Alpine car stereo + iPhone = Greatness!

mofovo

New Member
Jul 8, 2007
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Things I used:
Car stereo head-unit: Alpine 9884
Alpine iPod adapter: KCE-422i
Car: 1999 Honda Accord Coupe
1st gen iPhone with 2.0 update.

My goal: play music through car stereo while charging iPhone.

After weeks and weeks of research, I found the perfect car stereo that fit my goal. This stereo is good looking and not hard to use at all. Of course it doesn't have the nice cover flow when selecting songs, but I didn't want to risk a car accident by flipping through songs on my iPhone while driving.

I used to have a CD/Cassette deck + cassete deck to headphone adapter + monster cable iPhone adapter. The monster adapter quickly went bad. Also, it didn't look as cool as a nice illuminated CD/MP3 car deck.

I noticed that there isn't the iPhone buzz interference with my new car deck (I've used my new stereo for only 1 day tho.....)
I used to get super annoyed while listening to my music using the cassete stock deck.

No, you cannot control your music from your iPhone once it is plugged in.
Yes, you can receive phone calls if it is plugged in and playing music. You must unplug it to answer the call or simply use your bluetooth headset.

I hope this helps someone! Thanks
 

jarofclay73

Zealot
Gold
Jun 23, 2008
2,387
15
38
Honolulu, Hawaii
It's cool you found a great way to use your iPhone in your car. I've never liked FM transmitters. If your car has a 3.5" mini-plug auxiliary input, that's not bad. But, I've always liked straight iPod/iPhone adapters. This is my setup:

2009 Acura TSX with Technology Package
iPhone 3G plugged into USB port
Able to play music from iPhone and music apps like Pandora
Able to control the iPod on the iPhone from the nav screen
Handsfree calling with the iPhone via Bluetooth

Everything works like a charm. As soon as the iPhone is able to use stereo Bluetooth, my car will be able to play music WIRELESSLY from my iPhone.
 

draperd

New Member
Dec 13, 2007
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The Alpine 9884 was great with the 1st Gen iPhone but not being able to charge the 2nd Gen now is a big disappointment to me. Overall it is worth the $ if you don't charge in the car a lot.
 

zarco

New Member
Sep 14, 2008
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0
Did the iPhone 3G just take forever to pair and setup or did it take some finessing to get the '09 TSX and iPhone to play fair?

I get the little "This accessory was not made to work with iPhone" warning, but I'm wondering if that is what is causing the problem, as I'm using a 3rd party cable.. maybe I just need to drag one of my "real" Apple cables into the car and see if given some time it'll setup.

The (paper) manual doesn't make note of the iPhone 3G, and currently MyAcura is down so I can't see if there are any updates..

Any ideas? -- Thanks in advance.

It's cool you found a great way to use your iPhone in your car. I've never liked FM transmitters. If your car has a 3.5" mini-plug auxiliary input, that's not bad. But, I've always liked straight iPod/iPhone adapters. This is my setup:

2009 Acura TSX with Technology Package
iPhone 3G plugged into USB port
Able to play music from iPhone and music apps like Pandora
Able to control the iPod on the iPhone from the nav screen
Handsfree calling with the iPhone via Bluetooth

Everything works like a charm. As soon as the iPhone is able to use stereo Bluetooth, my car will be able to play music WIRELESSLY from my iPhone.
 

jarofclay73

Zealot
Gold
Jun 23, 2008
2,387
15
38
Honolulu, Hawaii
Did the iPhone 3G just take forever to pair and setup or did it take some finessing to get the '09 TSX and iPhone to play fair?

I get the little "This accessory was not made to work with iPhone" warning, but I'm wondering if that is what is causing the problem, as I'm using a 3rd party cable.. maybe I just need to drag one of my "real" Apple cables into the car and see if given some time it'll setup.

The (paper) manual doesn't make note of the iPhone 3G, and currently MyAcura is down so I can't see if there are any updates..

Any ideas? -- Thanks in advance.
No pairing is super easy. In fact, I had re-pair because I had to restore my iPhone recent.

First go to Settings --> General --> Bluetooth and turn on your Bluetooth to make sure it is discovering.

Then, in your Acura use the voice command interface and say "Phone Setup." In the "Phone Setup" menu say "Pair." It will ask for a 4-digit number that you will have to input in your iPhone. Then, in your iPhone you input that number and you should be ready to go. That's all from memory. I hope I'm not missing a step but if you follow the car's instructions it should be a breeze.

And, yes, I'm using an Apple cable in my car. I have a 2G Nano so that cord is in the car and my iPhone cable is on my computer. To play an app like Pandora, put your stereo in AUX. Then plug in the iPhone. Select "No" when the "Accessory" message pops up. Let the iPod play then exit out of it using the Home button. Then, select the app you would like to listen to. Adjust your volume on your iPhone so that you're not blasting your stereo. And that should be it.
 

zarco

New Member
Sep 14, 2008
2
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I guess I should have tried the Belkin cable with my computer first.. the two don't like each other (it'll provide power but not USB connectivity).

Plugged in the Apple branded cable and it worked like a charm.. and the TSX was happy and I was happy and all is good.

Now, to find me another cable that'll work with my laptop...

Did the iPhone 3G just take forever to pair and setup or did it take some finessing to get the '09 TSX and iPhone to play fair?

I get the little "This accessory was not made to work with iPhone" warning, but I'm wondering if that is what is causing the problem, as I'm using a 3rd party cable.. maybe I just need to drag one of my "real" Apple cables into the car and see if given some time it'll setup.

The (paper) manual doesn't make note of the iPhone 3G, and currently MyAcura is down so I can't see if there are any updates..

Any ideas? -- Thanks in advance.
 

aborson

New Member
Sep 16, 2008
6
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0
Things i have:

Clio
Alpine CDR-9886
Had: 1st Gen Ipod Touch 16GB
Now: 2nd Gen Ipod Touch 16GB
THB Bury Bluetooth Car Kit
iPhone 3G Black 8GB

I have just purchased the new ipod touchconnected it up to my car and cable still doesent charge spoke to Alpine in the UK this morning they say the ipod adapter has a 12v rail on the KCE-422i for all the ipods that are currently working on it. But now for the iPhone 3G and 2nd gen Ipod touch he said that the cable dosent currently have a 5v rail on the adapter. There is no fix for it at the moment but he said they are aware and are currently proabably going to make a converter or a new wire.

Did you say you used the USB part of the headunit with a USB to USB cable then with a Apple usb cable into it. Did it work?

Please explain your fix?
 

ravman

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Gold
Oct 4, 2007
1,197
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36
Mean Streets of LA.
SoundLinQ2 (SL2Vi) - iPod Video Interface Adapter

I have a Lexus IS250 2007 and installed the Vaistech SoundLinQ2 (SL2Vi) - iPod Video Interface Adapter. It allows me to watch movies & listen to music on my iPod & V1 iPhone via my GPS screen. I can also listen to the music on my 3G iPhone, but it will not charge the phone. Vaistech are in the process of fixing that problem. But it looks like Scosche already has a solution.

I can also control my iPod and V1 iPhone via the GPS touch screen. The car has built in bluetooth, so that's not a problem either.

Modern technology.
 

MorningZ

New Member
Jul 18, 2007
18
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Both generations work great with new new F-Series Pioneers as well

My F700BT connects and transfers the phone book via Bluetooth.... all iPod functionality is there (even video)... and programs like Pandora and FM play just fine through the iPod cable
 

aborson

New Member
Sep 16, 2008
6
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Recvieved a pdf with details explaining about the new adapter if anybody want a peak email me there email address ill forward it you.