Connecting IPOD to Head Unit

[michael_antoi]

Can anyone show me how to connect my IPOD to my head unit?

What sort of hardware would I have to purchase?

Its a sony headunit, old ish one.

And I also have an old avalanche amp which I use to power my sub, if that helps at all.

[ACTI0NMAN-1]

search
try - (Euro) Successful Ipod Install

[michael_antoi]

Thanks mate, read that, is SNHOND 3 the only way of doing this?

Reason i'm asking is because he didn't want to change his stereo, and mine has been and I also have an amp, maybe making the process easier?

[bigdongers]

I am assuming you have a aftermarket sony headunit. If thats the case, does it have auxilary input? If yes, then you are in luck. Its really easy to connect your ipod the AUX in. You just need the right cable. Normally, a headset jack to dual RCA's cable will do the trick. You can get these from jaycar or dick smiths

[EK9]

I am assuming you have a aftermarket sony headunit. If thats the case, does it have auxilary input? If yes, then you are in luck. Its really easy to connect your ipod the AUX in. You just need the right cable. Normally, a headset jack to dual RCA's cable will do the trick. You can get these from jaycar or dick smiths
that's the way to go... if u don't have an AUX in, another option (and probably most popular wif ipods) is to get an FM transmitter. plugs into your ipod, then transmits the audio via radio frequencies and u pick it up with your radio. however i've heard the sound quality is like radio...

else, u can always upgrade to one of those ipod compatible headunits (alpine, pioneer, some others too i think) and they'll have adaptors n stuff. some also can control the ipod from the unit itself = cool :D

[Vivski]

I got a Pioneer adapter for $100 from JB HiFi and it's the best $100 I've ever spent. Not only does it play through the head unit and show the song names and all that bollocks, it also charges the iPod as I drive and listen to pumping music. Can turn it up as loud as I like too.

So I'd highly recommend that. I know you have a head unit already, but if you want to, you could always buy a new Pioneer one. Any Pioneer head unit with a CD stacker input is compatable with the adapter.
For more info look at the Pioneer website and if you search "Pioneer ipod", I'm sure you'll find my old thread.

Good luck mate.

[panda[cRx]]

*moved tu audio/video section* :)

[2NTICN]

i work at dick smith powerhouse and ill just make you all aware of the advantages and disadvantages of all of these different suggestions.
Yes if ur sony head unit has an AUX in then you are definately in luck, u need a 3.5mm to 2RCA plug you go just plug it into the back of your head unit.
Next if you get a FM transmitter get one that will allow you to select any FM frequency. Various transmitters only have 4 preset frequencies and these usually already have a station on them making the reception very poor, i know this from experience. The cheap one with the presets your looking at about $49 the better one is about $70. It worth the little extra money.
Last of all these is the Alpine or Pioneer head unit option with the ipod adapter box. I have the alpine version myself, and as Vivski said, its great because it allows you to access your songs via the head unit and it charges your ipod. However, as you ipod is recharging everytime u connect it to your car it depletes your battery life considerably. This i have also learnt from experience.
Hope Ive been some help

[bigdongers]

great tips there.

Can you recommend a good FM transmitter for $70 from the DSE website?

[Civic Type R]

Yes if ur sony head unit has an AUX in then you are definately in luck, u need a 3.5mm to 2RCA plug you go just plug it into the back of your head unit.
:thumbsup: yes and it costs $7.95 for the 3ft cable.

or get the iTrip.
$65 from apple. But there is a lot of interferrence inside the cabin with these.

[mugeneration]

DONT GET THE ITRIP!

its the boggest POS i have ever bought, and such a rip off too. It regularly 'untunes' itself, and you have to re tune it. This process is simple, it has 'songs' on you ipod that retune it, but the drawback of this is that you cant do shuffle whilst in your car, and when not using it, using shuffle will have lots of little tuning bleep things (even when not using the itrip component). Itrip eats battereis so youd need a charger as well. My total came to over 150 dollars just so i could get something that is bulky, annoys the sh*t out of me, 2nd rate sound quality, and above all easy to see and steal.

Trust me, just shell out for the adapter. At least that way you wont be disappointed. Img oing to get an adapter later anyway. Actually, u wanna buy my gear? :D :p lol

[michael_antoi]

I have an avalance amp would that have AUX in at all?

[mugeneration]

amp? nar the AUX you connect to your head unit dont you? Shouldnt make a diff what amp you have, if any.

