dension Gateway 300 also provides an additional USB input for a mass storage device to be connected, enabling you to store 10,000’s additional tracks or if you forget you iPod you have a back up already connected and ready to use.

The Second option is the Gateway 500, Dension’s Flagship in the range. The Gateway 500 is a fibre optic kit that extends the performance of the BMW’s factory equipment tremendously. By connecting into the fibre optic system the gateway 500 provides a fully integrated iPod connection controllable through the iDrive system. The Gateway 500 also allows you to retain your factory CD Changer & is provided with a USB input (as with the 300). However it’s the optional Extra’s that open up a new world of in car entertainment for BMW. Dension has expanded developed further upgrades for the 500, increasing performance and usability of the system as a whole. The BTA1500 bluetooth adapter connects into the system to provide a hands free Bluetooth system allowing your phone to connect through the vehicle, and more importantly Dension have created a multi-source media selection device caller the AVR. The Dension AVR designed recently enables you to make full use of all the devices connected through the Gateway 500 system. Controlling multiple devices and choosing which device plays where in the vehicle, you have the iPod playing in the front while the kids are watching their favourite DVD in the Back.

Dension has shown us the future of In Car Entertainment, and has a few products in the pipe line which will open more doors of opportunity for the Digital Media Age.
Dension products are available from the number one Online iPod Car Kit Store

InCar Network has been working on updating our web sites in recent weeks. The objective is to provide a cleaner, easier to navigate web site to make it easier for our customers to understand and find the products they are looking for.

http://www.CarAudioPlus.co.uk being the first to receive an overhaul, now boasts a modern look, completely transforming the older site to a very spatial, clutter free web site. We are highly confident the new site will allow you the customer a more pleasurable shopping experience with us, as we ourselves know how frustrating it can be trying to find the item you are looking for when there is so much choice available.

http://IPodCarKitDirect.co.uk is next in line to receive an update, and to mark the launch of the new look site, we will be offering a special promotional discount to all of our customers. Keep an eye on the web site for more details, coming soon.

In addition to this, we have recently launched our new web site, http://www.BluetoothCarKitDirect.co.uk, which specialises in Bluetooth hands free car kits, ranging from standalone visor mounts, to fully integrated solutions that operate via state of the art voice recognition software through your existing stereo. Bluetooth car kits are rapidly becoming the number 1 in car accessory due to Road Legislation and Road Safety. With more people on the roads than ever before, communication on the go is in high demand. For more information please click to visit http://www.BlueToothCarKitDirect.co.uk

Finally we have been working on our Support and Technical section on our web sites. We have separated InCar-Support to individual support sites, within the main websites, so you have a dedicated support section available for each web site you visit. FAQ’s are now specific to the content available on each site, and the Technical Staff are specialised to the relevant fields ensuring you receive the very best in after sale support and technical help.

We hope you enjoy your time with us, if you have any questions, please just ask.

As iPod integration becomes more and more popular, brands & manufacturers pop up with rival products hoping to take advantage of the growing industry, and usually for quick profit. iPods one of the most purchased items of the last 5 years and that’s trend shows no sign of stopping. The release of the new iPhone 3Gs, and expecting release of the new iPod Touch shows apple’s intentions for the future. Combined with the open source applications that are being developed repeatedly, the device will always remain up to date and continually wanted, or on many occasions needed. This is obviously an incentive for companies to develop products on the back of the ipod which provide a useful service to iPod users.

One of the more useful devices designed to work with the iPod and further extend its functionality is the iPod car kit. There are many brands to choose from however as with most areas of business there are better and worse kits available. The latest ipod car kits from Dension provide the ultimate in iPod integration for vehicles with factory stereos. The Gateway 100 or Gateway 300 from Dension is designed to replace the CD changer in the vehicle and connect directly to the CD changer port on the back of the stereo. Providing a true digital connection and in turn provides audio quality better that CD (Dependant on the quality of the MP3).

Dension has worked hard to improve on the previous kit, which many people see as the best ipod car kit on the market. The new and improved Gateway 100 / 300 CAN kits offer that little bit more than the older Gateway 100/ 300 kits. Dension has finally cracked the software relating to the CAN systems and can now provide an interface that shows text from the iPod on the cluster screen present in CAN vehicles. This update brings the Gateway 100 / 300 kits for Audi, VW & Peugeot into line with the other Dension (vehicle) kits that already offered this as standard.

This improvement is likely to increase the sales of Audi, VW and Peugeot kits, and bring in line with the more popular BMW. People who use the kits see Text Display as an important if not an essential feature when purchasing any iPod car kit, so when you combine this new feature with the older functions that made the Gateway 100 so popular you can only see the Dension reputation increasing over the coming year.

