How to play music from an iPad through car stereo?

[Brad Johnson]

Originally Posted by Ukiah Bass

Wow, the options are flowing!

The local car stereo place will install a FM modulator and position a stereo headphone jack anywhere on the dash for $129 total. No need to replace the AM/FM/CD unit. Is that a good price?

I'll look into these other options. It sounds like a solution is at hand.

There are decent head units with multiple conections for around the same price installed.

While they may be making FM receivers much better these days, every one we've tried in my wife's Mini Cooper S has sucked. Then again, we're in a large metropolitan area.

My favorite connection is the bluetooth one I use in one of my cars. It's a 2000 with Eclipse aftermarket head unit. I run music off my phone and power the phone with it's car charger when needed. I also have USB, powered Ipod and Aux ports (all on the rear of the unit) so I'm set for just about anything. I prefer the rear ports so there are no cables hanging out of the front of the dash.

[Frank Tuesday]

I know I'm getting a little off on a tangent here, but...

I never use the radio, or any other music source other than my phone, so I built my own stereo head for my car. I bought a Sure 4x50W Class D amplifier, a metal enclosure about the size of a 1 Din in dash reciever, and a few electrical components and connectors. Now I have a stereo with only a 1/8" input, and 4 USB charging ports. Each port has 1A limit, but that is enough for tablets. I think my total cost was around $70. Next, I'm going to run some wires for USB ports for the back seats, so that passengers can charge their phones while they use them.

[Ukiah Bass]

I had the local car stereo place install an AAMP iSimple Model IS77. The device lists for $90; including installation, total cost was $140 incl. tax. This item is a FM modulator kit that provides components for a variety of cars and stereos. Power is taken directly from the stereo so you don't plug anything into the cigarette lighter. I chose to have an off/on switch and a standard stereo micro jack installed on the dashboard but away from my manual gear shift. Looks pro and the sound is terrific. I can use my iPad or Creative ZEN X-Fi to pump audio directly into the car FM channel 87.9. Here's what it looks like:

[NWB]

Originally Posted by pedroims

here you go GROM iPod: Toyota Tacoma 2007 iPod interface adapter installation - YouTube

Awesome solution!

I think I'll take that route with mine.

Much thanks.

[Waterbeds]

The easiest way is to have an auxiliary input on your radio face. most newer cars have these built in. I do it this way, with this belkin aux cable it sounds amazing and is pretty much perfect. Next step is to upgrade my radio face with a bluetooth interface and stream wirelessly

[Unprofessional]

Installed an FM modulator into my old man car (2006 Mercury Marquis). I used to install car stereos back in the day and did the work myself so it was an economical way to go. I think I only paid about $25 for the modulator itself (Pyle, I believe). The modulator takes your iPod signal, amplifies it and then puts it into the car stereo's antenna input. You tune the stereo to the frequency of the modulator. Usually you get at least two choices so that you can stay off of any powerful radio stations near you. It can be switched off for normal radio listening. Mounted it under the dash on the passenger side with the on/off switch and input jack close to the steering column. It works better than an FM transmitter but not as well as a direct input. It will distort (most noticeable in cymbals it seems) if you push the input from the iPod too high. It depends on how "hot" the song was recorded it seems because it does not do it on all songs. Might be a cheap way to go for you if some basic wiring doesn't scare you.

[warnergt]

FM modulators/transmitters suck the camel's winkie. Avoid those at all costs.

Investigate these two items for a direct connection.
Auxiliary Input Converter
CD Changer Interface Auxiliary Input Converter

[NWB]

Originally Posted by pedroims

here you go GROM iPod: Toyota Tacoma 2007 iPod interface adapter installation - YouTube

I put this in my 05 Tacoma. Very happy with it!

[Phil Smith]

Originally Posted by pedroims

here you go GROM iPod: Toyota Tacoma 2007 iPod interface adapter installation - YouTube

The GROM is great and very flexble, always updating the firmware(though sometimes breaking stuff that worked).

[Unprofessional]

Originally Posted by warnergt

FM modulators/transmitters suck the camel's winkie. Avoid those at all costs.

Well, stop holding back and tell us how you really feel.

I disagree. FM modulators are cheap and will work on any car stereo no matter how old it is.

[musicman666]

^^ I agree.....just get one of these and problem solved!http://www.bentleymotors.com/models/...inental_gt_v8/

[Ukiah Bass]

Originally Posted by Unprofessional

Well, stop holding back and tell us how you really feel.

I disagree. FM modulators are cheap and will work on any car stereo no matter how old it is.

My FM modulator is working fine. No complaints. And no advertisements blaring at me from every channel.

[warnergt]

Originally Posted by Unprofessional

FM modulators are cheap and will work on any car stereo no matter how old it is.

It depends on what you mean by "will work."
If you're happy with noise, low fidelity and interfering stations
(when you drive significant distances), I guess it works.

But there are affordable, direct connect alternatives which give
consistent, high quality sound. I gave links for two possibilities
and at least one of them will work.