HrEz2k4

alright, i want to connect my mp3 player to the stereo of my 3.0. what would be the best way to do it (a direct connection, no FM or cassette connections please)? what parts would i need?

LCARUCA 97

no modulator or tape?

ok here is the parts you need

1. new deck

Musulsa

Just get a Blitzsafe adapter like I did. It tricks your factory headunit into thinking your ipod (or whatever) is a CD-changer. You can still use your frontloading CD player as well as the "cd-changer" by toggling between the two using the CD button.

I think you want one for the 98-99 Accord.

Here's a link from where I bought mine: http://www.logjamelectronics.com/auxacurahon.html

Musulsa

BTW

You will have to check whether your factory headunit has a 14-pin square connector or an 8-pin round connector. My 99 2.3CL had a 14-pin square.

Basically, you will want either a HON/AUX DMX V.1 (what I got) or the HON/AUX V.1. Don't forget to pick yourself up a Ground Loop Isolator at Radio shack (about $5-10). You will also want a cigarette adapter tap-in outlet from Radio shack ($5-10). Finally, if you have an iPod, I highly suggest getting a Belkin ipod charger since it uses the iPod's line-out for the cleanest sound AND the line out jack is on the cigarette jack part so you can hide EVERYTHING in the dash and just have 1 cable coming out for the iPod.

I'll post a pic of my setup if you need it.

-=-=-=-=-

p.s if you don't feel like setting it up yourself (which is really easy btw) you can just take all the parts to BestBuy and they will install it for you for about $35.

NitiNiteZ

iTrader: (1)

[QUOTE=Musulsa]BTW

You will have to check whether your factory headunit has a 14-pin square connector or an 8-pin round connector. My 99 2.3CL had a 14-pin square.

Basically, you will want either a HON/AUX DMX V.1 (what I got) or the HON/AUX V.1. Don't forget to pick yourself up a Ground Loop Isolator at Radio shack (about $5-10). You will also want a cigarette adapter tap-in outlet from Radio shack ($5-10). Finally, if you have an iPod, I highly suggest getting a Belkin ipod charger since it uses the iPod's line-out for the cleanest sound AND the line out jack is on the cigarette jack part so you can hide EVERYTHING in the dash and just have 1 cable coming out for the iPod.

I'll post a pic of my setup if you need it.
QUOTE]

Sounds freakin complicated. How is the sound quality of the setup? pictures!

Musulsa

It isn't complicated at all.

1) You plug the Blitzsafe's cd-changer plug adapter into the factory headunit and some kind of sound source into the Blitzsafe's RCA inputs (red and white).
2) If you want powered MP3 you clip the cigarette plug onto your existing cigarette outlet (which is exposed anyway since you have the center trim off) then plug a car power-adapter into your new extra cigarette outlet.
3) You hide all that crap behind the center trim with only the input cable haning out from the right side of the shifter trim by the floor.

1a) If you get some electrical whining sound in your sound you need to put a Ground Loop Isolator (looks like a normal RCA sound cable with a box in the middle) between the Blitzsafe and your sound input.

The sound quality is the same as any CD-changer would be. If you want CD-quality sound (which is the best car audio gets without analog components ) then this is for you.

griff43081

got any pics??

interested in how it looks

Musulsa

Here are the pics I promised:

Musulsa

I just wanted to add that in the last 2 pics I pulled the white cable out a bit to show you how it goes in. Normally, it is invisible.

agranado

BDiddy

Hate to say it, but MP3 is nowhere near CD-quality sound. It's compressed music and has its advantages (portability being one), but it's a far cry from CD in terms of sound quality.

Musulsa

When I say CD-quality I'm not talking about the sound of the MP3 player. I have no control over what the user connects to his AUX inputs.

The original poster asked to avoid signal loss issues caused by FM-modulation, tape-adapters, etc. I'm simply talking about the signal quality. ANYTHING can be hooked up to the Blitzsafe using the standard RCA inputs.

