Car Stereo Connections

David,

I know there are head units around with AUX inputs, but to save having to purchase a new head unit, the tape insert method is one way, another is to use an FM transmitter and just tune into it. No sure of the quality of these though. I just use the tape insert from my discman when running MP3/WMA files off the laptop, but might look into a transmitter soon.

check out http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/itrip/

I have had the tape thingy's and the sound was pretty ordinary. It was a Sony too. One of my mates bought a cheap headunit from the wreckers . . . from a Commodore I think . . . it had an input jack. He just called the manufacturers for the unlock code and now plugs in his iPod for heapz of tunes without needing his lappie.

hi david,strathfield car radio has a system that you can use where you tune your radio into a set frequency and any input say xbox, laptop etc. sound is thru car speakers, its not cheap at about $110.00.its been a while since i spoke to them so i cant give you to much detail. cheers rob

I picked up a wireless modulator from ebay some time ago for errrr can't remember how much...about $15...works well

Or you can get a wired job for about $30. Plug the car radio antenna into it and plug the modulator into the radio, run the audio from the laptop to it, connect it 12v
Tune the radio to the modulator frequency and hey presto big laptop sound.

David,

Jaycar have a FM transmitter for about $35 works a treat, just plug it into the Laptop and tune in the stereo.

David,
I have a portable HD type MP3 player & had the same problem as the new car came with only a CD player so the tape interface I had was no good. Bought an FM transmitter made by Belkin who make PC routers etc, very compact and can select 4 FM frequencies which allow you to find a quiet channel to use. Was quite impressed for a $49 unit & the first time we used it my mate in a car in front tuned in as well while we were driving down the F3, he made request over the CB while my partner played DJ in the passenge seat.
There is some degradation in sound quality which you would expect from a cheap modulator but still sounds pretty good. I have used it on the laptop also when playing MP3's & tuning in the home stereo, car stereos work better with these though as they have more sensitive tuners. check the details here:
http://www.streetwise.com.au/product_info.php?products_id=1975&
Also a later model with more freq's & features: www.streetwise.com.au/product_info.php?products_id=2132features:
Dick Smiths also sell them.
Cheers

FM Transmiter is the way to go , plug it into the head phone socket of the laptop , tune in FM station away you go .

Thanks all - might drop past tricky dicky and see what I can see.

Kenwood, Pioneer and Alpine all sell aux adaptors that plug in where the stacker cable would normally go.

Kenwood one was around $40

The other option David is to just by an MP3 Player for your car. I just picked up a VDO for $251 from Strathfield that plays CD's and MP3s and AM, Shortwave and FM, allows you to enter in song names and search for song or album and has 4x50w hooks up to my amp in the back and sounds pretty bloody good. You just burn a couple of cd's full of MP3's and you've got days of music. The other bonus is because it is Mp3 it caches the songs so you don't get any skipping while going over corrugations (tried it out in dwellingup last weekend doing some silly speeds over rough gravel). Mind you the CD player part of it was usless on gravel, but I don't realy plan to play normal cd's very often anyway, why would you?

David,

I would humbly suggest that you investigate an iPod. It should suit your needs perfectly.