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Want to play downloaded music in my car but technoidiot!

7 replies

janpa · 29/04/2013 18:12

I'm very behind with modern technology. My car has a USB port which is to plug in an ipod but am not sure if I can plug an MP3 player into it. I tried downloading a single track onto my Samsung phone today and then using the lead which I connect it to the computer and put it into this USB port in the car but it didn't play out of the stereo, but don't know if it just wouldn't or if I was doing something wrong. So, basically, is an MP3 player the same as an ipod? They seem considerably cheaper. Should I be able to use my phone as a way of getting downloaded music into the car? If I want to play downloaded music into the car must it be an ipod or can I use an MP3 player? Do I need one shaped like a memory stick or use a lead to connect it?
Argh!

OP posts:
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flatpackhamster · 29/04/2013 20:52

We'd probably be able to make a more useful contribution if you tell us what sort of car you've got.

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janpa · 29/04/2013 21:23

It's a Smart Car. Thank you.

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MTSgroupie · 29/04/2013 22:03

Based on what you have described you can't use your phone. It has to be an iPod.

The connectors on an IPod/iPhone is designed to allow audio to be transmitted to external gadgets. Most obvious example is when you dock it on a set of speakers at home or an alarm clock comb or in this case your car stereo.

Your phone on the other hand is designed to send audio only down the earphone jack.

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MTSgroupie · 29/04/2013 22:13

Approaching it from another direction, you can buy a portable loudspeaker the size of an apple (the fruit), or bigger if you want, and plug your phone into that using a cable from the speaker to your phone's earphone jack.

Ok, you have a loudspeaker that is nowhere as good as your car speakers and you have to charge it at home or via your cigarette lighter but it is a solution abeit an imperfect one.

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nannynick · 29/04/2013 22:32

Wonder if it would play files off a usb stick.

Really you need to find the manual for the car radio to see what it does, or pop into a showroom and ask how it works.

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MTSgroupie · 29/04/2013 23:24

I just gone to the Smart Car site and downloaded the owner's manual. As well as the USB your radio should have a AUX connector. That should work with your phone.

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PedroYoniLikesCrisps · 01/05/2013 19:21

USB connector is not going to be for an iPod. You would expect a dedicated iPod dock connector for that.

If it's a standard USB socket then it will likely be able to play mp3 files straight from a USB stick.

To play through your phone or mp3 player you would need to plug into an aux socket (will look like a headphone socket and you'll need a male to male 1/8 inch stereo lead to connect to it) or alternatively you can get devices you plug into your phone or mp3 player which transmit FM signals you can pick up by tuning the radio in to the right frequency.

Hope that helps.

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