Dension products are available from the number one Online iPod Car Kit Store

The AVR is one of the latest products from the Dension production line. The AVR is the new Video Extender from Dension that allows videos from the iPod to be played on factory screens in the front and back of the vehicle (Where available). Dension modified the previous version of the kit (The AV Extender) to allow a greater user interface and functionality as well as state of the art technology to ensure that users can fully control the Audio / Video system within the vehicle.

The AVR only work’s with vehicles compatible with and has the Dension gateway 500 system installed. Vehicles such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes & Porsche (and a few others) with fibre optic systems can utilise the AVR’s functions to control the media being played in different screens within the vehicle. Allowing you to watch your favourite iPod Video in the front and lets the kids watch their favourite DVD in the back, cutting out all of the boredom, tedium and arguing usually involved in long vehicle journeys. In fact it’s likely that the only squabbling involved will be the choice of videos played.

Unfortunately the AVR isn’t compatible with the Gateway 100 and Gateway 300 systems as it requires the complexity of the Gateway 500 and the speed of the fibre optics to function correctly. However there is a possibility of an AV extender for the 100/300 being released in the horizon. But for now the Gateway 100 and 300 users will have to make do with their music collection for long drives.

Dension products are available from the number one Online iPod Car Kit Store

iPod’s popularity certainly has a major say in the Car audio industry today, not directly from apple but from the millions of iPod users. Due to the massive amounts of people who regularly use iPod’s on a daily if not hourly basis Car Audio Brands and Vehicle Manufacturers have had to redefine how car audio and entertainment works and what is expected from each component within the system.
Vehicle manufacturers are more aware of the demands of the public and use additional add-ons as a selling point in an aid to promote new ranges and vehicles. However the majority of factory iPod car kits are simply an AUX input into the audio system. This allows music to be played through the speaker system, which for some users is enough. However this option does not offer any of the more advanced features that aftermarket kits do.
So the big question is do vehicle manufacturers see a future with iPod car kits or are they waiting for the next big invention?
The investments from Car Audio Brands suggest that the iPod is going to be here for a minimum of several years. The larger brands such as Dension, Alpine & Kenwood have taken iPod integration to the next level, although in separate directions. Alpine & Kenwood have built fully iPod compatible aftermarket stereos, with new features such as imprint technology & HD screens that allow users to configure the components depending music quality and type. Combined with Made for iPod & iPhone you can get the most out of your iPod by finding and playing music and videos much easier than ever before.
Dension however has made larger strides by combining iPod technology with factory fitted equipment. The Dension Gateway range provides an iPod connection into your factory fitted stereo, ensuring that the original look is maintained. The Dension Kits also provide Steering wheel control for the iPod and music, Text display on a lot of vehicles including the new CAN cluster display vehicles within the VW & Audi Group and the retention of your CD Changer via a CD Retention Kit at additional cost.

However it’s the new components that Dension are developing that offer the greater indication of where iPod integration may be heading?
The soon to be released AVR is designed to work with the gateway 500 fibre optic kit allows different sources of entertainment to be played simultaneously, So for example the adults might want to listen to their favourite music in the front of the vehicle while the kids enjoy their favourite DVD in the back. This step is a major advance in the car entertainment world and will open up several avenues for further development in the future.
Another one of Dension’s products nearing completion is the Wi-Drive, this device when complete will allow you to integrate your vehicle into the wireless home network, and this has many advantages at first glance. Such as instant file transfer from computer to vehicle and vice versa. However this device holds many more possibilities than first anticipated. A wireless internet network connection can be made with the use of mobile USB dongle currently available from various mobile networks providing internet access to all of the users in your vehicle.
The possibilities of car audio and entertainment & iPod integration in the future are endless, devices such as the AVR and the Wi-Drive will open up many avenues for the next stage of development. For example;
Security devices could be invented that provide live streaming from the vehicle to your own computer monitoring your vehicles safety combined with “web cams” installed in your vehicle you could see exactly what happening to your car live. Live streaming or the download of music and videos from iTunes could be played on TV screens installed in the vehicle through the use of the Wi-drive and AVR while you’re on your journey, simply select and go through your iPod to choose all the latest Apple iTunes has to offer.
Television channels broadcasting live online could be watch instantly allowing new entertainment channels to be integrated into future vehicles, controllable at various points in the car. Maybe the kids want to watch different TV channels? No Problem now.
One thing is clear, the Car audio and entertainment business is moving on. New and improved technology being created continually and the iPod certainly can be at the centre of it all.

