Anyone fitted an FM modulator?

Post by **nairnski** » 30 Aug 2007, 11:01

Hello.

I've got a wee transmitter for my ipod which is OK but not brilliant and I want to get something better. I'd prefer not to have to get a new stereo (thi sone has no extra auxiliary inputs on the back I've cheked).

These FM modulators seem to be the next best thing. Has anyone fitted one or get experience of how well they actually work? I guess you need to wire a switch up somewhere to turn it on.

http://tinyurl.com/yo23pn

Thanks
N

Post by **shepster** » 30 Aug 2007, 12:58

I have one fitted to enable me to run my dvd player through my stereo.

Simple to wire in and works well, it simply fits between your aeriel and the head unit, a positive and earth. Then connect whatever you want to use to it using RCA leads (red and white) then you tune one of your preset stations to the frequency of the unit, mines 88.7 but they can vary, and whenever you want to here whatever you are using select the preset station and as they say 'Robert may well have had balls at some point'.

Post by **PEET** » 30 Aug 2007, 15:47

Tried 4 of them from 10-40 quid all have been crap after a while for me n died..

Post by **irish.david** » 31 Aug 2007, 05:28

If you're playing your ipod through the radio at the moment then the transmitter you've got with your ipod is an FM modulator. The ones in the link will work in exactly the same way. Due to technical limitations FM modulators are always going to sound a bit rubbish and i think they can only really be thought of as useful if you're really not ok with wiring in a proper cable.

If you're dead set on some sort of wireless route and have very deep pockets you could get a Sony BEX 5000/2500 and an A2DP transmitter for your ipod. A2DP uses bluetooth to transmit a high quality stereo signal to enabled playback devices. I've tried it and it really works well, but if you want it you'll need to get the cheque book out....

Dave

Post by **shepster** » 31 Aug 2007, 08:58

PEET wrote:Tried 4 of them from 10-40 quid all have been crap after a while for me n died..

I must have been lucky then as i've had mine for 3yrs without any problems. Cost £25 so middle of the road i guess.

Post by **nairnski** » 31 Aug 2007, 16:31

I was hoping that connecting an fm modulator directly and taking out the wireless aspect of the transmitter would improve the sound quality a bit. Surely wire must be better than through the air.

I'm not fussed about wireless at all, I'd prefer it to be wired straight in, just my stereo doesn't have any audio in options at the rear.

If it's not not going to make an awful lot of different I might just take the 20-30 quid and put that towards a stereo which has suitable audio in options.

Anyone want to buy a perfectly good Sony CD player stereo that you can't wire an ipod into?

N

Post by **PEET** » 31 Aug 2007, 16:50

Me i'm jus unlucky i guess...

Post by **irish.david** » 31 Aug 2007, 17:49

If you use an FM modulator you're sending the signal from your ipod to your stereo wirelessly. All an FM modulator does is turn the output of your ipod into a radio wave that your car stereo can pick up using it's normal FM antenna. Problem is that FM radio was developed over 60 years ago so the quality isn't really up to todays standards, hence crap sound.

Some stereos have non standard connections on the back to connect an external source using wires. Don't always just look for the usual 3.5mm jack or phono connections. Before you write off your unit make sure you've gone through the manual and checked every pin on the back.....

Dave

Post by **Fox McIntyre** » 01 Sep 2007, 14:22

Maplin stores have a 'modulator' that you wire into your stereo, you plug your van ariel into it then the unit plugs into your ariel socket in your radio. Loads of my mates have had them on loads of different radios and say there great, and I've used one for years in my Golf, very little loss of quality because its not wireless, it just feeds the signal via the ariel and you tune your set to the 'frequency' it outputs on. There about £20, but other motor factors sell them for upto £50. All you fit on your dash is the socket and a switch to turn it on and off (which I left 'on', hidden behind my dash and used the stereos 'amp' wire to turn it on with the radio instead of wiring it to permanent power)
Tidy, no fuss solution.

Post by **irish.david** » 01 Sep 2007, 18:22

I agree that you'll get a better quality of sound if you plug it straight into your aerial socket as you won't lose any of the signal from transferring through the air, but you're still using your FM radio to decode the signal. FM radio signals aren't technically capable of carrying a signal of the same quality as an MP3 player or a CD. Anyone who's listened to digital radio side by side with FM radio will be able to tell the difference straight away.

It all comes down to the individuals choice between the convenience of an FM modulator or whether they want better sound but go through all the hassle of wiring it in.

Dave

Post by **shepster** » 03 Sep 2007, 08:28

Correct me if i'm wrong here but how is it 'wireless' when everything is connected by 'wires'?

My dvd player is plugged directly into the FM modulator using RCA leads and that in turn is plugged into the aeriel lead which is plugged into the back of my head unit.

Post by **irish.david** » 03 Sep 2007, 10:43

It's not wireless, because, as you say it's connected by wires but the sound quality won't be as good as if you make a direct connection to an aux input on the back of your stereo.

What happens in an FM modulator is the audio signal is modulated onto a higher frequency signal in preparation to send through the airwaves. When it arrives at your radio the signal is demodulated and the audio signal is recovered. The problem is that this modulation and demodulation was developed forever ago and a lot of quality is lost from the signal during the modulation/demodulation process.

If you use an FM modulator plugged directly into your aerial input you remove the transmission through the air bit you still have this modulation/demodulation bit which lowers the quality. It'll sound better than if it was transmitted through the air, cause that further weakens the signal, but it can never be as good as a direct "aux in" connection on the back of your car stereo.

Dave

Post by **shepster** » 03 Sep 2007, 10:57

Nice one! much clearer now.