Problem using Kensington Digital iPod FM Transmitter

Question

Level 1

8 points

Problem using Kensington Digital iPod FM Transmitter

Hey all,

Please help me if you can, this is driving me crazy. I have a 80gb iPod video that I wanted to use in the car. The only option available to me was to use an FM tuner and after reading the great reviews the Kensington product received, I went and ordered one.

Now that I've had it for a few days I've been unable to coax anything out of it beyond static and my music very distorted and very quiet.

I have tried every single FM station in the spectrum (and I'm very serious when I say that). No change whatsoever and I don't live in a huge city so I'm certain that finding the "right" frequency is NOT the answer.

My car's aerial is mounted on the back windshield, do you think this is the problem? I would hope that Kensington would build their unit with a strong enough signal so that this wouldn't matter.

I read one review of the product advise to manually reset the iPod if having trouble. I've done this multiple times with no change. I'm very disappointed, if anyone can help me, please do!

Spenno.

Intel Core Duo Mac Mini, Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Dec 29, 2006 8:58 PM

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Answer 1

Mitch 751

Level 6

11,644 points

Dec 29, 2006 10:53 PM in response to spenno

Please check the following one by one and hope it can find the answer

1. Connect your iPod with your computer, and try to play the music (under iTunes) on your iPod, if it is fine then 2
2. Nothing wrong on your iPod, then it can be the problem of your car radio, so play a music from a FM station on the car radio, if it is ok then 3
3. It must be the problem of your Kensignton FM Transmitter, try to prove it by play it with other Radio, if you get the same problem, send the Kensington for service

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Answer 2

spenno Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 30, 2006 1:28 PM in response to Mitch 751

Hi Mitch,

1. iPod is fine, I also use it outside of the car with no problems (thru headphones etc.)
2. FM radio works perfectly in the car.
3. I'm going to attempt to use it in a different car and see if the same problem arises and if it does, yes, I think I'll send it off to be repaired.

Thanks, it just confirms what I already suspected, there MAY be an issue with the product.

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Answer 3

Dec 30, 2006 2:02 PM in response to spenno

I am also trying to use a Kensington Digital iPod FM Transmitter in the car.

My iPod works fine, so does the car radio. The instructions say to tune to an unused frequency, or one that is not broadcasting, but the radio tuner doesn't allow me to do that - it just goes to stations that are broadcasting.

I tried using a station with a weak signal, and the transmitter works, but is static-y and at times the station breaks through the music.

iMac G4 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

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Answer 4

spenno Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 31, 2006 10:22 PM in response to Janice Chan

You need to alter your car stereo to manually tune the stations rather than letting it automatically select them, then you may have more luck. You'll have to refer to your manual.

I'm able to tune it in successfully so there's no static however instead of music, it's just distorted choppy sounds or the music very distorted, very quiet.

I'm organising to send it back to the website I purchased it from for a replacement.

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