MP3 Players and Cars: How to Stream Music Through Your Car Stereo to Your iPod FM Transmitters

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When it comes to playing your iPod through your car speakers, you often run into some common problems. Typically, there is no dock installed on your stereo that will accept your iPod or MP3 player. Fortunately, you have a few options to solve this problem, and each one has its own limitations. Solutions include FM transmitters, cassette adapters, wired FM modulators, stereos with in-line ports or RCA ports. Some will sound much better quality, while others will sound static and choppy. It is the intention of this author to discuss the benefits and limitations of all these possible options.

Your simplest and cheapest option is to use an FM transmitter. There are two types of FM transmitters: wired and wireless. Basically, a wired one plugs into your car, while a wireless one uses radio frequency to play through the car stereo. The basic function of these devices is that you plug in your iPod and pick up a signal from the radio stations in your car. The assigned frequency is very low and will only work for stations between 88.1 FM and 107.9 FM. Any other station will not pick up the sound coming from the FM transmitter.

It is possible to increase the available stations, but the FCC rules and regulations for radio will not allow it. The FCC will not allow FM transmitters to transmit more than 18.75 nanowatts, which guarantees that they will not work well. Essentially, you are creating your own low voltage radio station. Unfortunately, you are competing with the major radio stations that broadcast over 6000 watts of music. This can cause the MP3 player and radio station to get mixed up in a distorted mess. One of the most popular types of FM transmitters is the Belkin TuneCast II.

It is strong, versatile, and can pick up many radio frequencies clearly. FM transmitters, while providing clean, audible sound, may not come close to the standard acclaimed by music purists. As such, it may not be the ideal solution for audiophiles. FM radio stations will never sound the same as a CD or MP3 player. Fortunately, these are around $30 a piece, making it a popular choice.

When you buy your FM transmitter, you’ll want to see if it’s battery-powered or plugs into your car’s cigarette adapter. Both work fine, but plugging it into your car’s cigarette adapter allows your iPod to charge while playing music. Cigarette lighter adapters sometimes come with a base. A cradle is a great way to hold your MP3 player and charge it simultaneously. Accessory Genie makes a Flex Pod FM Transmitter that has a base with a flexible neck that allows for more customization.

Newer transmitters have PSL technology; The positive station offers quality sound and reduces drift as you travel from city to city. Most if not all of the newer versions have LCD screens that show which station to tune to. Others, like the Road Master Corp, include a remote for maximum ease and control.

Another option is to purchase an audio cassette adapter for your iPod. Basically, there’s a cable that plugs into your MP3 player’s headphone jack and leads to a cassette. Insert the cassette into your car’s cassette player (if you have one) and you’re good to go. The downside is that not many cars have cassette players anymore. The sound quality is much better than a wired FM transmitter because there is no interference from other radio stations. Sony cassette adapters are also very cheap, costing as little as $10 from Philips or another major brand.

A wired FM modulator eliminates messy radio waves passing through when playing music from your iPod. They intercept radio waves from your antenna and radio. It only requires minimal installation, replacing a wire on the back of your car stereo’s antenna. Then you can run the cable to your MP3 player’s headphone jack. It’s much simpler than it sounds and takes about 5 minutes to install.

The modulator is versatile, working on any FM frequency. It is best to choose a station near the beginning or end of the FM station’s frequency range. Crutchfield has a great selection of wired FM modulators. There is much less noise and zero interference from radio stations using the FM modulator. They are inexpensive, usually around $15 for a decent model from Crutchfield or some other electronics stores.

The simplest and easiest to install would be the car stereo with an included in-line port. Most newer car models have this feature. It is a small connector that is on your car radio. Simply insert the cable into the headphone jack on the iPod and the other end of the cable goes into the line-in jack on the stereo. Set your stereo to Auxiliary and you’re ready to listen to quality MP3 sound. If your car doesn’t have the line-in port, you can buy a new stereo with this jack for $100. Buying a new radio just for the line-in jack is wasteful and not the optimal solution for people on a budget.

Newer car stereos, primarily those with a CD player, have an RCA port on the back. You can run a cable through the MP3 player’s headphone jack directly to the RCA port. You can buy an RCA to headphone cable for a few dollars at any electronics store. These cables come in different sizes and lengths, depending on your car stereo and how far away it is from you.

Ask your local electronics store what size and length are suitable for your car stereo. To install this you need to remove your radio and locate the red and white inputs on the rear. Plug the cables into the RCA port and your car will play music in perfect sound through your iPod or MP3 player. All you need to do now is tune your radio to “CD” or “Auxiliary” and you’re good to go.

Remember that there are many options for your iPod or MP3 player and knowing what your budget is and what features your car stereo has can help you make an informed decision. You should also make sure that your MP3 player is compatible with your product. The new iPhone 3G is not compatible with the FM transmitters of previous models. There may be more than one optimal option, so it’s up to you to go to your local electronics store and make sure you get what you need.

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