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General => Car audio => Topic started by: Dizzie on 06 April 2005, 17:30

Title: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: Dizzie on 06 April 2005, 17:30
Just to give people some clue as what the options are here's my little how to. The iPod interface connects through the CD changer input on your headunit and all allow you to control the functions through your headunit. So far Alpine and Kenwood are the only 2 to make the interface, but others plan to follow later in the year.

Alpine Route...
Unit needed: KCA-420i
Approx Cost: £79.99

Kenwood Route...
Unit needed:KCA-ip500
Approx Cost: £99.99

Universal route 1:
You can always run your iPod into the AUX input on your headunit, but you still have to control the functions from the iPod. There are many ways of doing this if your headunit accepts AUX connections. Go really old skool with the tape with the wire that we all used back in the day of using a discman on the dash  :grin:

Universal route 2:
FM Modulator. This is a small box that the iPod would connect to. it broadcasts a mini radio station that you tune the headunit into. These are only about £40, but suffer from the normal interfearance the radio does. there are more expensive didgital ones that are a lot better, but cost in the region of £100.


Hope this expains a few things guys.
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: wlscullion on 26 May 2005, 19:59
Do you know if the upgrade unit for the Mark 5 GTI , RCD 500 ( the one with the built in 6 disc autochanger  in the dash) has an AUX input to play an iPod through . I think it must have something like this cos VW list an MP3 player as an optional extra (very expensive ) and I would imagine there must be some input port to connect this to the main audio unit so surely it should be possible to connect an iPOD via the same port. I have heard the Radio signal units often give poor quality sound , not sure about digital ones.
I would be very interested if anyone has any info on this and if such a connection cable exists where I could Buy one. Various iPod accessory sites incl. official iPOD site do not list such a connection
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: adyh on 04 July 2005, 11:52
I had trouble with the Itrip with my Mk3  . I couldnt pick up a signal from it at all . I think the position is the issue .

Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: Organisys on 04 July 2005, 12:43
My Mk2 has an 'old skool' erm 'period feature' FM Radio/Tape player!
But my phone plays mp3s. So I bought a headphone adapter for the phone £1 and a universal tape adapter for the headunit £2.99. Bingo! 512mb of mp3s in the car!

Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: Nickyb on 04 July 2005, 12:48
Hiya guys

I work for a Car Audio company in Weston Super Mare, here are a few more pointers.

1) The mk5 Golf has the Delta 6 double din head unit or the RCD300, you can buy an i-Pod interface that will plug directly into the back of the head unit and will control the i-Pod directly from the head unit. You can also buy an in car cradle to mount the i-Pod.
See www.connects2.com and www.uplands.co.uk

2) An AUX input adaptor would work but you will still need to select the tracks from the i-Pod and its not as nice as the above option which is full control from the head unit.

3) Pioneer also now do an i-Pod interface CDIB100 which will work on all P-Bus head units

Hope thats helpfull :smiley:
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: spacedog on 25 August 2005, 12:42
Hi,

I have just got a Golf MK4 GTI and am starting to think about how to attach my IPOD to the stereo. 

In my old cars I have used a tape adapter and a iTrip.  The iTrip is OK is you are only doing short distances but I tend to drive the lenght of the country a lot so I have to retune every so often to keep interference from other radio stations to a minimum.

I haven't done a lot of digging around on this yet but I think the standard stereo in the Golf is a Blaupunkt unit.  Which may be able to take a Blaupunkt AUX lead directly into the back.  eg: http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=2191&cadid=3ff97c6726706c8a257de41b3794afc1 or if that doesn't work http://makeashorterlink.com/?A4C123DAB

I am prepaired for people to shout me down on this, but it would be a very easy and cheep solution.  I know that it isn't as an elegent solution as the fully integrated ones but it would be a fraction of the price.

Any comments on if this will work or not?
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: spacedog on 25 August 2005, 12:45
One tip I do have for iTrip users is to unscrew your external areal.  I know that is a pain if you want to listen to radio but it does seem to cut down on interference.
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: bugbits on 08 September 2005, 22:21
Just wired my creative zen jukebox up to my head unit via a 3.5mm jack plug - RCA lead, via the line out front connection.

All controls are from the mp3 player inc volume, but not a bad method for a fiver!!

Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: Sugar79 on 16 September 2005, 17:04
i use a tape adapter for my ipod too.. works a treat  :cool:
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: Mk1Mad J - 16v on 25 November 2005, 15:57
Not strictly for an i-pod but i just got an audio connector from my pioneer - it does the same as the thing as the CD-RB20 but it didn't cost any where near pioneers crazy £70 price tag, it was £20 from Car Audio & Security on Totttenham Court Rd  :grin:

it looks just like this  :kiss:

http://www.logjamelectronics.com/logjam/piepioprca.html
 
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: bampotman on 27 November 2005, 07:27
I have an itrip for my ipod but the interference is bad unless the ipod is very close to the head unit so i'm gonna connect it through the AUX connections on the back of the headunit.

