Apple Ipod Question (Car Stereo)

[Mac2004]

I want to get a 20GB Ipod to listen to music in my car. I have an Alpine ar stereo in my new Honda. Will the Ipod work okay in the car and what do I need to have it play songs through my radio?

Also, does the music sound that clear compared to playing a CD in my car stereo? A friend of mine told me that the music is not as clear if you connect your Ipod to your car stereo. Is that true? Do CD's sound better than downloaded music from I tunes on an Ipod??? I am so confused!

[zelmo]

I want to get a 20GB Ipod to listen to music in my car. I have an Alpine ar stereo in my new Honda. Will the Ipod work okay in the car and what do I need to have it play songs through my radio?

Also, does the music sound that clear compared to playing a CD in my car stereo? A friend of mine told me that the music is not as clear if you connect your Ipod to your car stereo. Is that true? Do CD's sound better than downloaded music from I tunes on an Ipod??? I am so confused!

I tried an iTrip with my iPod, but took it back because I couldn't keep a decent signal - too much bleed through from other frequencies. I know two people who use this device and it sounds just fine to them. Might be my trucks stock audio system.

I currently use a regular old cassette adapter, which works fine, just some minimal background noise. Not quite as clear as CD quality from my in-dash player, but absolutely fine for my needs.

Alpine makes a interface for the iPod, but it only works with certain head units of theirs. I think it is around $100. Check their web site out.

[oldschool]

I tried an iTrip with my iPod, but took it back because I couldn't keep a decent signal - too much bleed through from other frequencies. I know two people who use this device and it sounds just fine to them. Might be my trucks stock audio system.

I currently use a regular old cassette adapter, which works fine, just some minimal background noise. Not quite as clear as CD quality from my in-dash player, but absolutely fine for my needs.

Alpine makes a interface for the iPod, but it only works with certain head units of theirs. I think it is around $100. Check their web site out.

all you need to do is find out if your alpine headunit has RCA inputs (these are the same inputs that you connect your nintendo to at the front of your TV). Then you just buy a stereo to RCA cable at radio shack, thread it to the back of your head unit, plug it in and there you go.

[atsunset]

We just got a new Alpine radio with the KCA-420i adaptor and the music sounds great. We also were frustrated with the poor reception from the FM modulator.

The alpine head unit has a feature called MX that is supposed to improve MP3 type songs to play like CD quality.

We have the 40 gig ipod and have about 300 CD's loaded. Our current issue is the Alpine head unit doesn't scroll though the album/artists play list as fast as the ipod does. We have only had it a couple of days, so we are still learning the head unit funtions as well as the interface funtions.

If anyone has short cuts for searching though the album or artist list please let me know.

[zim]

I don't have an alpine, nor does my wife, but we both have our iPods wired for the car. Both of our stereos had RCA jacks on the back so we simply plugged in a Y cabel, RCA to headphone, and ran the cable out the bottom of the dash. The iPod is then simply plugged in for hours of listening enjoyment.

Also, in my opinion, the iPod, when wiered to the steroe, sounds as good as CD's did.

[Mac2004]

How long does it take to connect the Ipod to a car stereo and what do i exactly need? Also, does the music sound as clear as a CD? If not, then the Ipod may not be for me.

[zim]

How long does it take to connect the Ipod to a car stereo and what do i exactly need? Also, does the music sound as clear as a CD? If not, then the Ipod may not be for me.

I say that yes, the music from the iPod is as clear as CD. My compression settings are 160kbs and 128kbs, 128kbs are iTMS purchases and 160kbs are my own purchased CDs. Both compression setting sound equally good in the car, can't tell the difference. Note, this is entirely my opinion, and I like to believe that I am pretty critical about quality.

How long does it take? As much time as it takes to pull out your stereo, attach an RCA Y (RCA to headphone) connector, all depends on how your unit was installed. Remember not all stereos have RCA out on the back, check your model number if you have one.

[RubberChicken]

I got the Ice-Link from Denison for my Clio Sport (Phillips Head Unit).
My headunit had no RCA ports, but did have the CD changer connection required by the Ice-Link. The major benefits are you get a non-damaging install which leaves a little cradle as the only visible thing, slide the ipod in and it connects through dock connection for crystal clear sound and charging in one. All the stalk controls work through the Ice-Link to pause/volume/next song etc.

