FM Modulator. Help me pick one please!

griminal · 10-01-2002, 11:03 PM

Wonder forum! Lots of info.

I've done a variety of searchs on Modulators and I can't find any real posts that suggest brands or price. Maybe I'm just a newbie

Can anyone suggest where to buy, what brand to buy, and how much I can expect to pay.

(I'm also having a problem finding just an old keypad with a big plug that doesn't cost more than an entire keyboard)

I kinda like the huge question mark next to my name. hehe

Thanks

cproaudio · 10-02-2002, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by griminal
Wonder forum! Lots of info.

I've done a variety of searchs on Modulators and I can't find any real posts that suggest brands or price. Maybe I'm just a newbie

Can anyone suggest where to buy, what brand to buy, and how much I can expect to pay.

(I'm also having a problem finding just an old keypad with a big plug that doesn't cost more than an entire keyboard)

I kinda like the huge question mark next to my name. hehe

Thanks

Instead of trying to find a FM mod, try to find a way to use AUX in. The sound Q from most onboard sound card isnt that great. Using FM mod will be even worse. Theres no point of spending the time and build a computer and have it sound like crap.

If you have a big system, then make an A/B switch. its not that hard. I'm using AUX in for my setup and to me, it doesnt really sound as good as my head unit so I can't imagine how FM mod is going to sound.

PatO · 10-02-2002, 04:27 PM

I'd agree with cproaudio - FM modulators aren't worth your time. You can find the cheap ones at Target for $20, Crutchfield.com has better quality ones for $30+, or you can buy a whole new headunit with aux in for $100. New headunit is definately worth the price - you'll be sick of the modulator after listening to it for 30 seconds.

Do a search for more info - this topic has been discussed like mad.

You say you have an old AT style motherboard? I've never seen an AT style keypad, but you could try looking for 9-pin serial keypads... They require driver software, but it shouldn't be a big deal.

AVGeek · 10-02-2002, 06:20 PM

For your keypad, pick up a PS/2 style, and use a PS/2 to AT converter. I did this with Vers 1.0 of my Carputer, and it worked fine. All together, cost me about $30.

Cyanide · 10-02-2002, 10:35 PM

I posted somewhere else, but I can't remember the thread.

I bought the Audiovox FMM100 or something like that. No problems installing it, and it sounds like the bomb.

Edit: Cost me 30 bucks.

nolmscheid · 10-02-2002, 10:55 PM

I think we might be exagerating on the FM and tape deck alternatives.

I have a fairly new vehicle (2001 Durango) and I do not wan tot swap out the head unit because its a infinity system that sounds great. I can not figure out how to tap into an AUX for it either.

I am using a tape adapter...I would challenge a couple people to listen to the setup and really say that it sounds that much different.

In every vehicle it will differ, but in mine I think it sounds great....I am a very musically inclined person to pick up bad sounds and I just don't think even my damn tape adapter sounds bad.

pogue1000 · 10-02-2002, 11:12 PM

yep! i have to agree.
i have infinity gold in my jeep cherokee and just dont care to take it out... but considering it.

i bought an fm-mod --- it was ok... nothing super.. didnt really care for it.

tape adaptor---- well needless to say it sounds very welll. and that was with a cheap isa sound card, cant wait to try it out with my new sb live 5.1

if anything i think i would switch out the factory amp and aux in that way.

Quote:

Originally posted by nolmscheid
I think we might be exagerating on the FM and tape deck alternatives.

I have a fairly new vehicle (2001 Durango) and I do not wan tot swap out the head unit because its a infinity system that sounds great. I can not figure out how to tap into an AUX for it either.

I am using a tape adapter...I would challenge a couple people to listen to the setup and really say that it sounds that much different.

In every vehicle it will differ, but in mine I think it sounds great....I am a very musically inclined person to pick up bad sounds and I just don't think even my damn tape adapter sounds bad.

cproaudio · 10-03-2002, 03:04 AM

you should email the staff at www.rcainput.com they have alot of Aux adaptor for factory decks. I have Audigy5.1 live drive in my home computer. To me, it only sound a little better than onboard sound card on my FV24. Doing an A/B comparison, I havent heard any computer sound card that sound close to a high quality car CD player. Computer sound cards dont have the crisp highs nor the low down deep bass, even playing CDs or DVDs. Right now I mainly use my Car PC for nav and OBD-II scanner. I'll play MP3's when im sick of watching TVs.

nolmscheid · 10-03-2002, 07:53 AM

I have looked high and low, and even contacted infinity to try and find out how I could hook aux in on my deck. NOBODY has any answers from me.

That website doesn't have new enough Dodge stuff. I drive a 2001

Cyanide · 10-05-2002, 11:28 AM

You people that have problems with FM modulators need to remember to buy inline ones (wire directly into your antenna) versus the cheap 15 dollar things at Best Buy (transmitters).

Tape adapters look gay.

Cyanide

PatO · 10-05-2002, 11:44 PM

Well, if you like your stereo, try getting an equalizer with a second set of rca inputs. Granted, you'll need to run preouts (or possibly hi-level inputs) into it, and you'll have to run all speakers through amps, but it's definately an option...

prerunnerv6 · 10-07-2002, 08:15 AM

While building a carputer, I used a borrowed tape adapter with my factory head unit for over a month before I decided on a new head unit with aux inputs. Even though the new setup sounds better, I was still amazed at how the tape adapter sounded. After all of the bad things heard about them I thought it would sound terrirble. It didn't. Rather, it sounded quite good. It was a Sony brand. In fact, it was using a tape adapter that convinced me to continue with my carputer project. (It was wire sticking out that finally got to me, not the sound.)

nolmscheid · 10-07-2002, 11:59 AM

If someone can figure out how to hack into my Infinity system so be it....until then I will continue to use the tape adapter. Mine is a SONY as well and sound fabulous. The wire does annoy me though as looks are important with my setup since I have a new vehicle.

Nathan