[2NTICN]

naa the amp is receiving the signal, not sending it to ur head unit.
If you dont go with the iTrip which is the authentic transmitter for the ipod there is a Belkin version which does pretty much the same thing.
Ive heard alot more positive feedback on the $70 Belkin Fm Transmitter than the iTrip or the cheaper belkin fm transmitter.
I shouldnt really tell people this, but if u go to Dick Smiths, buy the $70 Belkin one, and if u find it crap, u can return it within 14days aslong as u have ur reciept and the product is not damaged and u have the packaging and stuff.
Try one out and if its not good enough try another one.

[michael_antoi]

what does the itrip or belkin one actually do?

i'm confused

[michael_antoi]

what does AUX in look like and how do I know if I have it on my headunit?

and if I dont what is my best option?

[michael_antoi]

sony xplod ca730x head unit

[2NTICN]

it will be a little round white and red sockets, exactly the same that ur plug a DVD player into in your TV in your lounge room. Most head units have these for out, yours should say AUX above it if its an AUX in, the problem is you will need to get in behind ur head unit unless u have the manual for it.
If not get the Belkin Fm Transmitter,
it plugs into the headphone socket on ur ipod, then u choose a radio station with it, then tune ur head unit into that station, and wateva ur ipod is playing will come thruough on that station

[lerroy]

if you power all your speakers from your amp
then you can just plug the ipod into the RCAs on the amp

all the head unit does is send a signal to the amp which then sends to speakers
so if you really want to or your head unit doesnt have AUX in then yes you can plug into amp THIS is probably the worst way to do it but it would work

[michael_antoi]

thats exactly the way i was thinking to do it.
why would it be the WORST way?

[2NTICN]

you certainly do have a very good point but i dont think it would work, y not give it a shot, but i dont know if i would recommend it.

[michael_antoi]

my understanding is the amp receives the signal from the headunit/IPOD whichever thru the RCA. then outputs it thru the speakers/sub.

so if the RCA on the amp is connected to the IPOD and the speakers and subs are all connected to the amp then there shouldn't be any problems?

please correct me if i'm wrong here....

[mugeneration]

even im starting to get a little confused. My amps dont have aux in i dont think, just RCAs. If your h/u is ocnnected to the amp then there would b no RCAs to plug in to, so you couldnt be mistaking RCAs for AUX could you? Besides, its your head unit which 'decides' what you liten to, all the amp does is make the signal stronger (amplifies it, for those who dont know what amp is short for lol). So i think youd have to plug it in to you h/u.

Im telling you now, FM transmitters are CRAP. just dish out the extra 50 bucks and get an ipod adapter, youll be much happier, itll charge ur ipod while u listen to it, sound quality will b better and you can hide your ipod away from the eyes of theiving scum.

[2NTICN]

:D aux in is a set of RCA plugs :wave: , if u connect ur ipod to these the amp should amplify the sound from ur ipod through the speakers, thus it should work.

[michael_antoi]

i bought rca to 3.5mm plug today, plugged it into my front AUX out (pretty sure it was out) and it worked fine..


dunno why,

[michael_antoi]

Ok I reinstalled my sub and the Ipod doesn't work with the sub, (quite obvious as it is connected to front AUX out.

My sub is connected to the amp and then connected to the rear RCA of the head unit.

My front speakers are connected to the headunit directly.

I also have another RCA which says 'BUS Audio In' but when I connect it to that I get nothing.

My headunit apparently has cd changer compatibility but I dunno if this helps at all.

I also have an 'out' RCA plug on the back of my amp and when i plug it into this nothing happens either.

SO far the only thing that works is when i connect the RCA from IPOD to the front RCA input.

Any help would be appreciated.

http://img382.imageshack.us/img382/5440/img00191lf.th.jpg (http://img382.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img00191lf.jpg)

[mugeneration]

CD changer compatability is good. It means you can go and buy an ADAPTER to run the ipod off your H/U. Should be able to get one if your h/u is fairly recent. Look, im gunna say this one more time, and no more, if you're not willing to shell out for the adapter, dont bother. I dont say it as a contracending (spelling? lol) thing, but im speaking from experience. You will be much happier with the adapter. Less stuffin around, better sound etc etc

[michael_antoi]

no i'm definately willing to buy the adapter but what sort of adapter am I looking for?

I've had a look around and cant find it?

a pic or link to it would help

thanks

[mugeneration]

what brand head unit do you have? I know kenwood, alpine, clarion, pioneer and sony make adapters. If you go onto the website of whatever brand it is you should be able to find if they have one. If so, ring around all the main audio shops and try and see if they have any in stock. I know places like strathfield stock MUCH more than what is on their website. If you ring a strathfield, they can check other outlets over their computer system.