iLounge

21

what. no credit for finding these photos for you? last time i post a news article.

Posted by andrew. on June 3, 2004 at 6:23 PM (PDT)

22

Here’s a snippet from the press release -

ALPINE DEBUTS WORLD’S FIRST CAR AUDIO HEAD UNITS THAT ALLOW TRUE INTEGRATION WITH iPod
TORRANCE, Calif, January 6, 2004—Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading manufacturer of high performance mobile electronics, will demonstrate at CES the world’s first solution that enables consumers to connect and control their iPod from their in-vehicle sound system. Alpine’s iPod Ready strategy is part of the company’s overarching mission to create innovative in-vehicle electronics that are easier to use and provide great sound in the mobile environment.
“The integration of iPod control into selected 2004 Alpine in-dash receivers addresses the growing market of portable digital audio device users who want a safe and easy-to-use solution for playback in the car.” said Stephen Witt, Alpine’s vice president of Brand Marketing.
With a simple one-cable connection, iPod users will be able to operate key playback features from the Alpine receiver’s buttons and have display of playlists, album, artist and songs on the head unit. The iPod can then be safely stored in the glove box or console because it acts like a portable hard drive connected to the head unit through Alpine’s powerful Ai-Net system bus. The Alpine connectivity solution also provides charging of the iPod’s internal battery.
“Alpine’s iPod Ready in-dash receivers will allow iPod users seamless control of up to 10,000 songs easily in their car,” said Stan Ng, Apple’s Director of iPod Product Marketing. “Being able to display song information and browse the iPod’s entire music library right from the Alpine head unit makes this a superior way to enjoy non-stop music in the car.”
Alpine has engineered a unique interface box that takes advantage of the iPod Accessory Protocol allowing audio, track information, and control signals to be communicated over the Ai-NET system bus to the in-dash receiver. This seamless integration provides emulation of the iPod’s controls through an Alpine head unit using both the front panel buttons and the wireless remote control.
Alpine’s iPod Ready Interface kit will be available later this summer through Alpine authorized retailers. To receive more information on the Alpine iPod Ready receivers, consumers may send an e-mail to

Posted by Mike on June 3, 2004 at 9:32 PM (PDT)

23

No cradle? They should of made a cradle to slide the iPod into rather than having to hook up wires...I’ll stick with my Dension ICE>Link

Posted by urbanmac on June 3, 2004 at 11:39 PM (PDT)

24

When I walked into Best Buy in Lawrence, KS the only unit they had with a aux input on the front was the Aiwa units.  Of course their selection isn’t comprehensive.

The sound is great.  No more fumbling for cds while driving! 

iPod rules!!

Posted by jfk99 on June 4, 2004 at 4:41 AM (PDT)

25

I also think that sliding the ipod in like a cassette tape would be really cool, but you also have to think about the safety factor.  The ipod would be much easier to steal while inside the head unit than it would be locked inside your glove compartment.

Posted by Adam on June 4, 2004 at 5:39 AM (PDT)

26

I hope this works with existing Ai-Net Alpine decks.  I have a 9813 I installed last year.  For $100, I’d be glad to add this to it so I can use my Ipod instead of MP3 CDRs.  If I had to buy another new head unit, it just isn’t worth it.  I get about 125 songs on a CD now.  I’d just live with that.

Posted by Fleet on June 4, 2004 at 5:46 AM (PDT)

27

converted with babelfish:

With the booth of the Al pine, the car audio of iPod and the same company having referred and displaying, the external control conversion adapter “KCA-420i” in order to cooperate and. The possibility that we plan the commercialization around the fall, as for price 1 ten thousand Yen we become strongly.

IPod CD receiver “CDA-9831J” of the same company (while selling: 47,250 Yen) with with the adapter in order to connect, you connect the music inside iPod can hear at inside of car of car as the external input of CDA-9831J. Furthermore, system iPod also being possible from CDA-9831J to manage, not only search of tune, it can utilize also shuffle function and the like. In addition, also it is possible to indicate tune name and artist name in the display of CDA-9831J.

IPod can be controlled from CDA-9831J

Connecting terminal and KCA-420i which for cradle connection is iPod lower part with the private cable. KCA-420i has function, as a conversion adapter converts to the signal of the private bus “Ai-NET” to which car audio of the same company has adopted the signal from iPod, outputs to CDA-9831J. The control signal which is sent from car audio passing the distance of opposite, is input into iPod.

The voice response from iPod is analog, but CDA-9831J revises the sound quality of the compressed music file “MX (the media expander)” to be on-board, “through the cassette adapter and the like, rather than connecting iPod, becomes much sound good”, (the same company) with you say. Furthermore, KCA-420i has, power source supply function it is possible also to charge iPod which is connected.