I also wasted $90 on the iTrip before I found the Ice-Link, was not cheap, but worth every penny for me.

http://www.dension.com/main.php?pageid=50&topid=42

[St Soichiro]

I know that I am repeating things said above, but will try and put it all in one perspective. There are several ways to listen to your iPod in your car - and I have tried most of them:

1. Tape adapter. Sound quality is medium - better than FM transmitters but not as good as hardwiring your iPod. The cheapest solution of them all. I have seen tape adapters as low as $4 USD at WalMart. Obviously works only if you have a cassette player in your car. :D
I use this in my wife's car whenever I am driving it. She does not want to be bothered with an iPod, so I have not hardwired her car.

2. The iTrip. It is best of all the FM transmitters. But it is FM at best and static at worst. Not good for metropolitan areas. I live near NYC and always had a tough time finding a clear station. I used an iTrip for about 4 months. It will run you about $35 new. Used ones can be found cheaper (eBay). Best is to borrow one from a friend and try it out to see if you like it. The iTrip is great for portability. All cars have radios and I find it very useful when using friend's cars and rental cars. The iTrip does suck power much faster, but that can be fixed with a car charger.

3. Hardwire the iPod to your car. This is the most expensive but the best solution. I have done this for my daily driver (99 Civic) and would have it no other way from this point. My cost was ~$90, but your's can vary depending on what you have and what you want. If you have an auxiliary input in the car audio system - then you don't need to do much at all. Otherwise, you can get an adapter that convert the CD changer port (in the back of your stock radio) to an auxiliary line-in. It is not really difficult to do - I did mine in about 45 minutes! The Ice-Link is the premium version of this and will allow you to control the iPod through your car audio system.

4. The best way is to buy one of the latest BMWs and get the dealer to hardwire your iPod. Now this is one solution that I am yet to try.

Hope this helps. If you have the time and money go ahead and hardwire your iPod - as good as CDs. I got most of my info at www.ben-johnson.org/blog/index.php?p=37. There are other posts at ipodlounge.com also.
You can PM me if you need more help.

Cheers
St S. :p

[puckhead193]

I got the Ice-Link from Denison for my Clio Sport (Phillips Head Unit).
My headunit had no RCA ports, but did have the CD changer connection required by the Ice-Link. The major benefits are you get a non-damaging install which leaves a little cradle as the only visible thing, slide the ipod in and it connects through dock connection for crystal clear sound and charging in one. All the stalk controls work through the Ice-Link to pause/volume/next song etc.

I also wasted $90 on the iTrip before I found the Ice-Link, was not cheap, but worth every penny for me.

http://www.dension.com/main.php?pageid=50&topid=42

Do u know if thie ice-link will work in a 04 lexus ES330 with navigation/Mark lension option, cause this maybe just want i want!

[RubberChicken]

Do u know if thie ice-link will work in a 04 lexus ES330 with navigation/Mark lension option, cause this maybe just want i want!

Try their web page, I did not see Lexus listed, but I'd send them an email.
The system works flawlessly, so I hope you can get it.

http://www.dension.com/main.php?pageid=51&topid=42

[zim]

Alpine also offers this solution:

http://www.alpine-usa.com/driveyouripod/

[RubberChicken]

Alpine also offers this solution:

http://www.alpine-usa.com/driveyouripod/

Yeh, it looks pretty cool too, but only if you have a 2004 Alpine AI-net head unit, which is a bit of a limitation.

[morkintosh]

I want to get a 20GB Ipod to listen to music in my car. I have an Alpine ar stereo in my new Honda. Will the Ipod work okay in the car and what do I need to have it play songs through my radio?

Also, does the music sound that clear compared to playing a CD in my car stereo? A friend of mine told me that the music is not as clear if you connect your Ipod to your car stereo. Is that true? Do CD's sound better than downloaded music from I tunes on an Ipod??? I am so confused!

Alpine actually makes (or is making) an adaptor that allows you to control the iPod through the head unit, it displays the current song and everything right on the stereo face.

Failing that, I ran RCA outs from my stereo using an ip-bus converter so my AUX input is the iPod, sounds and works great.

