Connecting audio & power through dock connector in car?

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Connecting audio & power through dock connector in car?

I currently connect my nano directly to my car stereo through the dock connector. I know they have car chargers that connect to the dock connector. My question is this: Is there is any kind of dock that will run the audio through the connector and also allow connection to a charger at the same time?

Toshiba Satellite, Windows XP

Posted on Oct 30, 2007 7:58 AM

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Answer 1

PT

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Oct 30, 2007 8:19 AM in response to psyclguy

The answer is yes, but I don't personally use one so can not recommend specific brands. But to answer your question, both the power pins for charging and audio outputs (as well as video) are available on the dock connector, so there are devices that can both charge and play through the dock.
Patrick

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Answer 2

PT

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Oct 30, 2007 8:41 AM in response to psyclguy

Ya, I think most of the all in one solutions tend to be the ones built into certain car stereos. For example, you might buy an Alpine or a Kenwood with built in iPod support and they will have a single dock connector cable that will do everything from that cable including charging, getting the audio signals AND even allowing you to control the iPod (change tracks, etc.) through the stereo head unit interface.
But if you are looking for just a cable that plugs into your cig lighter and from the same dock connection also has a plug that goes to the aux connector of a generic stereo unit, you might have a harder time finding something like that.
Patrick

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Answer 3

PT

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Oct 30, 2007 8:47 AM in response to psyclguy

OK here is one I ran across that might work for you. It has RCA jacks for the audio output, so you could plug them into the RCA Aux jacks on the back of many head units.
If you have a 1/8 phono jack on the front of the head unit, then you would need to convert the RCA jacks back to 1/8 phono with an adapter cable or slice it up and wire in your own phono plug. Is that how your unit is? A 1/8" headphone type plug on the front of the unit?
http://www.installer.com/item/display_item.php?it=aip-rca
warning: picture took a LONG time to show up for me.
Patrick

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Answer 4

PT

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Oct 30, 2007 10:15 AM in response to psyclguy

Perhaps we should back up a bit. Which car stereo do you have (brand/model)? Is this cable you have a custom cable that you came up with or is this cable supplied by the car stereo's manufacturer? What kind of plug is it on the back of the stereo?
Patrick

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Answer 5

psyclguy Author

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Oct 30, 2007 11:37 AM in response to PT

I have a 2000 Acura TL, factory unit, (I think it's manufactured by Alpine). I have a USA Spec interface connected directly to the CD control port on the back of the stereo. The interface has RCA inputs which I've connected to the ipod dock connector using an RCA to dock connector cable.

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Answer 6

PT

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Oct 30, 2007 12:15 PM in response to psyclguy

Ok so the head unit doesn't have RCA inputs but the interface cable gives you those. So you have...
Head Unit with CD changer connector --- factory cable with CD changer connector on one end and then RCA jacks hanging off the other? -- then you plugged in an iPod cable which is nothing more than a dock connector on one end and two RCA jacks on the other???
Patrick

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Answer 7

psyclguy Author

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Oct 30, 2007 1:08 PM in response to PT

Yes, I've seen this. It wasn't available when I purchased mine a couple of years ago. I'm just trying to keep the cost a little lower than $110 just for charging purposes. Although, this unit gives you access to the ipod controls.

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