Also have an iclick remote control. This can be mounted of the steering wheel (kit provided) and it sends an IF signal to control the ipod. Not the best solution but makes it a whole lot easier flicking through tracks and only costs about £20 from ebay
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: steviem on 12 December 2005, 15:52
I just got the KCA-420i for my mark two. Found the perfect place to mount it, too, took out the centre console, cut a hole big enough for the ipod wire to go through,  (but not fall through) and stuck the silver box inside the centre console.
Also put 2 5" speakers in the sides of the centre console, looks almost factory fitted...
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: Deefadog on 21 December 2005, 14:26
Hi all, just got an mp3 player, if i just got a lead with the standard mini jack one end and rca conectors on the other end, can i just plug this into Aux on the back of my panasonic head unit?

Cheers
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: Mk1Mad J - 16v on 21 December 2005, 14:32
Hi all, just got an mp3 player, if i just got a lead with the standard mini jack one end and rca conectors on the other end, can i just plug this into Aux on the back of my panasonic head unit?

Cheers

Don't see any reason why that wouldn't work  :kiss:
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: Deefadog on 21 December 2005, 14:50
Cheers, it's just the same as i have on my pc to my stereo! should do the job :)

EDIT:

I just tried this and it did not work, the connection on the back says: "cd,c - in" whicj i guess is for a cd changer, is there a way i can my mp3 player to work? do i need something else connected?

Thanks
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: roverspeed on 26 March 2006, 23:19
be aware that some head units will only have aux out for connecting to amps etc that cannot act as inputs,

if there is a cd changer input, most large manufacturers will do conversion cables to take conventional sources like ipods, zens and the like, for sound only, but no control.

Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: wlscullion on 01 June 2006, 15:48
Pleased to report VW now have a device which can be fitted by main dealers which connects iPod to VW radio/CD units. I had mine fitted and works a treat. Press CD button on main unit once for CD and twice for iPod. Buttons for 6 CDs then give first 5 Playlists on iPod and 6th button entire iPod list. Mix button on main unit can be used to play tracks randomly within Playlist. I have multi-function steering wheel and controls on steering wheel can be used to change volume change tracks or mute sound on iPod or switch to CD or Radio . All controls on iPod are non functioning while connected to car. ie must use controls on radio/cd unit or multifunction steering wheel. Only slight negative is it is slightly harder to find specific tracks than when using iPod on its own but i prefer to choose a playlist then put it on mix to listen to tracks randomly. Cost is around 150 Pounds fitted but not sure as I paid  less as I know guy in parts dept and got staff discount. I would certainly recommend it . iPod does not sit in specific 'cradle' but merely plugs in to connection at end of wire which can be inside glove compartment or just above ashtray as I have (in my Mark 5 Golf GTI). Would certainly recommend it to others. Sounds as good as CD to my ears
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: wlscullion on 01 June 2006, 15:57
Regards my post earlier today , forgot to mention iPod also gets charged while radio/CD unit is swiched on
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: [han] on 15 July 2006, 21:12
i have a head unit with CD changer compatibility, so via my cd changer input i have an aux in at the front t play direct to ipod/mp3/minidisc and via the back of the unit i have paid £30 (i got mine with discount on that price) for the lead that will play and chrge my ipod via the rear of my unit via a discreet cble which i have threaded through the side of centre console unde tray in my mk2. I am plnning to thread the lead through the centre console to be more discreet when i get chance to make the hole a little bit larger.

model - JVC KD-G521 stereo and Connects2 / Autoleads leads!
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: Golf GIT on 02 August 2006, 19:57
This is somethig I've been looking into recently so I thought I'd give an update. Most of the big brand car audio companies now make iPod interfaces that will plug into the cd changer input on the back of your stereo and then into your iPod. As mentioned previously this allows you to control the ipod from the head unit as long as the unit supports CD Text. It also charges the iPod.

Brands I have come across that offer the iPod interface include Alpine, Kenwood, Pioneer, JVC and Sony.

Here's a link for a website that offers all of these at the best prices I've found (and no, I don't work for them!)

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product_list/c_path/286_296/spd/ipod-to-stereo-interfaces.html

Many of you will know all this but hope its useful to someone,
cheers
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: Golf GIT on 10 August 2006, 03:17
Further update to my last...

I went ahead and bought the kenwood KCA-ip500 adapter. I found a shop on ebay selling them for 39.99!!! brand new. This is much cheaper than normal retail price of around 99 squid so was well chuffed.

