Our car is old enough to contain a radio/cassette player, which is only
annoying when we depart on a pilgrimage 500 miles down south, and would
like to play mp3s.

What we need is something cheap n cheerful, ideally to play mp3s from a
phone, USB stick or possibly SD card. Something that can be run or
charged from the car cigarette lighter.

Just seen eBay item 291474623251 which plugs into the cigarette lighter
and plays from SD card. I think it also plays from a phone. I'm not
sure how it works, but I think the idea is the output is picked up by
the car radio, and plays through the usual car speakers.

Have I understood correctly? Any other suggestions? It didn't occur to
me that I could get something that would play through the car speakers,
so was looking at mini boom boxes.

--
Graeme

News wrote:

eBay item 291474623251 which plugs into the cigarette lighter
and plays from SD card. I think the idea is the output is picked up by
the car radio, and plays through the usual car speakers.

Have I understood correctly?

Yes, the basic "iTrip" functionality, it's an FM transmitter.

Any other suggestions?

You can also get MP3 players that are built into a cassette shell that
play into the car's stereo via the tape heads

e.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281627386734

In message , Andy
Burns writes
News wrote:

You can also get MP3 players that are built into a cassette shell that
play into the car's stereo via the tape heads

e.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281627386734

That is interesting, thanks. We have a 'cassette' type device that just
connects to a phone, which works well when it is working, but does cut
out fairly regularly, which means it has to be ejected then reinserted.
I'm not sure whether that is the fault of the radio or the device
itself.
--
Graeme

En el artículo , News
escribió:

Just seen eBay item 291474623251 which plugs into the cigarette lighter
and plays from SD card.

Yes

I think it also plays from a phone.

Don't know about that, but you can plug in a USB stick with .mp3 files
on and it will play them

I'm not
sure how it works,

it transmits on an FM radio frequency which you tune your car radio ti.

but I think the idea is the output is picked up by
the car radio, and plays through the usual car speakers.

yes

Have I understood correctly?

yes

I have ebay 301571807011 which works fine, but the problem is that it
doesn't make good contact with the ciggy lighter socket in the car.
This is a problem I've had with other ciggy lighter socket gadgets,
including phone chargers. It's probably the fault of the lighter socket
in the car rather than an inherent problem with the stuff I'm plugging
in.

Gadgets like this also tend to work their way out of the socket when my
car goes over bumps. Again, probably very much dependent on the
particular model of car and the ciggy socket used. I'm thinking of
adding a couple turns of electrical insulation tape to the body of the
mp3 player to help it stay seated in the socket.

--

"News" wrote in message
...

Our car is old enough to contain a radio/cassette player, which is only
annoying when we depart on a pilgrimage 500 miles down south, and would
like to play mp3s.

What we need is something cheap n cheerful, ideally to play mp3s from a
phone, USB stick or possibly SD card. Something that can be run or
charged from the car cigarette lighter.

Just seen eBay item 291474623251 which plugs into the cigarette lighter
and plays from SD card. I think it also plays from a phone. I'm not sure
how it works, but I think the idea is the output is picked up by the car
radio, and plays through the usual car speakers.

Have I understood correctly?

Yes.

Any other suggestions?

You can obviously replace that ancient radio/cassette
player, but that will obviously cost much more.

It didn't occur to
me that I could get something that would play through the car speakers, so
was looking at mini boom boxes.

--
Graeme

On 25/05/15 08:00, News wrote:
Our car is old enough to contain a radio/cassette player, which is only
annoying when we depart on a pilgrimage 500 miles down south, and would
like to play mp3s.

Unless its heavily integrated with e.g. steering column controls, just
rip it out and replace with something better.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Multi-Functi...dp/B00W55N45Q/

for example. Will do the radio bit and takes a flash memory.



--
New Socialism consists essentially in being seen to have your heart in
the right place whilst your head is in the clouds and your hand is in
someone else's pocket.

