Connecting MP3 Player to stock CD changer

[matt_a]

Okay....this is probably a totally dumb question, but how exactly do you connect a MP3 player to the 6-disc CD changer in the SL? I see the place to plug it in on the front of the stereo, but where do you plug it in on the MP3 player? Is there a cord available that plugs into the headset jack on the MP3 player, or do I need something special that plugs into the other port on the player? I will be getting the Sandisk Sansa 8GB shown here:Any help would be great....thanks!

[coxcj]

go to radio shack and pick up a cable for a couple bucks that has the headphone jack on both ends of the wire. Stick on end into the aux port on the stereo, and the other to the headphone jack on the MP3 player.

[matt_a]

go to radio shack and pick up a cable for a couple bucks that has the headphone jack on both ends of the wire. Stick on end into the aux port on the stereo, and the other to the headphone jack on the MP3 player.

That's it? That's awesome! I was just sure it was going to be complicated and expensive. Thanks!

[coxcj]

I could make it more complicated if you'd like.

All you need to do is ask the person working at the store for a cable for your MP3 player to the aux port, and they'll probably ask how long you want it and show you the options. Seriously, though, it's a piece of cake. (check the user manual on how to get the radio to recognize the aux port).

[matt_a]

... (check the user manual on how to get the radio to recognize the aux port).

Will do...thanks. Oh, and if I can find it myself I won't even ask for help at RadioShack. Done that before. It didn't go well.

[Clipsed]

lol Radio shack has some of the worst employess, I am sorry, but half of them don't know jack $hit about electronics, and the other half are just lost and don't know how to do their jobs, I am never going to radio shack again.

FRYS ELECTRONICS FTMFW!

[BillyBeaneBall]

To make it even easier...after you connect the jack to the radio and mp3 player...you need to hit the "AUX" button...then use your MP3 player like you always would.

[matt_a]

To make it even easier...after you connect the jack to the radio and mp3 player...you need to hit the "AUX" button...then use your MP3 player like you always would.

That sounds pretty simple. Is there a way to advance tracks n stuff using the car stereo controlls? I'd rather not have to have to hold and look at the MP3 player while driving. It's a safety thing.

[jfanaselle]

That sounds pretty simple. Is there a way to advance tracks n stuff using the car stereo controlls? I'd rather not have to have to hold and look at the MP3 player while driving. It's a safety thing.

Unfortunately, there is not a way to control your MP3 player from the factory stereo. The stereo is simply going to act as an amplifier, accepting the sound from your MP3 player and sending it to your speakers.There is an ipod integration adaptor available, and there's even a "how to" for installing it on this forum, but this will only allow your head unit to control an Apple branded MP3 player, and from what I hear, the functions are very limited. Once you use it for a little while, you'll likely memorize the position of buttons and functions of your MP3 player so that you can use it without taking your eyes off the road. Another option to remain safe would be to use your "shuffle" or "random" function to let the MP3 player choose songs for you.

[coxcj]

There is an ipod integration adaptor available, and there's even a "how to" for installing it on this forum, but this will only allow your head unit to control an Apple branded MP3 player, and from what I hear, the functions are very limited.

The functions aren't as limited as you would think, but they are extremely difficult to work through the stereo controls. It would be nice if Apple made a head unit for cars, but that's not going to happen.

Another option to remain safe would be to use your "shuffle" or "random" function to let the MP3 player choose songs for you.

This is the method that I have found works best. I set a playlist on random and let it go. That way all I have to do is know where the button is to skip to the next track.

It does make me wonder if other MP3 makers have stereo integration like the iPod does.

[matt_a]

....Once you use it for a little while, you'll likely memorize the position of buttons and functions of your MP3 player so that you can use it without taking your eyes off the road. Another option to remain safe would be to use your "shuffle" or "random" function to let the MP3 player choose songs for you.

Yeah, I can see myself using that method. Thanks for the tip!

[Rockhound]

Once you use it for a little while, you'll likely memorize the position of buttons and functions of your MP3 player so that you can use it without taking your eyes off the road. Another option to remain safe would be to use your "shuffle" or "random" function to let the MP3 player choose songs for you.

