Zune In Car

I'm trying to pull together a little list of all the different types of connectivity for the Zune in a car.


Terminology

Head Unit: The bit you look at - what most people think is the "Car Stereo" - often contains multiple sources, such as CD, Radio, and Aux inputs
Amplifier: The bit you can't see - boosts the head unit signal to make the speakers pump out more volume.
Speakers: The bit that makes the noise.
Equalizers: Can be built into the head unit, can be separate, often optional, like most amplifiers.
Other Sources: These days, other devices can be connected to the Head Unit, such as GPS, Bluetooth Kits, MP3 players, Video Systems, etc.



Connection Types

FM Transmitter
Often plugs into your car to charge your Zune
Tunes to an open FM channel
Tune your car stereo to the selected channel
Transmits the signal to your stereo
Stereo doesn't tell you what you're listening to, Zune does
Good sound quality

Aux Adapter - Front
Some stereos have a front mounted Aux Input
Connect the Zune to the adapter using the headphone socket and an RCA cable
Doesn't charge the Zune - need a separate car charger
Stereo doesn't tell you what you're listening to, Zune does
Great sound quality

Aux Adapter - Rear
Some stereos have a rear mounted Aux Input
Run an extension cable around to where you can plug it in
Doesn't charge the Zune - need a separate car charger
Stereo doesn't tell you what you're listening to, Zune does
Great sound quality

Cassette Adapter
If you have a cassette tape player in your unit, get an adapter
Connect the Zune to the adapter using the headphone socket
Doesn't charge the Zune - need a separate car charger
Stereo doesn't tell you what you're listening to, Zune does
Good / great sound quality

After Market Aux Adapter
Adds more sources to your car stereo
Connect the Zune to the adapter using an RCA cable
Doesn't charge the Zune - need a separate car charger
Stereo doesn't tell you what you're listening to, Zune does
Great sound quality

After Market Head Unit - USB
Some car stereos have a USB adapter
The Zune does not currently operate as a flash drive
Any head unit with a USB adapter can be used to charge the Zune
Output has to be routed to the stereo in another way
No sound quality

After Market Head Unit - Video
Buy a car stereo that accepts video input
Connect the Zune via an AV Cable
Change the output source to TV
Doesn't charge the Zune - need a separate car charger
Stereo shows you what you're listening to, Zune controls it
Great sound and video quality

Aftermarket Zune Specific Adapter
Several companies are working on Zune adapters
Connects via a Zune specific cable
Should also charge the Zune at the same time
Displays details on car stereo
Control Zune via car stereo
Great sound quality



Are there any other options?

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I like this resonance / It elevates me

Aftermarket Zune Specific Adapter
I've found three so far:
Sound Gate http://www.soundgate.com/
Neo Car Audio http://www.neocaraudio.com/
Sync: http://syncmyride.com/

Does anyone else have any they've discovered?

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I like this resonance / It elevates me

I finally received my Zune and the Zune FM Car Transmitter.  I tried it on two vehicles (A Toyota Matrix 2007 and an ambulance).  It worked on both very well.  With no music playing there was slight hiss on the line at high volumes, but this was remedied by adjusting the location of the cable.

What I really liked was how, when I plugged the Zune into the transmitter, it said "There is an update for this device!" and then pushed some kind of hotfix to the transmitter!

Even if I set the Zune to zero volume, the signal output stays the same.  The volume level is balanced, and I had no trouble finding channels that were clear.

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I like this resonance / It elevates me

I guess it depends where you live and radio signals. I tried the Zune FM transmitter with horrible results, I could not get a channel number that would give a decent signal, usually sounded like a muffled FM radio, stereo separation was minimal at best. I returned it to the store. Ended up replacing my car system with a Sony Xplod, not what I wanted but my factory system could not adapt to an aftermarket AUX setup and I did not have a CD changer, only single CD player. All in all I am very pleased with the setup, just a simple plug into the AUX input on the face and away I go...the sound is amazing but that is due to the Sony Xplod head unit. I have no power amp or sub unit and I get plenty volume and low end. I have not explored add-ons that would show what is playing on my Zune on the head unit display...not too much of a big deal.