[Sweetfeld28]

I have been trying to hook up my iPod (30G 3G) to my Sony Mobile ES CDX-C6850. About last week or so i went to the car stereo store where most of my equipment was purchased and installed. First i bought a "Y" Audio cable (headphone mini jack on one end, and RCA left and right audio plugs on the other end) and tried to plug them into my audio in plugs on the back of my cd player.

After i had everything pluged in and powered on, i could not hear the iPod playing anything, even though it was. I got so frustrated i gave up. Another thing was that when i tried to push my cd player back in the dash the RCA plugs made it so it wouldn't fit anymore. I tried looking for RCA angled adapters, but monster cable was the only place that i could find that sold them.

My CD player does have Audio in Ports on the back, but the manuel says that my cd player has the ability to plug in a TV, and a CD Changer.

Another thing that i should note is that my CD player's amp is powering my factory speakers. My JL Audio Mono block Amp is powering my 2 10" JL Audio Sub-Woofers.

Does anyone know what i am doing wrong? Or should i buy that Ice-Link thing?

Here is a link to another product besides the Ice-Link, but i think it does the same thing.
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/ipodproducts.html
heres another: http://www.neocaraudio.com/prod-ion.html

[Flyinace2000]

I tried looking for RCA angled adapters, but monster cable was the only place that i could find that sold them.


Ummmmm radioshack sells that cable. Under 5 bucks.... I work there

On another note, anyone figre out a good way to install an iPod in a 2004 Focus SVT with the 9006 stereo (with 6 disc changer).

[Falleron]

I have an iRock:

http://www.myirock.com/players/irock400fm.asp

This works well. Not perfect. But good enough for me. It was just going to work out too expensive to get a cable connection to the back of my car stereo.

Hope this helps.

[Flyinace2000]

I have an iRock:

http://www.myirock.com/players/irock400fm.asp

This works well. Not perfect. But good enough for me. It was just going to work out too expensive to get a cable connection to the back of my car stereo.

Hope this helps.


Own it.....somewhere...

(work at RadioShack, thank you employe discount)

[morkintosh]

I have been trying to hook up my iPod (30G 3G) to my Sony Mobile ES CDX-C6850. About last week or so i went to the car stereo store where most of my equipment was purchased and installed. First i bought a "Y" Audio cable (headphone mini jack on one end, and RCA left and right audio plugs on the other end) and tried to plug them into my audio in plugs on the back of my cd player.


Those RCA inputs are for the subwoofer, not the AUX input. If you want to connect a device using RCA you have to get an ip-bus (in the case of Pioneer, you'd have to check what the converter is for the Sony I think) to RCA converter, then the y-adapter will be what you need for the iPod connection.

EDIT: don't buy the ice-link, you get MUCH better sound just using the monster cable. Here is the adaptor that I used http://logjamelectronics.com/logjam/piepioprca.html

[Sweetfeld28]

Those RCA inputs are for the subwoofer, not the AUX input. If you want to connect a device using RCA you have to get an ip-bus (in the case of Pioneer, you'd have to check what the converter is for the Sony I think) to RCA converter, then the y-adapter will be what you need for the iPod connection.

EDIT: don't buy the ice-link, you get MUCH better sound just using the monster cable. Here is the adaptor that I used http://logjamelectronics.com/logjam/piepioprca.html

I found this doing a search with google:
http://www.pie.net/son_aux_inst.htm

however, it says NOTE:A functioning Sony CD changer is required for this application. But, i do not have a CD Changer. So, what i think that i need is something like this:

MP3yourcar (http://www.mp3yourcar.com/whatisit.html) or
Neo Car Audio (http://www.neocaraudio.com/prod-ion.html)

Since i don't plan on adding or using another type of electronic media (anything that uses RCA) in my car, i think that i might just get one of these products.

But i did find that IP to RCA adaptor, and there is no way i am going to pay this amont for an adaptor.
http://www.cardomain.com/item/SONXA300

[morkintosh]

[QUOTE=Sweetfeld28]
But i did find that IP to RCA adaptor, and there is no way i am going to pay this amont for an adaptor.

you definitely don't need one of those. Before buying anything I'd check out our local car audio store (or even Best Buy) and ask about getting an RCA adapter for your head unit. Talk to the installers, the sales people generally (although there are some go ones) don't know much about these sorts of things ...

