| From rock music to pop to classical, nothing | | | | commonly available, and all you need to do is |
| beats the iPod in its functionality. A cute | | | | venture out and get a new one installed. |
| little gadget that has turned the music world | | | | |
| on its head, the iPod is set to storm yet | | | | Now let us look at the options available for |
| another bastion - your car audio. After all, | | | | those of us who have already invested their |
| it is natural for you to want to listen to | | | | surplus cash in the iPod and cannot afford to |
| music, as a music lover, anywhere and | | | | buy a new, compatible audio system. Make use |
| everywhere and that includes your car. This | | | | of one of the several options enumerated |
| article is about how to hook on your iPod to | | | | here. Direct connection to a CD or a cassette |
| your car audio, freeing you from those pesky | | | | player is sure to result in the best quality, |
| earphones that bite into your ears if put on | | | | while FM broadcasts, though much more |
| for too long, and add the thumping power of | | | | popular, have their limitations as well. |
| your car audio speakers to your music. | | | | |
| | | | Making a direct connection between the car |
| Using your iPod thus frees you from the | | | | audio and the iPod allows you to use the full |
| shackles of conventional CDs and tapes since | | | | functions of your iPod, and is the |
| it allows you to download music in unlimited | | | | recommended solution. Some car connection |
| quantity from the internet. You can thus | | | | kits use a simple cable to connect the iPod |
| harness the explosive power of music software | | | | (either of the dock connector or the earphone |
| to enhance your listening experience. The | | | | out jack) to the auxiliary input jacks |
| free music software that comes bundled with | | | | provided. Others may utilize the CD changer |
| the iPod would already allow you access to | | | | port found behind several car radios. |
| the plethora of songs/music on your PC, and | | | | |
| get a fresh lot when you get bored with the | | | | Coming to the car radios which include a |
| old ones. | | | | cassette player, you need to invest in a |
| | | | cassette adapter. Typically, these adapters |
| So how do we go about setting up our little | | | | look like a tape with a cable attached, and |
| project? Let us explore the various possible | | | | work by transferring the audio output signal |
| situations and their suggested solutions. | | | | from the iPod to the read head of the |
| | | | cassette player. Switching to 'Cassette', and |
| Some of you may be lucky and only need to | | | | pressing play will allow the iPod music to |
| pull out a cable to attach to the audio | | | | play over your car speakers. |
| system - your car manufacturer may have been | | | | |
| good to you and included iPod connectivity to | | | | Despite its typical problems, it is the FM |
| your player. Go through the instruction | | | | connectivity that is going places. Use an FM |
| booklet that came with the system. If you | | | | transmitter to transmit to your car radio, |
| don't find the cable in the glove | | | | which further uses an unused FM frequency to |
| compartment, chances are you may have been | | | | do so. While it enjoys the advantage of being |
| provided with a dashboard jack. The iPod is | | | | wireless and easily portable, there is a |
| controlled through the car's in-dash audio | | | | definite loss in music quality. Another |
| system, and even recharges while it plays! | | | | problem is finding a free FM channel in a |
| Alternatively, you may use the auxiliary | | | | busy city environment, though none of these |
| input jack to hook on. | | | | deters this solution from being the most |
| | | | popular one as of date. |
| Most new cars already have inbuilt iPod | | | | |
| compatibility, but it is well worth checking | | | | So go ahead and reap the benefits of |
| out while looking at the features of your | | | | technology by using any of the methods |
| impending purchase. | | | | outlined above. Spread the good word, and |
| | | | meanwhile, appreciate that melody when you go |
| Already own a car but don't have the | | | | out on the next long drive! |
| connectivity? iPod enabled audio systems are | | | | |