New Alpine Ai-net to ipod interface cable

[seaverd]

Can any one tell me anything about this cable? It looks like a good solution for anyone with an Alpine Ai-net connector since it connects to the ipod dock and charges the ipod. I have searched these forums to find out if anyone else has posed this question and I didn't find any information. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

ipodcarparts.com/alpine-ainet-ipod-cable-p-172.html

Dan

[pInK]

I have an Ai-net cable coming from my CDA-9851 head unit to the iPod adapter, then another one running from the adapter out to the IPod. They both came with the KCA-420i. They work wonderfully; the adapter fits just like a normal iPod plug into the bottom of your device. It's just a loose cable though, so you have to find a way to secure the iPod like a dock or something.

Do you have this cable already or were you going to buy just the wire by itself? Because if you're buying just the cable, might as well spring for the KCA-420i because I dont know how you'd control the iPod from the Alpine head unit without it.

[seaverd]

pInk,

My goal is to use the ipod for selecting music - similiar to the users who have posted using the ai-net to rca cable then RCA to minijack adapters. I assume that these people are also using a 12V adapter to keep the ipod charged. The description for the cable in my last post indicates that the ipod will charge when it is connected so I was hoping to have just one cable versus the two cables that most people talk about on this forum, however I think that it is strange that no one on this forum has mentioned it in any of there posts - so I am wondering if it is too good to be true.

If you use the kca-420i -I have heard that the ipod screen shows the alpine logo and it does not allow you to use the ipod to select songs.

Dan

[nsiebenmor]

Dan,

are you going to order this cable? If you do will you please post how it all works out? I've been using ai-net cable that has one end with rca ports. I then have a cable plugged into my headphone jack to that. I charge mine through the dock port with a cigarette charger. I'm sick of all the wires, so that cable you're talking about might be a good solution.

Nick

[animes2k]

I think that cable may be the new Alpine solution in general, as they're doing away with the need for the interface box (KCA-420i) altogether with new head units.

My latest Crutchfield catalog (but not online, and not on Alpine's pitiful excuse for a website) shows two head units with "Full Speed" iPod interface mentioned as a built-in option, bypassing the need for the interface box and simplifying things tremendously.

I got my second KCA-420i for xMas, as I'd anticipated putting a new Alpine unit in the WRX (already have a KCA-420i solution in my other car). However, before i ordered the head unit, I saw these new options pop up. Called Crutchfield, they said the new units were coming out in February and that they'd issue me a credit for the KCA-420i that I could put towards the new headunit.

No interface box, just the cable? Sign me up.

[pInK]

Originally posted by animes2k
I think that cable may be the new Alpine solution in general, as they're doing away with the need for the interface box (KCA-420i) altogether with new head units.

My latest Crutchfield catalog (but not online, and not on Alpine's pitiful excuse for a website) shows two head units with "Full Speed" iPod interface mentioned as a built-in option, bypassing the need for the interface box and simplifying things tremendously.

I got my second KCA-420i for xMas, as I'd anticipated putting a new Alpine unit in the WRX (already have a KCA-420i solution in my other car). However, before i ordered the head unit, I saw these new options pop up. Called Crutchfield, they said the new units were coming out in February and that they'd issue me a credit for the KCA-420i that I could put towards the new headunit.

No interface box, just the cable? Sign me up.

I just now found out about those! Looks like the new Alpine HUs are the same price as the previous units but include iPod controlling ability without the extra $100 box add-on. Ordered my CDA-9851 in November without even thinking to look at what's coming out next. ::kicks self:: Ah well, at least the other specs look the same.

[Nutmeg7]

Originally posted by seaverd
ipodcarparts.com/alpine-ainet-ipod-cable-p-172.html

Interesting. Is it a digital audio connection?

[27psiBOOM]

Damn I can't wait till March for the new units to come out, what about the low end ones? alpine site says the will come out on January, any feedback on what's outside?

[Nutmeg7]

Crutchfield says of the low-end ones:Expected: 2/6/2006

[jeremyb]

Im also interested in this cable.

I bought the 420i and i hate it, due to the slowness of the search feature.

If this thing actually works (sounds good and charges it) while allowing me to use the ipod to control that would be awesome.

jeremy

[JayinMI]

That was the whole reason I switched from Pioneer to Alpine and bought my iPod, was because the Alpine was the first to have a direct link for the iPod. However, it was so slow and clunky, and didn't offer some features I get through direct access on the iPod that I ditched it early on. I bought a Belkin charger/amplifier and modded it for a direct input into my car stereo system. I just plug it in to the dock connector and set it in the cupholder. The only thing I do differently now is I use alot more playlists so I can find music I want at a stoplight. I'm looking forward to the the new Alpine radios with the new link. The new radios are up on their site now, but I can't post a link.

Now I just need to add video to my setup to send signals from my 5g 30g video iPod to my Kenwood 7" widescreen monitor.

Jay

[hvaughn]

Does anyone think that this new cable will support video out along with the audio. If so, it should play movies from the ipod onto a screen (flip-out, stand alone) thru the head unit in the vehicle. Correct? Any ideas, etc???

[Post Op]

I have an Alpine CDA 9815 deck and a KCA 420i adapter. Scrolling is painfully slow. I wonder if this new interface cable will work with older ai-net decks like mine or just the 2006 decks. Originally it was being said that the 420i wouldn't work with older ai-net decks but that turned out to be false.

[seaverd]

For anyone that is interested, I ultimately purchased the ipod cable described in the original post from:

autosound2000.com/ipodadapters.htm

I wanted to let everyone know that I am pleased with the cable.

The cable performs as the company states on their website - however the cable looks different than the picture on their website. The ipod side was the standard ipod dock connector and the other end was the alpine AI-net connector with a red wire (with an inline 3 amp fuseholder and fuse) and black ground wire that needed to be spliced in to the radio's red and black wires on the wiring harness.

I turned on the auxiliary input in the radio settings and then control music selections directly from the ipod. If anyone has any questions, please let me know.

Dan

[nsiebenmor]

Dan, can you tell me if you can only control the volume through the deck or the ipod also? How does the sound quality compare to hooking up the ipod through the headphone port? thanks

Nick

[navinadv]

I've had these cables on my 9830 and 9833 for about 6 months now. THe latest generation of Alpine decks are more ipod able and require a different cable (KCA 422). However I assume that Apline has done away with some of the limitaitons of the KCA420 and older decks (255 songs per playlist for example).

[maveric]

Originally posted by pInK
I just now found out about those! Looks like the new Alpine HUs are the same price as the previous units but include iPod controlling ability without the extra $100 box add-on. Ordered my CDA-9851 in November without even thinking to look at what's coming out next. ::kicks self:: Ah well, at least the other specs look the same. Not exactly. The new Alpine HU feature a completely new interface with the iPod. As a result, they don't have the delays and sluggishness of the old Alpine HUs. Hence the name, "Full Speed".

BTW, the CDA-9856 in now available at retail!

[drivethruecp]

when the alpine KCA420-i cable is hooked up are you still able to fully use the ipod to select songs, etc.??? I just want to use the adapter for the seamless integration..not really to control it through my headunit. I already have the ainet to rca cable...to the belkin auto kit...sounds great...but seems like this might be a little better

[sangthing]

Dan, I bought the same cable as you did and installed in my alpine 7863, it works but only works only my right speaker..does anyone else have the same problem as me?

[seaverd]

Sangthing,

I have had the cable for almost a year now and I have not had any problems with it (all of my speakers work). As a matter of fact I purchased a second cable for my second vehicle since it worked so well.

Dan