I got an iPod for Christmas, and I would like to use it to play music on the boat. I know I can use one of the FM transmitters, but I am looking for some sort of wired solution because I think it will improve the sound quality? My boat has a Pioneer DEH-P4600MP stereo with single cd player and radio. The front of the owner's manual describes it like this: "Multi-CD control high power cd/mp3/wma player with fm/am tuner." The book also says: "Using the Aux Source - An IP-BUS-RCA interconnector . . . lets you connect this unit to auxillary equipment featuring RCA output." Is there a way to create an iPod wired connection? Is the AUX feature what I need to use, or other? Is it worth it for the improvement in sound quality? Thanks!
iPod and Pioneer cd player
- Thread starter Sherry
- Start date
- Status
really simple if you ahve a RCA input on your
radio. Just get a Headphone plug to RCA plug cable at radio shack, about 10$. This is where i wire in my XM radio on my boat.
radio. Just get a Headphone plug to RCA plug cable at radio shack, about 10$. This is where i wire in my XM radio on my boat.
iPod
Sherry - The wireless iPod transmitters work very well - I have the Griffin iTrip. The sound quality is only slightly less than listening to the ear buds, but you probably won't notice on the boat - I don't in my Jeep. But beware - the transmitter will eat that iPod battery quickly. You will want to plug the iPod into a cigarette adapter if you have one for power. Check your radio documentation for a diagram of the unit. If it has 2 RCA jacks on the back panel, or a mini stereo jack somewhere for audio Input, you're set. You just need a simple audio cable with a mini stereo plug on one end to plug into your iPod ear bud jack, and a matching opposite end for your stereo - either RCA plugs or mini stereo plug, depending on how (if) your stereo accepts aux audio in. The iPod will sound outstanding played through your stereo if you can connect it directly. Gregg
Sherry - The wireless iPod transmitters work very well - I have the Griffin iTrip. The sound quality is only slightly less than listening to the ear buds, but you probably won't notice on the boat - I don't in my Jeep. But beware - the transmitter will eat that iPod battery quickly. You will want to plug the iPod into a cigarette adapter if you have one for power. Check your radio documentation for a diagram of the unit. If it has 2 RCA jacks on the back panel, or a mini stereo jack somewhere for audio Input, you're set. You just need a simple audio cable with a mini stereo plug on one end to plug into your iPod ear bud jack, and a matching opposite end for your stereo - either RCA plugs or mini stereo plug, depending on how (if) your stereo accepts aux audio in. The iPod will sound outstanding played through your stereo if you can connect it directly. Gregg
what's an IP-BUS cable?
In the installation instructions, there's a picture of the connections on the back of the unit. (I haven't actually taken it out to look at it myself yet.) It shows a plug that it describes as IP-BUS input (blue). This is apparently what it is referring to when it discusses hooking up an AUX device. It also has a picture of a Multi-CD player (sold separately) hooked into this port via an IP-BUS cable. What's an IP-BUS cable? There aren't any connections on the front of the unit, and all the other connections on the back are output connections, so I think this IP-BUS input is my only hope.
In the installation instructions, there's a picture of the connections on the back of the unit. (I haven't actually taken it out to look at it myself yet.) It shows a plug that it describes as IP-BUS input (blue). This is apparently what it is referring to when it discusses hooking up an AUX device. It also has a picture of a Multi-CD player (sold separately) hooked into this port via an IP-BUS cable. What's an IP-BUS cable? There aren't any connections on the front of the unit, and all the other connections on the back are output connections, so I think this IP-BUS input is my only hope.
You need the CD-RB10 IP bus cable
I have a nearly identical Pioneer stereo onboard. There aren't any RCA aux inputs on the back. Pioneer runs all it's outboard connections (CD changers, XM tuners, aux inputs, etc.) through a single molex type multi pin connector. Whatever you wish to plug into your head unit plugs into that connector. For RCA aux inputs Pioneer's CD-RB10 cable will plug in and will provide the inputs you're looking for. You'll also need to "enable" the aux input setting on your stereo, just follow the instructions in your owners manual. I've got all my tunes on our laptop at the nav station that play through the stereo and it sounds great. It'll work the same way for your i-pod. I've provided a link to a vender for you to check out. You can just Google to shop around. Hope this helps.
