ChasingBlueSky 0 #1 December 1, 2004 I have a stock 2003 Dodge radio in my car and would like to find a better way to play my MP3 player thru it. It came with a Belkin FM Transmitter that only broadcasts at 88.1, 88.3, 88.5 and 88.7 FM. Chicago has most of the FM band taken up so the music is often full of static from the stations in the area - location in the car doesn't seem to matter. I saw Belkin has another one that comes with a car charger and can broadcast on any FM channel, but the reviews on it make it sound like more of the same. Is there anything post-market that I can do with a stock radio (I don't think it has an AUX IN) to connect an MP3 player to my car? Changing the head unit is not an option I want to consider right now._________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 24 #2 December 1, 2004 Does your car radio have a cassete deck (doubtfull , but you never know). There are those cassette inserts that transmit through the head of the reader. Dont know if they are any good though...Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kris 0 #3 December 1, 2004 Like Remi said, casette or FM is your only option if you don't have an AUX-in on your deck. Of course, just as an FYI, running MP3 through FM or casette input is going to degrade the sound.Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasingBlueSky 0 #4 December 1, 2004 QuoteLike Remi said, casette or FM is your only option if you don't have an AUX-in on your deck. Of course, just as an FYI, running MP3 through FM or casette input is going to degrade the sound. Just the CD Deck, no casette. Didn't there used to be a better FM transmitter you could get for CD Changers mounted in your trunk? I remember a friend in college had perfect sound with the FM Transmitter/controller that sat between his seats._________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chaoskitty 0 #5 December 1, 2004 I dont even know why I clicked on this thread... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildblue 4 #6 December 1, 2004 QuoteDidn't there used to be a better FM transmitter you could get for CD Changers mounted in your trunk? Yes, and you can still get those. You're going to pay $40 - $60 for a good one though - they aren't the $15 things you plug into a cig lighter.it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kris 0 #7 December 1, 2004 QuoteYes, and you can still get those. You're going to pay $40 - $60 for a good one though - they aren't the $15 things you plug into a cig lighter. Exactly. The difference is that the ones that come with the CD-changers goes in-line with your antenna. You unplug your antenna from the radio, plug it into the RF box for the changer, the plug a line from the RF box into the antenna jack on the radio. Honestly though, you might want to see about getting a better transmitter than the Belkin as I've heard they're garbage. My nephew has had great luck with the iRock 400FM transmitter he uses with his iPod.Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasingBlueSky 0 #8 December 1, 2004 QuoteQuoteDidn't there used to be a better FM transmitter you could get for CD Changers mounted in your trunk? Yes, and you can still get those. You're going to pay $40 - $60 for a good one though - they aren't the $15 things you plug into a cig lighter. That is still cheaper than a good head unit and additional parts needed to make the installation look good. From what I have been told, I would need a double din and even that would still look ugly. Does Crutchfeld sell those units? I know my sister and brother in law were looking for xmas gift ideas - this would be perfect from the two of them._________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickdaddy 0 #9 December 1, 2004 The best sound would come with a new stereo. Maybe an Alpine or Pioneer they both are capable of Auxilary inputs thru line level. This will give you the best sound quality. It really isn't a big deal to change the stereo. I own a car stereo shop & the Dodge is one of the easier vehicles to swap out a stereo. Crutchfield is the best online support & can answer all your questions along with supplying you with the needed parts. Give them a call.... The wired FM modulator works good, however changing your stereo will give you a much superior sound than the factory Dodge stereo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron 7 #10 December 2, 2004 Know of any stock cars that already have the line input? I have an iPod and I have the same problem....I also am kicking around the idea of getting a new car as mine is at 100,000 miles."No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #11 December 2, 2004 You don’t necessarily need a double din stereo. You could just spend $5 on a blanking plate, or storage tray. If Dodge doesn’t do one for your specific car there will be loads of different generic ones available. Or you could have a friend make one from scratch – all you’d need is a section of aluminium or whatever would match your car’s interior. See these ebay items for examples. OK they're over in the UK, but I'd bet you could find the same thing locally. