OK I just got a Panasonic CD/MP3/WMA player to replace the stock radio in my gen 1 HCH. The new MP3 player is disk based but has a cool option to hook up to an iPod with an adapter. I understand that this adapter charges the iPod and also displays iPod info on the radio and even allows the radio to control the iPod. This all sounds very cool and I'd like to set my car up with a such a system.

Now the tricky part:

I don't have an iPod but I do have a 8GB Creative ZEN MP3 player. Can I use the ZEN instead of an iPod? If so please link to the seller of such an adapter....

Part 2:

I've heard that iPods are restricted in what you can put on (or perhaps take off of)them. With an iPod can you rip your own CDs to MP3 and put them on the iPod or do they only take iTunes? Can an iPod play wma or ogg files?

I don't know if you"ll find any adapter that will allow you to charge and control tracks on another player. Most other devices/adapters only allow you to output the audio to your headunit.

-Tim

2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid AWD
Black with Pebble interior
Premium Package with Nav & Moonroof



Current ODO: 22,909
Typical Drive: 20 min crosstown in heavy traffic (3.5mi there and back twice a day)


457 Gallons of gas saved
That's 9,150 lbs less CO2

If it charges the adapter is probably going to be an iPod dock connection. Yes you can rip CDs and put mp3s on an iPod. I'm pretty sure you have to use iTunes to get music onto the iPod, unless you're using it in disk mode, but then i doubt it would work in your car or as a portable rock out device. You won't be able to put wma files on it but I'm sure you can find a program somewhere to convert your files to a compatible format.

There are several alternatives to iTunes including WinAmp plugins and even alternative iPod operating systems like Rock Box. You can play any non-DRM'ed mp3 on it, includig ones you download, and iTunes will convert non-DRM'ed wma files. There are even programs out there that will attempt to remove the DRM from your wma files, making them playable on an iPod. I've never tried to import an ogg file, oddly enough. If iTunes does import it, it will probably try to convert it to aac.

Thanks guys.

I put the radio in today and skipped the whole input/ipod end of the project for now. The new MP3 player is disk based and since I just also fixed my laptop it will be pretty easy to just burn MP3 disks for now. I like to listen to audio books on the road and swapping disks is a pain. Pretty much any audio book will fit on a single disk if you MP3 it.

I have an Alpine aftermarket stereo in my Insight which my iPod is connected to. iPods will play any music you upload to itunes. The iPod lives in my glove box and it is controlled thru the stereo. I also have the Sirius satelite radio set up that way as well. No iPod or sirius box cluttering my tiny lil car. It make life in the car that much easier. You could probably find a iPod mini on ebay for a good price since they were stop being made a couple years ago.