Norpsych1
Level 1 (1 points)

Q: Playback of audiobooks through iPod classic and VW golf entertainment system is garbled

An interesting problem.

 

I used my 3 year old iPod classic (160 gb) through the entertainment system of my 2014 VW Golf without difficulty using the (then) VW supplied connector cable

 

Earlier this week I acquired a new Golf and connected the iPod to the Golf using a usb/30 pin connector cable.

 

Audiobook playback (my main use) is garbled (as if it is being run at high speed). Music playback is fine

 

However, if I connect the iPod then select an audio track via the car entertainment system menu, audio playback is fine.

 

If I switch off the engine then come back to the iPod, playback is again garbled

 

I can live with this, but it means fiddly navigation through the in-car entertainment system menu every time I connect in order to get proper audiobook playback.

 

The audiobook playback speed adjustments available through settings on the iPod have no effect

 

Ideas and suggestions gratefully received

iPod classic, iOS 9.2.1

Posted on Mar 6, 2016 10:44 AM

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Norpsych1

Q: Playback of audiobooks through iPod classic and VW golf entertainment system is garbled

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Mar 6, 2016 4:38 PM in response to Norpsych1
    Level 8 (38,071 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 6, 2016 4:38 PM in response to Norpsych1

    However, if I connect the iPod then select an audio track via the car entertainment system menu, audio playback is fine.

    Is there another way to initiate playing the audiobook?  Seems like that would be the normal way to play the audiobook.

  • by Norpsych1,

    Norpsych1 Norpsych1 Mar 10, 2016 11:36 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Mar 10, 2016 11:36 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    Hi Kenichi, thanks for replying. Fair question, however -

     

    I listen mostly to audiobooks (at home and in the car). I have been used to listening at home and plugging the iPod into the (previous Golf) car and simply continuing to listen.

     

    Now, I listen to audiobooks at home, plug in to the car, and get garbled (high speed) audiobook playback

     

    I can only get appropriate audiobook playback if I then go into the car's menu, firstly select a music track, then select the audiobook track i want

     

    So, there is a difference between audiobook and music playback. I can go straight to the latter (i.e. plug in to the car whatever I was playing elsewhere and it will play) and audiobook playback (when I have to do the above).

     

    Maybe there is a basic incompatibility between an iPhone Classic and the current VW Golf audio system?I have wondered whether buying an iPod Touch 128 gb (near the Classic capacity) owuld solve the problem but it's a lot of money to invest without being sure

     

    Thanks for reading

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Mar 10, 2016 3:21 PM in response to Norpsych1
    Level 8 (38,071 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 10, 2016 3:21 PM in response to Norpsych1

    Previously, when you did not need to select the audiobook again, was the car audio system doing the playing of audiobook, or was the iPod "playing through" the car audio system?  In other words, was the car audio system or the iPod controlling the playback of audiobook?

     

    Currently, when you re-select to play the audiobook from the car audio system screen, does it resume playback at the proper spot?

     

    Does your car audio system have an auxiliary audio input (looks like headphones jack)?  If it does, an alternative is to connect the iPod through the "AUX" port, and let the iPod continue to control playback of the audiobook through the car's speakers.

    I have wondered whether buying an iPod Touch 128 gb (near the Classic capacity) owuld solve the problem but it's a lot of money to invest without being sure

    Do you use an iPhone (or maybe even iPad)?  If you do (or have a friend who does), they run the same iOS and software, so it may serve as a good test.

  • by norpsych,

    norpsych norpsych Mar 11, 2016 11:36 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 11, 2016 11:36 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    Hi again Kenichi, thanks for advice

     

    Previously the car audio system controlled playback

     

    This is the same on the current car when using the iPod

     

    Tried my iPhone (6s). That can be controlled by either the car audio system or directly. No distortion of the audiobook playback

     

    So, it seems there is incompatibility between my iPod Classic and the VW audio system

     

    I haven't had time yet to try connection via the Aux port. I'll try that then decide whether to use that connection, my iPhone, or an iPod Touch (or indeed, to adapt my way of controlling the iPod Classic

     

    Many thanks for your time and expertise - much appreciated!

  • by oj oj,

    oj oj oj oj Sep 6, 2016 5:14 PM in response to Norpsych1
    Level 1 (24 points)
    iPod
    Sep 6, 2016 5:14 PM in response to Norpsych1

    I have a very similar problem. I have an older iPod Classic connected to a VW entertainment System via the built-in USB plug. I can play music without any problem, but the spoken word/audiobooks/podcasts play at an accelerated speed. After I play one or two samples of music, and then go to the audiobook, the speed is once again normal. But it does require this work-around each & every time... sometimes more than once to get it started. Would love to find a way to make it work without the hiccups. Is it possible that the newer iPods don't have this problem when connected to the VW Entertainment System? Any help or advice would be appreciated.