[Solved] Playing music in my car…help
November 5th, 2013
So I recently bought a 2005 Dodge Neon SXT. My question to you fine fellows is how do I play the music off my Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro MK16A smartphone through my speakers? Is there some type of device I need to buy? Or a cord? Do I need to take my car to a shop and have them replace my radio with a more up to date one that can play digital music? I’m completely in the dark here.
Before asked, I did do a google search but I can only half understand what they’re saying. I cannot tell what is a good deal or what type of method is best. That is why I am here to ask those with experience. I wholeheartedly appreciate your taking the time to read this. Thank you.
Has the car got a cassette player or cd player
any chance of a pic so we know wat were dealing wit
wazz12 replied: Has the car got a cassette player or cd player
any chance of a pic so we know wat were dealing wit
A CD Player. Here are some pictures, it’s night so excuse the quality.
Only option right now is to burn music cds and play them in the car.
Or if u want u can take it to a shop like u said and ask them for details. i think new car players have usbs now i think. am not sure
You could always use a small FM transmitter and play it through the car radio.
Not the best solution, but it would work, something like this
http://www.maplin.co.uk/in-car-fm-transmitter-226565
*edit – you would also need a short cable to convert your phone to 3.5mm stereo jack socket.
CD’s are waaaay to inefficient
@gilly: How is the audio quality for FM transmitters?
Reaper178 replied: @gilly: How is the audio quality for FM transmitters?
I have heard them in other people’s cars – fairly decent I would say.
I have one that came packaged with an iPod Touch a while back, I’ll try it out tomorrow and post back. (2am here now, bed time )
I Use Bluetooth in my car.
Ok thanks.
If anyone else has any tips on what method is best for playing digital music in my car please let me know.
The best method is replacing the head unit with something that can support data files or has an aux input.
Reaper178 replied: If anyone else has any tips on what method is best for playing digital music in my car please let me know.
You don’t have many options, they have all been covered.
TheClassic replied: The best method is replacing the head unit with something that can support data files or has an aux input.
This is the way to go. Get a new head unit with an input. FM Transmitters quality really sucks IMO. There are some good ones, but I use a cassette tape adapter, which sounds so much better than any FM Transmitter I have ever heard.
check out a parts store. they have a few different options. a cassette tape that you can plug into your mp3 player, or an fm transmitter.
contact a dodge and ask them about it
seems your radio duz not have an input, but they may have made some radios that do have an input jack
if you are willing to replace the radio you might check junk yards as a less expensive option
OK thank you all for your replies.
I’m leaning towards replacing my head unit. I do not want to deal with the static of FM transmitters. However I would not know how to go about installing the new head unit if I got it. Do I go to shop and have them do it or is it a simple process?
So how do I go about searching for the right head unit? Is there a site that specializes in finding the right one? As for the person that mentioned calling Dodge. Is it possible they’ll mail me one with audio input if I call them?
Reaper178 replied: However I would not know how to go about installing the new head unit if I got it. Do I go to shop and have them do it or is it a simple process?
If you have no idea what your doing, you might wanna take it to a shop.
If you do it your self, all you need to do is buy a wire harness adapter and face plate adapter, remove a few trim pieces and stick it in.
Reaper178 replied: As for the person that mentioned calling Dodge. Is it possible they'll mail me one with audio input if I call them?
Well, you can ask them that when you call them…
New OEM head unit will be costly, and not as good as aftermarket. The goal of calling them to see if they even make one was to go try and fine one from a junkyard somewhere.
You’re better off buying a new car stereo. All the newest ones have the capability to do what you want and inexpensive.
I recommend Crutchfield. They even help you install it yourself.
http://www.crutchfield.com/app/car/carselector.aspx?lp=%2fApp%2fCar%2foutfitmycar%2fMyCar.aspx
@Reaper178
I tried that FM transmitter in my car using these setups
http://i27.lulzimg.com/208b40db9d.pjpeg
http://i27.lulzimg.com/4a16fddb48.pjpeg
It’s only a cheap 6 channel transmitter (first time I have even used it, was still in the box) and it worked just fine through my car radio.
However, you have to bear in mind that I have a brand new car with a B&O surround sound system in it.
You would be probably better getting a new system that has USB and bluetooth. The bluetooth comes in very handy when you receive calls when driving, you can hear the call through your sound system. The police here in London give you 3 points on your driving licence if you even look at your mobile phone, let alone hold it when driving, lol.
I don’t know what your budget would be, but in the car I just sold I had a nice Pioneer system in that, even had a dashboard dvd player.
you can always replace it!
Thanks for the information Gilly, I went ahead and bought this:
http://www.amazon.com/Dual-XHD7714-Player-Remote-Bluetooth/dp/B001OK24V8/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
I will be receiving it tomorrow. It has everything I could possibly want at a good price. The installation is what bothers me at the moment. When I get the instruction I’ll see if I can do it myself, if not it looks like I’ll have no choice but to fork over more money to have it professionally done.
Thank you all for the help!
the problem comes in that radios in most modern cars have different locating pins and may not be a case of pulling the old one out and pushing the new one in. if that one does fit you still gonna have gaps around it as the faceplates arent the same
Reaper178 replied: Thanks for the information Gilly, I went ahead and bought this:
http://www.amazon.com/Dual-XHD7714-Player-Remote-Bluetooth/dp/B001OK24V8/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
I will be receiving it tomorrow. It has everything I could possibly want at a good price. The installation is what bothers me at the moment. When I get the instruction I'll see if I can do it myself, if not it looks like I'll have no choice but to fork over more money to have it professionally done.
Thank you all for the help!
That looks good for the price
I hope you get a decent sound out of it.
New Vegas replied: if that one does fit you still gonna have gaps around it as the faceplates arent the same
There’s always ways to get around things like that, even if it means getting a facia plate made out of aluminium or something.
If you don’t have a 3.5mm jack in the car then i would recommend the FM transmitter aswell.
My cousin has a 10 year old subaru impreza, and the he bought a £80 head unit, which has 3.5mm, usb and bluetooth connectivity and it reads playlist on your connected iDevice which is pretty handy, he just sits inside and hits play on the head unit and the selected playlist starts, doesnt even need to take his phone out his pocket
if i were u i would just buy the speakers a monitor in the back & connect that to my atom notebook witch i carry around
updated with image in OP
Again thank you guys for the help =]
cool stuff
can you edit your topic title to include [solved] please
gilly replied: cool stuff
can you edit your topic title to include [solved] please
Sorry about that. Just did so.