brian47
Well-Known Member
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No doubt, much has been asked and written on this forum about connecting mp3 players to the Landy in-car-entertainment systems. Having taken a little time to research the subject, and also my own experience as a radio engineer I have come to the conclusion that there are quite a few different ways of achieving the injection of mp3 files into the factory fit systems. The system in my Disco is the R990 head and the CD auto-changer under the drivers seat.
Here are some of the methods Ive heard of:
Replacing the head unit.
Replacing the head unit with a new one which will accept a memory card or USB memory stick. Not really an option since you will probably lose many or all of the other functions like the CD changer and steering wheel mounted controls. If you dont have a factory fitted ICE system, I quite liked the Akai ACAC-105UC radio. It has an SD card reader, USB socket and a front mounted line in socket as well as a single CD slot. And its not as blingy as many of the modern boy racer radios on the market.
The special tape cassette adapter.
A cheap and cheerful method of instantly connecting to your mp3 player. The sound quality leaves much to be desired and there can be some squeaking from the spools inside the cassette. Not the best method of connection but its OK as a quick fix as long as you have a tape cassette slot. Cost: less than a fiver.
Modified head unit
Getting the head unit modified to add an auxiliary stereo input socket. You can do this yourself with the right tools, circuit diagrams and other information, but there are some firms out there who will take lots of money to do it for you. At least this method will retain the use of all the usual functions, and in the case of the Hi-line Harman Kardon fit, still connect properly to sat-nav and the power amplifier under the left hand seat. Cost: About £75 from Roverville
Do-it-yourself connections
Do-it-yourself connections such as that detailed by Tony in this posting, which on the face of it will probably work reasonably or even very well (well for 79 minutes anyway). http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f9/mp3-conversion-45167.html. Cost: A few bits of wire and a blank CD.
FM Transmitters.
These devices act like another radio station to which you tune one of the preset channels and when they are switched on will transmit the mp3 files for a short distance. In the case of the Disco where the radio aerial is on one of the rear side windows this will often suffice so that a clear signal is received, where the aerial is outside the vehicle, such as on the roof or one of the wings, the signal level might not be sufficient and noisy reception could be experienced. These devices can be upset by repositioning them inside the vehicle and even by the introduction of other screening objects like passengers for instance.
There have also been some doubts raised on this forum about the legality of such devices, but since the device is not designed for general transmission to others but as a close proximity connection device, the usual transmitter regulations do not apply, and anyway, no Plod I know carries a field strength meter on his utility belt, besides which most of them are almost totally unaware of the technicalities of the laws surrounding the transmission of radio signals. Cost: About a tenner depending on which model you choose.
FM Modulators.
These devices are very similar to the FM transmitters but they are hard wired into the aerial system which means that there are fewer problems caused by external interference or other influential conditions. The re-transmission problem is also removed. Power for the device can be arranged from the head unit by picking up the switched +12 volts on the system enable wire (pin 5 of the ISO plug carrying the power).
One such device is the Veba AVFM-MOD01 unit for about £25 although there are other such devices (Revo, Dension, etc), and a high end unit designed for integrating the iPod with the HK system (Harman Kardon Drive+Play) for about £99; ideal for the Rangie in your life. Traffic alerts, for those who want to use them should still be operational since the aerial isnt actually disconnected; the stereo signal is just injected into it.
Im nothing to do with them but you can get more ideas from Auto Express. I hope that this is of some use to honourable members.
Here are some of the methods Ive heard of:
Replacing the head unit.
Replacing the head unit with a new one which will accept a memory card or USB memory stick. Not really an option since you will probably lose many or all of the other functions like the CD changer and steering wheel mounted controls. If you dont have a factory fitted ICE system, I quite liked the Akai ACAC-105UC radio. It has an SD card reader, USB socket and a front mounted line in socket as well as a single CD slot. And its not as blingy as many of the modern boy racer radios on the market.
The special tape cassette adapter.
A cheap and cheerful method of instantly connecting to your mp3 player. The sound quality leaves much to be desired and there can be some squeaking from the spools inside the cassette. Not the best method of connection but its OK as a quick fix as long as you have a tape cassette slot. Cost: less than a fiver.
Modified head unit
Getting the head unit modified to add an auxiliary stereo input socket. You can do this yourself with the right tools, circuit diagrams and other information, but there are some firms out there who will take lots of money to do it for you. At least this method will retain the use of all the usual functions, and in the case of the Hi-line Harman Kardon fit, still connect properly to sat-nav and the power amplifier under the left hand seat. Cost: About £75 from Roverville
Do-it-yourself connections
Do-it-yourself connections such as that detailed by Tony in this posting, which on the face of it will probably work reasonably or even very well (well for 79 minutes anyway). http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f9/mp3-conversion-45167.html. Cost: A few bits of wire and a blank CD.
FM Transmitters.
These devices act like another radio station to which you tune one of the preset channels and when they are switched on will transmit the mp3 files for a short distance. In the case of the Disco where the radio aerial is on one of the rear side windows this will often suffice so that a clear signal is received, where the aerial is outside the vehicle, such as on the roof or one of the wings, the signal level might not be sufficient and noisy reception could be experienced. These devices can be upset by repositioning them inside the vehicle and even by the introduction of other screening objects like passengers for instance.
There have also been some doubts raised on this forum about the legality of such devices, but since the device is not designed for general transmission to others but as a close proximity connection device, the usual transmitter regulations do not apply, and anyway, no Plod I know carries a field strength meter on his utility belt, besides which most of them are almost totally unaware of the technicalities of the laws surrounding the transmission of radio signals. Cost: About a tenner depending on which model you choose.
FM Modulators.
These devices are very similar to the FM transmitters but they are hard wired into the aerial system which means that there are fewer problems caused by external interference or other influential conditions. The re-transmission problem is also removed. Power for the device can be arranged from the head unit by picking up the switched +12 volts on the system enable wire (pin 5 of the ISO plug carrying the power).
One such device is the Veba AVFM-MOD01 unit for about £25 although there are other such devices (Revo, Dension, etc), and a high end unit designed for integrating the iPod with the HK system (Harman Kardon Drive+Play) for about £99; ideal for the Rangie in your life. Traffic alerts, for those who want to use them should still be operational since the aerial isnt actually disconnected; the stereo signal is just injected into it.
Im nothing to do with them but you can get more ideas from Auto Express. I hope that this is of some use to honourable members.
