iPod in 996 - what is the best way to connect it?
Discussion
Hello
Looking at buying a iPod for the 911, seen there is loads of different ways of connecting it up from the simple iTravel FM radio plug in, to the more complex ones that display track info on the cars LCD display on the radio.
A friend has the iTravel and he is saying I should buy that, has anyone tried the hard wired products? do they sound better?
I would prefer to hard wire it into the car, hidden out the way as I really could do without another gadget fighting for use of the single power output (currently got PDA/phone and speed camera detector fighting over the single power output)
advise needed pls :)
Looking at buying a iPod for the 911, seen there is loads of different ways of connecting it up from the simple iTravel FM radio plug in, to the more complex ones that display track info on the cars LCD display on the radio.
A friend has the iTravel and he is saying I should buy that, has anyone tried the hard wired products? do they sound better?
I would prefer to hard wire it into the car, hidden out the way as I really could do without another gadget fighting for use of the single power output (currently got PDA/phone and speed camera detector fighting over the single power output)
advise needed pls :)
Well, in my 993 I changed the head unit to an Alpine unit and their iPod interface unit. This sound quality is fantastic as all control is from the head unit, displays track, composer etc. Also charges the iPod up when connected. I looked at various other options but dsicounted the FM transmitters early on due to poor sound quality and having to change frequencies regularly.
If you can't/won't change the head unit consider the Denison ICELink. They have many different adaptors even for oem systems. This will also give you full control from the head unit which is really what you want when driving instead of fiddling around with an iPod.
However, for me Alpine was a clear winner
If you can't/won't change the head unit consider the Denison ICELink. They have many different adaptors even for oem systems. This will also give you full control from the head unit which is really what you want when driving instead of fiddling around with an iPod.
However, for me Alpine was a clear winner
With the OEM stereo you are basically buggered if its a CDR23 or PCM2. The only option is one of those crappy radio transmitters
Dension icelink doesn't support the modern Porsche stereos as they are all on a ridiculous fibre optic bus thats great for sound quality, but no one makes anything that attaches to it. Even becker don't sell components for this bus and they manufacture the sodding thing for Porsche. None of their aftermarket stuff has it though.
Hurray for the march of technology eh...
>> Edited by DanH on Friday 16th September 09:34
>> Edited by DanH on Friday 16th September 11:04
thanks guys
I have the CDR21 head unit in it, and to be honest I dont want to replace it for a non porsche unit.
a quick google search also told me that it does not have auxillary input so I cannot directly connect another source to it.. .. .. damn.
ohh well, Ill think of something, im going to the OPC tomorrow for CTI/warranty purchase so ill ask them for ideas.
thanks for your help all the same
I have the CDR21 head unit in it, and to be honest I dont want to replace it for a non porsche unit.
a quick google search also told me that it does not have auxillary input so I cannot directly connect another source to it.. .. .. damn.
ohh well, Ill think of something, im going to the OPC tomorrow for CTI/warranty purchase so ill ask them for ideas.
thanks for your help all the same
Gary, looking at doing the same sort of thing in my car; I originally had a CR-21 that I replaced with a CDR-22 a few months back with the intention of adding a PhatBox (boot mounted HDD jukebox, same as Kenwood's "Keg" )...however, when I was about to make a per-chase, the buggers had withdrawn it from marketing for Becker units!!
Plan-B, use the Dension ICE-Link Plus....
Like you, want to keep the OE look in the cabin with the Porsche head-unit (admittedly not the greatest sound quality, but hey, my window's down most of the time listening to my new PSE
)
I reckon your best bet is to upgrade to the CDR-22, there tends to be a few second-hand ones floating about, or eBay (!!). Be slightly aware that the CDR-220 is the US version that has slight differences in FM broadcast functions, like EON, RDS, etc...
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=182016
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=184404
(Just a couple of historic threads for you)
Also, if you need cables, replacement parts, etc, I've got the contact details for the company who are the UK Becker Service Agents, very helpful chap, can supply any parts or cables to you, doesn't insist on having the unit returned to them, etc.
Final note, don't be tempted by Dension own HDD based head unit, apparently shockingly unreliable and zero support from manufacturer.
Hope this helps mate
S
>> Edited by spenny_b on Friday 16th September 09:20
Plan-B, use the Dension ICE-Link Plus....
Like you, want to keep the OE look in the cabin with the Porsche head-unit (admittedly not the greatest sound quality, but hey, my window's down most of the time listening to my new PSE
) I reckon your best bet is to upgrade to the CDR-22, there tends to be a few second-hand ones floating about, or eBay (!!). Be slightly aware that the CDR-220 is the US version that has slight differences in FM broadcast functions, like EON, RDS, etc...