In any case road noise, engine noise, and wind noise makes the "High bitrate MP3's are a tiny bit worse than CD quality are a tiny bit worse than analog quality" argument is worse than useless.

Unless you are using closed cup noisecanceling headphones in your stationary car in a soundproof garage I will bet you $500 that you won't pass an A-B test between a 512bitrate mp3 and a CD.

For the truly insane you can just get a 60gb ipod and use a lossless compression codec like one of my retarded friends.

Musulsa

"Unless you are using closed cup noisecanceling headphones in your stationary car in a soundproof garage I will bet you $500 that you won't pass an A-B test between a 512bitrate mp3 and a CD."

...compared to when you are actually driving. (just wanted to clarify)

ingsoc747

If you're using an iPod, you could buy the iTrip. It transmits the audio over a specified FM frequency that isn't being used (like 87.1 or something). Tune your radio to that, and bam... iPod music with no wires.

Musulsa

Except the itrip is completely useless in high density urban areas like LA, NY, Atlanta, etc. The airwaves are too saturated with more powerful radio frequencies making the iTrip sound really staticky or get drowned out by some local station. Also, it is TRULY useless when making a long distance highway roadtrip since you have to constantly change the itrip frequency as new radio stations appear in each area.

In fact, some people have found that EVERY itrip frequency is drowned out in their area. It just isn't reliable enough.

ingsoc747

I beg to differ. I live in NY, and my buddy regularly commutes into manhattan with his car. His iTrip works perfectly fine. You just have to be careful about what frequency you pick (I think that the lowest one on your FM should work fine, since I have never heard a radio station on that frequency.) The only drawback that I see would the shorter battery life since it's transmitting on an antenna. (I don't know what its power output is though. I think the optimum range is around 5-10 ft.)

cl_jay

does it matter if you have a stand or not? does the mp3 player have to be sturdy while driving or it doenst matter?

Musulsa

(A)
The order of clean signal is this: 1) Direct AUX connection 2) FM Modulator 3) Good Tape adapter 4) FM transmitter.

The FM transmitter is the worst possible sound quality you can get from an MP3 (or other sound source). Now, for some people it is "good enough" for their purposes, but for those who want the best possible connection, FM transmitters are out of the question.

(B)
You don't NEED a stand or holder. It's just nice to be able to glance over and see what song is playing. Also I have my stand situated such that I can control my iPod with my middle finger while my right hand rests on my shifter. It isn't neccessary, it's just more convenient.

HrEz2k4

which is better? the P.I.E or Blitzsafe adapter? why is there a $20 price difference for a product that does the same thing?

wakeboardfusion

i wish i would have known that before i baught a new deck

pawsox5jc

i have the blitzsafe.

i think the differnce in price is because the blitzsafe is made in the US, i believe i read that a while back. I think the P.I.E. is made somewhere in Asia.

they do the same thing so it would be your call, price and where they are made are the only differences i believe

HrEz2k4

HAHAHAHA!!
i was looking up information on both, and noticed that blitzsafe headquarters is located in my hometown. a quick google map search placed it 2 blocks from my house. guess which one i'm going to get?

agranado

uh, not blitzsafe?

LilNeel12

i have the blitzsafe for my ipod too, and it works great and sounds like cd-quality
- i tried the belkin fm transmitter and its sucks

HrEz2k4

so, i bought everything today locally. came out to around $106. i set everything up as a test (wires everywhere, radio out), and it worked perfectly. i'll have pictures of the setup when its done.

clcars

I have the neo ion in my car, I got it from www.mp3yourcar.com and it makes a direct connection to the stock radio. The one I have works perfect - my friend actually ordered one after playing with mine.

undersiege

quick question does anybody know the pin-out diagram for that 14 pin connection i'm ballsy and want to try to make one of these interfaces myself?

on1wheel01

damn it newb. I have a interface i need to post for sale