Another MMI Question

[Gee_Hee]

Hopefully this should be a quick one

Currently looking at a A4 S-Line Executive but the majority I've been in have Sat Nav so I've become accustomed to the look and feel of the MMI, but now I'm questioning what the look and feel of the MMI when you dont opt for the upgraded tech packages/options as I am yet to play about with one

I'm not too fussed about Sat Nav, although I would have preferred the MMI controls to be down by the gear leaver. Anyway...

If you went for, lets say, the Symphony radio unit, I am assuming you get the following

- MMI in Colour, same colours but can probably expect better visual quality with the 7" 3rd Gen upgrade
- 6.5inchs in size, is this right and is that the same size as the Sat Nav (exluding 3rd Gen)
- The same standard features and options that you would get with the Sat Nav upgrade, obviously you would get Sat Nav options lol

I've done a few searches and its only got me more confused lol.
Just wondered whether there were any major difference with the look and feel of the MMI's, or whether they are the same but with additional features for any add-on you purchased - such as Sat Nav, TV etc

[Guest 2]

From driving cars that have had no nav, the system definitely is slower to do things than the 3G such as scrolling through the radio stations or pressing any of the hard keys.

Not sure aobut the retrofit options but I would say its limited as you have the smaller screen and less buttons to press.

Its not much but the main difference that I have noticed is the overall speed of the systems compared.

[Gee_Hee]

Thanks Chris

Stupid Question, but I'm guessing 3G stands for third generation and not '3G' as in the mobile protocol lol, I'm guessing its the former. If so, whats the difference between 1st, 2nd and 3rd? (that's if they existed) and what version would a MY2010 have?

[Gee_Hee]

I guess this answers part of my question, just need to find out what version a MY2010 S-Line would come with, guessing a 2G *off to do some mad google searches* :-)

http://www.iamaudi.com/img/2G-MMI-VS-3G-MMI-1.png

[Gee_Hee]

For those who may search this in the future

Decent line - http://www.iamaudi.com/audi-2g-mmi-vs-audi-3g-mmi/


When looking at a 2G Audi MMI system and a 3G Audi MMI system, unless you know what to look for, you could not tell them apart. First, the hardware is slightly different from an appearance standpoint as the 3G has a small joystick control and the 2G does not. With a 7 inch screen in the center of the dash, it is also bigger then the previous 2G at only 6.5 inches. The major changes have been made with the MMI (Multi Media Interface) user media & interface capabilaties. Leaving the 3 dimensional capabilaties of the navigation aside, you can now play DVD movies from the screen in the cockpit. The resolution on the screen has been improved 4X so the image is crystal clear. Also, with the Bluetooth phone directory you can have up to 2,000 entries where as with the 2G you could only have 160. Additionally, you no longer need to train for voice tags. Again, for today I will leave it at this and offer anyone with any additional information to feel free to leave your comments.


2009 Q5 3G MMI equipted with navigation and 7 inch screen.
http://www.iamaudi.com/img/2G-MMI-VS-3G-MMI-4.jpg

2009 A4 without navigation and 6.5 inch screen
http://www.iamaudi.com/img/2G-MMI-VS-3G-MMI-5.jpg

[Guest 2]

Yeah sorry, 3G is the version of MMI.

Im not 100% clued up on the versions but from what I believe is 1st Gen was MMI Basic/Basic Plus (only in A6 and Q7). 2nd Gen (2G) was MMI High - With or without nav. 3g is the newer system which can be ordered with hard disk nav.

I think in the cars (A4,A5,Q5) with the symphony/concert systems is 2G and the cars (A4,A5,Q5) with nav (either dvd or hard disk) is 3G.

Not sure what a 2010MY car would have as it could be ordered with either system above. If I saw a picture of the dashboard I could probably tell you better.

Even writing that confused me so I can feel the confusion you have. :confused:

[Gee_Hee]

Dont worry, I got what you said lol

I dont have a picture but it will come with the symphony system without Sat Nav/tech pack so I think its 2G

[Guest 2]

Ok least you got it, I never :confused:

Not to throw any more confusion into the situation, but I think that symphony/concert is a seperate system and refered to Audi Infotainment System and not an actual MMI system. ie, not 2g nor 3g.

[Gee_Hee]

lol yeah I'm reading into that now, seems like the general rule of though is 'you you have control down by the gear stick then its MMI, if not then its not MMI'

Will check out what this Audi Infotainment System is and that its missing from the so-called 'MMI'. Bloody hell, more research lol

[Guest 2]

Confusing eh?! Wish they would just have a system with the option of nav or no nav! :confused:

[Gee_Hee]

Telling me, I'd hate to buy a Audi new, would take me months to work out what options I wanted and what they actually were lol

This seems to be the description of MMI I've found

MMI consists of a single interface, which controls a variety of devices and functions of the car, thus minimizing the vast array of buttons and dials normally found on a dashboard (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dashboard). The system consists of the MMI terminal and the MMI display (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Display_device) screen.
The central element of the MMI terminal is the control dial.


I think I've been getting mixed up with what MMI actually is. MMI seems to be the term to description the physical interface i.e. the separate controller down by the gear stick. So I'm guessing the symphony and concert installs run a similar display unit but arent classed, like what I've been incorrectly doing, as MMI.

Will have to pop back into Audi this weekend and have a play about on one which has a symphony install, just to put my concerns to bed lol

[Guest 2]

Symphony and concert looks just like MMI but just has the functionality of radio and phone(if fitted) with no nav. It works the same way and only says Audi Infotainment System when the car is switched on whereas it would say MMI if fitted with nav.

So in simple terms;
Buttons at gearstick = MMI
Buttons on dashboard = AIS (Audi Infotainment System - Symphony/Concert)

Strong stuff! :confused:

[ScottyUK]

This is worth a read :

http://a6retrofit.tripod.com/articles/a4a5realmmi.html

[Gee_Hee]

very good article! Thanks!

[John140]

Thats cool so I must have the MMI 3G as I can do MP3 from SD, I didn't realise this I always thought it was to do with 3G mobile data as someone else said.

[J_B204]

Nah...in this case 3g stands for Third Generation as opposed to errm Third Generation in the mobile phone world....can't see why people get confused to be honest ;)

[jakerade]

from the multi-tude of courtesy cars i have had and compared against the "2G" DVD system in my car...

3G DVD (Tech pack low)

slightly smaller screen than 3G HDD and 2G
uses a DVD for maps rather than Hard disk in 3G hdd
doesnt do any 3D view (which 2G does)
has full voice commands to dial names without setting them up
works perfectly well to navigate
none of the systems do full postcode lookup


Don't get too hung up on bluetooth high (rSAP) as it rarely works and only really works properly with Nokia phones which are being phased out. Android, Apple and Microsoft Phone dont support rSAP

I'm looking to order a new car and I will probably go for "tech pack low" as i can't see the benefit in high.

Any of this stuff is hugely expensive to retrofit to a car that doesnt have nav.