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=182016
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=184404
(Just a couple of historic threads for you)
Also, if you need cables, replacement parts, etc, I've got the contact details for the company who are the UK Becker Service Agents, very helpful chap, can supply any parts or cables to you, doesn't insist on having the unit returned to them, etc.
Final note, don't be tempted by Dension own HDD based head unit, apparently shockingly unreliable and zero support from manufacturer.
Hope this helps mate
S
>> Edited by spenny_b on Friday 16th September 09:20
DanH said:
You are lucky if you have the CDR21, I think there is a lead you can get that gives you an aux in. Its the 22 that doesn't have one.
There's a chap on the forum on the site below who works for Becker - an AUX in can be hardwired in to the CDR21, but not available as standard.
[URL]www.beckerautosound.com/[/URL]
I think the lead you refer to provides RCA connection for external amps? It does on mine anyway
SP
I think you are mistaken about he aux in kit. I'm 99% certain its just a lead for the CDR22.
No solution for the CDR23 yet, but sounds like someone may be making progress :
www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=6300&hl=aux*
More details of how to do it if you have the early unit :
www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=5190
yeah i read that mine dont have the aux input.. ..
would be nice to have a big wad of data storage for MP3's though, I got 64.7 gigs of tunes here :P
cough, and over 5000 12" records .. .. that i can make into MP3's if I find the time.
what other in car MP3 storage is out there?
100 gig would be nice
hmm just noticed aswell, mine has another amp, under the bonnet .. .. might look into trying to connect it up to this. ill let you know
(edited cos I just found the other amp)
>> Edited by DucatiGary on Friday 16th September 12:27
would be nice to have a big wad of data storage for MP3's though, I got 64.7 gigs of tunes here :P
cough, and over 5000 12" records .. .. that i can make into MP3's if I find the time.
what other in car MP3 storage is out there?
100 gig would be nice
hmm just noticed aswell, mine has another amp, under the bonnet .. .. might look into trying to connect it up to this. ill let you know
(edited cos I just found the other amp)
>> Edited by DucatiGary on Friday 16th September 12:27
How effective are the iTrip things?
www.griffintechnology.com/products/itrip/
The legality in the UK is a bit unclear.
>> Edited by stg on Saturday 17th September 22:56
www.griffintechnology.com/products/itrip/
The legality in the UK is a bit unclear.
>> Edited by stg on Saturday 17th September 22:56
rubystone said:
iTrip is crap, period. Trust me, I've tried it. Some manufacturers offer plug-ins that utlise the CD autochanger control element of the units - worth checking that out with the manufacturer of your unit
That accolade is a bit harsh. I've had mine for 2 years. It's not perfect but the iTrip unit is quite convenient if, like me, you switch vehicles regularly, just program in the frequency and away you go. The downside is that as you travel across the country you may enter an area with some radio station broadcasting on the frequency you have set, causing interference. The answer in this case is to select another frequency and tune into that.
As Rubystone says, some manufacturers are now bringing out iPod ready units, or interface cables/boxes which just plug into an aux input. I think Bluespot sell a suitable cable for the Blaupunkt range for about £65 and a complete iPod in-car cradle/cable for less than £100. This will obviously give you the least hassle for the best sound but most cost. All down to the depth of your pockets, I guess.
I spoke to Nottingham OPC about this yesterday and they said "no we dont have anything for it but we get asked at least once a day for it, even if its quiet we still get at least one request" someone can make some money out of this, let me know if someone out there sorts it out for my head unit
Went to town (sunday) and a bloke at a ICE place told me that there is a bus interface you can put on a switch (i have one free) that switched between the Radio and the "other" input.
has anyone had any experience with this?
one way or another, ill be having a 20gig+ mp3 player
>> Edited by DucatiGary on Sunday 18th September 19:04
Went to town (sunday) and a bloke at a ICE place told me that there is a bus interface you can put on a switch (i have one free) that switched between the Radio and the "other" input.
has anyone had any experience with this?
one way or another, ill be having a 20gig+ mp3 player
>> Edited by DucatiGary on Sunday 18th September 19:04
The thing is, the frequency only has to become ever so slightly "crowded" and the quality drops right off - and living around London, the frequencies are so crowded that the itrip has never worked to my satisfaction, ergo my "crap" comment. I'm sure that in hth wilds of Stornoway or the Anatarctic, it'd be crystal clear and work anywhere!
DanH said:
More details of how to do it if you have the early unit :
www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=5190
Thanks for the link Dan, had a read through and it seems ideal...just need a bargain deal on an iPod now
spence
walkers have the ipod promo on, im hammering that :P
doubt anyone ever wins though.. .. ..
www.winwithwalkers.com
walkers have the ipod promo on, im hammering that :P
doubt anyone ever wins though.. .. ..
www.winwithwalkers.com
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