Ipod + Aux input Integration Complete!

[dwight.j.carter]

The usa spec product even adds another input.

[dirtyguido]

Originally Posted by Intheknow

Could this be adapted to plug into my Sirius Sportster 4?

Yeah, that's easy enough....

Basically if you have the changer, you can add an aux in without too much hassle...

Now, as far as I know, and please correct me if I am wrong.

First, I will agree that the other devices are easier to setup install because they require no assembly or wiring knowledge, and they do work... BUT

Both of these aftermarket "interfaces" have VERY limited control of the ipod from the factory radio / steering wheel:
All devices including mine control the volume... beyond that:

First the Peripheral Isimple.. the only control you have of the ipod from the headunit is switching track up and down within a current playlist, or album... That's it. All artist / playlist / album selection must be done with the ipod itself from the click wheel.

Now the USA spec product is a bit better:

You get to assign 5 specific car ipod playlists... basically it fools the factory radio into thinking that the ipod is the 6 cd changer. Disc 1 is every song in the ipod, discs 2-6 are the 5 specific playlists...

The radio will display as if you are playing the cd changer

Disc X (now playlist) Track X... No artist / track title info is displayed....
So you get 5 lists to choose from... that's it. The usa spec product from what I understand also disables ipod click wheel functionality... So you are stuck constantly moving stuff around on the ipod if you want to switch up what you have available in the car.... Now here's the thing... you only get 5 lists, but i think up to 99 tracks each... BUT good luck remembering what track is where... its sloppy and disorganized.

The USA spec product does also allow for an additional input... My design can also allow for more than one aux input if you combine what I and Mike Kilpatrick have done...

I actually had a similar style interface with an aftermarket clarion ce net radio... That one did display track and artist info, but still... I ended up picking up a smaller used ipod mini that was my dedicated car ipod... I have a 60gb ipod, and it's pretty full... Now I dont NEED that in the car, but I didnt buy a 60gb ipod to keep a gig of music on it either.... and this is the only practical way (while maintaining the stock headunit) That I have found to manage it...

The second thing to be mentioned here is also cost. I think the Peripheral ISimple setup is $99 and the USA spec one is ~ 150.. If I was to get one of them at least get the USA spec one so you have some control of the ipod over the radio...

Take care,

George

[ss6r]

Thanks i have been looking for something exactly like this.

[mikekilpatrick]

Yeah, I bought an extension cable from GM and moved my CD changer into the trunk, on the backside of the rear seat. It came out REALLY nice! Also, the 2002-2004 models do not work with the factory kits that best buy, amazon, etc sell. My solution was a sony interface that goes between the changer and the head unit, with the help of some custom wiring and proper diagrams. Mine is a plug and play system as well with no wires needing to be cut. When you turn on your XM, Sirius, IPOD, or Zune, the device picks up the signal, turns off the sound from the CD changer and turns on your auxiliary device(s), when you turn the auxiliary source off, 10 seconds later, you CD changer kicks in. I also put a Y adapter in to the RCA jacks on the Sony device, which allows me to have both my XM radio and my Zune playing when I need them.

The extra space in the console is GREAT! Almost a foot deep... But, you need to find the parts on ebay, they DO show up once in a while and sometimes you have to buy a WHOLE console to get them, but even at 60-100 dollars, it is still cheaper than buying the individual parts from GM.

Mike

[hax]

Mike:
Do you have a part number for that GM extension cable for the CD-Changer? I have looked everywhere for a cable like that but can't find one.
Hasse