iPod and MP3 and USA SPEC iPod interface

[anodyne]

OK, so my wife has this Sansa MP3 player with inputs that look like this:



And I have just got my hands on this little ditty:








Her car: 2002 V70 with stock cassette-only head unit, but have purchased compatible Volvo HU with single CD
My car: 1998 V70 R with SC 901

And these are my questions for her car:
1. Will the USA Spec work with the Sansa? (I fear not)
2. If not, are there adapting cables available to make this work?
3. If no and no, what generation iPod would you guys recommend? I'd be going used on this one, so need some help here.
4. Will steering volume be enabled with this set up (after dealer software magic)?
5. What are the yellow and black wires coming out of the fuse box?
6. Will this work in the 98 R with any type of iPod? (my car)

All I can think of now, but lots of questions on this one and I've been so reluctant to go down this road simply because I can't get my head around it. Any help is appreciated, thanks.

[BEJinFbk]

The input on that Sansa really doesn't matter.
It's the audio output that provides music.
And I'd bet it has a headphone connector.

The USA Spec should work fine with the '98.
It'll operate just fine with a headphone adapter cable.
You may need an additional cable to connect it, but I
don't recall. Looks like they don't support it anymore.
I checked here: http://www.usaspec.com/

AND they don't have a phone number available.
Drop them a line here and ask about it if no one chimes in:
[email protected]

For the 2002, I'd have a look at USA Spec, too - Or these guys:
http://www.imiv.ca/cms/

[anodyne]

Thanks for responding. I'm thinking that the AUX input plug fits non iPod devices like Android phones and mp3 players, but not sure.

[BEJinFbk]

Thanks for responding. I'm thinking that the AUX input plug fits non iPod devices like Android phones and mp3 players, but not sure.

I'm not sure what you're referring to.
The AUX input on which device?

[anodyne]

The interface unit. One of the pics shows the auxiliary audio input jacks, both red and white, and at the end of the cable a single plug. I'm thinking that single plug will fit into the Sansa's earphone plug port. I told you I was clueless about this stuff...

[Tom_in_VA]

The black and yellow wires coming out of the black box are the positive and ground wires to power the interface unit and supply power to an iPod through the docking cable (which I don't see in your pics). if you want to hook it up just to play whatever is on the Sansa, then you just need to use the AUX Audio in and plug the mini jack into the headphone output of the Sansa. You'll still need to pull the radio out splice into the power source and make sure it's grounded. Then just plug the black connector pin (that has the yellow wire running into it), into the USA Spec unit and the other end of the cable into the AUX port in the back of the HU.

You can get a better idea here: http://www.ipodcarpros.com/p72/PA11-VOL ... _info.html

The beauty of the USA Spec unit for the iPod is that it powers the iPod and allows you to control it (somewhat) from the steering wheel controls.

Hope this helps!

[njsg]

Does the usa spec run off of a FM frequency, or does it hardwire to the stereo and create an auxiliary port that allows for the music to stream directly to the speaker?

[njsg]

I see on the usaspec website, that it appears it does not run off FM frequency, which is great. Please excuse my lack of knowledge on this matter, but these items look very hard to install. I am assuming they come with some kind of instructions? Also, for a 1999 v70, I need to buy the honda kit, and also the other item?

[njsg]

626 336 3836
is the phone number for usaspec.

[BEJinFbk]

These are actually pretty easy to install.
There are some power wires to connect,
(The power wires can all be connected
to the harness that plugs into the radio)
a few things to plug in and an input cord
to run from the dash to any convenient iPod
location you like. Glove box, console, etc.