iPod iPod Nano Static Issue? Please help

[yoda13]

OK, here is my problem, I did a search and didn't come up with anything on this topic. I know when the iPod mini first came out, there were some static issues with the headphones jack. Mine was never affected, but I knew about it anyway. Now my problem here is that I have purchased the girlfriend a nano, and this afternoon, she plugged it into her car and was listening too it, and all of sudden it sounded like she was trying to pull in a radio station that was just out of range, but close enough to get some receptionl...a lot of static. Now I am going to check it out myself tonight when I get off of work and she comes over...but what I want to know is this, does anyone know of any static issues on these Nanos, or should I be looking at other possible causes? Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated

 

[wide]

i haven't heard of anything on this issue.

it is possible (albeit highly unlikely) that the ipod nanos with screen defects also have messed up headphone jacks. the screen is in the same area as the head phone jack, maybe if too much pressure is applied to the screen the headphone jack loosens?

 

[alex_ant]

1/8" headphone jacks are notorious for doing this. Sometimes the plug just doesn't precisely match up with the jack and you'll get a flakey connection with static. Rotating the plug can help, as can cleaning the plug/jack, or using a different pair of headphones / different line out cable as a last ditch effort.

 

[mrgreen4242]

1/8" headphone jacks are notorious for doing this. Sometimes the plug just doesn't precisely match up with the jack and you'll get a flakey connection with static. Rotating the plug can help, as can cleaning the plug/jack, or using a different pair of headphones / different line out cable as a last ditch effort.

I've seen this as well. Since she was in her car, I am assuming that she was using some kind of adaptor to get the audio into her car... if it was a 1/8" mini jack to 1/8" mini jack style connector, the cable could just be slightly off the alignment the nano has (it can be a thickness or length issue). If it was a tape adaptor type unit, the connector could be the issue, or the tape adaptor itself. Of course, if she is using some kind of radio tuner to get it into the car stereo, that would be the likely cause; but I am assuming that she is not.

Try it with the headphones it came with and see how it sounds. Also try it with a known good set of headphones (like if you have an iPod, try those headphones).

 

[yoda13]

Yeah, she is using the mini-jack to mini-jack method to connect it to the back of her Alpine head unit in her car. I just talked to her and she said that if you rotate the mini-jack cable while it is in the iPod you can make the static go away. So I am going to try to clean it tonight when she gets off, and also try it in my vehicle where I have the same setup and see what happens. I will also try my favorite pair of headphones and see what happens, but I think that we've figured out the problem...now I just have to solve it. Thanks for the help!! I will post back as to whether I get the issue fixed up or not.

 

[admanimal]

i haven't heard of anything on this issue.

it is possible (albeit highly unlikely) that the ipod nanos with screen defects also have messed up headphone jacks. the screen is in the same area as the head phone jack, maybe if too much pressure is applied to the screen the headphone jack loosens?

The screen and the head phone jack are on opposite sides of the nano, unlike other ipods.

 

[840quadra]

Yeah, she is using the mini-jack to mini-jack method to connect it to the back of her Alpine head unit in her car. I just talked to her and she said that if you rotate the mini-jack cable while it is in the iPod you can make the static go away. So I am going to try to clean it tonight when she gets off, and also try it in my vehicle where I have the same setup and see what happens. I will also try my favorite pair of headphones and see what happens, but I think that we've figured out the problem...now I just have to solve it. Thanks for the help!! I will post back as to whether I get the issue fixed up or not.

Those adapters are sometimes bogus directly from the factory.

I have been using them for years as VW had a stereo in 94 that had a mini input jack on the front. I never installed an in Dash CD player, I just used regular portable CD players, and now my iPod.

I have gone through about 10 of these cables now, 2 came bad right out of the box, and the others were just really fragile. If cleaning the contacts doesn't work, try a new cable.

 

[yoda13]

Yeah, I know you are right, I just hope that is not the case, as the aux in is on the back of the headunit...and the dash is a real pain to get apart to get to the back of the radio...I still have cuts that haven't healed from installing the dang thing, lol...but thanks for that...I hope that isn't the case tho...

 

[yoda13]

Just wanted to update everyone, it was the mini-jack cable, so I am going to go get another one this afternoon and reinstall it for her on Sunday evening. The iPod was fine, which to be honest about, even tho I am going to have to tear the dash apart again, I am happy it wasn't the Nano, because I am looking at getting myself one in the near future as well.

Anyway, thanks for all the help guys. I really appreciate it!

 

[benwa02]

I think I have read that using a direct connection to the iPods headphone jack doesnt give the best connection for some reason I cant remember now. Maybe you should think about purchasing the Pocketdock LineOut/Firewire. I just got one and havent used it in my car yet but thats suppose to be the best connection cuz its a different jack type. I plugged my headphone into it and it sounded totally different than using the ipods stock jack.

 

[yoda13]

well, the setup in my car sounds perfect, it was just her line that was messed up...but connecting something up through the dock connector always sounds better for reasons that escape me, if I am not mistaken....