Standard stereo - MP3 options ?

[IceBoy]

Hi All,

I run 2005 C70 T5 auto, with Dolby Pro-logic. Sound is excellent.

What are my options for playing MP3 through the stanard system without changing anything.

FM transmitter MP3 thingy from Ebay?

IceBoy

[busta]

FM is the cheapest and has the advantage it will work in any vehicle, but something like this, which connects via the CD changer plug, will give a smarter soloution and allow Ipod control through the headunit (not always as great as it sounds though!): CLICKY

Edited by busta on Monday 28th February 21:02

[AMST09]

Sure you can get them now that play through the FM channels but actually wires into the FM receiver for much clearer quality

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

I have one of these http://www.dealextreme.com/p/full-range-fm-transmi...
Not bad for a fiver...the problem in London is finding a free frequency to use though!

[IceBoy]

What is the sound quality like, when transmitting through FM?

[Jazoli]

Crap for the most part as you can never get a clear signal, I live in the wilds of Cumbria and even then its rare I can get an unused frequency.

[davidjpowell]

Aha

This is becoming my specialist subject..

I am contemplating one of these - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

What I would really like is one of these

http://www.imiv.ca/cms/ But they are retooling to gain Apple approval.

lots of decent options without having to resort to fm transmitters. Volvo Ipod kit is crap incidentally. Can only choose up to 6 playlists.

[maniac0796]

IceBoy said:

What is the sound quality like, when transmitting through FM?

My friend has one, always set on 107.2 (somehow?)

The sound is alright, but you do get the occasional interference from Exeter FM

Also shows up the track and artist name occasionally.

Nothing is going to replace wires, remember.

[Flanders.]

What about the Drive and Play buy Harman/Kardon?

[bobr]

Jazoli said:

Crap for the most part as you can never get a clear signal, I live in the wilds of Cumbria and even then its rare I can get an unused frequency.

87.6 or.3 works for me in Cumbria

[IceBoy]

I have just borrowed my neighbours mp3 transmitter. It is a "made in China" from ebay special that was £10.

I plugged in my usb key into this thingy and the sound was truely horrible.

I managed to find a frequency to use but there was no depth to the sound.

So I guess it has to be ahrd wired version?

IceBoy

[mk1matt]

Flanders. said:

What about the Drive and Play by Harman/Kardon?

^ This

I've got one and it's a good bit of kit. Very intuitive controls and easy to use on the move. They come with an FM modulator that you hard-wire into the aerial socket, so whilst it still uses your radio, the quality is much better than transmitting.

The only issue is having somewhere to mount the screen and the controller.

[HellDiver]

Most standard fit stereos have an AUX connection. It may or may not be wired. Even my old Mondeo has an AUX jack in the glovebox, retrofitted using a £7 lead off the dealer. Just plugged in to the back of Quadlock connector on the back of the standard fit CD6000.

I'd be surprised if your Volvo's stereo doesn't have some sort of facility for adding an AUX connection.

[jimbobsimmonds]

IceBoy said:

Hi All,

I run 2005 C70 T5 auto, with Dolby Pro-logic. Sound is excellent.

What are my options for playing MP3 through the stanard system without changing anything.

FM transmitter MP3 thingy from Ebay?

IceBoy

What volvo stereo have you got (sorry if it has been asked)?

[Ozzie Osmond]

Part of the problem is it's one thing to get a lead but companies like Mercedes also charge a small fortune for reprogramming the COMAND system.

[Alfa numeric]

I've got a Belkin FM transmitter and it seems pretty good. The quality is ok (unless you pass Heathrow, when it sounds like a mangled tape) and the RDS function means that the artist and track name appear on the stereo. It's also got a downloadable app that takes your position via GPS and works out the best frequency to use.

As is said above, nothing beats a hard connection but for £50 it's pretty useful, and you can use it in your hire car when you go on holiday...

[Parabola]

Is there no way of wiring in a simple 3.5mm audio jack socket into the system, just to be able to play an iPod etc.
I've wanted to do this for ages in my Alfa 156, but wouldn't know where to start.

[dave_s13]

Parabola said:

Is there no way of wiring in a simple 3.5mm audio jack socket into the system, just to be able to play an iPod etc.
I've wanted to do this for ages in my Alfa 156, but wouldn't know where to start.

You can get an Ipod cable for the 156 that allows you to wack the ipod in the glovebox and control via the steering wheel. They come up on Ebay now and then.



It's $hit though, despite being an Alfa OE product

[Parabola]

dave_s13 said:

Parabola said:

Is there no way of wiring in a simple 3.5mm audio jack socket into the system, just to be able to play an iPod etc.
I've wanted to do this for ages in my Alfa 156, but wouldn't know where to start.

You can get an Ipod cable for the 156 that allows you to wack the ipod in the glovebox and control via the steering wheel. They come up on Ebay now and then.



It's $hit though, despite being an Alfa OE product

Ah, cool (I think!) I'll have a look for that

[monthefish]

IceBoy said:

What is the sound quality like, when transmitting through FM?

Jazoli said:

Crap for the most part as you can never get a clear signal,

Disagree entirely. I think the sound quality is really good.

I've used one of these FM transmitter things for about 2 years now (about £6 from ebay IIRC).

The only downside is (was?) the battery life, but I've finally got round to buying some rechargeable batteries so now that is no longer a problem.