old skool alpine to mp3???

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pukar
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Post Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:19 pm

does anyone know if it is possible to connect and old alpine head unit to an mp3 player...i believe it might be possible using the CD changer input, but am not sure from reading around on the net...

alpine TDM-7530R
cd shuttle controls
cd input is 8 pin (round)

it doesnt say v-link and i dont know anything about ai-net or mbus......

if a readymade lead is not available, can one be put together if anyone knows what the cd shuttle cable pins do?

i want to keep that old school look with the alpine, but also no longer own any cassettes!!! :?
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Post Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:22 pm

I have one of these, so I could have a nice blaupunkt headunit. :D

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toby
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Post Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:33 pm

It depends on the age of it. I tried and failed on a (very) old Alpine unit. It has to have some way of recognising an input. If my memory returns any further info I will mention it. It's been a long day... I think it's a problem with pre 96 models. There was a chart with the info somewhere...
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BadDave
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Post Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:50 pm

This is only a suggestion.

Have you tried contacting Alpine UK??

There's usually a contact form or email addy on there website
I've founf them to be most helpfull regarding any query i've had in the past re component compatibility.

And BTW the M at the end of TDM in the H/U model means it's an M bus compatible model and not ai-net.

Ai-net units end in A i.e CDA/CVA in the model munbers

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Shaheenk
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Post Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:54 pm

yes it is possible , you wilkl not be able to control the MP# player, but will have RCA's to use for input , so could go from MP3 to RCA and then into unit, does not really help if you have to control the MP3 on it's own, but a lot cheaper then changing headunit or usign a FM transmitter.

From the research I have done you have an M-bus headunit , so would need .....KCM-122B

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Alpine-K ... ioQ5fVideo

2nd one has Ipod plug, so you can charge it at the same time.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/IPOD-TO- ... ccessories
pukar
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Post Thu Nov 05, 2009 1:49 pm

i emailed alpine yesterday and they responded.....

Hi, I'm afraid that headunit predates any Aux in features, so it will not
work with our MP3 player leads...

Regards

...so i guess that there is no readymade lead available. i have emailed back asking if it is possible to make a bespoke one and waiting for their response. i really want to see this unit in action again and would be sad to consign it to the back of the garage. i am not keen on tape adaptors or fm modulators due to quality of audio.......
pukar
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Post Thu Nov 05, 2009 4:43 pm

i got a reply from alpine who say......

It does require a data bus before it will open the audio ports, this is the
same with all units of that age.....

Regards

...what the heck is a data bus??? where do i get one, how do i use it?
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toby
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Post Thu Nov 05, 2009 6:23 pm

It's seems like it's the way the circuits inside the unit are set up. There may well be a way round it but, it's only a headunit...

Sounds like it doesn't have the right kind of electronic architecture to offer an input facility...

"In computer architecture, a bus is a subsystem that transfers data between computer components inside a computer or between computers.

Having completed the data transfer the bus becomes free for the next request in the scheduler's queue."http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus_(computing)

So essentially unfortunately it looks like - get another head unit or stick with tapes.
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pukar
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Post Thu Nov 05, 2009 11:18 pm

i was afraid that might be the case...looks like the old girl will have to go back in the box somewhere at the back of the garage.....ah well.

thanks to everyone for your suggestions