Thread: XMDirect Cable

Originally Posted by R32 JUhl

So, back to the discussion of a serial to USB adapter. I bought the adapter cable for $25 + tax - OUCH!!!! And I'm getting ready to build my Din to Serial cable as per your instructions. And I'm wondering why I would do that? Why not build a DIN to USB cable instead and skip the middle man, so to speak? That way I can return the $25+ cable and eliminate one more possibility for a an electrical connection problem later on.

Would you be able to provide instructions on how to do that?

cause it is cheaper this way. if you have serial port, then you are done and no need to do any thing else, if not, all you need is a serial->USB adapter. Din->USB = expensive & complicated, besides, it is still Din->serial->USB but under the hood.

Originally Posted by kingtut

cause it is cheaper this way.

Sorry for asking, but why is it cheaper this way?

Originally Posted by kingtut

if you have serial port, then you are done and no need to do anything else.

I can certainly appreciate that. But my point is, if you haven't built ANY cable yet, then why is it more expensive and more complicated to build a DIN to USB cable? Consider my lack of knowledge of the internal workings of a USB cable!!!! It seems that you can build the DIN/USB cable as simply as you're building the DIN/Serial. Unless that Serial/USB cable has some super-duper adaptive internal interfacing abilities...? Is it doing more than just simply connecting some wires?

Originally Posted by kingtut

if not, all you need is a serial->USB adapter. Din->USB = expensive & complicated, besides, it is still Din->serial->USB but under the hood.

Guess there is more at work than just a splicing of wires... Any knowledge you can pass along would be greatly appreciated by all us newbs and non-USB proficient individuals.

the xmdirect din output (pins 1,2 &3) is actually serial, you can't just connect serial to usb, you would need something like this PIC16C765 USB micro controllers to do the conversion. there is more to it than splicing wires.

Ok. Thanks.

Just finished building my cable. According to their website, the Brown Gorilla has left my XM Radio at my front door. I'll work on the install tonight and post progress. I was hoping I wouldn't have to use that $25 USB to Serial cable, but I now understand the only way around that is to use Com1.

BTW, I have about four pages of FAQs answered/created. I haven't forgetten them - quite the opposite, really! They just keep growing and improving with each edit - 12th version so far.

Originally Posted by Grayscale

sweet, you should post that! FAQ's of random carputer information?

Some random computer questions, but most are carputer specific with how to's that should be posted in MP3Car's FAQ section. Thanks for the support.