[sf-lug] WAY OT: Car Stereo Analog Electronics

[Matt Price]

On Wed, 2008-05-28 at 08:56 -0700, Mark K. Zanfardino wrote:
> I realize you are probably doing this because it's something fun to do, 
> but have you considered the more direct route?  If the cassette works, 
> why not just buy a cassette adapter?  They cost about $15.00 at Radio 
> Shack and they give you a 3.5mm stereo connector you can plug into your 
> iPod (or whatever).  I use one in my 2000 Lexus.  I was going to replace 
> the in-dash cassette with an in-dash CD player until I realized I'd 
> loose my iPod...
> 

how's the sound on this for you?  i'd like to get decent sound quality;
as i say, it's a long drive, and i really odn't want to have the volume
cranked to maximum so my kids can listen to audiobooks...  

thanks,
matt



> Just a thought.
> 
> Mark
> 
> Matt Price wrote:
> > hi guys,
> >
> > well, this is the DIY group i know best...  I'm getting ready for a big
> > road trip (all the way back to toronto) and I'm trying to hook my ipod
> > up to my car stereo.  unfortunately i have a stock honda civic stereo
> > head unit, which doesn't have an aux in anywhere.  instead htere's a
> > proprietary DIN-style connector that goes from the head unit (which has
> > a radio ) and the external cassette player (mounted separately in a
> > different spot on the dash).  
> >
> > there's a pin diagram for this connector here (well, at least i think
> > it's the right diagram):
> > http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/DIY/sound_system.htm
> > this instructables suggests it's the same as the honda stereos:
> > http://www.instructables.com/id/SOU74LJF9056P3L/
> >
> > my plan is to take out the  cassette player (not hard, i've done it
> > before), and somehow splice an audio out cable into the din connector.
> > as far as i understand it, all i need to do is connect the signal
> > ground, left and right wires to the appropriate pins, and the thing
> > SHOULD get sound from the ipod (or any aux connector).  i see two ways
> > to do this:
> >
> > 1) just take an old headphone wire, open it up, and run the individual
> > wires into the appropriate din pin openings.  but this is too simple.
> >
> > 2) find an 8-pin din connector, solder the wires from the headphone jack
> > into it, but also maybe somehow use the other wires to do other things.
> > for instance, i'd love to get usb power off of the battery; i'd love to
> > be able to somehow control the ipod using the accessory; etc.  i dont
> > know how ocmplicated all of these are.  also all my soldering tools and
> > stuff are back home in toronto.  and finally, i don't know where to buy
> > stuff like this here in sf.  
> >
> > sooo...  i'm hoping there's someone out there who knows all this stuff!
> > or who knows where to point me for more info.  i'd lvoe for this to
> > work, it's gonna be a looooong car ride...  thanks!
> >
> > matt
> >
> >
> >   
-- 
Matt Price
matt.price at utoronto.ca