MP3 Player

[wsa]

Is there anyone out there who is a technical whizz with the standard radio/tape installation as fitted to the first X308s'? I wish to use my MP3 player but there is no provision for a signal input socket. I am currently using one of those tape lookalikes which is plugged into the tape player. However, this rattles around and is a rather crude way of supplying the signal. I have also tried an FM transmitter but, here in South-West France, frequency congestion renders this method near to useless. I am hoping that someone can show me how to remove the radio/tape gubbins and then where to solder in a wire with suitable MP3 socket to the appropriate place in the sound system. I am probably deluding myself that this is possible. However, if it can be done, I imagine that there are many owners, or certainly their wives, who would appreciate the facility. I understand that even the very latest Jaguar does not have it although I saw a programme on the TV very recently in which the guy from Jaguar Cars said they were working in it!!!

[joejag308]

William the problem is with your softwear its unique to your particular car and its in the radio unit i believe........we do have some handy guys in here who could possibly help........Joe

[pws241150]

William,
It depends on what MP3 player you have. I have an Ipod and have fitted an little device from a company called Dice. It connects the ipod directly to the stero unit, charges it and shows the track that's playing on the RDS display of the radio, the sound quality is excelent. For more detalils take a look at this web site;
http://www.ipodcarkitdirect.co.uk/iPod_ ... _Modulator
Hope this helps.
Pete.
UK

[joejag308]

This was one of my first questions when i bought my X308......
I was told that the only way to get an MP3 player incorporated into the system without major alteration to the standard system would be a very expensive business.
This was where i found out about the FM transmitter option which, as Pete found out in France is not a perfect solution due to the radio bands being congested.
However, over here in the UK i have had no problems,and its not the ideal situation but if you want the MP3 option without replacing the whole system and installing a purpose built FM radio/MP3/Dab radio unit in the dashboard to work with the steering wheel controls its the best option as its a cheap way of getting MP3 without touching the basic set up.
I will look into this and see what i find, please help by doing the same and lets see what is possible for whatever the cost.....its the technicle bit we cant solve the price is immaterial you can always refuse a high cost unit.
My purpose built unit i had installed at the supposedly best outfit in Leeds Unicar (but they have gone out of business) it was a Kenwood unit that even in an XJ40 had to have special wiring to bypass the rear speaker relays...........happy hunting let the forum know what you find .......Joe

[joejag308]

Hi guys......progress so far this fine sunny day.....i got on to our problem with Jaguar themselves,.......anyone who goes down this route be prepared for being fobbed off.......they first put you on to the Heritage parts centre in Oxford after three depts within Jaguar as they say its the Heritage problem. Heritage say its a jaguar problem as the X308 is a mainstream Jaguar model still ......the last model to opt out of the mainstream Jaguar phase was the x300. That took about six phone calls.
I finally was put on to the Heritage tech guy who was at least friendly and tried to help.......he says he cant give me any info as he doesn't have the information after the x300. Jaguar wont release any part numbers or models to him or anyone else if they themselves dont have a retro option for sale.....so for improvement on systems ie MP3 DAB or any more of the modern alternatives if Jaguar dont do an option to upgrade you are stuck with what you have........now its on to Alpine again also the Retro outlets .......but the main stumbling block with them is evidently the operation of the steering wheel controls being incorporated within the system..........so onward and upward hopefully.......Joe

[joejag308]

Hi again guys, i spent the rest of the day with Alpine Audio on the problem we have with the equipment allocated within the 308........
I personally have the premium sound system in the Daimler as standard, the XJ8 models have the basic system in (which is still a very good system).
All this design was from back in the days of the first 300s...........
The question being can the current system be replaced with an off the shelf unit to plug into the rest of the system with possibly a DAB radio as in the 350 also an MP3 player?
It has been a real eye opener,and as Dave Ireland comments what will happen when the FM radio bands are turned off in the new digital changeover if you go to the expense of installing another unit.
Jaguar themselves have no comment as most of their technical staff who were on the project when the systems were initially produced are no longer there.....so no help from them.
The final result is.......make do with what you have or you can like i did use an FM transmitter or an IPOD connection for the MP3 option.
There are ways of changing the system to incorporate a few additions to the system but you lose other parts of the system (the steering wheel controls etc)
As far as having another complete system installed that for you to take up with your audio guys.......but as far as incorporating other units within this current system i dont think it is a viable proposition,especially with the onset of digital about to be thrust upon us..........anyone find out anything where it can be done please let us know.....i hope you can follow what i have been saying im not the most audio minded guy........Joe

[wsa]

Hi Pete and Joe - many thanks for following up on this one. Pete, my MP3 player is a Creative NOMAD jukebox Zen Extra - a few years old and inherited from a grandson. If this name means anything to you will it work with the Dice gizmo? Also, how does one get at the aerial coaxial cable - which I believe is the point of plug in for the Dice? Is it easy or a facia out job? Also, the Dice website asks a couple of techie questions about types of widgets - what did you select for your car?
Best regards to you both
William

[joejag308]

WSA.........could you (and other members please go to your profile and enter your location) it will e a great help to us after the new "jaguar specialists) booklet has been produced.........many thanks Joe

[pws241150]

William,
The Dice unit I fitted is quite easy to fit. You have to renove the radio head unit and there are 3 connections to make, the instructions on thaty come with the unit are good. The unit is the connected directly in to the areial socket on the back of the radio, this cuts out interferance from other radio station, then just tune the radion to one of the preset frequencies et viola you have an Ipod connection. I've not heard of the type of MP3 player you have, I only know about the IPod connections.
Regards,
Pete.

