MP3Car.com - View Single Post - HOW TO: Get sound from PC to Car Stereo / Amp

phord · 09-11-2004, 05:23 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by lgbr

Q: I want to keep my head unit so I can use radio. How can I do this?
A: It will be a few months before good solid FM radio is available for the computer. If you still want a head unit, you can use the plugs mentioned above to go from your head unit to the line in port on your sound card. In fact, many external sound cards (Anything in Creative's Sound Blaster USB line) will automatically forward the line-in port to the line out, whether the computer is working or not.

All of this is fine if you're a hobbyist. But if you want to build your own carputer and not interrupt your car's other primary functions too much (radio, cd player, etc.) then you still can get an adapter for your head unit, you can get an FM modulator that wires into your antenna line, or you can get a wireless FM modulator like they sell for MP3 players.

These are acceptable options for some people. They are nowhere near as good quality as a direct amp. The FM modulators are not as good as the head-unit adapter. But the have the advantage of being cheap and ubiquitous. Get one, enjoy it, and sell it when you get tired of it's crappiness.

Just don't pretend that it's not an option.

09-11-2004, 05:23 PM	#9
phord Low Bitrate Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 61 My Photos: ()	Quote: Originally Posted by lgbr Q: I want to keep my head unit so I can use radio. How can I do this? A: It will be a few months before good solid FM radio is available for the computer. If you still want a head unit, you can use the plugs mentioned above to go from your head unit to the line in port on your sound card. In fact, many external sound cards (Anything in Creative's Sound Blaster USB line) will automatically forward the line-in port to the line out, whether the computer is working or not. All of this is fine if you're a hobbyist. But if you want to build your own carputer and not interrupt your car's other primary functions too much (radio, cd player, etc.) then you still can get an adapter for your head unit, you can get an FM modulator that wires into your antenna line, or you can get a wireless FM modulator like they sell for MP3 players. These are acceptable options for some people. They are nowhere near as good quality as a direct amp. The FM modulators are not as good as the head-unit adapter. But the have the advantage of being cheap and ubiquitous. Get one, enjoy it, and sell it when you get tired of it's crappiness. Just don't pretend that it's not an option. __________________ Carputer-II: Infiniti Q45 Simple setup, NAV-only Tablet PC :: FP :: iGuidance Status: Ghetto, baby! Carputer-I: '99 Honda Odyssey Dual monitor, separate outputs: Finished FP :: iGuidance :: WinDVD :: EPIA M-10000 :: Opus 150w :: In-dash/On-dash