ipod hook-up?

[Domsz06]

agreed FM sucks

[chpthril]

It isn't, but I have tested all three, line level is a clear winner. I forgot to mention the cassette adapter, which is better then FM. Anything is better than FM.

What's a cassette

Dont know if the Clarion xdm3 uses Cnet? If so, you can get the IPod/Cnet controller from Clarion and the H/U will see the IPod a C/D changer.

We have been using the Aux plugs into the earphone jack with god results. Wife just picked up a Roadtrip last week on clearance at BestBuy for $20. Works good if you find a good channel to transmit on.

[Domsz06]

yeah it uses cnet. If you can find it.

[ragboy]

There are other issues. First, when you go from the headphone jacks, you are using an output designed for your ear. Which means you should turn off EQ for instance, so that your head unit settings are used. You don't want to have the bass cranked on your ipod eq, and also on your unit, and then you get distortion. You also have to get the volume just right for the best sound.

When you use the line level inputs, it automatically bypasses the eq, although I THINK soundcheck still works. Also the vol is line level set, so its exactly what your head unit is expecting, and everything is clearer, the best it can be.

FM just loses clarity in the translation. Like I said, even the cassette adapter will be far superior to FM as far as sound goes. Not to mention always having to find a clear station, which prob is not as hard on the lake.

[Domsz06]

yup your right. The headphones though when you turn off the eq work amazing. I also really liked it that way cuz you could still search quick via the ipod. I love my alpine with direct feed in now, but the search feature sucks!

[chpthril]

It isn't, but I have tested all three, line level is a clear winner. I forgot to mention the cassette adapter, which is better then FM. Anything is better than FM.

There are other issues. First, when you go from the headphone jacks, you are using an output designed for your ear. Which means you should turn off EQ for instance, so that your head unit settings are used. You don't want to have the bass cranked on your ipod eq, and also on your unit, and then you get distortion. You also have to get the volume just right for the best sound.

When you use the line level inputs, it automatically bypasses the eq, although I THINK soundcheck still works. Also the vol is line level set, so its exactly what your head unit is expecting, and everything is clearer, the best it can be.

FM just loses clarity in the translation. Like I said, even the cassette adapter will be far superior to FM as far as sound goes. Not to mention always having to find a clear station, which prob is not as hard on the lake.

Can you post a link to a "line level input" not familure with these. Is the Clarion Cnet Ipod controller an example of one? Are there other ways to hook up?

Thanks

[Domsz06]

Can you post a link to a "line level input" not familure with these. Is the Clarion Cnet Ipod controller an example of one? Are there other ways to hook up?

Thanks

It's the same thing as what alpine uses. the direct connect and then you use the ipod through the controller. Cnet is another example

[chpthril]

It's the same thing as what alpine uses. the direct connect and then you use the ipod through the controller. Cnet is another example

Thanks, I wasn't sure cause I remember reading in your stereo thread about using line levels to boost the signal to the amps. Having not ever used anything like this, I am a little ignorant

[ragboy]

Anything that connects through the DOCK connector, and not the headphone jack, is most likely the line level type. If you can adjust the volume on the ipod, and it effects the level in your stereo, it is NOT line level.

I agree with the search and stuff. The best I have found is the harmon kardon controller, with the on dash extra display and the extra controller. I have one in my truck. It is much better than my clarion hookup.

The thing with the harmon kardon, is it defaults to FM transmission. But it has a line level mini 1/8th out. So you can use that to RCA, and it is line level. So you use the HK to search, and its line level to the head unit. Its still not quite as cool as the ipod wheel, but very close, and the display is nice.

[rushin]

ok, next question. What's the better ipod to get? Or is it personnel preferance?

[dogbert]

The only thing the FM is good for is when you have 3 or 4 boats tied together all on the same station.

[ragboy]

ok, next question. What's the better ipod to get? Or is it personnel preferance?

As far as connecting to a car or boat, the best is just anything but a shuffle, so you get a dock connector. My fav for car/boat is the nanos. Prob last generation, without the video, but video is fine. Those fit nice in a glove box, and 8 gb is way more than enough to put your favorite music on.

[talltigeguy]

The thing with the harmon kardon, is it defaults to FM transmission. But it has a line level mini 1/8th out. So you can use that to RCA, and it is line level. So you use the HK to search, and its line level to the head unit. Its still not quite as cool as the ipod wheel, but very close, and the display is nice.

Boats of Nevada has been installing a lot of the Harmon Kardon Ipod adapters. I have seen it, and it looks cool, seems to work great in the shop. I worry about durability on a boat, but they say so far so good.

I agree with what was said about the ipod and headphone jack as far as EQ settings go, but I think that is pretty much a non-issue in the marine environment where fine clarity is overtaken by boat, wind and water noise. I just leave my HU EQ off, or flat, and use the Ipod EQ. It works really well for my needs...and the jack costs 5 dollars instead of 300-400 dollars.

[Moki]

I was hooking my MP3 player up through the headphone jack. My Alpine stereo has a line level input for iPods. I listened to my son's iPod through the line level and switched to an iPod after years of holding out. If you can afford it, my recommendation is to get a new deck designed to control the iPod. As everybody has mentioned, it is the best sound and it is very convenient.

[philwsailz]

The only thing the FM is good for is when you have 3 or 4 boats tied together all on the same station.

MOKI, I agree with your statement right above too. An iPod controller radio is about the best choice based on sound quality AND convenience.

Guys, I have been out of town, and unavailable to jump in until now, but let me share a couple of things.

Firstly, by nature of how it works, FM is not the best choice. It would be the only choice if one had a super-bargain-bin radio but none of us have that hopefully. Yes, the clearest and best fidelity is the audio connection that is made at the bottom iPod connection. This is exclusively done through adaptors that are available for iPod-ready radios.
Second choice is the earphone output, but then yes, one needs to consider output and EQ to make sure one is not clipping the front-end of the aux input on the radio.

Now I agree that FM is not the best choice but transmitting by FM does not inherently suck so much; it is more the device selection and the quality thereof that will cause one to perceive that transmission by FM will suck. FM is bandwidth limited by nature, but the bandwidth where it sufers is most often outside of the frequency range that many of us operate our systems, and often outside of the range that the speaker are capable of operating in.

There are quality transmitters out there that do not have the problems associated with the ones that have gotten the well-deserved bad rap. You can't buy a "radio station" for $19.95. The stuff available at www.mobileblackbox.com is amazing in its quality, clarity and range.

I also should apologize if any of you believe that I am a proponent of FM only. I like FM for its ability and ease of allowing multiple boats to play the same thing. Despite using the FM transmitter in my boat, the connection between my ZUNE and the radio is via a direct connect cable between the earphone out and RCA aux in. Still, for the raft-up situations, my transmitter is NOT the kind of POS that has given FM such a bad rap.

I am in the process of considering head unit options for the following year, and will either go with a ZUNE controller radio, or possibly even go with a headunit that is bluetooth capable; that would allow me the option of using my phone as a source, (with about 1500 songs on it) with no wires, and mega-hi-fi. Additionally, the music would mute with an incoming call; an obvious benefit to me and my aging ears.

SO.......

In summary, and with a little bit of a tease; hang tight and check all of your options. There is some neat new stuff that is about to be coming onto the market, and some of it may change your current thoughts on the subject...