Connects2USA Sony to Sony Adapter

[micknkeef]

I just purchased and returned this unit: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-bVIvimH2fqu/c...ch=connects2usa

I purchased it directly from them connets2usa.com and I have to tell it was a complete disappointment and almost completely useless for my applications.

Firstly, the build quality and cables provided are about what you would expect. Decent, but nothing spectacular. I figured I would upgrade the audio cable if it worked out for me. The instructions are on a very thin sheet of paper that is folded in half. The operating instructions had part of the last word on each line cut off, even though there was room for it on the paper.

Once hooked up (to my CDX-F7715X), which hooks up the same way a CD or MD changer would, you plug the control cable into your walkman. It did work but your only available functions were next/previous song, or next/previous album. Although the title information came through on the faceplate, you could not scroll through your albums and pick one further down the list. I'm sure this might work for some of you, but I have over 600 different albums (some obviously not complete) on HD3 and if I want to go from "Contraband" to "Wish You Were Here", it would take forever. The controls for your walkman are not locked so you could grab it and scroll up/down yourself, but doesn't that defeat the purpose of this connector? Finally, my last gripe had to do with the volume. It would not accept the line out version of the signal. Even if you turned it on, it would switch to the headphone out and you'd have to max it out. Very odd in my opinion.

Even if I did want to keep it, which I don't, it stopped working all-together the next day. Lucky for me, they are taking it back.

I can't put into words my frustration that Sony makes and iPod adapter and not one for their own units. I suppose that they might make one soon, but probably only for the new A-series walkmans that I'm not going to bother with because they're butt-ugly, imho. Also, can someone explain to me why they're available in Canada and not the US? I was able to handle both at a Sony store in Vancouver this month which cemented my view of not liking them, but I was just surpised at the different selection they had. They also had a 2GB version of the NW-E series.

I consider myself a patient person, but Sony is seriously testing my loyalty with their product support lately. I do believe that atrac sounds better than mp3 at any matching bit rate but the fact that my girlfriend's iPod is supported by practically everything including new home receivers, makes me wonder if I should give up after 10+ years of blind devotion to the format.

[Guest Stuge]

micknkeef,

Thanks for your review .If you ask me I will never use my hd3 or any player with my car stereo infact it will be better for me to rip a cd which contains about 50 songs in mp3 format.

[xispe]

Great review! Thank you for sharing your frustration, I was considering buying that adaptor for my car...

[Richard_p]

Same here, (when i get a car that is...) looks like were better off sticking to simple AUX input, via line out.

[MDX-400]

I just purchased and returned this unit: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-bVIvimH2fqu/c...ch=connects2usa

I purchased it directly from them connets2usa.com and I have to tell it was a complete disappointment and almost completely useless for my applications.

I think out of all the testimonials and reviews for this product this is the first one I've read that is bad. And I've read a fair number of reviews.

Once hooked up (to my CDX-F7715X), which hooks up the same way a CD or MD changer would, you plug the control cable into your walkman. It did work but your only available functions were next/previous song, or next/previous album. Although the title information came through on the faceplate, you could not scroll through your albums and pick one further down the list. I'm sure this might work for some of you, but I have over 600 different albums (some obviously not complete) on HD3 and if I want to go from "Contraband" to "Wish You Were Here", it would take forever.

I don't think this is possible with the UniLink architecture anyway. All UniLink has to "scroll" as you put it, is it's LIST up mode. A maximum of ten, 8-character Custom File/CD-Text (only the first 8chars for CD-Text displayed in LIST up mode) can be displayed in LIST up mode. The problem isn't just the adapter, Sony's changer control itself (though very advanced compared to most car audio changer protocols) just wasn't designed to handle something like this. Considering UniLink is perhaps almost 20 years old, it's no surprise to me. I think perhaps you were expecting too much from the connection. Furthermore I don't think any (or at least not many) iPod car integration adapters allow you to do what you mentioned either. Perhaps on some newer HUs with changer protocols and interfaces that were specifically designed to handle the iPod, but other than that I don't think you can scroll through albums like that with most of them.

