Monsoon Ipod Intergration!

[priuseater]

Finally after tinkering around for a few months, ive finally figured out how to get ipod integration with our factory H1 monsoon stereo that has the 6 disk cd changer.



Myself like many, encountered the problem of trying to integrate a aux input into the factory radio with hopes of being able to add a mp3 player or ipod. I really didnt want to change out the factory radio. Reason being is that it actually not that bad of a factory radio, its got lots of power, and i cant complain (im upgrading the sub as we speak but that another project).



I came across a thread on the HML forum, some folks talkin about using a aux input module that plugs in between the cd changer, and gives you 2 inputs with a switch to select between them. Many talked about it, but no one "fully" confirmed that it worked. Not too bad i thought.. So i started to look through the wiring diagrams to check out what type of wires we got to play with.

Very simply there’s a ground, 12v+, R audio, L audio, common. and a data line. The data line intrigued me because how complicated would it be to make a communication box with a bit of programming to do simple commands like track fwd, back, stop, play and pass it along to the ipod..



After a bit of searching i found 3 companies that made a interface module for 95-2000 gm vehicles. that use a very similar radio then ours. After a brief email to each of the 3 companies, all of them said it wouldn’t work, and left it at that.. <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... rassed.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':-[' /> i even asked for a pin out diagram for their modules but they wouldn’t help at all in the quest.



The connector looked the same, and from what i could see in the pics, the pin out looked the same for data, and audio lines. So i took the plunge and order one of the modules, not cheap, but it was worth the risk, i wanted to keep my truck as factory as possible without butchering it at all.



Sure enough it showed up, i plugged her in, set up the module for the gm vehicles, and BINGO, we got iPod connectivity <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... tongue.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':P' />



Its actually pretty slick, you get track fwd, back, fast fwd, and such. I haven’t had enough time to tinker with all the settings, but i cant complain. It gets a bit confused if you try and do too many commands at a time. but does what its designed to do.



Now the modifying begins.. The module has a y connector which in theory would let me hook up my cd changer at the same time, but requires a 2 way double switch to select power and data between the ipod kit, and cd changer, both cannot be hooked up at the same time. So that will be in the works once the weather warms up.



It works great with my ipod touch 4g. <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... iggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':D' />

[priuseater]

It also charges the Ipod as well. And works with the new iphone 4, and probably ipad as well. <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... ght_on.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':right_on:' />

[Hesh]

A) Which module was it that you went with (am I blind, or did you leave that out)?



<img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... >/cool.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='B)' /> PAC's IS-77 model integrates an ipod without sacrificing the CD changer, if you chose to change your setup.

[priuseater]

Woops i guess i missed that..I dont remember which model it is off the top of my head, but the moduel and harness were seperate. And u switch the dip switches depending on the data interface type



The thing with the is77 is that it uses basically a fm modulator, and you loose a bit of fedelity that way

[Hesh]

No you dont. In normal FM Modulator setups, I would agree, however this acts as a jumper/piggyback harness and actually gets plugged into (and utilizes as an input) the factory antenna's socket on the radio, and then the antenna wire gets plugged into it, thus despite being routed THRU the FM section of the radio, actually is hardwired to your deck.

[priuseater]

Its still a FM modulator. Just hard wired, and you still loose a bit of quality due to the limitation of the FM fequency.

Regardless though, it is a good alternative for allowing you to get your ipod to work with your radio. Which is better then not having anything to listen to <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... edface.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':oops:' />



This is the PAC version of the interface, looks identical to the one that i got:

http://www.pac-audio.com/productDetails ... egoryID=36





The cable:

http://www.pac-audio.com/productDetails ... egoryID=37





And if you just want 2 aux inputs with the ability to keep your cd changer:

http://www.pac-audio.com/productDetails ... egoryID=24





The difference between the PXPD and mine is that the new version of the the PXPD supports the new "Class 2" data interface in the newer 2002+ GM vehicles.. I beleive they have cables to make it work with the H2, and H3 radio. And the tracks show up on the radio display and all that other fun stuff <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... rgreen.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':mrgreen:' />

[Hesh]

I'd say that is a stretch, but if you really want to break it down, you'll have far more interference by way of the loud diesel motor making whatever frequencies you believe to have dropped off negligible. I really dont think there is much of (if any) of a quality loss, as you most certainly arent getting a compressed-as-all-hell signal as one would get from actual radio stations (which is done for the sake of maximizing loudness, and efficiency within a frequency, amongst others). Ive spent years doing live audio and audio engineering, and would have to say chasing down tonal perfection in an H1 is a fruitless endeavor, but I applaud your persistence lol