Aux Input, On Its Way

[rktktpaul]

Peet -

In conjunction to that cable, you will also need this:

http://www.logjamelectronics.com/piemazpcalp.html

Both these items will get you where you want to be.

Hey guys - I've been following this thread for a little while and I'm ready to buy... but I need to make sure I'm getting the right product.

I've got a 2004 Mazda 3 (pretty little silver hatchback) with the stock CD player, not the 6 disc changer. I want to add an AUX input. Is this all I need(besides an RCA to minijack cable, which I already have?):
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/piealpmrca.html

I've read some of you saying you got your product and it works fine, I'm just making sure I'm buying the right thing. Was it tough to install? I've never modded my car audio, should I just bring it to an installer and have them do it?

Thanks guys.

-Peet
Lead singer of To The Rescue
www.purevolume.com/ToTheRescue

 

[eyocum]

I got to this forum set looking for aux input for my Tribute 03. Looking at the pictures posted for the mods I seem to have the same type, but I'd like to doublecheck. If anybody wrote them down when they had their units out, my model number is 2T24 18C838 AA with a faceplate number of 4160. The pictures of the back and bottom though are identical with mine.

My unit is the basic AM/FM/CD, with an empty insert for the Minidisc or Cassette.


Thanks for any advice!

 

[ZapWizard]

I am still interested in getting AUX-IN.

But at the current prices that cost $80 for the Mazda to Kenwood converter.
And an extra $149 for an Ipod to Kenwood connection.

Has anyone reverse engineered these interfaces?
The analog audio input is there.
The first step would be the codes needed to activate the AUX input.
The second step would be to find the codes needed for remote control of an Ipod.

It shouldn't take more then a single microcontroller.

 

[iluvmacs]

Hey, is there a way we can get signal info from someone who has a convertor?

Hook up the cables to an audio source, but not the head unit. Then use an oscilloscope to get signal characteristics to determine what the head unit requires from that connector.

Possible? We could make a RCA or headphone input convertor (not that alpine stuff) if we knew what the head unit required in terms of signal.

 

[DaViper]

Here's my luck with the adapter...I'm not sure if it's a defective one, but it was a royal PITA and I am now just living with my itrip for my ipod, rahter than an aux in...oh well....
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1202419#post1202419

-DaViper

 

[Sprousa]

Really what would be great is if u could just get the cable the connects the HU to the PIE adapter...on another post there is the pin outs for the white connector on the back of the HU ex: right in + right in - etc. you could just splice ur RCA in jacks or mini plug into the adapter and not have to spend 120 bux or so.....

 

[ghetto waggon]

I havent been checking the thread for a couple months now, but its awesome to see something's out. Is this what one would need to run, say Sirius to the stock HU with direct input? Which cables would be needed for that?

Also, for you guys with the ipod, how are you running the wires? I am not a fan of the loose wires in the car, i/e radar detector, cigarette adapter, etc.

thanks!

 

[Sprousa]

?!?

I think u haft to tell the hu that something is connected because I dont think u can use the aux input unless u do but if we could find a way to get around that it would be great

 

[Altedge]

Man, somebody email me if this rosetta stone adaptor becomes a reality - the FM transmitter route just sucks!

 

[rktktpaul]

Now that I've spent more time with this interface, I'm beginning to understand it better. I've been able to figure out that until the interface is used, the HU works normally; you can access multiple discs in the HU just as always. However, it seems that once you use the interface, the interface sends a signal to the HU indicating that a device is online, and the disc controls on the HU revert to controlling the external device. To clear this and regain control of the multiple disc funtion in the stock HU, you need to shut down the car. Powering off the HU doesn't do it.

 

[1sty]

WHat happens when you shut down the power to the interfaced device?

 

[rktktpaul]

WHat happens when you shut down the power to the interfaced device?

Craig, it appears to get its power from the HU.

 

[1sty]

Craig, it appears to get its power from the HU.

Its hard to explain what I mean quickly so I will elaberate on my question. I am wondering what the interface and radio will do if the power to the device being interfaced with is powered off. Like if you have an Ipod and your using it and simply disconnect the ipod or turn off its power.

 

[Micah]

For all this trouble, just buy a new head unit with an aux in. Hell, any Alpine with AI-Net can do it with the proper adapter from Alpine. (I'm using one for my dvd player)

 

[rktktpaul]

Its hard to explain what I mean quickly so I will elaberate on my question. I am wondering what the interface and radio will do if the power to the device being interfaced with is powered off. Like if you have an Ipod and your using it and simply disconnect the ipod or turn off its power.

No, it doesn't reset it. It seems that once the interface is initialized, its on until all the components are shut down and restarted.

 

[remme00]

I need to hook up my amp to my new rear speakers, but the amp only has rca jack for the input, anyone know how to hook this up? do I need a kit?

 

[chuyler1]

You need a Line Out Converter (LOC). Do a search. This topic does not belong in this thread.

 

[DrummerJim50]

I want to get XM satellite radio for my car and connect it to my HU as well. Will this PIE unit do this?

As a side note, I've been emailing Joe Hobart at Soundgate and he was saying he has an auxilliary input ready (I'm waiting for a response from him as to how it hooks up to the HU - ideally it would plug into the MD/tape connection). The best case would be for it to hook up to the MD/tape connection because then I wouldn't have to mess with my CD changer at all, and could likely hook up anything I want to it. He said they've bench tested it and it works correctly but they just need to test it on an actual car. Anyone live in Wyoming (where Soundgate is located) who would like to volunteer their car (and likely get a free unit)??

Here is Joe's email - although apparently he doesn't know how to use punctuation.

Jim if we could find a test car i have a piece that's ready to go i just
need to make sure it keeps the bus open in a car weve tested on a bench and
it works fine but we always test in cars before we release something just to
be safe that its going to work and not drop out after start up or anything
like that.

Joe Hobart
Head of Technical Support
Soundgate

 

[dewberry]

I ordered the MAZ/PC-ALP auxiliary input converter from discountcarstereo.com, and got it hooked up to the HU in my 03 Protege5 in about 5 minutes. I definitely recommend getting the set of Ford removal keys (total cost: $8.99 canadian) rather than go the coathanger route...but YMMV. Also, to remove the small covers along the side of the unit, just use a straightened paper clip with a tiny bend in the end. Just slip it in sideways, turn it 90 degrees, and pull.

Anyways, I got it installed no problem, but when I connected my iPod through the headphone jack, it sounded like crap -- lots of distortion. I thought it might just be a level problem, but there was distortion even when the iPod was set at low volume. So I tried connecting my iPod through the line level output on the dock. That sounded even worse. So at this point I'm not sure what to do. Maybe I've just got a defective component. I've emailed Discount Car Stereo to ask them about the problem.

Has anyone else run into this problem, or have any suggestions? I don't think it's a grounding problem, because the sound is distorted only at medium volumes, and there is no buzzing sound.

 

[rktktpaul]

I run into the same thing at times. I find that I can't push the volume on the iPod more than 2/3 level before distorting.

But I also get what you're getting where it doesn't matter where the volume level is - it distorts anyway. I find that the only time it does for me is when my iPod lays flat; if I place it in my cupholder vertically, the distortion goes away. Can't explain it, it just does.