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No, the iTrip is NOT an "FM modulator," as that term is usually used. It's an "FM transmitter". And, quite honestly, it's completely lame.
The iTrip attaches to the iPod and broadcasts on the FM frquency of your choice -- you set the frequency to whatever you want by "playing" a file corresponding to that frequency on your iPod. You choose a frequency that no other station in your area is broadcasting on, so there won't be interference from actual stations, and you tune your radio to the frequency you've chosen. Your FM car radio then picks up the signal broadcasted from the iTrip. Unfortunately, the iTrip's broadcast strength is EXTREMELY weak. It might work in rural areas with few stations and lots of space between them, but in an urban area with a densely populated FM dial, you just can't get a clear signal from the iTrip because there's too much competition from actual adjacent radio stations.
The competing Belkin product, the "Tunecast" mobile FM transmitter, puts out a stronger signal, but you have to choose from one of four pre-set stations: 88.1, 88.3, 88.5, or 88.7. Otherwise, it does the same job as the iTrip -- SLIGHTLY better results, again, IF you're listening in an area with a relatively unpopulated FM dial. The Belkin requires a triple-A battery, the iTrip is powered by the iPod's battery. Another difference between these two products is that the iTrip works only with iPod. The Belkin product will work with anything with a headphone output (so, for example, a portable CD player).
The advantage to these FM transmitters over other options is that there's no installation required -- you don't have to dig into your car's dashboard. You just attach it to your iPod, and tune your radio.
I would suggest that if you want to try either of these modulators, you buy them from a place that allows returns if you're not happy. If it turns out you live in an area where it will work, great; if not, you'll be really sad, and the iTrip is not cheap.
There's yet another, newer, FM transmitter that's reputed to be better than the iPod or Belkin, at http://www.podfreq.com I haven't tried this one myself (I *did* try both the iTrip and the Belkin), but people seem to like it better. It works on the same "broadcast" principle, though.
An FM "modulator" is a different animal -- it is a device that lives behind the dashboard, usually, and is connected to your iPod (or other music source) by a wire. It is coupled inline to your radio's antenna. In other words, to install it, you unplug the antenna from the back of the radio, and plug it into the modulator instead, and then plug the modulator into your antenna jack in your car radio -- so, if you can picture it, the modulator is wired directly into your car radio's antenna input. When the modulator is turned off, the antenna functions normally, and you can tune to radio stations. When you turn it on, the modulator overpowers (or, for better ones, interrupts) the antenna input and replaces it by its own. You tune the radio to whatever station the modulator is set to, and you get no interference from "real" radio stations, because there's an actual physical connection between your radio and the modulator. FM modulators are typically installed by car stereo shops, though it's a fairly reasonable do-it-yourself job if you're capable of pulling your stereo out of the dash, and installing an on/off switch on your dash and splicing power and ground wires.
I hope that helps some.
posted by 66.77.13...
, Wed, 5 Jan 2005 23:09:14, Thu, 6 Jan 2005 12:57:40
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