Kari's iPod Setup

[Kari]

Thanks to ragingfish, I can now use my iPod in my car with CD-quality sound, and sell off my iTrip. I bought a JVC FM Modulator from Crutchfield for $40, plus $10 worth of adapters, and Mike volunteered to do the install. There are pictures in the Ohio rally gallery of Mike tearing apart my car, and this is what he's installing.The modulator itself is set up to override 88.1 on the radio no matter what, and the reception is just as clear as if I was playing a CD. It's mounted to part of the underside of the dash assembly behind the glove box. You can see it by opening the glovebox and looking through the gap between the drawer and the dash, but otherwise, it's completely hidden. The cable to plug into the iPod is run down under the shifter and into the storage compartment under the shifter. Roll up the cord, put it in the compartment, close it as normal, and it's completely hidden.It works great...all I need now is a mount and I'll be completely set. Here's the working setup...

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[Kari]

The modulator under the dash...

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[Kari]

Stored cord in compartment under the shifter...and yes, it does still close. You can't even tell it's there when it's closed.

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[Kari]

For now, it's in the cupholder when I'm driving, but I will be getting a mount soon.

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[ragingfish]

Here's my favorite picture. I happened to have a rubber bushing lying around, so I used that in the hole I drilled under the shifter to make it look even more custom...I'm really happy with the way her install worked out...This was taken on the floor looking up towards the shifter.

[Mr. Poopypants]

I noticed during the install, you were poking through a book. Can you scan and post the diagrams. I want to do this with my MP3 player.

[ragingfish]

All I was doing was verifying which wires were ground and +12. My service manuals are still in the car -- I didn't even unload when I got home last night, but I'll get that info for you later today...

[Mr. Poopypants]

Sweet! Thanks!

[spoonman]

Another sweet install by Ragingfish.... Kari, I have the same modulator that you got. Here is what i have for a mount for my iPod. I can get you pics if you like, but they are on my machine at home. http://www.arkon.com/pdamount.html Scroll down 'til you find the CM622. That is what I have. It also appears they have some newer models, a white one being an option now. Just thought I would pass that along. Happy iPodding..... Vern

[Zamboni Guy]

Looks great. Are you happy enough with the overall sound to completely replace CD's?

[Kari]

Basically, yes. There are times when it's just not worth it to get the iPod out, like when you're only driving for 5 or 10 minutes, but other times, yeah, I do plan to use the iPod all the time now. It sounds awesome. I can't tell the difference.

[Vibration]

Quote, originally posted by Kari » I can now use my iPod in my car with CD-quality sound,Isn't the quality the same as a good strong FM signal? No doubt the JVC wired modulator it is better than a wireless transmitter, but it simply can't be any better than an FM transmission, because that's what it is, a good FM transmission.The following is a summery I found from Crutchfield:There are four ways to hook up your iPod to play through your car stereo speakers: * Cassette adapter — You must have a cassette stereo, of course. Sound quality is fair. * Wireless FM mini transmitter — Plug-and-play convenient. Works with any car radio. Sound quality varies. * Wired FM modulator — Installation can be difficult. Sound quality is consistently good. * Auxiliary input — Many stereos don’t have this capability, but it’s the best way to go if yours does. Sound quality is excellent.I think that is the best way to describe it, good vs. excellent.

[Kari]

Yes, but this is also an FM transmission that's basically right on top of the antenna, which makes it better than what you pick up on the radio, at least in my experience. I can't tell the difference between playing the CD and using the iPod with the transmitter. IMHO, the sound quality is great. Others may disagree, but that's just my personal experience. If you were sitting on top of the radio station, this is what you'd get. Aux input would be better, yes, but we don't have that luxury with the factory stereo, and a new head unit is a lot more expensive than $40.

[ragingfish]

I have auxilary input on my pioneer head unit, I use that for my XM.I was VERY impressed with the sound quality of Kari's FM modulator. Very crisp and clean. Unless she happens upon an area where that particular band is broadcast upon, I really can't forsee her having any serious sound or signal degredation.I think it provided fantastic sound for only $40!

[Jahntassa]

Vibration is correct, of course. There are some limitations to the FM signal, but nothing you would notice on the road. A very good FM signal is still pretty darn good. Especially for 128k MP3s. Of course, the JVC modulator sounds to be one of the better ones on the market, so perhaps that has something to help with!Jeez Mike, at this point, you should take my job at CC!

[Kari]

I tested it out pretty good today driving around Middletown...I found the Jazz preset on the iPod works best with the setup, and produces well-balanced sound. And I tested the CD and the modulator in turn, and I still can't tell the difference between the sound quality. All of my files are 128k AAC files, and they work great.

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by Mr. Poopypants »I noticed during the install, you were poking through a book. Can you scan and post the diagrams. I want to do this with my MP3 player.Sorry for the delays!The three wires I tapped were:Pin A12 / Brown / GroundPin B2 / Gray / Ignition PositivePin B3 / Black / Amplifier SignalAll are on the main harness.

[Kari]

Well, it had the major test today, and performed wonderfully on the 7-hour trip home from my grandparents' house. I still can't tell the difference between CD and the modulator. So two thumbs up from me.

[ragingfish]

Kickass.

[Kari]

Yes. Very. Thanks again.

