Alpine CDA users help me understand

[Maxis]

Hello Folks,

Ok so I just installed a CDA-9831 Alpine head unit, now I have a 4G 20 GB ipod waiting to get install. So let see if I get my options right:

* In order for me to install the ipod via Ai-Net connection I needTHIS CABLE (http://www.installer.com/photos/alp-ai-rca.jpg) and THIS CABLE (http://www.installer.com/photos/ipodcable.jpg) Right?

Now my question is can I still use the ipod DOCK in my car? Do I control the iPod with the iPod and not the head unit? Am I right?

I really don't want to get the Alpine KCA-420i because of the navigation problem I want to be more focus in the road than changing my playlist. Can someone help me understand if those two cables is all I need?

Thanks!

[Maxis]

I found the cables:

* Ai-Net cable >> http://www.crutchfield.com/S-jWDmE0rRKSW/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=57900&id=morephotos&pi=1&i=469ALPAIRC&display=L#Tab


* RCA cable >> http://www.crutchfield.com/S-jWDmE0rRKSW/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=226950&id=morephotos&pi=1&i=119AICIP&display=L#Tab

[TheBum]

You are correct that these cables will allow you to use the iPod with an AiNet receiver, will allow you to use the iPod controls, and will allow you to use your dock.

The disadvantage is that the signal quality will be degraded somewhat compared to the KCA-420i solution because there are three D/A and A/D conversions occurring:

digital(iPod)->analog(iPod)->digital(AiNet)->analog(head unit)

With the KCA-420i, there's one D/D conversion (no degradation) and a single D/A conversion:

digital(iPod)->digital(AiNet)->analog(head unit)

Most people probably wouldn't notice the degradation, but I thought I'd clue you in anyway.

[Maxis]

Thank you for your respond. I would really like to buy the KCA-420i to be honest, but I heard so many negative reviews regarding the navigation system with the head unit that it push me not to buy. I guess I can buy it, try it and if I don't like it I can return it, if I don't like it I guess I have no other choice but to get the cables.

Thanks!

[TheBum]

Crutchfield's return policy is very open, so you should be able to return it if you don't like it.

There's really nothing terribly wrong with the navigation in my opinion, but it is a bit slow if you do a lot of searches through artists, albums, and songs. If you make playlists and play your music primarily through them, the navigation becomes much nicer.

I get the impression that most of the navigation slowness is due to the speed of the iPod bus and not the speed of the KCA-420i or AiNet bus. I've been trying to verify whether the people experiencing faster navigation than what I've experienced have 4G iPods (mine's a 3G), but so far have been unsuccessful.

[Maxis]

Thank you.