The installation of the Gateway 100 & 300 units are usually trouble free, in fact the most troublesome part of the installation is removing the head-unit. We have listed a few features regarding the installation that will help you when deciding whether or not you should try it yourself. (Please remember that The Gateway 100 & 300 products are car and radio specific and have different pin setting for different units)

Preparation,

Disconnect the head-unit (stereo) from the battery. If you have a security code applied ensure that you have it recorded.

Remove the Head-Unit

Often the radio will have a specific radio Key that will need to be used when removing the Stereo, (available at http://www.ipodcarkitdirect.co.uk/iPod_Car_Accessories/Radio_Keys/). Simply insert the keys into the slots and pull out the head-unit.

Remove the Original Harness

Remove the harness that is attached to the stereo, these harness look different in different car models and manufactures.

Replace the Dension Harness

Attach the Dension Harness to the stereo and then re attach the old harness to Dension harness. The Denson attachment should then be connected to the Dension PCB (black box).

Attach & route the application

When the harness have been connected together, connect the Dension application (Dock Cable or Active cradle) to the PCB and rout into the position that you would like it to be kept, (for dock cables this is usally in the glove box, active cradles are usually attached to the Dashboard)

Insert the head-unit  

Insert the head-unit back into the original position and re connect to the battery.

Remember,

The Key code for the radio, updated iPod software & Dension software also resolve 99% of installation problems

For more detailed instruction refer to the Manual when purchased, or visit http://install.dension.com

Dension are producing a new accessory for the gateway 500 enabling users to control the functions of the Gateway 500 in a much more user friendly way.  The AVR unit will allow videos to be watched on original screen or on a display installed in the rear of the vehicle (IVE1000 still required to play AV).

Densions main reason for developing the new AVR accessory is that it allows multi source operations, meaning that the user can play multiple choices, so maybe you would like to listen to your favourite music on your iPod while driving & keep the Kids quite by watching their favourite Video in the back.  This is set to be a revolutionary break through for Dension as multi source has never been done to this extent in car audio.

The AVR may be some time away as Dension are first trying to complete the production of various projects like the BTA2000 Bluetooth Adapter, the CD Retention kits for BMW & some secret projects we can’t tell yet!! (Prepare to be amazed because you are going to want some of these). However more information on all new products will be available soon at www.iPodcarkitdirect.co.uk

The Dension BTA1500 Bluetooth adapter is now available at www.iPodcarkitdirect.co.uk, the specially designed unit will maximise the Gateway 500 fibre optics system in allowing the user to make hands free phone calls, stream music from mobile phone (and other AD2P devices) and browse your phone book on all compatible screens. The New BTA1500 has been in development since the BTA1000 was discontinued several months ago, Dension realising the importance of this technology to its customers have put their full concentration on completing this project in minimum time and maximum testing ensuring the new Bluetooth unit lives up to expectations.

The New BTA1500 Bluetooth adapter is only compatible with the Gateway 500 Fibre Optic Systems. The BTA2000 Densions’ next product is expected to be ready nearer October 2008 and is expected to be compatible with all Dension Gateway systems. No Doubt more information regarding the BTA2000 will be available here soon.

The long awaited production of the New Dension Active Cradle inserts / Sleeves for the Apple iPhone, Apple iPod Nano 3Gen, Apple iPod iTouch & Apple iPod Classic has finally been completed. The Sleeves attach into the Dension Active Cradle allowing a snug fit for the New iPods. This allows users to incorporate the Active Cradle as part of the iPod Car Kit using the new iPods for the first time with out the need for a passive cradle or holder.

All New Active Cradle Kits are set to include the new sleeves in the distant future, however currently the Active Cradle kit will still be produced with the older iPod Sleeves as the majority of Dension users still have the older iPods.

The Package includes a sleeve for the iPod Touch, iPhone & iPod Nano 3Gen with the iPod Classic also fitting the insert. These are currently on special offer to all iPodcarkitdirect customers for £14.97, this price is set to go up in the near future.

To View the Product click here

Get the most out of your iPod on the move. Dension and Dice both produce car kits that allow you to get the most from your iPod. Search through your Songs, play-list and albums to find the music, Pod-casts & Videos that you want to listen to when you want to listen to them. Get your Music on the move with the iPod Car Kit.

Choose the best Kit for you by selecting factory fitted radios, choosing your car, and then choose the kits that will work best for you. Simple

If your car doesn’t have a dedicated iPod car Kit, choose from the universal adapters.

All iPod Car Kits are available at www.ipodcarkitdirect.co.uk