[spoonman]

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »Sorry for the delays!The three wires I tapped were:Pin A12 / Brown / GroundPin B2 / Gray / Ignition PositivePin B3 / Black / Amplifier SignalAll are on the main harness.Hey Mike,Well, the first two are obvious, ground and poistive power... so did you use B3 to turn the modulator on??/ Just curious... Mine is setup with the "Auto On" or what ever it was called... Vern

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by spoonman »Hey Mike,Well, the first two are obvious, ground and poistive power... so did you use B3 to turn the modulator on??/ Just curious... Mine is setup with the "Auto On" or what ever it was called... VernCorrect. I connected the remote signal wire of the FMM to the B3 pin so that it turns on and off with the radio, not the car. Realistically, it could be done either way. I just opted to do it this way. *shrug*

[spoonman]

Cool!! Nothing wrong with your install at all.... I just like to know there can be more than one way to do things. Keeps things interesting and presents other options when you use other devices.... :-)Besides, as "they" say.... " There is more than one way to...."

[msmyer]

Kari-Looks nice, saw you and Mike working hard on it and the meet. Glad it turned out well...

[Zamboni Guy]

Kari,You've had the setup now for a couple months. Still happy with everything???

[Kari]

It works very well for the iPod, but we're going to have to re-wire something to change it to the mode where it turns on with input from the iPod instead of from the radio, because it's interfering with all radio stations below 96.9 on my dial. But when the iPod is on, it's fine. And I hardly listen to the radio anyway. So yep, it's working out great, I still love it!

[Zamboni Guy]

Good to hear that the iPod is working well. I am having an FM Modulator installed at Best Buy in a couple weeks. They mentioned that they plan to install a switch to turn the FM Mod on and off so it would not effect the radio. Hopefully this avoids the issue that you are having.

[Jahntassa]

Quote, originally posted by Kari »It works very well for the iPod, but we're going to have to re-wire something to change it to the mode where it turns on with input from the iPod instead of from the radio, If it has the capacity to turn on automatically, it'd probably be doing that already. I'd reccomend what Zamboni is getting done. Put a switch on the positive power wire, and hide it somewhere under the dash. That way you can switch off the FM Mod whenever you need to. I do the same thing whenever I install an FM Modulator for mobile video systems.

[Kari]

It does have that capacity -- that is one of the listed features in the instruction manual. I think Mike just wired it differently. One of the other members at the rally had the same FM mod and was using that feature.

[Jahntassa]

Quote, originally posted by Kari »It does have that capacity -- that is one of the listed features in the instruction manual. I think Mike just wired it differently. One of the other members at the rally had the same FM mod and was using that feature. I sit corrected, then! Pretty cool FM Mod if it has the auto-on. I think Mike did that in the days before he was more familiar with wiring in the vibe..

[Kari]

He knew a whole lot more than I did, so I'm sure it works better than it would if I had tried it!

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by Jahntassa »I sit corrected, then! Pretty cool FM Mod if it has the auto-on. I think Mike did that in the days before he was more familiar with wiring in the vibe.. Actually, I knew what I was trying to do, and just didn't do what I was trying to do...But yes, I'm pretty sure I know how to fix it...next time I see Kari we'll have to fix that...

[Kari]

Yes, you seemed to know what you were doing, most definitely. I'm pretty sure I would have blown up the car by now had I tried it.

[spoonman]

Quote, originally posted by Kari »It does have that capacity -- that is one of the listed features in the instruction manual. I think Mike just wired it differently. One of the other members at the rally had the same FM mod and was using that feature. Hey.... That'e ME..... I know... late response, I just haven't been able to get on here lately. The only downside I will tell you Kari with the "auto on" feature is that when you first "press" play on your ipod, it takes the FM modulator a few seconds to sense the music playing and you miss the first 5 seconds or so of the song. I just hit the track back button to take it back to the beginning of the song it was playing. Not too annoying.... Just thought I would tell you. I would have to look at the book to see what you have to do to turn on the auto on feature. I think it is just one of those little switches on the modulator to do it, but I would have to find my book to be sure.Vern

[ColonelPanic]

Thinking about buying this nifty little gizmo for mine... I'll have satellite radio here in a bit, so I need to do something... I have my C.Crane FM transmitter, while it sounds about as good as any FM transmitter I've tried, it's still uh, a FM transmitter. For adapters/etc, it looks like Crutchfield automagically suggested two (GM --> Motorola and a Motorla --> GM.) That's about all I will need, right?Looking forward to this little project! Probably will order the stuff sometime next week when payday gets a bit closer.

[Kari]

Yeah that's all I ordered...it works fine for me! LOLIt basically makes a loop...makes you wonder why GM can't be more efficient.

[ColonelPanic]

I guess it is efficient as long as you don't mess around with the factory setup. The Motorola connections, while they are essientially considered the standard, are larger thus require more raw materials to produce. They probably save $0.01 per car due to their funky proprietary antenna cables, so it's good business for them. LOL! Thanks for the verification on those adapters, I'll be ordering this stuff soon!

[Night_angel]

I Have a best Buy FM modulator installed with a swicht and all is good exept for the fact that when my DVD player is off or the volume is low I constantly hear this anoying engine noise , have somebody fix the problem

[Jahntassa]

As far as the engine noise goes, they need to ground the FM modulator and DVD unit to the radio itself, or at least insert ground loop isolators in the audio wires for the FM Modulator. Both things are on them, if they installed it.