Connect computer audio to factory deck
 

Here's the idea....
Setup a computer in the back (or somewhere) of the car. This will contain all my MP3's. I've got the whole system figured out except for one thing....
Can/How do I connect the audio from my soundcard to the deck in the car? I've been reading that I can do it by connecting the cable to an auxilary input but does a factory deck have one? My deck is the single cd system. My protege 5 is a 2002. Can I somehow connect the system using the MD or Tape pluggins? I'm not very audio-literate but I do have the resources. Any type of comments or thoughts are encouraged and welcome! Thanks!

btw - I LOVE MY PROTEGE 5!!!!

How would you access the mp3 off the hard drive? The stock deck can't display that info. Are you planning to install a monitor and mouse/keyboard? Why don't you just buy a MP3 in deck from ebay for like $200 and save yourself the hassle? Just a suggestion.

Good-Luck, you're gonna need it :D

BTW, I not flaming you, just curious.

Hi... Your best bet would be an RF modulator like these: http://www.themindfactory.com/Produc.../pll-1_fm.html

Please note that the quality of the audio will be degraded somewhat plus there will be no indications of what is being played.

Why not get a portable MP3 player or even a MiniDisc player? Personally I'd get an Empeg :drool: (discontinued but they pop up on Ebay every now and then)

But like pantherES said, how are you going to control your computer? Just curious...

This is the beginning of a very ambitious project. Eventually I will add WiFi to the computer so I can transfer data wirelessly. Then I will get an LCD touch screen installed so I can view movies and what not on the screen. My computer will be controlled with a keypad for now..until my LDC touch screen .....then I'll just control it that way. For now I'd just like to know if there is some kind of AUX adaptor that I can attach to the factory deck?

Ambitious indeed! :D

Anyway, consider the modulator the only way to connect the 'puter audio to your stock HU without hacking it. :(

Please keep us posted. I'd like to see the end result. :bt:

Has anyone actually ever installed an FM Modulator in their car? And documented it?

try this web page for suggestions and help

http://www.mp3car.com/

Don't do it, it's not worth the hassle and headaches.

I did this several years ago in my older car. Once it was all said and done I could of taken that money and just purchased something simular that did the same thing a lot easier and a lot better.

I did end up purchasing an EMPEG. Like yellowdragon mentioned. I do not know what I ever did without this thing. I have roughly 6,000 or so mp3s on there. The controls are great, visuals, search features, custom playlists. Anything you want to do you can do with this thing. Plus there is an ever popular msg board that is always updating the software for the empeg. Security wise the whole thing slides out of the din slot and taken with you.

Information - RioCar
EMPEG MSG Board

For those who say 6,000 mp3 isn't much. I have the Top 100 billboard songs from 1950-Present plus my enitre CD collection with room to spare.

Instead of trying to hook up a computer...why not just invest into these...

Hard Drive 1

Hard Drive 2

If you have ever used one of those you would know why people do not recomend them.

The neo constantly crashes, well not constantly but the ones I've seen in action did not impress me at all.

The kenwood music keg. I don't know anything about so I can not give my input. But if it was any good I would have heard about it.

I do know Dension has just come out with a new mp3 player that does look very promising though.

Dension DMP3

so...
 

what i am reading is that there is no way to plug a portable MP3 player into our stock deck? because i have a portable and i'd love to plug it into an AUX port. like i do on my home stereo. i don't have a tape deck on my 2002 P5 either. i don't know what that FM modulator dealie is?

Hi...

The FM modulator is a little box that connects between your car radio and the antenna. It takes the output from any sound source and sends it to your radio thru an unused FM frequency.

Another model is a wireless standalone box that has its own batteries and a little antenna. I've seen these at WalMart for about $20. The wired model is less susceptible to interference.

:)

You are correct it's not easly possable. If you know a lot about electronics and extremly good with a soldering iron you would be able to figure out what pins do what on the back of the factor deck. Other wise your SoL.

FM Modulators take the signal from your mp3 player or what every and broadcast it onto an FM station, like radio stations do just much more power. Then you would tune into the station your modulator uses on your radio and your radio would be playing what is playing on your mp3 player. Hope that made sense. The do work but can be questionable quality depending on where you live and what stations are in your area and how strong their signals are.

ah man, that seems crappy! do you know of any aftermarket decks that have an AUX port in back. because i could get one of those. i have no way to burn CD's on my computer (because i'm still in the stone age) or i would just do that! thanks for the help!