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=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: nkotb on January 28, 2005, 01:24:00 pm

Title: iPod in the Car
Post by: nkotb on January 28, 2005, 01:24:00 pm
So any suggestions on how to do this?  I picked up an iTrip, and it's practically worthless.  With so many signals fading in and out in this area, I couldn't get a station in which no noise was heard in the background of what was playing on my iPod.  Sure, it's not the end of the world, but it drives me crazy.
 
 If nothing else is better, are there any frequencies you would recommend?
Title: Re: iPod in the Car
Post by: thirsty moore on January 28, 2005, 01:38:00 pm
You don't have a tape deck in the car, do you?
Title: Re: iPod in the Car
Post by: nkotb on January 28, 2005, 01:39:00 pm
Nope.
Title: Re: iPod in the Car
Post by: vansmack on January 28, 2005, 01:39:00 pm
Markie once offered to hook up an Aux cable for an iPod in exchange for a beer or two I think.  I'd ask him.
Title: Re: iPod in the Car
Post by: brennser on January 28, 2005, 01:44:00 pm
I use  this (http://www.ipodlounge.com/gearguide_specs_more.php?id=3478_0_5_0_M)
 
 works well and because I have an older ipod I like the rechargability aspect for long journeys
Title: Re: iPod in the Car
Post by: vansmack on January 28, 2005, 01:46:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by brennser:
  I use  this (http://www.ipodlounge.com/gearguide_specs_more.php?id=3478_0_5_0_M)
I've noticed that my player works better when I put it next to the antenna and not next to the radio.  Anybody else experience this?
Title: Re: iPod in the Car
Post by: markie on January 28, 2005, 01:50:00 pm
Will your radio accept a Cd changer shuffler?
 
 If so it has an auxillary input. That is the way to go. You might need to get a proprietry cable, perhaps even have the garage install it. It is worth it.
Title: Re: iPod in the Car
Post by: npetting on January 28, 2005, 02:15:00 pm
I've got the same problem with my iTrip.  I've been using 92.5 lately, which doesn't have much interference as long as my ipod is located close to my dash/deck.  Your best bet may be to use the default station 87.9.  For me to get the best signal my ipod has to be placed on my dash directly above the deck.
Title: Re: iPod in the Car
Post by: kosmo vinyl on January 28, 2005, 03:15:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Forumie Partie Markie:
  Will your radio accept a Cd changer shuffler?
 
 If so it has an auxillary input. That is the way to go. You might need to get a proprietry cable, perhaps even have the garage install it. It is worth it.
So if my mini already has the changer then I'm SOL for an aux input?  I've been mulling over the possibility of a flash mp3 player to load up for the commute.  burning a cd while not too time consuming is an extra step. plus I would like to be able to stream rip little steven's show to listen to and it's longer than 80 minutes.
Title: Re: iPod in the Car
Post by: HoyaSaxa03 on January 28, 2005, 03:21:00 pm
come on guys, there's a  much easier answer (http://www.apple.com/ipod/bmw/) for all of this ...
Title: Re: iPod in the Car
Post by: markie on January 28, 2005, 03:30:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
 So if my mini already has the changer then I'm SOL for an aux input?  
I think so. Unless you unhook your changer....
Title: Re: iPod in the Car
Post by: markie on January 28, 2005, 03:31:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by HoyaSaxa03:
  come on guys, there's a  much easier answer (http://www.apple.com/ipod/bmw/) for all of this ...
Yep that is what I have....
Title: Re: iPod in the Car
Post by: nkotb on January 28, 2005, 03:48:00 pm
Thanks Markie.  I think this is probably the route I'll have to go.  So all I'd have to do (once it was hooked up, of course) is to switch to my aux input and play away to my little heart's delight?  That sounds excellent.
 
 Any more details you can give me as to the cable I would need?  I'm not very car stereo handy, and don't want to buy several of the wrong cables before I find the correct one.  Thanks again!  Now I do owe you at least one beer.
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by Forumie Partie Markie:
  Will your radio accept a Cd changer shuffler?
 
 If so it has an auxillary input. That is the way to go. You might need to get a proprietry cable, perhaps even have the garage install it. It is worth it.
Title: Re: iPod in the Car
Post by: brennser on January 28, 2005, 03:48:00 pm
I believe this is also an option on 05 Volvos....says the guy with the 04 Volvo   :(  
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by HoyaSaxa03:
  come on guys, there's a  much easier answer (http://www.apple.com/ipod/bmw/) for all of this ...
Title: Re: iPod in the Car
Post by: markie on January 28, 2005, 03:52:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by nkotbie:
  Thanks Markie.  I think this is probably the route I'll have to go.  
It is definitely the best way to go. There is a slim possibility it will not be possible....
 
 All cars and radios seem to have different proprietary connections. The best bet is to find a forum for your particular vehicle or radio. They will most likely have more information than the car dealer. And certainly more than me.
Title: Re: iPod in the Car
Post by: markie on January 28, 2005, 03:53:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by nkotbie:
  Now I do owe you at least one beer.
 
