retain control of ipod when connected to usb

Question

Level 1

4 points

retain control of ipod when connected to usb

I am trying to use my iPod in my car through the car's audio system USB port. This allows me to charge the iPod while I'm listening to it. Unfortunately, once the iPod is connected, I have to control it through the car's audio system (the wheel/menus on the iPod become inactive). The user interface on my car is monumentally stupid! All the ease and sexiness of the iPod is completely lost. Honestly, it would be easier to use 8-track tapes than to try to find my music on the iPod through the car's interface.

I thought this was unique to my car, but googling I see that practically everyone who uses their iPod like this in their car hates their car's menus/controls.

First, I wonder why no manufacturer can figure out how to retain the elegance of the iPod's own interface, or why Apple doesn't design something and license it to all headunit manufacturers.

Not, I do have the option of listening to my iPod through the AUX port (but then I can't charge it at the same time) - because as soon as I plug anything into the dock connector on the bottom of the iPod - no control through the click wheel again.

So here's the real question ... is there a way (or a hack) to allow the iPod to be connected to a dock (for charging) but still allow the click wheel / menus to be active? On a computer, I could "eject" the device but not unplug it from the USB port, but on the car there is no "ejecting" of the device.

iPod classic

Posted on Nov 28, 2011 12:53 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 28, 2011 2:50 PM in response to tbartman

Odd question: Why not just not use the USB port. You can easily pick up a car charger for your iPod, together with a cord to connect it to AUX port. There are many companies that make such devices, and then you don't have to lose the iPod interface. This is what I do.

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Answer 2

tbartman Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 1, 2011 6:51 AM in response to CaliforniaHighwaysGuy

I think I said in the first sentence that I am using the USB port. What I'm saying is this ... whenever I plug something into the bottom of the iPod (the dock connector, not the 3.5 mm aux port), the controls on the actual iPod become disabled. The screen says something like "connected" and the click wheel does nothing. Then the only way to control the iPod (choose music) is through whatever the iPod is connected to (in this case, my car's audio system).

I want to circumvent this so that I can have the iPod charging (through the dock connector/USB port) but I can still select music on the face of the iPod itself.

I can use the aux port of the iPod to send music to my car's audio system, but then the iPod will be discharging. As soon as I plug anything into the bottom to charge it, again the iPod cannot be controlled on its face.

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Answer 3

Dec 1, 2011 7:16 AM in response to tbartman

If you were to plug your iPod into an external charger... that is, one you plug into the wall outlet and that plugs into the dock connector on your iPod, do you lose all control of your iPod? (this is completely independent of your use of the iPod in the car)

If you retain control with an external charger, what I'm suggesting is to not use the USB plug in the car. Instead, get one of those car chargers that plug into the cigarette lighter outlets, and use those to charge the iPod while use use the aux port to send the audio to the car system.

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Answer 4

CDJunkie

Level 2

155 points

Dec 1, 2011 9:18 AM in response to tbartman

Many receivers (like the JVC in my wife's car and the Alpine in my pickup) have a "head mode" or "iPod mode" setting that can be selected for the iPod input. Head mode is receiver control while iPod mode lets you control from the iPod (although the volume will still be set by the receiver). In both modes the iPod will get charged. Check it out. Your receiver might do the same thing. What receiver and model do you have?

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