Anyone w/ iPod hooked through stereo??

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Jun 10, 2003 | 08:07 PM
  #1  
hey,

does anyone have the iPod hooked up through their stereo using the blitzsafe or any other adaptors?? how is the quality, reliability, AND MOST OF ALL is it easy to use while you are driving??

anyone mount theirs to there dash or somewhere else in the MINI where it is easily accesible and easy to navigate, read, etc...

i would love to save money and buy an iPod instead of the Kenwood Keg, because not only is it cheaper, it is portable!! does anyone know if Apple will be making a HU that has Aux in so track names and artists will appear, also w/ playlists, etc...

also does the 2003 have an AUX in where u can easily plug the iPod in??

any iPod experts out there?!?!? anyone w/ a solution to this problem?

_________________
Young MINI Motorers

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Jun 10, 2003 | 08:18 PM
  #2  
anyone have these:

http://www.in-carmp3.com/

they look interesting!
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Jun 10, 2003 | 08:29 PM
  #3  
The 2003 apparantly are AUX ready but they have yet to deveop the actual adapter and I believe that access is through the glovebox? We bought iPods as an accessory for the MINI hoping that the adapter would soon follow. Still no word on the adapter so we have Sirrus sat radio now. We still hope to get the iPods into the MINI but this has become a low priorty. There is a mounting whose-a-jig-a-whater at an iPod accesory store that goes in the cup holder and has a arm that extends up to cradle the iPod.
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Jun 10, 2003 | 08:40 PM
  #4  
do a search for it. i have the aux thing hooked up but i can't remember the name of it for the life of me..
its hooked up in the back two 20 seconds to install.. hooked up rca cord to that and ran the wire through to the front of the car. all you do is plug in and play. works great, and is only $50 if you get it at Tweeter.. some places are selling it online for $100.
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Jun 11, 2003 | 05:18 AM
  #5  
Nomonstersinme is describing the Blitzsafe adaptor I think? This goes where the CD changer would normally go, and gives you inputs instead.

The "official" AUX input goes into the back of HU and does not affect the CD changer - but it is still not available.
Someone I know has made quite a few and they work fine - he has an iPod running into his HU.
Click here for picture of cable
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Jun 11, 2003 | 11:52 AM
  #6  
I have done the "iPod mod" in my MC for about $20 in supplies and about an hours worth of time, using the how-to threads on MINI2. It really is a very simple thing to do; the worst part is dismantling the interior to get to the back of the HU. Mine is not a perfect adaptor, and I'm still waiting to see what MINIUSA has up their sleeves when their adaptor finally comes out. My set-up allows me to select aux and control volume on the MFSW. I have to use the iPod controls to control play lists etc. But the sounds quality is great, certainly as good as a cd.

Here is a picture of my installed iPod... the jack exits below the center console.

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Jun 11, 2003 | 03:27 PM
  #7  
k just got back from best buy...

this is wat im told...

some car manufactures offer inputs (which i think the MINI already has) in which the iPod/MP3 player acts like a CD-Changer, but cannot be controlled through the HU... there is a way to get a read-out through the iPod and control it, but they were not sure about and think it requires a new HU altogether... for now i might just do the iPod/Blitzsafe mod, and best buy refered me to a store i will be heading to tomorrow...

now i have to decide wheter to get iPod vs. Archos Multimedia Jukebox (Color LCD screen, can also play movies)

is it true the iPod has a wireless remote, cuz that would work great in the car...
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Jun 11, 2003 | 03:38 PM
  #8  
>>Nomonstersinme is describing the Blitzsafe adaptor I think? This goes where the CD changer would normally go, and gives you inputs instead.
>>
>>The "official" AUX input goes into the back of HU and does not affect the CD changer - but it is still not available.
>>Someone I know has made quite a few and they work fine - he has an iPod running into his HU.
>>Click here for picture of cable


yep thats what i have. sounds great and you can also control volume and select aux through the steering wheel controls.
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Jun 11, 2003 | 03:43 PM
  #9  
uh-oh, does the iPod support WMA????
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Jun 11, 2003 | 03:45 PM
  #10  
no.
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Jun 11, 2003 | 04:22 PM
  #11  
>>no.

really? then wat do i do if i have all WMA's now???

r u sure it doesnt support WMA??
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Jun 11, 2003 | 04:35 PM
  #12  
WMA ... W=Windows=Microsoft
iPod = Apple
Why are you surprised if it is not supported!?

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Jun 11, 2003 | 04:39 PM
  #13  
so now i am in bit of trouble... all my music files on my computer are WMA and not MP3.... i guess i can throw the iPod idea out the window...??
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Jun 11, 2003 | 04:44 PM
  #14  

>>
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Jun 11, 2003 | 06:42 PM
  #15  
Quote:
looks great, but how do u navigate from track to track and also how is it mounted?? does it get rid of cup holder, anyway to pull plug in from around back so that too isnt in the way??
Have to navigate from track to track using the iPod controls, so I've set up playlists and select the one I want to listen to before I set off, so that my time fiddling with the iPod is kept at a minimum. The mount is via a stretchy armband that came with the cover I bought. It has a velcro strap that I factened around the down tube. The whole thing can easily be rotated away from the cupholder, so that isn't really a problem. And sure, the plug could have just as easily been pulled around the back of the down-tube. Honestly that just didn't occur to me at the time!

