FM Modulor CD quality?

cdheaven · 02-09-2006, 04:08 PM

Im having an arguement with a friend. i could definitly be wrong though.
He has a 2005 scion xb. i know there is some sort of aux input in the back. im guessing a left and right rca plug. Im telling him to hook his ipod right up to that and he will have amazing Cd quality sound plus it just plugs in.
hes telling me for cheaper, and it will sound just as good, he can get an fm modultor. Maybe it will sound good, but is it possible going through the antenna etc, it will be just as good as rca's?
thanks
Mods, please move and dont get mad if this is in the wrong forum!!!!!

Jon_Hanson · 02-09-2006, 05:39 PM

It can never be "as good" as hooking up directly with a cable.

cdheaven · 02-09-2006, 05:51 PM

does anyone care to explain technically why? just caues the rca is a better quality then the antena or what?

Laplacian · 02-09-2006, 06:02 PM

Here is my guess: (don't flame me, this is just a guess)

The RCA interface is capable of transmitting at a faster data than the FM modulator so the audio signal doesn't have to be compressed nearly as much. Compression always results in loss of fidelity, even if it may be small.

I say this becasue I know this video connections have different compression standards (HDMI/DVI > component > S-video > composite/RCA). For example, the component video connection doesn't require as much compression as the S-video, and the HDMI/DVI interface does not need to use compression at all. However, this has less to do with the cables themselves and more to do with the interface standards (component vs. s-video, etc.).

Pretender · 02-09-2006, 06:53 PM

Bottom line, direct connection is always better. I have tried so many different FM modulators on my stereo and all of them sucked big time. I really mean SUCKS. Their sound quality is equal or less than tape quality. Don't even mention CD quality in here...that'd be bull crap.

IDENTITY_MOTORSPORTS · 02-09-2006, 07:37 PM

Sound quality goes down because you are using a smaller bandwith (FM) instead of the larger bandwith the cable creates. Also, it is possible to get interference with the fM modulator, ie. engine feedback or from computer components inside the car. Tell him it is very easy to remove the stereo and just hardwire it.

02-09-2006, 04:08 PM	#1
cdheaven I'm Starving , So I Guess You Are What You Eat 229 Rep 943 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Fl iTrader: (1)	FM Modulor CD quality? Im having an arguement with a friend. i could definitly be wrong though. He has a 2005 scion xb. i know there is some sort of aux input in the back. im guessing a left and right rca plug. Im telling him to hook his ipod right up to that and he will have amazing Cd quality sound plus it just plugs in. hes telling me for cheaper, and it will sound just as good, he can get an fm modultor. Maybe it will sound good, but is it possible going through the antenna etc, it will be just as good as rca's? thanks Mods, please move and dont get mad if this is in the wrong forum!!!!! __________________ 2006 325i Sparkling Graphite Metallic-Black Leatherette Navigation-Bmw Assist Automatic-Xenons Carbon Fiber Front Lips-Aluminum Pedals Power/heated Front Seats 5% Tint all around 30% On windshield all the way down
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02-09-2006, 05:39 PM	#2
Jon_Hanson Private 4 Rep 98 Posts Drives: Join Date: Apr 2005 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	It can never be "as good" as hooking up directly with a cable.
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02-09-2006, 05:51 PM	#3
cdheaven I'm Starving , So I Guess You Are What You Eat 229 Rep 943 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Fl iTrader: (1)	does anyone care to explain technically why? just caues the rca is a better quality then the antena or what? __________________ 2006 325i Sparkling Graphite Metallic-Black Leatherette Navigation-Bmw Assist Automatic-Xenons Carbon Fiber Front Lips-Aluminum Pedals Power/heated Front Seats 5% Tint all around 30% On windshield all the way down
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02-09-2006, 06:02 PM	#4
Laplacian Private First Class 14 Rep 182 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	Here is my guess: (don't flame me, this is just a guess) The RCA interface is capable of transmitting at a faster data than the FM modulator so the audio signal doesn't have to be compressed nearly as much. Compression always results in loss of fidelity, even if it may be small. I say this becasue I know this video connections have different compression standards (HDMI/DVI > component > S-video > composite/RCA). For example, the component video connection doesn't require as much compression as the S-video, and the HDMI/DVI interface does not need to use compression at all. However, this has less to do with the cables themselves and more to do with the interface standards (component vs. s-video, etc.).
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02-09-2006, 06:53 PM	#5
Pretender Colonel 150 Rep 2,419 Posts Drives: 06 330i, 07 328i, 16 X1, >17M2 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 06 330i [0.00]	Bottom line, direct connection is always better. I have tried so many different FM modulators on my stereo and all of them sucked big time. I really mean SUCKS. Their sound quality is equal or less than tape quality. Don't even mention CD quality in here...that'd be bull crap.
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02-09-2006, 07:37 PM	#6
IDENTITY_MOTORSPORTS Second Lieutenant 24 Rep 244 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Las Vegas, NV. iTrader: (0)	Sound quality goes down because you are using a smaller bandwith (FM) instead of the larger bandwith the cable creates. Also, it is possible to get interference with the fM modulator, ie. engine feedback or from computer components inside the car. Tell him it is very easy to remove the stereo and just hardwire it.
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