TS1412: iPod shuffle troubleshooting and service FAQ

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7robbo7

Q: ipod shuffle wont play through usb in my car

bought a shuffle for my dad to use in his car,but it wont play through the usb lead.

iPod shuffle

Posted on Aug 31, 2012 12:01 PM

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Q: ipod shuffle wont play through usb in my car

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  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Aug 31, 2012 6:58 PM in response to 7robbo7
    Level 8 (38,959 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 31, 2012 6:58 PM in response to 7robbo7

    There seem to be two types of car audio systems that work with iPods.

     

    One type lets the iPod control playback.  The iPod is doing the playing, and it needs to be smart enough to interact with and control the car audio system.  This type will probably not work with an iPod shuffle, because a shuffle is a simple device.

     

    The second type just uses the iPod as a data source.  The car audio system is controlling all the music playback.  It plays the songs and only uses the iPod as a source for song files.  If the audio system works the same way if you plugged in a "regular" USB flash drive with song files (instead of an iPod), then the car audio system (NOT the iPod) is "in charge" of playback.  A shuffle will probably work with this type of car audio system, because the shuffle only needs to act like a USB flash drive.

     

    If it's the first type, and the audio system has an "auxilliary input" (usually a 1/8-inch mini-stereo jack like the headphones jack on shuffle), you can connect the shuffle that way and have the shuffle "play through" the audio system.  You'll need a cable like this

     

    http://www.amazon.com/Monster-iCable-Player-Auxiliary-Input/dp/B002AR5XIK