 
Stealing my wife was the best payment.
Title: Re: iPod in the Car
Post by: vansmack on January 28, 2005, 03:54:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
  So if my mini already has the changer then I'm SOL for an aux input?  I've been mulling over the possibility of a flash mp3 player to load up for the commute.  burning a cd while not too time consuming is an extra step. plus I would like to be able to stream rip little steven's show to listen to and it's longer than 80 minutes.
I put a $100 CD player that play MP3s and has an aux out for the CD Changer (most changers don't play MP3's) in Smackette's car to alleviate this problem.  With 700 MB of Mp3's, it's more advantageous than most flash players.  Of course she never uses the CD Changer any longer and I should have seen that coming.
Title: Re: iPod in the Car
Post by: Bags on January 28, 2005, 04:21:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by HoyaSaxa03:
  come on guys, there's a  much easier answer (http://www.apple.com/ipod/bmw/) for all of this ...
I've thought about this (not getting a BMW -- can't stand that car, comes off as Atlanta nuveau riche to me) -- isn't it incredibly inconvenient to have your ipod in your glove box?  I don't want mine on shuffle all the time...
 
 When the new Escalade comes out with an ipod deck mid-steering wheel, then I'll upgrade.   :)
Title: Re: iPod in the Car
Post by: Venerable Bede on January 28, 2005, 04:25:00 pm
i just use 87.9 with my itrip.  i also find that holding it brings in better reception than just placing on the dash or cup holder.  reminds me of when i was a kid and used to have a transitor radio and the only way to get some stations was to hold the antenna.  don't know what the body does to the antenna that makes some stations clearer.
Title: Re: iPod in the Car
Post by: Bags on January 28, 2005, 04:34:00 pm
So you hold the iPod while you drive?  That may push the glove box option over into the acceptable alternative zone...
Title: Re: iPod in the Car
Post by: markie on January 28, 2005, 04:35:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Bags:
  isn't it incredibly inconvenient to have your ipod in your glove box?  I don't want mine on shuffle all the time...
 
 
It charges in there.  You can access the menu to select playlists and then skip songs... The song names appear on the head unit.
 
 Its OK. I cannot be  bothered paying the $300 so I just stick to the aux cable and selecting stuff from the better ipod interface....
 
 And I love BMWs
Title: Re: iPod in the Car
Post by: kosmo vinyl on January 28, 2005, 10:55:00 pm
kosmette has an iTrip which has it's moments, it's so hard to find a clear station in the area.
 
 do you have one of those ipod covers on? for the orginial cover, which was much thicker then her current iSkin cover, kosmette had to use a rubber band to hold the iTrip snug on to the iPod cover.  The thinner iSkin works better with the iTrip.
Title: Re: iPod in the Car
Post by: chaz on January 28, 2005, 11:19:00 pm
If you're using an itrip try this - http://leenes.demon.nl/xmitter_settings/ (http://leenes.demon.nl/xmitter_settings/)
 
 People are turned off by the idea of transmitting in mono instead of stereo, but I've had much better results using these.  Just easier to lock in and hold onto and the sound quality is pretty good.
 
 Also, maybe try this - http://www.mactech.com/news/archivedisplay.mgi?id=00000a39bb48cab5 (http://www.mactech.com/news/archivedisplay.mgi?id=00000a39bb48cab5)
Title: Re: iPod in the Car
Post by: Darth Ed on January 29, 2005, 12:32:00 am
If your car stereo doesn't support a CD changer, doesn't have a tape deck, and doesn't have an auxiliary input, you have four options:
 
 (1) FM transmitter (like iTrip)
 (2) FM modulator (something like this (http://www.tweeter.com/sm-delphi-sa10003-fm-modulator-for-the-delphi-xm-digital-satellite--pi-1227970.html) or this (http://www.hebestyling.com/idrive.html))
 (3) buy a new car stereo
 (4) buy a new car
 
 The advantage of (2) over (1) is that there's no interference with FM stations because the FM antennae is basically disconnected when you are using it. If you choose (2), then I recommend getting it installed by a car stereo specialist.
Title: Re: iPod in the Car
Post by: chaz on January 29, 2005, 08:51:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by Darth Ed:
  If your car stereo doesn't support a CD changer, doesn't have a tape deck, and doesn't have an auxiliary input, you have four options:
 
 (1) FM transmitter (like iTrip)
 (2) FM modulator (something like this (http://www.tweeter.com/sm-delphi-sa10003-fm-modulator-for-the-delphi-xm-digital-satellite--pi-1227970.html) or this (http://www.hebestyling.com/idrive.html))
 (3) buy a new car stereo
 (4) buy a new car
 
 
LUckily many  car stereos do support cd changers  You can get your ipod hard-wired to this unput  using 3rd party products.    Using these gizmos you can hook the ipod to the stereo directly.  In many cases you use the stereo controls for fast fwd, search etc.  
 
  http://www.dension.com/main.php?pageid=50&topid=42 (http://www.dension.com/main.php?pageid=50&topid=42)  
 
 That's just one but there are others.