wingsnthangs
03-10-2007, 09:32 PM
I have an iPod and decided that I wanted to listen to it in my car through the car speakers. My car (1991 240SX) has an OEM headunit from a 2001 Nissan Altima (CD/AMFM radio), 4x6 Infinity speakers in the doors. Because it had no tape deck, and the headunit does not have an auxilliary input port, I had to had two options: (1) wireless FM transmitter or (2) wired modulator. After much reading on the car audio section of the forums at www.ilounge.com, I decided to go with the wired modulator.
How does it work?
As most of you may already know, the wireless FM transmitter transmits a signal from the iPod to your car's radio, on a commonly unused frequency (i.e. 88.7). However, there is usually a lot of static or interference between your car's antenna and the transmitter, even though they're separated by less than 6 feet.
A wired modulator (which is another word for transmitter) is a device you hook up between your radio and your antenna line. Coming out from your headunit, there is a thick black cable that goes all the way back to your antenna. By inserting this modulator directly in this circuit, there is no air distance between the ipod (which hooks up to the modulator via wire) and the headunit. In other words, the iPod is connected to the modulator, which connects to your antenna input. It still goes on an uncommon frequency, but without the interference.
http://www.circuitcity.com/IMAGE/product/detail/adv/EC.ADV.FMM100A.JPG
After reading good reviews, I got the Audiovox FM Modulator (FMM100A). You can get it at Circuit City for $50 (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Audiovox-FM-Modulator-FMM100A/sem/rpsm/oid/80974/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do), or eBay (where I got it for about $35). Installation is easy, the only tricky part is that you have to find a way to power the 12V device. I'm not very electrically adept, but I inserted it into the power wire that powered the headunit, creating a parallel circuit. Of course, I made sure everything is grounded as well. If I were to do it again, it would take no longer than 30minutes.
I drilled a hole in the tray under the headunit for the audio cable to come out, and that's pretty much all you see. A wire in the tray where the iPod (or any other audio source) rests. The modulator and all the wires that come with it are stored behind the headunit in that big cavity under the dash.
I was going to install something to charge the iPod while it is in the car, but my iPod lasts for several hours and I'm never on the road that long on one trip, so I figured I can just charge it when I'm at home.
I'm very happy with the results. Although it might not be the best sound quality, it's as good as OEM, and I'm satisfied with that. It works fine in SD, but I have yet to try it out in a city as big as LA, but so far no problems. A very simple and affordable car audio solution for mp3 players.
How does it work?
As most of you may already know, the wireless FM transmitter transmits a signal from the iPod to your car's radio, on a commonly unused frequency (i.e. 88.7). However, there is usually a lot of static or interference between your car's antenna and the transmitter, even though they're separated by less than 6 feet.
A wired modulator (which is another word for transmitter) is a device you hook up between your radio and your antenna line. Coming out from your headunit, there is a thick black cable that goes all the way back to your antenna. By inserting this modulator directly in this circuit, there is no air distance between the ipod (which hooks up to the modulator via wire) and the headunit. In other words, the iPod is connected to the modulator, which connects to your antenna input. It still goes on an uncommon frequency, but without the interference.
http://www.circuitcity.com/IMAGE/product/detail/adv/EC.ADV.FMM100A.JPG
After reading good reviews, I got the Audiovox FM Modulator (FMM100A). You can get it at Circuit City for $50 (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Audiovox-FM-Modulator-FMM100A/sem/rpsm/oid/80974/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do), or eBay (where I got it for about $35). Installation is easy, the only tricky part is that you have to find a way to power the 12V device. I'm not very electrically adept, but I inserted it into the power wire that powered the headunit, creating a parallel circuit. Of course, I made sure everything is grounded as well. If I were to do it again, it would take no longer than 30minutes.
I drilled a hole in the tray under the headunit for the audio cable to come out, and that's pretty much all you see. A wire in the tray where the iPod (or any other audio source) rests. The modulator and all the wires that come with it are stored behind the headunit in that big cavity under the dash.
I was going to install something to charge the iPod while it is in the car, but my iPod lasts for several hours and I'm never on the road that long on one trip, so I figured I can just charge it when I'm at home.
I'm very happy with the results. Although it might not be the best sound quality, it's as good as OEM, and I'm satisfied with that. It works fine in SD, but I have yet to try it out in a city as big as LA, but so far no problems. A very simple and affordable car audio solution for mp3 players.