The iPod Stereo FM Modulator
By Ryan Block 
posted July 20th 2005 12:50PM
posted July 20th 2005 12:50PM
No, this thing doesn't turn your iPod audio out into an
FM transmitter like the rest—this one's a
far more ridiculous and labyrinthine proceture for injecting that audio into your car. Instead of sending your music
over the air, the device piggybacks the FM-in directly on your head end, and modulates the signals to FM. And please
don't mind the iPod STEREOMODULAR name, it's a modulator, trust us. Sure, you cut FM signal noise and improve quality
this way, but jees, why not just get a freaking line-in installed and call it a day?
[Via TechJapan]
that sounds like the most retarded and potentially frustrating product EVER.
Why not get a line in? Because lots of car stereo systems don't have a line in. My car, a Nissan Maxima, has a Bose radio in it, with special Bose DIN connectors. Simply put, Bose doesn't do line in. Aside from the technical stupidity of it, it's a really nice radio and I have no reason to put in a UI nightmare of an aftermarket radio just to get a damn line in.
Because some car stereos don't have support for adding a line-in connection. If that's the case, this is your best bet.
Why get a line in? So you won't hear crackle or Sunday's high score mixed over your audio, nuff said. Factory is for people who just want something that works, aftermarket is for people who care about their sound.
It is not as ridiculous as you think it is. There are countries in Europe where you can't use a FM transmitter, (it is against he law ) so this is the only reasonable alternative for non-line in car stereo systems.
Why get a line in? So you won't hear crackle or Sunday's high score mixed over your audio, nuff said. Factory is for people who just want something that works, aftermarket is for people who care about their sound.
Uh is this news just because it's iPod related or something? Trunk mount CD changers have been doing FM-modulation since they first came out.
If you don't have line-in, get a new deck. They are quite cheap. And while you're at it, get one with a motorized touch-screen.
I'd love a hardwired connection, but, best I can tell, no one has one for my car. I spend 80% of the time with the windows down and the sunroof open, so super-high quality is moot for me, but I'd sure like more than a modulator. Anyone have any leads for a 2003 Accord with the stock radio?
A line in, while the best solution, is impracitcal or impossible with some stereos. For example, usually if you're using a CD changer you can't add a line in without hacking apart the cable, identifying the audio conductors (as opposed to control, power, etc), and adding some sort of switching mechanism to change modes from CD player to aux. This direct FM transmitter is a much better solution for those of us that don't want to lose CD Changer capability and hate the crappy static associated with a normal FM adapter (like a Belkin Tunecast or an iTrip). ALSO, this same concept has existed for aftermarket CD changers for years.
I have this very setup in my Saturn. I have an FM Modulator hard wired between the antenna and stereo, and I connect my iPod to the modulator as shown in the picture. I have the Monster charger w/line out, so it charges while it plays, and I get absolutely no interference from any local stations. The Modulator cost me $45 from Crutchfield a few years ago, and I had it installed in about 15 minutes at a local stereo shop for about $20. Works like a charm.
#4: because not every car nowdays can take an aftermarket stereo. Try putting on in a new Mazda and you'll see what I mean.
These things kick all sorts of a$$ over lame little FM transmitters. You get NO interference on the channel you set it to, no weird dropouts, no dying AAA batteries. It takes about 5-10 minutes to install and you're done. No need to even pull the stereo out in most cases. And it doesn't even cost any more than a decent FM transmitter.
Sure, a line-in's great and all, but if you don't have the need or scratch to buy a new head, these are the next best thing.
#11: just because the stock stereo appears to be molded tot he rest of the dash doesn't mean it can't take an aftermarket headunit. It just requires a little more creativity and craftsmanship. I've seen it done on a number of new Mazda cars.
I hated my FM Transmitter and I wasn't about to plop down $200 for an aftermarket adapter. I was about to make one of these when I figured out that my Alpine had an aux in... my project cost me $4.
Found the DIN pin designations on the web. Tore off an old AT Keyboard cable and soldered an 1/8th inch stereo jack on the other end.
$4 was a lot more fun than the $20 aux input adapter from Alpine as well.
Why bother posting a negative view point? What makes you able to look down upon an idea that is well worn and works great, as a previous commenter stated, it has been used since the dawn of CD changers in automobiles. Is it because it's not shiny and white? Is it because it is a cheaper solution than a Griffin iTrip? It most certainly does a better job than a fm modulator that doesn't directly connect to the antenna, and being a few bucks cheaper than one of those pretty little dongles that saps power from your iPod should be a good thing.
I'm guessing you think adding an auxiliary input is as easy as pluggin in a wire to any radio. Well explain to me how I'm supposed to add an auxiliary input to my factory stereo on my Saab 9-2x. And no I don't want to put an aftermarket stero in the car, it's not worth the change in appearance or the greater possibility of theft for me. So since you're obviously in the know, and think this FM Modulator is a bad idea, what do you suggest I do?
