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I've hooked my iPod up with four different devices over the past couple years with aftermarket devices; the quality varies greatly. I skipped the FM and tape units as the sound quality isn't satisfactory. So these were all direct-in solutions, using the dock connector and the CD-changer hookup that most cars have today. The one that I most recently installed is called the DICE, and I'm really happy with it. Previous tries had problems with the iPod not always shutting down or starting up automatically when the car was turned on and off, and some of them would introduce odd noises now and again. But the DICE hasn't exhibited any of these problems, and also has some really cool extras like text display of the artist/song if your stereo does CD text, and steering wheel control while still allowing direct control with the iPod.

Anyways, that worked well for me!

Cheers.

Why are you willing to live without that 1%? Why is 99% the end-all-and-be-all?

Because '1%' is probably an exaggeration of an order of magnitude.

Ever hear of a '1/8" plug'? They're very useful for connecting portable audio device to one another. Annoyingly, they're completely standardized, so you can use any speaker with any mp3 player. Damn those evil standards cutting into market share!

Interfaces go beyond merely piping audio from one device to another. AFAIK, the icelink is not available for any other product than the iPod, and is currently the only thing that integrates with the stereo on my vehicles. Maybe you'd like to take your eyes off the road to fiddle with an mp3 player, but I'd prefer to keep them up, with hands on the wheel.

Actually, with my TT, I've noticed a similar situation.

First, certain burned CDs (I have yet to see this on a commercial CD) when played on random will only play the first track. However, if it is not played on random, it will play all the tracks. Interestingly enough, though, if I spin the CD in the holder, that will sometimes allow it work correctly.

The other interesting thing is that the CD player will not repeat tracks until all tracks of the CD have been played (Duh), at which point all bets are off. While I have never seen it play the same track back-to-back, I have seen it play a track, another track, and then the first track again. Note that this only happens once the CD has randomly played all tracks.

I told the Audi dealer about this. They pretty much said, "Yeah, so?" I sort of agree with them. Of course, as soon as I have the cash, I'm getting an ice>Link and an iPod and I'll toss the CD player.

If his stereo has a CDR MP3 player function, it likely has support for a CD jukebox - go to Precision Interface Electronics and order the appropriate adapter, it will be much better.

Or go to DensionUSA and see if their ICElink product is supported on your car's stereo-- then you can keep the iPod out of sight and control it (to a degree) with your head unit's controls.

I was using a PIE cable for a while along with a RemoteRemote RF remote, but the remote would often miss keypresses and/or I couldn't tell if I had pushed the mushy buttons sufficiently for the command to be sent. It was a distraction I didn't want to deal with while driving-- I want to hit a button, know I hit it, and have the command register, all without thinking about it or looking away from the road.

~Philly

-Ted

Don't want a BMW, don't want to shell out for some fancy rig just because it says "Alpine" on the front-- I just want the iPod to play through my stock stereo. FM transmitters stink in Philadelphia because the radio dial is very crowded, and cassette adapters don't have great sound-- plus if I park anywhere I've got to stash everything out of sight before I get out, or risk returning to find my window broken and my iPod gone.

This Monday, I ordered a Dension ICELink 1.1. It plugs into the unused CD-changer port on the back of the stock stereo in my Toyota, keeps the iPod charged, and provides line-level input from the iPod as well as letting me use the next/prev track buttons (possibly others, but I'm not sure) on the stereo to minimally control it while it stays out of sight in the glove compartment.

This is not as fancy as being able to fully control the iPod like the BMW solution, but it's good enough for my purposes and cost less than $250. It just shipped yesterday, and I can't wait to get it.

Dension ICELink

If, like me, you have a Sony with a multi-changer control you can have both an iPod and a CD changer hooked up.

I highly recommend it

it doesn't just tap the remote control options of the device.... it also relays the track info to the head unit. this uses the port in the bottom of the iPod to connect, not just the minijack on top..... and that's not standard either.

unfortunately i don't see a standard coming. icelink has existed for iPods for a while now and works like this BMW adapter. there is also an Alpine one. it's possible there is something like this for non-iPods.

i know the back of my head unit has RCA inputs then a weird Sony link cable that is intended to link the head unit with a Sony changer. unless a sony device is hooked up (or some adapter bought) the RCA ports are off.

if your iRiver has the option of an inline remote then it seems very possible this does (or can) exist for your device. another bonus of the BMW thing using the port where the iPod would dock is that it gets juice from the car, so the batteries stay alive.

Ummmm, so you're glad you chose the HP-120 over the iPod because you can't get any sort of integration? Because no such thing as the ICELink exists to tie it into almost and head unit supporting a CD changer? Really, what exactly are you glad about?

I wish Alpine would hurry up and get their iPod compatible head unit out. It probably won't have a big display either, alas.

http://icelink.densionusa.com has a product that does it the same way. the car's head unit thinks it is a CD changer so the remote controls of the stereo work, and the display will show track info. it adaps to a lot of car stereos out there, so it's an option for more than just BMW owners.

these are essentially hacks to existing car stereos.... just give it some time and there will be more options to integrate better with MP3 players.

ICE-Link takes the place of your external CD Changer and it operates like one. iPod starts when CD changer is selected on a supported factory or aftermarket radio, and paused when other source is selected. Track control from radio and steering wheel controls are provided.

With my Sony I have the multichanger so can have the iPod and the CD-Changer at the same time.

Works a treat. This is probably too late in the post to get seen - but if you do see it, mod it up and pass it along.

ICE-Link

or, try one of these icelink units. very cool. keep your stock head unit and your optional steering wheel controls. they also sell mounting brackets that require no drilling into the car. nice if you are leasing...

The _real_ solution is to have a widget that treats the iPod as a CD changer, ala Phatnoise.

What, like this?

Don't forget the Denison ICELink, which lets you connect an iPod directly to a third-party head kit as well as to your existing OEM car audio system.

Aparently MINIUSA was quite annoyed that VW and the New Beetle beat them to the punch with the iPod promotion. Especially since as others have said, '03 and newer MINIs can take a $40 acessory from the dealer and get an aux input, or you can use the cd changer wiring with a Denison Ice Link which allows control of the ipod through the head unit + steering wheel audio controls.

• Power drain. Okay, it's less drain than the backlight but have a couple of 3+ hour journies a week and using the iTrip would make it a gamble as to whether the battery would last.
• Retuning. In the UK the FM band is pretty saturated. I've not been able to find a frequency that was absolutely clear, just a couple that were almost clear. Not practical to change frequencies whilst driving along the motorway network (think freeway - no stopping).
• iTrip power off. There is no on/off switch on the iTrip. It switches on when you attach it to the iPod and off when it detects that there has been no output from the iPod for a little while. If you listen to the odd track that has a quiet part in it, not silent, just quiet the iTrip can switch itself off. Requiring you to flip it off and back on to get sound back again. Very annoying.