I have a nearly identical Pioneer stereo onboard. There aren't any RCA aux inputs on the back. Pioneer runs all it's outboard connections (CD changers, XM tuners, aux inputs, etc.) through a single molex type multi pin connector. Whatever you wish to plug into your head unit plugs into that connector. For RCA aux inputs Pioneer's CD-RB10 cable will plug in and will provide the inputs you're looking for. You'll also need to "enable" the aux input setting on your stereo, just follow the instructions in your owners manual. I've got all my tunes on our laptop at the nav station that play through the stereo and it sounds great. It'll work the same way for your i-pod. I've provided a link to a vender for you to check out. You can just Google to shop around. Hope this helps.
IP BUS cable
Rick, I think you've identified exactly what I need! This appears to be an easy installation once I get to the back of the unit - just plug it in? When the cable is installed, it appears that I will have RCA inputs, so I'll need a cable that fits the headphone jack on the iPod and goes to RCA plugs on the other end to plug into the IP-BUS cable. Correct? I'm excited. This is going to be great! I have a 12 volt plug right by the nav station, which is where the stereo is, so I can have tunes as long as I have batteries.
Rick, I think you've identified exactly what I need! This appears to be an easy installation once I get to the back of the unit - just plug it in? When the cable is installed, it appears that I will have RCA inputs, so I'll need a cable that fits the headphone jack on the iPod and goes to RCA plugs on the other end to plug into the IP-BUS cable. Correct? I'm excited. This is going to be great! I have a 12 volt plug right by the nav station, which is where the stereo is, so I can have tunes as long as I have batteries.
Plug and play
Yup, it just plugs in and you're nearly good to go. You'll need to have the corresponding RCA connectors on the cable to your i-pod but if you don't already have those you can pick 'em up at Radio Shack or wherever you got your i-pod. Don't forget to "enable" the aux setting on your radio. Your manual should walk you through the buttons/menu. Mine was pretty simple. I'm assuming it's the same set-up as mine of course. Check your manual to be sure. When you want to listen to your aux (i-pod,) pushing the on-off button on the bottom left of the panel (if it's the same as mine) should cycle you between radio, cd, aux and back again. I'm sure you know your head unit is XM-ready. If you haven't already and you decide to get the satellite tuner and antennae it's also plug and play. It plugs into that same recepticle and you would then plug your IP bus cable into an identical recepticle on the back of the satellite tuner box (sorta like a daisy chain arrangement.) It's the best $10 a month I've ever spent.
Yup, it just plugs in and you're nearly good to go. You'll need to have the corresponding RCA connectors on the cable to your i-pod but if you don't already have those you can pick 'em up at Radio Shack or wherever you got your i-pod. Don't forget to "enable" the aux setting on your radio. Your manual should walk you through the buttons/menu. Mine was pretty simple. I'm assuming it's the same set-up as mine of course. Check your manual to be sure. When you want to listen to your aux (i-pod,) pushing the on-off button on the bottom left of the panel (if it's the same as mine) should cycle you between radio, cd, aux and back again. I'm sure you know your head unit is XM-ready. If you haven't already and you decide to get the satellite tuner and antennae it's also plug and play. It plugs into that same recepticle and you would then plug your IP bus cable into an identical recepticle on the back of the satellite tuner box (sorta like a daisy chain arrangement.) It's the best $10 a month I've ever spent.
love this board!
I see the directions in my manual for enabling the auxillary input. Looks pretty straightforward. With this stereo being fairly new (compliments of PO), I knew there had to be a way to do this. I love this board! Such great info!
I see the directions in my manual for enabling the auxillary input. Looks pretty straightforward. With this stereo being fairly new (compliments of PO), I knew there had to be a way to do this. I love this board! Such great info!
You'll Certainly Get Better Sound Using Aux..
input. Over the years I've owned three different FM transmitters and none worked as adverised in any of my vehicles or on my boat. I finally hard wired it through an AUX input and it sounds great. One item you might want to consider is a iPod remote. I own a Griffin Air Click and next to the iPod it's the best $$$$ I've spent. The nice thing about the Air Click is it's not infrared (or line of sight) it's RF (radio freequency) so you can skip songs from the cockpit and adjust the volume without having to point it into the cabin aimed at the iPod. The only problem would be if you have one of the brand new generation 5 iPod's. I have a 60 gig generation 5 iPod video and my wife has the generation 4 30 gig photo. As of right now the Air Click only works on the older generation 4's with the top port. I'm sure they will figure out a way to make it work on the newer models but for now we'll continue to use the G4 30 gig and the Air Click on the boat. Here's a link to the Air Click...The other link is a picture of the Air Click installed on my boat. http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/airclick/index.php
input. Over the years I've owned three different FM transmitters and none worked as adverised in any of my vehicles or on my boat. I finally hard wired it through an AUX input and it sounds great. One item you might want to consider is a iPod remote. I own a Griffin Air Click and next to the iPod it's the best $$$$ I've spent. The nice thing about the Air Click is it's not infrared (or line of sight) it's RF (radio freequency) so you can skip songs from the cockpit and adjust the volume without having to point it into the cabin aimed at the iPod. The only problem would be if you have one of the brand new generation 5 iPod's. I have a 60 gig generation 5 iPod video and my wife has the generation 4 30 gig photo. As of right now the Air Click only works on the older generation 4's with the top port. I'm sure they will figure out a way to make it work on the newer models but for now we'll continue to use the G4 30 gig and the Air Click on the boat. Here's a link to the Air Click...The other link is a picture of the Air Click installed on my boat. http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/airclick/index.php
Sorry My Bad...
