2009
7
Since the time Apple came up with this square styled brick lacking buttons, we have been after it, some are obsessed with it, and for many of us on the road, we have been trying to plug it in our rides. We are talking about the iPod here
10 ways to connect your iPod
What are the ways you can do this?
1. Using an FM Transmitter adapter on the iPod.
There are quite a few of these available in the market. Most of these have a fairly good audio quality, although they may be patchy as compared to a direct input. The adapter connects to the headphone jack of the iPod and needs a battery of its own. The downside is, you have to worry about loosing charge on the iPod as well as the adapter that is powered by a separate battery.
FM Transmitter for headphone socket.
2. An FM Transmitter plus Charger.
Manufactured to suit a car’s cigarette lighter socket, or the DC 12V socket, these connect through the iPod connector port at the bottom of the iPod. These do not need any batteries, and also keep the iPod charged at all times. Since they are powered, the audio quality is marginally better than the ones that are powered by a battery. Both the options (1 and 2) use the car stereos FM receiver to receive and play the audio signals.
FM Transmitter + Charger for iPod
3. Auxiliary Input on Head Unit.
Many head-units that are available in the market today support the connection of an Auxiliary input on their front panel. An EP to EP stereo cable can be used to connect the headphone output directly to the head-unit. The process is simple, the audio quality is good. However one still needs to select and play music from the iPod directly.
1/8" Stereo Jack for iPod and Head-Unit Auxiliary link.
4. USB Connector.
Most new head-units come with a USB connector. Any data device like a USB pen drive, a MP3 player or an iPod can be connected directly through this cable. The cable supplied with the iPod to connect to a PC is sufficient for this purpose. Audio quality in most cases is great. In most cases the iPod can be controlled directly from the head-unit, which makes life while driving a lot simpler.
iPod USB connector cable.
5. USB Connector + Adapter.
Many head-units in the market do have a USB connector but some older types may not be able to directly interface with an iPod. In such cases, manufacturers of the USB head-unit will have an adapter available in the market to control and use an iPod. Third party compatible adapters can also be used.
6. Connecting through the CD Changer.
Most older vehicles came fitted with head-units that were capable of playing music from multiple CDs stored in a CD changer. There are many iPod adapters available in the market that connect directly through this port of the head-unit and give limited control of the iPod. However, being older technology, the adapters may or may not be compatible to newer models of iPod.
7. Using RCA inputs.
Some head-units come with RCA inputs at the back of the unit. An EP to 2RCA stereo cable can be used to connect the iPod to these types of head-units. These head-units are very rare in the market. The audio quality is good and the iPod needs to be controlled directly.
Stereo to 2 RCA - Monster Cables
8. The Tape Adapter.
Back in the 90’s when car stereos did not have CD players and did play a cassette tape, an adapter that is shaped like a cassette was used to transmit the audio from the headphones of the hand held CD player to the head-unit. The same contraption can be used for an iPod as well. Attached photo of Griffin Technology’s SmartDeck.
Smartdeck. A truly well styled cassette adapter for the iPod. By
9. The Bluetooth Audio Adapter.
Not too many of this type are available. The adapter sends FM signals to the car stereo to play the music. The adapter is also fitted with bluetooth display and controls (that mount of steering wheels) so view playlists and control the iPod. These adaptors are very useful but very complicated and cumbersome to install and contain within a car. Attached photo of Harman Kardon Drive + Play.
Harman Kardon - Drive Play for iPod. Again, a very well styled, must have iPod adapter.
10. The Separate Player.
A very radical and effective way to use your iPod in the car will be to carry a sound dock made for an iPod along with you in the car. Many sound docks give very clear music, some actually come with charging capabilities through the 12v socket. The advantage is, you can take your music even when you are not in your car.
Obviously, one could also directly use the headphones supplied with the iPod in the car, but that would be downright dangerous and ridiculous.