Also it's usually the only solution for us 1st ipod owners. I have a line in on my old awia mp32 deck but it doesn't work and it's too old to take back and a wireless fm transmitter sucks and my damn cassette adapter keeps auto reversing.
So get this or shell out more money for a new ipod so I can have a dock connector.
it pisses me off how manufacturers drop support
The nice thing about my factory radio is that I never ever ever have to worry about it being stolen. So I'm stuck with my line-in incapable factory installed unit.
I bought the car in the pre-mp3 era. If I bought one now, I'd make damn sure it had line-in.
I want one, can you get it in the us.
All car stereos that support CD changers have a line in (even factory decks). You can buy a cable that connects the CD changer input to an 1/8 inch jack (for you pod). I hear they are around $20. Or even better some decks just have RCA jacks on them, so just get a 'Y' cable and rock on.
FM transmitters... bah!
I had one of these before in my old truck before I got a new car that had a better stereo with a line it. I thought it sounde like crap.
One of the main problems is that when adding a CD Changer, or XM radio, it makes it so you cant have the line in. Ive looked all over the place for a way to add a line in for an 05 accord. This looks like it may be an option.
i specifically bought a cd player with a line in a couple years ago and do believe it's the smartest thing i've ever done and i've done some pretty smart things.
My '98 GMC Jimmy sure doesn't have line in, and shelling out for an aftermarket unit to replace the double-height Delco factory radio is just silly. However the proprietary Delco antenna connector made installation a real treat -- antenna to adapter to modulator to another adapter to the unit. Works like a dream though.
Jeremy, please go sit down. As I said, factory stuff is for "it just works", aftermarket stuff is for those that care about their sound, including insane audiophiles that claim they can hear a needle drop 50 miles down the road, and on what substance it dropped on. How the car is, depends on your preferences, nuff said.
#23, you know, there are adapters that turn double din spaces into single din, and just about every bestbuy and circuit city i've been to has them.
Where's the kaboom? There was supposed to be an Earth-shattering kaboom!
*gasp*
The Illudium Pew-36 iPod Stereo FM Modulator!!!
*hee*
Actually from the picture it looks like this does accomplish a line-in for radios that do not have support for one - that's clearly an adaptor to go from some plug (probably 1/8th inch) to 2 RCA jacks. Yeah, it's modulated but some people don't want to change their head units for whatever reason. I guess if making snotty superior noises about other people's preferences suits you better than simply saying "but it won't have the audio clarity of a real line-in" then have at it.
this is how i get my xmradio into my 92 saab, sounds waaaaay better than a normal fm modulator, and still better than those tape thingys.
You people who claim aftermarket is the ONLY way to go are retards. I have a 97 Range Rover and the factory sound is INCREDIBLE, 7 speakers, subwoofer, etc. I listened to an audio guy and changed the head unit. it sounded terrible. then my sub didn't work, so he suggested i add an amp. blew the sub, etc. etc. etc. After a ton of money and headache I went back to factory which sounded way better. the only other option would have been to essentially replicate the factory system for about $2000 with a new head unit. All I wanted was to add Sirius to my car. Got the wired FM modulator, $50 install, sounds terriffic and I kept my steering controls, sub, cd changer, even my built-in weather band. Why don't some of you guys consider that not every one can just buy a new radio for line-in? Of course the manufacturers should make them with line-in standard. but then they couldn't make money selling you their black boxes. Anyway, this is old news but relevant nonetheless.
I installed one in my car a while back and while the sound quality isn't line-in, it works pretty well and looks... invisible. No ugly aftermarket head unit, no gegaws hanging out... just a nice black 1/8" connecter sitting by the passenger's feet. I can plug anything I want into it, including my laptop so someone can watch movies and I can listen along on a trip.
My only recommendation would be to get a switched model. It is one more step to turning it on, but it cuts off the car's antenna to further eliminate possible interference.
Actually, this is common in many CD changers for car to tap in this way.
I've got this JVC aftermarket radio installed with line-in on the front, and I have to say: it's pretty ugly. It's worth it though: no more local bakery ads or REALLY BAD MUSIC breaking up my beautiful iPod when I'm driving through some nowhere town's 2000 Watts pirate station. Come on, it's a car. It's not supposed to be pretty.
So would this sound better than a cassete tape adapter? In order, what sounds the best out of regular FM mod, this FM mod, and cassette adapter? I'm assuming line in sounds the best.
buck09, i hear ya on the lack of a line in -- i have a maxima w/ bose as well. i've looked and looked for a line in, but no luck. i was about to give the same answer to engadget's question, but you beat me to it. at least i've got a cassette, as well (for the cassette adapter).
i also don't want to replace it with a fugly aftermarket unit (speaking of which, why can't an aftermarket car audio manufacturer make a decent looking head unit? we don't all want something flashy and stupid... how about classy and understated?)
