My guess is .....you're SOL. Without the AUX input or rear connections of some type, you're pretty much stuck with using an FM modulator if the IPOD isn't equipped with one internally.

 

The FM modulator isnt that bad dude, dont sweat it.

 

Like VW said, The FM mode isn't that bad. My wife uses it in her Altima. Even if you had the cassette adapter, that would be your worst option.

DJ

 

Contact the folks at Crutchfield.com. They have excellent techs on hand that can offer suggestions. Perhaps there is an adapter that connects to the stock radio that will take line level inputs from your iPOD.

Good luck. Another option that might serve you well is to buy a "take-off" head unit for an SE or LE from one of the Audiophiles on these forums who have upgraded their stereo systems. Check past posts in Buy/Sell.

Ralph

 

FM would be my last resort. Cassette would be better but not an option. I would go with an after market unit that has an Ipod interface or Aux input.

 

FM would be my last resort. Cassette would be better but not an option. I would go with an after market unit that has an Ipod interface or Aux input.

Why would that be? I've herd the cassette version in a friends car and the bass was blown out and all of the highs sounded tinny? I thought the FM mod sounded a lot better.

DJ

 

I have a voyager fm modulator and it works great!http://www.smarthomeusa.com/Shop/HolidayGifts/Item/20800/

 

okay guys...just got a brand new 60 gig ipod video a couple days back and trying desperately to figure out how i can listen to my ipod in my truck.

i DONT have the aux. input as my truck is an XE - and from what I understand, the OEM stock radio on the XE's doesnt have any inputs in the rear of the radio as well.
so what is a guy to do??

i spend 400 smackers on this damn thing so i really dont want to settle for fm radio quality sound for such a high quality machine! being able to listen to the ipod in the truck is one of the biggest reasons i bought an ipod and now i dont know what to do??


i realize the FM i-trip/transponder thing will do the trick, but from what i understand - the sound quality is much less than CD!

i dont have a tape deck - so that option is out...

and you can only "hardwire" if you have the AUX input, help guys what should i do!?!? i wanna get this thing rockin ASAP!

You will not likely hear the difference, and there are a few reasons why. FM frequency response is 50-15,000Hz. Your stock stereo will not faithfully reproduce frequencies below 50 or above 15,000Hz. Road noise will attenuate the lower frequencies, and reflective surfaces will mess with the highs. Just get the Griffin iTrip and tune it to an unused station in your area and it should be fine. The ipod will also not be tethered via it's cable.

 

thanks for all the replys guys!

ive heard a couple friends with the itrip and it sounds like...well.....an FM radio station lol

i guess i just really wanted "cd" quality sound, but i guess i can't always get what i want. i guess there are SOME positives about the itrip as it isnt all that expensive and i can also use it with any other stereo or in another car, so i guess thats good.

but i really dont think the quality of sound is THAT much better with the hardwire plus belkin kit to warrant spending about 250 bucks on a decent CD player with the aux availability plus another 40 or so for the install plus the 40 for the belkin kit and wire....


i mean id be lookin at closer to 400 bucks - i really dont think its worth it at this point. I mean i have to look at my options, and for me - it's either fm transmitter or a new cd player. call me crazy, but i'd rather keep that 400 smackers in my pocket. shoot, with 400 bucks plus a few more, i can get me a dual exhaust setup, vent visors, a bug shield, and fog lights! i just dont think its all worth it guys.

regardless thanks 4 the help!:cheers:

 

peripheal(spelled that wrong I know) sells modules to adapt an ipod into a stock stereo look them up on crutchfield

 

Just get the Griffin iTrip and tune it to an unused station in your area and it should be fine.

I have the Griffin iTrip, and it's OK if you get lucky enough to find an unused station with plenty of vacant air space on both sides. If you live in an area like Southern California, be prepared for frequent frustration. I've personally grown tired of the background noise, and am also in search of a decent hardwired solution for my basic XE stock radio.

 

they are right the FM modulator isnt that bad but it is a step down from the AUX port


i say buy an after market radio that offers an i pod accessories kit like a GOOD Alpine or something

 

Not sure if this will work on the XE, but here it is anyways: http://www.titantalk.com/forums/titan-visual-audio-discussion/38099-ipod-integration-kit.html?highlight=factory+ipod

Another post same item: http://www.titantalk.com/forums/titan-visual-audio-discussion/37764-factory-ipod-intergration.html?highlight=factory+ipod

I have a Peripheral Electronics PXNI in my Altima which is similar to the PAC Audio AAI-NIS2. It does not control the iPod, but adds two RCA inputs behind the factory head unit. I use a mini-plug to RCA cable that runs from the iPod cig. lighter adapter to the PXNI. On the Altima all I do is hit the SAT button to select the iPod input.

