How can i listen to music from my iPod Nano onto my car?

Question

Please tell me the best ways to do so and if i need to instal anything extra. I'm looking for the cheapest and best ways

is there anything else other than the FM transmitter? i don't like alot of hardware in my car, is there like a USB connection i can connect my iPod to in the car?

Answer 1

There are currently five basic methods for hooking your iPod to your car stereo. Only the fourth method actually requires a messy installation, but it's still prefereable to the #5 option.

1- Line-in jack. If your car stereo has what looks like a headphone jack on the face, it's actually an input that uses the same 1/8"/3.5mm plug. Get an line-in patch cable (Zip-Linq sells a nice retractable 3' cable, otherwise you'll probably be stuck with a loose 6' mess of cable) and you're set...though you might also want to run a charging cable to your cigarette lighter.

2- USB port. Some newer model stereos are coming with an "MP3-enabled" USB port, which you can use to connect your iPod via dock connector. It'll both supply power and pull in a line-level sound (your iPod volume controls will be useless in this situation). BTW, if you're using the 2nd Gen Shuffle on long road trips, this is probably the best option for you as it's the only way I can think of to listen to the Shuffle while also supplying it with external power.

3- Casette adapter. By far the most preferred method in older model cars that still have tape decks, this is the least hi-tech of the non-invasive physical adapters. It works. It sounds better than FM transmission. It still looks a bit goofy to be using an iPod with an old factory-original stereo (as it does with my '86 Grand Marquis). Oh, and you might consider getting a headphone cord wrap to suck up the excess cord (casette adapter cord is usually thin enough for this to work, where line-in cable is generally too thick), as well as a power adapter for your cigarette lighter.

4- RCA hookups. Many (if not all) car stereos include a pair of RCA audio hookups...on the back of the unit. This is the one that'll require tearing your dashboard up to utilize. You'll need to be able to access the back of the car stereo to plug in the RCA end of an RCA-1/8" adapter cord (like the ones that used to be commonly used to hook up early-model portable CD players to portable stereos that weren't new enough to include them yet). Thread the 1/8" stereo jack out through a convenient point in the dashboard (remember that you'll have to dig around in the dashboard again if you ever need to change the location, so make sure you're placing it in the optimal position), reassemble everything, and you're good to go.

5- FM transmitter. _IF_ALL_ELSE_FAILS_, then, and only then, go for an FM transmitter. This applies mostly to urban areas where there's lots of FM signal clutter, but unless you only get half a dozen radio stations and don't travel long distances by car, you'll probably never be truly happy with this as a car-based solution. The problem here is that the FM transmitter you use is sorta like a wee, underpowered version of the huge monolithic towers used by radio stations to crank their signals all across the surrounding area. When two conflicting radio signals are being received, whichever one is stronger wins, and it's not going to be yours unless the other signal is at the far edge of its range. You'll need to find a nice long gap in the FM bandwidth (the wider, the better), and pick a spot roughly in the center of the static-filled section. Tune your FM transmitter to that signal (you'll probably need to have it plugged into your iPod, and if it's not self-powering, you might need to reset the station every time you turn it on), and you should now be receiving your iPod music on your car stereo. There are three basic types of FM transmitters. One is a powered transmitter, which consists of a charge cable that hooks your iPod's dock connector to the cigarette lighter, with an FM transmitter located somewhere in the middle of the wire (these will only work with the iPod, unless specifically designed to only work with a competing model). The second type is a cordless version of the same (connects to the dock connector, draws power from the dock connector, and usually includes some sort of mini-USB connection that can be used to supply external power). The third is the only universal type, which uses standard batteries for power, and pulls a volume-adjusted signal from the headphone jack. This is also the only version that will allow you to adjust the volume with the iPod itself. The other two pull a line-level signal and can only be adjusted through the car stereo, which can cause sound quality issues, depending on the quality of your car's audio system.

Answer 2

go to target or walmart and get an FM Transmitter. The cheapest one runs about $30, plugs into the headset jack on the ipod and plays through the speakers in your car by setting the transmitter to 88.1 - 88.7 on the FM dial.

Answer 3

I use a cassette adapter. It's a cassette with a headphone adapter wire. Plug the wire into the headphone of your iPod and put the cassette in your tape player. The iPod will play through your speakers. You can pick up the adapter at any store for less than $10. Make sure it's a newer model though because some tape decks will think the adapter is a tape head cleaner and eject it.

Answer 4

Yup. You can go into an electronics store or even your local wal-mart or target and check for a radio transmitter. They range from 30 to about 90. The more expensive ones let you see the station your radio needs to be set on....but basically it plugs into your ipod port and then you use a non-active station on your radio. And the radio will pick up the transmission from your ipod and will play all your stuff.

This is the easiest way to play your ipod without installing or modifying your stereo deck. :)

i have one myself and i love it!

Answer 5

this site will give you an ipod just for completing some quick online tasks! really recommend it, especially if you're broke but really want an ipod (like me).