Topic: Need new Head Unit with Aux input (Read 7334 times)

TheDufster · « **on:** 14 December 2006, 06:46:57 »

I am just about to buy a 60gb Creative Zen Vision:M mp3 player, mainly for use in the car. However i have heard that these fm transmitters aren't up to much, so I need a hard wire metod of connecting the player up to my stereo which is a CDR 2005 vdo.

I have read somewhere on the internet that it's not possible to connect up to this unit - is this correct? Do I need to get a replacement head unit with an aux input? (jack or bespoke connector).

If so, can someone point me in the right direction with this???

Thanks in advance!

(by the way - I am not willing to go for an iPod instead of the Creative. I have seen lots of cables for sale for ipod connections)

Marks DTM Calib · « **Reply #1 on:** 14 December 2006, 09:07:37 »

Some of he FM units can be very good.....you have to consider that for most files, the MP3 will be the low quailty bit.

tunnie · « **Reply #2 on:** 14 December 2006, 15:10:10 »

Wired FM modulators are fine, the wireless ones are kak in omegas due to the rear screen being the ariel.

I'd replace the headunit, i replaced mine with an Alpine and it gave a fantasic improved to clarity and bass though the standard speakers.

I have an Alpine 9854R, you can get the iPod Kit which allows you to control the ipod though the steering wheel controls and headunit, also shows track name in the display, but at £90 extra its a bit steep.

I just put a standard RCA to headphone cable in, which was 90p rather than £90!! Quailty is great:

TheDufster · « **Reply #3 on:** 14 December 2006, 17:35:45 »

Thanks for the replies - I was worried that there wouldn't be a solution.

1) The quality of the mp3s isn't an issue. All of my music at home is in mp3 format throughout the house and it suits me just fine. I was more worried about interference, hissing etc.

2) As I mentioned, iPOD connections are of no use to me. I was hoping for a "jack" type input like the one you have Tunnie, unless there is a connector specially made for the Creative Zen. If you say the quality is great then that suits me!

3) What sort of cost am I looking at for the replacement head unit, and is it a self fit type of install or do I need a professional?

4) Where did you get the "frame" or "blanking piece" that fills the hole where the old Omega stereo went?

TheDufster · « **Reply #4 on:** 15 December 2006, 12:55:29 »

Quote

I'd replace the headunit, i replaced mine with an Alpine and it gave a fantasic improved to clarity and bass though the standard speakers.

I have an Alpine 9854R, you can get the iPod Kit which allows you to control the ipod though the steering wheel controls and headunit, also shows track name in the display, but at £90 extra its a bit steep.

I just put a standard RCA to headphone cable in, which was 90p rather than £90!! Quailty is great:

OK - supposing I followed the route you took..... I am guessing that all I need is the fascia plate, the head unit and the RCA-headphone cable. How easy is the install? Is it just a case of taking out the existing unit, unplugging the cables and inserting the new head unit and plugging the cables in?

Or I guess somewhere like Halfords would fit it for me (for free). I note on Halfords website that the 9854R is not listed though!

Phil · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 December 2006, 16:14:40 »

Quote

Some of he FM units can be very good.....you have to consider that for most files, the MP3 will be the low quailty bit.

Believe it or not but the FM transmiter add on for MP3/ CD changers are in fact illegal and you could in theory be charged under the telephone wireless act as you are technically broadcasting over the FM frequency and therefore classed as a pirate radio station.

Currently on-one has been charged with this exact offence but it is a possibility.

And of course the law is changing next year

Bo Bo · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 December 2006, 18:47:59 »

Quote

Quote
Some of he FM units can be very good.....you have to consider that for most files, the MP3 will be the low quailty bit.

Believe it or not but the FM transmiter add on for MP3/ CD changers are in fact illegal and you could in theory be charged under the telephone wireless act as you are technically broadcasting over the FM frequency and therefore classed as a pirate radio station.

Currently on-one has been charged with this exact offence but it is a possibility.

And of course the law is changing next year

Actually they became legal last friday, see this

Phil · « **Reply #7 on:** 15 December 2006, 21:46:30 »

Quote

Actually they became legal last friday, see this

As i said technically some are still illegal as stated at the end of the article:-

"However, many devices currently on the market will remain illegal as they do not meet the legally required technical specifications and could interfere with radio broadcasts".

