iPod interface?

[dave9621]

I've ordered an Altima Coupe 3.5se with the premium package, my question is what do I do to integrate my iPod into my new Altima? I don't want to use the AUX IN, that will just play my iPod through the sound system...I want to control the iPod via the steering wheel controls. I see some interfaces out there for the 2006 Altima Sedan, will this work with the 08 Coupe? Any direction would be greatly appreciated.

[generic808]

All you need is an AUX line, but the ipod can't be controlled via the steering wheel. I don't know how you go about getting that to happen. I don't think it can work. Or am I wrong?

[timn420]

Don't think there is anything out there just yet that's been approved for use in the coupe. I'm in the same boat and currently have my ipod connected to the aux/in and manually control the ipod. I'm sure something will be out soon though. Unless someone pipes in with a current product.

[SHIFT_COUPE]

Yes sir, I'd recommend sticking with the AUX function for now. I believe there is one individual that had his hardwired into the stereo, maybe he'll chime in. There is nothing properly made for the coupe at the moment.

[padrock]

it would've been awesome to have a jack in the console under the stereo instead of running the wire up the dash. however i have an iskin case and the ipod is propped vertically against the silver console door. the silicon case sticks pretty good so it doesnt go flying and its the best position i have found so that I don't wreck my new car.

[dave9621]

I almost bought the Toyota Solara, and that did come with an iPod jack in the utility compartment, nicely hidden out of the way, and with the 12v port there as well...I have no idea why Nissan would put the jack on the front of the stereo deck! How ugly!

I'm hoping the iPod interface for the 2007 will work, it's for use in the Altima with the Bose 6 CD changer system with satelite radio and that's how my auio is described in the premium package...I guess time will tell. I'm shocked that all automakers aren't making iPod technology a priority, it's such a huge market, I'd say it's way more important than a CD changer...is anyone even using CDs in their cars any more??

I heard some talk about Volkswagon coming out with an iCar. The iPod would be built right into the car and you would could purchase music off of iTunes and download it to the car...that might be over doing it, but wouldn't it be nice to have a slot in the dash for you to slide your iPod into and have it controlled via your audio deck? Is that asking too much?

[LongBeachCoupe]

it is asking too much... heavy duty partnerships need to be made to make that happen... Like motorola and BMW...

[Seraph321]

I don't see the native ipod interface as that necessary when you have the aux in. AFAIK there is no ipod-car interface that truly gives you access to all the functions of the ipod. Usually it just lists out playlists, but even the good ones like in the g37 don't let you do everything, like rating songs for instance.

The biggest issue with ipod interfaces is that they become obsolete. Either you get a different mp3 player or you get a new ipod that's not compatible anymore (the iphone doesn't work with most existing car interfaces). The AUX IN is much less likely to become outdated.

[LongBeachCoupe]

I agree with you... BUT... what i want to know is why do you need to rate songs (arent they yours already? you know you like them) and if you do need to rate them... Is the highway the place to do it?

Im still waiting for them to make an OEM Norelco charger for my razor in the glovebox!

[dave9621]

I guess I got spoiled. I swapped out my factory installed deck for an Alpine deck that has a cable for my iPod. It works perfectly, does everything I want it to do (i.e. play, pause, skip song, mix by songs, mix by album, mix by artist). I don't need to rate the songs, I just want to play it through the deck with the basic controls mentioned, plus have it keep itself charged. I've been using the Alpine for over a year without a glitch, it's so simple to use and sounds great. I'd be willing to swap out the deck in my new Altima but of course it's all integrated into the dash and you can't do that. It's just frustrating to spend over $30k for a car that doesn't offer this as an option.

[generic808]

Hey LongBeach, you could just buy a car charger adapter for that shaver of yours

[Seraph321]

I agree with you... BUT... what i want to know is why do you need to rate songs (arent they yours already? you know you like them) and if you do need to rate them... Is the highway the place to do it?