I spent a frustrating 3 hours fitting it. Technically it was easy, just a case of getting the stereo out, plugging it in the back and making a small, discrete hole in the glove box for the cable. The hassle was with taking out all the bottom dash units to make it a neat job and to be able to pass the wire to the back of the head unit  :undecided: The glove box in particular put up one hell of a fight before i eventually managed to get it out of the dash!!!  :angry:

Still, all back together now and the tunes are bangin  :cool:. I found a good place for the actual adapter box too, on top of the heater tubes directly behind the glove box. All neat and tidy and best of all, with the ipod in the glove box, there's no signs whatsoever to passing theif scum that you've upgraded ur ice...

It took a while to understand how to operate the ipod via the head unit with regards to finding the right playlist etc, but the instructions do make sense and its just a case of getting ur head around it!

All in all I'm well pleased with this method of connecting the ipod to my car stereo. Its pretty cheap, provides excellent sound quality with no interference and is totally discrete. Its safer too as you don't have to fiddle around with the ipod to change tracks, its all through your HU. But if you're gonna fit the adapter yourself, be prepared to go to war with your dash for a while....

keep it v dubya
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: Paul-GTI on 10 September 2006, 18:22
Pleased to report VW now have a device which can be fitted by main dealers which connects iPod to VW radio/CD units. I had mine fitted and works a treat. Press CD button on main unit once for CD and twice for iPod. Buttons for 6 CDs then give first 5 Playlists on iPod and 6th button entire iPod list. Mix button on main unit can be used to play tracks randomly within Playlist. I have multi-function steering wheel and controls on steering wheel can be used to change volume change tracks or mute sound on iPod or switch to CD or Radio . All controls on iPod are non functioning while connected to car. ie must use controls on radio/cd unit or multifunction steering wheel. Only slight negative is it is slightly harder to find specific tracks than when using iPod on its own but i prefer to choose a playlist then put it on mix to listen to tracks randomly. Cost is around 150 Pounds fitted but not sure as I paid  less as I know guy in parts dept and got staff discount. I would certainly recommend it . iPod does not sit in specific 'cradle' but merely plugs in to connection at end of wire which can be inside glove compartment or just above ashtray as I have (in my Mark 5 Golf GTI). Would certainly recommend it to others. Sounds as good as CD to my ears

Hi,

This is something I will be very interested in buying when I get my golf (MKV, 5 door gti, reflex, 18 monzas, Xenons. Countdown till 17-9-06!!!)

Do you have a part number? And a pic of the head unit while playing a track?

Also, Does it display the track name, or does it show as "track 1"

Thanks, Paul.
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: hurden16v on 31 July 2007, 11:58
I have a mk2 Valver with sony head unit. I have an apple ipod dock set into my ashtray at a slight angle forwards,  with the aux lead from the back, two small holes.(one in the ashtray, one in the back of the centre console) for the wire.
When i'm not using the pod, the ashtray is closed and it looks unmolested. When driving the ipod sits facing me with full control easily within reach.

Hurrah, I'll put some pics up if anyone is interested.
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: gribsymk3 on 10 November 2007, 18:21
Word of warning to all those using itrips, ive seen this happen twice now, when your phone goes of and it makes the funny interference sound through your radio it can fry your ipod, im not sure exactly how it works but ive seen it happen twice :shocked:
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: Touly on 18 February 2008, 19:45
Hello Guys
Im new to this site. I run a mk5 and pick up a new Ed30 next week, my current car has an i pod lead in the arm rest ( VWs own)and is terrible. The new car does not come with any i pod , I've  been told that the only way I can have full control is to put a new head set in an Alpine been suggested, this then has a cable to my ipod in the glove box, this will be fully usable .
This will cost £250 for the head set Alpine plus further VW bits and labour. Oh and there's the new surround to go on the dash WHICH looks tacky in the packet. Any help would be greatfull
Thank you Guys
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: redrolo on 22 July 2009, 13:36
Just to give people some clue as what the options are here's my little how to. The iPod interface connects through the CD changer input on your headunit and all allow you to control the functions through your headunit. So far Alpine and Kenwood are the only 2 to make the interface, but others plan to follow later in the year.

Alpine Route...
Unit needed: KCA-420i
Approx Cost: £79.99

Kenwood Route...
Unit needed:KCA-ip500
Approx Cost: £99.99

Universal route 1:
You can always run your iPod into the AUX input on your headunit, but you still have to control the functions from the iPod. There are many ways of doing this if your headunit accepts AUX connections. Go really old skool with the tape with the wire that we all used back in the day of using a discman on the dash  :grin:

Universal route 2:
FM Modulator. This is a small box that the iPod would connect to. it broadcasts a mini radio station that you tune the headunit into. These are only about £40, but suffer from the normal interfearance the radio does. there are more expensive didgital ones that are a lot better, but cost in the region of £100.


Hope this expains a few things guys.
Hi can you help a thicko understand how to do this please. I have a mk5 57 gti with a RCD300 stereo unit. I bought a KCA-iP500 and I can not how this would connect to the back of the stereo. The 500's connection is a round 13 pin and the connection the i think it needs to go into is square... Do i need an adaptor or have i bought the wrong part.

