Introduction
There are numerous ways that you may be able to connect an
iPod to your head unit. Each of these methods may or may
not be available to you, depending on your model of head unit.
Audio Cable
One of the simplest and cheapest ways is with a line input.
This means that you just plug in an audio cable into the
headphone socket of your iPod. The other end of the cable
plugs directly into your head unit. This requires that your
head unit has a line input, sometimes also known as an Aux
input. Many head units do, including the lowest priced unit
on Easy Car Audio, the Kenwood
KDC-241SA.
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This particular model has a 3.5mm audio input socket on the
front of the unit. Some head units have the input on the
back, meaning the audio cable has to be run into the cabin
or glovebox. With this method, the music is still
controlled on the iPod itself. This means you can’t change
the track from the head unit, but only by operating the iPod
itself, as you normally would. You do however, receive a
very high quality sound, and you can still adjust audio
properties such as the volume and bass, directly from the
head unit. This method also has the advantage of working
with any MP3 player, not just iPods, and the only extra cost
is a very cheap cable. |
FM Transmitter
These work by plugging into your iPod or other MP3 player,
and transmitting the sound on an FM frequency. This means
that essentially, you are broadcasting your own radio
station, although the signal can only be picked up from a
distance of a few meters. You can then tune the radio on
your existing car stereo to the signal produced by the
transmitter.
These are great for convenience as they work in any car, but
we do not recommend them as a proper solution because of all
the serious drawbacks. The sound quality from using an FM
transmitter will be radio quality at best. You also have
the task of finding a frequency that is not being used, and
then tuning both the head unit and transmitter into this
frequency. This is not hard to do, but the problem comes
when you are driving around.
Because the signal produced by the transmitter is very weak,
any proper radio stations on the same frequency will block
it. As you drive around, you will pick up other stations
that will block the transmitter, meaning that you constantly
have to retune it to a new frequency.
FM Modulator
FM modulators differ from transmitters, as there are actual
cables that connect the MP3 player to the head unit. The
MP3 player connects to the modulator via a standard audio
cable from the headphone socket. The cars aerial is also
plugged into the modulator, instead of going into the head
unit. There is then an aerial cable that goes from the
modulator into the head unit. You also have to connect the
modulator to the battery or some other power source, such as
the power cables that go to the head unit.
Clarion FM Modulator
The modulator then sends all the normal radio stations that
you receive onto your head unit. In addition, it will also
send the sound from your MP3 player as a separate radio
station channel that you can tune into at any time. This
will be a very clear station that you will always be able to
receive at high quality.
Using this method, you can connect any MP3 player to any
head unit and get a clear signal. However, it does require
an extra box to be wired into the setup.
iPod Adapter/Direct iPod Connection
Connecting your iPod directly to your head unit is by far
the neatest solution. Unlike other methods, you can control
your iPod from the head unit, meaning the iPod can just sit
in the glovebox, or elsewhere out of the way and away from
the gaze of thieves. With most of these adapters, you get
full control over the iPod, will all your tracks and albums
displayed on the head unit’s screen.
Click for iPod
Adapters/Interfaces
The only downside to this method is the cost and
availability. Even at the discounted prices available on
Easy Car Audio, some of these adapters cost over £50. You
also need to be careful of which one to buy. The adapter
needs to be the same brand as the head unit you own, and not
all head units are compatible with their brands adapter.
You should read the specifications carefully to make sure
the adapter you are purchasing is compatible with your head
unit. If in doubt, it is always best to contact us before
ordering.
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