I guess Griffin just came out with a remote for the 5th generation iPod's. It's on the link in the post below this and it's the "dock connector" version. The remote receiver plugs into the bottom of the iPod not the top like on older versions.... Sorry I should have looked at the link more carefully!! Either way the remote is an essential iPod accessory!!!!
I guess Griffin just came out with a remote for the 5th generation iPod's. It's on the link in the post below this and it's the "dock connector" version. The remote receiver plugs into the bottom of the iPod not the top like on older versions.... Sorry I should have looked at the link more carefully!! Either way the remote is an essential iPod accessory!!!!
parts are ordered
I ordered the cable and the required mini to RCA cable from cardomain.com tonight. Thanks for the great help! Rod - I like your remote idea. What about the Air Click with dock connector - looks like it's for the 5G video iPod (which is what I have). Only concern: if I need the dock to provide power, it will be taken up by the Air Click? Also, what kind of mounting bracket are you using in the picture? I haven't solved that part of the puzzle yet.
I ordered the cable and the required mini to RCA cable from cardomain.com tonight. Thanks for the great help! Rod - I like your remote idea. What about the Air Click with dock connector - looks like it's for the 5G video iPod (which is what I have). Only concern: if I need the dock to provide power, it will be taken up by the Air Click? Also, what kind of mounting bracket are you using in the picture? I haven't solved that part of the puzzle yet.
The Mounting Bracket Is....
Called a Gripmatic and I have that mounted to a Panavise aluminum cell phone pedestal mount. I found the Gripmatic at the link below. http://www.earthcommerce.com/PD/57/006000391957.html The Panavise will bolt right to the Gripmatic and here's a link to the Panavise site.. http://www.panavise.com/nf/comm/cell_slimline.html
Called a Gripmatic and I have that mounted to a Panavise aluminum cell phone pedestal mount. I found the Gripmatic at the link below. http://www.earthcommerce.com/PD/57/006000391957.html The Panavise will bolt right to the Gripmatic and here's a link to the Panavise site.. http://www.panavise.com/nf/comm/cell_slimline.html
More iPod - re "Volume"
Scanning over the responses (really good thread by the way - actually, make that EXCELLENT!) I didn't notice anything said about what the playback volume the iPod should be set to once everything is hooked up and running. If I missed it please accept my appologies. Since I also just got an iPod for Christmas (note: NOT "holiday"
), I found that to run it through the stereo it helps to have the iPod volume set down low so as not to overpower the input on the stereo. Just where the iPod volume should be set I don't know but a low setting seems to be preferable. Haven't tried it yet but perhaps adjusting the iPod volume so the stereo sounds just as loud on a radio or TV station would be an idea. Also, don't know if the iPod volume is set at maximum if this would cause harm to the input of the amplifier it's plugged into. By the way - this thing is amazing! Can you believe 40GB? It's actually several times bigger than the hard drive on my desktop! Smaller, uses less power, has no fan or fan noise, AND has controls to operate it!
Scanning over the responses (really good thread by the way - actually, make that EXCELLENT!) I didn't notice anything said about what the playback volume the iPod should be set to once everything is hooked up and running. If I missed it please accept my appologies. Since I also just got an iPod for Christmas (note: NOT "holiday"
), I found that to run it through the stereo it helps to have the iPod volume set down low so as not to overpower the input on the stereo. Just where the iPod volume should be set I don't know but a low setting seems to be preferable. Haven't tried it yet but perhaps adjusting the iPod volume so the stereo sounds just as loud on a radio or TV station would be an idea. Also, don't know if the iPod volume is set at maximum if this would cause harm to the input of the amplifier it's plugged into. By the way - this thing is amazing! Can you believe 40GB? It's actually several times bigger than the hard drive on my desktop! Smaller, uses less power, has no fan or fan noise, AND has controls to operate it!The Volume Setting......
