New Ipod Car adaptor

[Paul K]

From:
The Register
You never know, it might make it's way over the pond

iPod accessory maker Griffin Technology has launched what could prove the best way of connecting the Apple MP3 player to an in-car tape machine.

Griffin SmartDeck in-car iPod adaptorLike many other cassette deck adaptors, the SmartDeck relays the iPod's output through the deck's magnetic head. However, Griffin claims to have figured out how to send control data from the tape deck the other way, allowing drivers to operate their iPod from the tape player.

Great, except that increasingly cars over here come with CD players and no tape deck. My last two cars have been CD-only (Rover 45 and now a Focus). What I really need is the accessory that connects by broadcasting your iPod on FM radio. They're illegal to use in the UK though.

[Halcyon]

I've always thought cars should come with a little Audio box in the gloce box or something. With a few inputs and outputs, it would make things a lot easier.

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by Chris T

Great, except that increasingly cars over here come with CD players and no tape deck. My last two cars have been CD-only (Rover 45 and now a Focus). What I really need is the accessory that connects by broadcasting your iPod on FM radio. They're illegal to use in the UK though.

And the risk of being caught / the penalties for being caught? I don't think the telecoms agency will be sitting by the side of the road doing random searches, especially up there.

[altis]

Originally Posted by Chris T

Great, except that increasingly cars over here come with CD players and no tape deck. My last two cars have been CD-only (Rover 45 and now a Focus). What I really need is the accessory that connects by broadcasting your iPod on FM radio. They're illegal to use in the UK though.

What you need instead is an in-line FM modulator that combines its output with the signal coming from the aerial. Par example:

http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSea...&Ntk=gensearch

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by altis

What you need instead is an in-line FM modulator that combines its output with the signal coming from the aerial. Par example:

http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSea...&Ntk=gensearch

aka an iTrip

[altis]

Originally Posted by SMHarman

aka an iTrip

No it isn't. The iTrip is an FM transmitter that is picked up by your car aerial - any anyone else nearby.

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...More=T7194LL/A

[Mike]

Originally Posted by Chris T

Great, except that increasingly cars over here come with CD players and no tape deck. My last two cars have been CD-only (Rover 45 and now a Focus). What I really need is the accessory that connects by broadcasting your iPod on FM radio. They're illegal to use in the UK though.

Itrip can be used in the car....bathroom. downstairs...up stairs.

Great for parties (same muisc in different rooms)

But I course it's illegal so I don't use mine !

[Tricky]

I've been looking at getting one of these : http://www.densionusa.com/x/index.ph...=375&Itemid=79

I went to BMW and enquired about the IPOD kit available in the states, costs about £150 inc fitting there. They cannot get them but do sell a jack plug that is installed on the back of the stereo and then fitted either in the glove box or elsewhere in the car for £39.99 (bargin!) O and then he said "It must be fitted by us, which is another £180 + VAT" yeah right mate!

As it stands my standard CD player plays MP3 disks so haven't done anything about it!!!

[ZrByte]

I thought the Itrip wasnt actually illegal but wasnt legal either, a kind of grey area if you will?

Originally Posted by ZrByte

I thought the Itrip wasnt actually illegal but wasnt legal either, a kind of grey area if you will?

It is illegal to make unlicenced FM transmissions in the UK, except on a limited range of frequencies with equipment of limited range (namely the kind of walkie-talkies you can now buy just about anywhere). That means it's not illegal to own an iTrip but it is illegal to use it.

Oddly, you can buy widgets that transmit your video/dvd around your home on UHF to pick up on your spare telly elsewhere, but AFAIK these are not illegal. Nice and consistent, is our law.

But SMH is right, the chances of actually getting caught out using an iTrip is fairly slim. You would probably only get in trouble if you were interfering with equipment in your neighbour's house as a result of using an iTrip in your lounge, instead of just mobile in your car, and they were annoyed enough to call in the relevant Agency to investigate.

[altis]

The relevant authority used to be the Radiocommunications Agency but that has now been absorbed into the all-encompassing Ofcom. There is an overview of the law here:
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/codes_guidel...thelaw?a=87101

On the Radiocommunications Agency site there used to be a good document that listed all the frequencies and powers for various purposes that were permitted without a licence. Off the top of my head I remember you can transmit data in bands at around 173, 433, 860 and 2400 MHz. You can transmit audio at 866 MHz (cordless headphones) and video at 2400 MHz (videosenders). Transmitting outside those bands, or using a band for the wrong purpose is illegal. Special penalties are reserved for those working in a broadcast band (such as 87.5 - 108 MHz FM) as they are regarded as pirate stations.

I suspect, however, that any iTrip is unlikely to cause a problem but, if someone does complain to Ofcom, they are bound to persue it.

Originally Posted by altis

The relevant authority used to be the Radiocommunications Agency but that has now been absorbed into the all-encompassing Ofcom. There is an overview of the law here:
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/codes_guidel...thelaw?a=87101

On the Radiocommunications Agency site there used to be a good document that listed all the frequencies and powers for various purposes that were permitted without a licence. Off the top of my head I remember you can transmit data in bands at around 173, 433, 860 and 2400 MHz. You can transmit audio at 866 MHz (cordless headphones) and video at 2400 MHz (videosenders). Transmitting outside those bands, or using a band for the wrong purpose is illegal. Special penalties are reserved for those working in a broadcast band (such as 87.5 - 108 MHz FM) as they are regarded as pirate stations.

I suspect, however, that any iTrip is unlikely to cause a problem but, if someone does complain to Ofcom, they are bound to persue it.

The sticking point has got to be that, in order to work as a wireless link between an iPod and a car radio, it has to transmit in the 87.5-108 MHz FM range, thus turning you into a mobile pirate radio station by default.

I had a friend at school that used to operate a pirate radio station from his bag. He had a low-power transmitted he made at home hooked up to a cassette player and used to broadcast shows he taped himself the night before. Nobody listened to it ... and he was never hauled up before the courts either.

[altis]

Originally Posted by Chris T

The sticking point has got to be that, in order to work as a wireless link between an iPod and a car radio, it has to transmit in the 87.5-108 MHz FM range, thus turning you into a mobile pirate radio station by default.

Which is why, in post #5, I suggested a device that would inject the signal directly into the lead running from the aerial to the radio. As far as the radio is concerned, this would have the same effect and it could tune in to the iPod. It's not 'wireless' but no (or rather very little) signal from the modulator would escape into the ether... either.

Originally Posted by altis

Which is why, in post #5, I suggested a device that would inject the signal directly into the lead running from the aerial to the radio. As far as the radio is concerned, this would have the same effect and it could tune in to the iPod. It's not 'wireless' but no (or rather very little) signal from the modulator would escape into the ether... either.

Ah - I get it now. When you said 'in-line FM modulator' I got scared and didn't click the link. Anything you have to go to Tandy to buy the parts for is beyond me.