want to play MP3 player through car stereo- advice?

[Harry Weebawoo]

For years, I have been using a cassette adapter to play various devices,
like CD players, MP3 players, etc, through the car stereo. On my most
recent vehicle however, the radio cassette player has jammed/ stopped
working and I can no longer use my cassette adapter. Since I don't want to
have to tare the entire dash apart to replace the radio, I am wondering if
there are alternatives. I have tried various FM transmitters over the
years, but I have never found one that did a good job. Even a most recent
one I purchased at Bes* Bu*, which appeared to offer digital selection of
frequencies for transmission over the radio, still ended up with low/ poor
audio with interference from FM stations. A transmitter may not be out of
the question but only if I could find one that really works. Or some other
alternative. Suggestions?

Thank you,
Harry

[Mike Rivers]

On 12/13/2010 6:13 AM, Harry Weebawoo wrote:
> For years, I have been using a cassette adapter to play
> various devices, like CD players, MP3 players, etc, through
> the car stereo. On my most recent vehicle however, the radio
> cassette player has jammed/ stopped working and I can no
> longer use my cassette adapter.

> I have tried various FM
> transmitters over the years, but I have never found one that
> did a good job.

You won't find one unless you do something really absurd.
I'm surprised at how well the cassette adapter that I have
works in my car radio. I think it's time for some radical
surgery.

Depending on the car, you could replace the whole radio.
Some (like my car) are built so that an aftermarket radio is
very difficult ot install, so you may be better off getting
an exact replacement radio from a junk yard.

Another alternative is to remove the radio, unjam the
cassette transport, clean it, and put it back together, and
it probably won't jam again for a long time. These things
can be repaired.

I suppose what you're really dreaming about is to modify the
radio so that you have a line input jack like the radios on
most new cards have. I looked into this for my 2003 Lexus
ES-300 and found an on-line source for a whole adapter
system that cost way too much money (this is one of those
cars with pieces of the "radio" all over the chassis) but
your car might be more conducive to this sort of
modification. I can tell you one thing, though, based on
your description of your problems - you aren't going to be
able to figure it out yourself.

A new radio, or a repair by a competent shop is cheaper than
a new car.


--
"Today's production equipment is IT based and cannot be
operated without a passing knowledge of computing, although
it seems that it can be operated without a passing knowledge
of audio." - John Watkinson

http://mikeriversaudio.wordpress.com - useful and
interesting audio stuff

[Scott Dorsey]

Harry Weebawoo > wrote:
>For years, I have been using a cassette adapter to play various devices,
>like CD players, MP3 players, etc, through the car stereo. On my most
>recent vehicle however, the radio cassette player has jammed/ stopped
>working and I can no longer use my cassette adapter. Since I don't want to
>have to tare the entire dash apart to replace the radio, I am wondering if
>there are alternatives. I have tried various FM transmitters over the
>years, but I have never found one that did a good job. Even a most recent
>one I purchased at Bes* Bu*, which appeared to offer digital selection of
>frequencies for transmission over the radio, still ended up with low/ poor
>audio with interference from FM stations. A transmitter may not be out of
>the question but only if I could find one that really works. Or some other
>alternative. Suggestions?

Trade your car stereo head up for one that has an auxiliary input?

In fact yours might even have an auxiliary input for an installed CD changer
in back.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Mark]

*A transmitter may not be out of
> >the question but only if I could find one that really works. *Or some other
> >alternative. *Suggestions?
>

one reason the FM Tx units work so poorly is that the FCC restricts
the power of an unlicensed FM Tx to an absurdly low level.

If the companies want to sell them in the US legally, they have to
comply...

If you can open up the Tx and remove the output attenuation, or
connect a small antenna wire to the Tx, you will get a stronger RF
signal which may or may not improve the audio.

If you don't need stereo, and you can set your radio to mono mode,
that may help as well.


Mark

[Mike Rivers]

On 12/13/2010 9:54 AM, Mark wrote:
\
> If you don't need stereo, and you can set your radio to mono mode,
> that may help as well.

The one that I have just has lousy frequency response and
poor signal to noise ratio. The signal that my radio
receives from it is just fine. One problem with it is that
it only has (I think) 5 different frequencies. I've found
that when using it on the open road, which is the only time
I use it at all, as I get near a town that has an FM station
on an adjacent frequency from where I have it tuned, the
radio intermittently captures that station and my own music
drifts in and out.

As far as the low power goes, I was driving in a suburb of
Boston listening to jazz on a fairly weak college FM station
on my car radio when Rush Limbaugh started drifting in and
out on top of it. I finally figured out, after a couple of
traffic lights, that the pick-em-up truck that was
constantly passing me and then dropping behind when the
traffic built up in his lane had a satellite radio in his
truck that was rebroadcasting Rush to his radio, and mine,
too, which was obviously on the same or an adjacent frequency.


