How do I set up my car audio with an iPod

[jorweeck]

I've had it with my iTrip.

I want to know how to attach my iPod to my car but I need to know a few things:
1. What head unit to get that has an RCA input;
2. If the best RCA cable to get is the Monster one or another brand;
3. And if the Pocket Dock is better than the Belkin car charger (for charging and the liine out thing.).

Thanks guys.

[hungryalien]

hi jones,

i think if you've gone through some related threads, you might have some of the answers.. but,

1) most mid to higher end models have RCA inputs. others offers some sort of adapter to convert cd changer inputs with regular RCA inputs. most of their brochures/spec sheets have those info.
2) some comments on the Monster as over-priced, but anything with gold-plated connectors/oxygen-free cables should do well. i've heard people buying cables worth more than $1000.. not sure if they are really worth the price nor can you really tell the diff.
3) pocketdock does not offer charging so if charging is important to you, then belkin is your choice. otherwise, a firewire charger is needed with the pocketdoct setup. personally, i went with the pocketdoct route.

[Kenneth]

Like Vic mentioned in another thread, if you plugin a charger simultaneously with the pocketdock, you will hear the alternator whine thru the speakers. More so if you don't have a pocketdock.

I tried plugging a belkin charger and RCA line in through the headphone port of the iPod, the sound was horrible. Aside from the alternator whine, there was this loud hissing sound (I'm guessing from the engine) and it would disappear once I unplugged the charger.

[Edited on 11-7-2004 by Kenneth]

[extremyks]

Originally posted by Kenneth
Like Vic mentioned in another thread, if you plugin a charger simultaneously with the pocketdock, you will hear the alternator whine thru the speakers. More so if you don't have a pocketdock.

I tried plugging a belkin charger and RCA line in through the headphone port of the iPod, the sound was horrible. Aside from the alternator whine, there was this loud hissing sound (I'm guessing from the engine) and it would disappear once I unplugged the charger.

[Edited on 11-7-2004 by Kenneth]

Surprisingly my iPod PocketDock + Griffin Firewire charger don't produce the whining sound while charging & playing music.

[vicicasas]

Originally posted by jorweeck
I've had it with my iTrip.

I want to know how to attach my iPod to my car but I need to know a few things:
1. What head unit to get that has an RCA input;
2. If the best RCA cable to get is the Monster one or another brand;
3. And if the Pocket Dock is better than the Belkin car charger (for charging and the liine out thing.).

Thanks guys.

The others have already answered most of your questions; I just want to add that I'd take any old generic cassette adapter any day of the week rather than use the iTrip or any FM radio-based car solution. I understand your frustration!

[Macmon]

I use Pioneer BUT need to buy the accessory RCA input for my model.
Uses pocketdock and bought the aai car charger from SIK. Works great!

[El CaMOTe]

Guys,

For my Alpine head unit, I made my own DIN to RCA connector (saved a thousand bucks!) then attached the cable that comes with the PocketDock.

If your head unit comes with an RCA aux line in (not speaker output) be careful, then you can connect the Pocket dock supplied cable into your PocketDock.

Just check your head unit's manual to see if there is a way to program the AUX line in, then you won't have any problem. If you have to make your own adapter cable, your manual should have the wiring diagram.

Cheers,

[Edited on 7-11-04 by El CaMOTe]

[elbert]

Originally posted by Kenneth
Like Vic mentioned in another thread, if you plugin a charger simultaneously with the pocketdock, you will hear the alternator whine thru the speakers. More so if you don't have a pocketdock.

I tried plugging a belkin charger and RCA line in through the headphone port of the iPod, the sound was horrible. Aside from the alternator whine, there was this loud hissing sound (I'm guessing from the engine) and it would disappear once I unplugged the charger.

[Edited on 11-7-2004 by Kenneth]

I'm currently using the Belkin Auto Kit (Line Out/Charger). The quality is great on my end.

I used to get that alternator whine with it, when my car had the long set of cables that Mickey originally installed. Ever since I simplified it with the Alpine KCA-121B, it's been really clean. In fact, it's comparable to the Alpine KCA-420i (which is the cleanest-sounding solution I've ever come across).

To be honest, I still get that alternator whine, but only when my head unit's volume setting is set all the way up to maximum. On normal listening levels (even on loud levels, for that matter), the whine isn't present, even if you stick your ear to the speakers.

[Edited on 11-7-2004 by elbertc]

[jorweeck]

Thanks guys!

I just have to get a good head unit. that's all that's left on the list. ^_^

[paparazzi]

I decided to forego the PocketDock. Instead, I found a Belkin Auto Kit at the Palm One / iPod shop at Digital Exchange (Glorietta 3). Audio quality is way better than using the headphone jack. My dilema now is how to hide the white wire. Parang gusto ko butasan yung dashboard. Hahahahahaha.

[Edited on 11-7-2004 by paparazzi]