Hello, this is a question for a friend. He has a 2004 GMC Canyon with a factory radio. He just got an Ipod and tried using the FM adapter to listen to it through his radio. Well, that didn't work good at all. What other options does he have that can work with his stock stereo? He has a CD aux which I imagine is for a CD changer but could it maybe work with his Ipod? I know there are a lot of products that can be used but many of them look shady.
Replies (6)
swez on 12/27/2004 21:56:35
There may be a few adapter kits for using I-Pod in place of a CD changer Aux feature in a stock install. The FM Modulator type will work... but sound quality is often inferior to CD or other audio sources, wired directly into a stock system.
I have read a few things on this topic... but your best bet is to get some input from a few of our resident installers like ttocs, Kittle and UK Installer. They probably have some tips to make this work if at all possible.
Swez
Intrigue on 12/27/2004 22:15:39
From what he said, the FM modulator sounded horrible, and it's tough to find information on this topic. I'll wait for some more input like you said. Better to take your time then rush things, especially when your working on someone elses car. Thank you.
UKinstaller on 12/28/2004 01:36:52
interesting. as swez mentioned, FM mod's are inferior to cd quality but are often the only resort to for this type of setup. what i am interested in is why he was getting terrible quality, because the quality should not be terrible. it should be about equal to that of a good, clean radio station.
what brand of FM mod did he use?? also, who installed it, is he sure that all the wiring is correct, and is he sure that it was tuned to the correct station?? i know these are simple questions, but they are easily mistaken and/or overlooked.
finally, if it was a wireless FM modulator, those tend to sound pretty bad, so a hardwired one might be in order. audiovox makes an excellent unit that can be found for around 40 - 50 bucks. it includes everything you'll need except for a headphone-out to RCA adapter, which can be found for dirt cheap, like 5 or 10 bucks. they are pretty easy to hook up.
-UK
Intrigue on 12/28/2004 04:03:47
That's the problem. I think that he installed it and I wasn't able to see it in action. The complaint was more so that it barely came in, and that it came in very quietly. As for the brand, I'm pretty sure it was the monster performance brand. If it wasn't returned I'd like to try it again. The only possibility I could see in this situation is to wire it to the HU harness where CD changer would normally go, which I highly doubt will work. I just keep getting told that it will work, but I seem to be the only one who thinks otherwise. I believe that the FM modulator is the only plausible option for this application.
uochronos on 12/28/2004 04:10:43
actualy i have heard of 2 people getting it hooked up threw the CD changer control one was hooking up a portable MP3playe and i think the other was a Ipod so dont rule it out till you find out if you can. that would be the prime way to go to get CD quality..
good luck
Chronos
Intrigue on 12/28/2004 04:23:07
Well that's good to know. I'll have to give it a try then. Unfortunately I never really got a chance to scope out the HU in his car, but it's a 2004 GMC so I'm pretty sure it has changer controls. This should be interesting. Might try that FM modulator first anyway as I'd hate to do all that work if the modulator ends up working. The quality won't be as good but I don't think that'll be an issue in this case.
If I happen to connect it to changer controls, what wire could I possibly use? One end would have to be connected to the harness and the other to the headphone jack if I'm not mistaken.
Replies (6)
swez on 12/27/2004 21:56:35
There may be a few adapter kits for using I-Pod in place of a CD changer Aux feature in a stock install. The FM Modulator type will work... but sound quality is often inferior to CD or other audio sources, wired directly into a stock system.
I have read a few things on this topic... but your best bet is to get some input from a few of our resident installers like ttocs, Kittle and UK Installer. They probably have some tips to make this work if at all possible.
Swez
Intrigue on 12/27/2004 22:15:39
From what he said, the FM modulator sounded horrible, and it's tough to find information on this topic. I'll wait for some more input like you said. Better to take your time then rush things, especially when your working on someone elses car. Thank you.
UKinstaller on 12/28/2004 01:36:52
interesting. as swez mentioned, FM mod's are inferior to cd quality but are often the only resort to for this type of setup. what i am interested in is why he was getting terrible quality, because the quality should not be terrible. it should be about equal to that of a good, clean radio station.
what brand of FM mod did he use?? also, who installed it, is he sure that all the wiring is correct, and is he sure that it was tuned to the correct station?? i know these are simple questions, but they are easily mistaken and/or overlooked.
finally, if it was a wireless FM modulator, those tend to sound pretty bad, so a hardwired one might be in order. audiovox makes an excellent unit that can be found for around 40 - 50 bucks. it includes everything you'll need except for a headphone-out to RCA adapter, which can be found for dirt cheap, like 5 or 10 bucks. they are pretty easy to hook up.
-UK
Intrigue on 12/28/2004 04:03:47
That's the problem. I think that he installed it and I wasn't able to see it in action. The complaint was more so that it barely came in, and that it came in very quietly. As for the brand, I'm pretty sure it was the monster performance brand. If it wasn't returned I'd like to try it again. The only possibility I could see in this situation is to wire it to the HU harness where CD changer would normally go, which I highly doubt will work. I just keep getting told that it will work, but I seem to be the only one who thinks otherwise. I believe that the FM modulator is the only plausible option for this application.
uochronos on 12/28/2004 04:10:43
actualy i have heard of 2 people getting it hooked up threw the CD changer control one was hooking up a portable MP3playe and i think the other was a Ipod so dont rule it out till you find out if you can. that would be the prime way to go to get CD quality..
good luck
Chronos
Intrigue on 12/28/2004 04:23:07
Well that's good to know. I'll have to give it a try then. Unfortunately I never really got a chance to scope out the HU in his car, but it's a 2004 GMC so I'm pretty sure it has changer controls. This should be interesting. Might try that FM modulator first anyway as I'd hate to do all that work if the modulator ends up working. The quality won't be as good but I don't think that'll be an issue in this case.
If I happen to connect it to changer controls, what wire could I possibly use? One end would have to be connected to the harness and the other to the headphone jack if I'm not mistaken.
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