iPod use in my car - volume issue

[Jase]

Hi folks,

I've connected my iPod vid to my car using the standard (though nowhere nearly as impressive) method of using a cable to feed the output into the AUX socket of the car (located between the driver's and co-driver's seats). However, I noticed that the volume is quite low. I have to max out the volume on my iPod as well as the volume of the AUX of the car to be able to hear the music (which is of pretty decent quality). I just want to know whether anything is wrong? Anyone faced with a similar problem or have a solution I can consider (without breaking the bank, that is).

Thanks guys!
J

 

[Sting]

Re: iPod use in my car - volume issue

When I use mine, it is quite soft, softer than radio etc so the car stereo volume is turned up louder than normal. I max the Aux vol but not the iPod vol. Hope this helps.

 

[heerajs]

Re: iPod use in my car - volume issue

hi for me i keep my ipod volume at 3 quarter but however, my aux volume does not set to be high...i find it the same volume as the cd or radio...

 

[ferd]

Re: iPod use in my car - volume issue

i read somewhere that if you take the audio source from the headphone jack the signal is attenuated ... but if you take it from the dock its louder coz its line out.

i haven't been able to test it myself, but if you get the universal dock, you can dock your ipod and connect your mini jack aux cable to the back of the dock....

share your findings if you get to try, cheers!

 

[Jase]

Re: iPod use in my car - volume issue

Yah, I tweaked it a bit by increasing my audio volume (the base volume for the car) and lowering the AUX volume to the middle. Sound quality is better though my iPod is still set at max or almost max. I wonder if it's just better to get one of those docking stations (which cost about $100) which transmits the audio via radio frequency which you can tune into.

Whichever the case, the frustrating thing is that I can't use the station selection buttons (the up and down buttons on the right side of the steering wheel) to toggle the songs.

Is there a workaround for this?

 

[heerajs]

Re: iPod use in my car - volume issue

No Jase Bro!!! the docking stations which transmit the sound through the radio is worse. the sound quality is not very good. Cause that is wat i use in my merc cause it has no AUX and when i compare it wid the ipod played thru AUX in my BMW, the BMW sound quality is 100% better.

 

[Sting]

Re: iPod use in my car - volume issue

Jase, I tried the FM radio transmitting type and it is not good. There is a lot of interference so you won't enjoy the music. There is one expensive alternative of getting the iPod interface from PML. This will allow you to use the toggle button and it will also charge your iPod. It will cost you about $900. Cheers!

 

[Jase]

Re: iPod use in my car - volume issue

Thanks, heerajs & Sting. You guys saved me some $. I guess I'll stick to the AUX input option for the time being.

Sting, the PML "iPod upgrade" option sounds great but at that price, I can buy a few more iPods which if I blast loud enough, I won't need to plug it into anything Thanks for the tip anyway!

 

[heerajs]

Re: iPod use in my car - volume issue

HAHA i totally agree with you JASE. but i dont think your ipod will be affected in any way...cause i hav been using my ipod in my e90 now for i think almost 1 and a half yr and it is still ok and it is the first 30gb ipod which was launched...

 

[Jase]

Re: iPod use in my car - volume issue

LOL! Sounds like a plan, bro Tx again for the feedback n tips.

 

[ferd]

Re: iPod use in my car - volume issue

Guys,

I think you're missing the point, the Universal Dock is still a wired solution that uses the Aux input on your stock headunit.

The ipod has 2 audio sources available, one is via the headphone mini jack, the other is through the 30-pin connector at the bottom.

The 30-pin connector is line out level, which basically means its louder and clearer than the headphone mini jack output.


Have fun!

 

[Sting]

Re: iPod use in my car - volume issue

Sting, the PML "iPod upgrade" option sounds great but at that price, I can buy a few more iPods which if I blast loud enough, I won't need to plug it into anything Thanks for the tip anyway!

You are so right! It is very steep. Well almost everything on the beemer is, isn't it? The price we pay for owning a luxury marque I guess.

 

[chickenbackside]

Re: iPod use in my car - volume issue

Guys,

I think you're missing the point, the Universal Dock is still a wired solution that uses the Aux input on your stock headunit.

The ipod has 2 audio sources available, one is via the headphone mini jack, the other is through the 30-pin connector at the bottom.

The 30-pin connector is line out level, which basically means its louder and clearer than the headphone mini jack output.


Have fun!

Exactly. If you're serious about audio quality, nothing except the output from the 30-pin will do. FM transmission (worst) and headphone output are simply lousy compromised solutions.

 

[heerajs]

Re: iPod use in my car - volume issue

Exactly. If you're serious about audio quality, nothing except the output from the 30-pin will do. FM transmission (worst) and headphone output are simply lousy compromised solutions.

Oh i see. Any idea where we can get the dock from?
thanks

 

[Jase]

Re: iPod use in my car - volume issue

Yah, chickenbackside, can you please share what sorta docking option you have going and how much it's going cost me (a ballpark figure will do). Tx

 

[ferd]

Re: iPod use in my car - volume issue

You can buy it from any Apple Reseller. Its called the iPod Universal Dock.

The Apple Store (Singapore) - Apple iPod Universal Dock

 

[Jase]

Re: iPod use in my car - volume issue

You can buy it from any Apple Reseller. Its called the iPod Universal Dock.

The Apple Store (Singapore) - Apple iPod Universal Dock

The link didn't work for me but I get what you mean. I thought these docks were meant to sit on tables etc. Does it then need to sit on a dock which is attached to the car? I'm a little confused as to how this would work save that the iPod sits in the universal dock and the audio is piped out and into an AV input socket.

 

[bugaboo]

Re: iPod use in my car - volume issue

on the e60 aux in, there is a resistor in the aux in cable you can remove.

do a search on google or in the usual bimmerfest or e60.net forums and you should find something.

here are some photos of the resistor segment exposed.

closeup

 

[Jase]

Re: iPod use in my car - volume issue

Tx bugaboo. I'm not sure if I'll tamper with the wiring though I will say that if necessary, then I'll consider doing so. For the moment, it's not giving me too much problems. Appreciate your feedback though

 

[chickenbackside]

Re: iPod use in my car - volume issue

This is the cheapest solution to tap the best possible audio output from your iPod:

iPod Dock Connector to RCA and 3.5mm by: DLC - iPodCarParts.com: iPod


iPod Dock Connector to RCA and 3.5mm - $34.92


The IPOD-RCA cable provides both stereo RCA connectors and a 3.5mm head phone type connector from the dock connector port. Using the dock connector output instead of the headphone jack provides a much cleaner, unclipped fixed-level signal output that can be used to feed the auxiliary input of a car stereo or other device.

Also features +12 volt power and ground wires to keep the iPod charged while connected. Compatible with all iPod models featuring the dock connector.

The unique design of the IPODRCA allows the dock connector output to feed both the RCA outputs and the 3.5mm jack. This allows easy compatibility with systems that have RCA inputs (most aftermarket stereo inputs are this type) or 3.5mm inputs (some aftermarket stereos use this type as well as some late-model factory radios such as Nissan trucks/SUVs). Because the RCA and 3.5mm connectors are wired together, the cable can also be used with the head phone port of the iPod (or any other device with a 3.5mm jack such as a computer, CD player, MP3 player, audio enabled cell phone, etc.) instead of the dock connector.