How Do I Connect iPod To Car Via Car's MP3 Input?

Your MP3 input of the car will either have a male mini jack (3.5mm) input or RCA-type L/R inputs. Match up the car input to the iPod input.

More importantly, supply the iPod audio from the dock connector, rather then the amplified headphone jack. You'll get noticeably improved audio that way.

See the links below for some cables and adaptors:
Mini Jack to Mini Jack: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=38477 1&CatId=0
"Stereo link for iPod": http://www.nyko.com/nyko/products/?i=44#
PocketDock: https://www.sendstation.com/us/products/pd_lousb.html

The PocketDock will connect thru the dock connector and give you 'line-out' capability via a 3.5mm mini jack AND power in (via USB or Firewire - depending on the model). You still need to supply the right cables, but several are supplied with the unit. It may be all you need to connect the iPod to the stereo.

My suggestion is to get the PocketDock w/USB port, a USB DC car adaptor (that receives the thin male USB end), a regular USB cable, and the Mini Jack to ??? cable for connecting to the MP3 input (Still have no clue to which input you have).

With this setup, you can power/charge the iPod, and provide the cleanest audio to the stereo thru the dock.

As for finding the PocketDock, I have seen it several places. Google may help. I ordered two direct from Sendstation in Germany. Came quick with a free shipping promotion as well. Shop around via the Internet. You may locate it at a 'brick & mortar' shop near you.

Don't know about retailers but you can order direct from them.
https://www.sendstation.com/us/store/

What type of audio input port does the Element have? A MiniJack, or an RCA, or other?

Either of the first two PocketDocks will have the 'line-out' feature you need. The last two will not. Look at the pictures.

From there, it's a matter of cabling from the PocketDock 3.5mm line-out output jack to the Element's " ?????" input. You still haven't specified what that is. Do I need to research this for myself?

I don't know how I can draw the dots any closer. Help me out here.


Dell Inspiron 8600 Laptop -- 1.25GB RAM - 100GB HD -- Windows XP Pro SP2 -- 2nd Gen 4GB Blue iPod mini -- Backed Up Thrice

OK -- That's most likely a 3.5mm MiniJack connection. The PocketDock will come with a MiniJack cable that will connect to the bottom on the PocketDock/iPod and then connect to the car stereo. No need to buy another cable.

Your only choice is which power/sync connection do you prefer. I would strongly suggest the USB one (unless you have been using Firewire). i.e. - the Line Out USB Pack single @ USD 29.95

With the USB/line out PocketDock, you can power the iPod with a DC car charger that terminates in a USB connection (like the normal iPod USB cable). Unlike the iPod USB cable, you will need a traditional USB cable to hook up between the PocketDock/iPod and the car DC charger.

Here are examples of a USB DC car charger that would work:
http://www.macally.com/spec/ipod/usbcig.html
http://www.supermediastore.com/ipod-shuffle-usb-car-charger.html
http://store.l-f-l.com/cgi-bin/cp-app.cgi?pg=prod&ref=USB-CAR-CHARGER

All you would need is the USB 'A to B' cable:
http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/usb_cables.html#usb

Hey

Before you buy anything, I also have a Honda Element and just went to my local Radio Shack, bought the 3.5mm MiniJack cable (male-male), plugged one end into the iPod and the other end into the AUX jack on the Element. It sounds great and I spent about $4.00.