[Sweetfeld28]

i will try to stop by tomarrow and ask them after i get out of class tomarrow evening.

thanks, i'll keep you posted.

[MacAztec]

all you need to do is find out if your alpine headunit has RCA inputs (these are the same inputs that you connect your nintendo to at the front of your TV). Then you just buy a stereo to RCA cable at radio shack, thread it to the back of your head unit, plug it in and there you go.

No, don't do that. The dock connector has a MUCH better quality signal than the RCA out on the iPod. I believe Belkin makes an adapter for the dock connecter > RCA. Use that.

[MacAztec]

Ummmmm radioshack sells that cable. Under 5 bucks.... I work there

On another note, anyone figre out a good way to install an iPod in a 2004 Focus SVT with the 9006 stereo (with 6 disc changer).

Go register on www.focusfanatics.com

Make a post in the Car Audio section of the Forum, there will be many, many replies.

[Sweetfeld28]

No, don't do that. The dock connector has a MUCH better quality signal than the RCA out on the iPod. I believe Belkin makes an adapter for the dock connecter > RCA. Use that.

look in post #20 (mine) at the links for MP3yourcar and the one below that. This is what i would like to get but they cost around $150.00 or more.

Also, Belkin just makes the Auto charger adapter, or the FM broadcaster/charger (Auto kit, it features a built in amplifier for the FM transmiter).

[Flyinace2000]

Go register on www.focusfanatics.com

Make a post in the Car Audio section of the Forum, there will be many, many replies.


haha

i am already a member.

Audio Section (http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=332421#post332421)

[toezter]

the neo kit, does that plug into a rca or multi-disk input?

[Sol]

the neo kit, does that plug into a rca or multi-disk input?

The Neo iOn is supposed to plug into the CD-changer port. It too allows the user to skip tracks using the CD-player but instead of a dock it uses a cable to connect to the iPod. Recharges while plugged in too.

BMW use a similar interface for their new cars.

[Mac2004]

Why does anyone even need an iPod for their car when they can just download the music from iTunes and burn it to a CD and play in the radio CD player????????? It will sound much better won't it?? That would also save me $300.

[morkintosh]

Why does anyone even need an iPod for their car when they can just download the music from iTunes and burn it to a CD and play in the radio CD player????????? It will sound much better won't it?? That would also save me $300.

sure, that saves a lot and does sound better (although you'd have to be a real audiophile to tell in most cases). In my case I make a 24 hour round trip in the car every 3 weeks, and filipping through CDs (even having that many in the car) gets old. With the money I spent to have RCA inputs for the iPod to my car stereo I can now just jump in and have my road trip playlists do the rest of the work for me. Switching between the iPod and XM radio is much easier than chaning CDs every hour or so.

Although I don't use my iPod in town, I tried that and it wasn't pretty trying to drive and find "that one song I really want to hear".

[RubberChicken]

Why does anyone even need an iPod for their car when they can just download the music from iTunes and burn it to a CD and play in the radio CD player????????? It will sound much better won't it?? That would also save me $300.

Hey, you're right... wait... I could save money on all those CDs and just listen to the radio... no... I'll just walk and hum a tune... brilliant :D

[Sweetfeld28]

Why does anyone even need an iPod for their car when they can just download the music from iTunes and burn it to a CD and play in the radio CD player????????? It will sound much better won't it?? That would also save me $300.

I am trying to do this because i am tired of carrying around a case that hold 200 CDs (which is full by the way), or leaving it in my car to be stolen(again). Who wouldn't want to be able to carry all of there music with them when they leave their car?

[G4scott]

CDs...

Get scratched
Take up space
Are easier to see when you have a bunch in your car, and are more likely to get stolen (you can keep a cable hidden, and take the iPod with you)
Aren't as portable when you want your music outside of your car
Deteriorate over time (or at least cheap CD-R's, and some older CD's, especially in the heat of a car)
Are more of an inconvenience, and a driving hazard if you have to be changing them more often for a variety of music...


iPod spells c-o-n-v-e-n-i-e-n-c-e when it comes to managing, and taking a large music collection with you.

Besides, why bother asking about iPods and car stereos if you're going to just use CDs anyways?

