About FM Transmitters for iPod
Last modified Mon, Jul 23, 2007

In this article we'll only focus on the FM transmitter as a solution. If you want to see all the different types of connections look at iPod your car stereo, where we have descriptions and photos of all

FM transmitters offer an affordable way to listen to your iPod in the car, as well as your home, without some of the drawbacks of the cassette adapter which are - can't recharge your iPod, mounting or holding your iPod is difficult and cassette recorders have gone the way of the Dodo bird.

FM transmitters (see comparison chart) are less expensive than the direct connect solutions and much easier to install - basically just plug and play.

FM transmitters don't require the "special" auxiliary in jack found on newer car stereos only. Not many stereo manufacturers are adding this so it is limiting.

How do FM Transmitters work?

FM Transmitters are nothing more than a simple very short range FM radio station - that is - they broadcast your music over the FM range of frequencies. Just find an unused frequency on your FM radio between 88.1 and 107.9 MHz , set the same station on your FM Transmitter - that's it just press play on your iPod.

Note: Your FM transmitter will work best on an empty channel. Find the best FM radio channel to use in your area here.

FM transmitters work through a two-step process.

1. First they take your iPod music (audio signal) and convert it into an FM signal. If not converted properly, you can end up with distortion and digital noise. The quality of the conversion will determine the clarity, accuracy, and fidelity of your music.
2. The second step is broadcasting the FM signal to your FM Radio. There are several factors that affect the quality of this broadcast, but sone of the most important are the antenna length, efficiency and power.

Factors that effect sound quality

Conversion of the audio signal (out from the iPod) to an FM signal and then efficiently broadcasting the FM signal from the transmitter to your FM Radio.

To deliver the best audio quality, FM transmitter manufacturers use design techniques to:

• Minimize Total Harmonic Distortion - Percentage of distortion introduced by the electronics of the FM Transmitter
• Increase Stereo Separation - Separation of left and right audio channels that helps your music sound as it was intended
• Increase Signal to Noise Ratio - This is the level of background noise in sound relative to the audio produced by the FM Transmitter - better ratio means better fidelity
• Good frequency response characteristics that lead to richer lows and crisper highs

In addition, some FM Transmitters use sophisticated filtering technologies to eliminate the noise or hiss from the audio. Now that it has a clean and clear audio signal your FM Transmitter needs to transmit it to your radio antenna for “hiss-free” reception.

The transmission clarity depends on signal strength, which is limited by (power output) government regulation, antenna layout and length. Quality of design and electronic components as well as the manufacturer implemented all these trade offs. Your own car stereo can contribute too as well as location of the transmitter - close is better.

What to consider when shopping for FM Transmitters

• Audio Quality - often a fucntion of your car stereo, the transmitter and attenna sensitivity.
• Intended use - is it for your car or home use too
  • Car-only transmitters are powered from the car cigarette lighter and therefore can't be used at home. They typically allow charging the iPod while playing, a nice benefit on long trips. These usually provide better sound quality because the charging cable is used as an antenna to transmit the FM signal.
  • Wireless FM Transmitters are truly portable -carry in your pocket - solutions and can be used in the car or at home (see Griffin iTrip Nano). They typically cradle your iPod using the dock for connection and draw power from the iPod's battery. Their primary benefits are small size, lower price and flexibility - use them anywhere, home or car. The downside of a typical portable FM transmitter is the (sometimes) poor signal that can result in an audible “hiss” noise typical of a weak signal.
• Transmitter size - Small FM Transmitters don’t deliver the same audio quality you can experience from larger and wired FM Transmitters, because they do not have the space for a large antenna.
• Compatibility - Does the transmitter work with your iPod model and generation. Does the plug fit into the iPod dock or is the headphone jack used?
• Features - recharging, docking, station presets, auto off, easy to read display.
  • Station pre-sets let you jump to commonly used frequencies just by pressing a button. Handy and safer while driving.
  • LCD displays allow you to see your frequency on the transmitter while others only show it through your iPod. Additionally, some backlight the display so that you can see it at night.
  • Autoseek feature to automatically find the best frequency for playback. Great idea but haven't seen it on too many models.
  • Extra functions such as built-in FM radio. Turns your iPod into an FM radio receiver as well as transmitter. Very nice addition but we have only seen this on portable models.

There are many excellent FM Transmitter products on the market, but do your research to determine the best solution for you and your iPod. If possible try a friends unit in your car. For a complete listing see iPod-FM-Transmitters.html

The ability to use your iPod successfully in your car will change the way you listen to your music collection while on the road. No longer will you have to fiddle with trunk loading CD changers, search for the one CD that is just right for your trip, or worry about your CD carrying case being stolen.

Didn't find what you were looking for, try:

• To see all other connection solutions look at How to connect an iPod to your car
• For iPod Video FM Transmitters
• For iPod Nano FM transmitters
• Look here for iPod car docking cradles, holders, mounts.
• Look here for iPod car chargers
• Look here for iPod motorcycle options.

Check The iPod Accessories Directory at top left on this page.

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