There are several ways to accomplish this. The best method is with a indash stereo that has iPod Direct Control. Many of the indash units we carry nowadays are designed for iPod use. You simply hook you standard iPod cable to a USB port on the indash and you get a direct signal right into your audio system plus you can control your iPod from the headunit. Great fidelity and easy operation.
If you headunit isn't made for ipod use, two of the least expensive options are to use a FM transmitter or to use an auxiliary (AUX) input on your indash (if it has one available). Auxiliary inputs are usually located on the front panel, although some stereos feature one on the back of the head unit. All you need is a mini-jack to RCA or mini-jack to mini-jack cable to connect your iPod and get good quality sound. If your indash doesn't have an auxiliary input, you can use a device called a FM transmitter. These take an input signal and transmits a low-powered FM signal to your car radio. Although convenient, wireless FM transmitter signals are susceptible to static and outside interference, and deliver low quality audio reproduction. Another solution is to use a FM Modulator. These convert an input signal to a FM broadcast like the FM transmitter, but hook directly inline with your antenna, providing FM quality playback. These methods will allow you to play your iPod through your vehicle's stereo system, but you'll still have to use the iPod's controls to select, play, and pause songs. Plus, you also have to look at the iPod's screen to navigate through songs.
There are also interfaces available that offer full-function iPod solutions on factory car stereos. These devices let you use your car stereo to control the music coming from your iPod and they display the iPod's information on the car radio screen. They also keep your iPod fully charged so you don't have to worry about the batteries running out of juice. The factory radio adapters usually connect to your factory radio CD changer port and directly to the iPod, so the sound quality is optimal. They can also display the information on your iPod's menu on your factory radio's screen and allow you to navigate through your iPod's song collection using your factory radio controls, including steering wheel controls.
If you have an older aftermarket radio like an Alpine or Kenwood, you may already have brand-specific iPod interfaces available. These will have all the same advantages of the factory adapters, but will have better display capabilities in many cases making song navigation easier and possibly faster.
If you plan on using you iPod in your vehicle, we recommend getting on of the many mounts available to keep your tunes secure as your cruising around. Back To Top
Are You Getting The Best Sound From Your iPod?
Check out this page on iPod Sound Quality
Which iPod interface is the best?
Alpine's revolutionary new Full-Speed connection technology delivers thebest in-vehicle iPod experience available. Alpine's new KCE-422i connector takes iPod / head unit integration to the next level (compatible with any updated iPod with a dock connector, as well as an iPod video, iPod nano, iPod photo or iPod mini). It is a single cable, dedicated interface that requires no hideaway boxes or protocol conversion adapters (saving you about $70). Alpine worked closely with Apple and integrated the necessary chipset directly onto the circuit board of their head units. To date, they are the only one allowed to do this. The new Full-Speed connection features a common protocol, allowing direct communication between your iPod and the head unit. Whatever command the head unit sends out goes directly to the iPod. Also, whatever track or search information the iPod sends out goes directly back to the Alpine head unit.
One benefit is that the search speed is so fast, it has to be experienced to believe. Most conventional iPod-ready head units, from Alpine and other manufacturers, have to convert their language (protocol) into language the iPod understands. This is usually done through an outboard device. When a button on the head unit is pressed, let's say "Track Up", it creates a command. This command is passed along to the outboard device for conversion. Once converted, the command is sent to the iPod. The iPod then changes the song and sends the new track information back to the head unit. Then the whole procedure is repeated, but this time in reverse. All in all, four distinct conversion processes have to take place, slowing down the whole interface.
Along with a stream-lined communication process, Full-Speed also offers no limitations on folders and files. If you have a 60 gig iPod with 15,000 songs, you've got 15,000 songs worth of music on your Alpine head unit. This raises a potential problem. No matter how fast you spin the rotary encoder knob, it would still be difficult to quickly get to the exact song you want. That's why Alpine introduced it's exclusive Percentage Search. Using the six radio preset buttons, it divides your music library by percentage (0-16%, 17-32%, 33-49%, 50-66%, 67-82%, 83-100%). If you had 1000 songs in your library, pressing preset 3 would take you to song 330. Then you could use Alpine's Quick Search function (by Playlist, Artist, Album or Song) to scroll up or down to get to the song you want.
On top of all these great benefits, the KCE-422i cable will charge your iPod! How cool is that? Full-Speed is available on Alpine models CDE-9870, CDE-9873, CDE-9881, CDA-9883, CDA-9885, CDA-9887, iDA-X001, IVA-D105 and IVA-W205. Back To Top
What is "iPod Direct Control" mean?
IPod Direct Control means that you can run your iPod and its functions from your indash stereo. Many manufacturers such as Alpine , Kenwood and Pioneer have indash stereos with iPod Direct Control. Usually these will have a USB port that you can plug your iPod cable into. Many of these units make it easy to locate a desired song with advanced functions such as Alphabetical Search, Direct Search, Percentage Search and Skip Search.
How can I hook up a MP3 portable media player?
Both systems offer a good selection commercial free music (close to 70 channels) along with news, comedy, sports, weather and children's programming. XM Radio offers over 170 digital channels and SIRIUS offers over 120. XM Radio has some drama and book channels that SIRUS does not have. SIRIUS has the Howard Stern Show, the Martha Stewart channel and a Rolling Stones channel that XM Radio doesn't offer.
One of the more common determining factors for our customers seem to be the sports offerings. XM Radio has Major League Baseball and NASCAR (although NASCAR is moving to SIRIUS in January of 2007), NHL Hockey and a variety of colleges sports. SIRIUS has NFL Football , NBA Basketball, CFL Football, Arena Football, NHL Hockey, Soccer and a variety of colleges sports.
As far as costs, XM Radio service will cost a consumer
a $14.99 (or $9.99 online) activation fee plus monthly service fee of $12.95.
If you are a business, you must be set up as a commercial account. Commercial accounts are $27.95 with a one-time activation fee of $14.99.
They have several yearly package available at discounted prices. One-Year for $142.95, Two-Year for $271.95, Three-Year for $359.64, Four-Year for 479.52 and a Five-Year for $599.40. Additional plans are available for $6.99 / month.
SIRIUS offers similar plan options. Their activation fee is $15 (or $10 online) for one-year or greater plans.They have two annual plans , a one-year plan (for $145.45)
where you pay for 11 months (at $12.95 / month) and get one month free and a two-year subscription (for $271.95), where you pay for only 21 months (at $12.95 / month) and get three months free. You can also add up to three additional subscriptions for $6.99 / month. They even have a Lifetime subscription for $499.99. Back To Top
