connecting mp3 player to XSARA radio

rabenson · Post by **rabenson** » 07 May 2006, 09:30

Hi All,

I am wondering if there is a suitable socket on my 2003 Xsara radio/cassette for connecting an mp3 player.

It is obviously designed to use a boot mounted CD changer (which I don't have) so there must be some means of getting an audio signal into it. My only worry is whether the "system" needs to be programmed to tell it to use this input without a multichanger being fitted and if so, where to start...

I'm currently using one of those convertor cassette thingys which is ok but untidy and there's no substitute for a direct connection in terms of quality.

Any theories??

deian · Post by **deian** » 07 May 2006, 09:54

i doubt you'd be able to, you would need to program an mp3 codec into the player to be able to read the music file, easiest thing to do is to buy an mp3/cd player head unit, then you can burn an mp3 cd and shove it in.

(an mp3 music cd should not be confused with an audio cd, mp3 audio is data file based and seperated into computer readable files, and an audio cd is raw music signals with a flag at the begining of each track, a computer will see each track and just allocate them track01.cda, track02.cda based on how many flags it finds)

of course this also depends on what type of mp3 music you are playing, if it's straight mp3 then it should be ok. but apple itunes have encrypted the music if you buy them from their online store (there are ways of taking out the licencing protection on older versions), this means you will need to buy an itunes compatible player and an ipod so you can connect your ipod to the head unit, i halfords currently have these starting at £200, plus u need an ipod.

of course you may have windows based mp3 music called wma, these are just as good, although i myself have apple format m3a/m3p, with wma, if you rip the music off a cd, there is an option in the ripping method that protects the tracks so the music can only be played on one device (your computer), make sure this is unticked, if you choose to rip into mp3 format then you should be ok, then just burn.

of course the cheap option is to burn an 'audio cd' from either windows media player or itunes.

as far as i'm aware, what you are asking the xsara standard head unit is impossible to achieve unless you are an electrionic engineer genius.

reblack68 · Post by **reblack68** » 07 May 2006, 10:09

Why would you need an mp3 codec? It would be an audio signal going in, any decoding having been done by the mp3 player itself.

I do agree that an mp3 head unit is the way to go though, I've had one for a couple of years now and my latest one plays memory cards too, giving you the benefit of compilations you can change at will.

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 07 May 2006, 10:11

Deian I think its the same problem as I have, he isnt trying to play MP3 cd's, more use the audio-in on back of head unit to play an MP3 player..

Just need to fool the head unit into thinking a multichanger is present...

I will have a look at back of my Xantia 2000 Headunit later.. It has CD changer capability

John

rabenson · Post by **rabenson** » 07 May 2006, 10:13

Hi Deian,

Thanks for the info, but I'm not intending to send raw data. I'm only wanting to send audio from my mp3 player (from the headphone output via a suitable dropper) so file formats and stuff don't matter. It's purely an audio-in facility that I'm after.

Thanks again,

Ron

Gold Pirate · Post by **Gold Pirate** » 07 May 2006, 13:00

Alternatively you could use a small FM transmitter for MP3 players, loads on Ebay for 6 quid get one that runs on battery or the cig. lighter and stick it in the glove box! no wires and excellent sound quality.....avoid the Ebay sellers from Hongkong though!

deian · Post by **deian** » 07 May 2006, 13:14

ohhhh i see, there was me thinking you were asking for the impossible! i still think an mp3 head unit is the way to go, what mp3 player would you be connecting it to, i like itunes/pod, well i have to really, it's what i use.

Ross_K · Post by **Ross_K** » 07 May 2006, 14:58

You can get ipod adapter boxes that plug into the cd changer socket which fool the head unit into thinking the ipod is a cd changer.

PowerLee · Post by **PowerLee** » 07 May 2006, 16:56

Been talked about in the Peugeot section

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... hp?t=18755

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 07 May 2006, 17:50

http://www.accutek.co.uk/products/in_car.htm

thanks Lee

I am going to call them tomorrow to see what they can do for my Xantia Mark 2 Clarion and my MP3 Player... i dont need the multichanger anymore..

John

rabenson · Post by **rabenson** » 08 May 2006, 07:40

Thanks, Guys

As ever, much useful information - I-pod system looks good but I'm not using an I-pod!

I'm going to see if accutek do a lead for the Xsara.

Thanks again

Ron

micitroen · Post by **micitroen** » 08 May 2006, 14:36

I also have an MP3 player, not an Ipod. I use it in my '98 Xsara with one of the adaptors that you can get for the cassette (same as the ones that most people had when the first portable CD players came out) ...looks like a cassette but has a wire out the back of it and this has an audio socket which plugs into the MP3. Works a treat, just don't have control of it through the wheel....I have just made up a few 'driving albums' that tend to last long enough to get to various destinations....saves trying to sort it out in the car whilst driving.
Also have one of those 'transmitter jobbies' for the wife's car as she has a built in CD player/ radio and that works well when you can get the stn without interference from Radio 2, as it happens to be on the w/length that it transmits on. The one's over here might be different however as I brought mine back from the States.

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 08 May 2006, 15:47

A good transmitter should give you a selection of different wavelengths...A couple of guys at the office have only got one option on theirs, which as you say gets interferred with..

I am still going to try for the pretend multichanger idea tho.. Emailed Accutek this AM have not had a reply yet...

John