The controls for your walkman are not locked so you could grab it and scroll up/down yourself, but doesn't that defeat the purpose of this connector?

Uh, isn't there a "HOLD" feature on the HD3? The complaint about iPod adapters is actually the opposite. iPod has two remote modes, through its dock connector... Simple remote and full remote. In order to get display output capabilities adapters have to use the full remote mode. The downside of using that mode is that all controls on the iPod are disabled. There are people on the Connects2 and other forums that actually complain that their car interfaces are such that you cannot also control the iPod from the iPod itself when they are connected. This isn't a problem with the interfaces of course, but a limitation of the iPod. With Sony at least you have that choice.

Finally, my last gripe had to do with the volume. It would not accept the line out version of the signal. Even if you turned it on, it would switch to the headphone out and you'd have to max it out. Very odd in my opinion.

Yes this has been mentioned a few times by myself already. It is a limitation of Sony's again. There's nothing Connects2 can do about this. Even Sony themselves, if they had made their own adapter, would not have a way around this. With an HD3, my idea is to hard-mod the unit; and that is really all you can do.

Even if I did want to keep it, which I don't, it stopped working all-together the next day. Lucky for me, they are taking it back.

Yes Crutchfield has a good returns policy. Keep in mind, however, Connects2, if purchased directly through them provides the same good returns policy. If you buy an adapter from them and it isn't what you wanted you can return it to them for a refund. They are very good that way

I can't put into words my frustration that Sony makes and iPod adapter and not one for their own units.

I share that frustration, however, keep in mind if Sony made an adapter it would be no different from the Connects2 adapter. Also the Sony iPod adapter, I can't see that being any different functionally than the Connects2 Walkman adapter or the Connects2 iPod adapter either. I can't see what Sony can do to make something like album scrolling come true on UniLink--it just doesn't have that capability (unless they can somehow use LIST up for more than 10 things, which I doubt).

Also, can someone explain to me why they're available in Canada and not the US?

No this is not explainable, except for the fact that Sony USA probably won't release it because they don't want the headaches associated with Connect software which blows. Otherwise check out the Sony does senseless things thread for more unexplained Sony phenomena, lol.

I consider myself a patient person, but Sony is seriously testing my loyalty with their product support lately. I do believe that atrac sounds better than mp3 at any matching bit rate but the fact that my girlfriend's iPod is supported by practically everything including new home receivers, makes me wonder if I should give up after 10+ years of blind devotion to the format.

Yes I think that has been a consideration of many people and likely why Sony has lost so many customers and Apple has gained so many. It's true that the iPod has far more aftermarket accessories than Sony and any other manufacturer--it is like the Honda Civic of the MP3 world, lol. But based on your consideration of the functionality of integration with car head units, the Apple iPod is really no better. There may be more interfaces out there, but that's about it.

[micknkeef]

Your reply seems a little hostile but hey, if you're going to nit pick, so can I.

Learn to read: my second sentence states that I purchased it directly from connects2usa, not crutchfield. Yes, they did take it back but they took 3 weeks to credit me back after it was received back.

"Uh, isn't there a "HOLD" feature on the HD3? " Jeez, take it easy. Again if you read my post, you'd realize that my complaint had to do with that I wanted to control the scrolling with the head unit, not the walkman. The hold feature had nothing to do with it.

"I don't think this is possible with the UniLink architecture anyway. All UniLink has to "scroll" as you put it, is it's LIST up mode. A maximum of ten, 8-character Custom File/CD-Text (only the first 8chars for CD-Text displayed in LIST up mode) can be displayed in LIST up mode. The problem isn't just the adapter, Sony's changer control itself (though very advanced compared to most car audio changer protocols) just wasn't designed to handle something like this. Considering UniLink is perhaps almost 20 years old, it's no surprise to me. I think perhaps you were expecting too much from the connection. Furthermore I don't think any (or at least not many) iPod car integration adapters allow you to do what you mentioned either. Perhaps on some newer HUs with changer protocols and interfaces that were specifically designed to handle the iPod, but other than that I don't think you can scroll through albums like that with most of them."

