I'm installing a PAC aux-pod IPOD controller box in my dmax. There is a note that says - if you plan to use XM, you need to connect it to the XM Receiver instead of the head unit. Anyone know where the XM receiver is mounted? I haven't pulled the head unit yet cuz I was hoping to get some understanding of it before then...

Do you have XM ????????

If so I think looking behind the glove box is where GM puts the reciever,

T:cool: NY

Man... i was afraid it was a really stupid question... Yes... i have XM.. or it would have been a REALLY stupid question. ;)
Thanks Tony!

Fester, I'm glad you brougth this up, my wife wants an iPod in her truck but she also wants to keep her XM. Does the system your looking into keep the XM with the iPod? I looked at their site but couldn't get a solid answer...

is that a peripheral connector or the Neo device??


I have been checking into this for my truck (2005) as well. However, on their website, the pictures are showing that the IPOD adapter needs to be hooked up to the cd changer port. Which is fine because I do use the XM feature.

I am not sure if I have a changer port, as my radio does not list changer on any of the buttons. I also do not have an aux button.

anybody have any ideas or thoughts?

Hopefully Fester has found the solution through the XM receiver.

thanks,
Lee

BTW: I have a 2005 GMC Crew w/Bose and 6 disc changer in the head unit.
The box i have is the PAC audio aux-pod (now called pod2car).

I still haven't found the stock xm receiver location. Checked behind the glove box - and there is a silver box back there - but the connection is nothing like the one on the back of the stereo. The folks at PACific Audio in their documentation sort of made it sound like it was the same connector - so i don't know. What i can tell you is the following: If you do connect it to the stock stereo instead of the xm receiver - - while you are listening to XM, the PIOD audio will play thorugh at the same time if it's on.
- also - listening to XM - you do hear some white noise from the IPOD - even it it's turned off - as long as it's plugged in. Unplug the IPOD - and it XM sounds great.
- hit the XM/AUX button again while you are listening to XM - and the stereo goes into AUX mode with just the IPOD playing - and it sounds GREAT.

Result?? XM sounds great as long as you don't plug in the IPOD. IPOD sounds great in aux mode. Not the worst - but i'm still checking with PAC Audio to find out about the XM receiver stuff.

fester,


I have an 05 bose w/xm and w/out changer.

so it sounds like if I had a changer it would be integrated into the HU instead of seperate in the center console. is this correct?

it also sound like... if I am correct about the integrated changer; there will not be a changer port on the rear of my HU.

lastly, going through the XM sounds like the only option left. I hope there is a way to use both XM and IPOD without any sound degradation; an not one or the other.

Let us know what PAC says.

Where did you order your unit from? and how much?

THanks,
lee

fester,


I have an 05 bose w/xm and w/out changer.

so it sounds like if I had a changer it would be integrated into the HU instead of seperate in the center console. is this correct?

YES - the factory 6 disc is in the head unit.

it also sound like... if I am correct about the integrated changer; there will not be a changer port on the rear of my HU.

Correct

lastly, going through the XM sounds like the only option left. I hope there is a way to use both XM and IPOD without any sound degradation; an not one or the other.

Let us know what PAC says.

**** I'll let you know when i hear back from them *****

Where did you order your unit from? and how much?


***** JP Customs - don't recall exactly what i paid for it- but just ordered itrecently. www.jpcustoms.com

THanks,
lee

Responses in the quote above....

thanks unclefester,


lee

I don't currently have a truck like this but familar with stereo equipment and such. If you chose to use both your factory XM and IPOD together you will need to run your IPOD through the XM reciever as that then goes to the factory head unit. I will get with my buddy and try to locate the factory location for the XM reciever in his truck. I would think that the XM receiever would be behind the factory head unit somewhere fairly close. I don't think they would put it that far away. Just a guess, check under your seats and under the console towards the front by the head unit. If you find the XM reciever and have any questions I can probably help you out. Thanks Chris

Wilds:
That would be great if you could help locate it. What's funny - is that the XM will work if the IPOD is turned off - and - if I hit the XM button a third time it will go to AUX where the IPOD will play. I just have to have the IPOD not playing while in XM Mode. If connecting off the XM receiver will resolve this - (so i don't care what the state of the IPOD is while in XM1 or XM2 - that would be awesome.