The reason I like to rate songs is that I tend to have a large library of electronic music that I've loaded up from various sources. The problem is that I don't know that I like this stuff, or at least I don't know which particular tracks i REALLY like because I can never remember the hundreds of different dj names and song titles. So I have an "unrated" list that I play and then when I hear something really good I just reach over, hit the middle button twice, and flick the wheel over the right to give it 5 stars. I don't even need to look at the ipod to do this. Now that song will show up in my favorite playlist for that song's genre. It's actually a lot less dangerous than trying to read the screen and remember to add that track to to a favorites list later.

[NoReinsVA]

It would be nice to have an USB interface so we could use any RAN stick for Mp3s. A USB bus would be handy to update the nav/computer as well.

Tuck a few sockets in the glove comparment, center console, trunk, even the back seat for the kids/guest... (hmmm, that might be dangerous).

[Cali 2 Balti G]

I guess I got spoiled. I swapped out my factory installed deck for an Alpine deck that has a cable for my iPod. It works perfectly, does everything I want it to do (i.e. play, pause, skip song, mix by songs, mix by album, mix by artist). I don't need to rate the songs, I just want to play it through the deck with the basic controls mentioned, plus have it keep itself charged. I've been using the Alpine for over a year without a glitch, it's so simple to use and sounds great. I'd be willing to swap out the deck in my new Altima but of course it's all integrated into the dash and you can't do that. It's just frustrating to spend over $30k for a car that doesn't offer this as an option.

Who said you can't swap out the radio? There are a couple of examples of this being done on this and other forums. If the stock radio is really insufficient for your needs - then you do have options. I thinnk folks are getting a little spoiled with the IPOD input desires. Altho9ugh the ipod is the dominant mp3 player on the market - some manufacturers may be reluctant to have an input optimized fror just that one player.

The Factory Aux. in is a big step forward and will alow you to connect everyting from a walkman to a laptop. It may not be the ideal connection for the IPOD but it is a pretty flexible input for many sources.

If I'm hearing correclty the Altima can have two sets of inputs - the headphone type aux. input on the front of the radio and a separate set of RCA connections.

[dave9621]

Well the iPod interface gateway is finally available for the Altima Coupe. But unfortunately it's not compatible with every Coupe. You'll have to order the kit and they'll ask you for your VIN number to see if you're one of the lucky ones...I was. The kit cost $225 plus shipping. I ordered through Bancroft Accessories, these are genuine NISSAN parts. Here's the URL to the kit. http://www.bancroftaccessories...d=127

I had a local indepentdent auto guy install it for me (not a Nissan dealer in other words). He used the supplied instructions and had the whole thing done in 45 minutes. Everything needed for the install is included in the kit, including cable ties, adhesive foam tape, rubber grommet for cable, iPod cable itself, instructions, etc.

It works great. I had them install the cable in the compartment under the heater controls and not the glove box (for convience, you can run the cable anywhere you'd like). You just plug the iPod in and leave it there. It'll charge whenever the car is on. You can control the songs by the stearing wheel or the radio. In my car I have satelite radio and the iPod works off of the satelite turner. If the iPod is plugged in you will not get your satelite stations...simply unplug the iPod and satelite is reenabled. One thing I can't figure out how to do yet, and it might be a case of not being able to do it at all, is that you can't search for artists, playlists, albums and the like. It works like a big iPod Shuffle, plays all the songs one at a time all shuffled...but that's all I wanted anyway, so I'm cool with that.

And it sounds GREAT. MUCH BETTER than when I was playing my iPod through the AUX input. So if you're like me, you want to get rid of the cords, you want to be able to charge your iPod and you want to be able to change songs from the stearing wheel, this is the thing for you.

[LongBeachCoupe]

hehehehe

[Seraph321]

So you can't even get access to the different playlists ?? that seems really lame to me.

[dave9621]

Well there are no pics...have a seat in your Altima Coupe and look at the dash and that's exactly what it looks like. The iPod interface is completely hidden behind the radio deck. There's an iPod cable in the in dash compartment (under the heater/radio) that you plug into and that's it.