Actually, my head unit displays more than 8 characters. My 10 year old cdx-860 was limited to 8 but my current one seems to display something like 15 and this adapter had no problem displaying that many on the screen. Also, most current head units that connect directly to an ipod, lock the controls (again, this is not something that I want, just an observation) and your only option is to scroll through the menus/titles on your screen. Someone I know has this on their Pioneer and they actually don't care for it because they can't turn the dial as quickly as you can run your fingers around the scroll wheel. I don't have an opinion on this so please don't attack me regarding any your views on this "limitation".

I'm sorry you seem bothered by a bad review. I'm wasn't going to base my review on someone else's.

[MDX-400]

Your reply seems a little hostile but hey, if you're going to nit pick, so can I.

Learn to read: my second sentence states that I purchased it directly from connects2usa, not crutchfield. Yes, they did take it back but they took 3 weeks to credit me back after it was received back.

Actually I wasn't being hostile at all, I was just defending a product that first of all does what it says and second of all is the only product of its kind for anything Sony. However, it seems your reply is actually hostile. I dunno what "learn to read" means but I assure you I can. Where on earth did you get the impression that I misunderstood where you purchased it from??? If you look at my reply you'll see that I only stated that if you had purchased the device from Connects2 directly they would have given the same return policy just as Crutchfield does and that such a return policy is not common among direct purchases from most manufacturers of similar devices for car audio applications.

Sony themselves don't even support their own gear so it is really nice that there is someone that does. Complaining about devices like this will only make such aftermarket products even more scarce. However, like I said, yours was the first bad review I've read; and as I said already, it seems like you were just expecting things to magically happen when some of it was impossible given the hardware (the head unit's changer interface) we're talking about. I don't know what's hostile about explaining simply that UniLink cannot support some of the features you mentioned that you expected.

"Uh, isn't there a "HOLD" feature on the HD3? " Jeez, take it easy. Again if you read my post, you'd realize that my complaint had to do with that I wanted to control the scrolling with the head unit, not the walkman. The hold feature had nothing to do with it.

Fair enough, but again the scrolling on the HU as you would like to have, is impossible with UniLink's existing structure. If you had a Sony MX series CD changer, you'd find the same problem with MP3 CDs--there just isn't any way to browse about the CD that well.

Actually, my head unit displays more than 8 characters. My 10 year old cdx-860 was limited to 8 but my current one seems to display something like 15 and this adapter had no problem displaying that many on the screen.

It certainly does display 10 characters in the display--almost all UniLink heads do. There are exceptions, the few [older generation] units with HX DSP that had the SA took away two characters in the display for the SA (I believe the C860 actually had the built-in DSP which explains your 8char display); also some had 12, the MDX-400 is such a unit and there are a couple others with the 12 char. display. However, none of that has anything to do with what the issue is. CustomFile. CustomFile is only 8characters... It may be that you can pull 10 chars for CD-Text or MD mode with LIST but I don't think so, I can check this if you really want... But none of that matters anyway... Because even if you could use LIST to do this, you'd be limited to some number of chars be it 8 or 10 or whatever; and, if you've ever used LIST UP you'll know that you're not going to have any easy time scrolling through your albums or what have you because you'll be pressing LIST over and over until you go nuts trying to find something. And you can only go FORWARD in LIST UP, so if you happen to miss the album you wanted 'cause you were pressing LIST too fast then you're screwed. So LIST is actually *worse* than using DISC UP/DOWN because you can't go the other way. And we don't even know if LIST supports more than 10 listings anyway.