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1498&item=5734769502&rd=1 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1498&item=5735448632&rd=1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stumpy 256 #12 December 2, 2004 http://www.crutchfield.com/S-p5nN9aO2Fz8/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?i=500KCA420I I changed my head unit about a week before this came in - i have just a standard line in but this would be by far the best way to do it. Certainly in the UK line in on a stock radio is very unusual (unless of course you have a jag or something with a top of the range blaupunkt anyway!)Never try to eat more than you can lift Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildblue 4 #13 December 2, 2004 Don't you love it when people don't listen to a damn thing you say and then tell you what you should do? Crutchfield FM Modulators EDIT: What car do you have? I don't think I've ever seen something that had to be a double din... whoever told you that may be on crack.it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickdaddy 0 #14 December 2, 2004 There are a couple of manufacturers that make auxilary line in for factory stereos. 1) Blitzsafe 2) Soundgate. www.soundgate.com www.blitzsage.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickdaddy 0 #15 December 2, 2004 spelling error -- www.blitzsafe.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasingBlueSky 0 #16 December 2, 2004 QuoteEDIT: What car do you have? I don't think I've ever seen something that had to be a double din... whoever told you that may be on crack. A Neon - which is why I don't want to invest too much in upgrading the stereo system. My plan is to get rid of it within a year or year and a half. (going to get a Prius or similar gas friendly car)_________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaGimp 0 #17 December 2, 2004 ok i dont want to start another thread so i'll just put my question here I just got a Sirius satelite radio, and it has a set of RCA cables that are supposed to hook up to the AUX audio, but my stock deck dosent have an AUX audio. Now is there any way around that? I was maybe thinking of splicing the RCA cables right into the speaker wires?"Professor of Pimpology"~~~Bolas Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,414 #18 December 2, 2004 >(going to get a Prius or similar gas friendly car) Cool things about the Prius audio system: 1. Controls on steering wheel 2. Will take an XM radio plugin 3. If you have a Bluetooth headset for your iPod or whatever, the car will receive the Bluetooth signal and play it over the car's speakers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasingBlueSky 0 #19 December 2, 2004 Quote>(going to get a Prius or similar gas friendly car) Cool things about the Prius audio system: 1. Controls on steering wheel 2. Will take an XM radio plugin 3. If you have a Bluetooth headset for your iPod or whatever, the car will receive the Bluetooth signal and play it over the car's speakers. Yup, those are some of the reasons I like the car. I've taken it for a test drive a few times now and want the one with the full option package. (with XM radio and my MP3 DJ I would never have to worry about commercials again!)_________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildblue 4 #20 December 2, 2004 QuoteIf you have a Bluetooth headset for your iPod or whatever, the car will receive the Bluetooth signal and play it over the car's speakers. Interesting... I have a bluetooth enabled phone - that would rock.it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickdaddy 0 #21 December 2, 2004 NO... I don't have time at the moment. But don't splice in like that Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildblue 4 #22 December 2, 2004 QuoteNO... I don't have time at the moment. But don't splice in like that No no! Go ahead, it'll be fine Err... maybe not. See post above: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1369481#1369481it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaGimp 0 #23 December 2, 2004 so from what im getting for the site is that all you have to plug into your deck from the FM modulator is the antenna plug.....correct?? then i would plug my RCA cables from the sat radio into the FM mod....is that right?"Professor of Pimpology"~~~Bolas Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,414 #24 December 2, 2004 >I have a bluetooth enabled phone - that would rock. If so, the car has a microphone (and a dialer on the screen) so you can do mostly hands-free operation. You can answer the phone via a button on the steering wheel, and can voice dial. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildblue 4 #25 December 2, 2004 Quoteso from what im getting for the site is that all you have to plug into your deck from the FM modulator is the antenna plug.....correct?? then i would plug my RCA cables from the sat radio into the FM mod....is that right? Pretty much. That and power should be all you need. QuoteIf so, the car has a microphone (and a dialer on the screen) so you can do mostly hands-free operation. You can answer the phone via a button on the steering wheel, and can voice dial. I already pretty much do that, I just have to wear the geeky ear-piece all the time (voice activated dialing, answer/hang up on the ear piece) -- I'd just like it to mute the stereo when it's ringing and hear the caller over the speakers. The mic in the phone should be good enough if it's mounted on the dash - it actually does a pretty good impression of a speakerphone on its own.it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