[dave9621]

The instructions for the interface say that certain functions of the interace may not work with some radio decks...I guess my deck is one of the ones that can't search through playlists and stuff. So it's not a perfect system in my car, but might be in say an Altima Sedan, or an Altima Coupe with the 1 CD deck, mine is a 6 CD changer. But I'm guessing here.

[glcanon]

Well, I drive a 2007 Maxima not an Altima, but it also has an AUX IN hole. Problem is, when I plug my ZUNE into the AUX, it only play music on the left side of the car. I've tried to adjust the radio, even turned all the volume to the right side of the car, but then all you get is silence. Is this the way AUX is supposed to work - on only one side of the car? That can't be right. Any ideas how to solve this?

[dave9621]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but it looks like you have a hardware problem. It could be three things. One, it could be a bad cable...try a new one. Two, it could be the jack on your ZUNE, try your headphones if you're getting music in both channels it's not your ZUNE. Third, and worst of all, it could be the jack on your AUX IN...if that's bad then you'll have to have your car repaired...being a 2007 I'm sure you're under warranty.

One other thing...when you get the AUX IN to work I think you'll find that the fidelity of the music is lost going this route. I hated it when I ran my iPod through the AUX IN. Now that I have an iPod Gateway the music from my iPod sounds GREAT.

Good luck!

[glcanon]

Thanks Dave. Headphones work fine with my ZUNE, also when I plug my ZUNE into my home sterio, I get sound from both Left & Right Speakers. So, I fear something must be wrong with my Maxima's AUX IN jack. If as you say the fidelity isn't that good anyway, maybe I shouldn't bother to get the jack fixed, unless the radio's covered under the warranty.

[dave9621]

I'm sure your radio is covered by your warranty so I'd definately get it fixed. The fidelity isn't terrible with the AUX IN if that's all you have, but it's much better with the iPod Gateway. I don't know if there's a gateway out there for ZUNE or not...but you would love it if there is, no more wires all over the place, no more battery getting drained. It's the best investment I made in my new car. Maybe it's time to move to an iPod? Come on...join us on the dark side, all the cool kids are doing it.

[SHIFT_CR]

Yes the interface is available, because i have it. I got it from leeparts for around $209. I have a 2.5 non-bose and it works fine.

You can control your ipod through the steering wheel but only the volume and track up and down. You have to use your radio controls to seek through playlist and set other settings like random and shuffle.

It also works with the iPhone.

Hope that helps.

[dave9621]

Yes, we know the interface is available for the iPod, but is there one available for the ZUNE player? That's the question.

[adam1316]

Hey does anyone have any suggestions on auxillary cords for the 2008 altima? I want one that plugs into the bottom of the ipod?

[dave9621]

Adam, I think you're out of luck there. The only thing that the AUX IN does on your deck (at least my Altima Coupe anyway) is for audio in...the only way to hook up your iPod to the AUX IN is through the earphone jack on you iPod, not the connector on the bottom. The only way to use the connect is via an iPod Gateway. This gateway will allow you to change the track via the stereo or the steering wheel. The cable you want for using the AUX IN and your iPod is a cable that has the small headphone jack on both ends.

[MadBlackCoupe]

I swapped out my ish and had a Pioneer Z2 Nav installed. I had the installer route the iPod cable into the storage area under the climate controls. I wasn't reaching all the way over to the glove box, but with the glove box, at least you could lock it. Pros and cons I guess.

Anyway...goodbye external aux connection.

He also said he could make a custom mount in front of the shifter out of fiberglass, but that sounded like too much for me.

Note to self: Buy an iPod.

MBC

[glcanon]

Dave, glad you mentioned a possible bad cord. I got my old portable cassette player and hooked it up to the AUX IN with another cord & it played perfectly thru the Maxima speakers. So I took this cord and plugged in the ZUNE and everything was fine. So, the cord I was using this morning was bad. That's all. I didn't realize cords went bad, but I threw that one away post-haste. Thanks for the advice, saved me an embarrassing trip to the dealership.

[dave9621]

Great! Glad it was something simple like a bad cable, those dealer service guys could have been brutal to ya. LOL