Again the point of this is to point out only that the problem here regardless of character count and regardless of how you think it should work is how it does work. Furthermore it is a limitation of UNILINK and *NOT* the Connects2 adapter. So I don't see any way on earth that you can blame the adapter implementation for this. Please tell me what facility there is on a Sony HU that provides for doing what you suggest (scrolling through albums without stopping playback and having it easy to navigate through like on the HDx itself)??? Right there is none. So tell me how is it Connects2's fault again?

Also, most current head units that connect directly to an ipod, lock the controls (again, this is not something that I want, just an observation) and your only option is to scroll through the menus/titles on your screen.

Yeah well doesn't that make it a lot harder? Imagine using an iPod interface on a Sony HU! That is exactly what I'm talking about when I said people are complaining about using the iPod with the interface, because all you can do is use DISC UP/DOWN and nothing else. At least with the HDx interface you can still use the HDx unit itself. But I already said that so I don't get why you think an iPod interface would be any better...

Someone I know has this on their Pioneer and they actually don't care for it because they can't turn the dial as quickly as you can run your fingers around the scroll wheel. I don't have an opinion on this so please don't attack me regarding any your views on this "limitation".

I wasn't attacking you at all. I was just pointing out that you are (and it's very clear that you are, IMO) blaming the Connects2 product for something that is not at all the fault of the Connects2 product, but rather a hardware limitation they have absolutely no control over.

I'm sorry you seem bothered by a bad review. I'm wasn't going to base my review on someone else's.

It's not about basing your review on someone else's or not. It's about basing your review on perceived shortcomings of a product and its design and functionality, when they are really shortcomings not of the product but of the limitations of Sony HUs. All I'm saying is you gave a bad review and some people [clearly seen from above replies] are going to think they've made a bad product based on your comments of it's functionality. However those people should know that no matter who made the device, there isn't really anything to improve on--that's pretty much as good as it is going to get.

Saying the adapter was a "complete disappointment" does not really give a fair review, based on what you said you were disappointed about, IMO. Simply because you're expecting things that are impossible and you should have known well before hand if you did your research. In fact if you've ever used a Sony HU with a CD changer, you'd have known or ought to have known there is no way to do what you were expecting on a Sony HU.

The fact is the product does not fall short of what it says it is supposed to do, it does exactly what it is supposed to do. What you were disappointed in was that you expected it to do something it never was intended to, nor could it ever do, given what we're dealing with.

The one thing I will give you is that they never specifically mention that you can't use the line-out function of the HDx unit. This is a hardware limitation of the HDx unit itself, yes, but a lot of people would not know this since the HDx doesn't come with a remote at all and it says it no where in the manual for the HDx that you can't connect a remote and have the line-out operate (even though you can't).

Now if you'd have said "I was disappointed in the Connects2 adapter because I couldn't do the things I imagined it would, but it is really no fault of the adapter--it does what it says it does" then I never would have typed nearly as much of an explanation as to why your review was (IMO) flawed. But you didn't do that, you made it at least seem like it was the fault of the adapter when no such fault exists with it.

It is unfortunate the adpter you had stopped working, however. That is certainly not a good point of the device. I've read about lots of people using it and I've never seen anyone complain about it going dead so I'm thinking your problem was more the exception than the rule. Anything can fail though and it seems like that is what happened in your case, unfortunately.

[micknkeef]

Hey MDX, thanks for your reply. I guess we're just not going to see eye to eye on this issue which is completely fine. You lay on the sarcasm pretty thick so I’ll do my best to lay off of it. I honestly feel that you did not get the end result that I was trying to convey in the review, but I'll take some of the blame for that since I'm not the best writer.

