The Knowhow
Getting to and from the airport: how to connect an iPod to your car stereo
Long journeys always feel shorter when you've got something good to listen to. With an iPod able to hold your whole collection of music, podcasts and audiobooks, it's the perfect option for keeping you and your passengers entertained. There are a number of ways to get your iPod connected to your car stereo, and many are quick, cheap and simple to set up.
If your car comes with a cassette deck
You'll need to invest in a special attachment to play an iPod in the car; this small piece of kit isn't expensive (about £10-£15) and it produces a clear, high-quality sound.
The cassette adaptor is inserted into the cassette player's drive, and it then plays your iTunes music library through the cassette player:
If your car comes with a CD-Player
Most vehicles now come with an in-built CD-Player as standard:
You can choose to play your iPod through the stereo by using:
The headphone jack:
- Some car stereos have an audio input socket
- This will accept the same 3.5 jack as your iPod
- Use a stereo cable with single 3.5 jacks at both ends to connect the devices
- Change your car stereo to the audio input mode. This may be called "Aux in" or "Line in". The user guide will give you full details
An FM radio adaptor:
- This transmitter connects to your iPod and transmits an FM signal
- Tune the car radio into the signal and you can hear what your iPod is playing
- The FM signal may be weak and also prone to interference
- You may need to adjust the device's signal to a frequency where no other station is broadcasting
- Most of these devices draw power from the iPod or need to be plugged into the cigarette lighter
- You will not get your iPod's optimal sound quality using this method
A USB port:
- Some modern car stereos have USB inputs
- You can directly connect your device using the iPod USB cable
- You may be able to control the iPod from your stereo or radio control stalk. Check your car's manual for details
- Some stereo systems will charge also the device through the USB cable
- Certain models are certified "Made For iPod". These will allow extra control of your iPod through the stereo's controls
- Change the audio input mode to USB. Many stereos automatically detect when an iPod is connected
At the hotel: how to use your iPod dock or charger in another country
In the UK, we use a three-pin system for our electrical sockets, but most other countries use a two-pronged plug. There are similar differences between electrical currents, and so you need to be careful when charging your Apple device abroad. The 'wrong' electrical current level can cause serious problems, so to avoid damaging your iPod here's what you need to know:
- The official Apple iPod charger will work automatically with voltages around the world - you do not need an additional power transformer
- 'Unofficial' chargers may not work safely with other voltages. Check the packaging or documentation for more information
- You may need an adapter to convert a three prong plug to the local format
- Apple sell an official World Traveller Kit, with adapters for many countries, designed for iPods, iPads and iPhones
- You can charge your iPod using a USB lead connected to a computer as normal
- It is fine to use the official Apple Universal Dock abroad
- Unofficial docks or docks connected to speakers may need power transformers or adapters to work properly. Check the user guide before use