Bo Bo · « **Reply #8 on:** 15 December 2006, 22:00:55 »

Quote

Quote
Actually they became legal last friday, see this

As i said technically some are still illegal as stated at the end of the article:-

"However, many devices currently on the market will remain illegal as they do not meet the legally required technical specifications and could interfere with radio broadcasts".

Good point.....

tunnie · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 December 2006, 22:25:53 »

Quote

Quote
I'd replace the headunit, i replaced mine with an Alpine and it gave a fantasic improved to clarity and bass though the standard speakers.

I have an Alpine 9854R, you can get the iPod Kit which allows you to control the ipod though the steering wheel controls and headunit, also shows track name in the display, but at £90 extra its a bit steep.

I just put a standard RCA to headphone cable in, which was 90p rather than £90!! Quailty is great:

OK - supposing I followed the route you took..... I am guessing that all I need is the fascia plate, the head unit and the RCA-headphone cable. How easy is the install? Is it just a case of taking out the existing unit, unplugging the cables and inserting the new head unit and plugging the cables in?

Or I guess somewhere like Halfords would fit it for me (for free). I note on Halfords website that the 9854R is not listed though!

Its farily straight forward, the Alpine unit was around £160 ish i think can't remember exactly what i paid for it. Although it was worth every peny! You can also buy the RCA to 3.5mm jack (standard headphone type) for around £10 although this is a little steep and cable should do, they have them in the indian cheap shops in towns and about £1

As for swapping it out all straight forward, you will loose the MID and steering wheel controls unless you buy adition adaptors. The MID i could live without, but i had to have steering wheel controls. Was about £20 for the adapator, just plugs inbetween the Vx loom and the headunit with a little wire going off to a box which understands the steering wheel controls.

That fasia link is right, that will just clip in. The new headunit should slide in easy as pie... any problems let me know. If your based near any of my 2 locations i'd be happy to help

Admin · « **Reply #10 on:** 15 December 2006, 23:58:41 »

It is every bit as easy as Tunnie says.

I would not buy a headunit from Halfords though, they are not the most keenly priced!

Oh, and the Alpine unit Tunnie mentions is excellent...

TheDufster · « **Reply #11 on:** 17 December 2006, 08:57:30 »

Cheers folks - I would have only chosen the Halford's route if the installation was tricky. I'd rather pay for the benefit of someone else doing it properly than me messing it up! LOL.

Thanks for the offer of the help to fit Tunnie, but I am 200+ miles north of you. Don't worry - I'll be sure to post here if I get into difficulties! I like the idea of the adaptor for the steering wheel controls. I let you know how I get on, but realistically it will be in the New Year before I get around to it.

Martin_1962 · « **Reply #12 on:** 17 December 2006, 09:59:00 »

Quote

Cheers folks - I would have only chosen the Halford's route if the installation was tricky. I'd rather pay for the benefit of someone else doing it properly than me messing it up! LOL.

Halfords if tricky - I wouldn't trust them!

If you don't do it go to an independant ICE installer

tunnie · « **Reply #13 on:** 17 December 2006, 12:35:23 »

Quote

Quote
Cheers folks - I would have only chosen the Halford's route if the installation was tricky. I'd rather pay for the benefit of someone else doing it properly than me messing it up! LOL.

Halfords if tricky - I wouldn't trust them!

If you don't do it go to an independant ICE installer

Halfords just send out monkey who aint even done his GCSE's yet, or better still failed them. Having said that i do know 1 guy in a Halfords store who actually knows his stuff, but he's rare. They generally don't have a clue!

Go for it Dufster, any probs post it up here and should be able to help!

Andy B · « **Reply #14 on:** 17 December 2006, 15:51:29 »

Quote

.......

Halfords if tricky - I wouldn't trust them!

........
Halfords just send out monkey who aint even done his GCSE's yet, or better still failed them. Having said that i do know 1 guy in a Halfords store who actually knows his stuff, but he's rare. They generally don't have a clue!

You could substitute Vauxhall for Halfords in the above sentance and it would still make sense.

tunnie · « **Reply #15 on:** 17 December 2006, 18:06:32 »

Quote

Quote
.......

Halfords if tricky - I wouldn't trust them!

