An audio feature every car should have

[CStan]

Every car should have a jack to connect MP3 players to via their headphone out. That way people could easily connect every MP3 player to their car fast, and hassle free. A bonus would be if the car display could read the info that an inline remote reads, so the track info would be displayed on the screen, and track #, volume, etc can be changed using the controls in the car. Thoughts?

 

[GreatBarracuda]

Originally posted by: CStan
Every car should have a jack to connect MP3 players to via their headphone out. That way people could easily connect every MP3 player to their car fast, and hassle free. A bonus would be if the car display could read the info that an inline remote reads, so the track info would be displayed on the screen, and track #, volume, etc can be changed using the controls in the car. Thoughts?

Agreed. In the meanwhile, you can use this.

 

[MustangSVT]

yes indeed...

 

[Aves]

For just a couple hundred bucks you can get an HU with line-in. It's not a perfect solution but it works.

 

[MazerRackham]

I have thought that for 3 years now. Best I've got is a tape adapter for my RSX-S, which actually isn't all that bad.

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Most custom stereo systems/head units have an auxilary-in so you could plug in anything you liked.

For the car controls to work on the MP3 player you plugged in would require a lot of communication between the stereo and the MP3 player, and the implementation would change for every MP3 player on the market. As far as I know, only the iPod/BMW allows this to be done.

 

[MustangSVT]

Originally posted by: MazerRackham
I have thought that for 3 years now. Best I've got is a tape adapter for my RSX-S, which actually isn't all that bad.

any other mods for your rex?

i love the new design.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Originally posted by: aves2k
For just a couple hundred bucks you can get an HU with line-in. It's not a perfect solution but it works.

and 20 bucks could get you a tape adapter that does just about the same

 

[sniperruff]

then again i doubt it costs that much more to have every CD player being able to play MP3's.

 

[Rainsford]

Originally posted by: xSkyDrAx

Originally posted by: aves2k
For just a couple hundred bucks you can get an HU with line-in. It's not a perfect solution but it works.

and 20 bucks could get you a tape adapter that does just about the same

Yeah, except many new cars don't come with tape players standard any more. My Mazda 3 had a tape player "option", but it was like $160 or something stupid.

 

[Ornery]

Change that to "Every aftermarket head unit should come with an auxilary input." and you might be on to something. Somebody please explain to me why they don't!

Christ, 20 years ago, a middle of the road head unit was $150. 10 years ago, a middle of the road head unit was $150. 5 years ago, a middle of the road head unit was $150. Every other electronic device has come down in price, gotten better in specifacations, and added more features, so what's so hard about adding a simple aux input on the front of an already overpriced head unit?

 

[Black88GTA]

When I got my beater, I went looking for the cheapest CD head unit I could find. I found this one at Best Buy for $49 brand new...and to my surprise, it has a minijack (earphone plug) line in right on the front panel !

I didn't need it at first, but it was very useful when I got Sirius and needed the line input. Those broadcast transmitters suck because they're always fuzzy, and it's impossible to pick a frequency that *nobody* uses anywhere. If you go on a long road trip, inevitably you will come within range of a radio station broadcasting on your chosen frequency, and you'll have to find another. Major hassle, IMO.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Change that to "Every aftermarket head unit should come with an auxilary input." and you might be on to something. Somebody please explain to me why they don't!

Christ, 20 years ago, a middle of the road head unit was $150. 10 years ago, a middle of the road head unit was $150. 5 years ago, a middle of the road head unit was $150. Every other electronic device has come down in price, gotten better in specifacations, and added more features, so what's so hard about adding a simple aux input on the front of an already overpriced head unit?

because then you could buy other companies accessories and we just can't have that.

 

[isekii]

I don't need to connect an MP3 player to my car
I have indash 6 CD changer.

 

[chipy]

CStan,

i've wondered about that myself. i wish more car's would have that.

chipy

 

[DrPizza]

5 minutes to work
5 minutes to get home.

That's the majority of the time I spend in my car.
why would I need a cd player? Your life must suck if you spend so much of it in a car that such conveniences affect the quality of your life

 

[CTrain]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
5 minutes to work
5 minutes to get home.

That's the majority of the time I spend in my car.
why would I need a cd player? Your life must suck if you spend so much of it in a car that such conveniences affect the quality of your life

Not every is lucky to have:
5 minutes to work
5 minutes to get home.
Case closed/

 

[Toastedlightly]

my truck has 2 plugs dangling down for audio (custom job). I <3 it.

 

[DannyBoy]

Originally posted by: Toastedlightly
my truck has 2 plugs dangling down for audio (custom job). I <3 it.

gotta love 'custom' jobs.

 

[EyeMWing]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Change that to "Every aftermarket head unit should come with an auxilary input." and you might be on to something. Somebody please explain to me why they don't!

Christ, 20 years ago, a middle of the road head unit was $150. 10 years ago, a middle of the road head unit was $150. 5 years ago, a middle of the road head unit was $150. Every other electronic device has come down in price, gotten better in specifacations, and added more features, so what's so hard about adding a simple aux input on the front of an already overpriced head unit?

My $99 MP3 HU has a rear AUX; I took the mounting bracket, mounted a .99cent dual-RCA jack to it, and boom, instant front AUX.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: CStan
Every car should have a jack to connect MP3 players to via their headphone out.

naw, that would make too much sense!

I've always thought that line in should be freakin' standard on all decks...

Originally posted by: GreatBarracuda
Agreed. In the meanwhile, you can use this.

Yeah, too bad the quality sucks though. At least that one won't drain batteries at astronomical rates like some...but taking up your power outlet might be just as bad for some.

 

[knivox]

Kenwood makes an adapter that changes the CD changer input to RCA plugs. Other aftermarket manufacturers might have something similar

 

[Ornery]

If you call that "instant", um OK, but it still makes NO sense that this isn't on every single after market head unit today.

 

[wbresson]

Originally posted by: knivox
Kenwood makes an adapter that changes the CD changer input to RCA plugs. Other aftermarket manufacturers might have something similar

Pioneer also, its what I am using for aux-in

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
5 minutes to work
5 minutes to get home.

That's the majority of the time I spend in my car.
why would I need a cd player? Your life must suck if you spend so much of it in a car that such conveniences affect the quality of your life

An hour to work, an hour to get home. Hate my car/life.