Also - I am running the 2.2 software on my IPOD - but the steering wheel controls still don't work for it. I'll have to see if there is another IPOD update.

Why not just buy an FM transmitter for the IPOD. Around $35 bucks, just snaps on top of Ipod & transmits through the radio .

You can do that as well. It will transmit to a desired station of your choice to allow for better reception in different areas. I have found that if you do this to go ahead and get the more expensive FM Transmitter. There is one by Belkin that is digital and runs on batteries or 12V in the car. It goes from like 88.1-107.9, something crazy like that. You can get ones from IPOD themselves but I haven't ever used them seeing as I have a Dell instead. There is a cheaper version from Belkin that has like 3 or 4 preset stations you can pick from, the only problem is if those are stations where you live it's hard for that little battery powered transmitter to boost the signal enough. The last version mentioned is batteries only. The nice thing about having these little transmitters that people don't think about much, is that the first version I have transmit for about 30ft. on 12V power. It's great for tailgating down here or when we are out on the lake. Just have all your buddies that are tied up on the water with you or parked around you tune to the same station. BAM there you go, all listening to the same stuff, it's really great. My buddy has an HD with the entertainment system in it and they have a set of RCA jacks in the unit on the bottom and he has connected his IPOD through there. Then you just have to turn on the DVD player. That's another possible fix you have the Ent. system. You just have to get a cable that goes from headphone on your IPOD to RCA. These are also very nice for running like an IPOD in your house on your stereo or from computers to stereos. I'll keep working on it though. Let me know what you find out. Thanks Chris

Why not just buy an FM transmitter for the IPOD. Around $35 bucks, just snaps on top of Ipod & transmits through the radio .
There is no comparison in sound quality between an FM modulator and the aux in set up. Even if you get a good signal you are still constrained by the frequency range of FM.

I left the XM hooked up and my aux input works the same way you described UncleF. I have been using it this way for 8mths with no problem. Keep in mind my unit is only a digital aux input and does not have the control or display feature. I use the ipod for that. Here is a pic of it mounted on the custom dock connnector in my truck,

http://img35.exs.cx/img35/9913/ipod23qd.jpg

http://img35.exs.cx/img35/2929/ipod14it.jpg

TOD -

Nice looking install. I was comtemplating doing something like that with my IPOD... but I think i'm going to use a universal mount instead and hang it from that mount. WRT to the FM Transmitter - they are garbage from the sound quality perspective. I own three of them - thinking they would get better if i spent more. NOt the case.

I use them with my 17" laptop computer in the car when i want to watch movies - since I haven't installed a video system in the car yet. Any chance you found anything else out wrt to the XM receiver deal? I can't imagine why connecting to the XM receiver will make a difference - unless there is a different input on the XM receiver - vs. just using the other end of the same cable connected to the head unit.

TOD - forgot to ask...

doesn't that IPOD bounce off of there? Where I live - Winter time when the roads heave and get bumpy.... any offroad days...etc - I see it flying off of their and hitting the floor...

not so?

TOD - forgot to ask...

doesn't that IPOD bounce off of there? Where I live - Winter time when the roads heave and get bumpy.... any offroad days...etc - I see it flying off of their and hitting the floor...

not so?
I get asked that alot but the unit is very solid. I have yet to see it come of the dock connector. Last week we had some snow and the roads were very bumpy and even with me having some fun it did not move.

I don't think connecting at the reciever will make any differece either but I could be wrong. You need to find dmxallytech he will know the location of the reciever. I too thought it was under the dash behind the glove box??

just ordered my ipod2car from jp customs. Did anyone get any more information about the location of the xm unit?

I just wanted to get as much information as possible prior to installation.

UncleFester... did you ask Jason from JP... about the xm location? or what could be causing the audio interference?

thanks,
Lee

the ipod interface goes to the back of the headunit all directions are clear with the product

The XM receiver is behind the glovebox towards the side of the truck. It is silver and will be in a bracket with two black retainer clips on top securing the receiver to the bracket. Unfortunately, I do not believe there is a way to connect any other accessories to or through the XM receiver as it has only two connections: the antenna cable and the harness which goes to the back of the OEM headunit. That said, it appears that any accessories would need to connect directly to the radio.