I have searched the forums here for hours on end looking for a answer to the question of How do I listen to my I-Pod with out using a FM transmitter cause those SUCK!


Like a direct connect for my I-pod? I have seen many items but not really a definitive answer at all on here.

I don't want to change from the factory stereo either.

Oh and just a side note:

LOVING THE CAR!!

i do not believe there is any direct connection available for the iPod in the factory stereo.... i could, however, be wrong... i know in my '06, there is not... assuming it is the same factory model of stereo.... i had an after-market put in with an aux input on the front...

but i do agree with you, FM transmitters suck....

glad you are enjoying the car (other than th iPod thing).. agree with you there too

Welcome to the forum!

To get an aux input, you'll have to replace the head unit.

I'm using my SIRIUS with built-in FM, and it works fine.

If I cared about using an iPod, I'd try this:

- Hook up the FM adapter to the iPod.
- Hunt for a spot that gives you the best reception.
- I'd pick a spot INSIDE the dash, close to the head unit, or in the trunk, close to the rear window antenna.
- Once you have the spot, hardwire power to the unit.
- Run an extension cord from the unit's input, to where you want to keep the iPod.
- Pick an FM preset on your headunit.

You'd have to make sure you have an FM modulator that comes on, everytime time power is applied to it.


This isn't a Sonata-specific issue, though, you might want to check on forums that deal with in-car sound systems.

Welcome!

IFAIK, there is no "solution" for a direct ipod hook-up for the Sonata. Your best bet would be to buy another stereo with aux jack input.

Although they tend to suck, I use the griffin roadtrip. It provides a great all-in-one solution (fm transmitter, charger and holder). And when the reception gets bad, changing stations is pretty easy.
(IMG:http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/313Q2AFEEAL._AA280_.jpg)

Great choice for your new car! ;)

problem with that is that the reception in the Sonata is not all that great in the first place... (at least in mine).. getting quality reception for the transmitter would make that very difficult....

It does the job for me for my trips to the cottage and shopping road trips to the states :P But I guess if you're a real stickler for true sound quality, I agree that nothing beats a direct hard-wired solution.

yeah, i guess that would be me then.. i dont like to hear any interference.. i used to have an FM transmitter in my old car, and it just drove me nuts since i drove through about 3 radio zones on my way to work (40 miles).. having the change the stations mid-drive was annoying.. that's why i bought the new stereo.. and then transferred it to my Sonata when i bought it...

I don't think it's possible to make a non-FM aux adapter for the 1-disk radio since there's no access to the amps without cracking open the radio's case and mutilating the circuit board.

It might be possible to engineer an aux in for the 6-disc, since it had an amp that lives in the trunk. Dunno if anyone's done this.

You can get an FM adapter that's said to be much better than the ones you've tried. Sirius FM Direct Adapter Although this is designed for the Sirius satellite radios, I think it will work with your iPod. You have to remove your radio then plug the adapter between your Sonata's antenna lead and radio. There's plenty of room in back of the radio for the adapter.

Many pioneer radios offer ipod connections in them. I know mine is, and I installed it myself. it works great. Maybe you should look into aftermarket radios.

most aftermarket stereo of any quality offer the ipod connectors (either through an adapter or an aux plug).. my Sony HU has an Aux plug in the front, and the option to put a wiring adapter on the back and directly control the iPod with the head unit as well.... thing was, he was trying not to change out the factory head-unit..

but i think he is realizing that he has to use an FM modulator or go "after-market".... kind of no real way around it....

.. and correct me if i'm wrong, but you would also lose the funtions of the steering wheel mounted audio controls if you went with and aftermarket radio, right?

This post has been edited by ironman: Aug 17 2007, 03:14 PM

by simply replacing the factory with the after-market straight up - yes... BUT

they do make an adapter (PAC adapter) that gives you the steering wheel controls back ($50-$60), but you have to make sure your after-market head unit has a wireless remote that is compatible.. (most newer ones are)

This post has been edited by ddix1026: Aug 17 2007, 03:16 PM

i have a alpine head unit 9857 with ipod plug 22 more bucks that allows you
to control ipod threw the hu i also have the pac steering wheel kit
my volume up and down and mute works, mode button lets me go through the
presets on the radio and through the folders on cd mp3s

That's the hot ticket right there.

Aftermarket is fine for some people, but not everyone cares as much about radio and sound... this really seems like the best solution.

Resurrecting this old thread. Has anyone tried that adaptor? My question would be is there enough space in the antenna connection to the head unit to use it? I recall one car I owned had no clearance to add something like that.

btw - I'm on page 26 of 72 to catch up with everything :grin:

This post has been edited by warped: May 3 2008, 03:09 PM

I had an adapter hardwired into my STOCK stereo. $120 including part + install at Best Buy. It works great. You just turn the stereo to FM 88.5, flip the switch (which I mounted to one of the plastic slots to the left of the steering wheel), and listen away. $40 for just the part if you do your own install.

I think they make other adapters that will sense when the iPod is connected and turn itself on automatically so you don't need the extra step of flipping another switch on and off.
Has anyone seen those?

If I were to be a new or used 2007-2008 Sonata, I might skip the aftermarket iPod connector and burn music to MP3 CDs and CDRWs instead. You can just leave the CDs in the car, not worry about heat damage or theft, not have the extra wiring and installation issues and I'd be able to control it with the steering wheel controls.

Even if you only have a single CD player, that's many hours of music and if you have the multi-disc CD changer, that's that much more. You can organize the CDs by genre before you burn them so the music you want to listen to is easier to find.

This post has been edited by web1b: May 3 2008, 04:45 PM