I have an mp3 player with copious amounts of music on it, but currently no way to play it in my car. Can’t do a tape option, because it’s new enough to not have a tape deck. Not really looking forward to a wireless transmitter (like the Belkin Tunecasts), after hearing about their limited frequency transmission, low volume, and interference from FM stations on the same or similar bandwidth.
So what I’m wondering is, about how much would it cost me and how easy would it be to install a 1/4" jack (or just have a cord dangling) that feeds directly into the sound system? Preferrably one that cuts off the antenna’s FM reception? I found this quote the other day in Cafe Society:
Car radios vary a lot in their connections. For some it’s a trivial task, for others it’s impossible to do a direct connection. E.g., one radio I recently owned had a direct 1/4" jack with a “CD” button to turn it on. (BTW: 1/4" is probably a bad idea. You should think in terms of 1/8".) OTOH, I’ve seen radios where the only CD inputs are special adapter plugs for a specific model of CD player by the same maker to attach to. Other models, even by the same maker, wouldn’t work.
For a generic connection, one of the best things to look for are pre-amp connectors. Typically two sets of RCA jacks with a default cross connector to them. If you hook your CD/mp3 player outputs into the input side, you’ll hear your player. The problem of course is you’ll need a switch to make going back and forth to radio easier.
Since setups vary so much, you should probably post at a car audio specific forum, complete with model number and info on connections that you can divine.
If your car radio has “preamp-in” inputs using regular RCA jacks, you’re golden. Just pop over to Radio Shack and get a 1/8" “phone” plug to RCA plugs cable. (about five bucks) Figure out how to route the cable so the 1/8" plug winds up wheverver you want the MP3 player to rest. When you switch the radio to use the preamp inputs, the actual radio (ie: tuner) is cut off, so you don’t need to care about the antenna.
No preamp inputs? Less golden, but not dead yet. You’ll still need that 1/8" to RCA cable, and an FM modulator - about 40 bucks. This critter mounts up so the existing antenna plugs into it, then the modulator plugs into the car radio’s antenna jack. It also needs a 12-volt power connection - usually not overly hard to find one of those. To hear your MP3s, simply tune the radio to whatever frequency the modulator’s running at. Most let you choose among 8, so you can avoid existing radio stations. Crutchfield has a couple of these to choose from.
The good news is that with all the folks wanting to hook DVD players, MP3 players, and satellite radio receivers to their existing car stereos, these are pretty easy to come by. If you go to Ultimate Electronics or Best Buy and ask for an FM Modulator, they’ll know exactly what you’re talking about.
I’m durned if I can remember what brand mine is. :smack: But it works very well.