iPod module and satellite radio question
 

What year did the 8 become "satellite radio ready"?

What year did it get the iPod module? Can it be added? Can somebody tell me anything about how it works? Can you control your playlists, etc from the radio without touching the iPod?

I believe it was 05 that it became SAT ready.... Even though I think that all models support SAT radio... (I could find out for your)....

As for the iPod, you can control your iPod from your radio, but it might be a little difficult to navigate through your music until you get used to it....
THat interface plugs in to the back of the radio....and goes through an adapter to the iPod.

04's did not have the SAT radio option. I looked into getting it, and it was ridiculously expensive to get it installed through the stealership

? what do you mean, "back of the radio?" How can I get to the back of the radio?

you need to pull the radio out...

Sattlite/iPod/Nav shares the same connector (at least for 06 Bose HU). So you'll have to look into aftermarket solution if you want to add SAT or iPod.

i have an 05 rx8. what ipod adapter do you guys suggest?

Is there a manual for the stereo?
 

Is there a manual someplace for the Mazda factory stereo system in the RX-8? I just wanted to see what sort of auxiliary input was on the thing without ripping my dash out, it has to be set up for an Aux/in if it can take a Cassette(wtf) or MD input or an Ipod Interface Module from Mazda, if it has a simple Aux Mini-Jack or RCA input then you can get an I-Plug in the US for about 25 bucks at any Best Buy or a million places online, without a manual though I am not going to go playing in my dash.

~Edit~ Good olf Crutchfield.com straightened me out. With the RX-8 factory stereo, you have to run a wired Fm modulator through the antenna input on the stereo apparently, so no simple line in port on the radio. Crutchfield gives nice installation walkthroughs for their car stereo (and home for that matter) you can get some ideas of different types of inputs. I am having the Mazda Ipod adapter installed this week, hopefully that will have me taken care of. The aftermarket adapters I found do not charge the Ipod and only a few of them allow for external control of the Ipod through what amounts to a remote, none allow for the mazda stereo controls to control the Ipod, soooo... :Eyecrazy:

Pay 2 to 8 times as much for the Mazda version or go aftermarket...

If you do a search in the DIY and Interior, Audio and Electronics forums you will find several threads talking about which adapter is best (I think the AudioLink is favored) and at least one really good DIY on installing the AudioLink in your 8.

The big two Ipod interfaces are the Mazda Ipod Interface and the Audiolink. I think the vote is pretty much 70/30 in favor of the Audiolink.

I installed mine (audiolink) within a week of getting my 8 and I've enjoyed it ever since. The mazda interface is a bit more cumbersome in how it handles playing your Ipod and it's more expensive then the audiolink.. it was a no brainer for me.

You need to have either an open plug at the back of the radio, or no Cassette/MD

A FM modulator is about the worst way to go for an Ipod adapter. Sound quality will never be better than the radio, instead of being as good as a CD. Plus FM modulators often reduce AM and FM reception as they park between the antenna and the radio.

Use a Sylfex (http://www.sylfex.com/products/AuxMod/) or the adapter plug on the back of the radio. There is even one company that makes a MP3 decoder that allows a mini jack plug and a USB plug and will decode a USB flash drive as a CD changer.

But a FM modulator is about the worst way to go... the only way worse than that is too use a Cassette tape adapter in the tape cassette.

i got an 04 with a ipod connection. dont care for it much tho since i cant see the songs that are playing. can anyone explain to me how to make "lists" for my car to play. do the newer models display the songs by chance??


...<<<no thread jack intention here...