The frequencies it uses could pose a problem for any one outside Japan.
You can only use it on the following frequencies 87.7, 87.9, 88.1, 88.3, 88.5, 88.7, and 88.9 MHz according to their press release.
#33
Wondering the same thing. I have a Mazda factory 6-disc in-dash w/ a tape deck.... hooked up to a powerful amp and Inifinity components. It sounds great.... won't replace my convenient (and thieves could care less) head unit until it dies. Is this better than a tape adapter? All the normal FM adapters I've heard blow.
I connect my player to the cd-changer line-in, but I can't active the cd-changer controls. Therefore I burn an blank audio-cd so I can listen the mp3 audio from the player on cd mode.
yes, im smart.
Walmart's auto section, $24.99. Just picked one up today prior to stumbling across this article. It fills the void between the most convenient solution with the lowest sound quality compounded by a signal that fades in and out as with transmitters, and the high price and possible modification of a replacing a stock stereo with new head unit in order to aquire a line in sound quality. Believe me... the sound quality of the "upgraded" stock stereo in my Toyota Tacoma leaves a lot to be desired and I would replace it with a higher end head unit which offers better quality and increased functionality in a heartbeat if the truck was older than a just a month off the show room floor. Because the truck is so new and the exsting unit has a very unique physical configuration, my options are limited to a small pool of drop in replacements presently available. So the modulator definitely fits my immediate needs for a very reasonable price. If I find out that I am not satisfied with the so so level of perfomance I expect, I'll hand it down to my brother. Just like i did with my PodFrig.
I have a 2005 Acura MDX and the headunit is connected to both the GPS and the bluetooth phone system, not to mention XM and built-in six disc changer; there is no way I'm going to replace my head-unit. I actually tried to put a wired FM modulator in my car, but Acura, in all its wisdom, uses a non-standard square antennae plug (I guess for the built in XM). Sadly, I don't even have a tape deck so I have nothing until BlitzSafe or Denison come up with an adapter.
Inline RF modulators have been around for years.
This is so "not news"
I had a similar installation done today at a local shop (Dreamworks Motorsports, Roxboro, NC) -- it's a gazillion times better than any other FM Modulation solution. I wouldn't put it in the same category with the iTrip or those type things. It's not line-in, but it's sure close enough for now.
Interestingly, they checked the engadget.com link before setting the price. I paid about what the 12,800 yen for the featured item would have been. That was pretty cool.
Ken
hey 2005 mdx (post 40) - you have an aux input under the right rear armrest, don't you? (my '04 does). a little cabling to the center console and you're done.
My 2005 Subaru Outback XT has a headunit that shares the circuit board with the climate control. So fitting an aftermarket in isn't the issue.
I would love an aftermarket headunit. Until there's something more than a hack, this will do.
Oh, and I believe the "newsworthiness" is that the crap non-inline FM modulators are marketed as the only FM option.
This seems like an interesting idea - similar to the Dension iceLink FM and a real option for those of us with head units that don't easily accept AUX in connections. Has anyone got a specification for it, in particular its frequency response? The iceLink has a disappointing 30Hz-15kHz whereas most CD changers using this system are 20Hz-20kHz.
Hey John with the '04 MDX! Do you have a similar tip about an '04 Nissan Frontier. I bought the Scosche unit that plugs in to the Cigarette Lighter and had nothing but interfierence. The in-line fm modulator certainly sounds appealing, but how good are they really. If it's as good as the old-school tape adapters, then that's good enough for me. my .wma files are at 64 kbps anyway.
Umm, it's FM. The device may well be capable of DC to 100Khz, but the FM specification limits frequency response to 20~15KHz so that's what you get. With anything. Period.
By the way, the FM subcarrier is at 19Khz. If you don't filter it out (by not going that high) it will destroy your amp and tweeters in about 5 minutes. FM doesn't go above 15KHz for a reason, and it's a very good one.
"SCA rejection" is one that should be listed on a FM device, it defines how much the 19Khz is attenuated; 50 dB is a good figure for a FM reciever that might cost hundreds of dollars. So, how could it go to 20Khz and be 50 dB down at 19Khz? Answer: it can't.
Worry about specs that matter. Similarly, very, very few CDs have any information between 20 and 30 Hz, and no mp3 will (it's filtered out and is part of the mp3 specification).
" ... The iceLink has a disappointing 30Hz-15kHz whereas most CD changers using this system are 20Hz-20kHz. ..."
If you have the 5L8T-18C815-EC radio installed in a 2005
Ford Escape, there is no "line in" option.Monster icruze,the various
P.I.E kits, the products Crutchfield has, etc,etc... They don't have
any solutions for my problem. My advice is NEVER buy a
FORD!!!!
how do i find out if my car has a line in its a stock 2002 ford mustang with the stock radio not the mach just the standard one. Also Quailty in the wired vs a audio line in is their much difference? Installation is easy?