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Zune is AWESOME!!...since Nov 2006 Black30GB and Pink30GB (my wifes'!!!)

 morpheusdreamin wrote:

Aftermarket Zune Specific Adapter
I've found three so far:
Sound Gate http://www.soundgate.com/
Neo Car Audio http://www.neocaraudio.com/
Sync: http://syncmyride.com/

Does anyone else have any they've discovered?

i lived with the static of an fm transmitter for nearly 2 years but last friday it finally came my zune integration for my truck from http://soundgate.com it basically fools the radio into thinking it has a cd changer attached and let me tell you it works great this is the only way to go if you have an older vehicle and you dont want to go out and bt an aftermarket stereo

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original 30g purchased nov 2006 and 2nd gen 80g

That's awesome news, glad someone has actually used one of these.  Did you install it yourself?

I wrote to SoundGate and they said the head unit control should start to ship at the end of August.  When it does, I'll see about finding a Canadian supplier so I can get both the toyzaux1 and the toyzn4.  Sweet.

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I like this resonance / It elevates me

 morpheusdreamin wrote:

That's awesome news, glad someone has actually used one of these.  Did you install it yourself?

I wrote to SoundGate and they said the head unit control should start to ship at the end of August.  When it does, I'll see about finding a Canadian supplier so I can get both the toyzaux1 and the toyzn4.  Sweet.

yes i did install it myself i must tell you i am a ford certified tech so i might have a little advanatage on most people but all in all it was simple i removed the radio unplugged it installed the supplied jumper harness between the fatory harness and radio located a constant power source i spliced into the wiring for my power point then hooked the core to the aux  output ran the wires from the core out from under the dash its clean no fuss no muss just wish the remcore or remote was available a week ago so i could have installed that as well but it wont be available for possibly another month but i will for sure get it and install that as well in short its was pretty easy  to install and the sound is fabulous  hope this helps

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original 30g purchased nov 2006 and 2nd gen 80g

I was looking for one for my Toyota Tacoma I emailed them for some details.

 morpheusdreamin wrote:

Aftermarket Zune Specific Adapter
I've found three so far:
Sound Gate http://www.soundgate.com/
Neo Car Audio http://www.neocaraudio.com/
Sync: http://syncmyride.com/

Does anyone else have any they've discovered?

Looks like neo could be one of the first ones through the door to have a reciver that will connect to the zune and control it like its Ipod counterpart.

 rgarr16363 wrote:

yes i did install it myself i must tell you i am a ford certified tech so i might have a little advanatage on most people but all in all it was simple i removed the radio unplugged it installed the supplied jumper harness between the fatory harness and radio located a constant power source i spliced into the wiring for my power point then hooked the core to the aux  output ran the wires from the core out from under the dash its clean no fuss no muss just wish the remcore or remote was available a week ago so i could have installed that as well but it wont be available for possibly another month but i will for sure get it and install that as well in short its was pretty easy  to install and the sound is fabulous  hope this helps

I have an 05 F-250, do you think this unit can work on my truck, or as anyone tried the monster cable fm transmitter adapter because I am returning the Zune one in the morning there is was too much static coming out of it.

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Microsoft MVP - This posting is provided "as-is"; with no warranties, and confers no rights!

Well I wrote an email to soundgate tech support as I read they have a model that would fit my model year, but just want to make sure I will be ordering the right product for my vehicule, I went to check on my truck and I have an Aux. switch, therefore I should be able to easily install something to provide the proper sound without any static in the back.

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Microsoft MVP - This posting is provided "as-is"; with no warranties, and confers no rights!

Has anyone had any luck w/ an FM transmitter?  It seems that everything I read about them seems like its a major gamble.  I thought my car had an AUX but I just have the cigarette lighter and another power outlet on the passenger side of my '01 Olds Alero.  I bought a DLO Transdock micro at Best Buy yesterday and didnt open it until I read some reviews.  So far, all negative reviews.  Any help would be appreciated.