BlueBus: A fully integrated A2DP Bluetooth solution

[t3ddftw]

Couple questions:
1. I have noticed that maybe 5-10% of the time when I start the car, the audio will be very choppy and skip every 1-2 seconds. It is fixed by turning off the car, waiting 15 seconds, and restarting. Is that a known issue?
2. My phone call volume is very low relative to music volume. Is there a way to adjust them independently?

1. Sounds like poor signal. Is the blue LED on the unit facing the cabin? In my own M3 Coupe, this makes a huge difference. On the Touring, not so much. Do you keep the phone in your pocket or place it somewhere?
2. "Call Vol. Offset", or if you have Navigation, Settings > Calling > Vol. Offset -- try +3 or +4.

Thanks!
-Ted

[Der_Spanier]

I make this with the help of some AliExpress connectors (https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802762548801.html) -- I actually got into the business of making these to support sales in Europe where pre-wiring is rare...

Thanks!
-Ted

That sounds like just what I need!

I'll get in touch when I get the car... Would that cover the telephone functions too, or just music playback?

[t3ddftw]

That sounds like just what I need!

I'll get in touch when I get the car... Would that cover the telephone functions too, or just music playback?

It can cover telephony functionality (though there is some added expense), but if this is a slicktop, then you're going to have to partially drop the headliner to install the mic. The other option is to free-hand cut a hole for the mic into the headliner, hah.

-Ted

[Der_Spanier]

It can cover telephony functionality (though there is some added expense), but if this is a slicktop, then you're going to have to partially drop the headliner to install the mic. The other option is to free-hand cut a hole for the mic into the headliner, hah.

-Ted

There’s a third option: getting the mic used in the last E46 convertibles, which is mounted on the steering column, just behind the steering wheel. It’s what I have in the Touring.

How much do you charge for the full-on harness if you don’t mind me asking?

[t3ddftw]

There’s a third option: getting the mic used in the last E46 convertibles, which is mounted on the steering column, just behind the steering wheel.



How much do you charge for the full-on harness if you don’t mind me asking?

You're not wrong, but that mic kinda stinks.

The full retrofit is $25.

Thanks!
-Ted

[cobra]

1. Sounds like poor signal. Is the blue LED on the unit facing the cabin? In my own M3 Coupe, this makes a huge difference. On the Touring, not so much. Do you keep the phone in your pocket or place it somewhere?
2. "Call Vol. Offset", or if you have Navigation, Settings > Calling > Vol. Offset -- try +3 or +4.

Thanks!
-Ted

1. Definitely doesn't seem like a signal issue. As soon as I cycle the power, it can work flawlessly for hours without a single hiccup. I keep my phone in my pocket. I have it situated with the cables/plugs pointing towards the passenger side, mounting tabs lined up with the studs.
2. I will give that a shot!

[Der_Spanier]

You're not wrong, but that mic kinda stinks.

The full retrofit is $25.

Thanks!
-Ted

Is it really that bad?

Pulling the roof lining down is literally the last thing I’d like to do…

Thanks for your very quick feedback btw! I’ll keep that in mind. I was thinking about ordering a second Bluebeard for my parents’ E39 (they’ve seen it in mine and really liked the idea), so I might just order the harness when I get that. Otherwise shipping costs to Europe will be prohibitive just for the wiring.

[Orphee]

1. Sounds like poor signal. Is the blue LED on the unit facing the cabin? In my own M3 Coupe, this makes a huge difference. On the Touring, not so much. Do you keep the phone in your pocket or place it somewhere?
2. "Call Vol. Offset", or if you have Navigation, Settings > Calling > Vol. Offset -- try +3 or +4.

Thanks!
-Ted

Hi!

Has you some time to consider what we discussed by mail to raise phone volume higher than currently?
Have you an opinion about traffic info TP with digital output ?
Thanks

[t3ddftw]

1. Definitely doesn't seem like a signal issue. As soon as I cycle the power, it can work flawlessly for hours without a single hiccup. I keep my phone in my pocket. I have it situated with the cables/plugs pointing towards the passenger side, mounting tabs lined up with the studs.
2. I will give that a shot!

1. I think the disconnect / connect cycle helps negotiate a better modulation scheme. What you're describing sounds dead on signal issues that I've run into. Can you face the LEDs towards the cabin, please?

2. Let me know what you find!

Is it really that bad?

Pulling the roof lining down is literally the last thing I’d like to do…

Thanks for your very quick feedback btw! I’ll keep that in mind. I was thinking about ordering a second Bluebeard for my parents’ E39 (they’ve seen it in mine and really liked the idea), so I might just order the harness when I get that. Otherwise shipping costs to Europe will be prohibitive just for the wiring.

It's usable, especially if you're not living on conference calls while driving, but the best microphone is the -338 mic which is headliner-mounted. Shoot me an email when you're ready to move forward with whatever you need

Hi!

Has you some time to consider what we discussed by mail to raise phone volume higher than currently?
Have you an opinion about traffic info TP with digital output ?
Thanks

SO, I'm waiting for a log file of a traffic announcement so I can look into this. We don't have this system here in North America, which makes it tough to develop around.

I can in theory just drop out of digital audio mode temporarily, while the TA is occuring.

-Ted

[Der_Spanier]

It's usable, especially if you're not living on conference calls while driving, but the best microphone is the -338 mic which is headliner-mounted. Shoot me an email when you're ready to move forward with whatever you need

I get very few calls while I’m driving, and certainly none where perfect sound quality is required.