[pws241150]

Hi again guys, i spent the rest of the day with Alpine Audio on the problem we have with the equipment allocated within the 308........
I personally have the premium sound system in the Daimler as standard, the XJ8 models have the basic system in (which is still a very good system).
All this design was from back in the days of the first 300s...........
The question being can the current system be replaced with an off the shelf unit to plug into the rest of the system with possibly a DAB radio as in the 350 also an MP3 player?
It has been a real eye opener,and as Dave Ireland comments what will happen when the FM radio bands are turned off in the new digital changeover if you go to the expense of installing another unit.
Jaguar themselves have no comment as most of their technical staff who were on the project when the systems were initially produced are no longer there.....so no help from them.
The final result is.......make do with what you have or you can like i did use an FM transmitter or an IPOD connection for the MP3 option.
There are ways of changing the system to incorporate a few additions to the system but you lose other parts of the system (the steering wheel controls etc)
As far as having another complete system installed that for you to take up with your audio guys.......but as far as incorporating other units within this current system i dont think it is a viable proposition,especially with the onset of digital about to be thrust upon us..........anyone find out anything where it can be done please let us know.....i hope you can follow what i have been saying im not the most audio minded guy........Joe Joe, you can buy DAB receivers that tune in to a FM waveband on your existing unit, When FM goes there will be no problems from interferance from stations.
Pete

[joejag308]

Pete the item in question is ........we are looking for a replacement unit to go into / or exchange for the current set up without changing the present configuration .
It must contain an MP3 player,plus possibly a DAB radio using the steering wheel controls
Add ons like FM transmitters have been around and used for a while.
The I POD is another add on to the present system, but this time we are searching for a complete unit to actually replace the one already in the cars without making any structural changes to either trim or software.
The DAB radio one in the 350 is a completely different make from Alpine, Denso i think.
There may be some audio outlet / company who have a unit that can be installed.
The outcome so far has been "keep what you have", the Alpine premium sound system does have the FM radio, cd player, cassette player, with a sub woofer but this is very difficult / expensive to change up to from standard
I have added an FM transmitter, and i am looking at the Ipod option (anyone know how an IPOD works ?)..........if there are any company's or outlets who can fulfil this please let us know who and where they are. also where you are via your profile..........Joe

[Brakebuster]

there is one possibility, but it may be tricky to set up, and may not work even then,....


i have a hands free bluetooth setup for my iPhone in my 1999 XJ8 , when a call comes in the bluetooth adapter takes over the stereo and the phone call is heard through the two front speakers ,

this bluetooth is not a Jaguar setup, but a Nokia setup using an auto-leads adaptor , this plugs into the standard phone kit connector under the armrest cubby box, it works perfectly as it is

i have yet however to try playing music through the iPhone to the bluetooth and hear it on the speakers, it should be no different to pairing up a bluetooth stereo for the same reason

however

i dont think the iPhone transmits music over bluetooth, some other phones do, so it may be worth a try ??


BB

[Brakebuster]

right, 30 second search found this ' hack ' for an iphone to play mp3's over bluetooth to a bluetooth adapter in your Jag


The Hack

1. Click on the phone icon on the iPhone

2. Go to the keypad and type in the following command precisely as written: *#307#

3. Once the incoming call screen comes up, click the "answer call" button on the bluetooth, then the answer button on the iPhone

4. Now, hit the home button and get back to the home screen

5. Click on the phone icon again, get back to the keypad and type in 0

6. Answer the phone by clicking on the iPhone's answer button and this time, make sure to click on the "sources" button and click on your bluetooth

7. Now head back to the home screen and start listening to whatever you want - either iPod tunes or any other apps

During this time, you won't be able to use cellular connections or any kind of outside connections to the internet. In order to restore your connections, you'll have to reboot the iPhone once you've heard everything you wanted to.

This method is a little convoluted to say the least, but at least you won't be losing a vital function of your phone. The ability to listen to your music wirelessly via your bluetooth headphone is something that is priceless - and even though the sound will be mono, until Apple decides to unleash upon the world a firmware update that takes care of this issue once and for all, you'll at least be able to use it.


i will go try it in a mo, lol

BB

[joejag308]

Vince many thanks for the info, it wasn't the exact item we were looking for.......the addition of add on additions like the transmitter i use and the
I pod ect were not what we tried to locate. We actually tried to locate an actual unit to replace / upgrade the current system units to include an mp3 player and possibly a dab radio too without having to change the dashboard set up (or wiring for that matter).
I was really amazed at the lack of cooperation from both Jaguar and Alpine.......what they said i took to mean "what you have you keep"
The problem at Jaguar is if they dont have a replacement unit which they can sell on as a definite part to replace the existing one then they dont even give the model number of the current one (Possibly in case someone does manage to procure one).
Alpine on the other hand just "move on" progress is everything to them they dont linger on old models.....so the equipment in a 308 is obsolete not long after its produced.
But we did try...........sorry guys..........Joe

[Mike1932]

Don't know how relevant this is, but I use an iPod Nano in the car, courtesy of an iTrip Auto FM Transmitter Smartscan. Purchased on eBay and details can be seen at http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0392850765.

I have the iTrip plugged in to the rear cigarette lighter, the iTrip itself in the arm rest, and the wire which connects to the iPod in the front ashtray, with just the right length of cable showing to allow the iPod to rest on the side of the ski-slope.

The iTrip locates an unused FM frequency, which you can then pre-program, and you play by pressing the FM button as though you were listening to the radio.

Whether it would work with any MP3 player, regret I do not know!