T6.1 head unit upgrade options - Any problems with the Discover Media?

[Skyliner33]

Background: My T6.1 head unit (lowest spec) has had issues with the sound quality when using iTunes with the phone plugged into the USB-C sockets. It is fine when using Bluetooth - however I cant use sat nav then.
I have now given up hope of VW ever sorting this issue.

So, thinking about my options.

1. Get the next level up head unit retrofitted (Discover Media Pro?) with the 8" screen. If you have this head unit does it suffer from the same poor sound quality using iTunes in car play? Can I used sat nav and iTunes over Bluetooth?

2. Get the even larger 9" screen unit fitted. Same questions about usability as the 8" screen.

3. Get an Alpine Halo 9 or 11" screen. Does everything work as OEM in the T6.1.

Thanks for any input.

 

[Skyliner33]

No one?

 

[Skyliner33]

Surely someone must have the Discover Media head unit?

Any sound issues when using iTunes over car play?

 

[Lanky]

Surely someone must have the Discover Media head unit?

Any sound issues when using iTunes over car play?

Hi Skyliner, I have the Discover Media Pro. I use Deezer for my music and run Waze, Google Maps or MyRouteApp depending on how I want to navigate.
All of them run on CarPlay+. Once you have linked it via Bluetooth it then uses WiFi to connect to your phone (I think). Occasionally it does not connect, usually if I have not used it for a while or I have disconnected the battery (not very often).
Sound quality is fine however I have upgraded the speakers to the Alpine set as well as an Alpine Subwoofer under the passenger seat.

 

[Skyliner33]

Hi Skyliner, I have the Discover Media Pro. I use Deezer for my music and run Waze, Google Maps or MyRouteApp depending on how I want to navigate.
All of them run on CarPlay+. Once you have linked it via Bluetooth it then uses WiFi to connect to your phone (I think). Occasionally it does not connect, usually if I have not used it for a while or I have disconnected the battery (not very often).
Sound quality is fine however I have upgraded the speakers to the Alpine set as well as an Alpine Subwoofer under the passenger seat.

Thanks. Im trying to choose between this and the Alpine Halo, if there doesnt seem to be the poor sound quality that the Composition Colour (lowest spec one) I will probably get an upgrade.

Cheers

 

[Alster]

I am quite interested in this as I have to do a factory reset on my composition colour about every 6 weeks to stop the crackle. Is an upgrade to discover media even viable? I keep looking at various upgrades but by the time you get all the adapters to make everything work it gets very pricey and when it’s not crackling it sounds good.

 

[Skyliner33]

I am quite interested in this as I have to do a factory reset on my composition colour about every 6 weeks to stop the crackle. Is an upgrade to discover media even viable? I keep looking at various upgrades but by the time you get all the adapters to make everything work it gets very pricey and when it’s not crackling it sounds good.

Hi, yes there are 2 OEM upgrades available. One with 8” screen and also a 9.2” screen.

I just need to decide which.

 

[psybear]

I have a 2024 T6.1 and got the standard head unit upgraded to the Halo 9. I had problems at first that were largely down to the fitter using a non OEM interface. He didn’t tell me this and it was only after I posted screenshots here that I found out that the poor quality (and non usability) of the vehicle settings screens was down to this - it was Absolut5 on this forum who kindly pointed this out. The fitter eventually sourced the genuine Alpine interface and that sorted almost everything out. Really the only outstanding issue is that the Alpine supplied USB retention kit still isn’t perfect.

When not operating wirelessly I have to use a USB C to USB A adapter, and a USB A to USB C lead to get a charge to my phone, USB C to USB C just doesn’t work (that tip came from Absolut5 too).

I’m happy with the system otherwise. Got the Alpine pillar speakers and amplifier fitted too and decided not to bother with the sub as the upgrade was more than enough for me without the additional expense.

Highly recommend seeking out the advice of Absolut5 here, really knows his stuff. I couldn’t go to him for fitting as I am NI based, otherwise I would have.

 

[Absolut5]

Background: My T6.1 head unit (lowest spec) has had issues with the sound quality when using iTunes with the phone plugged into the USB-C sockets. It is fine when using Bluetooth - however I cant use sat nav then.
I have now given up hope of VW ever sorting this issue.

So, thinking about my options.

1. Get the next level up head unit retrofitted (Discover Media Pro?) with the 8" screen. If you have this head unit does it suffer from the same poor sound quality using iTunes in car play? Can I used sat nav and iTunes over Bluetooth?

2. Get the even larger 9" screen unit fitted. Same questions about usability as the 8" screen.

3. Get an Alpine Halo 9 or 11" screen. Does everything work as OEM in the T6.1.

Thanks for any input.

I have the discover Media, which is better than the first 6.1 I had that had the basic , but it’s not with out its issues, firstly it will play fine for days then there will be no sound , the only way to get it back is a reset, also when I finish a call on CarPlay, CarPlay then decides to reboot itself, a bit annoying, it’s been updated

If it goes wrong I will definitely fit a halo, like we do weekly for owners , far better sound quality,

 

[airzocho]

Background: My T6.1 head unit (lowest spec) has had issues with the sound quality when using iTunes with the phone plugged into the USB-C sockets. It is fine when using Bluetooth - however I cant use sat nav then.
I have now given up hope of VW ever sorting this issue.

So, thinking about my options.

