| When it comes to playing your iPod through your | | | | into your car's cassette player (if it has one) and |
| car's speakers you often run into some common | | | | off you go. The downside is not many cars have |
| problems. Typically, there is not a dock installed on | | | | cassette players anymore. The sound quality is |
| your stereo that will accept your iPod or MP3 | | | | much better than that of a wired FM transmitter |
| player. Fortunately, you do have a few options to | | | | because there is no interference from the other |
| solve this problem, and each has its own | | | | radio stations. Sony cassette adapters are very |
| limitations. Solutions include FM transmitters, | | | | cheap as well, costing as little as $10 from Philips |
| cassette adapters, wired FM modulators, stereos | | | | or another major brand. |
| with an inline ports, or RCA ports. Some will have | | | | A wired FM modulator eliminates passing through |
| much better quality sound, while others will sound | | | | the cluttered radio airwaves when playing your |
| static and choppy. It is this author's intention to | | | | iPod's music. They intercept the radio waves from |
| discuss the benefits and limitations of all these | | | | your antenna and radio. It only requires minimal |
| possible options. | | | | installation, replacing a wire in back of your car |
| Your simplest and cheapest choice is using an FM | | | | stereo's antenna. Then you can run the wire into |
| transmitter. There are two types of FM | | | | your MP3 player's headphone jack. It is much |
| transmitters: wired and wireless. Basically, a wired | | | | simpler than it sounds and takes about 5 minutes |
| one connects to your car, while a wireless uses | | | | to install. |
| radio frequency to play through the car stereo. | | | | The modulator is versatile, running on any FM |
| The basic function of these devices is that you | | | | frequency. It is better to choose a station near |
| run plug from your iPod and pick up a signal from | | | | the beginning or end of the FM station frequency |
| your car's radio stations. The frequency allotted is | | | | range. Crutchfield has a large selection of wired |
| very low and will only work for stations between | | | | FM modulators. There is much less noise and zero |
| 88.1 FM - 107.9FM. Any other station will not pick | | | | interference from the radio stations using the FM |
| up the sound coming through the FM transmitter. | | | | modulator. They are inexpensive, typically costing |
| It is possible to increase the stations available, but | | | | around $15 for a decent model from Crutchfield |
| the FCC rules and regulations for radio will not | | | | or some other electronics stores. |
| allow it. The FCC will not allow FM transmitters to | | | | The simplest and easiest to install would be the |
| broadcast over 18.75 nanowatts, ensuring that | | | | car stereo with an inline port included. Most of the |
| they will not work well. Essentially, you are | | | | newer model cars have this feature. It is a small |
| creating your own low-wattage radio station. | | | | jack that is on your car radio. Simply insert the |
| Unfortunately you are competing with major radio | | | | wire into the iPods headphone jack and the other |
| stations that are pushing out 6,000 + watts of | | | | end of the wire goes into the stereo's line-in jack. |
| music. This can cause the MP3 player and radio | | | | Set your stereo to Auxiliary and you are ready |
| station to mix together into a distorted mess. | | | | to hear some quality MP3 sound. If your car does |
| One of the most popular types of FM | | | | not have the line-in port you can purchase a new |
| Transmitters is the Belkin TuneCast II. | | | | stereo with this jack for $100. Buying a new radio |
| It is strong, versatile, and can pick up many radio | | | | simply for the line-in jack is wasteful and not the |
| frequencies clearly. FM Transmitters, although | | | | optimal solution for people on a budget. |
| providing clean, listenable sound, may not | | | | New car stereos, primarily those with a CD |
| approach that standard hailed by music purists. As | | | | player, have an RCA port in the back of them. |
| such, it may not be the ideal solution for | | | | You can run a wire through the MP3 player's |
| audiophiles. FM radio stations will never sound the | | | | headphone jack straight into the RCA port. You |
| same as a CD or your MP3 player does. Luckily, | | | | can purchase an RCA-to-headphone jack cord for |
| these go for around $30 a piece making this a | | | | a few bucks at any electronics store. These |
| popular choice. | | | | cables come in different sizes and lengths, |
| When shopping for your FM transmitter you want | | | | depending on your car's stereo and how far it is |
| to look to see if it is battery operated or plugs | | | | located from you. |
| into your car's cigarette adapter. Both work well, | | | | Ask your local electronics store what size and |
| but plugging it into your car's cigarette adapter | | | | length is right for your car's stereo. To install this |
| allows for your iPod charging while playing music. | | | | you must remove your radio and locate the red |
| Cigarette lighter adapters will sometimes come | | | | and white inputs on the backside. Plug the wires |
| with a cradle. A cradle is a nice way to hold your | | | | into the RCA port and your car will play perfect |
| MP3 player and charge it simultaneously. | | | | sounding music though your iPod or MP3 player. All |
| Accessory Genie makes a Flex Pod FM | | | | you need to do now is tune your radio to "CD" or |
| transmitter that has a cradle with a flexible neck | | | | "Auxiliary" and away you go. |
| allowing for more customization. | | | | Remember there are many options for your iPod |
| Newer transmitters have PSL technology; positive | | | | or MP3 player and knowing what your budget is |
| station delivers quality sound and reduces drift as | | | | and what features your car stereo has can help |
| you travel from city to city. Most, if not all the | | | | you make an informed decision. You also must |
| newer versions have LCD screens showing what | | | | make sure that your MP3 player is compatible |
| station you should tune into. Others like the Road | | | | with your product the new iPhone 3G are not |
| Master Corp include a remote control for the | | | | compatible with older model FM transmitters. |
| ultimate ease and control. | | | | There may be more than one optimal choice, |
| Another option is to purchase an audio cassette | | | | which is why it is up to you to go to your |
| adapter for your iPod. Basically, there is a cord | | | | electronics shop and make sure you are getting |
| that plugs into your MP3 players headphone jack | | | | what you need. |
| and leads to a cassette. You insert the cassette | | | | |