IPOD connectivity ?

My car came with an aftermarket headunit (Pioneer AVIC-N1) that has an IPOD cable... the previous owner ran the cable underneath the center console so the wire hung out the bottom of the console. When I got the car, the ashtray was broken, so they gave me a replacement... but I'm still using the old ashtray because the plastic insert where the ashtray bolts down was broken, so there's a small hole in the bottom of the ashtray. I pulled the IPOD cable through the hole in the bottom of the ashtray so now it's hidden until I open the ashtray.

 

Go to a car audio store and purchase the Alpine head unit to replace your current unit($400) they have a connector that goes in your glove box. It also has bluetooth available...Easiest way.

 

Is that a drop-in replacement?

Does it still work with the CD player in the trunk?

 

Replace your rear changers, with an ipod you will no longer use the CD's.

http://www.alpine-usa.com/en/products/product.php?model=DVA-9861

 

AFAIK it is still illegal to rip CDs to play on your iPod. Not that I don't do it myself, just thought I'd point out the silly law that needs changing.

 

iPod is an analog, two channel output.

If you get a 1/8" stereo plug to two female RCA's (Radio Shack P/N: 42-2542 around $4.00), unplug the RCA connectors going into your CD changer, connect those the RCA's to the females of this new connector, plug the 1/8" connector to the iPod, then you can output your iPod to the CD connection which should play through your music system.

On newer cars the audio interface is "MOST" which is all optical digital, and to tie into that you need an interface which few have due to the software requirements.

With the older 2 channel analog systems it is a much simplier interface.

 

I work in the music business (for the worlds largest record label) and it is generally considered fair use for individuals to rip their own CD's into digital form for use on iPods or other management and usage software or devices.

Since there is no copy protection on CD's there is no violation of the DMCA resulting in the circumvention of copyright protection from ripping CD's, unlike ripping a DVD which has CSS protection.

Just clarifying ..

I love iPods in cars - wish my Range Rover and Aston had iPod compatibility. On my Porsche I even went so far as to spend $5000 for a complete REUS stereo upgrade when all I wanted at first was to find a way to hook my iPod to the fiber optic MOST system in lots of new cars.

 

Are you happy with the A/M or are you beginning to feel guilty.....
Saluti,

 

I am extremely happy with the AM. I walk away from it backwards, can't stop staring. Think about it all the time!

Took it for a long drive last night up pacific coast highway to stretch it's legs (and get it into some higher gears than 3rd .. it almost hits 100 in 3rd gear and it revs so high it's crazy.

One of these days I'd like to get a Ferrari - maybe a pre-owned 575 in a few years. No room in the garage, wallet or marriage for an AM and a Ferrari..

I need to get a V1 radar next..

 

This unit is 6.25" deep - just wonder whether it will fit in a 456GT, where I understand the head unit is very shallow.

In a 456M GT the head unit is in front of the gear stick so has more depth available to it I understand.

Please let me know if I'm wrong ?

 

So the Ipod would need to stay up in the changer area??

 

I forgot to add this to my PM response.

No, you could also connect your iPod directly to the CD audio input of the radio at the radio. This may require a different type of connector.

Take a pair of cheap 2M-3M audio cables you get with an electronic device. Unplug the connections from the CD, connect these there to the cables, and then run the wires temp into the cabin connected to the iPod.

Turn on the radio, select CD, and then start the iPod. It should play. If so you know it will work. So, either feed wires thru the firewall to the changer connections or make a connector to go into the radio CD input.

I can't tell you what to make because I know only what the 360/430 connectors are. Maybe the 355 is similar, but I do not know with certainty.

Just remember that the iPod bandwidth is absolutely terrible! There is no way it will ever equal CD quality!

 

We are talking about the console here are we not?

 

Alpine's "second to the top" model looks just as good but for only $278 shipped. It has a simple ipod connection directly into the unit.
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=16991