I have just bought my new ( 2003 ) 147 tonight which I just love! Its dark gray with black leather seats....a thing of BEAUTY !
I notice that the standard radio/cd deck doesnt have an AUX input for an iPod etc.....its not the Bose upgrade, just the standard.
I dont really want to change the deck because its so much a part of the look of the dash etc.....plus the facia of the stereo is curved and it doesnt look like a standard deck would actually fit in the provided space.
Any of you guys/girl upgraded the stereo in this car?
Advise would be great
Tony
I'm glad you asked Tony because I've recently got the 147 GTA 2006. It's got the Bose head unit but it doesnt have the AUX input nor does it play MP3's
=(
So I'm keen to hear what others have done too.
Sorry this was totally unhelpful and congrats on the new purchase mate.
Wow...a GTA ...thats impressive! My standard 147 is pretty zippy so i can only imagine what the GTA is like!
There seems to be a few iphone adapter kits (hard wired) that car kit installers sell....from $150 and up....something like that might do the trick...
I think these are pretty seamless other than an ipod cable coming out of the console.....
lets keep each other posted !
cheers
So I assume you already looked around the site, and this http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=4945.0 (http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=4945.0) post was of no use?
Quote from: tony8028 on August 12, 2010, 09:28:31 PM
There seems to be a few iphone adapter kits (hard wired) that car kit installers sell....from $150 and up....something like that might do the trick...
Check out this site ... http://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/
For some overpriced plastic to hold your device in place, try the following link. Neat solution.
http://www.holdmyphone.com.au/select-your-device.html?hselect=MP3&hselect2=Apple-&hselect3=iPod-Touch-Gen-2/3&ddlsubaccessories=&ddlaccessories=&ddlBrands=Alfa-Romeo&ddlModels=147-01_08&radiobutton1=332#dashmount (http://www.holdmyphone.com.au/select-your-device.html?hselect=MP3&hselect2=Apple-&hselect3=iPod-Touch-Gen-2/3&ddlsubaccessories=&ddlaccessories=&ddlBrands=Alfa-Romeo&ddlModels=147-01_08&radiobutton1=332#dashmount)
Cheers,
Marco
Marco, that solves the device holding side of things, but not the connectivity !
Thanks for posting though....
There seem to be a few custom solutions around...
these days the idea of carrying around your whole CD collection and playing them one by one is just not on !
Might try and find a nice iphone / car kit / music player / bluetooth integrated thing....
actually maybe the "active" solution does integrate with the deck ?
While there may not be a jack at the front, there may be an AUX jack at the rear of the deck (eg GTA at least had an optional CD stacker which wires in to the back of the deck). If you can connect something there you could have it run into or below the glovebox for the ipod.
I think there are threads on alfowners about this.
Quote from: ChrisGTA on August 13, 2010, 04:12:02 PM
While there may not be a jack at the front, there may be an AUX jack at the rear of the deck (eg GTA at least had an optional CD stacker which wires in to the back of the deck). If you can connect something there you could have it run into or below the glovebox for the ipod.
I think there are threads on alfowners about this.
The only mentionsof iPod that I cant find on this forums are the ones in this thread?
I am just using the search box, top right hand side of page.
The other discussion thread lead me to buy ...
http://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/connects-ctaaripod001-iphoneitouch2-adapter-alfa-romeo-2000-p-9813.html (http://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/connects-ctaaripod001-iphoneitouch2-adapter-alfa-romeo-2000-p-9813.html)
as I wanted to hook the iPhone in. Can't comment further as I have yet install, will let you know.
hey brad, have they posted you the kit?
if they are not too slow on postage i might grab one myself.
Hi Tony, few articles talking about using the connection on the back of the unit on the threads here. Cheers
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-gta/196127-ipod-to-standard-bose-head-unit.html
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/ice-and-blue-and-me/
Quote from: tony8028 on August 14, 2010, 02:52:40 PM
hey brad, have they posted you the kit?
It took less than a week.
I love DRIVING my Alfa Romeo's it's the best............. sound exerience
I listen to music at HOME
Quote from: Brad Marshall on August 14, 2010, 06:01:39 PM
Quote from: tony8028 on August 14, 2010, 02:52:40 PM
hey brad, have they posted you the kit?
It took less than a week.
Cool. Is it a self install or do you need a pro?
any idea whether these will work with a 2003 147?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150356879078&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:MOTORS:1123
Quote from: tony8028 on August 14, 2010, 06:41:29 PM
Cool. Is it a self install or do you need a pro?
It looks to be a self install, but until I pull my finger out that's just a theory.
