ipod mod for a car stereo.. do they exist?

alright, let me start by saying i know little to nothing about modifying a car stereo.

my goal is to listen to my ipod through my car stereo. now, i've seen solutions in best buy/circuit city, but all of the options are terrible. either hook it into a tape deck or transmit it to a radio station.

i'd love to be able to directly hook the ipod into my car's audio system, but i don't know how to go about it. does anyone know if a car stereo specialist-type place can do this for me? it doesn't have to be fancy.. all i need is an audio-in jack.

if it helps any, i have a 2004 accord.

edit: maybe this should be in the circuit board?

Unfortunatly, you probably need an aftermarket head unit. I have an Alpine and it has regular RCA inputs for an Aux input right in the back. Just run wires out and plug it in. I listen to my Archos harddisk player that way.

i was afraid of that, but if it's my only real option, i'll look into it. stupid question: does installing a head unit mean removing my current cd player? i ask because

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Originally Posted by epmode

i know little to nothing about modifying a car stereo

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and because i really like my car's setup. it's a 6 disc, front-mounted player.

also, if it does mean removing the current player, would it be easy to put my old stereo back? i'm leasing the car, so i have to return it in its original condition.

Yes, it should be very easy to put the original CD player back. 6-disc? Is that the original factory installed stereo? If it's already an aftermarket stereo it might have the aux input. If not, you'll have to replace it.

Just get a new car.

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Originally Posted by epmode

all of the options are terrible. either hook it into a tape deck or transmit it to a radio station.

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There is nothing wrong with the radio station option. Many cd players, even after market ones, work this way. My girlfriend has a 6 disc changer in her cars trunk, and it transmits over the radio. There is no loss of sound quality that I can tell.

Personally, If I didn't want to worry about messing up the lease car, I would just use the tape deck method. It's cheap, requires no knowledge of wiring, and won't ruin anything with the lease. The ONLY major drawback is that it doesn't look as clean.

I'm lucky, my car stereo has a line in so I can just plug my mini directly into it. Right now I'm just looking for a harness to put it in when it's in the car so that I don't have to keep picking it up from the passenger seat and whatnot.

But yeah, if you don't have a line in, your options are the tape and the RF. My girlfriend has one of those tape adapters for her CD player and it worked with my mini and it sounded just fine with her stock stereo and speakers, so don't automatically toss that option aside.

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Originally Posted by Cheebs

6-disc? Is that the original factory installed stereo?

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yes. it's nice.

so if i go for one of these head unit things, should i worry about installing it myself? it might be cheaper, but i really don't want to fuck it up.. i'm under the impression that car audio systems are very touchy.

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Originally Posted by JefmcC

Personally, If I didn't want to worry about messing up the lease car, I would just use the tape deck method.

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i would, but it only has a cd player. as for the radio option, i've heard the belkin audio transmitter (for ipods,) in a friend's car. it's decent, but there are bits of static every once in a while. i'm 99% sure it would drive me insane.

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Originally Posted by FuryFox

Just get a new car.

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but, but i just got this one. :cry:

Personally, I think it's absolutely FOUL that most car stereos don't have a Line In jack on them.

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Originally Posted by epmode

yes. it's nice.

so if i go for one of these head unit things, should i worry about installing it myself? it might be cheaper, but i really don't want to fuck it up.. i'm under the impression that car audio systems are very touchy.i would, but it only has a cd player. as for the radio option, i've heard the belkin audio transmitter (for ipods,) in a friend's car. it's decent, but there are bits of static every once in a while. i'm 99% sure it would drive me insane.but, but i just got this one. :cry:

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OK then. It will cost you some money, but find the best installer in your area and tell them what you want. Make sure to explain to them that you cannot damage the car in any way and that you will be reinstalling the original one at some time in the future.

You could save a bit on money by doing the install yourself, but you risk messing up the car.

Honestly, it's not all that hard to install a new head unit. You just have to take your time and not rush through it. If you buy from a place like www.crutchfield.com, they will help you every step of the way. They can be a little over priced, but their customer service is awesome.