........
Halfords just send out monkey who aint even done his GCSE's yet, or better still failed them. Having said that i do know 1 guy in a Halfords store who actually knows his stuff, but he's rare. They generally don't have a clue!

You could substitute Vauxhall for Halfords in the above sentance and it would still make sense.

Too true!

RobC_NE · « **Reply #16 on:** 19 December 2006, 03:36:23 »

Quote

Halfords just send out monkey who aint even done his GCSE's yet, or better still failed them. Having said that i do know 1 guy in a Halfords store who actually knows his stuff, but he's rare. They generally don't have a clue!

Go for it Dufster, any probs post it up here and should be able to help!

_______________________________________________________________________________

have to say i partially agree tunnie, been both a customer and now part time fitter for halfords

(i know, but i needed extra £ to keep my megga otr over xmas),
However i (as far as im aware) am the only person to have done any accreditation from both VSIB and the IMI.

been doing audio, HF kits and "other projects" (see website) for about 4years now.
so i like to think i know my stuff too lol. but i do see your point with regards to the ones that are pretty dense when it comes to ICE and other bits.

regards, and merry christmas.
Rob

tunnie · « **Reply #17 on:** 19 December 2006, 12:21:33 »

Hey Rob, yeh there are people out there who know their stuff!! Just as a general rule they tend not to be! Like Vx dealers, most are rubbish but there are some good ones out there

RobC_NE · « **Reply #18 on:** 19 December 2006, 22:01:47 »

i whole-heartedly agree with you mark. which is why i do the majority of servicing myslef or entrust it to my mates garage if its too much for my limited mechanics skills. (avoiding main dealers like the plague) but if its electrical i feel pretty confident that there is very little on my motor i cant do

if anyone is on here from my area, just for reference im in the skippers lane store

rob

Hillper · « **Reply #19 on:** 20 December 2006, 01:28:33 »

I could have sworn I saw a photo guide for replacing the radio, but can't find it now, so here's a quick guide.

Disconnect battery.

On front of radio, remove four grubscrews. Insert removal tools or four nails or wire coat hanger pieces into holes until they sort of locate.
Gently push tools out sideways a bit and pull and wriggle the radio at the same time. You can use a plastic lever to help. It is quite stiff, but will come out eventually.

The radio just pulls neatly out from a connector at the back.

Now, you'll be left with a metal cage with the connector at the back. The cage is held in place with a single screw located around the centre of the cage. Use a torch to identify the head type and remove it. It may even be a plastic rivet which you'll have to chop off.

The cage can be removed by squeezing the top and bottom of the cage inwards by about 20mm.

Unclip the connectors at the back and put the cage somewhere safe as you may need to put the standard radio back one day.

You now have the wiring loom and connectors to which you can connect your new equipment to.

Remember the permanent 12v and switched 12v wires are reversed in Vauxhalls, so you'll need to swap them over.

Let us know if you need help choosing a headunit.

TheDufster · « **Reply #20 on:** 20 December 2006, 12:48:41 »

Quote

Remember the permanent 12v and switched 12v wires are reversed in Vauxhalls, so you'll need to swap them over.

Thanks Hillper, but something tells me that this little nugget of information may lead to a disaster if not done properly. Am I right? If so can you shed a little light on the situation so that I don't blow something up when I connect up the new head unit?

Jimbob · « **Reply #21 on:** 20 December 2006, 12:50:59 »

No Damage from those

Just incorrect operation of power button, loss of memory and settings
no ignition switching.

TheDufster · « **Reply #22 on:** 20 December 2006, 12:55:55 »

Cheers! Just thought I'd ask the obvious question. I "blew up" a motherboard on a pc once for putting the connectors on the wrong way around

Jimbob · « **Reply #23 on:** 20 December 2006, 12:57:48 »

LOL you are going back a few years there, PC power connectors are one block now(ATX), not 2 identical ones(AT)!

TheDufster · « **Reply #24 on:** 20 December 2006, 12:58:44 »

Quote

LOL you are going back a few years there, PC power connectors are one block now(ATX), not 2 identical ones(AT)!

Hee hee! yes it was a few years back. I learnt a good lesson on that occassion!

Quote

Let us know if you need help choosing a headunit.