Turning the CD input on the back of the 147 and facelift 156 head unit into an Aux input is pretty straight forward. There will be a blue blanking plug fitted to your HU (without metal pins). I simply jammed heavy gauge speaker wire into mine and gaffa taped that to a cut off iPhone headphones jack to check if it would work. You also need to short two of the pins in the same blue plug to fool the unit that it's connected to the CD stacker. There's a thread on alfaforums uk about it. Or if you want i can drag out mine and tell you which pins.
This makes the CD in the car inoperative (stacker is connected)
You can't control the iPod/MP3.... obviously
I gave up using mine as there was no handy control of the iPod (above)
The blaupunkt cable in your link will not control the iPod, there was an official alfa/Denison(I think) cable available with limited control.
I'm tempted to buy the marine version of the Alpine IDX-??? It's matching silver, round dials and no doubt tons better than the stock HU.
Quote from: tony8028 on August 23, 2010, 08:49:05 PM
any idea whether these will work with a 2003 147?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150356879078&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:MOTORS:1123
I tried it for a while and whilst it worked it jammed up quite often and required the fuse to be pulled out to reboot the head unit. In the end I bought an aftermarket Blaupunkt head unit to match the connector and it has worked perfectly ever since.
I am thinking a non-standard deck that already has all the iPod stuff...
Could this still be controlled from my steering wheel?
Any recommendations ?
yes, it's possible but costs...
any good HU will work (i.e. alpine), but unless u wanna cut and solder, i suggest u get the alpine to alfa harness (around 30quid), if you want the steering controls to work u gotta get the adaptor + harness to work on an aftermarket system (around another 40quid)
so gets pretty expensive real quick for just a h/u change... eg, alpine cde-102 which includes ipod cable + associated harnesses not including fascia plates etc you may need, looking at around $330 H/U + $120 in harnesses...
u can get the harnesses from: http://www.nexxia.co.uk/product.asp?product_code=CTSAR001&category=Steering%20Control%20Adaptors%20Connects2§ion=Car%20Audio
Delayed reply, sorry guys.
There are iPod interfaces, including Alfa's own OE version. Unfortunately, some of these depend upon the firmware in the headunit. I don't know exactly which versions (of firmware) work, but the newer versions (in newer cars of course) are not compatible with some of the adaptors. So if you buy online, it can be hit and miss, so be careful to ensure you can obtain a full refund if it doesn't work.
However, there are various adaptors that should definitely work, but will cost more. These include Dension Gateway adaptors, and products like LoudLink. Connects2 also offer some iPod adaptors that can work.
Stinger-Australia (Stinger is a major US car audio brand of accessories; Stinger-AU also deal with non-Stinger products) distribute Dension and Connects2. Stinger products are sold through virtually all decent car audio stores. You may wish to contact them (Lockie and Trav) for advice on what should suit. You can also see their website:
http://www.stingeraustralia.com.au/home.php
:)
We need a shiny_car signal we can shine in the sky for when we have an audio question, so you get here a bit quicker.
Shiny, on an unrelated note, can you bring your 155 to Spettacolo this year? We're trying to get one of every model we can, and there aren't many 155s around, and definitely none as nice as yours.
I'll be there, but unsure with which car(s). I was planning on bringing the GT, but I'm keen to bring the 155 too. If I can find a second driver (eg: convince my wife!) then I'll have both.
Thanks for the personal 'invite', so I hope to oblige!
:)
Quote from: tony8028 on August 14, 2010, 06:41:29 PM
Cool. Is it a self install or do you need a pro?
Just pulled my finger out, and it took 5 minutes.
- 30 seconds to insert the wire jiggers
- 30 seconds to plug the fitting into back of the deck (replacing the existing blank)
- 30 seconds to plug the cable (the one already connected to the deck) and the iPod cable into the silver box
- 3 minutes to get the iPod cable to pop out the passenger side bottom of the dash and place the silver box into the dash cavity
- 30 seconds to re-insert the deck
I had bought the wire jiggers to extract the deck when I bought the cable and it was well worth it.
Quote from: Brad Marshall on October 09, 2010, 04:42:14 PM
Quote from: tony8028 on August 14, 2010, 06:41:29 PM
Cool. Is it a self install or do you need a pro?
Just pulled my finger out, and it took 5 minutes.
Do you have the simple cord that simplt takes the audio feed or do you have the full kit that charges the iPod as well?
How do you activate the aux input on the deck? I have to hit the SRC button twice, but it takes a few goes..
Charges the phone as well.
I just pressed the SRC button until CD Changer appeared, had no issue with turning it off then not being able to get it again.
Quote from: Brad Marshall on October 11, 2010, 01:00:36 PM
Charges the phone as well.
I just pressed the SRC button until CD Changer appeared, had no issue with turning it off then not being able to get it again.
Where did you buy the unit from ? local or o/s ?