On 25/05/15 08:42, Oscar Edwards wrote:
You can obviously replace that ancient radio/cassette
player, but that will obviously cost much more.
£21 is less than 200 miles of diesel


--
New Socialism consists essentially in being seen to have your heart in
the right place whilst your head is in the clouds and your hand is in
someone else's pocket.

I'm sure I've seen both dab and mp3 devices that send out a strong local fm
stereo signal which you tune your radio to for quite a while now.
Maplin used to do one, but I believe many other companies now do also.
Brian

--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"News" wrote in message
...

Our car is old enough to contain a radio/cassette player, which is only
annoying when we depart on a pilgrimage 500 miles down south, and would
like to play mp3s.

What we need is something cheap n cheerful, ideally to play mp3s from a
phone, USB stick or possibly SD card. Something that can be run or
charged from the car cigarette lighter.

Just seen eBay item 291474623251 which plugs into the cigarette lighter
and plays from SD card. I think it also plays from a phone. I'm not sure
how it works, but I think the idea is the output is picked up by the car
radio, and plays through the usual car speakers.

Have I understood correctly? Any other suggestions? It didn't occur to
me that I could get something that would play through the car speakers, so
was looking at mini boom boxes.

--
Graeme

The issue with these is that the quality is pretty naff and the motors in
the cassette run all the time which is very wasteful. the fm stereo way
sounds best if set up properly, ie not overdriven.
Brian

--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"Andy Burns" wrote in message
...
News wrote:

eBay item 291474623251 which plugs into the cigarette lighter
and plays from SD card. I think the idea is the output is picked up by
the car radio, and plays through the usual car speakers.

Have I understood correctly?

Yes, the basic "iTrip" functionality, it's an FM transmitter.

Any other suggestions?

You can also get MP3 players that are built into a cassette shell that
play into the car's stereo via the tape heads

e.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281627386734

In message , The Natural Philosopher
writes
On 25/05/15 08:42, Oscar Edwards wrote:
You can obviously replace that ancient radio/cassette
player, but that will obviously cost much more.
£21 is less than 200 miles of diesel

Well, yes, but a new radio/CD player will be worth more than the car :-)

More to the point is the hassle factor. Back in the day, taking a radio
out was a couple of bolts. Now, the car seems to be built around the
radio, and even if I get the old radio out, I bet all the connectors are
different. Used to be easy - power cable with inline fuse, two wires to
the speaker and a socket for the aerial. Job done.
--
Graeme

A little blob of the furry bit of self adhesive Velcro might do the trick.
these plugs ans sockets are very old design now, and were of course used to
heat things which took a fair amount of current, so operating low current
devices seems not to be very good.
Brian

--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"Mike Tomlinson" wrote in message
...
En el artículo , News
escribió:

Just seen eBay item 291474623251 which plugs into the cigarette lighter
and plays from SD card.

Yes

I think it also plays from a phone.

Don't know about that, but you can plug in a USB stick with .mp3 files
on and it will play them

I'm not
sure how it works,

it transmits on an FM radio frequency which you tune your car radio ti.

but I think the idea is the output is picked up by
the car radio, and plays through the usual car speakers.

yes

Have I understood correctly?

yes

I have ebay 301571807011 which works fine, but the problem is that it
doesn't make good contact with the ciggy lighter socket in the car.
This is a problem I've had with other ciggy lighter socket gadgets,
including phone chargers. It's probably the fault of the lighter socket
in the car rather than an inherent problem with the stuff I'm plugging
in.

Gadgets like this also tend to work their way out of the socket when my
car goes over bumps. Again, probably very much dependent on the
particular model of car and the ciggy socket used. I'm thinking of
adding a couple turns of electrical insulation tape to the body of the
mp3 player to help it stay seated in the socket.

--

On 25/05/15 10:05, News wrote:
In message , The Natural Philosopher
writes
On 25/05/15 08:42, Oscar Edwards wrote:
You can obviously replace that ancient radio/cassette
player, but that will obviously cost much more.
£21 is less than 200 miles of diesel

Well, yes, but a new radio/CD player will be worth more than the car :-)

tale it out before you scrap it then

More to the point is the hassle factor. Back in the day, taking a radio
out was a couple of bolts. Now, the car seems to be built around the
radio, and even if I get the old radio out, I bet all the connectors are
different. Used to be easy - power cable with inline fuse, two wires to
the speaker and a socket for the aerial. Job done.


