Any of you guys have your iPod setup with an Alpine headunit? If so, which HU are you using and how did you set it up? Or suggestions on an Alpine HU that have AUX inputs would be awesome, thanks!

I have the 7998 and I am using an AUX adapter to play it directly through the headunit.
http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2002/500/h500kca121b-f.jpeg

Then you just get a 1/8 to RCA and you are set.

This summer Alpine will come out with an interface that will allow most of their new 2004 HU's to actually control your Ipod! That means you could stash your Ipod in your glovebox and access all of it's features from your Alpine HU! That is one of the main reasons I am going to buy an Alpine HU when I do my stereo.. probably the 9833...

Serg

Sweet, I guess I'll buy the little cable thingie to hold me off till some of the new Alpine HU's come out :) Thanks guys.

This summer Alpine will come out with an interface that will allow most of their new 2004 HU's to actually control your Ipod! That means you could stash your Ipod in your glovebox and access all of it's features from your Alpine HU! That is one of the main reasons I am going to buy an Alpine HU when I do my stereo.. probably the 9833...

Serg
WHAT? That is awesome! I hope that someway, somehow, this will be backwards compatible, because I am not replacing my 7998.

WHAT? That is awesome! I hope that someway, somehow, this will be backwards compatible, because I am not replacing my 7998.Rumor is that it will work with any Ai-changer capable headunit. But this is still not a released product, so we'll wait and learn...

that is the best news I have heard all day!!

ALPINE DEBUTS WORLD'S FIRST CAR AUDIO HEAD UNITS THAT ALLOW TRUE INTEGRATION WITH iPod

TORRANCE, Calif, January 6, 2004 -- Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading manufacturer of high performance mobile electronics, will demonstrate at CES the world's first solution that enables consumers to connect and control their iPod from their in-vehicle sound system. Alpine's iPod Ready strategy is part of the company's overarching mission to create innovative in-vehicle electronics that are easier to use and provide great sound in the mobile environment.
"The integration of iPod control into selected 2004 Alpine in-dash receivers addresses the growing market of portable digital audio device users who want a safe and easy-to-use solution for playback in the car." said Stephen Witt, Alpine's vice president of Brand Marketing.
With a simple one-cable connection, iPod users will be able to operate key playback features from the Alpine receiver's buttons and have display of playlists, album, artist and songs on the head unit. The iPod can then be safely stored in the glove box or console because it acts like a portable hard drive connected to the head unit through Alpine's powerful Ai-Net system bus. The Alpine connectivity solution also provides charging of the iPod's internal battery.
"Alpine's iPod Ready in-dash receivers will allow iPod users seamless control of up to 10,000 songs easily in their car," said Stan Ng, Apple's Director of iPod Product Marketing. "Being able to display song information and browse the iPod's entire music library right from the Alpine head unit makes this a superior way to enjoy non-stop music in the car."
Alpine has engineered a unique interface box that takes advantage of the iPod Accessory Protocol allowing audio, track information, and control signals to be communicated over the Ai-NET system bus to the in-dash receiver. This seamless integration provides emulation of the iPod's controls through an Alpine head unit using both the front panel buttons and the wireless remote control.
Alpine's iPod Ready Interface kit will be available later this summer through Alpine authorized retailers. To receive more information on the Alpine iPod Ready receivers, consumers may send an e-mail to ipodready@alpine-usa.com

http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publish/industry_news/article_650.shtml

That looks awesome. Someone should tell Clarion to get their act together and make something like this :D

I did some research on this - called Alpine. Just to make sure you all know, this will ONLY be compatible with 3rd Generation iPod's - the ones with the dock connector on the bottom. Not 2nd generation units with the firewire cable on the top.

So if you have a 1st or 2nd gen iPod, you will need to upgrade!

Also, the customer service rep at Alpine had only seen the cable that was at CES. No other cables have been sent to the US. They THINK it will be here in late summer, but he wasn't sure.

I'm looking forward to it though!

Sincerley,

Any one know if there is an Ai-Net to Ce-Net adapter available to connect the alpine controller to a clarion deck/EQ? That would be too perfect if there was :stickoutt

doubtful