Home > Articles > Home & Office Computing > Entertainment/Gaming/Gadgets

This chapter is from the book

This chapter is from the book

iPodpedia: The Ultimate iPod and iTunes ResourceiPodpedia: The Ultimate iPod and iTunes Resource

Learn More Buy

This chapter is from the book

This chapter is from the book

iPodpedia: The Ultimate iPod and iTunes ResourceiPodpedia: The Ultimate iPod and iTunes Resource

Learn More Buy

Connecting via an FM Transmitter

The last type of iPod in-car connection we discuss is the most popular, but it's also the most problematic.

The technology is simple—a small FM transmitter connects to your iPod and transmits the iPod audio over an unused FM frequency to your car's FM radio. Although this type of system is simple to implement and use, the resulting sound quality often leaves a lot to be desired; the sound is noticeably lower fidelity than you get with any other connection method.

In addition, you often run into the issue of finding a free FM frequency, especially in large cities. And if you're on a long road trip, you must change frequencies as you drive from town to town, depending on which frequencies local FM stations are using. Even if you find an unused frequency, you might not also get good reception between your iPod and your FM radio. Like I said, this type of connection is problematic.

However, FM transmission is also very popular; unlike other connection methods, you can use FM transmission in virtually any vehicle that has an FM radio. It's also a portable solution, which is nice if you're using a rental car or move your iPod between multiple family vehicles. And, of course, it's a clean connection; there are no cables involved.

The typical FM transmitter attaches to the dock connector or earphone jack on your iPod and features some way to change and display FM frequencies. For example, the DLO TransDock, shown in Figure 14.7, connects to your iPod's dock connector, and then lets you scroll through the available FM frequencies. Set the frequency and then dial your car radio to the same frequency to hear what your iPod is playing. The TransDock is nice in that it also connects to your car's cigarette lighter, to power both the TransDock and your iPod; it also transmits video signals to an in-car video system, if you have a video iPod. You can purchase it for $99.99 from www.dlo.com.

Figure 14.7

Figure 14.7 The DLO TransDock FM transmitter for iPod audio and video.

TIP

When you're shopping for an iPod FM transmitter, look for a model that offers a large number of available frequencies. Some models only have a handful of preset frequencies; the more frequencies available, the more likely you'll find a free frequency to use for your iPod.

Other popular FM transmitters include the following:

TIP

The higher-priced FM transmitters tend to include an AC power adapter and plug into your car's cigarette lighter for power. Lower-priced models are either battery powered or derive their power from the iPod—which shortens your iPod's battery life.

As you can see from the wide variety of available models, this is a popular way to connect your iPod in the car.

Choosing the Right Connection

I wish my 2004 Audi were iPod compatible, but it was manufactured before iPod connectivity became common. Like most of you, if I want to play my iPod in the car, I face a choice between installation convenience, sound quality, and everyday operation.

The one option I've tried and cannot personally recommend is that of FM transmission. Where I live, it's near impossible to find a free FM frequency; even the supposedly "empty" frequencies have too much background noise for most FM transmitters to overpower. I simply can't get an FM transmitter to work for me.

My car does have a cassette player (and I don't know why; I've never used it), so I could go the cassette adapter route. The sound is acceptable, but the mess isn't. That is, I really don't want a cable trailing out the front of the cassette deck to a hanging iPod. Too messy for me.

Because I also don't want to replace my factory audio system with an aftermarket model, I'm left with the option of installing a direct connection kit. It should be easy enough to find a kit that works with my Audi Symphony audio system, and this approach will give me the best possible sound quality—something that matters very much to my ears. The clean installation is also a good thing, with no cables trailing around the dash. It's not the cheapest way to go, but it offers the best results, at least for me.

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020