[Sweetfeld28]

hey guys, just wanted to let you know that i bought the Neo kit. Turns out that mp3yourcar.com carry's the sony (or can specially order it). I had been emailing tis place fro a couple of days and they responded that they can get the adapter for my car, and that the total cost would $20.00 less if i bought it over the phone.

So, since i was unable to find a better deal, i went a head and bought it. I also thought it would be a good idea, because i can now plug my iPod into anyone's Sony after-market car stereo (my friends, cousins, or whoever's).

Anyway, the cables and adapter sould arrive Tues. I will post again after i get it hooked up, and let you know what i think.

[DJY]

I have a current model Alfa Romeo 147...
and would love to be able to hardwire my 3G 40GB iPod.

Alfa dealers don't seem very helpful (most of them don't understand what I'm trying to do - let alone know what an iPod is)...
and all of the car stereo places I have been to - said it can't be done.

I got one of them to pull my head unit out - as Alfa told me I could put a CD stacker into it... but alas there was no connection to put it into?

Couldn't see an AUX either...

then I even enquired about buying a new head unit - but as it is build into the dash - but no one makes a matching piee of the surrounding dash?!!!

Now whilst I don't believe Alfa's are in the States - are there any English or Europens in here who have a solution for Alfas?

I was hoping to be able to use a similar system to Audi, VW, and Mercedes as I've heard that they all contain the same brand of head unit?

[Sweetfeld28]

I have never seen an Alfa, let alone its stereo head unit, but my younger sister has a Ford Escort and she had the same kind of all in one peice dash. The car stereo place that i got my subs, and amp, from told her she could put a aftermarket dash in that would give her the option of changing her factory stereo. So, she did. She ended up getting the dash, and a Sony Explod cd player. The dash doen't look that great, but now she has the cd player.

To answer your question, i am not sure however if your car has an aftermarket dash which could replace your existing one. If it does, in my mind it would just be too expensive to buy a dash, a cdplayer with audio outputs (for subs or whatever) and inputs (to use a monitor, a computer, cd changer, or above all things an iPod), the car adapter for the iPod, and an iPod if someone unlike you and i doesn't have one.

Do you have an Alfa Rameo by chance, if you do, this guys store might help you. He's in the UK. Scroll down till you see ice>Link:iPod Car Side Connection for Alfa Romeo, Fiat & Blaupunkt Stereos (Stock*Code*-1535).

http://www.ghc.co.uk/acatalog/ICE_Link_Car_Connectors_for_iPod.html

[RubberChicken]

I have a current model Alfa Romeo 147...
and would love to be able to hardwire my 3G 40GB iPod.

Now whilst I don't believe Alfa's are in the States - are there any English or Europens in here who have a solution for Alfas?

I was hoping to be able to use a similar system to Audi, VW, and Mercedes as I've heard that they all contain the same brand of head unit?

Might be a starting point...
http://www.ihavetohave.it/acatalog/ICE-Link_Alfa_Romeo.html

[puckhead193]

If only we all had new BMW's or if apple would say we are planning to make an option for it for these models....

[DJY]

Thanks for the links guys! Looks promising...
one guy at the Alfa dealer today who did seem to know what an iPod was - didn't think I'd have much luck.
Depsite the same basic stereo being in the the 147, 156, and 166 - he wasn't even sure I could put a CD Stacker in????

sigh

[Sol]

I just bought a TransPod FM and for many of you that would be the best option. Like the Neo iOn and Alpine it will recharge the iPod but more importantly, it will also get a line signal as it connects to the dock connector. You can choose any FM frequency so it can adapt to wherever you are. The signal is so strong that even my brother in the car behind mine could tune in to my iPod!

Adaptors that connect to the CD-changer port would be ideal if there were not so many different connectors for every different brand of car audio. The compatibility list on the MP3YourCar.com site refers to American vehicles and in other countries the same brand of car may use different brand of CD player. Having to use the correct dip-switch setting for the right CD player could also be a problem if you have to resort to adaptors for the adaptor.

My recommendation is to use the best FM transmitter you can (that would be the TransPod FM) until these iPod adaptors go into their 2nd generation and all the quirks get sorted out.

[Sweetfeld28]

Wow. I just got the iOn today, and just installed it about a half an hour ago. I must say that it installed pretty easy, and sounds just as good as CD quality (at least to me).

