Play music via car radio?

[stephanie1324]

I'm sure there's a way.. but, what kind of "connecter"/cord do I need to play music from my Andriod through my car radio?

 

[UssjTrunks]

I use a cassette player adapter in my car. If you don't have a cassette player in your car you'll have to replace your deck with one that supports analog or USB input.

Here is a link with more info:

Using your Android phone with your car stereo (How To) | The Car Tech blog - CNET Reviews

 

[fightingirish]

I also use a cassette adapter. Another inexpensive way, if you don't have a tape deck or input jacks, is using a small FM transmitter that plugs into your phone. You can set the frequency on your car radio to 'broadcast' on. The advantage is no extra wires. Disadvantage is sound quality, as you'll hear some signal hiss. Plus, the adapter usually requires batteries (some plug into the cig lighter). Still, it's a cheap option, and you can find the FM adapters anywhere (I got one at Wal-Mart a few years ago for around $10 or so).

 

[dogbertus]

^ This.

If you don't have a stereo that at least has a regular 3.5mm input, though, I'd consider getting one because they're just more convenient. They aren't particularly expensive and they're generally easy enough to put in if you have a wiring diagram.

 

[chanchan05]

Some car radios have 3.5mm jacks for input from various devices, or even USB connectors for playing from mass storage devices. You can set the radio to read your phone as a mass storage device.

 

[7UTUR3]

How about FM transmitter that plugs to your headphone jack on the phone. The sound comes through your radio.You can find these cheap online.

 

[alster]

How about any radios that can actually control my Droid X?

ALA the ones which interface with iPods today?

That's really what I'm looking for as I travel down the road to replacing my factory crap in my Accord..

According to a Crutchfield rep, Alpine has one due out Q1 of next year.

So far, I assume most radios with USB inputs would see the DX as a mass storage device, and find all audio media on them-

As far as that goes, does that apply to all USB equipped radios? Or are there any that may NOT work with my DX?

**OK. So, I just read the CNET article linked above, and according to that, Bluetooth would proly be the best option- since it would allow for Nav, phone calls, etc.

But, being that the article is almost 2 yrs old at this point, I wonder if there is more relevant newer info about USB control of the phone?

I also wonder if the audio over BT would be as good as the audio via USB (quality wise).

And one last thing seems to be that BT capable radios are quite a big step up in price over "USB only" radios.

Whatever radio I get must have an HD tuner in it as well.

Difficult reasearch to say the least..

 

[Sierra255]

In order for your stereo to control your phone, it has to be plugged in via USB. I think you also have to set the docking settings on your phone to make it play music via external speakers. I'm not sure if there's a way to tell it when it's docked and when it's not, I haven't messed with that part yet. Not a lot of car stereos come with the USB option and in my limited research most of them worked only with an Apple product. There may be newer stuff on the market now that the Android platform has become so popular. Do all Android phones have the micro-USB charging port? If not, that could be a problem.

The easiest way to play music from your phone to your car is if you have an auxiliary port on the front of your car stereo. You just connect the phone to the stereo with an audio cable with 3.5 mm male stereo connections on both ends. You get pretty good sound this way, too. The next easiest is using an FM transmitter. Plug in the FM transmitter, then set your stereo to the FM station the transmitter uses. I don't like the sound quality you get using these, though, but it may be the only option for some people.

 

[alster]

My understanding is that when connected via USB the radio will (can) see the Android phone (DX in my case) as a Mass Storage Unit; essentially a flash drive.

It will "present" you with the folder list and off you go.

So, I don't think one need worry about "docking settings" for the phone or anything.

No idea if all Androids come with micro USB charging ports. DX of course does.

And, I'm not interested (anymore) in music via Aux- I want to be able to use my radio to navigate etc, and not have to reach for my phone mounted on the winshield (or where ever). I'd rather reach to the radio, or the steering wheel controls (for which there are adapters for my Accord to make this possible).

Also Aux would be analog vs digital (better quality here depending on the DAC in the HU).

 

[dantheman4162]

I also use a cassette adapter. Another inexpensive way, if you don't have a tape deck or input jacks, is using a small FM transmitter that plugs into your phone. You can set the frequency on your car radio to 'broadcast' on. The advantage is no extra wires. Disadvantage is sound quality, as you'll hear some signal hiss. Plus, the adapter usually requires batteries (some plug into the cig lighter). Still, it's a cheap option, and you can find the FM adapters anywhere (I got one at Wal-Mart a few years ago for around $10 or so).

In my experience, FM transmitters are great when you're in more rural areas, but as soon as you get close to a city with lots of available radio stations the real estate on the band gets smaller and there are lots of signals interfering with your transmitter.

 

[Gnoop]

It depends on your car stereo.

1) Bluetooth. This is the method I use since my stereo supports it. Your stereo can also control the phone this way, though the options are limited. On my stereo, I can do basics like forward, previous, stop, and volume but can't see what's playing or select from a list. That's still done via the phone.

2) Audio cable. If your car has a jack connection you can connect from the headphones to your car.

3) Cassette adapter. The adapter will go into the cassette player of your stereo and have a cord that plugs into your phone's headphone jack.

4) FM connection. You turn your radio to some specific FM frequency and pick up the signal that way. This is generally the worst sound quality but may be the only option for many.

5) USB. Some stereos allow this. Mine does but I just end up using bluetooth. You do get more control this way since your stereo is handling everything. Your phone is just acting as a media device for the stereo.

 

[Shadowlore]

Adding to what Gnoop said above, there are SOME radios that will do exactly as his does, while others will xfer the track ID via BT, and then others still will play the audio, but you won't be able to control the mobile device except on the device itself.

A prime example on my wife's Kia Soul, the BT works great for streaming the audio, but there are no controls. HOWEVER, if she gets a phone call, the functions work fine for that. (Hang up, dial, answer, etc..)

As always, YMMV.

 

[BmanCV60]

I also wonder if the audio over BT would be as good as the audio via USB (quality wise).

I've been wondering about this and finally tested last night; I have the Samsung Captivate and a Kia Forte EX 5-door, used PowerAmp as the media player.

With Bluetooth, the sound seems to be attenuated - I have to crank the player volume and the receiver to listen at levels I normally get with the receiver. Quality seems a bit off but that may because the player volume is pumped. All Bluetooth phone functions remain intact.

With the USB cable, volume levels are consistent with the receiver and there is no need to jack up the PowerAmp volume and all of the equalization functions built into the app work fine. Music sounded great with this connection, and I can control the player with the receiver controls. Did not get a chance to check the Bluetooth phone operation with the cable though.

 

[alster]

Interesting results..

I am trying to get information of aftermarket headunits, as the stock HU in my Accord sucks (relatively speaking).

It's tough because as has been stated above, BT over some HU's only allow the audio stream whilst others allow folder axs and playback control (which is the minimum I'm seeking).

Same goes for USB- which I am equally open to, if it allows for control of DX so I don't have to reach for it on the windshield.

So far I've not been able to find too much from users "out there" about specific models and their capabilities; which makes this whole pursuit somewhat risky and take longer to attempt to make the most "educated" decision about which HU to purchase.