The Guide to a fully integrated in-car solution

[psm0110]

I just took my Nissan Quest apart this past weekend and posted step by step directions on installing the PAC AAI-NIS specifically for use with the iPod (although it it just supplies auxiliary audio inputs).

Those directions are on QuestDriver, a Nissan Quest Forum

The most complicated parts are taking off the dash & central console molding, then creating the jacks themselves required a bit of soldering...

CNET's article is great, but not everyone wants to or can install an alpine headunit.

[chinle1]

I've never understood why no-one produces an integrated car stereo where the iPod docks directly onto the stereo itself without any need for self-customisation and/or cables. Is it that Apple isn't licencing some key technology???

[GavinD]

Wow those sound like some difficult solutions. There are direct connection peices you can purchase that offer much better quality than those fm transmitters. I purchased mine at mp3yourcar.com for $200 bucks about 6 months ago and never looked back.

Hope this was helful

[Snowsk5054]

I bought a Alpine head unit...the CDE- 9845RB, which is basic crap, considering I spent a small fortune on it. It has no Aux input or anything, basic aftermarket cd player, with a Aux output line, which blows.

I am looking into a FM Modulator to hook my ipod up. I dont want a wireless thing, cuz I heard they suck, so looks like FM modulator it is.

Anyone got any other suggestions or reviews on the FM modulators?

[mp3m0nk3y]

Originally posted by chinle1
I've never understood why no-one produces an integrated car stereo where the iPod docks directly onto the stereo itself without any need for self-customisation and/or cables. Is it that Apple isn't licencing some key technology???

Yeah, I don't get it either. The iTunes library is organized in XML. You'd think a car stereo could cache that file in the head unit when the iPod is first connected. Wouldn't that make searching, scrolling, and playback performance much faster? Maybe Apple is holding something back.

My car will take a double DIN and I'm dying for a touch screen navigation model with *tight* iPod integration. I don't even care that much about satellite radio. Just give me the ability to stow my iPod in the glove box without giving up the album, artist, and track info. And would it be too much to ask for album art? It's all right there on the iPod already.

If Apple would make their own after market head units, I'd be all over it. Maybe a single DIN model with the option of white, brushed metal, or carbon face plates. And while I'm dreaming, a double DIN model with navigation software by TomTom.

[nsxrebel]

Originally posted by mp3m0nk3y
Yeah, I don't get it either. The iTunes library is organized in XML. You'd think a car stereo could cache that file in the head unit when the iPod is first connected. Wouldn't that make searching, scrolling, and playback performance much faster? Maybe Apple is holding something back.

My car will take a double DIN and I'm dying for a touch screen navigation model with *tight* iPod integration. I don't even care that much about satellite radio. Just give me the ability to stow my iPod in the glove box without giving up the album, artist, and track info. And would it be too much to ask for album art? It's all right there on the iPod already.

If Apple would make their own after market head units, I'd be all over it. Maybe a single DIN model with the option of white, brushed metal, or carbon face plates. And while I'm dreaming, a double DIN model with navigation software by TomTom.

Then you need to go with the Kenwood DDX-7017 double din unit. I was at a local track meet, and a guy had this headunit installed in his car with the ipod interface. looks great and works just as good.

I have the interface for my single-din kenwood, so i already know its a good interface. I already placed an order for mine. cant wait till it comes in.

[mp3m0nk3y]

Check out what's new at Alpine:

Alpine IVA-W200 (Double DIN touch screen)
http://www.alpine-usa.com/en/product...&lang=en&tab=D

iPod Full Speed (single cable interface, no converter box)
http://www.alpinefullspeed.com/

[Galley]

I noticed that Alpine deck in the Crutchfield catalog I got the other day. It's about freaking time someone did that!

[mp3m0nk3y]

^ Word!

I also noticed that Clarion has what looks like a nice, new double DIN unit. Although, if you look at the iPod interface they offer, it still uses a box converter.

[Ranger SVO]

I use the Kenwood KAC IP500. It works flawlessly. Kenwood says that this interface works with 2004 and newer Kenwoods. My KDC-x617 is a 2000 model.

[dirktanner89]

I have the Alpine CDA-9856. Scrolling is a pain, but, my God, what a DIFFERENCE in sound over an FM transmitter! If you love your iPod and listen in your car as much as I do, forget the transmitters and take the plunge (~$270 complete with installation). A word of warning though, you'll be enticed to upgrade your car speakers and add a sub, all of which I did. I am music-poor, but very happy.

[dnickell]

Originally Posted by swy32x

Checking CNET today, I noticed that there was a special feature on 'iPod your car'.

Upon clicking, I found an 8-page featurette, complete with videos and recommendations and how to's on how to connect your iPod to your car stereo, and have a fully integretated system.

It is well worth the read/watch.

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10163_7...1.html?tag=nav

I take it that there's no good solution to getting good fidelity and a noise free transmission. I've a E320 Mercedes and bought the charger/transmitter from Rat Shack. I can tell when traffic lights are changing because of the static.

I installed a ground strap (NAPA $7) that worked fairly well, but only in town. On a road trip recently it was worthless because it, of course, wasn't in constant contact with the groung.; especially when passing the 400 KVA powerlines.

My solution was to finally put everything on CDs and play them via the player, but that's a rotten solution when I've put out $$$ for the ipod and other software.

Any comments on the above appreciated.

[kyussmondo]

I've found the best way to change between artists and albums on the iPod and Alpine route is to actually select the album you want using the iPod then connecting it to interface. Same with shuffle songs. Just select Shuffle Songs on the iPod then plug it in then put it in shuffle mode on the head unit.

The head unit has a terrible interface for an iPod, it was designed purely for CDs, not much more. Plus, I have found that you can't skip tracks to much and the more songs the iPod has the more frequently you have to reset the iPod for the interface to recognise it again, anyone else have this problem? The main reason I use the interface is for the sound quality, and Alpine is a top quality brand. Although, now I wonder if it would be better just connecting the iPod through AUX then I have the iPod interface with the sound quality. Although I would prefer going from line-out to AUX rather than phones to AUX. Is there any car docking devices for the iPod which provide line-out? If so that would be great.

[sunny_dec]

introduce a new iPod adapter--XCarLink, it is not FM transmitter but wire connection
it seems like that:

[dnickell]

Nice photos, however I feel I've found an easier solution. I simply wrapped some small gage enamel wire around the lead from the frequency control to the cig lighter and extended it to the rear of the car where my antenna is; about 4' is sufficient. I ran this under the carpet. After a week of testing there's been no more problems with interferience.

The only problem now is the weak audio signal from the iPod nano! It's about 12 db below the regular radio broadcast level.