iPod Adapter for Car Stereo

[gtd2000]

I've recently purchased a Sony head unit (Sony CDX-GT310 In-Car MP3 CD Tuner with iPod Adapter ) which comes with an adaptor to hook up your iPod, should you own one.

I'm not an iPod owner but have the following players:

Creative Zen Sleek
MS Zune (original)

I'm wondering if it would be possible to convert an iPod adapter for use with either the Zen or Zune assuming that a different connector could be wired up to the adapter?

(There is a 2.5mm jack plug that will allow connection of any mp3 player)

Has anybody on here attempted anything like this?

 

[minendo]

Why would you need to modify it? Just use the Aux input on either the front or rear of the deck to hook up the player. I doubt you would be able to modify the iPod adapter as the deck is probably programmed for iPod controls only.

 

[Rio Rebel]

Originally posted by: minendo
Why would you need to modify it? Just use the Aux input on either the front or rear of the deck to hook up the player. I doubt you would be able to modify the iPod adapter as the deck is probably programmed for iPod controls only.

The point of the adaptor is to control the ipod through the car stereo. Apparently this adaptor doesn't do a very good job of it, according to reviews: Amazon reviews are scathing

Some car stereos (head units) are great at ipod integration. The Infinity G35 does a wonderful job letting you control your ipod through the stereo controls. Some - in fact, many - are not so well integrated. My Acura does not have a really good integration unit out there - you either have to give up the XM radio, or try to use the ipod without text.

I ended up getting a dock cable, and I get the same quality as an integration unit, but just have to charge it separately and control the ipod through the ipod (which many people prefer anyway):
Dock connector cable - superior to a straight aux cable

For $15, I get most of the functionality, identical sound quality, and I didn't have to let anyone open the dash of my new sports car.

 

[gtd2000]

Originally posted by: minendo
I doubt you would be able to modify the iPod adapter as the deck is probably programmed for iPod controls only.

Yeah, that's why I was wondering if anybody had attempted to do this - the control method was a concern as opposed to the simple connection.

Cheers though

 

[gtd2000]

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel

I ended up getting a dock cable, and I get the same quality as an integration unit, but just have to charge it separately and control the ipod through the ipod (which many people prefer anyway):
Dock connector cable - superior to a straight aux cable

For $15, I get most of the functionality, identical sound quality, and I didn't have to let anyone open the dash of my new sports car.

Does that mean you get superior sound quality via the connector compared to using a 2.5mm jack plug?

 

[Rio Rebel]

Originally posted by: gtd2000

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel
I ended up getting a dock cable, and I get the same quality as an integration unit, but just have to charge it separately and control the ipod through the ipod (which many people prefer anyway):
Dock connector cable - superior to a straight aux cable

For $15, I get most of the functionality, identical sound quality, and I didn't have to let anyone open the dash of my new sports car.

Does that mean you get superior sound quality via the connector compared to using a 2.5mm jack plug?

Yes. The signal to noise ratio is lower through the dock than through the headphone jack. You also have to turn the volume all the way up when you go through the headphone jack, whereas through the dock it is like the line out on a cd player - you do all the volume control through the car stereo.

The difference is not tremendous, but it is clearly better and I like not having to turn up the volume on the ipod. Also, I would think it is better on your car stereo system/speakers since the s/n ratio is better.