I?m writing this in response to the huge number of posts that ask the same questions over and over. ?Where do I start?? and ?What do I need?? What follows is an outline of the various approaches to installing the ipod in a car, parts needed for each type of install, examples of products and relative sound quality of each option. Hopefully people will read this before posting.
The basic options for installing an ipod in order of what appears to be best sound quality are: direct connection or ?hardwire?, wired fm modulator or cassette adapter (not sure which specifically sounds better but I?m sure you could find out), and fm transmitter.
-Hardwire Connection
A hardwire connection first requires you to find out if your headunit has an auxiliary input in the back/front, or if it can accept a cd changer. The easiest way is to pull it out and have a look at the back. Most CD changer inputs can look like any one of the examples on this page http://www.installer.com/adapt.html Be careful with RCA jacks on the back of your deck as most of them are for OUTPUTING sound to an external amp, not inputting sound. If you don?t know, the easiest way is to contact you dealer or search online.
Ok, so you found out that your headunit (stock or aftermarket) can accept a cd changer, what next? You need to get an auxiliary input adapter that is made for your headunit. This site http://www.installer.com/aux/index.html and this site http://www.logjamelectronics.com/auxinpconv.html have a large selection for aftermarket and stock headunits. A note for the Alpine headunits since I happen to own one of those; if your model number is CDM then you need the M-BUS http://www.logjamelectronics.com/piealpmrca.html adapter, if it is CDA then you need an Ai-NET http://www.logjamelectronics.com/piealpairca.html adapter. After your adapter is selected, you will notice that it converts the cd changer input into two RCA jacks. To interface your ipod with these RCAs, you something like this http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog_name=CTLG&product_id=42-2550 which can be found for cheap at radioshack. The 1/8? end plugs into either your headphone jack or the line out on your dock for 3rd gen ipod owners.
-3rd gen ipods only: So which should it be, the headphone jack or the line out? The line out offers a line level balanced signal that is specifically designed for hooking up to external audio amplification equipment, the headphone jack is not. The easiest way to use the line out is to mount your dock in you car and run the line out from the back of that. You could also purchase the Sik IMP http://store.sik.com/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SS&Product_Code=03-1004 which connects directly to the bottom of your ipod and has produces a line out (that is the plug in the lower right of the picture and you would plug in the adapter form radioshack into that). Either way, try to go with the line out instead of the headphone jack.
Don?t have a cd changer input on your headunit??? You can use on of the choices below or upgrade to a new headunit that does offer aux input capabilities. Places like Circuit City http://www.circuitcity.com/searchresults.jsp?c=1&b=g&u=74860&catoid=-8864&department=Car+Electronics&first=yes&qp=0&dupDept=null&m=0 and Best Buy http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?j=1&id=cat03066&type=category offer very affordable options. Remember, you are looking for a deck that can accept a cd changer (which would require you to find the proper aux input adapter) or has a 1/8? stereo aux input jack on the front http://img.neoseeker.com/v_image.php?articleid=624&image=4 (this an expensive example but notice the little black hole on the lower right of the faceplate) which requires only a 1/8? stereo to 1/8? stereo cable http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog_name=CTLG&product_id=42-2387 that can also be found at radioshack. If you are not sure, either call the store or go and talk to someone.
-Wired fm Modulator
A wired fm modulator http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.jsp?c=1&b=g&u=74860&qp=0&bookmark=bookmark_0&oid=80974&catoid=-12581&m=0 can be used with any headunit as it plugs into your antenna port on the back of the unit. These are a little more difficult to install as you also have to tie them into a power source. Notice that they come with a switch so you can turn them on and off and not lose you radio function. If you want more information, SEARCH the forum. To connect your ipod to a modulator, you need the RCA to 1/8? http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog_name=CTLG&product_id=42-2550 stereo adapter.
-Cassette adapter
For all of you with a cassette player on your headunit, this is by far the simplest (but definitely not best sounding) option. You simply buy on of these http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog_name=CTLG&category_name=CTLG_007_002_004_000&product_id=12-1999 and plug it into either the headphone jack or line out of you ipod.
-fm Transmitter
If you have at all searched the forum before, you probably noticed that many people have a lot of trouble with the fm transmitters. fm transmitters http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/itrip/ work by transmitting your audio signal form your ipod to a specific fm frequency on you car radio. In theory it is a great idea as there are no wires, but in practice, the sound quality sucks and if you live in a large city, just about every fm frequency has something else transmitting/interfering with it. Again, SEARCH to find out more if you are still interested.