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Jun 11, 2003 | 07:59 PM
  #16  
I just hooked up an Aux cable to my Mini today.

I used an old CD-ROM->Soundcard cable. The whole thing terminates in a Stereo Phone Jack from Radio Shack. I figure, who could I possibly be using that won't use that plug? I don't really fear wearing out the cable. Also, my install is low impact and can be removed very easily, making it a low risk to "voiding my warrenty" (a buzzword my brother was throwing around today as I was working on it).

I'm probably going to end up doing my brother's install, so I'll take pics with his digi cam tomorrow (or so) and get a FAQ up and running. I don't have a lot of bandwidth, so when I get it done I may need someone benevolent enough to host it. Think the RSpeed dooders need this?

Anyway, Look forward to the FAQ.

[Edit] P.S. : Do you really need the lensflare on your Mini in your massive sig? Seriously? J/K

_________________
Proud owner of the SECOND Mini in BG, KY
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Jun 11, 2003 | 08:13 PM
  #17  
Actually, I was looking at the iPOD as well, until I heard about SonicBlue's Pearl. Supposedly labeled as an iPOD killer. Which is kinda cool, that could mean better interface, more reasonable price, who knows.

Trouble is, SonicBlue (Rio) was bought by D & N Holdings. I was doin some investigating though and, it seems, they are still planning on making the player. I'm just waiting to see what comes about. Don't wanna get stuck with an "inferior" product, though, I won't be sure of that until I see the Pearl.
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Jun 11, 2003 | 08:19 PM
  #18  
>>I just hooked up an Aux cable to my Mini today.
>>
>>I used an old CD-ROM->Soundcard cable. The whole thing terminates in a Stereo Phone Jack from Radio Shack. I figure, who could I possibly be using that won't use that plug? I don't really fear wearing out the cable. Also, my install is low impact and can be removed very easily, making it a low risk to "voiding my warrenty" (a buzzword my brother was throwing around today as I was working on it).
>>
>> I'm probably going to end up doing my brother's install, so I'll take pics with his digi cam tomorrow (or so) and get a FAQ up and running. I don't have a lot of bandwidth, so when I get it done I may need someone benevolent enough to host it. Think the RSpeed dooders need this?
>>
>>Anyway, Look forward to the FAQ.


can u be more specific on what u did and for wat purpose?? did u do it through the head unit or from the trunk area??
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Jun 11, 2003 | 08:22 PM
  #19  
Apple has stated the iPod will be ready to support Windows in about 6 months.
With the launching of the new music service that Apple announced last month, they know the biggest market is WMA and they would be crazy to ignor it.
Look forward to it being a great Christmas gift!
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Jun 11, 2003 | 08:25 PM
  #20  
>>Apple has stated the iPod will be ready to support Windows in about 6 months.
>>With the launching of the new music service that Apple announced last month, they know the biggest market is WMA and they would be crazy to ignor it.
>>Look forward to it being a great Christmas gift!


the iPod is already available for Windows, and it does not support the WMA.... im sure u will be able to upgrade firmware eventually, but the iPod is definately the best MP3 player on the market, but the Archos Multimedia jukebox is pretty cool (tiny LCD Color screen where u can watch movies and hook up to a TV), i dont know which one to buy....

anyway, if u have 10, 15, or 30 gb, u dont really have to worry about WMA vs. MP3



_________________
Young MINI Motorers

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Jun 11, 2003 | 08:59 PM
  #21  
The iPod most likely will never support WMA becuase it's a closed proprietary M$ format. Apple tends to support open standards like MP3 or the new AAC (or MP4 as it's called by some).

And regarding the SonicBlue Pearl it's hard to say whether it will be worth getting until it actually comes out. One thing is has going against it is that it's thicker than the current iPods and may not fit in the cupholders as easy.
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Jun 12, 2003 | 03:25 PM
  #22  
i think ill prob go w/ the iPod... can anyone know tell me how to set it up? a how-to?
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Jun 17, 2003 | 04:51 PM
  #23  
i got the iPod today, but i couldnt find the USB adapter, so ill have to look around tomorrow....

now that the AUX port is out, wat do i need to purchase for iPod so i will be able to plug it in??
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Jun 18, 2003 | 01:41 AM
  #24  
I replaced my stock radio with a Nakamichi CD-400 (CD player/radio) which has Auxillary RCA input in the rear of the HU. I get a monster cable with a stereo mini jack on one end to plug into any line out or headphone source such as an ipod, CD player or DVD player. I use the controls on the Head unit to switch from CD to radio to Aux and then the ipod playes through my stereo (Xtant 4.4 amp with 50Wx4 channels to MB Quart speakers front and rear). Sounds fine to me and the cable is long enough to reach to the rear seat. When not in use I have it rolled up into a coil which sits on my euro parcel shelf under the steering wheel. The cable cost me about $20 more and the labor to install the HU included attaching the aux audio in cable.
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Jun 18, 2003 | 11:52 AM
  #25  
iPod does not work! i bought firewire for my Laptop, and i hooked it up, but Musicmatch does not recognize the iPod, and also when i try to use it as a disk drive, it says please insert disk....?
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