 

You're not going to get anything resembling quality sound out of the stock HU no matter how you wire your ipod up.

 

I'm with Wallrat, even if you do change out the deck your sound quality will only be mediocre at best. FM modulating really doesn't sound all that bad, and you won't get much better from factory speakers. However if you're really against it, you should be able to get a new headunit put in for $150 installed. For $250 you're probably buying something nice, but compared to your stock headunit the $150 should handle your needs just fine.

-Cyrus

 

Take it back and get a carputer.

 

I have a Peripheral Electronics PXNI in my Altima which is similar to the PAC Audio AAI-NIS2. It does not control the iPod, but adds two RCA inputs behind the factory head unit. I use a mini-plug to RCA cable that runs from the iPod cig. lighter adapter to the PXNI. On the Altima all I do is hit the SAT button to select the iPod input.

Question about the PAX-NIS2: Does the stock unit have to have the SAT button, or can the AUX button work as well? I'm under the impression that the PAX will ONLY work with the head units that have the SAT button. Let me know.

 

i realize the FM i-trip/transponder thing will do the trick, but from what i understand - the sound quality is much less than CD!

although I have an SE with aux - by far the best sounding FM mod I've used in my e39 BMW's has been the DLO TransPod:

http://www.dlo.com/Products/TP_black_Prod.tpl?command=showpage&cart=1168044505972321


Also comes with an extender that you may need on the Titan so you can comfortably reach the DLO. As you may or may not know - you hone in on a "dead" FM station - then set the DLO to that station. Your SQ is entirely dependent on what radio your XE has, as well as the number of dead stations in your area. I border the L.A area, trust me, it ain't easy but its possible. On our bimmers, the DLO sounds awesome!!

Also - IF you buy at an Apple store - you can return it within 14 days if you wnat to try it out - just make sure you open the packaging carefully.

 

okay guys...just got a brand new 60 gig ipod video a couple days back and trying desperately to figure out how i can listen to my ipod in my truck.

i DONT have the aux. input as my truck is an XE - and from what I understand, the OEM stock radio on the XE's doesnt have any inputs in the rear of the radio as well.
so what is a guy to do??

i spend 400 smackers on this damn thing so i really dont want to settle for fm radio quality sound for such a high quality machine! being able to listen to the ipod in the truck is one of the biggest reasons i bought an ipod and now i dont know what to do??


i realize the FM i-trip/transponder thing will do the trick, but from what i understand - the sound quality is much less than CD!

i dont have a tape deck - so that option is out...

and you can only "hardwire" if you have the AUX input, help guys what should i do!?!? i wanna get this thing rockin ASAP!

Take a look on QVCs site. They sell a docking station that plugs into the lighter, charges the IPOD and has a build in FM modulator. It's cheap and sounds great.

 

YOu sure???! I have an AUX jack in my truck and I have an XE! Otherwise you can use the FM transmitter but those things suck...if you get bad reception overall.....TITAN's weakness......then I wouldn't waste my money on those.

 

YOu sure???! I have an AUX jack in my truck and I have an XE! Otherwise you can use the FM transmitter but those things suck...if you get bad reception overall.....TITAN's weakness......then I wouldn't waste my money on those.

gotta respectfully disagree - we're both in the LA area, and I've got a crappy antenna on my 5 sport - I still pull in 5-7 dead stations - and it still sounds great. Its dependent on the type of FM mod, as much as the radio. You kinda get what you pay for - the iTrip is one unit that truly blows - and besides, he can try out the DLO for 14 days from Apple - and if it suxs, he is out no money.

IF the radio and factory speakers sound THAT BAD w/o FM Mod -then yep, he's better off buying a new unit.

 

gotta respectfully disagree - we're both in the LA area, and I've got a crappy antenna on my 5 sport - I still pull in 5-7 dead stations - and it still sounds great. Its dependent on the type of FM mod, as much as the radio. You kinda get what you pay for - the iTrip is one unit that truly blows - and besides, he can try out the DLO for 14 days from Apple - and if it suxs, he is out no money.

IF the radio and factory speakers sound THAT BAD w/o FM Mod -then yep, he's better off buying a new unit.

I was going off my friends experience with one. I was in his car and he was jazzzed about this thing! LOL he hooked that thing up and after 10 minutes on the road...we found the nearest Best Buy and returned it.

 

I also have an XE... I switched out the 1-disc HU for an Alpine CDA-9856... newer Alpine decks only require the use of a $30 cable for a direct connection... this was the cheapest way to do it without settling for the FM modulator. The deck has all the control functions you need, and it is real easy to navigate through playlists/folders/etc.

Got mine at Bestbuy (had a gift card). Crutchfield has it for less than $200.00.
I keep my Nano in the glove box, and it sounds great... better after I get rid of the crap speakers.