You’ll hear from me when I’m ready to order I put a deposit down on the car, I’ll go collect it in two weeks. Cannot wait! Then it’ll be a matter of replacing the factory BMW Reverse (C42) with a Business CD (CD53) and I’ll be ready for the Bluebus.

SO, I'm waiting for a log file of a traffic announcement so I can look into this. We don't have this system here in North America, which makes it tough to develop around.

I can in theory just drop out of digital audio mode temporarily, while the TA is occuring.

I actually raised an issue on GitHub back in 2020 about TA: https://github.com/tedsalmon/BlueBus/issues/59.

I only managed to send you a log file on 16th June 2022. I never got an answer to my email though. Did you ever receive it?

TA is problematic even in non DSP-cars for two reasons:
1. Music playback isn’t paused during a traffic announcement.
2. If you receive a call while the radio is in Bluebus mode and it does not switch into telephone mode, your call will be interrupted if a TA is broadcast mid-conversation. The caller will still hear you, but you’ll hear the TA instead of them.

[sev]

Not much -- I haven't found the time to lay out the prototype board, but the software has matured already. I'm hoping to get a Prototype sometime in October.



I make this with the help of some AliExpress connectors (https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802762548801.html) -- I actually got into the business of making these to support sales in Europe where pre-wiring is rare...

Thanks!
-Ted

Ted,

Eagerly awaiting updates on the Bluebus car play module! Anything yet???

how will it work? Will it be plug and play or will it require a TV module?

[chris719]

Hi Ted, on the E85 Z4/Z4M do you know if there's any way to prevent the steering wheel controls for track from popping up the motorized nav screen? I assume this is stock behavior for the car so maybe not but just wondering since I know BlueBus does have some I-Bus capabilities.

[t3ddftw]

I get very few calls while I’m driving, and certainly none where perfect sound quality is required.

You’ll hear from me when I’m ready to order I put a deposit down on the car, I’ll go collect it in two weeks. Cannot wait! Then it’ll be a matter of replacing the factory BMW Reverse (C42) with a Business CD (CD53) and I’ll be ready for the Bluebus.



I actually raised an issue on GitHub back in 2020 about TA: https://github.com/tedsalmon/BlueBus/issues/59.

I only managed to send you a log file on 16th June 2022. I never got an answer to my email though. Did you ever receive it?

TA is problematic even in non DSP-cars for two reasons:
1. Music playback isn’t paused during a traffic announcement.
2. If you receive a call while the radio is in Bluebus mode and it does not switch into telephone mode, your call will be interrupted if a TA is broadcast mid-conversation. The caller will still hear you, but you’ll hear the TA instead of them.

I still need to sort this out. I need to replay the messages on my bench so I can figure out what's triggering it specifically.

Ted,

Eagerly awaiting updates on the Bluebus car play module! Anything yet???

how will it work? Will it be plug and play or will it require a TV module?

Right now I am working on a fresh batch of units, but in December I'll be taking some time off to dedicate to the CarPlay module.

It will NOT require a TV module and it will plug and play. I have the wiring situation already sorted out .

Not requiring the TV module was a primary concern since they were not fitted to North American market cars.

Hi Ted, on the E85 Z4/Z4M do you know if there's any way to prevent the steering wheel controls for track from popping up the motorized nav screen? I assume this is stock behavior for the car so maybe not but just wondering since I know BlueBus does have some I-Bus capabilities.

Sadly this can't be stopped. The BlueBus can't prevent a message from being sent, so the CID will see the track message and automatically pop itself out.

Why not use the "BMBT Off" option to have the CID monitor turn off when you start the car?

Thanks!
-Ted

[chris719]

I still need to sort this out. I need to replay the messages on my bench so I can figure out what's triggering it specifically.



Right now I am working on a fresh batch of units, but in December I'll be taking some time off to dedicate to the CarPlay module.

It will NOT require a TV module and it will plug and play. I have the wiring situation already sorted out .

Not requiring the TV module was a primary concern since they were not fitted to North American market cars.



Sadly this can't be stopped. The BlueBus can't prevent a message from being sent, so the CID will see the track message and automatically pop itself out.

Why not use the "BMBT Off" option to have the CID monitor turn off when you start the car?

Thanks!
-Ted

Thanks, I'll try that option. That would shut it but it'll pop back up when I change tracks, no?

I just purchased a used Z4M and was thinking about cobbling something together and replacing the Sharp 400x240 LVDS LCD with something higher res in the same form factor and using a Lattice iCE40 or similar small FPGA to mux and scale the stock input. Glad to hear you're working on a CarPlay solution and I don't have to start another project I will not finish .

[slawless]

Hopefully you can help. I upgraded to 1.1.30. the upgrade seemed to go well. but the multi flash wasnt working. The unit had a green light flashing. I reflashed to 1.1.18. After the green light was on constantly. All seemed to work when connected to the car (E46). I then tried to flash 1.1.30. When the it was flashing the firmware (after the erase) the green progress bar started at about 80%, then completed the flash quickly. Now the green light on the unit is out. When I disconnect the USB cable, then reconnect, the green light on the unit flashes momentarily then stays out. When I try to connect to the Firmware tool, It finds COM5, but when it tries to connect then I get "ERROR: Failed to get a response within 5 seconds" (I tried 2 computers and 5 cables) I tried Putty (windows 10 64 bit) Serial, COM5, 115200. The terminal window opens with a small solid green box, but when I type nothing happens. (I made sure the terminal wind was the active window). Any help apperciated. If this has been discussed please direct me. Yes I tried searching using multiple terms.