car radio to play ipod/iphone.

[qbert2500]

Does anyone run their ipod/iphone using radio frequency/channel?
How is the music quality? Which docking port do you have? Is it any good or crap?

I have a sony xplod car stereo. It should be possible to add the iphone since it says mp3 and cd. Any suggestions how to do it? Or is the docking thing simpler and good enough?

 

[Darky]

The MP3 rating means it plays Mp3 format on a CD most likely. I run mine on a cheap FM modulator and it's alright out here where there are very few radio stations, but it was kinda frustrating driving through areas with a lot of radio stations.

Beyond that, we'll need more info on your setup. What connections does your stereo have (USB, aux input, preamp inputs, none of the above, etc)? What Sony XPlod is it? How old?

 

[qbert2500]

It's a cd player and radio. I got it with the ride.
I have no idea what ports it has.
I only have aftermarket tweeters.

Sony Xplod CDX-MP40

52Wx4
MD/CD changer control
CDR-RW
MP3
XM radio

 

[Darky]

If it has a USB or AUX in, those are usually on the front face of the player. The AUX in looks like a headphone jack. If you have either of those, plugging an iPod in should be easy. Althouh, based on the reviews I've read of it, you may want to buy a new stereo anyways...the reviews were pretty low, but they all centered around it Mp3 CD playback.

 

[snail]

All the radio-frequency inputs I have used are crap quality compared to a direct line in. The radio-frequency inputs usually pick up feedback from the alternator, etc and then you also have to deal with finding a clear channel (which you will have to change quite often if driving a longer distance). The only reason I still have mine in my car is to charge my Ipod. Sony has other headunits for under $100 that have the aux input on the front face, I'd say go for one of those and sell your CD headunit.

 

[5-90]

I just kicked this over to Street/Performance - Mod Tech is usually more for things like powertrain and/or suspension mods, and light chassis mods (the heavier chassis mods go into AdFab...)

As far as your original question:
- An "mp3" rating on a headunit merely means that it can read CDA (CD Audio) and mp3 formatted tracks. This generally carries the assumption that it can also read "burned" CDs - not necessarily CR-RW discs (although this one apparently can, according to the info page at Crutchfield: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_158CDXMP40/Sony-CDX-MP40.html?search=CDXMP40&tp=5684)
- An AUX input is listed as "Optional" for that model - if you have one, it will resemble a small headphone jack (as previously stated,) and will likely be in a lower corner. This unit does not have a USB jack, nor a memory card slot.

However, I think the best advice you've been given is pretty much what I'd give you - get a headunit with AUX and/or USB front-panel inputs, and swap. I don't know much about iPot interfacing (to be perfectly honest, I'm sick of even hearing about the wretched things, and I've been using Creative .mp3 players for as long as I've been using .mp3 players - I think they're built better...) but I'm inclined to think that the standard USB socket should work for interfacing to the iPod. Failing that, just look for one that lists itself as being "iPod capable," and you'll probably also be able to use the USB jack for thumb drives anyhow (which is what I'd prefer to do - but I've got a whole stack of thumb drives floating around here already. A front panel memory card slot - SD or Memory Stick - would also be useful to me, I use both card formats extensively.)
There really aren't a whole lot of options for you to connect - the easiest one (least work) being to get a decent RF transmitter and simply plug that into the earphone jack on your iPod. You can then keep the iPod somewhere handy while you're listening to it.

Since you don't have the USB plug on the headunit, you cannot plug it in using the "docking cable." (NB: If you had a USB jack on the front, that would also allow you to simply put .mp3 files onto a "thumb drive" and plug that in directly - since most headunits with USB jacks and .mp3 capability can function as .mp3 players, if you provide the data.)

I didn't see where it could read a DVD (I've seen .mp3 capable headunits that can read DVD discs - and I'm thinking about one for my next replacement. That lets me stick something like a week's worth of tunes on one disc...) but the ability to read CD-RW discs is already a potential advantage (since you can created mixdiscs - then scrap and remix them later without burning through new media.)

That link I gave you to the Crutchfield information page should be accurate - I've been dealing with Crutchfield for years, and can count the mistakes they've made on the fingers of one nose. Their pricing is also quite good - so I'd probably start looking for a replacement headunit there.

 

[qbert2500]

Thanks for the responses!
I used to look at crutchfield catalogs way back in the day. They'e still in business which means something..
I don't really want to spend much, the front door speakers don't even work only the tweeters and rear speakers.
I need a phone car charger so I guess I'll buy a RF charger first. Then I'll look for a aux on the deck, honestly I don't want to start taken the dash apart but I might if the RF sounds like crap.. then figure out if I can hook it up to the deck.
If not then later on I'll look into a new/used deck with the front port.

 

[slammed73sb]

i just bought a new sony xplode headunit from crutchfield that has bluetooth audio. Not many headunits do that, most have bluetooth phone but not audio also. I then use my android phone to play Pandora (commercial free radio, similar to xm) through the head unit, or download music to the phones 8 gig memory card like an ipod. that along with my 2 12"s in a ported box, I am the official radio for the local club while we are out camping and playing.

