AAC Compatible Car Stereo
[221 byte] By [rmo966] at [2007-11-9 14:12:41] 
I am looking to upgrade my car stereo and was wanting to know my options. I would like to purchase a car stereo that I can plug my 20GB iPod into (line-in?) and be compatible with my AAC files. Am I dreaming? Let me know.
# 1 Re: AAC Compatible Car Stereo
As far as I know, AAC is Apple's own format, though I could be wrong. If it is Apple's format, though, then I doubt you'll be finding proprietary electronics that play it for a while...But if you are plugging in your iPod via the line-in, then it doesn't matter. The iPod will do the playing, not the stereo. The stereo will just act as an amp and phones.
KariChelle at 2007-11-15 15:58:52 >
# 2 Re: AAC Compatible Car Stereo
AAC is not Apple's own format, it's part of the MPEG-4 standard. I believe Dolby actually developed it.SunByrne at 2007-11-15 15:59:53 >
# 3 Re: AAC Compatible Car Stereo
Okay. I stand corrected. :)KariChelle at 2007-11-15 16:01:02 >
# 4 Re: AAC Compatible Car Stereo
Thank you for your replys concerning the AAC format, but I am wanting to know if anybody has a "NAME" of a car stereo they are currently using in conjuction with thier iPod using the "line-in" jack.rmo966 at 2007-11-15 16:01:57 >
# 5 Re: AAC Compatible Car Stereo
If you are plugging your ipod into a car stereo through the headphone port on your ipod and line in on your car stereo, you do not need a special stereo that can read aac. The ipod reads the aac and converts it into a signal that comes out of the headphone jack (analogue I think)Beninio at 2007-11-15 16:02:56 >
# 6 Re: AAC Compatible Car Stereo
Yes, but which Stereos on the market have a plug in the front in which I can go this?rmo966 at 2007-11-15 16:04:06 >
# 7 Re: AAC Compatible Car Stereo
Look for head units that say something like "front panel AUX input" with them--that's what they mean. Most Aiwa models have this, if I remember correctly.SunByrne at 2007-11-15 16:04:59 >
# 8 Re: AAC Compatible Car Stereo
Thank you SunByrne, AIWA is where I will start. I hope that is not the only car stereo maker that has this feature.rmo966 at 2007-11-15 16:06:03 >
# 9 Re: AAC Compatible Car Stereo
I vaguely remember reading that some Alpine models might have this as some kind of add-on. And I think some JVC models have it, not sure... (You can tell I read that Crutchfield catalog really carefully.)SunByrne at 2007-11-15 16:07:01 >
# 10 Re: AAC Compatible Car Stereo
I've just installed an Alpine CDA-9815 CD/MP3 head-unit in the DIN slot of my car. Attached to it is a KCA-121b AI-Net to RCA adapter ($20) which then ties into an RCA to mini stereo jack adapter that I made from an extra RCA to mini-plug cable and a Radio Shack 3-conductor 1/8th inch panel-mount jack (~$2 for two). The panel-mount jack is mounted in a filler plate on the dash below the radio.It sounds super-complicated, but it isn't. I'll post photos soon.
The point is, that any head-unit that has an auxiliary input can be connected to your iPod, and for only a few bucks and an afternoon, you can make a customized, professional-looking input without marring your interior or stringing wires everywhere.
mustang_dvs at 2007-11-15 16:08:02 >
# 11 Re: AAC Compatible Car Stereo
Mustang, I think those pictures would be interesting to see. That is good news because I am not sure of the quality of Aiwa car stereos. I really was more interested in an Eclipse. Also, if you could include where you purchased the extra parts (Radio Shack, Tweeter, etc...) that would be helpfull for anyone else in the same situation I am. Thanks.rmo966 at 2007-11-15 16:09:12 >
# 12 Re: AAC Compatible Car Stereo
The car is a 1987 BMW 635CSi, which I bought about three weeks ago. The Alpine CDA-9815 head unit was installed last week, with the KCA-121B and the aux jack done at the same time. I didn't get any shots of the custom jack, but it was relatively simple -- I cut the mini-jack plug off of an old RCA-to-stereo mini-jack cable, soldered the right and left to their respective posts and each side's ground to a common wire and then that wire to the ground post. The RCA connectors plug into the KCA-121B and the KCA-121B into the AI-Net jack on the head-unit.
I'm planning on hard-wiring the Belkin Auto Adapter into a 12-volt lead in the ashtray in front of the shifter, and using that to hold the iPod, either in the black iSkin shown or, preferably, a modified iPod Armor case (with a slot drilled out for the dock connector. (I have a Marware SportSuit Convertible for normal use.) The ashtray will conceal the wires and connector when closed.
Then comes the process of figuring out where and how to mount the iPod remote, but that's a minor issue.
(The open slot in the console held the stock stereo's balance control. A new central lock-unlock switch will go in it's place this weekend.) It's amazing how dirty the interior looks with the light from the flash.
(hosted on my employer's server, while I attempt to work out issues on my own server.)
http://jinsa.org/images/6er/panel_jack.jpg
http://jinsa.org/images/6er/full_console.jpg
http://jinsa.org/images/6er/close-up.jpg
KCA-121B:
http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2002/500/l500kca121b-f.jpeg
mustang_dvs at 2007-11-15 16:10:10 >
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