--
New Socialism consists essentially in being seen to have your heart in
the right place whilst your head is in the clouds and your hand is in
someone else's pocket.

"Oscar Edwards" wrote in message
...


"News" wrote in message
...

Our car is old enough to contain a radio/cassette player, which is only
annoying when we depart on a pilgrimage 500 miles down south, and would
like to play mp3s.

What we need is something cheap n cheerful, ideally to play mp3s from a
phone, USB stick or possibly SD card. Something that can be run or
charged from the car cigarette lighter.

Just seen eBay item 291474623251 which plugs into the cigarette lighter
and plays from SD card. I think it also plays from a phone. I'm not
sure how it works, but I think the idea is the output is picked up by the
car radio, and plays through the usual car speakers.

Have I understood correctly?

Yes.

Any other suggestions?

Some support bluetooth as well and that works better with smartphones.

You can obviously replace that ancient radio/cassette
player, but that will obviously cost much more.

It didn't occur to
me that I could get something that would play through the car speakers,
so was looking at mini boom boxes.

--
Graeme

Brian-Gaff wrote:

The issue with these is that the quality is pretty naff

More naff than the FM transmitters? I've seen a few people say the reverse.

and the motors in the cassette run all the time which is very
wasteful.

Only the same as playing an actual cassette and compared to the power of
the engine, not even worth thinking about.

the fm stereo way sounds best if set up properly

Depends on finding a station (and pirate) free chunk of VHF spectrum,
and maybe having to retune on long journeys to find another. The fact
that these often have mono/stereo settings in the transmitter tends to
imply the stereo modulation isn't the best, either.

On 25/05/15 08:00, News wrote:

Our car is old enough to contain a radio/cassette player, which is only
annoying when we depart on a pilgrimage 500 miles down south, and would
like to play mp3s.

What we need is something cheap n cheerful, ideally to play mp3s from a
phone, USB stick or possibly SD card. Something that can be run or
charged from the car cigarette lighter.

Just seen eBay item 291474623251 which plugs into the cigarette lighter
and plays from SD card. I think it also plays from a phone. I'm not
sure how it works, but I think the idea is the output is picked up by
the car radio, and plays through the usual car speakers.

Have I understood correctly? Any other suggestions? It didn't occur to
me that I could get something that would play through the car speakers,
so was looking at mini boom boxes.


An idea.

Google "12V MP3 player" or search on eBay.

e.g. item 331513927679


USB-SD-MP3-FM-Digital-Display-Player-Boat-Car-Motorcycle-Amplifier-20W-20W-DC12V
(£12)


Disconnect the speaker wires from the car stereo. Or use a switch, relay
etc...

--
Adrian C

In article ,
News wrote:
Our car is old enough to contain a radio/cassette player, which is only
annoying when we depart on a pilgrimage 500 miles down south, and would
like to play mp3s.

What we need is something cheap n cheerful, ideally to play mp3s from a
phone, USB stick or possibly SD card. Something that can be run or
charged from the car cigarette lighter.

Is it a stock size radio - or a special to that car?

Usually about a couple of times a year, Lidl and Aldi have complete
radio/CD players for about 40 quid which include an aux input for am MP3
etc player. Fitted one to a pal's camper van and it's very good value for
money.

--
*They told me I had type-A blood, but it was a Type-O.*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

In article ,
News wrote:
More to the point is the hassle factor. Back in the day, taking a radio
out was a couple of bolts. Now, the car seems to be built around the
radio, and even if I get the old radio out, I bet all the connectors are
different. Used to be easy - power cable with inline fuse, two wires to
the speaker and a socket for the aerial. Job done.

Most have used a standard 'DIN' connector for the last 20 years or so. Can
be more of a problem if it has steering wheel controls.

But if you gave the make and model of car someone may have more info.