-Installing
Once you have made your choice and have all of your proper audio connectors, you have to install it all into your car. THIS IS NOT THAT HARD!!!! It can be a simple as removing some screws. The basic process involves removing the headunit, connecting either the aux input adapter for cd changer capable headunit or plugging in the wired fm modulator to where the antenna normally plugs (remember, the fm modulator requires you to tie it into a power source, look below for ideas). Next, the RCA to 1/8? http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog_name=CTLG&product_id=42-2550 cord from radioshack is plugged into the fm modulator or aux input adapter and then into your ipod, simple. For mounting options you must get creative as every car is different. However, here http://www.ipodlounge.com/reviews_more.php?id=3448_0_6_0_M is an example of what is out there. This is a good place to SEARCH the forum as many people have pictures and descriptions of what they used to mount their ipods. Personally, I put my dock in my ashtray which was very easy to do.
-Powering you ipod
The simplest way to charge the ipod in the car is with something like the Sik IMP http://store.sik.com/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SS&Product_Code=03-1004 or this http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001007RU/more-pictures. Both are just plugged into your cig lighter and then connected to your ipod. For people who want a clean install, you can purchase an extra cig socket http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog_name=CTLG&product_id=270-1556 and install that behind the dash by using the supplied ?vampire? clamp and attaching the red wire to the positive wire of your existing cig lighter. Ground the black wire and you can plug in you car charger and hide it all behind the dash. This has been covered many times so SEARCH for it if you have questions and check out this http://www.ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=26329&highlight=vampire post.
-Conclusion
Hopefully this guide answers some questions about where to start. I highly recommend taking the extra time to do the hardwire option as the overwhelming consensus on the forum is that it sounds the best. If you would like more detail about something specific, please SEARCH first as your question has probably been asked more than once. A final thing to check out for some ideas is this post of car installs http://www.ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=23488&highlight=installs, good luck!
*EDIT* So I haven't touched this post forever and much has happened in the world of ipos auto integration. The basics still hold, but you should definitely check out the new Alpine ipod interface. It basically allows for your ipod to be stored away whie all controls/information is handled by the headunit, very cool. Obviously not every Apline headunit is compatible so google any questions, info is everywhere (including here, SEARCH FOR IT) good luck!
The basic options for installing an ipod in order of what appears to be best sound quality are: direct connection or ?hardwire?, wired fm modulator or cassette adapter (not sure which specifically sounds better but I?m sure you could find out), and fm transmitter.
-Hardwire Connection
A hardwire connection first requires you to find out if your headunit has an auxiliary input in the back/front, or if it can accept a cd changer. The easiest way is to pull it out and have a look at the back. Most CD changer inputs can look like any one of the examples on this page http://www.installer.com/adapt.html Be careful with RCA jacks on the back of your deck as most of them are for OUTPUTING sound to an external amp, not inputting sound. If you don?t know, the easiest way is to contact you dealer or search online.
Ok, so you found out that your headunit (stock or aftermarket) can accept a cd changer, what next? You need to get an auxiliary input adapter that is made for your headunit. This site http://www.installer.com/aux/index.html and this site http://www.logjamelectronics.com/auxinpconv.html have a large selection for aftermarket and stock headunits. A note for the Alpine headunits since I happen to own one of those; if your model number is CDM then you need the M-BUS http://www.logjamelectronics.com/piealpmrca.html adapter, if it is CDA then you need an Ai-NET http://www.logjamelectronics.com/piealpairca.html adapter. After your adapter is selected, you will notice that it converts the cd changer input into two RCA jacks. To interface your ipod with these RCAs, you something like this http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog_name=CTLG&product_id=42-2550 which can be found for cheap at radioshack. The 1/8? end plugs into either your headphone jack or the line out on your dock for 3rd gen ipod owners.
-3rd gen ipods only: So which should it be, the headphone jack or the line out? The line out offers a line level balanced signal that is specifically designed for hooking up to external audio amplification equipment, the headphone jack is not. The easiest way to use the line out is to mount your dock in you car and run the line out from the back of that. You could also purchase the Sik IMP http://store.sik.com/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SS&Product_Code=03-1004 which connects directly to the bottom of your ipod and has produces a line out (that is the plug in the lower right of the picture and you would plug in the adapter form radioshack into that). Either way, try to go with the line out instead of the headphone jack.