I’m not trying to attack anyone here, but I still have one issue with your comments that I was expecting something I shouldn’t have. I feel that I truly did as much reasonable research as I could on this item. I consider myself enough of an electronics junkie that I usually know what I want before I get it. I read both sites (crutchfield/connects) and both of them simply stated that you could control the walkmans through your head unit. I could not find any other sites through google that had descriptions of this piece. I knew I was taking a chance of the scrolling feature not being there, and if I wasn't comfortable with that, I wouldn't have ordered it. I did email and call connects about another issue but it doesn't seem like they are staffed, at the number I called, to answer technical questions and they couldn't refer me to anyone else.

So it arrived and the feature I was hoping for wasn't there. I stated that in my review and I even mentioned that that might be ok for some of the other readers. I don't see how this equates to me 'magically' expecting something to happen. At no time did I say that someone advertised this feature and it wasn't there. I understand your explanation of the limits of the unilink system or whatever other aspects of the hardware that prohibit the feature I’m looking for. I have had two different minidisc changers so I assumed (incorrectly as you like to point out) that they could somehow modify the list function. Seems that most people, myself included, don’t know about this but thanks for letting us know. Your advanced knowledge about this stuff makes me think we’d be friends if we lived near each other. If you have any knowledge about sound forge, I welcome your comments to my question in the software section.

Finally, I think the entire point of a review is to share your overall experience with it. It’s a rare review that has only positive things to say and doesn’t point out any negatives (although there are occasional exceptions for truly outstanding products to this) in it. This item could be great for someone else, it just wasn’t for me and I stated why. I can’t imagine that you only have positive things to say about any rare accessory item thinking it might discourage others from making a different one. If anything, I would hope that if anyone who has any say in the development of a similar product (on the rare chance that they just happened to stumble across my little blurb) would just bring it up for discussion at the table.

Ultimately, I stand by my review. If it was completely out of line, like you seem to suggest, I think the administrators would take issue with it.

[kaledi]

I have this Connects2 adaptor and have used it for almost a year with a HiMD unit and recently with a HD5. I think it is great and although limited in terms of scrolling through albums, it does do what it says it can do. Regardless of the limitations, being able to view track information, and skip tracks is great.

I would also point out that Sony UK did (or intended) market this device under their own brand name, while being manufactured by Connects2. I am not sure whether they eventually got it to market via Sony stores because I have not seen it advertised. I have a suspision that they didn't ultimately market it because the NWA series came out, which is not compatible with the Connects2 unit - they (Connects2) are in the process of developing one for this series of players.

[bockers]

I too have one of these units and love it. It is frustrating but then so are the ipooh equivalents. I find the best way to use it with my NW HD5 is with shuffle items on and then choose album search. This then chooses a random (well Sony's random ) album and plays it in full. Next album brings up another random album.

I agree with 400 plus CDs on my player that navigation is a pain but until there is voice command this will always be the case. I do not find the HD5 easy to navigate with even when not driving. All things considered this is the best compromise considering the limitations on the player and the head unit.

The fact that you cannot select line out when the remote socket is in use is a real pain and a typical Sony oversight which they will doubtless continue to ignore.

All in all unless you like shuffle play I think any linked solution will always be lacking.

I have also found connects2 in the UK to have exemplary customer service.

[BIGHMW]

I only wish there was someone here in the U.S. who will pick up where Aardvark Multimedia left off and re-market this unit (known here stateside as the MSC-01) here in the U.S. again. It is a GREAT compliment to my Sony Xplod system and MZ-NH700 Hi-MD Walkman, and is better than FM wireless (or wired) transmitters or the "CK"-based car kits that are supplied with some Walkmans.

Despite having to deal with the limitations of the UniLink system, the Connects2 unit is a GOD-SEND for us Hi-MD users (and also NW-HD, and now with later firmware, NW-A series users), and I hope this unit will be re-marketed here soon.

I WILL NEVER BOW DOWN at the "Altar of iPod"!!! ATRAC RULES!!!

[Jillako]

I should be getting one of these soon (I'm transiting through London next week). Really looking forward to installing this with Sony head unit!!