Personally I hate things plugged into the fag lighter - they always seem
to get in the way of driving the car. ;-)

--
*On the other hand, you have different fingers*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

In message , The Natural Philosopher
writes

Unless its heavily integrated with e.g. steering column controls, just
rip it out and replace with something better.

OK. Assuming I'm that brave. Current model is Blaupunkt Como RCM 148,
and eBay has the removal tool. Assuming I can get the old radio out,

Is the hole in the dash likely to be standard size?

Are the securing catches likely to be standard?

Is the electrical connection likely to be a standard plug/socket

Or is the whole project likely to be a nightmare?

I guess the first job is to get the removal tool, ensure I can get the
old radio out, and see what is behind it. Car is 1998 Merc C200. I
just worry that the combination of Merc and Blaupunkt means that nothing
will be 'standard'.
--
Graeme

"Andy Burns" wrote in message
o.uk...
Brian-Gaff wrote:

The issue with these is that the quality is pretty naff

More naff than the FM transmitters? I've seen a few people say the
reverse.

and the motors in the cassette run all the time which is very
wasteful.

Only the same as playing an actual cassette and compared to the power of
the engine, not even worth thinking about.

the fm stereo way sounds best if set up properly

Depends on finding a station (and pirate) free chunk of VHF spectrum, and
maybe having to retune on long journeys to find another.

No it doesn’t when the local FM transmitter is so close to
the receiver that it swamps any normal station or pirate.

The fact
that these often have mono/stereo settings in the transmitter tends to
imply the stereo modulation isn't the best, either.

On Mon, 25 May 2015 11:04:35 +0100, Andy Burns wrote:

Depends on finding a station (and pirate) free chunk of VHF spectrum,
and maybe having to retune on long journeys to find another.

Shouldn't be an issue. The proximity is so close that the little
transmitter should utterly wipe out everything else including even strong
commercial stations, so you don't need to find a free slot or re-tune.
Google 'FM capture effect'.

In article ,
Cursitor Doom wrote:
On Mon, 25 May 2015 11:04:35 +0100, Andy Burns wrote:

Depends on finding a station (and pirate) free chunk of VHF spectrum,
and maybe having to retune on long journeys to find another.

Shouldn't be an issue. The proximity is so close that the little
transmitter should utterly wipe out everything else including even strong
commercial stations, so you don't need to find a free slot or re-tune.
Google 'FM capture effect'.

If you've got a properly installed aerial, then your "little transmitter"
is the wrong side of the tin box (known as the car body).

--
From KT24 in Surrey

Using a RISC OS computer running v5.18

In message , "Dave Plowman (News)"
writes

Most have used a standard 'DIN' connector for the last 20 years or so. Can
be more of a problem if it has steering wheel controls.

Thanks Dave. think the first step is to get the removal tool, so That
I can at least slide the existing radio out, and see what lurks behind.
No steering wheel controls to worry about.

But if you gave the make and model of car someone may have more info.

Car is a 1998 Mercedes C200 Esprite, and the radio/cassette is Blaupunkt
Como RCM 148.

Personally I hate things plugged into the fag lighter - they always seem
to get in the way of driving the car. ;-)

Agreed! It means having the ash tray flap open, but could be the way to
go.
--
Graeme

In message , Jonno
writes
I tried one of those, it failed. The car aerial was outside at the back
of the car and the transmitter wasn't powerful enough to 'reach' it.

Hmm. Our aerial is within the rear window, I think.
--
Graeme

In message , Mike Tomlinson
writes

I have ebay 301571807011 which works fine, but the problem is that it
doesn't make good contact with the ciggy lighter socket in the car.

Crikey. At that price, it must be worth a punt, even if it needs a bit
of tape to fit securely. I can't believe all that for less than four
quid including postage.

I'll try removing the existing radio first, but if that reveals a can of
worms, the little mp3 player is the way to go.

--
Graeme

On Mon, 25 May 2015 12:40:31 +0100, charles wrote:

In article ,
Cursitor Doom wrote:
On Mon, 25 May 2015 11:04:35 +0100, Andy Burns wrote:

Depends on finding a station (and pirate) free chunk of VHF spectrum,
and maybe having to retune on long journeys to find another.

