I really like my new MP3 player (Zen Nomad 30Gb). I bought a little FM transmitter for it so I can use it in the car. It has a short range of frequencies (88 - 89.5 Mhz). Unfortunately, there’s so many stations in town that are in that range, I get a lot of interference and the player sounds like crap.
Rather than find a more powerful transmitter or one with more range, I’d like to be able to wire the player directly to the speakers in conjunction with the radio. I can get a mounting bracket for the player, so I’d like something that doesn’t look like I just slapped it together.
I just started using one of those tape adapters with my Zen, and it sounds like hell. It does sound somewhat better if you turn off “Dolby”, but still not good. I was going to buy the FM transmitter, so I’m glad I read the OP. Not sure if there are any other alternatives.
I think you should get a better FM transmitter. I have a $20 one from BestBuy that has the entire FM radio range. It is decent, although I do admittedly use my tape-deck adapter more frequently.
-Tofer
p.s. Inline-dash hacks abound on the internet, and you might find one that you’re willing to do. If you have a high-end stereo, there may be a jack under the dash for your player and you just need a cheap cable to connect it.
Depending on the radio, you can buy adapters that plug into the wiring harness in the back and give you an AUX IN jack. Basically, you need a ‘CD Changer Ready’ CD player. It will have a plug in the back for the CD changer, and you can find adapters to plug into it.
If you don’t have a Aux In or tape deck, you can get a FM modulator (try searching on froogle.com). It puts the signal through your wired FM antenna input so it will sound better than an FM wireless trasmitter, but I don’t if that is better than a cassette adapter.
I also have, and use, the Tunecast II wireless transmitter, which allows me to go over a nice large range, any FM frequency I want. I think that around the DC beltway, I keep it on 93.5, and that works well. I’ve borrowed a friend’s Tunecast where you just get the four lowest frequencies, and it’s crap in comparison.
I want to do this too. There is a place called phatnoise.com that has trunk-mounted digital media players, but they are only compatible with certain cars and my car is not on the list. I went to a message board that is devoted to my car, and there is a hack to add an aux jack to my existing stereo that involves soldering and would void my warranty. GRRR!