FM Transmitters – A Good option for iPod integration but are there better?
If you want to take your music on the road with you, your iPod is the best and most convenient option. But how do you connect it to your vehicle? Which method is best? And what options do you have?
You have many options depending on your car and stereo equipment you have installed, there are a variety of ways of connecting your iPod to your Vehicle. The Kits range from fully integrated connections that emulate your CD changer providing CD quality or better audio through your stereo, through to FM Transmitters that connect to your iPod and transmit radio signals to your aerial. The truth is there are thousands of options and a variety of different brands that offer slightly different functions.
The more basic of the options start with FM Transmitters; they are a simple kit but can provide good results. FM Transmitters plug into the bottom of the iPod / iPhone and translate your music being played on your iPod to a radio signal, The radio signal is then broadcast to the local area (Anybody using the same frequency can listen to your music / podcast etc). The FM Transmitters are usually the more cost effective option when purchasing an iPod car kit, however bear in mind the area you live in or commute to before you purchase. If the area is heavy with radio signals you can often receive a poor signal, usually resulting interference or a duplicate signal played over the top of the original frequency so you have two sources of audio being played.
There are several advantages and disadvantages to the fm transmitter kits, these can be broken down simply see below;
Advantages;
They are Easy to install
More cost effective
Move from vehicle to vehicle
Disadvantages;
Occasionally has poor signal
Can’t control the iPod from vehicles controls or radio
Drains the iPod / iPhone battery
The next best option is the FM Modulator; the modulator works on a similar principle to the transmitter however FM Modulation kit provides a better performance over all. The modulator is a hard wired connection to the back of the aerial replacing your previous aerial which connects further in the loop. This system reduces the interference from outside broadcasts meaning you receive a signal quality similar to that of DAB (Digital radio). FM Modulator kits are also provided with power clips that allow you to crimp onto the stereos power cable to provide kit with battery power from the ignition switch. This powers the kit and the iPod when the ignition is turned on so you’ll never lose battery charge while connected and your iPod is good to go again. Although the Modulator provides better performance than the transmitter it still doesn’t offer the ability to control the iPod through the stereo of steering wheel controls, which is a major factor for a lot of people when purchasing an iPod car kit.
The most advanced option is hard wired option. The Dension Gateway 100 is a good example of this. The hardwired kit connects into the CD changer port on the back of the stereo and emulates the factory changer. These kits are a little more expensive however in many people’s opinion they are worth the extra investment. The majority of hardwired kits allow the user control the iPod from steering wheel or stereo, charge the ipod, offer text display on the vehicle display or cluster screen and provide perfect CD quality audio through the factory speakers.
When ordering an ipod car kit it’s important to consider what functions you want from it. If you only want a simple kit that provides decent quality audio, and you’re prepared to put up with a little interference every now and then, the FM Transmitter is probably the better option for you. However if you love your music and want an all singing & Dancing kit you should be prepared to spend a little extra money.
The Tech / iPhone Equivalent of a Drug Deal
|
|
11 Piece Tool Set for Apple Macintosh Computers, iPods, and iPhones $6.99 New from Silverhill Tools is a useful kit that helps with doing many of the routine tasks associated with Mac ownership, including accessing memory slots or opening housings. Compatible with many macs, including but not limited to: MacBook Pro 15.4″ MacBook Pro 17″ MacBook (Aluminium) MacBook (White or Black) PowerBook G4 Aluminium 17″ PowerBook G4 Aluminium 12″ PowerBook G4 Aluminium 15″ … |
|
|
iPhone 3G 2nd gen 8GB 16GB Touch LCD Screen TAIWAN VERSION $4.93 Package contains: 1x iPhone 3G Touch Digitizer Panel 1x Adhesive 2x Plastic Prying Tools-Green 2x Screwdriver 2x Pick 1x suction cup |
|
|
iPhone 3GS Digitizer $4.98 Replacement iPhone 3GS LCD Touch Screen Glass Digitizer & Adhesive With a complete set of tools! For iPhone 3GS 16GB 32GB -NOT for iPhone 2G Complete with the flex cable and connector to easily replace an existing damaged or broken touch screen. The screen comes complete with all the tools necessary to complete the installation onto your handheld, including small screwdrivers and picks. Whethe… |
Related Blogs
- Related Blogs on Iphone Screen Replacement Kit
