| Traffic Pro 4771
(BMW) Compatibility Issues updated July 1, 2007
The 12 second shutdown: All we have is bits and pieces, despite road trips to the aftermarket companies (Phatnoise, Blitzafe...), discussions with their engineers, Users groups devoted to the cause (HacktheIBUS, bmwnav...), and the resources from the combined efforts of ALL TP owners represented by their members on the Traffic Pro Users Group email list. Here's the best information I can glean from reviewing everything so far about compatibility issues w/ Blitzsafe adapters on BMW systems w/ no separate K-Bus computer (pre-98?) causing accessories (Phaboxes, Soundgate switches, Dension Icelink etc.) to shutdown every 12 sec. If you can contribute anything more, please either email me or better yet, join the Traffic Pro Users Group to discuss with other users who understand the issues better than I do. Remember, the BMW Traffic Pro (4771) was already out of production before the iPod was announced, before Bluetooth technology was available, it was never officially released as either a BMW or Harman/Becker product- and yet you can still use your mp3 players and Bluetooth car kits with the Traffic Pro :) The problem is this: (thanks George) George wrote about using his Blitzsafe adapter: My system worked fine, sound, controls, etc. EXCEPT it shuts down in 15 seconds.When using the 4771 and BMW IBUS adapters, the item shuts down after 15 seconds or so and sometimes reboots the head unit. Eventually it just plain disconects the Aux/CD changer/adapter and won't recognize it. Background: IKE computers for BMWs can monitor several different items on the car (sometimes linked into the "comfort" system). It appears the KBUS monitors the IBUS for traffic (and vice-versa). So when you pull your keys out and walk away the computer listens for any items still active and also tells the system when it should start turning items off. IBUS is one of these items. The BMW KBUS usually pings the IBUS to tell it that it is active. Somewhere around 1997 there appears to be some tom foolery on audio systems in BMW land, typically there is a seperate computer in the KBUS that would ping out, OR the head unit would know enough to ping out if there wasn't a KBUS computer in the car. In my '97 318ti there isn't a seperate computer to ping out. The problem lies in the 4771, the radio doesn't know enough to ping out like the orignal head unit for my 318ti did without the KBUS computer (they prolly tested it with BMWs with the KBUS). The Alpine CD changer doesn't really use this ping out, but Blitzsafe counts on it to shut it's adapter down to conserve battery. So no ping out in 12 seconds and the blitzsafe adapter shuts down. My trip up to North Joisey may just pay off. First thing first, Blitzsafe is on a couple absolute deadlines this month and will not be able to do some custom programming right away. Second is I am not an engineer, and do not profess to know about what I am talking about. YMMV. Summary of the symptoms; when using the 4771 and I-bus adapters, BTW phatnoises adapter is licensed from blitzsafe, the item shuts down after 15 seconds or so and sometimes reboots the head unit. Eventually it just plain disconects the Aux/CD changer/adapter and won't recognize it. Now I felt from day one that it was a sleeping issue, and as it turns out I was kinda correct. Background, IKE computers for BMWs can monitor several different items on the car (sometimes linked into the "comfort" system). It appears the K-bus monitors the I-bus for traffic (and opposite also). So when you pull your keys out, and walk away it listens for any items still active and also tells the system when it should start turning items off. I-bus is one of these items. The k-bus usually pings the i-bus to tell it that it is active. Somewhere around 97 there appears to be some tom foolery on audio systems in BMW land, typically there is a seperate computer in the k-bus that would pig out, OR the head unit would know enough to ping out if there wasn't a k-bus computer in the car. In my '97 318ti there isn't a seperate computer to ping out, I have read about this in other contexts before and think I can verify this on paper. The problem lies in the 4771, the radio doesn't know enough to ping out like the orignal head unit for my 318ti did with the lack of the k-bus computer (they prolly tested it with BMWs with the side computer system). Now the alipine CD changer doesn't really use this ping out, but blitzsafe counts on it to shut it's adapter down to conserve battery. So no ping out in 12 seconds and the blitzsafe adapter shuts down. Which is what blitzsafe thinks is happening to the phatbox people and my self, after all phatboxes uses blitzsafe technology in their adapters. [This theory works if the people having problems do not have that second computer.] So whats the solution. For my car, with no k-bus computer, they are going to try to program custom software for my blitzsafe adapter that will NOT listen for the ping. Instead it will just shut down when the bus goes dead (i.e. car turned off). This way the adapter should stay up, and I will be able to use it. The blitzsafe adapter I have has a push in atmel type chip in it that they will mail me once they find time to program it. Ira at blitzsafe (great great guy) estimates maybe after new years. They are hard pressed on some deadlines (XM/delphi/sony/etc), and have some incredible products on the horizon. If this chip nails the problem, they said they would look into the phat box adapter and try to help out there also. OK, so how did someone get it to work. Well, if you car has a k-bus computer (unlike my '97 318ti and Rachel's '97 Z3) it would do your ping and most likely will not require any modifications beyond a blitzsafe box. So it is possible that Casey's car was like this and that is why the blitzsafe box worked for him. We did confirm that Casey and Blitzsafe worked together a while ago on an issue. How about the different firmware (old 4771 vs. new 4771)? Well we hooked into Rachel's older unit (mine is newer) and the same thing happened.
So I am in a holding pattern until they can free up Dimitri to make me up a chip. I really do appreciate them taking the time to see us, I have to say Blitzsafe appears to be good old fashioned business.
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