Who knows anything about car audio?

[gafftapegreenia]

Maybe this belongs in off topic, but does anyone know how hard it would be to wire a 1/8" headphone jack into a car's audio system for iPod usage?

[gafftapegreenia]

Yes, I know I spelled it caer. Derek, please don't sic your hounds on me.

[mnfreelancer]

I assume by "headphone jack" you want a mini (1/8") TRS stereo input for your deck, and not a place to actually plug in headphones, since you iPod already has one?

I was just talking to my friend about this tonight. If it's a stock deck you can buy an installed-style RF modulator that actually goes in-line with the car's antenna, injecting the signal instead of one that attaches to your iPod, drains your battery and generally serves as a PITA. They aren't all that expensive and should be easy to install for anyone with decent mechanical inclination.

You could install an aftermarket deck with a line-in feature, or one with line-in as an add-on. Pioneer decks that don't include a line-in can interface with an add-on that can be had for less than $50 if I remember right. XM Ready decks fall into this category since the audio from the installed XM box has to enter the deck somewhere.

I've often considered how I might go about wiring in my own line-in to a factory deck not equipped with one. If you got an advanced model car with a CD changer as an add-on you can probably get a pin-out and hack in a line in of some sort. Otherwise you could really frankenstein your deck by popping the cover, figuring out where on the circuit the tuner/tape deck/cd interfaces with the amps and install a line in and an a/b switch to be mounted elsewhere on your dash. Keep in mind that all of this will be non-balanced interconnections so any long run of unshielded wire will be susceptible to interference.

[avkid]

Originally Posted by charcoaldabs

Is there a line in?

There might be a stereo RCA input on the back of the unit. Pull your receiver and check.

If it's stock I wouldn't bet the farm.

Lately I have been hanging around www.caraudioforum.com to "educate" them on such things as Monster Cable and directional cable.

[mnfreelancer]

Rahr monster cable!!! Biggest farce in the world...

[gafftapegreenia]

Thanks guys. Essentailly what I'm looking at is a stock radio reciever/cassette deck in a 1995 Saturn. The tape deck has decided to stop working, so, having nothing to lose, I've decided to seeif I can't hack in some sort of iPod jack, or, as I now know to call it, line-in.

[gafftaper]

I've done a lot of car stereos over the years. I just put in a Pioneer Premier DEH-P400UB deck in my truck. It's got IPod control built in, there's a line that runs out the back of the deck to wherever you want to place the IPod. OR (if you are an old fart like me and don't want an IPod because you have the ability to function without constantly listening to music) you can connect a USB flash drive with all your mp3 files on it and the deck basically becomes an IPod working straight off the USB drive. I got an 8 gig USB drive and loaded over 100 CDs in my truck. Total price around $200 for the deck and USB drive if you shop around on-line (you may need to add another $40 for a wiring harness and mounting plate adapter depending on the vehicle).

As for the options with the existing deck the RF Modulator described above is the way to go. They've been around a LONG time and shouldn't cost too much. When I was a young lad you used to buy them to plug your Sony Walkman portable cassette player into your car way back in the day. It's nothing spectacular but it'll work just fine, you just tune your radio to some funky station out on the extreme end of the band and there's your IPod. Crutchfield should have what you want.

[museav]

Originally Posted by gafftaper

When I was a young lad you used to buy them to plug your Sony Walkman portable cassette player into your car way back in the day.

My first aftermarket car stereo install was an Audiovox AM/FM/8-track deck with Jensen 6x9 coaxials. For the car audiophile, 8-tracks were a huge improvement from underdash record players!

I actually still have one of my 8-track players and a couple cases of 8-tracks, but then I also have my circa 1977 or so Koss Pro4AA headphones in good working order.

[derekleffew]

I had a Realistic 8-Track player AND Cassette Player in my 1971 Pinto. Used to hide my <illegal substance deleted> in an empty 8-Track shell. Recorded my own 8-Tracks from LPs at home also. Analog has a "warmth" to it one just can't get with digital. I feel the same way about VHS vs. DVD/BluRay. I still have seven VCRs on-line (four different rooms), with three more NIB in case any go fluey.

[mbenonis]

They make cassette tape to 1/8" adaptors - they work great and sound better than RF modulators. Expect to pay about $15 for one (which makes them cheaper too!)

I'll second the notion to look at Crutchfield too (Crutchfield is based out of Charlottesville, so I can actually just drive up there and play with everything in person!)