Thanks Rich
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: jezza20v on 12 September 2009, 10:04
hi guys i know im new to al this golf malaky but ice is a thing i love with a passion, after trying a few units to control my ipod i got fed up with the not so quick track select so i bought one of these http://www.harmankardon.com/drive-1/tour.aspx (http://www.harmankardon.com/drive-1/tour.aspx) its a brilliant piece of kit but if bought new is very expensive, i got mine from ebay for £21 and fitted it to my car, the screen can be easily flush mounted somewhere on the dash but dunno about the swivel controller but i put it behind my gearstick

hope this helps for ipod control in ur car and the version 2 is soooo much better too but hard to find, im satisfied with the outcome and best £21 ive spent on the car
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: HELLOSHARPY on 16 January 2010, 23:38
If you are looking for a cheap and clean solution, and if you have auxillary inputs on the rear of your HU...

http://isimplesolutions.com/ipod-adapter/PolyWire.asp Generic lead connects Ipod/Iphone sound to your headunit and it also charges. Additional input option included for non-apple 3.5mm headphone jack. (e.g. MP3, portable CD, Laptop, GPS etc.) Can be picked up on Ebay for about $20USD plus $10 postage. (£20 ish).

Have just bought one myself but given my complete novice status still trying to understand how to connect power supply...anyone any ideas on how to tap into the 'switched power' on a MK3??

Andy
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: Ricky01 on 17 February 2010, 13:00
I've seen Kenwood kca ip-500 in Halfords in Taunton for £5. I even asked the guy in there to check the price and it was only £5. Bargain compared to e-bay!!
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: connects2 on 22 April 2010, 13:23
hi guys

for your orginal radio you can use a CTAVGIPOD009, it goes into your cd changer port like the other kits you have mentioned it, as long as it has a delta 6/ rcd200/300/500 it will work fine,

for the guys with an older VW that want to keep the orginal radio you can use CTAVGIPOD003 this peice of kit works with the beta/mcd navi/gamma/mfd navi/delphi/grundig/blaupunkt and phillips head unit

theres also an aux in adaptors for those with out an ipod which are

ctvvgx004 (2003 vws onwards)

and

ctvvgx001 (1998 - 2003 vws)


hope this has helped


cheers

Stu
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: Upperoilcan on 25 May 2010, 16:27
I had VW fit their Ipod connector to my mk 5 GTI,and to say that it's crap is an understatement,really user unfriendly,the biggest waste of a £155.00 i have ever spent,would not recomend getting it done to anyone.
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: sammerry on 02 November 2012, 16:12
I just got one of these for my MK5 GTi:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130471975926
Works great and it keeps the fuctionality of the 6CD changer
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: Ruby22 on 13 June 2022, 09:12
Hi, I've had my MK8 for a few weeks now (my 4th Golf). I know I can use spoitfy etc etc but I love my ipod classic and cannot get it to come via the car infotainment. It just says hardware not supported. Is there ANY way I can make this happen please? Any ideas?
Thanks,

Ruby
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: Dav3smith on 13 June 2022, 13:00
Hi, I've had my MK8 for a few weeks now (my 4th Golf). I know I can use spoitfy etc etc but I love my ipod classic and cannot get it to come via the car infotainment. It just says hardware not supported. Is there ANY way I can make this happen please? Any ideas?
Thanks,

Ruby
As you are using an ipod I'm assuming you loaded the ipod from Apple music on a computer. If this is the case rather than using the ipod you can simply copy the music you want onto a USB-C stick and plug that directly into one of the two slots in the car below the infotainment screen. Shouldn't take long at all to copy the music over to the stick and you can leave it in the car.
Available here for £7.99 32GB should be more than enough.
https://www.mymemory.co.uk/sandisk-32gb-ultra-usb-type-c-flash-drive-150mb-s.html
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: Ruby22 on 13 June 2022, 14:37
Hiya, I have had my ipod for more than 10 years and alot of the music pre dates my PC so I dont have all the music on my ipod in itunes, in fact most of it isnt. Thanks for the help though.  :smiley:

Ruby
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: Dav3smith on 13 June 2022, 15:03
https://www.amazon.co.uk/UGREEN-Headphone-Compatible-MediaPad-Earphone/dp/B07RWT73RZ?tag=pepperegc-21&ascsubtag=2360073481
How about this. A 3.5mm headphone jack to USB-C?
The ipod maybe has the relevant headphone socket.
Title: Re: How to: Run your iPod through you car speakers
Post by: Ruby22 on 13 June 2022, 15:40
Thanks, I have already tried this and nothing, as well as a usbc to 30 pin connector. Still zilch. :-(

Thank you

Ruby.