Now, if i can only figure out away to get my CD player to fit back into my dash everything would be great.

So far i will give the iOn: ****.5 stars.

[parrothead]

I got the Ice-Link from Denison for my Clio Sport (Phillips Head Unit).
My headunit had no RCA ports, but did have the CD changer connection required by the Ice-Link. The major benefits are you get a non-damaging install which leaves a little cradle as the only visible thing, slide the ipod in and it connects through dock connection for crystal clear sound and charging in one. All the stalk controls work through the Ice-Link to pause/volume/next song etc.

I also wasted $90 on the iTrip before I found the Ice-Link, was not cheap, but worth every penny for me.

http://www.dension.com/main.php?pageid=50&topid=42


Thanks for the heads up about the Ice-Link, that really looks sweet. Now all I have to do is convince the wife that we need one. hmmmm............ ;)

[Sweetfeld28]

After attempting to install my adapter in my car, i soon relized that while plugged in that my cd player will no longer fit. My heater core is blocking it from fitting in my car's stereo car kit. But, the adapter works great, and sounds good.

Today, i decided to sell my adapter, since my cd player won't fit with it attached. So, i figured that i would offer my Adapter to anyone here that has a Sony cd player with a cd changer plug on the back of your receiver. Your cd player will also need the have audio in ports (RCA L+R). Mor info can be found at http://www.mp3yourcar.com/whatisit.html.

If intrested, send me a PM. I am thinking of selling it for $90.00+shipping. I originally bought it for $135.00 new. Also, it is only four days old.

[johnbro23]

I had an iPod and wanted the best quality I could get in my car. I bought an iTrip. That worked OK, at best. I had some extra cash, so I went to Best Buy to install a new head unit on my car, which was $250 for the cheapest one that had audio in (thats including the $100 for labor). I'd say go for it if you have some extra cash, like I did. But if you don't want to pay basically another iPods worth just to play it in your car with perfect sound, I'd just go with a $40 iTrip, or if I had done over, I would have tried one of those casette tape things. I've seen reviews of those and they seem to work. I've never tried one though.

Good luck and I hope I could help.

PS: I'm sort of a newbie here and I've asked a lot of questions before. It feels good to be able to help somone else, you know, to give back.

[earthtoandy]

just got the itrip.. it works wonderfully. Just had to find a good station and with a little experimentation i found one that works well and sounds good. I love my little setup now.=)

[r6girl]

After attempting to install my adapter in my car, i soon relized that while plugged in that my cd player will no longer fit. My heater core is blocking it from fitting in my car's stereo car kit. But, the adapter works great, and sounds good.

Today, i decided to sell my adapter, since my cd player won't fit with it attached. So, i figured that i would offer my Adapter to anyone here that has a Sony cd player with a cd changer plug on the back of your receiver. Your cd player will also need the have audio in ports (RCA L+R). Mor info can be found at http://www.mp3yourcar.com/whatisit.html.

If intrested, send me a PM. I am thinking of selling it for $90.00+shipping. I originally bought it for $135.00 new. Also, it is only four days old.

i'd been following this thread since i'm looking for a way to hook up my ipod directly to my oem stereo in my pathfinder, and i'm bummed to hear that this won't work out for you. if i had a sony stereo, i'd buy your adapter! good luck selling it...

i had been thinking about getting one of the alpine head units with a cingle cd player and their new ipod adapter, but my husband doesn't want to give up the 6-disc changer already in the car. so, i'm down to getting an icelink or the mp3yourcar product. of course, i explained to him that having ALL of our songs on the ipod versus switching out cd's would be much easier, but he complained that he would have to borrow my ipod all the time or buy his own. 'cause buying an ipod is such a terrible thing, of course. :p i even offered to buy him one of the u2 edition ones as an early christmas present, and he didn't bite. i'm beginning to think there's something wrong with him... :D

marianne

[Sweetfeld28]

thanks. Also, good luck with the hubby. But, those new iPods do look tempting don't they.

[Sol]

i had been thinking about getting one of the alpine head units with a cingle cd player and their new ipod adapter, but my husband doesn't want to give up the 6-disc changer already in the car.

I do not know about the Alpine, but the Neo iOn is supposed to connect to the CD-changer if you allready have one installed. If not, you can connect it to the CD-changer port at the back of the CD.