Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Aux cable that charges (lightning)?
- Thread starter astral125
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I kept all my old 30 pin accessories. But no I haven't seen one.
Long 5ft iPod / iPhone 2-in-1 Audio and Sync Cable. Apple Dock Connector to 3.5mm Audio AUX (Auxiliary) Connector AND USB Charge/sync Connector
http://amzn.com/B0037MH5W4
Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk 2
http://amzn.com/B0037MH5W4
Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk 2
TTT
Really want one of these.
I find the audio is superior to the headphone out, and less cable mess as well.
The reason I don't just get the adapter is that my old one finally crapped out, and I was waiting to upgrade from the 4S to 5S before getting a new one (with lighting connector), and assumed these were also available, but I havent been able to find one yet.
I suppose I could get a new "older" connector and buy an adapter, and then at least my wife could also use it with my inherited 4S, though she's not going to use the car much.
Really want one of these.
I find the audio is superior to the headphone out, and less cable mess as well.
The reason I don't just get the adapter is that my old one finally crapped out, and I was waiting to upgrade from the 4S to 5S before getting a new one (with lighting connector), and assumed these were also available, but I havent been able to find one yet.
I suppose I could get a new "older" connector and buy an adapter, and then at least my wife could also use it with my inherited 4S, though she's not going to use the car much.
OK, I found the reason why (or maybe everyone else knew this, and I'm just the big dummy here)
The lightning interface only has digital audio output, whereas the old 30 pin interface has an analog output, which is why there is not an exact lightning port product like these for the old 30 pin output. So, you need an adapter that includes a digital to analog converter in addition to the type of adapter like post #5. The expensive Apple adapters have the D/A converter, many of the cheapy ones do not.
So the solutions are: use a lightening to 30 pin adapter (that has a D/A converter) with the older 30 pin charging/audio out combo cable, or use a USB lightening cable to charge and a separate audio cable plugged into the headphone out.
So a cable manufacturer could make one of these for the lighting, but it would also need a D/A converter in it as well.
The lightning interface only has digital audio output, whereas the old 30 pin interface has an analog output, which is why there is not an exact lightning port product like these for the old 30 pin output. So, you need an adapter that includes a digital to analog converter in addition to the type of adapter like post #5. The expensive Apple adapters have the D/A converter, many of the cheapy ones do not.
So the solutions are: use a lightening to 30 pin adapter (that has a D/A converter) with the older 30 pin charging/audio out combo cable, or use a USB lightening cable to charge and a separate audio cable plugged into the headphone out.
So a cable manufacturer could make one of these for the lighting, but it would also need a D/A converter in it as well.
Last edited:
This really sucks. The Apple Lightning to 30pin adapters don't work with a case, so now I need to get the Apple adapter cable ?
I just hate the whole idea of having to plug in both the lightning adapter and the 3.5mm stereo plug. Too much of a hassle.
-t
I just hate the whole idea of having to plug in both the lightning adapter and the 3.5mm stereo plug. Too much of a hassle.
-t
I got the apple lightning to 30 pin adapter (the cable one) and a new 30 pin charging/audio out cable. it does work, but my case hasn't arrived and I'm not sure if the apple lightning cable will fit with the case (the plug seems a bit fat). I'll probably hog out the case hole if that is the case.
One thing I don't like about this arrangement (besides having to get an adapter) is that phone calls and facetime calls do not route their audio to the "aux out", only to the phones speaker or headphone out. I did prefer hearing my calls over the car stereo vs the phone speaker. I wish there was a setting to allow the audio to come through the aux from a phone call. Skype calls will, but not apple phone/facetime calls.
The audio from music/content does sound good, subjectively better, than through the headphone out...mainly the frequencies seem flatter (a slight bass roll off with the headphone out). And I still like the less cable mess with this arrangement.
I decided to go a completely different route.
Rather than spending $40 on the Apple adapter cable, I'm going to get this ($45 on Amazon):
http://www.belkin.com/us/p/P-F4U037/
![372.jpg]()
Now I can use one of my many Lightning cables to charge, and audio all goes via BT to the car stereo (connected with 3.5mm aux out).
-t
Rather than spending $40 on the Apple adapter cable, I'm going to get this ($45 on Amazon):
http://www.belkin.com/us/p/P-F4U037/
Now I can use one of my many Lightning cables to charge, and audio all goes via BT to the car stereo (connected with 3.5mm aux out).
-t
Wouldn't this, when paired with the cable you first posted, do what you're looking for?
![E000542-01.jpg]()
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-8-Pin-t...0273656736&hash=item2a316e18cd#ht_4109wt_1318
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-8-Pin-t...0273656736&hash=item2a316e18cd#ht_4109wt_1318
That looks perfect, but until I hear some reviews, I wouldn't touch it with my iPhone 5s.
I can see it not working because it isn't Apple certified.
I went ahead and ordered that Belkin Bluetooth. That looks like a great option. No worrying about cases and docking.
Depends on the case. Cases aren't all identical.
It's not just subjective. Audio from the Lightning/dock connector will be cleaner as it isn't running through the noisy headphone amp.
In my case, the Apple adapter plugged into a no-name 30 pin Aux works. I would reckon to guess that if you have a certified lightning adapter, that it won't matter what is plugged in after...but I have no proof of that, other than my one successful experience, so caveat emptor !
I've got the Belkin bluetooth and it's okay but the giant button kinda sucks. It's hit or miss whether you'll end up pausing the music when you try to skip. If I could do it over, I'd get the Kinivo instead.
http://www.amazon.com/Kinivo-BTC450...TF8&colid=3E389HXMSH2XA&coliid=I3BVLGBTZFDI7P
My Belkin came and I am happy so far.
I like that Kinivo because it supports a better audio codec but I am not sure the iphone supports it.
Thanks, if the sound quality is the same (at least with the iPhone), then I'll keep the Belkin.
I like the magnet holder and you just have to be more deliberate on the skip sequence.
My only issue is that I get dropouts from time to time. It may have more to do with the bluetooth connection in my car (it is a 2008, supports phone but not music).
I'll need to try disconnecting that to see if it helps the issue.
I'd rather have the car bluetooth for phone calls because it displays the caller, of course.
For those of you using the Belkin or Kinivo bluetooth, how does the audio compare to an aux connection?
Question about this - isn't it a bit redundant to have it go via BT with another device? I mean, natively the iPhone can connect to cars (that allow it) and play music via BT. What's the advantage of this?
This, I know. But, looking at the product page again, it looks like I misread the information. I thought the aux plug goes into the iPhone and then the sound would be transmitted via BT. Apparently, that's not the case, it actually works the other way around. As an aside, BT audio streaming is one of the best updates to the BT profile.
Cool device, I might consider getting it for my dad. Got to see first if he has an aux-in.
Honest mistake, I apologize if I came across as condescending.
I've heard good things about the Belkin, the only issue I've read about is after a few months some people report drop outs a lot
Last edited: