Will this work? Car A2DP project

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brownbox

149 posts

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#36950 4-Jul-2009 20:10

heres my problem
My car has a kenwood headunit with a 3.5mm aux input via the cd changer plug. Now this is all good, but having a 3.5mm wire hanging around is just tacky.
What I need is a bluetooth a2dp receiver with a audio output

So far the best I could come up with was:
One of these (I already have one)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/iPod-MP3-accessories/Cables/auction-227131260.htm

This connects to the 3.5mm with one of these
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Computers/Cables-adaptors/Audio/auction-227408746.htm

So I have audio output from my iphone to the headunit via the dock connector plug on the phone.

Next I use one of these
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/iPod-MP3-accessories/Chargers/Car-chargers/auction-227918357.htm

To plug the USB from the ipod tv out cable into power. I would splice the power for the headunit to run this adapter

Last but not least, I use this to take my bluetooth phone (iphone 3G on 3.0, or any other bluetooth device) and connect it to the headunit. This is powered off the ipod tv out dock connector plug.
http://www.expansys.co.nz/d.aspx?i=173341

Total cost=$150.05 which hands down beats the price of a new headunit, and sounds like fun to do

Heres a rough picture i drew in paint to decribe my plan.

Are there any decent a2dp receivers with audio output connectors (either rca or 3.5mm) for sale or must I go ahead with this plan of mine?

paradoxsm

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#231080 4-Jul-2009 23:51

A2DP devices do vary, you probably want one that does not beep, I made a home-amplifier with one inside a while back and it worked moderately ok.

I used an early prototype so cannot comment on the current but it should work well enough. Do bear in mind the sound is not "flawless" though it's decent enough to certainly live with.

In reality, you may be better just spending the cash on a new headunit that supports a2dp as all those connectors would be worse than just one 3.5mm plug!

brownbox

149 posts

Master Geek

#231115 5-Jul-2009 08:53

as a friend of mine once said, it doesnt matter what the wirings like as long as its hidden behind the wall. All of this would be hidden under the centre console/dash.

Cheers for the reply. Ive read reviews on that anycom bluetooth module and it seems to do very well in SQ tests.

chiefie

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#231132 5-Jul-2009 11:02

Have you check out Sony's BT Transmitter/Receiver?

The only thing though is, it seems like it's powered from a DC 4.5v, so if you can get a car-power adapter to power that then you're pretty portable.

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paradoxsm

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#231150 5-Jul-2009 12:33

I wrote a big long explanation then GZ bumped me off and I lost it, ARGH.

I had to blow the image up, I could not see it too well as this site had resized it, my last explanation was a bit skewed.

Does that bluetooth unit have an ipod connector? I would suggest getting a bluetooth adaptor that takes a standard mini-usb connector for power and 3.5mm socket for audio then you can just plug the unit directly into it keeping the cables to a minimum. You can do what you suggested with the cigarette power device or you can take it apart and compact it down a bit and place it away (in an exclosure)

let me know how you get on.

freitasm

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#231155 5-Jul-2009 12:48

paradoxsm: I had to blow the image up, I could not see it too well as this site had resized it, my last explanation was a bit skewed.

The site didn't resize the image. I did. It is still in the original size, I just added a "width" tag - simply because it is too wide and causing horizontal scrolling.

Click here to see it in its original size.

ajobbins

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#231157 5-Jul-2009 13:02

Why not just get a headunit with bluetooth built in?

paradoxsm

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#231175 5-Jul-2009 14:59

brownbox: as a friend of mine once said, it doesnt matter what the wirings like as long as its hidden behind the wall. All of this would be hidden under the centre console/dash.

That is unless you were in the car I was driving yesterday. Some wires shorted out because the Autocrat (Yes, a lovely push-button AM jobby) had been pushed into the rats nest behind causing some lovely 1956 smoke.

Just looked further at the Anycom, quite a nice unit, supports both the default SBC and seems to also support mp3 codec in-situ.
I wonder what the postage would be like on that item? be nice if there was a local supplier (with local shipping prices) for one as $110 is not bad.

Friestasm, sorry I was contrained by the combination of MSIE 6 and Palm Treo Pro PIE-6. in MZ-3.0 I'd normally just "middle click" the image in a new tab.

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chiefie

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#231192 5-Jul-2009 16:32

I do second AdamJ's suggestion for a BT compatible headunit, or even one that is Made for iPod headunit be suffice.

By the time you spend getting a BT receiver, you'd be half way through the cost of a new headunit.

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brownbox

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Master Geek

#231230 5-Jul-2009 18:27

adamj: Why not just get a headunit with bluetooth built in?

Normally i would, but I am now a fulltime tertiary student which means that funds are limited and time is readily available. (theres also the fun factor of managing to pull this off and having it working)

As for shipping, im not sure what it would be TBH. It is quite a small unit so im guessing it has less of a chance of breaking the bank.

chiefie: Have you check out Sony's BT Transmitter/Receiver?

The only thing though is, it seems like it's powered from a DC 4.5v, so if you can get a car-power adapter to power that then you're pretty portable.

The 4.5v should be easy enough to jimmy up, but im a little concerned about the price of it.

The anycom unit has a ipod dock connector style plug on it where it gets the power to run the unit and sends the audio signal

ajobbins

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#231233 5-Jul-2009 18:32

If you sold your current head unit you may well be able to replace it for what you get for your current one plus what you were already going to spend. And it would likely be a much cleaner and reliable system

brownbox

149 posts

Master Geek

#231251 5-Jul-2009 18:50

my headunit is only worth $100 on a good day. Its definately due for an upgrade but the only head units im keen on which have bluetooth seem to be $350 and up. Are those cheap no brand headunits on trademe any good? (i run my speakers off an amp, so it just has to look good and play the radio+have bluetooth)