Ipod: poor volume in suv

[rigtec]

Hi forum mates'

I just discovered this website today, so this will be my very first post here; hope you can help. I've been a "Pro-sound//Car audio" enthusiast for many years now, particularly wrt sub-woofer design/theory, and am currently active on a few t/s message boards (forums). However, I'm having a issue with an ipod's volume level when used in my 2012 4runner. I had been playing my C.D. collection in the truck up 'til recently, when my wife gave me an ipod as a gift for my birthday. I really enjoy listening to music in the truck because I just finished building a massive "Subwoofer system" to improve the bass; which left a lot to be desired from the factory.

But when I finished adding a few itunes playlists to the ipod, I connected it to the truck's audio system via the nav's usb port, and noticed quite a decrease in available volume level, as compared to the cd deck; possibly 10-12 db loss. I tried several options to increase the apparent volume e.g., headphone-out to 3.5mm aux-in (this is different than using the truck's usb port), a "redSnow ijailbreak" technique to "hack" the apple software, an allowing a non-apple "VolumeBoost" app, to be used to increase the output signal of the ipod.

But all of the available options that actually worked, prevented me from using the truck's navigation system "touchscreen" feature, which to me is very important because w/o that, you can't change a song unless you pull over, grab the ipod, and make your selection on it's touchscreen. I know the ipod's 30 pin output port is a digital signal to the usb port in your computer/dock/stereo system. My question is: Is there a way to somehow, increase the digital output signal through the use of a D/A/D amplifier, or some other device that you know of? No one on any of the forums that I spend time on seemed to know...

Thanks, rigtec, cheers

 

[GreenGiant]

Unfortunately you would need to get a "translator" of sorts, something in between that took the output of the iPod, amplified it and re-output it.

The data is not transmitted directly as sound via the 30pin port on the iPod.

Try taking a flash drive and using that through the USB port in the car, if the volume levels are down there as well your best bet would be to either get a new deck, or try some other software amplification (I know that iTunes used to have a way to amplify the volume of songs)

 

[rigtec]

Unfortunately you would need to get a "translator" of sorts, something in between that took the output of the iPod, amplified it and re-output it.

The data is not transmitted directly as sound via the 30pin port on the iPod.

Try taking a flash drive and using that through the USB port in the car, if the volume levels are down there as well your best bet would be to either get a new deck, or try some other software amplification (I know that iTunes used to have a way to amplify the volume of songs)

Hi GreenGiant'

And thanks for you reply. I will try what you've suggested. Everyone else that I know who uses an ipod in their vehicals are using it through an aux 3.5mm input; which means they are not able to see a playlist or song title on any display screens that they may have. Neither are they able to control what is playing w/o using the display on the ipod... kinda defeats the purpose of the voice command nav! Oh well, guess I'm stuck w/ the problem unless "Apple" comes up with a solution, but they won't. They're very "hands-off" regarding customer service... they don't even advertise Thanks again!

rigtec, regards