Apple IPod and other MP3 players - Page 3

stentsik · 8th January 2004, 07:48

MacMinute: Alpine debuts car audio head units with iPod integration
"January 6, 2004 - 14:45 EST Alpine today announced the world's first solution that enables consumers to connect and control their iPod from their in-vehicle sound system. Alpine said that with a one-cable connection, iPod users will be able to operate key playback features from the Alpine receiver's buttons and have display of playlists, album, artist and songs on the head unit. The iPod can then be safely stored in the glove box or console because it acts like a portable hard drive connected to the head unit through Alpine's Ai-NET system bus. The Alpine connectivity solution also provides charging of the iPod's internal battery..."
http://www.macminute.com/2004/01/06/alpine

I believe, at least in theory, it should be possible to connect iPod also to BMW's proprietary Hi-FI system (DSP/non-DSP) using Ai-Net/M-Bus and BMW/Alpine M-Bus adapters...

bstnsportsfan · 8th January 2004, 18:11

stentsik- Thats great! Right now its difficult to hook up an Ipod (or any mp3 player) to a car cd player. With a tape deck you can just use the tape adapter but how many people have tape decks in their car anymore. Hopefully the models that Alpine makes capatible with the Ipod don't cost a fortune! Any time frame on when this could happen?

stentsik · 9th January 2004, 10:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by bstnsportsfan

stentsik- Thats great! Right now its difficult to hook up an Ipod (or any mp3 player) to a car cd player. With a tape deck you can just use the tape adapter but how many people have tape decks in their car anymore. Hopefully the models that Alpine makes capatible with the Ipod don't cost a fortune! Any time frame on when this could happen?

On the press release Alpine promised to start delivery in summer. I have considered to upgrade my car audio systems for a while and finally there will be product to meet my criteria’s

pdiack · 9th January 2004, 20:04

FYI - I placed an order for 2 of the ipod-minis on the apple site today and they won't ship till Feb 16th - so if you want something soon - go for the 15gb and up models.

bstnsportsfan · 11th January 2004, 21:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdiack

FYI - I placed an order for 2 of the ipod-minis on the apple site today and they won't ship till Feb 16th - so if you want something soon - go for the 15gb and up models.

I'd like to get an Ipod but I can't spend $249-299+ for one. I thought they would be going for $100-150 then I would have preordered one.

Pdiack, be sure to let us know how it is. What made you get the ipod-mini rather than spending a bit more and getting a Ipod 15gb?

M5Ted · 13th January 2004, 23:42

The ipod is very easy to hook up to any car as long as you're willing to loose your CD changer. Adapters are available that turn the CD changer hook up into female RCA jacks. Then it's just a RCA to 1/8th inch cable to connect the ipod. Alpine also makes a similar cable that works with their aftermarket head units, which I have. In dash CD and ipod is a great set up.

As far as working with the ipod... I dropped a 15 foot cliff skiing with my ipod last week and when I crashed the music stopped. I thought I had broken it but alas, the headphone jack had just come out. The ipod was still spinning away!

louv · 14th January 2004, 01:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by M5Ted

As far as working with the ipod... I dropped a 15 foot cliff skiing with my ipod last week and when I crashed the music stopped. I thought I had broken it but alas, the headphone jack had just come out. The ipod was still spinning away!

Ted,
Please be careful. We wouldn't want you to get hurt "drop testing" those iPods.

For everybody, your iPod will be much happier while being used in "strenuous conditions" where bumping and jarring might take place, being in some kind of carrying case. Especially good are padded cases (neoprene is excellent). The disk drive only spins up about once every 20 minutes or so, but when it does,it doesn't take much of a shock to cause damage to the hard drive. But if it is in a case, then the g-forces are drastically reduced, and your treasurd iPod will have a much longer and happier life.

M5Ted · 15th January 2004, 02:37

Thanks for the advice Louv. I have a skin on my ipod but I doubt it provides much protection. I'll look into a case for those "higher-impact" situations.