Playing an MP3 player through a car stereo

RobHughes · 10-08-2009, 16:06

I'm looking for a way of playing my MP3 player through my car CD stereo, without buying a whole new stereo. I've seen some kits (for around £10) which transmit a signal to the stereo using an FM signal but these seem to have mixed reviews - are there any alternative methods or is this the best way of doing it, and if so can anyone recommend one of these kits? Thanks!

Nigel Goodwin · 10-08-2009, 16:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobHughes

I'm looking for a way of playing my MP3 player through my car CD stereo, without buying a whole new stereo. I've seen some kits (for around £10) which transmit a signal to the stereo using an FM signal but these seem to have mixed reviews - are there any alternative methods or is this the best way of doing it, and if so can anyone recommend one of these kits? Thanks!

They do seem pretty crappy, I've got two, and never managed to get either to work in the car - I can't find any clear enough channels for it.

But I cured the problem

I bought a new car radio, a Sony one from Halfords, it plays CD and MP3 CD's, it has a 3.5mm socket on the front for an auxilary input, and also a USB socket on the front which allows you to plug an MP3 player directly in. This also gives you track info on the radio display, I'm VERY, VERY pleased with it.

Only £99 as well.

David (2) · 10-08-2009, 21:11

I would back the last post up. In my last car, I didnt have the connections to plug in a mp3 player. I bought a FM transmitter, but the quality was very poor. Dont waste your money of these devices....put the money on a upgrade to the car stereo - one with the right connections. The one I have now has a AUX connection. Works perfect.

misterbarlow · 11-08-2009, 20:03

i also did the same. we have a roof mounted factory fit dvd in our zafira, but it only transmits audio to wireless headphones, which our 3yr old daughter wont use...

it does have a 3.5mm aux audio out, so i bought one of those transmitters to try and send the audio to the headunit via FM but it was pathetic...

So i also in the end bought a JVC headunit for £49.99 in halfords with a 3.5mm aux in and ran a lead from the audio out of the dvd, inside the roof lining and down the pillar and round to the back of the headunit and plugged it in, and now we get perfect stereo from our dvd's through the car speakers...

niall campbell · 11-08-2009, 21:02

you could of course get a cd player that can play MP3 cds??

Nigel Goodwin · 12-08-2009, 11:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by niall campbell

you could of course get a cd player that can play MP3 cds??

I did

but it also plays MP3 via USB as well, which holds a LOT more tracks than a single MP3 CD. You don't need an actual MP3 player either, a simple flash drive will do.

serton · 12-08-2009, 12:29

I have a cheap transmitter I bought in Argos. Traveled from Leeds all the way up to Scotland, and apart from having to shift it slightly when we hit Cumbria, the reception from the transmitter was excellent.

rhod · 12-08-2009, 13:36

You could always buy a new car

Got a new Kia recently, and the sound system has an aux in and mp3 socket. Plays 8g pendrives fine.

Couldn't detect a 2.5" hard drive, but I suspect it may be a power issue and it might be OK if I got an adapter to run some extra power via the cigarette lighter socket.

David (2) · 12-08-2009, 21:49

problem with mp3's on a CD, is that you have to go to the bother of burning the CD on the PC. Also, discs max out at around 700MB. My Walkman phone has an 8GB card inside it - you can just keep adding and adding and adding some more. And no issues with fingerprints or dust on the cd making it skip.

bilsat · 13-08-2009, 05:58

If your radio has a cassette player, then you can use an cassette adaptor, these look like a cassette but have a small cable with a 3.5 plug on it. It might not be perfect but a lot cheaper, I tried the FM transmitter route but as others have said, hard to find a clear channel, also some have to be rescanned if the power is removed.

Sue_Aitch · 10-02-2012, 12:53

Cassette adaptor gets my vote: useful for having Digital Radio or the CD Player ( Sony D-EJ021)

DeelyBopper · 10-02-2012, 13:44

Cassette adapter barring a new stereo with mp3 input.

iangrad · 10-02-2012, 14:11

Another good solution is the Parrot car phone kit
You get Playback from built in SD card reader , stream via bluetooth from your phone , direct plug in leads for all other devices ! And its a brilliant hands free phone kit as well .

http://www.parrot.com/uk/products/hands-free-car-kits

10-08-2009, 16:06	#1
RobHughes Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 24	Playing an MP3 player through a car stereo I'm looking for a way of playing my MP3 player through my car CD stereo, without buying a whole new stereo. I've seen some kits (for around £10) which transmit a signal to the stereo using an FM signal but these seem to have mixed reviews - are there any alternative methods or is this the best way of doing it, and if so can anyone recommend one of these kits? Thanks!

