iTrip for iPod

[gixxer1000]

Folks, anyone seen these work in the UK? (iTrip is an iPod accessory that transmits the signal from your iPod across FM to your car stereo - or any other radio for that matter)

They are illegal here (due to the fact that they actually transmit - albeit only a few feet - I presume).

A mate is in the US at present and asked if I wanted one.

As I understand it, they do not work on a specific FM band, but need to be tuned into an unoccupied band within 87.7 - 107.9 MHz.

Will this work in the UK?

Geoff

[jodypress]

yes. a friend bought one from the usa and it works fine.

[sybaseian]

I have a CarDock for the Ipod - combined holder/charger/FM transmitter.

I get better quality audio than with an iTrip (iTrip takes the output from the headphone socket - CarDock takes output from the lineout.

The only problem you will have is finding a clear freq if you live in London, but it can be done.

>> Edited by sybaseian on Monday 17th May 20:24

[docevi1]

they are illegal here... a much better solution as already noted is either a cable, or a tape adaptor.

check out www.ipodlounge.com for reviews and stuff.

[BrianTheYank]

its a shame the itrip is apparently illegal in the UK. my dad has one for his and it works like a charm. Renders the radio pointless.

and while on the topic of ipods I got my replacement one yesterday, so Im feeling happy

[gixxer1000]

Thanks for the replies folks.

One further question, are these transmitter things a pain from the perspective of re-tunning, as in when you move into an area with a strong broadcast signal on the frequency your i-whatsit is currently on? I take it it doesn't find a better (less busy) frequency by itself - so lots of manual fiddling.

Cheers,
Gixxer

[rico]

They are actually illegal... but i can assure you that they work perfectly well in international waters outside of British territory

Thus i assume that they work just fine in the UK

[sybaseian]

gixxer1000 said:

Thanks for the replies folks. One further question, are these transmitter things a pain from the perspective of re-tunning, as in when you move into an area with a strong broadcast signal on the frequency your i-whatsit is currently on? I take it it doesn't find a better (less busy) frequency by itself - so lots of manual fiddling. Cheers, Gixxer

It took me ages to find a clear freq in London (bloody pirate radio stations), but I have now been using the same freq all over London/South East without it changing or loosing the link. I can only speak for the CarDock and not the iTrip.

The other thing with the CarDock, is that you don't have to set up "radio stations" on the iPod or install any software on your PC/Mac - it really is just plug and play as it takes everything out from the lineout on the iPod dock connector on the base. The transmit freq is controlled via the CarDock and not the iPod.

Yes, it may be 'illegal' to use it in UK, but then years ago so were Radar detectors - don't think that HMG will be prosecuting anyone for using an iTrip.

[puggit]

Mine has just arrived back from the US - so will hopefully test tonight.

I'll keep you posted

[gixxer1000]

Thanks for the replies folks. Having now looked into the CarDock, I fancy that suits my needs better.

Will get my mate to bring one back for me.

Cheers,
Gixxer.

[Plotloss]

Go iTrip.

Tested one on the way to Scotland recently and it rocks.

Fine in the car and even possible to you transmit to another car as long as its along side you.

[sybaseian]

gixxer1000 said:

Thanks for the replies folks. Having now looked into the CarDock, I fancy that suits my needs better. Will get my mate to bring one back for me. Cheers, Gixxer.

I bought mine from Ebay - about £60 including postage.....

[puggit]

iTrip just landed on my desk all the way from the US of A

A day late, but the road test is tonight...

[Plotloss]

Its being able to turn up to parties and just tune the radio to the iPod that gets me.

Its just so damned convenient!

Now if they would only put a decent sized HDD in the iPod I would order one...

[Paul 2000]

Plotloss said:

Its being able to turn up to parties and just tune the radio to the iPod that gets me. Its just so damned convenient! Now if they would only put a decent sized HDD in the iPod I would order one...

Isn't 40gb decent enough? You can fit 10,000 songs on it. I've got the 20gb and struggling to fill half of it! Might have to start loading it with my Bananarama and Bucks Fizz CDs

[Plotloss]

193gb of Mp3's and 4500 albums on CD.

So not really, if its to be complete and I dont think I can be arsed selecting things to go on it...

[sybaseian]

Plotloss said:

193gb of Mp3's and 4500 albums on CD. So not really, if its to be complete and I dont think I can be arsed selecting things to go on it...

Seems like you need a laptop, an external HDD (or two) and a netgear MP3 streamer........

alternative - stream over internet via iTunes and leave the hardware at home.

>> Edited by sybaseian on Wednesday 19th May 16:02

[Plotloss]

Yep that would work as would a music keg in the car.

This is the trouble on the face of it mp3 is good, but once you get into it its still a little on the large side.

Is Ogg Vorbis substantially smaller?

[sybaseian]

Plotloss said:

Yep that would work as would a music keg in the car. This is the trouble on the face of it mp3 is good, but once you get into it its still a little on the large side. Is Ogg Vorbis substantially smaller?

There are a few websites dedicated to comparing the quality/size of MP3 and AAC formats

[puggit]

Tried out the iTrip on a Reading-Cambridge drive this weekend in the Pug.

Worked a treat on the A4/A404/M40. But as we closed in towards M25 it started breaking up and was very difficult to find a spare frequency.

Once off the M25 in Hertfordshire things improved again and we didn't need to tune it.

So the big problem is London!