A cheap way to connect my iPod to my car stereo?

I want to wire my iPod directly into my car stereo. Is there a way to do this without spending hundreds of dollars?

b Various Methods to Connect to a Car Stereo System, or Listen to Your iPod in the Vehicle
There are several ways to connect any iPod (or MP3 player) to a car audio system. There are also many opinions on which works better than others. Here is my synopsis:
b Best Way:
Direct connection via the dock connector or headphone jack to a mini-jack input into your car stereo. Not many low/moderate-end cars have this feature yet, but it is becoming more popular. Some aftermarket auto stereo units have this feature. There are also some after-market, fairly expensive adaptors that hook into your existing car stereo that will provide a direct connection. Pretty slick, but pricey. If money is no object, a clean way to go. See:
http://www.myradiostore.us/auxadapters/blitzsafe/blitzsafe-m-link-ipod-interface .html
http://www.theistore.com/ipod2car.html
http://www.mp3yourcar.com/productdetails.asp?productID=175
b Better:
Connect your iPod to a cassette adaptor and play your tunes through your car's cassette player. In my opinion (via testing in my car using the accessories I have), it has better fidelity than FM transmitters. Some new cars no longer come with a cassette player, so it may not be an option.
b Good:
Attach one of the many FM transmitter devices to your iPod and play the tunes through an unused FM station. Some noticeable degradation and distortion may be heard - depending on the sensitivity of your ears and the airwave congestion in your area.
b Marginal:
Attach an external speaker system to the iPod and play it in the car. Workable, but not too good - unless you spring for a $300+ Bose (or similar) system. But why? Only if your vehicle has no Stereo system, perhaps.
Whichever you choose, power the iPod through a DC adapter running from the car. See the reviews below for choices on all the accessories mentioned above, and more.
See the reviews of various accessories at the iPodLounge here:
http://www.ipodlounge.com/index.php/reviews/review_grades/
I have read both positive and negative reviews of each method, and within method, there are great variations in performance of different manufacture's systems – and peoples’ opinions of their performance. Some cassette adaptors work poorly, some better. I got lucky with my choices and have not had any big problems, yet...
BTW - I have a Belkin cassette adaptor and an iTrip Mini FM transmitter (as well as a Newer Technology RoadTrip!+). Using the same song in the same car, I found that the cassette adaptor worked significantly better for me than the FM transmitters.

Similar Messages

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    I recently purchased a new car radio that supports mp3 players, meaning it has a usb input.
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    theb14,
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