Connect MP3 player to radio

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Mando, Mar 9, 2006.

  1. Mando

    Mando Guest

    Hi - sorry if your sick of this topic by now, I know there are about a
    million posts on the net by now, however:

    I'm not really an electrician but I'd like to connect my mp3 player
    directly into my original 406 Philips 2050 radio. I was thinking I
    could just buy a pair of head phones and rip the actual speakers off
    and then connect the wires straight into the left and right audio
    channel pins (I realise I'd need to be able to switch between radio and
    mp3 somehow but I'll think about that later). Does anyone know how to
    identify the left/right channels, and also, do you know whether this is
    a completely mad idea that could never work!

    Thanks in advance
     
    Mando, Mar 9, 2006
    #1
  2. Mando

    tricky4000 Guest

    Firstly,

    I think this is a mad idea. :) Sorry.

    Firstly, does your car stereo have a line level input? If it does, you
    shodul be able to buy a device that will bring your headphone volume
    output to a reasonable level, fit for audio input into your stereo.
    Otherwise, why don't you buy yourself an FM transmittor. Apple iPods
    have something called an iTrip. You simply tune your radio to a
    station your MP3 player is tuned to. It will cost you close to nothing
    and the benefits are great. Bare in mind however, that audio quality
    is that similar to radio. You may get the odd interference, but this
    usually depends on the quality of the audio transmittor itself.
    Cheaper ones are prone to external interference.

    Hope this helps
    Dan
     
    tricky4000, Mar 9, 2006
    #2
  3. Mando

    Peter Chant Guest

    If the sterio has phono inputs a simple lead, 3.5mm sterio jack to 2x phono
    should suffice, the levels will be about right with a reasonable volume
    level set on the MP3 player.

    Pete
     
    Peter Chant, Mar 10, 2006
    #3
  4. Mando

    Mando Guest

    There's no line level input (I assume you mean some sort of jack
    socket) and I don't want to go with the FM transmtter or cassette
    converter options. I just like the idea of going directly into the
    stereo and being able to control the volume from the stalk on the
    steering column (after I've preset the volume on the mp3). I really
    want to see if I can get this to work - if it goes well I'd be happy to
    post the steps I had to go through to get it working. I'm sure plenty
    of people would like to do something like this with their mp3 player.
     
    Mando, Mar 10, 2006
    #4
  5. Mando

    Peter Chant Guest

    So you want a line level socket but there are none. Unless you are good
    with a soldering iron it looks like you are stuffed.

    What sockets are there on the sterio?
     
    Peter Chant, Mar 10, 2006
    #5
  6. Mando

    Tom Hawley Guest

    Firstly, does your car stereo have a line level input? If it does, you
    Ebay has a lot of listing of such an item, incredibly cheap across the
    board, switchable between 4 frequenies, powered by 2 AAA batteries.
    Anyone know if these are any good..

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CAR-WIRELESS-...876947837QQcategoryZ67838QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

    (no, i'm not selling this item, i'm thinking of buying it).
     
    Tom Hawley, Mar 11, 2006
    #6
  7. Mando

    Mando Guest

    There are no sockets available apart from the standard sockets that
    take in all the usual gubbins (technical term) e.g. no composite
    sockets or aux input sockets apart from the one that takes the input
    from the cd multi changer and I don't want to go there as that's a
    special proprietary input plug and I wouldn't have a clue how to rig
    anything up for that. I could solder into the audio channel pins if
    anyone could tell me which pins hold which channels. Does anyone have a
    diagram for this radio?
     
    Mando, Mar 11, 2006
    #7
  8. Mando

    Jim Mason Guest

    That is EXACTLY the route you should go. AUX in adapters are available for
    most of the main manufacturers radios and they utilise the CD multi-changer
    input.

    http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/index.php?cPath=737_697

    Jim
     
    Jim Mason, Mar 12, 2006
    #8
  9. Mando

    tricky4000 Guest

    Yes, Jim Mason is right. You might be able to tap straight into the
    proprietry sockets for your CD stacker connection to your stereo. 0 In
    fact, I am sure you can order a cable to connect directly into this
    with two rca sockets on they other end. In Australia (maybe in other
    parts of the world too) a company called VDO make these cables. If you
    can find out what that connector on the back of your stereo is called,
    you should be able to ask a company like VDO about this. It might be a
    bit hard finding it, but I bet you will if you keep looking.
    And yes, agree about the FM transmittor, I had one on my ipod and
    they're crap!
    Dan.
     
    tricky4000, Mar 16, 2006
    #9
  10. Mando

    Jim Guest

    And also illegal in many countries.

    Jim
     
    Jim, Mar 16, 2006
    #10
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