Shouldn't be an issue. The proximity is so close that the little
transmitter should utterly wipe out everything else including even
strong commercial stations, so you don't need to find a free slot or
re-tune. Google 'FM capture effect'.

If you've got a properly installed aerial, then your "little
transmitter"
is the wrong side of the tin box (known as the car body).

True...but I have the radio antenna embedded in a static side window. So
it works well inside the car too.

The GPS in the phone wipes out completely though. I have to use a
repeater.

In article ,
Andy Burns wrote:
The fact that these often have mono/stereo settings in the transmitter
tends to imply the stereo modulation isn't the best, either.

Aren't most mono only on the FM side?

--
*Too many clicks spoil the browse *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"News" wrote in message
...


Thanks Dave. think the first step is to get the removal tool,

That is called 4 nails.

--
Adam

In article ,
News wrote:
Most have used a standard 'DIN' connector for the last 20 years or so. Can
be more of a problem if it has steering wheel controls.

Thanks Dave. think the first step is to get the removal tool, so That
I can at least slide the existing radio out, and see what lurks behind.
No steering wheel controls to worry about.

But if you gave the make and model of car someone may have more info.

Car is a 1998 Mercedes C200 Esprite, and the radio/cassette is Blaupunkt
Como RCM 148.

IIRC, Halfords do the removal tools. Basically a loop of wire. A couple of
slim screwdrivers will work - move each side out a little until the catch
disengages. There's usually enough movement in the carrier to allow the
unit to twist slightly.

--
*Born free - taxed to death *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

In message , The Natural Philosopher
writes
On 25/05/15 08:42, Oscar Edwards wrote:
You can obviously replace that ancient radio/cassette
player, but that will obviously cost much more.
£21 is less than 200 miles of diesel


Not, on a good day, in my Octavia (measured, not calculated, across
Wales and back). It, of course, depends on luck with traffic lights and
steady speed plus, probably, having a pre-particulate filter car. I
reckon £18 for 200 miles.

The radio in the Disco plays mp3's off CD's, usb and SD cards and cost
19.99 from the Aldi remainder bin.
--
Bill

"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message
...
On 25/05/15 08:42, Oscar Edwards wrote:
You can obviously replace that ancient radio/cassette
player, but that will obviously cost much more.

£21 is less than 200 miles of diesel

Not with a tank full of red:-)

--
Adam

"ARW" wrote in message
...
"News" wrote in message
...


Thanks Dave. think the first step is to get the removal tool,

That is called 4 nails.


And here is the DIY proof. I have just made a video for you.

http://youtu.be/DpwoHoSHnHY

--
Adam

In message , ARW
writes

And here is the DIY proof. I have just made a video for you.

http://youtu.be/DpwoHoSHnHY

Hell's teeth. It works. Bugger me. Thank you. I'm sitting here with
the radio in my hand.

Next scary bit is the wiring. There are two 8 way connectors in the
back of this radio, but the one on Amazon only has one 6 way connector,
but there must be a way of joining the two. Probably.
--
Graeme

"News" wrote in message
...
In message , ARW
writes

And here is the DIY proof. I have just made a video for you.

http://youtu.be/DpwoHoSHnHY

Hell's teeth. It works. Bugger me. Thank you. I'm sitting here with
the radio in my hand.

Next scary bit is the wiring. There are two 8 way connectors in the back
of this radio, but the one on Amazon only has one 6 way connector, but
there must be a way of joining the two. Probably.


Post a photo. The connectors are usually compatible (or can be made to fit)

BTW Does anyone know the code to reset my car radio? Some daft **** took it
out to make a video and he now needs the code to make it work again.

--
Adam

On 25/05/15 15:04, ARW wrote:
"News" wrote in message
...
In message , ARW
writes

And here is the DIY proof. I have just made a video for you.

http://youtu.be/DpwoHoSHnHY

Hell's teeth. It works. Bugger me. Thank you. I'm sitting here
with the radio in my hand.

