PhatBox + RNS-D = fail?

[Number54]

I just installed a PhatBox in my RS4 which has the RNS-D (Navigation Plus) radio.

The PhatBox lights cycled as expected upon install.

But the RNS-D says "no CD changer" and I can't do anything.

Is the PhatBox not compatible with RNS-D? Or is there something I didn't do? Note that I previously installed a PhatBox on my S4 with the Symphony2 radio without problems.

Thanks.

[witwer4444]

S4 has Symphony 1, not 2 by the way...

My RNS-D works flawlessly with my Phatbox. If I were you I would double check your wiring in your trunk behind the phatbox and make sure the CD changer wiring is plugged into the back of the RNS-D as well.

Good luck

[dubzackvr6]

All I could find was this:

http://www.ibiblio.org/tkan/audi/rad...se_install.pdf

and another part, from ibiblio.org:

The Audi PhatNoise Digital Media Player System is an optional add-on package. It allows you to play digital audio files prepared from your computer, and is capable of storing a very large amount of music (thousands of songs). It consisting of the following components:

The "PhatBox" Media Player unit, which is installed in the car in place of the external CD changer, using the existing car wiring. The PhatBox unit has a slot into which you can plug in the DMS cartridge. You may search and navigate the music files using the factory radio's CD changer controls. The radio display and a voice-guided system allows you to find and play your music with a minimum of distraction while driving.
The Digital Media Storage (DMS) cartridge. This is a removable hard disk module for storing digital audio files (supported formats include MP3, Ogg Vorbis, WMA, AAC, FLAC, WAV and others). Currently, a 20GB cartridge is provided with the system, higher capacities are available for purchase from PhatNoise.
A USB 2.0 desktop cradle that connects to your computer, to which you can plug in the DMS cartridge to load and manage music files.
PhatNoise Music Manager software that allows you to rip audio CDs, create playlists, and manage digital audio files on your DMS cartridge.
Cable, instructions, etc.

The Audi PhatNoise system is only compatible with certain Audi radios. See the description for each radio model above. The "generic" (i.e., aftermarket) PhatBox unit will not work with Audi radios. The Audi version of the PhatBox, sold through Audi dealers, has special firmware and a special interface adapter. You can install the system yourself, or have the dealer do it for you.

News (2006): Audi is phasing out the PhatNoise system, and remaining dealer stock, if available, are being heavily discounted. Apparently 2005 and later Audi radios with Satellite Radio feature are no longer compatible with the PhatNoise system.

[Number54]

Thanks. Good news that it works with RNS-D. I re-checked the connections, and they're fine. I'm going to reconnect the CD changer and make sure it works. Otherwise, maybe the DMS itself has an issue. I have not done anything to it, so it's in whatever state the previous owner left it in.

[00SantorinS4]

I also use a Phatnoise with my RNS-D and it works well. I upgraded the Hard Drive and flashed the latest firmware on it.
I would format/rebuild the DMS and be sure to select the latest firmware (as the existing phatbox may not have it on it)
Insert into Phatnoise, turn key to accessory, wait about 5mins (lights will stop blinking on the phatnoise when it's done) turn to off and then
start it up. It flashed the latest firmware and you should be good to go. Like you said who knows what state the prev owner left the DMS in.
I'm sure you want a fresh DMS with YOUR music on it anyways. This is what I use, it's the Phatnoise Music Manager, works great.
http://www.phatnoise.com/downloads/download_sw.aspx
Good luck man

[mholme]

Here's what I do to reflash, pretty much the same steps as above. Phathack.com has the files/software for reflashing to the last firmware(7.02):

Leave the radio on when you insert the DMS. You can turn it off once the green light starts flashing on the phatbox. It will turn itself off after a few minutes when the install is complete . You can just power the head unit on after that and it should pick up the phatbox. Once it sees the "cd changer", go under the features menu, CD6 and you can select the radio type which should be set to "S" for an RNS-D.

There's a known compatibility issue with VW/Audi European navigation units and North American Phatbox systems. Sometimes the unit will drop out and you'll get a "no cd changer"message. The fix is to add a power and ground supply as well as a clock signal to the mother board... Hopefully a reflash gets you going before you have to do this.

[Number54]

Thanks all. Problem solved.

The issue was the previous owner seems to have completely formatted the DMS. It wiped all the required system files, hence the "no CD changer" message. I ended up using "PhatHack DMS Tools v2.15 - January 2012, available from phathack.com as mentioned by mholme above. I had to "re-create" the DMS and I flashed it to the 7.02 firmware. It is a USA PhatBox on a Euro car, but it's working fine.

I miss having the "info" button - which was available on my S4s Symphony radio. And also the separate scan buttons. Anyway, it's working OK with the RNS-D although it's definitely not optimal.

One more downside - the hatch in the trunk doesn't close with the DMS inserted. On my S4, it fit fine. I guess it's because my S4 was a sedan and my current car is an Avant.

What have you Avant guys done about this? I'm planning on cutting a hole and attaching some sort of bubble to protect against water and impacts. I don't know exactly what to use for this, so I'm going to walk around a hardware store for ideas.

[mholme]

I can't speak from an Avant install, but this was done on a sedan


How far from closing are you? It may be as easy as routing the cable better. It tends to bunch at the back and contact the quarter panel.

[Number54]

Strange, on my sedan I got the phatbox all the way in, and could close the cover without a problem.

But on my Avant, the frame holding the Nav/CD is completely different. Also the "door flap" is different - concave for Avant, convex for sedans. Note my sedan didn't have Nav but did have a toolbox, and my avant has Nav but no toolbox!

I'm like 1 inch from closing - and no way I can get it further in. The plug at the back of the PhatBox is touching the body. Stupid because the plug itself is like 1 inch long. If it were oriented differently, there would be no problem.

In the picture above, the plastic looking thing surrounding the DMS is nicely done. My issue is that I want to throw ski gear back there and not worry about getting water in the electronics. In my case, the DMS doesn't stick out as much, and I'm looking for something that completely surrounds the DMS. Kind of like a bowl or even a box I could attach (rivet maybe). I like the idea of a bowl shape, in case of an impact, it may deflect the blow and save the DMS.

[mholme]

You might want to look into relocating the unit if it's going to see a lot of moisture. People have put it in the glove box, center console or under seat. The phatbox "brain" is tiny, that big ole pretty silver casing is about 3 times the size of the workings of the unit.