Posted by dalkon shield on June 4, 2004 at 5:58 AM (PDT)

28

The Aiwa’s are awesome. I’m not like an expert but the sound quality and build quality is absolutely outstanding for the price. And just about every one has a line in. I crank the volume on the iPod to max, plug the headphone jack in and it sounds great. Haven’t tried the line out from the dock though. I kinda get the impression it expects a slightly amplified signal (ala headphone jack) which would make sense as very few portable audio devices have line out.

Posted by Biff on June 4, 2004 at 9:19 AM (PDT)

29

is the link for the pictures down? or am i retarted

Posted by Joey on June 4, 2004 at 10:35 AM (PDT)

30

These types of units look promising, but I’d be more than a little hesitant to purchase one solely for my iPod, as much as I love it. I wouldn’t put it past Apple to change the connection type in the future, and I would either be stuck with an iPod I couldn’t use with the head unit, or a head unit for an obsolete product.

Posted by Gorbachev on June 4, 2004 at 12:32 PM (PDT)

31

Biff, try your “line out” with your dock.... The sound quality is much better than the headphone jack. It will force you to buy an adapter cable to use your pod with the line out signal....... The line out signal level is more than enough for your head.... try it.... I promise you’ll be impressed. Rob

Posted by ceddy45742 on June 4, 2004 at 2:57 PM (PDT)

32

“Biff, try your “line out” with your dock.... The sound quality is much better”

Ah if only the iPod had SPDIF or coax digital out. We can only dream…

Posted by Interconnects on June 4, 2004 at 3:25 PM (PDT)

33

You got the wrong guy, is was the post below me that has the HU you want.

I’m using a tape adapter. But it’s factory stock and has a CD-Changer in. I’m thinking of trying to find some way to jack into that. Maybe someday when I’m feeling adverturous.

Posted by tbdean on June 4, 2004 at 4:25 PM (PDT)

34

Aiwas suck. Get an alpine with an ainet to rca adapter.

Posted by scattin on June 5, 2004 at 5:42 AM (PDT)

35

Keep in mind that one of the uses of this device would potentially be to just let your iPod live forever in your car. You could put the whole thing in your glove box and not deal with the iPod again during your car’s entire lifetime, as it charges through the connection. It would be just like adding a hard drive to your existing car stereo, with all of the controls on the head unit.

For that reason, it doesn’t matter if Apple changes the iPod design in the future. Buy another one and keep your current iPod in your car, forever.

Posted by elo on June 5, 2004 at 5:57 AM (PDT)

36

This thing will cost more than a 40gb iPod! I’ll stick with my Dension ICElink, it’s top!

Posted by Si on June 5, 2004 at 9:17 AM (PDT)

37

Why would you want your iPod sitting out on a dock in your car?  Are you asking to be robbed?  I like this method much better...you can set it in the glove compartment, lock it, and forget about it while you drive or go in a store or whatever.  I’ll be buying this.

Posted by dmbpgh on June 6, 2004 at 5:58 PM (PDT)

38

I have a detatchable face on my Aiwa so I just take it and the iPod in and out.  I generally don’t go through the hassle for short trips around town.  But if I’m on a longer trip then it is worth the hassle.

Posted by jfk99 on June 8, 2004 at 9:21 AM (PDT)

39

personally i found this works just as well:

1- ipod connected to audio IN jack (i have a 2003 alpine Ai-Net deck, that has an optional aux in jack in the back.  most decks with cd-changer capability have an optional aux connector for $20 or so)

2- cig lighter power adapter for ipod

3- bought an extra remote at the apple store ($30)

4- wired all this stuff into the console and left the remote hanging outside with a spot of velcro to keep it there.  of course, i take the ipod inside at night or at work. 

Posted by schuss on June 24, 2004 at 5:32 AM (PDT)

40

Here’s the thing that folks are missing here:

First, the aux-in solution doesn’t compare to the Alpine solution.  Aux-in does not allow your head unit to control your iPod.  It also does not use the head unit’s to display the iPod’s tracks.  Also, unless you use your cradle (PITA), you’re stuck with the inferior (amplified) headphone-jack sound.  Finally, you will have to work out your own solution to charge it.

While the Denison IceLink is pretty cool, it also doesn’t compare to Alpine’s solution.  It utilizes the head unit’s external CD changer control.  It will not, however, display anyhting descriptive on your head unit.

What sets the Alpine unit aside is that it shows track/album/artist/playlist info on your headunit, providing seamless access to your iPod.  Next to what is available in the new 3-series Bimmers and Mini Coopers, this is the best thing on the market...hands down.

Posted by Fantastico on July 2, 2004 at 7:05 AM (PDT)