Hi

Another question.

I have an Apple iPod (MP3 Player) with standard 3.5 inch jack output.

I would LOVE to be able to play this through my SC430's music system.

Options so far are an RF modulater, illegal in UK.

A cassette adapter, very poor quality sound.

Or some kind of aux or line-in into the system.

You CAN add a minidisc player so I am guessing that somewhere the is an line in but have no idea where or how to do this.

Any ideas out there or dealers in the UK that could help?

Robin

PS On my old car I replaced the Radio/CD with one that had an Aux input on front, not an option on the SC430.

Are you sure?

erm... there not illegal...

They are very low power, and as such, can be used...

Geoffers is working on fooling the stereo on the IS200 into thinking any old line in (eg from an MP3 player) is actually a lexus minidisk player.

I think Geoffers should change his name to 'Q'

Missile launchers behind the number plate next.

From RobinJackson (Robin you hit Report instead of Reply)

Sorry but it is illegal to broadcast on FM at ANY power level in UK without a licence...



It was on news recently where a UK dealer had to withdraw a very low power FM modulater for this very reason.

THis sounds exactly what I want.

I assume if it works on the is200 it ought to work on the SC430?

Robin

The FM modulators that are supplied with car audio devices do not broadcast at all - they're not illegal. They work by muxing the audio signal onto the aerial cable - nothing at all to do with FM transmission

Wether they are legal or not the one I have stops the scan tuning from working and because the MP3 player doesn't supply traffic announcements you can't have TP selected or the radio will automatically re-tune away from the FM Modulator frequency to a station that does. It also introduces a level of hiss.

Ahh I see its not quite what I thought was being suggested.

But the hiss is not something I want, I can get that with the audio tape adapter.

Robin

Javadude,
Your surposed to put a switch in the power supply to the modulator, otherwise your radio won't tune correctly ie: the same problems your having....
The "Hiss" your getting can be overcome by fitting a "Ground Loop Isolator" in the phono leads to the modulator.
I'm currently running an FM modulator and it's crystal clear on TV, DVD and Video....

ROBIN,
You can buy a 3.5 jack to RCA converter from Maplins for a couple of quid, and also a FM modulator for about £45.
I fitted one on a RX300 last week, and it worked perfectly.

You make it sound so easy and I don't have a clue where to start...........

I wonder if my dealer would know?

Robin

I doubt it very much.
Your dealer may know of a local audio place who can do it for you, after all, they must take theirs somewhere to have monitors etc.... fitted.

I've got a Directed RFM100 modulator - this has the toggle on/off switch and doesn't interfere with tuned stations. Sound quality is surprisingly good - although, it's not going to be up there with your Mark Levinson unit! This unit cost £70, and the 3.5" jack was a few quid. It's powered off the back of the 12v lighter. Like you Robin, I ain't no audio specialist, but a mate who knew what he was doing fitted it quite quickly. Now when I want to use my MP3 (iPaq with 5Gb PCMCIA disk) I plug it into the 3.5" jack that is stored out of sight when not being used.

Thanks Duncan - if the mini-disk route doesn't pan out then I'll try the changes you've suggested.

Found out today there is a specialist company in the UK working on a solution for the MP3 player to be wired in directly.

They do these looms for BMW and Mercedes also allowing direct connection of TV and DVD to inbuilt SAtNav screens and they are currently targeting Lexus next.

Am waiting to hear more.

Robin

Keep us posted Robin.

Chased yesterday.

I am afraid no news yet.

Thanks for the feedback robin.

Someone has found a company (in the US I think) which is selling a cable for the IS200 headunit which will switch to an auxiliary source if you press the cd button twice. It's not cheap - about £100 I think. There's a thread about it somewhere unless it got lost when things went bang.

Closer to home SteveAudioX is developing something along these lines too.

Just to be a little practical about this,we've got 3 i-pods in our family and 3 i-trips too all running off one i-mac (not that we would ever break the law and use the i-trips of course ).

However when used, by accident ,the sound quality over the stereos in the SC430,RX300,and even our Yaris is excellent...no fizz,nothing.The range of these i-trips is very small.....only a few feet hence it only works from anywhere inside the car.....and is not capable of interfering with anyone else.

Same goes for home use too with your hi-fi! .......if accidentally used there too!

Buzz.

I made a cable today that allows me to connect any external audio device to my 2002 SC430. It sounds great, better than a modulator or casset adapter. XM satellite radio is really sweet now. All sound controls are still performed via the head unit (i.e, volume, base, mid, trebble...).

If anyone is interested in a plug and play adaptor that supports an exteral audio source and mute control for their Mark Levinson system, let me know.

Rocky Livingston
rlivingston@earthlink.net

Thanks to Rocky, I have my MP3 player feeding the Mark Levinson system directly. No FM transmitter or cassette adapter is needed and the sound is greatly improved in dynamic range and frequency response.

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=9612&

Im having problems removing the two 10mm bolts under the headunit/radio.

What tool did you use? Ive got a couple of 10mm spanners and there both too bulky to get under the radio and ive got a socket wrench but theres not enough access to the bolt to get the bloody thing on.

went down to Halfords and B&Q this morning and could'nt find anything suitable. All I can think of doing is cutting one of my spanners in half so I can get it under the radio.

What did you use?

Well I never thought I'd say this but " Thank *** for Ikea Furniture! " yep its crap furniture but I found a cheap & nasty 3" long spanner that came with a chest of draws I bought couple of years back... funny thing is the chest of draws fell apart after 6 months. But the spanner still works!