The volume setting will vary depending on the stereo you are connected to so you'll have to experiment. We set our volume on our Eclipse Stereo (using AUX input) to 55 and leave it there. We then use the volume on the iPod via the Air Click remote control. 55 seems to be the best setting for our stereo yours will be different but the same concept. I find if I turn my iPod over 80% volume output with this stereo it will "clip" the stereo no matter where the volume is set to. So vol 55 at 80% iPod output makes it work for us without clipping the iPod or the stereo. The idea is to have the iPod vol high enough so that when you turn up the volume on the stereo you don't hear "clipping" or distortion at low volume levels and that you also don't amplify hiss or lack of a signal at to low of an input. Wow I hope that made sense???
The volume setting will vary depending on the stereo you are connected to so you'll have to experiment. We set our volume on our Eclipse Stereo (using AUX input) to 55 and leave it there. We then use the volume on the iPod via the Air Click remote control. 55 seems to be the best setting for our stereo yours will be different but the same concept. I find if I turn my iPod over 80% volume output with this stereo it will "clip" the stereo no matter where the volume is set to. So vol 55 at 80% iPod output makes it work for us without clipping the iPod or the stereo. The idea is to have the iPod vol high enough so that when you turn up the volume on the stereo you don't hear "clipping" or distortion at low volume levels and that you also don't amplify hiss or lack of a signal at to low of an input. Wow I hope that made sense???
off topic - iPod at home
This is not a boat related question, but I can't resist; we have so many knowledgeable people on this board. And besides . . . I MIGHT encounter a similar problem on the boat I just got a Kensington Stereo Dock for iPod that has a power supply to charge the iPod and a cable that connects to the auxiliary inputs on my Kenwood receiver so I can play the iPod over my home stereo system. I got everything hooked up. I had to tweak the equalizer settings on the Kenwood receiver to eliminate some hiss, but now it sounds good. BUT I can't crank the volume up. I experimented with the iPod volume and the Kenwood volume, and I still can't get it over moderately loud - not even loud. The volume control on the Kenwood stops at +13. If playing using the cd player in my system, that would be blasting me out of the house. I'm not enough of an audiophile to understand - but is the iPod just not capable of driving larger (louder) sound? Thanks in advance for the help.
This is not a boat related question, but I can't resist; we have so many knowledgeable people on this board. And besides . . . I MIGHT encounter a similar problem on the boat
I just got a Kensington Stereo Dock for iPod that has a power supply to charge the iPod and a cable that connects to the auxiliary inputs on my Kenwood receiver so I can play the iPod over my home stereo system. I got everything hooked up. I had to tweak the equalizer settings on the Kenwood receiver to eliminate some hiss, but now it sounds good. BUT I can't crank the volume up. I experimented with the iPod volume and the Kenwood volume, and I still can't get it over moderately loud - not even loud. The volume control on the Kenwood stops at +13. If playing using the cd player in my system, that would be blasting me out of the house. I'm not enough of an audiophile to understand - but is the iPod just not capable of driving larger (louder) sound? Thanks in advance for the help.Check Out iLounge
iLounge can answer most any iPod questions. They have forums that deal in just iPods. It sound to me like the output is not hot enough. Try this go to radio shack and buy a headphone to right left RCA adapter. Then plug the headphone end into the head set jack on the iPod and plug the RCA's into an AUX chanel on your Kenwood. If you still experience the problem it could be the Kenwood/iPod mesh if it does not happen then it's the Kingston dock....
iLounge can answer most any iPod questions. They have forums that deal in just iPods. It sound to me like the output is not hot enough. Try this go to radio shack and buy a headphone to right left RCA adapter. Then plug the headphone end into the head set jack on the iPod and plug the RCA's into an AUX chanel on your Kenwood. If you still experience the problem it could be the Kenwood/iPod mesh if it does not happen then it's the Kingston dock....
off topic - never mind . . . .
Amazing what you can learn if you read the directions. Went to the FAQ's on the Kensington website. The docking unit itself has a volume control that I needed to adjust. We can rock now Works great.
Amazing what you can learn if you read the directions. Went to the FAQ's on the Kensington website. The docking unit itself has a volume control that I needed to adjust. We can rock now
Works great.- Status