connect portable MP3 to auto audio?

[nick andros]

I want to play USB music on my pickup audio, and was wondering if I can
find a certain wire and splice the output of my portable MP3 player
into it. Most people would go buy a new MP3/CD/radio, but I like
tinkering with things and saving money.

 

[Pippa Reeves]

On Tue, 20 Dec 2005 18:05:33 -0800, nick andros wrote:

I want to play USB music on my pickup audio, and was wondering if I can
find a certain wire and splice the output of my portable MP3 player
into it. Most people would go buy a new MP3/CD/radio, but I like
tinkering with things and saving money.

You state you like tinkering... I suggest you build a stereo FM
transmitter kit. You plug the output of the MP3 player into the
transmitter, and then tune the FM radio into it's transmission..... really
good for using different vehicles as you don't need to make any changes to
the car's radio/CD/Cassette player system.

check out the article from Silicon Chip magazine
http://www.siliconchip.com.au/cms/A_30378/article.html
it is available in kit form from Dick Smith Electronics kit number
K5009
http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/43a913bb0b0a21502741c0a87f9c06f0/Product/View/K5009
or kit number KC5341 from Jaycar electronics
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=KC5341


Both suppliers do mail order.


Pip

 

[nick andros]

Thank you. That may be more tinkering than I wanted, or it may be
exactly what I need to do. It does sound like a great idea. I could
use it with any (auto, home . . . ) fm radio. Would the sound quality
be affected enough to make any difference? I am not a music freak, but
want to hear certain things when I want to hear them. That way I can
listen to something I chose to record rather than what the local radio
people pick to play.

 

[Chuck Wozniak]

nick andros wrote:

I want to play USB music on my pickup audio, and was wondering if I can
find a certain wire and splice the output of my portable MP3 player
into it. Most people would go buy a new MP3/CD/radio, but I like
tinkering with things and saving money.

There are commercial FM modulators available designeed for taking the
audio for any type of MP3 player and broadcasting it to the car radio.
Some are just slightly larger than a cigarette lighter plug. Try a
Google search for - MP3 Modulator -. Walmart even sells a unit for $30
US that will take a USB memory stick with stored MP3 files as an input.

--
Chuck Wozniak