http://www.griffintechnology.com/pro...deck/index.php

I just tried a tape in my TL for the first time and the fast forward and rewind controls work via the channel button on the stering wheel so if this adapter does what it says we should be able to advance songs via the steering wheel.

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SmartDeck allows you to control your iPod using the built in controls of your cassette player. Using patent-pending sensing technology, the SmartDeck determines which commands the cassette player sends to the iPod.

SmartDeck is more than just a cassette adapter for iPod; it achieves truly seamless integration between iPod and cassette deck. Use the cassette deck's forward and rewind buttons to advance to the next or prior songs in the iPod playlist. Pause and stop buttons do what pause and stop buttons are expected to do. Hit the cassette deck's Eject button or switch from Cassette to Radio, and Griffin's SmartPlay technology automatically pauses the iPod.

SmartDeck Features and Benefits
• Control iPod navigation through the car stereo
• Intelligent level control for optimal input levels
• Features highest-quality tape head for crystal clear quality
• Sets optimal volume on the iPod for best audio quality
• Seamless integration between iPod and car stereo

Clear, high-quailty audio and iPod control together in one brainy cassette adapter. What more could you ask for?

Made for:
• iPod mini
• iPod Photo
• 4th Generation iPod with Click Wheel
• 3rd Generation iPod with touch wheel and buttons

 

Been waiting for it for months...

 

Sounds cool if the TL's cassette player will take it. However, the company's web site says this product isn't available yet. How do you happen to have one? You wouldn't be, oh I don't know, a rep or something like that...?

 

I don't have one, but ordered one. I just tried playing a tape in my car for the first time and the steering wheel channel controls did the fast forward and rewind functions that sound like they can be used with this adapter to advance a song on the iPod.

 

Sounds interesting.... Maybe i dont need to shell out $$$ for a AUX connection mod afterall.

 

waiting for what seems like forever, 3Q is the new release date. I just hope when they do come out they are not backordered for months.

 

Didn'y those cassette thingys go out with mullets

 

Hey RedParch, after you get it, let us know how it works, the sound quality, etc.
I might have to get one myself, instead of wasting $ and time doing aux mod.

 

looks cool but still analog quality. I would rather have digital quality. But its is cool.

 

Guess what? None of the Ipod adapters right now are digital unless they connect to your car via Firewire or USB.

 

Not to mention that we would have gone a different direction if those solutions worked with our navi cars.

 

I am still waiting for the other folks ( creative) to come out with some compelling add-ons. I would much rather use the Zen Micro becuase of teh music store support.... the wait goes on.

 

BTW, "digital quality" is a meaningless marketing term. Have you ever watched a streaming video from Internet? This is "digital quality" and it clearly sucks.
Tape adaptor is not a quality solution. better than FM, but worse than direct analog input. There is a way to make a better sounding cassette adaptor, by empoying preemphasis (equalizer) circuitry, but I have never seen adaptors with this feature. Griffin is actually well postitioned to implement it, because they can draw a necessary power from iPod's remote connector, but given the low price I doubt they did it.

 

Review of the Griffin SmartDeck. The Smart Deck works fine, but not as fast as I expected it to. I am able to switch songs via the up/down channel button the steering wheel. The only problem I had was that it auto adjusts the volume on the iPod and the level that it adjusted it to was way too loud and the sound output was terrible. I found that lowering the iPod volume fixed the problem.

For $30 it is probably the least expensive solution that lets you control some iPod functionality via the steering wheel. For more info go to: http://www.griffintechnology.com/pro...dock/index.php