Any suggestions for integrating my iPod with my TL?

Thanks,

Craig

 

iTrip

 

iTrip is awful. You need a hard-wired FM modulator to get the kind of sound quality your luxury car commands.

See this thread:

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showt...1&page=1&pp=25

In it, you'll learn...


To avoid confusion on this posters comment about "sounds way better than an FM modulator", there are three degrees of connectivity that we're talking about here:

Cassette Tape Adapter:

Plastic cassette shell with wire that plugs into iPod headphone jack. Hissy, distorted, wow & flutter, can confuse auto-reverse mechanisms. Unacceptable solution for owners of a $35k luxury car. No need to be cheap, folks. Sound quality D+


Wireless FM Modulator:

These devices snap onto or act as a cradle for your iPod. They broadcast wirelessly to an un-used fraction of the FM tuner in your car and use a very low amount of power (most use the battery power directly off the iPod they're that un-powerful) due to FCC regulations (if it were more powerful, you could be broadcasting to the car next to you). On the plus side, they're cheap and easy to use. On the down side, if you're in a very busy metro area you'll never get a clear FM station to tune it into. If you do get a lucky vacant channel, after an hour of driving another station will overcome your broadcast and you'll have to re-tune it. Sound quality C+

Wired & Powered FM Modulator:

As discussed earlier, this is a car stereo dealer installed black box that splices directly into the FM antenna at any point between the rear glass and the radio in the dash. Because it splices into the FM antenna, there are no FCC regulations around how powerful it can be; so these are cranked up to the point where they sound superior to the FM tuner itself with the MP3's coming in through a hard-wire to the head unit. The upside here is that it's the best sound quality you can have for your iPod in your car short of using an AUX input that our Acura/Alpine/Panasonic head units lack. Additionally, all you'll see is a small wire (headphone jack) that will live hidden in an area of your choice (armrest, dash compartments, glove compartment) with no other device to snap on or cradle to. The only down side is that it's going to cost you about $200 and 3 hours of non TL driving time. Sound quality A+

BJ

 

Please...

 

I actually like the iTrip. Its darn good, but not perfect. The hardwired FM modulator is the best though. I just haven't gotten around to getting one yet.

Joe

 

alright. i am getting a portable mp3 player! i was set on the dell, but everyone on here is talking about the ipod. what should i do?

 

The iPod is your only option. Almost as good as the iPod is the fact that you get to use iTunes which is the best all-around jukebox / ripper / burner / store around.

BJ

 

how many mp3s can i fit on each model ipod, and how much should i expect to spend?

 

"..Cassette Tape Adapter:

".....wow & flutter... "

I might be mis reading your post, but how would an empty cassette shell contribute wow n flutter to a digital audio device?

 

The cassette shell has a flat metal contact point that literally presses up against the head in your cassette deck. While not 'fluttering' in the sense of tape moving laterally, this metal contact point does not align perfectly with all tape decks. When I first got my iPod a few years ago, I tried the cassette method and found that my Acura sounded all tinny and trebley and my Honda sounded all muddy and bassy. I literally had to jiggle the tape to get it to contact at a better point to even out the sound.....never could get it right.

Beyond that, my Acura's auto-reverse cassette mechanism was constantly tricked by the lack of tape putting resistance against the capstan, so it would reverse itself at random intervals about every five minutes.

All in all, better to get a Quaker Oats can and some string rather than go down the cassette road.

BJ

 

Click on these:

Link To The iPod Song / Pricing Chart

Link To The iPod Mini Song / Pricing Chart

The short answer is from 1,000 to 10,000 songs ranging in price from $249 to $499.

Also investigate the iTunes store; many people fail to realize that iTunes alone is worth the money due to its amazing content (hi-res music videos, song previews, Top 100 Charts, exclusive live shows by your fave artists, etc.) and amazing features (ripper, burner, jukebox, playlists, crossfading, sharing, etc.).

BJ

 

Hard-wire FM. Its the best.

The casette deck should only be used for what is designed for: to confound people why it still exists

*still pondering why I have a casette deck in a 2004 luxury car*

 

I wonder also. Def never used more nor do i ever plan to!

 

For the same reason some must have spoilers on their trunks, blue lights in their doors, and black-chrome badges- it's a mod. Aren't you feeling cool?

BJ

 

You can integrate the audio by switching the audio from the XM. Takes some wiring
and relays but the sound is great. I have done a few for iPods and AVElectronic tuners.

JT

jtaudioacc.com

 

I'm waiting for a hardwired solution that allows me to continue using XM. I am considering the wired FM solution but don't want someone who doesn't know the TL tearing up my center console just yet (don't want the inevitable rattles....). Until I make a final decision, the iTrip is more than adequate for me for listening to music while at freeway speeds. I make sure the iPod is plugged into one of the sockets, as the power level makes a difference as to the sound quality.

 

You continue to use the XM also. You just have to switch between the two.

 

coasterlvr...do you have or know of anywhere that lists exactly how to do that XM switch solution? I've read a few people describe doing it, but I haven't found anywhere that lists the details of what the wiring was in order to hop on the XM input.

 

I tap into the XM at the XM unit in the trunk. The wire colors there are white (R+), black (R-), red (L+) and green (L-). I just use a double throw relay for each channel, so 2 total.
I keep the XM common and add whatever source you want through the NC side of the relay. I install a switch up front and that is basically it. I use the small 5amp dpdt relays from radio shack.

HTH,
JT

jtaudioacc.com

 

IPOD is not your only option. IPOD is a well marketed, nifty gadget. But it is by far not the best sounding mp3 harddisk player. I have an Iriver IHP-120 which I returned my IPOD for....the sound is like night and day. I assume if your willing to invest so much to incorporate mp3's into your tl u would want the best possible sound for them...

 

coasterlvr...one more question. Where exactly in the trunk is the XM unit? I glanced in the trunk this morning and didn't see any obvious spot where the XM would be located. If you could tip me in the right direction I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

XM device is hidden in trunk. Coasterlvr knows his stuff, I got my Nav-tv tuner installed by him. It was a clean job.

 

Anyone try the Transpod FM? Its available on the apple store web site. I just ordered a 20GB ipod and the Transpod FM. Had reviews from Macaddict, pc world and pc mag. we'll see.

 

x420actionx, do you know what part of the trunk it was in? Is it under the floormat, "above" the trunk between the trunk and the sheetmetal, or on one of the sides like the DVD for the NAV?

 

hidden inside the right side of the trunk, close proximity to the dvd drive

 

I have a canadian, navi 2004tl. The canadian models dont come with XM radio. Does that mean i have a free input available? Is it accessible without dissasembling some componenent of the car?