--
"Today's production equipment is IT based and cannot be
operated without a passing knowledge of computing, although
it seems that it can be operated without a passing knowledge
of audio." - John Watkinson

http://mikeriversaudio.wordpress.com - useful and
interesting audio stuff

[Bill Graham]

Mike Rivers wrote:
> On 12/13/2010 9:54 AM, Mark wrote:
> \
>> If you don't need stereo, and you can set your radio to mono mode,
>> that may help as well.
>
> The one that I have just has lousy frequency response and
> poor signal to noise ratio. The signal that my radio
> receives from it is just fine. One problem with it is that
> it only has (I think) 5 different frequencies. I've found
> that when using it on the open road, which is the only time
> I use it at all, as I get near a town that has an FM station
> on an adjacent frequency from where I have it tuned, the
> radio intermittently captures that station and my own music
> drifts in and out.
>
> As far as the low power goes, I was driving in a suburb of
> Boston listening to jazz on a fairly weak college FM station
> on my car radio when Rush Limbaugh started drifting in and
> out on top of it. I finally figured out, after a couple of
> traffic lights, that the pick-em-up truck that was
> constantly passing me and then dropping behind when the
> traffic built up in his lane had a satellite radio in his
> truck that was rebroadcasting Rush to his radio, and mine,
> too, which was obviously on the same or an adjacent frequency.

So, you got Rush's great insights, with some good music in the
background....:^)

[Mike Rivers]

On 12/13/2010 11:03 PM, Marc Wielage wrote:

> there's been a lot of head-end units in
> the last five years that offer full iPod transport control, so you can jump
> to the next track, fast-forward, pause, etc., with controls right on your
> dashboard.

How does that work? Cars that I've rented for the past
couple of years (all newer than mine) have 1/8" line input
jacks, but do some have an iPod dock connector?

I had a 2010 rental Toyota Camry a few months back that had
a USB connector on it. I discovered that I could plug my
cheap MP3 player into it, it was recognized as a disk drive,
and the same buttons that change tracks on a CD worked to
switch between files. Pretty cool! But it'll be at least
another couple of years before I buy a new car, unless I can
find a good arsonist or someone totals it when it's parked
and I'm out of it. <g>


--
"Today's production equipment is IT based and cannot be
operated without a passing knowledge of computing, although
it seems that it can be operated without a passing knowledge
of audio." - John Watkinson

http://mikeriversaudio.wordpress.com - useful and
interesting audio stuff

[Scott Dorsey]

Mike Rivers > wrote:
>On 12/13/2010 11:03 PM, Marc Wielage wrote:
>
>> there's been a lot of head-end units in
>> the last five years that offer full iPod transport control, so you can jump
>> to the next track, fast-forward, pause, etc., with controls right on your
>> dashboard.
>
>How does that work? Cars that I've rented for the past
>couple of years (all newer than mine) have 1/8" line input
>jacks, but do some have an iPod dock connector?

Yes. And there are also issues when the iPod software gets updated and
the controls break; you need to make sure the head unit has the right firmware
for the iPod you're using in some cases.

>I had a 2010 rental Toyota Camry a few months back that had
>a USB connector on it. I discovered that I could plug my
>cheap MP3 player into it, it was recognized as a disk drive,
>and the same buttons that change tracks on a CD worked to
>switch between files. Pretty cool! But it'll be at least
>another couple of years before I buy a new car, unless I can
>find a good arsonist or someone totals it when it's parked
>and I'm out of it. <g>

I have the Blaupunkt AM radio that came with the car and it still works
just fine.
--scott


--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Harry Weebawoo]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. After some careful manipulating, I was
able to free the jammed cassette adapter and replace it with a new one which
now allows the system to work once again. My only complaint about using
such an adapter is the fact that the tape head on the adapter does not
always line up properly with the head in the radio. This sometimes cuts the
highs or causes volume loss, unequal speaker output, etc. Is there a
rememdy for this?

I've thought about a new radio. I have an '01 Mercury Sable that uses the
two Ford DIN removal tools that are inserted vertically in two holes on both
sides of the radio. Not sure where I'd find a replacement radio that maybe
has an input jack.