Any ideas on a replacement head unit would be gratefully received. I like the look of Tunnie's though. As long as I can connect my 60gb mp3 player to it, either using a jack or USB connection I don't mind. Don't want to go crazy and spend loads, but it needs to have at least the sound quality of the factory CDR2005 unit.

Hillper · « **Reply #25 on:** 22 December 2006, 13:57:34 »

I think you can do a bit better than the CDR2005!

You really need to work out the maximum you want to spend. You generally get what you pay for. Anything around £200 (new) will be very good.

Pioneer and Alpine at this price are unbeatable.

Work out what gadgets you do and do not need. Though most units seem to be feature rich these days.

If you want to amp your system at a later stage, two sets of pre-outs and subwoofer control is important.

The head unit is the sound source. If the sound is wrong at this stage, it won't get any better, down the line.

If you want advice and opinions on the latest gear, go here.

http://www.talkaudio.co.uk/vbb/

These guys are really into car Hi Fi!

Admin · « **Reply #26 on:** 22 December 2006, 18:36:24 »

Yes, I think you will be impressed at the improvement over the 2005...

I echo Hillpers comments.

Pioneer are making osme of the finest units around, with Alpine also being excellent.

Under £200 new?

From Pioneer it would be this:
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/pioneer-dehp55bt-p-4821.html

or for a bit more...

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/pioneer-dehp75bt-p-5150.html

From Alpine it would be this:
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/alpine-cda9812rb-p-2193.html?cadid=655e06b8e3723b8553db3aa35c393bfa

Jimbob · « **Reply #27 on:** 24 December 2006, 08:52:41 »

I do like that 1st pioneer, even has sub display out...
But anyone found an adaptor to connect to the mid?
mmmm any colour display, mp3, bluetooth < £200 mmmmm
I was previously thinking of the kenwood 6534 for about the same money.

Admin · « **Reply #28 on:** 24 December 2006, 10:12:51 »

Considering how much of an improvement a decent aftermarket unit makes to the sound, I would not be worried about the MID display.

With the Pioneer, the addition of bluetooth connectivity for a handsfree setup would quickly make my mind up for me!

tunnie · « **Reply #29 on:** 24 December 2006, 17:26:58 »

Quote

Considering how much of an improvement a decent aftermarket unit makes to the sound, I would not be worried about the MID display.

With the Pioneer, the addition of bluetooth connectivity for a handsfree setup would quickly make my mind up for me!

Indeed.

I too wanted to keep the MID and people said you won't miss it, i thought i would but i don't!!

An aftermarket headunit really boosts the sound, you get a lot better bass out of the standard speakers, it really does make a bit differnce. Add a sub and its very good

No need to replace the speakers

Admin · « **Reply #30 on:** 24 December 2006, 17:55:26 »

It gets better yet when you amp the speakers, then they really come to life!

omega18 · « **Reply #31 on:** 03 January 2007, 21:17:04 »

Quote

I do like that 1st pioneer, even has sub display out...
But anyone found an adaptor to connect to the mid?.

There is an adaptor availble for the MID made by pioneer at a cost of 70 pound
http://www.incarexpress.co.uk/view_product.php?partno=CADPI150

karl

Jimbob · « **Reply #32 on:** 03 January 2007, 21:36:03 »

Quote

Quote
I do like that 1st pioneer, even has sub display out...
But anyone found an adaptor to connect to the mid?.
There is an adaptor availble for the MID made by pioneer at a cost of 70 pound
http://www.incarexpress.co.uk/view_product.php?partno=CADPI150

karl

Cheers, see replace my HU challenge....ordered today

omega18 · « **Reply #33 on:** 03 January 2007, 21:54:26 »

Hi jimbo, Didn't realise it was you who started the other thread (DUH!)

When you get your pioneer unit up and running will you report back as to how well the adaptors and the HU fit. As I am looking for a HU for my omega, but I don't won't to spend the money and realise i could have bought better for the price.

Thanks in Advance

Karl

Jimbob · « **Reply #34 on:** 04 January 2007, 08:26:46 »

No probs, will be doing a mini review.
HU Due to arrive today, no eta on adaptor yet.
I will wait on both until I fit them, need to do some climate bulbs as well, so will do it all at once.
Will post back on quality, fit, and integration, with a few pics as well.

News:

Author Topic: Need new Head Unit with Aux input (Read 7334 times)

Martin_1962