13-08-2009, 05:58	#10
bilsat Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 427	Playing MP3 through a car radio If your radio has a cassette player, then you can use an cassette adaptor, these look like a cassette but have a small cable with a 3.5 plug on it. It might not be perfect but a lot cheaper, I tried the FM transmitter route but as others have said, hard to find a clear channel, also some have to be rescanned if the power is removed.

10-08-2009, 16:13	#2
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by RobHughes I'm looking for a way of playing my MP3 player through my car CD stereo, without buying a whole new stereo. I've seen some kits (for around £10) which transmit a signal to the stereo using an FM signal but these seem to have mixed reviews - are there any alternative methods or is this the best way of doing it, and if so can anyone recommend one of these kits? Thanks! They do seem pretty crappy, I've got two, and never managed to get either to work in the car - I can't find any clear enough channels for it. But I cured the problem I bought a new car radio, a Sony one from Halfords, it plays CD and MP3 CD's, it has a 3.5mm socket on the front for an auxilary input, and also a USB socket on the front which allows you to plug an MP3 player directly in. This also gives you track info on the radio display, I'm VERY, VERY pleased with it. Only £99 as well.

10-08-2009, 21:11	#3
David (2) Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: S.West England. Posts: 18,037	I would back the last post up. In my last car, I didnt have the connections to plug in a mp3 player. I bought a FM transmitter, but the quality was very poor. Dont waste your money of these devices....put the money on a upgrade to the car stereo - one with the right connections. The one I have now has a AUX connection. Works perfect.

11-08-2009, 20:03	#4
misterbarlow Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Wales Posts: 561	i also did the same. we have a roof mounted factory fit dvd in our zafira, but it only transmits audio to wireless headphones, which our 3yr old daughter wont use... it does have a 3.5mm aux audio out, so i bought one of those transmitters to try and send the audio to the headunit via FM but it was pathetic... So i also in the end bought a JVC headunit for £49.99 in halfords with a 3.5mm aux in and ran a lead from the audio out of the dvd, inside the roof lining and down the pillar and round to the back of the headunit and plugged it in, and now we get perfect stereo from our dvd's through the car speakers...

11-08-2009, 21:02	#5
niall campbell Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Aberfeldy Posts: 7,035	you could of course get a cd player that can play MP3 cds??

12-08-2009, 11:09	#6
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by niall campbell you could of course get a cd player that can play MP3 cds?? I did but it also plays MP3 via USB as well, which holds a LOT more tracks than a single MP3 CD. You don't need an actual MP3 player either, a simple flash drive will do.

12-08-2009, 12:29	#7
serton Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 710	I have a cheap transmitter I bought in Argos. Traveled from Leeds all the way up to Scotland, and apart from having to shift it slightly when we hit Cumbria, the reception from the transmitter was excellent.

12-08-2009, 13:36	#8
rhod Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,833	You could always buy a new car Got a new Kia recently, and the sound system has an aux in and mp3 socket. Plays 8g pendrives fine. Couldn't detect a 2.5" hard drive, but I suspect it may be a power issue and it might be OK if I got an adapter to run some extra power via the cigarette lighter socket.

12-08-2009, 21:49	#9
David (2) Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: S.West England. Posts: 18,037	problem with mp3's on a CD, is that you have to go to the bother of burning the CD on the PC. Also, discs max out at around 700MB. My Walkman phone has an 8GB card inside it - you can just keep adding and adding and adding some more. And no issues with fingerprints or dust on the cd making it skip.

10-02-2012, 12:53	#11
Sue_Aitch Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 4,815	Cassette adaptor gets my vote: useful for having Digital Radio or the CD Player ( Sony D-EJ021)

10-02-2012, 13:44	#12
DeelyBopper Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,292	Cassette adapter barring a new stereo with mp3 input.

10-02-2012, 14:11	#13
iangrad Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 772	Another good solution is the Parrot car phone kit You get Playback from built in SD card reader , stream via bluetooth from your phone , direct plug in leads for all other devices ! And its a brilliant hands free phone kit as well . http://www.parrot.com/uk/products/hands-free-car-kits

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Playing an MP3 player through a car stereo