Harry



"Harry Weebawoo" > wrote in message
...
> For years, I have been using a cassette adapter to play various devices,
> like CD players, MP3 players, etc, through the car stereo. On my most
> recent vehicle however, the radio cassette player has jammed/ stopped
> working and I can no longer use my cassette adapter. Since I don't want
> to have to tare the entire dash apart to replace the radio, I am wondering
> if there are alternatives. I have tried various FM transmitters over the
> years, but I have never found one that did a good job. Even a most recent
> one I purchased at Bes* Bu*, which appeared to offer digital selection of
> frequencies for transmission over the radio, still ended up with low/ poor
> audio with interference from FM stations. A transmitter may not be out of
> the question but only if I could find one that really works. Or some
> other alternative. Suggestions?
>
> Thank you,
> Harry

[Mike Rivers]

On 12/16/2010 6:17 AM, Harry Weebawoo wrote:

> I was able to free the jammed cassette adapter
> and replace it with a new one which now allows the system to
> work once again. My only complaint about using such an
> adapter is the fact that the tape head on the adapter does
> not always line up properly with the head in the radio. This
> sometimes cuts the highs or causes volume loss, unequal
> speaker output, etc. Is there a rememdy for this?

Cassette tape has the same problem I have a Sony cassette
adapter (it came with a CD player that no longer works) that
has a little thumbwheel on it that moves the head up and
down in small increments. I set it to what seemed to work
best in my car, though you can't adjust it while it's
playing, so I've just left it at the same setting for about
5 years now. I don't expect anything but my own choice of
music when listening this way (mostly what I'm playing is
128 kbps MP3 files anyway) so a little loss of high end is
no problem for me.

> I've thought about a new radio. I have an '01 Mercury Sable
> that uses the two Ford DIN removal tools that are inserted
> vertically in two holes on both sides of the radio. Not sure
> where I'd find a replacement radio that maybe has an input
> jack.

See what you can come up with from here:

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Car/outfitmycar/MyCar.aspx

If something looks promising, I'd give them a phone call and
see if they can help you find what you want without buying
too much more than you want. I tried it for your car
guessing what radio you have and they have some that fit
directly. When I tried it for my car, everything they
suggested was "Modified fit" which pretty much means
jury-rigging it into the dash, bypassing the existing
amplifiers, and running new wires to the speakers. That's
not worth it to me, particularly since I think the existing
radio/CD sounds pretty darn good.





--
"Today's production equipment is IT based and cannot be
operated without a passing knowledge of computing, although
it seems that it can be operated without a passing knowledge
of audio." - John Watkinson

http://mikeriversaudio.wordpress.com - useful and
interesting audio stuff

[Mike Rivers]

On 12/17/2010 12:56 AM, Marc Wielage wrote:

> Yeah, you gotta get one with a 30-pin iPod dock connector. And as Scott says
> elsewhere, if Apple does a firmware upgrade, you may (temporarily) get
> screwed.

Yeah, like until you get a new car. <g> They don't do
firmware updates to cars unless it's a safety issue.

> That hasn't happened too much to me in the last 4-5 years, though.

I've been buying a new car every 10-12 years for the last
few. Scott's cars are older than mine.

> Good or bad, iPods have pretty much become the de facto MP3 player, so more
> and more upscale car stereos will accept the input and allow full transport
> control.

That's good for some, but until I can buy such an iPod for
$25 or less, I'll stick with my $15 MP3 player. I still need
that, and a set of earphones, to listen to my own program
material when I'm flying. Some airplanes now have a USB jack
at the seat, but it's only for providing power.



--
"Today's production equipment is IT based and cannot be
operated without a passing knowledge of computing, although
it seems that it can be operated without a passing knowledge
of audio." - John Watkinson

http://mikeriversaudio.wordpress.com - useful and
interesting audio stuff

[Harry Weebawoo]

"Mike Rivers" > wrote in message
...
> On 12/16/2010 6:17 AM, Harry Weebawoo wrote:
>
>> I was able to free the jammed cassette adapter
>> and replace it with a new one which now allows the system to
>> work once again. My only complaint about using such an
>> adapter is the fact that the tape head on the adapter does
>> not always line up properly with the head in the radio. This
>> sometimes cuts the highs or causes volume loss, unequal
>> speaker output, etc. Is there a rememdy for this?
>
> Cassette tape has the same problem I have a Sony cassette adapter (it came
> with a CD player that no longer works) that has a little thumbwheel on it
> that moves the head up and down in small increments. I set it to what
> seemed to work best in my car, though you can't adjust it while it's
> playing, so I've just left it at the same setting for about 5 years now. I
> don't expect anything but my own choice of music when listening this way
> (mostly what I'm playing is 128 kbps MP3 files anyway) so a little loss of
> high end is no problem for me.
>
>> I've thought about a new radio. I have an '01 Mercury Sable
>> that uses the two Ford DIN removal tools that are inserted
>> vertically in two holes on both sides of the radio. Not sure
>> where I'd find a replacement radio that maybe has an input
>> jack.
>
> See what you can come up with from here:
>
> http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Car/outfitmycar/MyCar.aspx
>
> If something looks promising, I'd give them a phone call and see if they
> can help you find what you want without buying too much more than you
> want. I tried it for your car guessing what radio you have and they have
> some that fit directly. When I tried it for my car, everything they
> suggested was "Modified fit" which pretty much means jury-rigging it into
> the dash, bypassing the existing amplifiers, and running new wires to the
> speakers. That's not worth it to me, particularly since I think the
> existing radio/CD sounds pretty darn good.
>

