Software to allow head unit to control winamp?

**gabeknuth** · 03-29-2004, 04:29 PM

Howdy,

I have a 97 BMW 328i with the stock Alpine head unit and CD Changer. I've lost the magazine for the CD Changer, and am thinking about putting a pc in place of it.

Is anyone aware of any software that will allow me to control Winamp from my head unit? The audio is easy, and I'm sure I can find some way of doing it, but it would be really sweet if I could skip songs and change modes and so on with the head unit....even maybe display the name of the song, but I won't hold my breath there.

Thanks,
Gabe

**Ashlawn Kemling** · 03-29-2004, 06:33 PM

Well, I know its possible. You would have to research the head unit and the protocol it uses. I made a parallel to IP bus cable for my Sony head unit, which worked to an extent.

**Banderon** · 03-30-2004, 09:44 PM

If you get down to it, you can just rip the thing open, and manually wire the buttons and LCD to the parallel port. You'd have to work a bit on the software end though.

**beaverpants** · 04-28-2004, 08:12 PM

anyone post links to info how to do this?
conect it to serial port?
old topic with no real ansers
an original idea

another old one Using cd changer controls to control carputer

**etrik** · 04-28-2004, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by Ashlawn Kemling

Well, I know its possible. You would have to research the head unit and the protocol it uses. I made a parallel to IP bus cable for my Sony head unit, which worked to an extent.

do you have a link to show how to make this cable and what software you are using. thanks

**MikeH** · 04-28-2004, 09:05 PM

Gabe,

These guys (BlitzSafe) do a lot of this type of interface. You might want to start your search there. Let us know if you figure this out (i've got a similar situation with at 528i).

**darrenteo76** · 09-19-2006, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by Ashlawn Kemling

Well, I know its possible. You would have to research the head unit and the protocol it uses. I made a parallel to IP bus cable for my Sony head unit, which worked to an extent.

Hi there..
Sorry this thread is quite a few yrs ago..
I saw that u have hook to IP bus to parellel port.
Can I pls if possible have the pinouts and how to connect to the parallel port..

Thanks a lot...

**Wiredwrx** · 09-19-2006, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by darrenteo76

Hi there..
Sorry this thread is quite a few yrs ago..
I saw that u have hook to IP bus to parellel port.
Can I pls if possible have the pinouts and how to connect to the parallel port..

Thanks a lot...

Sorry, but the BMW does NOT use the IP bus. It uses the I-BUS.

As for the IP BUS, there are numerous adaptors that make use of the IP Bus. You should

for more information.

Michael

**darrenteo76** · 09-19-2006, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by Wiredwrx

Sorry, but the BMW does NOT use the IP bus. It uses the I-BUS.

As for the IP BUS, there are numerous adaptors that make use of the IP Bus. You should

for more information.

Michael

hi there.. What do u mean by adaptors
Are u saying the Sony IP Bus cannot connect direct to computer port ?
BTW I am using Sony HU..

sorry just started to look into this...