cdchanger + adapter = auxin?

March 8, 2010 12:57 PM

My older panasonic car stereo/cd player has rca cd-changer inputs but no aux in, is there some way to trick it to use the cd-changer input for an ipod?

I've tried connecting an rca -> 1.8 adapter to attach the ipod but I couldn't hear anything.

posted by ennui.bz to technology (13 answers total)

Did you switch the head unit to the setting where it is using the cd changer, or did you just plug it in and push play on the ipod without putting in on AUX or CD Changer, or whatever the input setting is?
posted by The World Famous at 1:00 PM on March 8, 2010

Lots of car CD changers have a remote control system that works over the audio transport lines (so the head unit can control CD switching). It may be that the iPod doesn't send back the response that the head unit is expecting from the changer. Depending on car make and model, there are boxes designed specifically for this purpose that fake the switcher-side of the communication.
posted by Netzapper at 1:03 PM on March 8, 2010

There doesn't seem to be any setting on the head unit to switch to 'cd-changer' or 'aux'...
posted by ennui.bz at 1:08 PM on March 8, 2010

I think Netzapper has it, then.
posted by The World Famous at 1:09 PM on March 8, 2010

For what it's worth, it's a Panasonic CQ-1300U (aftermarket), where would I find such an adapter?
posted by ennui.bz at 1:15 PM on March 8, 2010

Sounds like you need to get in touch with this guy. If I'm reading the page correctly, this is a little device you can plug into the 8-pin communications port on the back of the stereo. When it's plugged in, it'll enable the RCA jacks to receive standard input. It's not clear if the device is still for sale but it's worth a shot. This eBay seller bundled one with the same model stereo you have, and says it worked fine.
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 1:43 PM on March 8, 2010 [1 favorite]

Gotta love how that auction for the head unit + adapter went for less than half of the price of a new adapter by itself.
posted by mosk at 2:15 PM on March 8, 2010

You better off just getting an fm modulator that goes between your fm antenna and your stereo. It'll be set to a frequency you dont use like 88.7 and it'll have a minijack cable that will stick out from the console. There's a hit on sound quality, but not much, and they're simple to install.
posted by damn dirty ape at 2:24 PM on March 8, 2010

Are you completely sure that your RCA's aren't line outs for an amplifier?
posted by davey_darling at 2:29 PM on March 8, 2010

I have had bad experience with a (Belkin) FM transmitter. The sound quality was terrible when it worked, and often static-y. The signal would go in and out based on its position in the car, and I'd have to position it awkwardly, and dangerously while driving, just to be able to hear my music uninterrupted. It also broadcast very quietly and required turning the stereo volume up to ludicrous levels. I can't vouch for other brands but I'm going to stay away from that tech altogether if it can be avoided.

I found a user manual for the stereo here and according to that, the two sets of RCA jacks are pre-amp output connectors. But there's also a short cable protruding from the back of the unit with stereo RCA connectors on it, and that cable is for a CD changer. I'm assuming the original poster knew which was which. As far as I can tell, the CD changer connectors are male. If so, you'll probably need these (both of them) to hook everything up, as aux line-out jacks tend to be male also.
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 2:53 PM on March 8, 2010

I have had bad experience with a (Belkin) FM transmitter. The sound quality was terrible when it worked, and often static-y. The signal would go in and out based on its position in the car

Perhaps I wasnt clear. This is not a portable modulator. This goes between the car's FM antenna and the stereo itself. There's no positioning to worry about.
posted by damn dirty ape at 2:59 PM on March 8, 2010

Oh, that's pretty cool! I've never seen those before. Could be worth a shot.
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 3:02 PM on March 8, 2010

damn dirty ape: "Perhaps I wasnt clear. This is not a portable modulator. This goes between the car's FM antenna and the stereo itself. There's no positioning to worry about."

Ditto that; the portable modulators are awful, but I've used one of these and they work just fine. Sound is as good as radio, which is, of course, less good than CD, but better than many alternatives.
posted by JMOZ at 7:28 AM on March 9, 2010