 

[casm]

Then I'll look for a aux on the deck, honestly I don't want to start taken the dash apart but I might if the RF sounds like crap.. then figure out if I can hook it up to the deck.
If not then later on I'll look into a new/used deck with the front port.

Something else to consider: a number of manufacturers now offer decks with on-board iPod control; just add the cable to connect the iPod when you buy it and you're good to go. I can say for certain that Alpine does this (I have one of their older units and connect my iPod this way), but I believe that Kenwood, Pioneer, and others also offer something similar. The cable for my unit was around $30; I believe most of them are around this price range.

FWIW, the real advantages of going this way are that a) the iPod/iPhone charges while it's on the cable, b) the sound quality is pretty much the best you'll get, and c) the head unit's controls can be used to control the iPod.

 

[5-90]

Thanks for the responses!
I used to look at crutchfield catalogs way back in the day. They'e still in business which means something..
I don't really want to spend much, the front door speakers don't even work only the tweeters and rear speakers.
I need a phone car charger so I guess I'll buy a RF charger first. Then I'll look for a aux on the deck, honestly I don't want to start taken the dash apart but I might if the RF sounds like crap.. then figure out if I can hook it up to the deck.
If not then later on I'll look into a new/used deck with the front port.

RFA is sort of a "Band-Aid" fix - it will get the job done, but you have to keep the batteries topped off (unless you get one that plugs into the vehicle proper,) and you have to keep changing the station on long trips.

Our 2005 Verona still has the 2DIN OEM headunit with the CD slot and the cassette slot, and I use a cassette adapter to connect my Zen (until I get around to upgrading the stereo - just been dealing with medical bills... Her new knee and hip, shoulder work, meds for me, sew right thumb back on, still gotta go to the D.O. for a tuneup, ...)

I have an RFA in my travel kit - I've used it whenever we rented a car instead (like at the other end of an airplane/train trip,) or when I'm using someone else's vehicle, so I don't have to play with the wiring. But, it's not the best solution out there.

There are, I believe, RFA units that plug in between the antenna and the head unit (direct wired connexion,) but that still requires pulling the IP apart. However, if you don't plan on replacing the head unit straight away, that could be a way to go...

If you get a wireless RFA, you're better off getting one with PLL tuning (usually has a digital display) than one with an analogue (air capacitor) tuning wheel. The analogue tuners tend to drift, and you find yourself "chasing the signal" more than you should have to. The PLL tuning is rather more accurate, and easier to link up to your head unit tuner. The PLL unit will probably cost five to ten bucks more, but it saves you that (and more!) in Advil... Belkin makes a good one - they made the one I have in my travel kit.

 

[qbert2500]

Thanks for the digital display input. I was looking at the cheapest ones on ebay without them earlier. I even saw a duracell made one at walmart. I'll look into a belkin it would make a good travel option using other cars, good idea..
I kinda like the ones with the arm so I could use it for gps and still see it while driving. I usually know where I'm going though.

Something else to consider: a number of manufacturers now offer decks with on-board iPod control; just add the cable to connect the iPod when you buy it and you're good to go. I can say for certain that Alpine does this (I have one of their older units and connect my iPod this way), but I believe that Kenwood, Pioneer, and others also offer something similar. The cable for my unit was around $30; I believe most of them are around this price range.

FWIW, the real advantages of going this way are that a) the iPod/iPhone charges while it's on the cable, b) the sound quality is pretty much the best you'll get, and c) the head unit's controls can be used to control the iPod.

That's what I had in mind to use my deck to control the ipod on my iphone. Maybe my deck is to old but it would be cool if I can hook it up like that. $30 sounds good. I still need the remote control for the deck which is $5 on ebay because it was missing. :wierd:

 

[XJCasper]

Tried the frequency ipod things. They sucked. Everything I drive, runs a USB port. Cheaper drive space. I never use my MP3 player so cheaper become better with the USB.

 

[XJLI]

if you enjoy listening to music, spend some money. tape adapters and FM thingies suck. even aux inputs use the not-so-good DAC built into the mp3 player. usb input with built ipod controls is the way to go.

i love my kenwood kdc-x794.. definitely worth the cash.

 

[Johnnie Walker]

Most new HU's have aux/usb input and or ipod interface. As much as I dislike Best Buy I would say go there when they offer free install on new HU purchase, and maybe some speakers too.
As for brands, I would say Pioneer/Premier, Kenwood Excelon, or Eclipse.

 

[XJLI]

Most new HU's have aux/usb input and or ipod interface. As much as I dislike Best Buy I would say go there when they offer free install on new HU purchase, and maybe some speakers too.
As for brands, I would say Pioneer/Premier, Kenwood Excelon, or Eclipse.

they dont sell eclipse in the US anymore

excelon is the good jams.

 

[CherBear]

I have an Xplode HU not more than a few years old. I have the optional aux input. Waaay clearer than running with RF. If you buy a new deck, i would highly recomend one with onboard Ipod control.

 

[hankthecowdog]

had an fm transmitter for more than 1.5 years just bought a sony xplod cd play with usb port...sound quality is much better wish i switched sooner