Ipod in place of CD Changer - Is it possible with PCM1

Has anyone with PCM augmented/replaced the CD changer with an Ipod/something similar or is it indeed possible? I see from the web that there are install kits available that utilise the CD Changer connection on the car audio equipment to install an Ipod. I assume that this is a normal head unit and not an integrated comms unit such as PCM 1 or 2. It would be good to have my entire CD collection in the car and not just 6CD's But if someone has an authoritative view I would like to hear it. TIA RB C4 2000 PCM1

Try the iTrip. It's technically illegal in the UK (but available in the US) as it's an FM transmitter. There are others available (can't remember the one I use as it's not to hand at the moment). It plugs into the headphone socket on your MP3 (be it an iPod or something else) and transmits a low power FM signal which you tune the radio into....cunning.

Hi John, Thanks for this info. I have read somewhere that the transmitters suffer from interference - any experience of this?

Lots of different sorts of adapters here ON EBAY Ive heard from a mate that........ depending on the area you live in the Itrip can as said above ^ be a pain due to the strength and locality of the radio stations

Forget transmitters, a damned fool idea. What you need is a proper connector system http://www.dension.com/main.php?pageid=50&topid=42 BMW are now offering this as a factory fit option no less, and Porsche should hang their heads in shame that they are not doing the same. I don't think they have even managed to make their CD players play MP3 yet! John H

Ooops sorry, but at least you will be doing it properly! You might also look at the Dension cartridge system, a head unit which accepts a cartridge with a hard drive in it, very clever. Should be on that website. Now why won't someone come up with a simple head unti where you just slot the iPod into it, so simple, so obvious! JH

So it will never happen [ ]

Elliot, All these years amongst the southern heathens have robbed you of your faith in your fellow man. [ ] Sadly, you have become a cynical old man, and you still just a mere youth[ ] Time to return and recharge your personal batteries on good old Burntisland sea air [ ] Happy Xmas matey [8D]

Thanks John ......... I was thinking about getting one of these for my ipod then i remembered i actually have an Sony CD/MP3 system installed in the 'S' No need to have 600 albums in 1 car, a bit excessive IMO Merry xmas to you both John Maybe see you in the new year........... Ipod in pocket [ ]

I take it that there is still no solution for those of us with the 23 model head unit which i think is v.late '02 onwards??

The talk on this thread has highlighted the various methods of using Ipod or something similar but has not concluded if the available connectivity with the various systems on the market will align with the controls of the PCM. What I would want is something along the lines of the Dension DMP3A system in place of the CD Changer (the Desion DMP3A is a MP3 hard drive storage/player system that will store music in file format). I contacted the company and they re-directed me to a distributor website http://www.ihavetohave.it/acatalog/DMP3___universal_installation.html On the page the blurb says this: This version of the Dension DMP3 is suitable for use with virtually any head unit. The DMP3's audio output is fed either directly to the head unit's auxilliary input or indirectly via the aerial input using the optional FM modulator. The list of compatible vehicle manufacturer does not include Porsche (well there's a surprise) so I can deduce from that I 'm stuck with 6 Cd's at one time then? Which is annoying because this thing comes with 80GB and can store 1,000 cd's. It is portable so it can be connected to a PC via USB for uploading the Cd's and can even be plugged into the Hi Fi indoors. I have CD's cluttering up the homestead and to be able to pack them away somewhere but still have access to all of them at the push of the button seems a step forward to me. Got to finish on that note (pun intended) as I need to decide which 6 Cd's to put in the cartridge for a trip from the South Coast to the Midlands! RB

1. Road to Hell (Chris Rea) 2. Road to Nowhere (Talking Heads) 3. 4. 5. 6. [ ] (And with no insult to the Midlands intended - it's just boring on the M'Way for hours and hours and hours...)

Mark, Can't resist it 3. Cars (Gary Nuwman) 4. Drive (who's gonna Drive you home) (The Cars) 5. I've been driving in my car (Maddness) and finally 6. Autobahn (well the thing is German after all) (Kraftwerk) RB

The problem here is that this thread is a year or two ahead of itself. Most car manufacturers have been painfully slow to wake up to the possibilities of MP3 and digital storage in general, no doubt as they would rather keep selling us existing kit like CD changers which requires no further R&D from them, and on which they have a scandalous profit margin. [ ] Some manufacturers are at least offering standard fit head units which will play MP3 encoded CD's, which of course does away at a stroke with the need for a CD changer, as you can easliy fit a dozen albums on one CDr. Funnily enoutgh, it is many of the budget manufacturers who are leading the way on this, but with an honourable mention to BMW for their iPod connectivity. So ... come on Porsche, WAKE UP! [&:] John H

John, I think you sum it up in a nutshell. My wife has just placed an order for a VW Golf GTD and I can see that I can fit a MP player on to that - so as you, say wake up Porsche RB

I have just noticed that VW have a music hard drive option for the new Golf GTi called Phatnoise (see here for details http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/gti/accessories ) While this is highly ccommendable, they are taking the p*ss with the price ... £586 [ ] ... for a 20Gb drive and a few connectors! Phatchance more like. [:'(] Why do all car manufacturers treat us like fools? [ ] John H

Hmm, a bit more surfing leads me to the Phatnoise website itself, and what do we find but a page of Porsche compatible models. http://www.phatnoise.com/products/digitalmediaplayers/porsche.php Sadly not compatible with PCM or the latest stuff, but we are making progress. Still looks expensive though, albeit quoted in $. JH

I use the Belkin 2 FM transmitter with my 40gb i-river and it's great as long as you can find a frequency to tune it to, the fm airwaves are certainly getting mighty crowded. Just bought a Nakamichi CD Tuner for the Porsche with an Aux input so will run straight into that now, much better idea

Alpine ipod Link iCruze

Hannah's, Tom? I might see about getting a demo. Pioneer and panasonic are reportedly bringing out a similar system. The Alpine system is the most advanced availabe at the moment. With the other links, you can't view track names etc on the head unit (at the moment) nor can you scroll through albums, artists and playlists etc. The downside seems to be the slow scroll rate through the lists and the fact that you can't see the list of albums ahead and behind the one you're on (like on the ipod itself). ***Handy Ipod Forum Here***

I recently replaced my head unit, and the new one play's MP3's, its great, i can fit 13 - 14 albums onto one disc or if i compress the data, i can get around 20 albums onto one disc. However there are some top end head units which will read DVD's which is 4.7 gb rather than 800mb, which relates to about 120 albums [ ]. Also i have played around with audio in, my new head unit has an audio in jack on the back and i have a little MP3 stick which i just simply plug in and away it goe's. Mind you its tricky to find the track you really want. Marc

This is the same as the Kenwood music Keg, think it's a little cheaper. http://www.justkenwood.co.uk/stock01/khdc710.asp The ideal solution in my mind is MP3's on a cartridge so it's easy to move between car & home, easy user interface (so forget the iPOD) and also has DAB to get some decent reception for Five Live - and yes I am sad..... If anyone has this today I'm interested.