midget fidger

Hey guys, I got a couple random questions...

I saw in the menu that you can pair the car to a bluetooth cellphone...but what exactly does this allow you to do? It still wouldn't let me use the phone through the car.

Also, what purpose does the internal hard drive serve? Is there a way to rip CDs onto it?

And the car is supposed to have a 600W sound system but it sure doesn't feel that loud. Is this normal? A 1000W Onkyo 7.1 system lights the living room on fire...and the living room is a LOT larger than the inside of this car.

Thanks!

Diesel Benz

Did you try a car with Sound system or the basic audio? Not sure if the basic audio is even available in the US but it has a lot less power. I still find it perfectly sufficient for everyday driving (and taking care of my ears).

The BT on Comand is mainly supporting visitor card exchange and allowing privacy calls with a car kit, if using a BT headset. For BT telephony one would need a BT puck (and the basic phone kit).

Eddie Knopp

The Comand BT allows the transfer of address books from a phone to the car.
The HD is for the Nav - makes the response time faster and allows for the direct transfer from Yahoo maps to the car.

Diesel Benz

Oh yes, one would not need the HD for ripping music when you can put a Compact flash (or similar) memory card on the PCMCIA slot, or use 8.5 GB DL DVD disc on the DVD drive, or multiple disc on DVD changer.

UKEvo

How does that work exactly? If you have BT on your Laptop/PDA Phone how do you transfer a map to the Car?

Eddie Knopp

Check this out for a complete description - works great.

http://www.searchandsend.com/SS_overview.html

For Google maps only for business'

UKEvo

Thats what I've done, burned an MP3 DL DVD. The IPOD interface is a total waste of time and money. It's far to slow to navigate when you have hundreds of CD's. Much easier to burn a few DL DVD's.

Eddie Knopp

Just also found out - in the C-class the HD also allows comercial CD's to be ripped. I think there's an option Music something also needed

UKEvo

Ahh thanks, looks like US only, does the S Class in the US have an "i" button? Don't seem to have one on my UK S Class.

MB Fanatic

The US is the only place I believe to get TeleAid. TeleAid is what is used to transfer directions from Yahoo and Google to your car.

The UK and ROW do not get TeleAid.

Diesel Benz

Germany had at least something similar but the service was so unpopular that it was discontinued (I understand it does not exist any more).

EU is working on a mandatory accident reporting system, similar to what Tele-Aid is providing (among other features). This appears to be worked completely wrong, but that would already be off topic.

XJ9

Keep in mind that there is no legal standard for determining amplifier wattage in relation to overall sound level (as opposed to vehicle horsepower and mileage which must be reported using an exacting set standard). This leaves *alot* of room to sort of creatively report wattage figures in order to make a particular system look better and unfortunately mercedes is not above doing this. A good example of this is the manufacturer will report that the amplifier will output 100 watts per channel at 1 Kilohertz with up to 10% Total Harmonic Distortion. The problem is that music spans the entire range of audio frequencies from 20-20000 hz and 10% THD sounds like crap so the reported figures do not accurately convey how loud a system will actually be.

Surprisingly home audio manufacturers tend to report far more conservatively and accurately which is why if you ever listened to a decent home amp like the mcintosh mc58 which is a measly 50 watts/channel yet it will play lound enough to make your ears bleed.

midget fidger

Thanks for all the answers! I'll poke around in the address book and see if I notice any differences. That Yahoo/Google transfer is pretty cool, but too bad TeleAid is required :/ Kinda stinks about the amplifier wattage ratings...the bass does sound strong, so maybe your example fits with the S.

Mat

I agree - the iPOD integration is a big JOKE ! and rip-off
DO NOT GO WITH THIS OPTION AND SAVE YOURSELF $$ AND Aggravation !

RajwanyS550

the harmon kardon sytem is a piece of #@#@#
mark levinson in the lexus totally rocks.

Mat

You are right, RajwanyS550 - Although the mark levinson brand is owned by Harman and Company - I have 2 lexus SUVs with Mark Levinsons - they sure do rock ! no comparison !!