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steve2222

498 posts

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#84370 29-May-2011 16:31
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I have a multi purpose cable (bought ex HK) that connects to the 30 pin connector of the iPhone and then splits into 2 with one split allowing you to charge the iPhone via the vehicle cigarette socket and the other spilt taking an audio feed from the iPhone to a 3.5mm stereo plug.

The stereo out cable is then connected to a car cassette deck adaptor (as our car has no Aux input).

The problem is the audio out signal is too strong and overloads the signal onto the tape deck heads such that even with the car audio volume on the lowest setting the sound is too loud and distorted.

Note: iPhone volume controls do not work on the audio out via the 30 pin socket.

Now I am old enough to remember that when cassette decks first became available they only had a Mic in socket for recording, but many people wanted to record radio from their transistor radio by connecting a 3.5mm plug to plug lead. But again the signal from the transistor radio overloaded the Mic input on the cassette deck. So a special 3.5mm plug to plug lead was introduced that I believe had a Resistor installed in it wired in parallel to reduce the signal strength.

QUESTION: does anyone have any idea what impedance that resistor would be - for some reason I have 150 ohms in my head.

Or, does anyone know where I could get such a lead to achieve my requirements of reducing the signal level.

I don't want to use the headphone jack on the iPhone if I can avoid it as this means two leads plugged into different sockets. The lead I have is quite nice as you only have to plug your phone into one cable when you get in the car. 

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richms
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  #475467 29-May-2011 16:58
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Yeah, those fake tapes dont like a real line level.

You need to know how much too loud it is to be able to figure out how much attenuation you need to provide. IMO, just get a 10k audio taper pot (stereo) and put that inline with it and you should be able to get it down to a level that suits. needs to be audio taper or you will have all your control bunched up at one end if its linear.




Richard rich.ms



boby55
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  #475469 29-May-2011 17:03
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Get a new head unit imo, ones with AUX inputs are only $50-60 from the warehouse for $80-90 for a decent sony one from the likes of repco.

richms
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  #475470 29-May-2011 17:13
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New headdeck is fine if the car has an ISO sized one, which most dont from about the mid 90's onwards, and to get a trimkit for ones (when they are even available) is way more than the cost of a half decent headdeck.

And then there are the cars where it has even more stuff built into it like the door locking remote etc. Ugh. pain in the ass.

And perhaps its not even their car?




Richard rich.ms



steve2222

498 posts

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  #475474 29-May-2011 17:24
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Exactly.

The car is a Ford Escape which has an oversized audio unit and has a factory fitted 6 deck CD changer which is physically separate, but integrated from a control perspective. 

TeWharau
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  #475588 29-May-2011 21:39
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Long shot, but I wonder if a piece or 2 of Sellotape on the "head" of the tape converter would drop the gain down?

Sorry in advance if this is a stupid idea...

Loismustdye
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  #475605 29-May-2011 22:58
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What about an FM transmitter?

caldazar
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  #475612 29-May-2011 23:25
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I don't want to use the headphone jack on the iPhone if I can avoid it as this means two leads plugged into different sockets. The lead I have is quite nice as you only have to plug your phone into one cable when you get in the car.


If you change your mind about this, just get a new headphone jack to cassette from the 2 dollar shop. I've bought a couple in the past and they work fine.


 
 
 

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steve2222

498 posts

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  #475629 30-May-2011 06:19
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TeWharau: Long shot, but I wonder if a piece or 2 of Sellotape on the "head" of the tape converter would drop the gain down?

Sorry in advance if this is a stupid idea...


Worth a go - thanks 

steve2222

498 posts

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  #475630 30-May-2011 06:22
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Loismustdye: What about an FM transmitter?


Yes I have one of those.

Got one that can charge the iPhone at the same time, so in theory that suited the purpose.

Except the charger was not powerful enough to keep the phone charged when using it on a trip with music playing and Google Maps (GPS) on the whole time.

Also the FM Transmitter was prone to be a bit flakey and also picked up some of that noise interference you get off the Vodafone signal. 

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