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iPhone Car Kit

S

scariaga

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 24, 2007
131
0
So I'm looking for a kit for my car which would integrate the music from my iPhone as well as calls coming in to the speakers into my car. Ideally I want something that all I would need to do is plug in my phone through the bottom usb plug and all audio would be transmitted to my car speakers. Also when I receive calls the music would be interrupted so that I can take the call. The device would also need to have some sort of a microphone to pick up my end of the conversation in a phone call. Is there such a thing yet? I've looked online but I'm not quite sure if some of the products I've seen are fully compatible with my 3G iPhone. Thought I would ask my Mac rumours peeps. Any help would be greatly appreciate. :)
 
scariaga said:
So I'm looking for a kit for my car which would integrate the music from my iPhone as well as calls coming in to the speakers into my car. Ideally I want something that all I would need to do is plug in my phone through the bottom usb plug and all audio would be transmitted to my car speakers. Also when I receive calls the music would be interrupted so that I can take the call. The device would also need to have some sort of a microphone to pick up my end of the conversation in a phone call. Is there such a thing yet? I've looked online but I'm not quite sure if some of the products I've seen are fully compatible with my 3G iPhone. Thought I would ask my Mac rumours peeps. Any help would be greatly appreciate. :)
Click to expand...

OK, I have a working "KIT" that does all that you describe.

First, I replaced my factory Car Radio with an old Pioneer DEH-P65BT Deck. I say old as there are two or three more recent Pioneer Bluetooth models that will also work but this model - as a run-out special - was cheaper.

For A2DP and AVRCP iPhone 3G ability I use a Sonly TMR-BT8iP dongle transmitter that attaches to the iPhone 3G docking port.

For Power and charging the iPhone 3G on long car trips I use a Kensington 4-in-1 Car Adapter with USB piggy-back / pass-through docking lead. This will power the iPhone 3G via a cigarette Socket and also allow me to Plug the Sony TMR-BT8iP transmitter into the Phone. This leads works great on the iPhone 3G so I don't understand why it is being discontinued stock in Australia. Now under $A10 from online stores. A real bargin for the adapter and the piggy-back / pass-through docking cable. Note iTunes will sync via this USB cable also, so I bought another 4-in-1 kit for work so I can charge my iPhone at work while listening to A2DP audio at the same time. I end up with a spare Car 12v to USB adapter as well.

The final piece of kit is a Windscreen, suction-cup, goose neck iPhone 3G holder I bought on eBay. I can't recall its Make or part number but it is all plastic and head swivels to landscape and portrait modes as required by iPod applications.

Within seconds of starting the car, the Dash automatically aquires iPhone signal and battery status and shortly after, if in BT AUDIO mode, un-pauses Music or Audio Book without toucing the Car Radio Deck or the iPhone 3G itself. On the Pioneer Car Deck, I can skip tracks forward and back, auto-pause on incomming calls with Auto answer after 2 rings. Again no buttons need to be pressedon iPhone or on the Car Dash unit to answer a call, pause music etc nor to hang up on the call (The calling party does that) and music automatically resumes. True hands free.
P.S. the Pioneer Deck has wired Microphone you place for best driver reception / transmission over Bluetooth. Sound naturally for Bluetooth telephone conversations comes over all Car Speakers.

Does that answer your question?
 
P.S. the Pioneer Deck has wired Microphone you place for best driver reception / transmission over Bluetooth. Sound naturally for Bluetooth telephone conversations comes over all Car Speakers.

Foxnolds said:
OK, I have a working "KIT" that does all that you describe.

First, I replaced my factory Car Radio with an old Pioneer DEH-P65BT Deck. I say old as there are two or three more recent Pioneer Bluetooth models that will also work but this model - as a run-out special - was cheaper.

For A2DP and AVRCP iPhone 3G ability I use a Sonly TMR-BT8iP dongle transmitter that attaches to the iPhone 3G docking port.

For Power and charging the iPhone 3G on long car trips I use a Kensington 4-in-1 Car Adapter with USB piggy-back / pass-through docking lead. This will power the iPhone 3G via a cigarette Socket and also allow me to Plug the Sony TMR-BT8iP transmitter into the Phone. This leads works great on the iPhone 3G so I don't understand why it is being discontinued stock in Australia. Now under $A10 from online stores. A real bargin for the adapter and the piggy-back / pass-through docking cable. Note iTunes will sync via this USB cable also, so I bought another 4-in-1 kit for work so I can charge my iPhone at work while listening to A2DP audio at the same time. I end up with a spare Car 12v to USB adapter as well.

The final piece of kit is a Windscreen, suction-cup, goose neck iPhone 3G holder I bought on eBay. I can't recall its Make or part number but it is all plastic and head swivels to landscape and portrait modes as required by iPod applications.

Within seconds of starting the car, the Dash automatically aquires iPhone signal and battery status and shortly after, if in BT AUDIO mode, un-pauses Music or Audio Book without toucing the Car Radio Deck or the iPhone 3G itself. On the Pioneer Car Deck, I can skip tracks forward and back, auto-pause on incomming calls with Auto answer after 2 rings. Again no buttons need to be pressedon iPhone or on the Car Dash unit to answer a call, pause music etc nor to hang up on the call (The calling party does that) and music automatically resumes. True hands free.

Does that answer your question?
Click to expand...
 
klempwrsu said:
From What i understand, there is no all-in-one solution.

However, iLounge just made an article on how to hook your iphone up.

You will find it here:

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/the-complete-guide-to-iphone-car-integration/
Click to expand...

This is a good article but it lacks the best solution - an all bluetooth solution.

I have tried the cassette tape audio. Noisy grinding sound of tape transport - flat batteries in Handsfree kit attached to visor etc. Oh joy.

FM does not work in Australia as you have to change frequencies often in short 300 mile trips.:p Even houses you pass that use FM in house can clash with your car stereo!
Next problem with FM transmitters is that I can only get MONO sound due to the VERY WEAK transmitters in the Visor and Cigarette Lighter versions. I had to use a powerful ALL-House brand transmitter wired to a Lighter adapter (that received Bluetooth for Telephone calls).

Having Bluetooth in the Car Radio Deck solve FM frequency clash problems PLUS gives to AVRCP transport control for mounted iPhone from the Joystick control on the Car Radio Dash - in easy reach.:cool:

Last is the total no buttons to press to activate setup when entering and leaving car. It was always a hassle to remember to turn the Visor adpater on or off, turn the battery on the All-House FM transmitter, Turn off internal FM transmitter on the Venturi Mini Bluetooth Car Adapter as I use more powerful All-House FM Transmitter etc...:(
 
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