I know a couple of you guys are running this headset.

I was reading it has a front mounted AUX input? But I dont see it in any pics. Does the face have to be opened just like when you are putting a CD in to access the aux input.

Im torn right now between getting an Ipod Video (80 Gb) and using Pioneers Ipod adapter to control the ipod (CD-IB100).

Or getting a better MP3 player such as the Creative Zen Vision M, and integrating it to the HU with the aux input.

I cant use the rear mounted aux input, because its what connects my Modrifry DCI.

Anyone with the headunit, let me know, thanks!!!

 

Anyone?

 

I personally like the ipod. Its MUCH more convenient to have full control from your headunit, rather than two separate sources. You also need to be able to have a direct link from the player to IPOD......meaning...NOT from headphone jack to headunit, but rather from the data port to headunit. So if you are doing AUX input, your player must have a wire with a data port on one end, and RCAs on the other....not all players have that. If the player has USB for data tranfer, you wont be able to get good SQ from it. IMHO, all players are the same, except that IPODS have an aftermarket support that no other player can claim. Companies like Pioneer/Alpine are making their products SPECIFICALLY to work with IPODS. I suggest you make it easy on yourself, and grab an Ipod. The only other player on the market that has sparked my interest is the Zune.

 

Thanks NFR.

I saw the zune today, its nice, but big!!! I heard its riddled with DRM issues as well.

As for my dilemma, I have decided on the Ipod 80 gig, solely because the only reason I liked the Creative player better was the awesome screen, but I wont be watching tv or movies in my car, so its not a dealbreaker.

As for the Pioneer Ipod integration solutions, I read a bunch of reviews and basically its not that good. Its slow, and a hassle to search for songs especially when you have a lot of music. Most people just recommend using the aux port to connect the ipod to the car, so thats what I am going to do at this point.

 

I assume you have your Pioneer HU already, but in case you don't, by all accounts HUs like the Alpine 9857 have EXCELLENT iPod integration (I have a 9857 but don't use it with an iPod so I can't give you details).

FWIW.

 

I have a pioneer, and I understand the 9857 has built in IPOD integration, but i prefer to stick with pioneer. I am just going to use the aux in for my new radio to integrate the IPOD.

 

Just make sure you use the DATA port of the ipod, NOT the headphone jack for your connection...otherwise, you will hear double processed sound, which sounds about as good as a lion gargling with nails and marbles.

 

Part of the problem of navigating with the HU is resolved if you put your music into playlists. iTunes makes that VERY easy. You can creates "Smart Playlists" which are basically queries to the database to choose the songs that should go into a particular playlist. The advantage of this being that they will "live update."

So if you have a smart playlist for "Eric Clapton Songs" It might say:

Artist equals Eric Clapton
Artist equals Cream
Artist equals The Yarbirds
Artist equals Derrek and the Domino's

AND

Last Played is not in the last 3 weeks.

This will help to ensure you are not listenting to the same songs over and over again. Also, if you get a new Cream album, as soon as you rip it, the tracks will be added to the playlist.

You will still have trouble finding ONE song in particular, but you will be able to put on the music you have a taste for at the time.

 

Ok NFR, you just threw me off again.

I dont even have the Ipod yet, so I dont know which plug I will be using.

But I dont think its the data port, if what you mean by data port is the USB cable, I dont think this is the one used to connect to the HU.

I was going to get this:

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebO...plm=TK879LL%2FA

So if I go this route, the sound output will be horrible????

Ruexp, I have no experience with an Ipod (never owned one), but from the reviews I read on the Pioneer IPOD interface, alot of complaints stem from the searching of songs. Particularly the interface is really slow. They mention alot about playlists, but I have no experience with that. A majority of people preferred just using the aux on their radio, and retaining the functionality of their ipod interface, rather than trying to control the ipod thru the radio.

 

if you go with one of these type things:
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/tuneflex/
your ipod will stay charged, and the audio source is
through the data port rather than the headphone
connector.
I personally love this solution:
http://www.harmankardon.com/drive-1/?Langu...=USA&Country=US
at least in theory, as I've never seen one in real life...