rickymartino
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: USB Playback with iPod Classic (7th Gen)

Hi I'm new to these forums,

I am looking at purchasing a 160gb iPod Classic (7th Gen) so I can put all my music on it and use it in the car.

 

I have looked around and I can't seem to find a simple answer, is the iPod Classic capable of USB Music playback?

 

I just got a new car, but unfortunately it does not feature a USB port for Audio playback.

 

It has an AUX, but I was looking to play music back through USB, however I've found a special cable designed specifically for my car which hooks up to the back of the unit and it claims to play with iPods/iPhone via USB.

 

(http://www.asllogistics.com/catalog/VE-iPhone-iTouch-Adaptor-p-78.html)

I would just like some confirmation that the iPod Classic can indeed play music through the USB port before I purchase one, as they are quite expensive.

 

Thanks!

iPod classic, Other OS

Posted on Oct 29, 2015 4:54 AM

by the fiend,Apple recommended
the fiend the fiend
Level 6 (8,550 points)
A:
  1. First of all, you'll be more than lucky if you can find a 160GB Classic anywhere as Apple have discontinued that model. Have you actually seen a new one anywhere or are you buying second-hand? Perhaps instead, you could think about the 128GB iPod Touch.
  2. It's easy to become confused about whether an iPod plays "through the USB port". In fact, "USB playback" is a misnomer, since iPods play out through the Dock Connector (or on new models) the Lightning Connector.
  3. Some cars have USB input sockets.
  4. An iPod plays out either through the headphone socket and one connects from that to the car's AUX input, or one takes a dedicated connection from the iPod's Dock Connector (Lightning Connector) to an input on the rear of a car's stereo. {See point 6 below.} As far as I know, iPods do not play in to USB inputs on car stereos (or at least, they only do so if you can obtain the correct cable, which I've never found easy. If anyone knows better, please let us know.)
  5. Some cars have sockets on the rear panel, through which specialist devices can connect iPods. It looks to me as though the device you have linked to is one of these (and I would not regard the price as steep). Why don't you ask the supplier of that cable? They do claim to be one of Australia's best integrators of audio/video products and they have a phone number listed on the site. My Mazda 3 for example, has a connection on the back panel into which I had a Dension device fitted. So my iPod Classic connects to my car's stereo via this Dension unit, which takes the iPod signals and converts the to the Mazda 3's input requirements. My Mazda does not have a USB input.
  6. There is an important distinction between connecting from an iPod's headphone outlet to an AUX input and connecting from the Dock Connector/Lightning Connector to a dedicated input to a car's stereo. Using the Dock Connector/Lightning Connector method means that the car's controls can be used to control the iPod, such as changing tracks. When using the headphone socket to AUX input, it is not possible to change tracks from the car's controls.
  7. We have to assume that your car is one of the models listed on the link you supplied, since you haven't specifically said so.

 

So, you now have some more information, I suggest you ask the supplier of the lead you've seen how it works. From what I can read on that link, it works in a similar way to my car connection. Note similar: the audio from the iPod will be at line level, which is preferable to the headphone output, but from the description given, it appears that this cable cannot enable track changing of the iPod from the car's controls. Frankly, that seems a bit backward to me, since the Dension unit I have does enable my car's controls to change tracks from the steering wheel.

Posted on Oct 29, 2015 2:36 PM

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rickymartino

Q: USB Playback with iPod Classic (7th Gen)

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  • Helpful answers

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Oct 29, 2015 7:33 AM in response to rickymartino
    Level 10 (84,985 points)
    iTunes
    Oct 29, 2015 7:33 AM in response to rickymartino

    Is the iPod Classic capable of USB Music playback?

    What do you mean by USB Music playback? If you are connecting the device to an aux input socket then you need a line level signal. This is one of the outputs offered by the classic's 30-pin dock connector.

    I just got a new car, but unfortunately it does not feature a USB port for Audio playback.

    Why ask the first question if it isn't relevant to your car?

     

    The link you've given doesn't show the other connections on the cable, but the price seems a little steep. I can't believe it weighs 2.00 kg either.

     

    tt2

  • by the fiend,Apple recommended

    the fiend the fiend Oct 29, 2015 2:36 PM in response to rickymartino
    Level 6 (8,550 points)
    Oct 29, 2015 2:36 PM in response to rickymartino
    1. First of all, you'll be more than lucky if you can find a 160GB Classic anywhere as Apple have discontinued that model. Have you actually seen a new one anywhere or are you buying second-hand? Perhaps instead, you could think about the 128GB iPod Touch.
    2. It's easy to become confused about whether an iPod plays "through the USB port". In fact, "USB playback" is a misnomer, since iPods play out through the Dock Connector (or on new models) the Lightning Connector.
    3. Some cars have USB input sockets.
    4. An iPod plays out either through the headphone socket and one connects from that to the car's AUX input, or one takes a dedicated connection from the iPod's Dock Connector (Lightning Connector) to an input on the rear of a car's stereo. {See point 6 below.} As far as I know, iPods do not play in to USB inputs on car stereos (or at least, they only do so if you can obtain the correct cable, which I've never found easy. If anyone knows better, please let us know.)
    5. Some cars have sockets on the rear panel, through which specialist devices can connect iPods. It looks to me as though the device you have linked to is one of these (and I would not regard the price as steep). Why don't you ask the supplier of that cable? They do claim to be one of Australia's best integrators of audio/video products and they have a phone number listed on the site. My Mazda 3 for example, has a connection on the back panel into which I had a Dension device fitted. So my iPod Classic connects to my car's stereo via this Dension unit, which takes the iPod signals and converts the to the Mazda 3's input requirements. My Mazda does not have a USB input.
    6. There is an important distinction between connecting from an iPod's headphone outlet to an AUX input and connecting from the Dock Connector/Lightning Connector to a dedicated input to a car's stereo. Using the Dock Connector/Lightning Connector method means that the car's controls can be used to control the iPod, such as changing tracks. When using the headphone socket to AUX input, it is not possible to change tracks from the car's controls.
    7. We have to assume that your car is one of the models listed on the link you supplied, since you haven't specifically said so.

     

    So, you now have some more information, I suggest you ask the supplier of the lead you've seen how it works. From what I can read on that link, it works in a similar way to my car connection. Note similar: the audio from the iPod will be at line level, which is preferable to the headphone output, but from the description given, it appears that this cable cannot enable track changing of the iPod from the car's controls. Frankly, that seems a bit backward to me, since the Dension unit I have does enable my car's controls to change tracks from the steering wheel.

  • by Help in WV,

    Help in WV Help in WV Nov 10, 2015 4:11 PM in response to the fiend
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Nov 10, 2015 4:11 PM in response to the fiend

    was interested in your explanation of AUX and USB port hookups. My Ipod Classic was working fine in my car which has a USB port, I could utilize car audio controls. Suddenly stopped working. The screen no longer shows, "Ipod", along with "AUX, Bluetooth, AM, FM", etc. I can play ipod through AUX.  but as you said, can't use audio controls. Took car to Toyota service and they tried new USB cord, ran an update on car audio system, gps, etc. No luck. You have any clue what might be the problem? The Ipod shows it is charging when connected to USB, but that is all. Any idea what else I could do?