PhilB81

I personally listen to a lot of DJ Live sets, or A State of Trance episodes, so changing 'songs' via the steering wheel controls isn't a big + for me. Text display on the navi is also useless. I benefit much more from maintaining the iPod's interface.

I was quite inspired by Elegant TypeS's setup, but I have an 08 TLS and I didn't want to loose NavTraffic.

so here's what I got:
1. 3.5mm male to RCA female (link)

2. Composite AV cable (link) which is also available in store at Radio Shack for $49.99

3. Griffin PowerJolt dual USB (link) picked it up at the store.

as far as the audio that's all you need, but I'm prepping for the Video too.

4. long video cable (link)

5. RCA coupler (link)

6. no video device yet, but i'll get that soon


the setup is quite simple, the Griffin Jolt is plugged in the center armrest, and the audio plugs in the 3.5mm that's in the armrest as well.
The sound this way is significantly louder than when I used 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable. Before with my iPod at 60-70% volume, I would have to crank the head unit to approx 20-25 for some decently loud music, and now using the apple cable via RCA to 3.5mm, to achieve the same 'noise' in the car i only need to go to 05 or 06 on the vol knob.

I have pandora radio, and shoutcast on my iPhone too, so I can listen to ETN.fm in the car, woooot!

i find the signal to be clearer this way than when it's amp-ed by he iPod and outputed via the 3.5mm headphone jack.

I read msala's thread about having problems with buzzing, and I have to tell you I have absolutely no alternator buzzing sounds at all. I bought a Ground Loop Insulator (link) just to be ready, but I have no need of it for now. I will keep the ground loop in the box until I get the video unit, just incase I somehow get ground feedback via the video rca.

So far my only regret is not having this setup since the day I bought the car.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Phil, that sounds very interesting. Do you have pictures? I'm interested because I just bought an iPhone too. I have the OEM audio setup and would love to hook it up to the car, but not lose XM NavTraffic. Right now, I'm just using the RCA cord plugged into the Auxillary Plug-In.

PhilB81

I'll snap some pix tonight when I get home

btw, sorry I didn't proof read / spell check my first post my edit was just to make the link blue so they are more obvious

flipper2001

Nice Idea, I have a 07 and I'm using the Belkin power adapter with the ipod power adapter and AUX. It's amped from the plug so it's clear. I was recently in the 09 TSX and the sound system is so much better then mine! much more spacial sound.

PhilB81

here are the pix

All the wires. USB plugged in the Griffin powerjolt, the 2 audio rca in the RCA to 3.5mm convertor, the video cable is still lonely


all plugged in


just the plug showing


streaming music via pandora radio. Shoutcast at 128kbps works fine too


display just showing AUX, volume was set at 03 and it was plenty for the car sitting with the engine off. It's much louder then when i was using the top 3.5mm to output the signal from the iPhone / iPod


that's it

Elegant TYPE S

iTrader: (2)

Good stuff, so this is basically everything I did minus the PIE X3 since you guys have the NAV Traffic that gets messed up, do I got this?

PhilB81

yup right on the money, we also have an aux input which you people don't have

Trew

iTrader: (1)

The XM harness at the back of the radio of TLs with Nav-Traffic is different than ours. There is currently no OEM integration device out that has this harness. Msala is in the same boat.

IMO, I believe it would sound even better if you get the harness (if/when it comes out) since it's a direct input, and not a bunch of couplers and adapters.

PhilB81

I thought the plug was identical, but had extra pins connected, is that wrong?

as far as 'couplers' well the only difference between the setups is that I'm using a RCA to 3.5mm instead of a PIE X3, there's no additional plugs.

Elegant TYPE S

iTrader: (2)

The Aux jack can introduce engine noise. That's what Trew is saying. Msala has this problem.

PhilB81

OHHh.. now I get it, ya I actually anticipated getting engine noise, that's why I bought a ground loop insulator. But it turns out I don't have engine noise, so no need for the ground loop insulator. I should have taken a pic with it, it's still in the box

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

I just got the Apple version of this. It plugs into the jack and the auxillary cord plugs into the unit so you don't have 2 things plugged into the iPhone. No engine noise either.

2008 Kansas City Acura Meet
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=714994

meagain

For Video - Where will you plug in the "long video cable"? Do you actually have a 'video-in' in your TL? I'm not understanding the plans for the video piece.

PhilB81

I have a Dom's nav unit on the way. So with that in the trunk, I'll run the video from the center console to the trunk and I'll be set.

PhilB81

Sorry for the resurect, but I have Dom's device now, and it works great! I just need to find a nicer switch, any recommendations?

thanks

AlexNYC

Anyone know how to get the audio in the radio?
I have an 06 and no aux input. What can i do?

PhilB81

I copied my setup from Elegant's thread and he didn't have an aux input either so he used a PIE X3.
I think he made some changes to his setup since then but can't remember what exactly remember.

dBex

any more progress on this?

PhilB81

Progress in which direction? I have had the iPod/iPhone audio and video setup for a few months now. The only piece missing is for me to properly hookup the video feed switch. Now it's just dangling by my feet.

dBex

Just was curious if you had gotten the video switch hooked up. I am looking at doing this but not sure which direction to go with the video switch. Pretty much following your first steps today, then gonna add the Dom's video device at a later date.

PhilB81

Sorry I don't have anything cool as far as the switch goes, I'll look around and see what I can dig up.

Also I noticed just today that if I don't have anything hooked up to the iPod cable, and the headunit is on AUX, I can hear the alternator buzzing if I turn the volume up. However, as soon as I plug in a device, without even playing music the buzzing goes away.