Don?t have a cd changer input on your headunit??? You can use on of the choices below or upgrade to a new headunit that does offer aux input capabilities. Places like Circuit City http://www.circuitcity.com/searchresults.jsp?c=1&b=g&u=74860&catoid=-8864&department=Car+Electronics&first=yes&qp=0&dupDept=null&m=0 and Best Buy http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?j=1&id=cat03066&type=category offer very affordable options. Remember, you are looking for a deck that can accept a cd changer (which would require you to find the proper aux input adapter) or has a 1/8? stereo aux input jack on the front http://img.neoseeker.com/v_image.php?articleid=624&image=4 (this an expensive example but notice the little black hole on the lower right of the faceplate) which requires only a 1/8? stereo to 1/8? stereo cable http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog_name=CTLG&product_id=42-2387 that can also be found at radioshack. If you are not sure, either call the store or go and talk to someone.
-Wired fm Modulator
A wired fm modulator http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.jsp?c=1&b=g&u=74860&qp=0&bookmark=bookmark_0&oid=80974&catoid=-12581&m=0 can be used with any headunit as it plugs into your antenna port on the back of the unit. These are a little more difficult to install as you also have to tie them into a power source. Notice that they come with a switch so you can turn them on and off and not lose you radio function. If you want more information, SEARCH the forum. To connect your ipod to a modulator, you need the RCA to 1/8? http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog_name=CTLG&product_id=42-2550 stereo adapter.
-Cassette adapter
For all of you with a cassette player on your headunit, this is by far the simplest (but definitely not best sounding) option. You simply buy on of these http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog_name=CTLG&category_name=CTLG_007_002_004_000&product_id=12-1999 and plug it into either the headphone jack or line out of you ipod.
-fm Transmitter
If you have at all searched the forum before, you probably noticed that many people have a lot of trouble with the fm transmitters. fm transmitters http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/itrip/ work by transmitting your audio signal form your ipod to a specific fm frequency on you car radio. In theory it is a great idea as there are no wires, but in practice, the sound quality sucks and if you live in a large city, just about every fm frequency has something else transmitting/interfering with it. Again, SEARCH to find out more if you are still interested.
-Installing
Once you have made your choice and have all of your proper audio connectors, you have to install it all into your car. THIS IS NOT THAT HARD!!!! It can be a simple as removing some screws. The basic process involves removing the headunit, connecting either the aux input adapter for cd changer capable headunit or plugging in the wired fm modulator to where the antenna normally plugs (remember, the fm modulator requires you to tie it into a power source, look below for ideas). Next, the RCA to 1/8? http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog_name=CTLG&product_id=42-2550 cord from radioshack is plugged into the fm modulator or aux input adapter and then into your ipod, simple. For mounting options you must get creative as every car is different. However, here http://www.ipodlounge.com/reviews_more.php?id=3448_0_6_0_M is an example of what is out there. This is a good place to SEARCH the forum as many people have pictures and descriptions of what they used to mount their ipods. Personally, I put my dock in my ashtray which was very easy to do.
-Powering you ipod
The simplest way to charge the ipod in the car is with something like the Sik IMP http://store.sik.com/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SS&Product_Code=03-1004 or this http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001007RU/more-pictures. Both are just plugged into your cig lighter and then connected to your ipod. For people who want a clean install, you can purchase an extra cig socket http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog_name=CTLG&product_id=270-1556 and install that behind the dash by using the supplied ?vampire? clamp and attaching the red wire to the positive wire of your existing cig lighter. Ground the black wire and you can plug in you car charger and hide it all behind the dash. This has been covered many times so SEARCH for it if you have questions and check out this http://www.ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=26329&highlight=vampire post.
-Conclusion
Hopefully this guide answers some questions about where to start. I highly recommend taking the extra time to do the hardwire option as the overwhelming consensus on the forum is that it sounds the best. If you would like more detail about something specific, please SEARCH first as your question has probably been asked more than once. A final thing to check out for some ideas is this post of car installs http://www.ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=23488&highlight=installs, good luck!
*EDIT* So I haven't touched this post forever and much has happened in the world of ipos auto integration. The basics still hold, but you should definitely check out the new Alpine ipod interface. It basically allows for your ipod to be stored away whie all controls/information is handled by the headunit, very cool. Obviously not every Apline headunit is compatible so google any questions, info is everywhere (including here, SEARCH FOR IT) good luck!
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