After a little googling, I came across this input mod and tried it today:

http://www.v8sho.com/SHO/Instructions%20for%20adding%20an%20auxiliary%20lin e%20input%20to%20the%20Ford%20Taurus.htmMy Sable happened to have the same connector, so an actual line-in for theMP3 player became a reality. However, the only drawback is that I have toincrease the MP3's volume to the max to even begin to get a decent volumefrom the radio. Before I just abandon the modification, I am going to tryputting a Fiios 5 headphone amp in line with the MP3 and modified line-in ofthe car stereo. I have never tried one of these amps, but the reviewsappear to be good and it should be here in a few days.Harry> --> "Today's production equipment is IT based and cannot be operated without apassing knowledge of computing, although it seems that it can be operatedwithout a passing knowledge of audio." - John Watkinson>> http://mikeriversaudio.wordpress.com - useful and interesting audio stuff

[Harry Weebawoo]

Sorry, let's try that link again:

http://tiny.cc/9dg2m

The instructions use the I-pod as input, but I already know it works ok with
MP3 other than the lack of volume I mentioned, and I bet it would work even
better with a portable CD player.

Harry


"Harry Weebawoo" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Mike Rivers" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 12/16/2010 6:17 AM, Harry Weebawoo wrote:
>>
>>> I was able to free the jammed cassette adapter
>>> and replace it with a new one which now allows the system to
>>> work once again. My only complaint about using such an
>>> adapter is the fact that the tape head on the adapter does
>>> not always line up properly with the head in the radio. This
>>> sometimes cuts the highs or causes volume loss, unequal
>>> speaker output, etc. Is there a rememdy for this?
>>
>> Cassette tape has the same problem I have a Sony cassette adapter (it
>> came with a CD player that no longer works) that has a little thumbwheel
>> on it that moves the head up and down in small increments. I set it to
>> what seemed to work best in my car, though you can't adjust it while it's
>> playing, so I've just left it at the same setting for about 5 years now.
>> I don't expect anything but my own choice of music when listening this
>> way (mostly what I'm playing is 128 kbps MP3 files anyway) so a little
>> loss of high end is no problem for me.
>>
>>> I've thought about a new radio. I have an '01 Mercury Sable
>>> that uses the two Ford DIN removal tools that are inserted
>>> vertically in two holes on both sides of the radio. Not sure
>>> where I'd find a replacement radio that maybe has an input
>>> jack.
>>
>> See what you can come up with from here:
>>
>> http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Car/outfitmycar/MyCar.aspx
>>
>> If something looks promising, I'd give them a phone call and see if they
>> can help you find what you want without buying too much more than you
>> want. I tried it for your car guessing what radio you have and they have
>> some that fit directly. When I tried it for my car, everything they
>> suggested was "Modified fit" which pretty much means jury-rigging it into
>> the dash, bypassing the existing amplifiers, and running new wires to the
>> speakers. That's not worth it to me, particularly since I think the
>> existing radio/CD sounds pretty darn good.
>>
>
> After a little googling, I came across this input mod and tried it today:
>
> http://www.v8sho.com/SHO/Instructions%20for%20adding%20an%20auxiliary%20lin e%20input%20to%20the%20Ford%20Taurus.htmMy
> Sable happened to have the same connector, so an actual line-in for theMP3
> player became a reality. However, the only drawback is that I have
> toincrease the MP3's volume to the max to even begin to get a decent
> volumefrom the radio. Before I just abandon the modification, I am going
> to tryputting a Fiios 5 headphone amp in line with the MP3 and modified
> line-in ofthe car stereo. I have never tried one of these amps, but the
> reviewsappear to be good and it should be here in a few days.Harry> -->
> "Today's production equipment is IT based and cannot be operated without
> apassing knowledge of computing, although it seems that it can be
> operatedwithout a passing knowledge of audio." - John Watkinson>>
> http://mikeriversaudio.wordpress.com - useful and interesting audio stuff