HD Mp3 Player In Car - Auxiliary Input, Is there a way to do it? iPod, Zen, NW

recsnmisc

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Is there a safe way to do this with an original OEM car stereo head unit?
Has anyone been able to setup a auxiliary input that connects a mp3 player to the head unit without sacrificing safety and the original head unit functions (external dashboard with time / mileage, rds info, CD playback time etc). Car manufacturer doesn's offer any solutions for this.

I think this may be possible by finding the audio connections for the CD changer in he back of the head unit and somehow connect a cable (which one?DIN cable?) and trick the head unit into thinking that the mp3 player is in fact a CD changer...
Long shot?Maybe.
I don't have the technical expertise to do this on my own, but I'm willing to try this when I find the right car audio specialist.
In the meantime, do you guys know any kit, non-do-it-yourself or alternative solution to make this possible? (I'm not that interested in fm transmitter solutions)

Any comments/help appreciated.
Thanks.
 
If the head unit has a CD Changer input then it can be done. I've added phono sockets to the back of an aftermarket Alpine unit with a lead from these guys.
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/
Try searching you vehicle manufacturer there and see what comes up - they helped me with email enquiries to get the correct lead.
 
Yes! Just what I was thinking about...
Thanks a lot.
Did you fit this yourself? How hard was it?
Thanks.
 
I fitted one of these...http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/pro...d=3137&cadid=397866ef6ca37a29f23b1792c4b958e2
and connected it to a Logic 3 iPod dock connector to 2x phonos (£10 from Maplin, HMV etc.).
Fitting was pretty easy took about 20mins. Pulled off some trim and released the latches holding the Alpine head unit in place. Drew it forward and disconnected the FM antenna so I could get at the back easily. Added the connector and slotted it back in (reconnecting the FM aerial). The trickiest part was working a route for cable back out of the dash thankfully Mercedes had left a space next to the CD holders and they had a hole I was able to drill out to pass the phono plugs through.

I was reasonably lucky that I had an ISO standard head unit and a manual with fitting instructions and how to enable the AUX input. Factory fitted units are a bit more tricky to remove but not impossible.

If you post what car you've got I'm sure you'll get some help about how to remove it.
 

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