BeeYouZeeZee said:
I would also like to know whatever you come up with.
What I know about the coupe/spyder....
The navigation/radio/GSM phone/speech recognition, etc is a Magneti-Marelli unit stuffed in the center console. It's a single unit known as an infotelematic system. It communicates with the nav screen via a proprietary CAN bus and RGB interface. M-M chose the very simple Blaupunkt control interface for the trunk-mounted CD changer (nothing else in the car uses this protocol). The Dennison Ipod converter connects to the CDC connector and emulates the CDC. There is no way to display text via this interface so CD/track numbers is all you get. This sucks for satellite radio integration as all you would get is channel number (but you'd still get the dash controls and direct audio connection). There are companies that integrate to the QP units as posted elsewhere on the board but none for the coupe/spyder that I know of. I would very much like to design a fully integrated unit that connects directly to the CAN bus and can display text on the NAV screen. Rather than totally reinventing the wheel, I would like to build a protocol converter that connects to an Alpine Vehicle Hub. IF ANYONE KNOWS THAT THIS ALREADY EXISTS PLEASE STOP ME!!!!!
Buzz,
Nope, there is NO INTEGRATION MODULE made for the Coupe. If you recall the circuitry I sent you, it was from the effort of an Italian enthusiast who tried to integrate outside feeds to the MM unit using the console display. In fact, the MM unit is THE SAME as the one used for some Fiat models and I think (but memory may falter me at this moment) the Lancia Phedra. In theory it can be done, just needs someone to do it. Of course neither MM (nor Maserati) would give you details on how to do it, and all (reliable+available) information comes from the hardwork of some lunatic Italians who love to see TV on their cars
For me, the key integration features would be 3rd party SatNav (as OEM sucks) and DVD, maybe IPod but I'm not an IPod fan anyway. But reckon if you crack the MM CAN you would be able to do more. Hope what I sent you gives you some guidance into the right track.
I'll give you my thumbs-up to go ahead. Will PM you some links to Italian car electronic suppliers who do all sorts of things for OEM integration (they are the most advanced in the field) save, unfortunately, for the Maser Coupe.
Ed