1. Get the next level up head unit retrofitted (Discover Media Pro?) with the 8" screen. If you have this head unit does it suffer from the same poor sound quality using iTunes in car play? Can I used sat nav and iTunes over Bluetooth?

2. Get the even larger 9" screen unit fitted. Same questions about usability as the 8" screen.

3. Get an Alpine Halo 9 or 11" screen. Does everything work as OEM in the T6.1.

Thanks for any input.

I have the same problem. The sound is fine through Bluetooth interface but, makes a weird noise while connected through USB-C. Something similar to static electricity cracks.
I tried to fix this issue a couple times with VW dealership but they claim that there is some Bitrate difference between Car play and VW unit and they cannot fix the problem.

This is weird because in my friend's van with the same setup the sound is fine.
I had tried to swap the USB module and data cable between head unit and the module, but without any success
Today I removed my head unit and I am planning to check if there is maybe some loose connection inside.

I am also considering an upgrade to VW OEM Sat/Nav unit, but can't find what is the correct one.
My current unit is: 3CN 035 869 A
You wrote there are 2 OEM upgrades available, do You know the part numbers?

 

[Skyliner33]

I have the same problem. The sound is fine through Bluetooth interface but, makes a weird noise while connected through USB-C. Something similar to static electricity cracks.
I tried to fix this issue a couple times with VW dealership but they claim that there is some Bitrate difference between Car play and VW unit and they cannot fix the problem.

This is weird because in my friend's van with the same setup the sound is fine.
I had tried to swap the USB module and data cable between head unit and the module, but without any success
Today I removed my head unit and I am planning to check if there is maybe some loose connection inside.

I am also considering an upgrade to VW OEM Sat/Nav unit, but can't find what is the correct one.
My current unit is: 3CN 035 869 A
You wrote there are 2 OEM upgrades available, do You know the part numbers?

Hi,

Yes, there is the unit with the 8" screen that VW fit that has the inbuilt sat nav. There is also a 9.2" screen unit that is out of a different VW model that will fit.
Unfortunately I don't know the part numbers but I believe there are at least 2 different versions of each of the OEM upgrades.

The issue you have sounds exactly the same as mine and is quite common. I have also replaced the USB-C module and tried various cables (neither made any difference).
I have also had the head unit out and no loose connections etc.

I dont think its a self upgrade as there are lots of coding and there is still a bit of an issue with the SOS module.

Maybe @Dav-Tec or @Absolut5 can comment to add more information.

 

[Absolut5]

I have the same problem. The sound is fine through Bluetooth interface but, makes a weird noise while connected through USB-C. Something similar to static electricity cracks.
I tried to fix this issue a couple times with VW dealership but they claim that there is some Bitrate difference between Car play and VW unit and they cannot fix the problem.

This is weird because in my friend's van with the same setup the sound is fine.
I had tried to swap the USB module and data cable between head unit and the module, but without any success
Today I removed my head unit and I am planning to check if there is maybe some loose connection inside.

I am also considering an upgrade to VW OEM Sat/Nav unit, but can't find what is the correct one.
My current unit is: 3CN 035 869 A
You wrote there are 2 OEM upgrades available, do You know the part numbers?

If these are blighted with issues, I personally have had the same basic unit , which was awful , now have the discovery, and it reboots CarPlay after each call, the sound goes off randomly and requires a hard reset to get it back, done all updates .soon to be replaced with Alpine,

We have replaced many Discovery units for aftermarket, they are built for a price

 

[Alster]

A temporary fix on the composition colour is to do a factory reset. Normally works for about a month then the crackle comes back.

 

[Skyliner33]

A temporary fix on the composition colour is to do a factory reset. Normally works for about a month then the crackle comes back.

It only works on mine for a few hours

 

[Skyliner33]

If these are blighted with issues, I personally have had the same basic unit , which was awful , now have the discovery, and it reboots CarPlay after each call, the sound goes off randomly and requires a hard reset to get it back, done all updates .soon to be replaced with Alpine,

We have replaced many Discovery units for aftermarket, they are built for a price

Was the Discovery unit an upgrade or factory fit?
Thanks

 

[Pontius]

I had the basic head unit and upgraded to the 9.2” version. I had no problems with the smaller unit but was finding that I needed to put in my reading glasses to use the screen and then take them off to drive. Just a faff. Similarly, nonissues with the 9.2” screen. Also got the virtual dash argyle same time. Again no probs with this either.

VW don’t retrofit these so went to an independent to do it. North east vag adaptations and Leicester vag retrofits do them. Do involve a lot of coding and you lose the sos module - if that’s important to you. Service module still works.

 

[Skyliner33]

I had the basic head unit and upgraded to the 9.2” version. I had no problems with the smaller unit but was finding that I needed to put in my reading glasses to use the screen and then take them off to drive. Just a faff. Similarly, nonissues with the 9.2” screen. Also got the virtual dash argyle same time. Again no probs with this either.

VW don’t retrofit these so went to an independent to do it. North east vag adaptations and Leicester vag retrofits do them. Do involve a lot of coding and you lose the sos module - if that’s important to you. Service module still works.

If its done it correctly the SOS module is not lost.

 

[Pontius]

Do you know anyone who does this and maintains the SOS module please?

 

[Pontius]

Do you know anyone who does this and maintains the SOS module please

 

[Alster]

@Absolut5