News
Kensington debuts RDS FM transmitter for iPods
By LC Angell
Senior Editor, iLounge
Published: Monday, July 10, 2006
News Category: iPod Accessories
Kensington has introduced the world’s first RDS FM transmitter for iPods. The Kensington RDS FM transmitter/car charger allows an RDS-enabled car stereo to display song and artist information transmitted from a fifth-generation iPod or iPod nano. “Our research indicates that over 80% of all new cars being sold in the US include RDS enabled stereos,” notes Kensington. “RDS is a hugely popular feature and is quickly becoming mainstream. The new Kensington RDS FM Transmitter is the first to allow iPod consumers to take advantage of this exciting car stereo technology.” The device also features ClearFM technology, simultaneous charging of your iPod, three station pre-sets, and a black and brushed aluminum design. The Kensington RDS FM Transmitter will be available this month for $90.
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1
Too bad the sound quality sucks and with the price you might as well buy new stereo with aux connection or other ipod adapter for your car which offer direct connection to your stereo for wayyyy better sound quality.
Posted by PPT on July 10, 2006 at 1:21 PM (PDT)
2
“RDS is a hugely popular feature and is quickly becoming mainstream”
Haha, you crazy Americans. Here in the UK, RDS has been ‘mainstream’ for years. Heck, a cheapo car we bought in 1997 had a stereo that kept track of a national radio station as it switched frequencies across the country using RDS - as standard!
Posted by Daniel on July 10, 2006 at 1:32 PM (PDT)
3
i use a kensington fm transmitter in my car that i got 2 years ago and it sounds way better than any other transmitters i’ve heard, but for $90 it’s definitely questionable. if you mount your ipod you’ll have much more information on a better display anyway.
i doubt rds can be considered mainstream when no one listens to the radio anyway. at least in america.
Posted by jm on July 10, 2006 at 1:53 PM (PDT)
4
PPT: Kensington’s transmitters have been amongst the best we’ve heard (though competition from other top-tier developers has narrowed the gap recently). Clearly you’re referring to the spotty sound quality of FM transmitters generally, since this one hasn’t been released yet, but as we’ve noted in past reviews of Kensington’s products, theirs tend to be exceptions to the general rule.
Posted by Jeremy Horwitz in East Amherst, NY, USA on July 10, 2006 at 5:05 PM (PDT)
5
I agree that other FM transmitter may be worse than the Kensington but any other portable transmitter that transmit FM signal within the legal limit won’t give you satisfactory sound quality. Maybe if you live out of nowhere but not in the city with crowded airspace. Also compared to other options of connecting ipod to car, radio signal is definately on the very bottom in term of sound quality, no matter how good the transmitter is.
Posted by PPT on July 11, 2006 at 12:05 PM (PDT)