Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Help with an iPod interface!!!

by argetlam2103 Oct 6, 2008 7:51AM PDT

I have a Pioneer DEH-P9800BT head unit that I bought and installed last Christmas and I was wondering if the Harman Kardon Drive + Play iPod interface would work in unison with the Pioneer iPod system I have in place or if I would have to remove the Pioneer and install the HK system instead. The 9800's iPod interface is terrible and I'm looking to switch and the HK is cheap so I'm hoping to find out quickly whether or not it'll work.

Thanks.

Discussion is locked

2 Posts

- Collapse + Expand Details

- Collapse -

HK Drive + Play

by antuan.goodwin Roadshow staff Oct 9, 2008 4:31AM PDT

The Harmon Kardon Drive + Play connects to your current headunit via a built in wireless FM-transmitter, an optional wired FM-transmitter, or a line-out. Your Pioneer headunit should have an aux-in so the line-out option will give you the best quality.

To connect the HK Drive+Play to your Pioneer headunit, you'll need a male to male 1/8" stereo audio cable. I don't remember if the HK comes with one, but you can find them at RadioShack for a few bucks. It should look like a headphone plug on both ends. Simply connect the HK's line-out to your DEH-P9800BT's line in (on the back, if I'm correct) and voila, select the aux-in as the audio source and the sound should play through your speakers.

You'll be bypassing the Pioneer's interface for all but volume control in this configuration. If you have issues with the connection, be sure to deactivate the built-in FM transmitter in the HK's menu. Check Harmon Kardon's website for details.

--Antuan Goodwin
--Associate Editor, CNET Car Tech

- Collapse -

why complicat things?

by tmdawes Oct 31, 2008 2:29AM PDT

depending on the look your going for, from personell experience the whole set up will look really tacky. having a monitor to see waht your browsing, i controller to control the ipod then having it plugged into your deck. theres quite a few wires to hide like power, data cables from the controller, and then your ipod cable. as far as i know the harmon kardon wont charge the new 3gen nanos, touch, or iphone. what i would reccomend would be trying the alpine cda-9886 headunit. it is by far the easiest unit to navigatem, play, and charge your ipod with plenty of style. the alpine has a good rep for sound quality reliability and functionability. you can find one at an authorized dealer for around 250-320$

Back to Auto Repair - Roadshow forum