Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

How to connect a iPhone 5 to my car using the line-out signal?

P

pawass

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 23, 2009
6
0
I've been using the iPhone 4S using a dock connector with a separate audio cable that feeds the line-out signal from the dock connector directly into the Aux input in my car console.

Using the line-out versus the headphones jack is a HUGE difference in sound quality and now I want to do the same with my new iPhone 5.

It looks like the only way to achieve this is to use the lighting-to-30-pin adapter and connect that to my existing 30-pin dock connector with the audio cable output.

Is there no lightning cable or dock that has the option of accessing the line-out signal (not the ones that just have a separate headphone plug)? Seems so strange since it does pass the audio signal through, right?

I still cannot believe that people buy Apple's claim that the lightning connector is better, when the ONLY thing that it has that the old connector didn't is the fact that it is reversible. At the same time it made millions and millions of accessories incompatible (at least without pricey adapters that don't even offer all the same functions). OK, please don't post responses to this last rant since I really am only interested in the cable issue...
 
The lighting port does not do audio out.

Well, actually it does but it's a digital only signal. The apple adaptor does not just make it fit old 30 pin docks and cables, it actually contains a DAC to produce an analogue aydio signal.

So either you buy the adaptor, or you by a new head unit that works with lightning and accepts a digital signal.
 
Oh, I just saw that Apple finally came out with a new lightning dock that actually has an audio out in the back (with the analog-converted signal from the lightning connection on the iPhone). That's exactly what I need.
Into my cup holder it goes... with a little foam to secure it.

Thanks for you reply.
 
theautopilot said:
The lighting port does not do audio out.

Well, actually it does but it's a digital only signal. The apple adaptor does not just make it fit old 30 pin docks and cables, it actually contains a DAC to produce an analogue aydio signal.

So either you buy the adaptor, or you by a new head unit that works with lightning and accepts a digital signal.
Click to expand...

So, for example, i have this in my car now, that i used for my iPhone 4 and iPod for audio-out from the dock connector

http://www.xtrememac.com/en-US/products/chargers/incharge-series/incharge-auto-aux/

I could just buy an official Apple Lightning Adapter and it would support audio-out on the iPhone 5?

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but i've been wondering this myself, and seem to get conflicting answers when i search
 
pawass said:
I still cannot believe that people buy Apple's claim that the lightning connector is better, when the ONLY thing that it has that the old connector didn't is the fact that it is reversible.
Click to expand...
I can't believe that people think that this is the only advantage.

pawass said:
At the same time it made millions and millions of accessories incompatible (at least without pricey adapters that don't even offer all the same functions).
Click to expand...
Tech moves on. If you want something to be infinitely compatible with future releases then your expectation is the issue. The adapter in question does exactly what you're looking for.
 
takeshi74 - now that the main question is answered I would love to hear what the actual advantage is of the new connector. I really haven't found one (other than reversibility).
Well, it may be a little more sturdy but then I never ever heard anyone complain about anything with the old connector.
If you can spare the time please enlighten me.
Thanks.
 
pawass said:
Oh, I just saw that Apple finally came out with a new lightning dock that actually has an audio out in the back (with the analog-converted signal from the lightning connection on the iPhone). That's exactly what I need.
Into my cup holder it goes... with a little foam to secure it.

Thanks for you reply.
Click to expand...
Care to save us some time and share this information with a link? I searched the apple store and couldn't find what you mention.
 
Another option is to get a BT receiver, such as the Griffin BlueTrip.

That way, you don't even need to plug your phone in!
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
That's a pretty handy option.
However, bluetooth streaming will compress (read: degrade) the audio signal and I listen to a lot of my favorite music in an uncompressed format (Apple Lossless) which sounds a lot better and bluetooth wouldn't allow me to get quality sound.
 
Add in a steering wheel mounted remote to control music, and i'd have a pretty much ideal solution
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back