Car stereo - iPod hookup help

I just bought a new car and I'm wanting to put a new stereo in it. I want to make sure I get the right one for me. I want to be able to hook up my iPod to the stereo. But there's so many different choices like: 1.) aux outlet 2.) direct hook up (where you put the iPod directly into a iPod slot on the stereo) 3.) USB port...And I'm sure there are many others. Could someone help and really explain in detail all the different types of iPod hook ups for car stereos? And which do you recommend? Thank You!
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Here are the differences:
Aux - not digital sound, doesn't charge iPod, can't control iPod on the stereo.
USB - not only can use iPod, but other USB storage devices (thumb drive, portable hard drives). Usually gives you full control of the player on the unit and can charge the unit. Some units have a USB jack in the front of the unit.
iPod direct hook up - similar to USB but only for iPod. Only found from the back of any unit that needs to be run out from somewhere else.
Best thing to do with the units that do USB is take your iPod with you and plug them into the units that have front USB jacks and see the controls.
Keep in mind, this around the time that new models start to come out, so you may want to wait for a month or so to see the new units that will be available. A lot of the new units that will be coming out will be less expensive for USB and/or iPod controls.
Hope this helps.

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