That is if your MP3 player has tactile buttons! (which the Sansa does)

My Olympus m:robe (yes, that's the name) is entirely touch-screen, except for ON/OFF and HOLD. I bring it along on road trips occasionally, but I never envisioned having such a difficult time using it in the car - but it does require more attention than I'm comfortable giving while I'm driving, especially in traffic.

So in short, it looks cool, but it stinks for no-look-usage.

If you haven't bought the cord yet, it'll be 1/8th inch male phono plug on each end.

[matt_a]

That is if your MP3 player has tactile buttons! (which the Sansa does)

My Olympus m:robe (yes, that's the name) is entirely touch-screen, except for ON/OFF and HOLD. I bring it along on road trips occasionally, but I never envisioned having such a difficult time using it in the car - but it does require more attention than I'm comfortable giving while I'm driving, especially in traffic.

So in short, it looks cool, but it stinks for no-look-usage.

If you haven't bought the cord yet, it'll be 1/8th inch male phono plug on each end.

LOL...I guess a touch-screen would be a problem!I just ordered the cable today from ebay. I was in Radioshack yesterday, and the shortest mini stereo cable they had was 6' long! I got a 2' cable from ebay which seems like it'll be the perfect length without a ton of unused slack in the way.

[Rockhound]

LOL...I guess a touch-screen would be a problem!I just ordered the cable today from ebay. I was in Radioshack yesterday, and the shortest mini stereo cable they had was 6' long! I got a 2' cable from ebay which seems like it'll be the perfect length without a ton of unused slack in the way.

Yikes. Yeah, you'd be swimming in cable with a 6 footer!

[jfanaselle]

It does make me wonder if other MP3 makers have stereo integration like the iPod does.

It's generally the responsibility of the car stereo manufacturer to produce integration adaptors or 3rd party companies that will make money on them. The truth is that apple has a HUGE market share with MP3 players - by far the most of any manufacturer. This means that most car stereo manufacturers are only producing adaptors for ipods. However, you'd think it would make sense for certain companies, such as Sony for example, to produce an adaptor for MP3 players since they produce car stereos and mp3 players. The new Sony MP3 players are AWESOME too!

[BillyBeaneBall]

Apple putting out a head unit may not be a crazy as you think. They'd most likely clean up on it like the silly IPhone...

[07Vsdn]

just got a cable from wal-mart for under $5.

i couldn't believe it, but target wanted almost $20!!!!!

go to radio shack and pick up a cable for a couple bucks that has the headphone jack on both ends of the wire. Stick on end into the aux port on the stereo, and the other to the headphone jack on the MP3 player.

[Rockhound]

Apple putting out a head unit may not be a crazy as you think. They'd most likely clean up on it like the silly IPhone...

Yeah, put a touch screen on it and integrate iTunes (iCrap) and the Apple sheep would gobble it up like crazy.

[coxcj]

Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Now that that's out of the way, I really think that the iPod has many qualities that make it such the giant that it is. The main reason that I like it is purely for storage capacity. I've already filled up a 30GB iPod with music and now have a 60GB iPod so that I can have everything I own on there. If there was another player that had that storage space, I'd check it out. But then again, there's the catch that the aftermarket adapters and such would probably keep me from getting something else.

[matt_a]

If there was another player that had that storage space, I'd check it out. But then again, there's the catch that the aftermarket adapters and such would probably keep me from getting something else.

That's what drives me nuts about proprietary connections and equipment. I bet the average iPod owner has at least $150 in docks, chargers, arm bands and other assorted stuff that will only work on iPods. If someone else like Zune or Sandisk Sansa comes out with a player that you really like, now all of a sudden your huge investment in accessories is obsolete. It's very frustrating.

[BillyBeaneBall]

I have an IPod and only own...well...an IPod, LOL. I do have a charger for the car as well now that I think about it...but that's it. My cable is just some generic cable I already had lying around.

Found out somethind this weekend though. Apparently having my IPod on and plugged into the AUX jack on my stock head unit causes interference with my V's Bluetooth. As soon as I unplugged it...the interference (which was static-y sounds with a few pops) went away...