How To

So you want to get your digital music into your car stereo, what option do you have?  Well this depends on your car stereo and the music device your wanting to connect.

Music devices, generally there are 4 types:

● Aux-line-in

 A simple 3.5mm audio socket or headphone connection. This will allow you to pipe in sound but gives no control other than volume/tone settings. For Sat Nav, DAB, DVD player, any music device with a headphone socket i.e. MP3 player or a phone

● iPod/iPhone

 Connect your iPod/iPhone to the car stereo. Control music files with the car stereo or steering wheel controls, browse by playlists and tracks, and have your iPod/iPhone charged

● USB Memory

 Connect a USB memory stick or hard drive full of your digital media files. Have full control over your music from your stereo and steering wheel button.

● Bluetooth

 Use your phone in the car hands free (HFP), stream your MP3 music from your phone to the factory stereo via Bluetooth Audio playback (A2DP), control your MP3 music with the car stereo or steering wheel controls via Bluetooth wireless audio control (AVRCP) with GROM Bluetooth Dongle

Factory Fitted Stereo Solutions:

Factory Fitted Option!

● iPod Port - the best option, but what if you don't have an iPod and want to connect another device? You need the Grom iPod Female end to aux-in click here for more information
● USB port - simply connect your music device to these ports with a simple cable (Full controllability and integration)
● Factory Fitted Aux-in port - will allow connection of most music devices but without controllability
Grom Audio

CD Changer port option.

Use the factory fitted head units CD changer or extension port and connect a protocol converter such as a Grom Audio adapter to allow control of:

● iPod/iPhone
● USB memory
● Aux-in
● Bluetooth

via the head unit or steering wheel buttons, click here for more information.

 
mObridge Audio iPod and Auxiliary interface

M.O.S.T bus connection

High end cars use a fibre optic communication bus for in car entertainment, insert a compatible adapter to this bus giving the feeling of full integration similar to a factory fitted kit.

Please click here for more information

FM Modulator

Worst case your stereo has no available inputs  - The only option is to add an FM modulator to allow an input via an FM frequency. Not the most popular solution but sometimes its the only one.
 

Aftermarket head unit.

Replace the stereo altogether with an aftermarket product. This used to be a good alternative however with today’s ergonomically integrated stereos this proves less desirable.

 

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