Next scary bit is the wiring. There are two 8 way connectors in the
back of this radio, but the one on Amazon only has one 6 way
connector, but there must be a way of joining the two. Probably.


Post a photo. The connectors are usually compatible (or can be made to fit)

BTW Does anyone know the code to reset my car radio? Some daft ****
took it out to make a video and he now needs the code to make it work
again.

Its been known to be the last digits of the serial number on it, with a
prefix. Google it


--
New Socialism consists essentially in being seen to have your heart in
the right place whilst your head is in the clouds and your hand is in
someone else's pocket.

In article , ARW
wrote:
"News" wrote in message
...
In message , ARW
writes

And here is the DIY proof. I have just made a video for you.

http://youtu.be/DpwoHoSHnHY

Hell's teeth. It works. Bugger me. Thank you. I'm sitting here with
the radio in my hand.

Next scary bit is the wiring. There are two 8 way connectors in the
back of this radio, but the one on Amazon only has one 6 way
connector, but there must be a way of joining the two. Probably.


Post a photo. The connectors are usually compatible (or can be made to
fit)

BTW Does anyone know the code to reset my car radio? Some daft **** took
it out to make a video and he now needs the code to make it work again.

Different radios, different codes. Once upon a time it was said that if
you put the radio in tehfreezer for a few hours it would forget about code.

--
From KT24 in Surrey

Using a RISC OS computer running v5.18

"charles" wrote in message
...
In article , ARW
wrote:
"News" wrote in message
...
In message , ARW
writes

And here is the DIY proof. I have just made a video for you.

http://youtu.be/DpwoHoSHnHY

Hell's teeth. It works. Bugger me. Thank you. I'm sitting here with
the radio in my hand.

Next scary bit is the wiring. There are two 8 way connectors in the
back of this radio, but the one on Amazon only has one 6 way
connector, but there must be a way of joining the two. Probably.


Post a photo. The connectors are usually compatible (or can be made to
fit)

BTW Does anyone know the code to reset my car radio? Some daft **** took
it out to make a video and he now needs the code to make it work again.

Different radios, different codes. Once upon a time it was said that if
you put the radio in tehfreezer for a few hours it would forget about
code.


That's the gf not a car radio.



--
Adam

On Mon, 25 May 2015 12:40:31 +0100, charles wrote:

If you've got a properly installed aerial, then your "little
transmitter"
is the wrong side of the tin box (known as the car body).

But it will be physically so close to the radio/cassette unit it won't
need to rely on any antenna; it will couple straight through to the
unit's PCB's RF input stage via induction.

In article ,
Cursitor Doom wrote:
On Mon, 25 May 2015 12:40:31 +0100, charles wrote:

If you've got a properly installed aerial, then your "little
transmitter"
is the wrong side of the tin box (known as the car body).

But it will be physically so close to the radio/cassette unit it won't
need to rely on any antenna; it will couple straight through to the
unit's PCB's RF input stage via induction.

depends on how well screened the radio is. Most that I've seen are in
totally enclosed metal case - except where the control wiring exits

--
From KT24 in Surrey

Using a RISC OS computer running v5.18

In message , ARW
writes

Post a photo. The connectors are usually compatible (or can be made to fit)

Right, this is the current radio :

http://www.binnsroad.co.uk/misc/radio/

BTW Does anyone know the code to reset my car radio? Some daft ****
took it out to make a video and he now needs the code to make it work
again.

Oh ****. Now I feel guilty :-)
--
Graeme

News wrote:
In message , ARW writes

Post a photo. The connectors are usually compatible (or can be made to fit)

Right, this is the current radio :

http://www.binnsroad.co.uk/misc/radio/

BTW Does anyone know the code to reset my car radio? Some daft ****
took it out to make a video and he now needs the code to make it work again.

Oh ****. Now I feel guilty :-)

Ask Mr Cheerful in uk.rec.cars.maintenace quoting the radio's serial
number. He can usually help. Don't forget to thank him though!

Tim