FM Transmitter Quality

[emarinelli]

Hello all,

This is my first post here, and I thought I might start with the only thing on my Zune that I'm really disappointed with... FM Transmitter Quality.

Does anyone know if it can be improved? Any tips, advices etcetera will be welcome.

I mean, is there any difference into where in my car do I put it? If the antenna is out? If I hold it or just lay it there?

I ask all this "non-technical" questions 'cause I already know about the autoseek feature and how it scans for the best, clearer and unoccupied range of stations...

Thanks in advance,

Enzo.

[lpxxfaintxx]

Yea, there's been a lot of upset users on the FM Transmitter.

[amdmatt]

thats why i have a headunit with a mini stereo aux jack =D

[LowLife]

I just bought one yesterday..not the Zune one but another brand and so far I am pretty happy with, it plugs into the cigarette lighter. The only thing that I can say is to keep all your wires pretty close to the antena and the plug tight in the lighter thing..other than that there isnt really an easy way to get better sound/reception.

[JeremyMiller]

Any transmitter that plugs into the lighter is going to have a better and more clear range. It's really just an extended antenna.

[otaleks]

I have one,
and its fine,

You have to find a good radio station to tune it to and thats the most important thing
and you have to find a good spot in the car to put it.

i really like how its a small piece that goes on the bottom so you can use it anywhere
and for any stereo or anything with an FM radio

[spot]

You have to use the proper stations. When you select a station that is too close to another station you will get interference. That is why it sounds horrible. Every time you enter the range of another radio tower you have to change stations again. I have used the Monster version for iPods and it was good.

Hint, remove your antenna and it will sound better. (less interference)

http://www.lifehacker.com/software/m...ork-216696.php

[emarinelli]

Originally Posted by JeremyMiller

Any transmitter that plugs into the lighter is going to have a better and more clear range. It's really just an extended antenna.

I did this, and it did improve reception like 15%. It's okay now, I guess... :-\

However, I'm very picky with sound quality, so I might stick with my MP3 CDs or even plug a cable directly from my Zune to my car stereo, since it's still not good enough for me.

I guess my expectations where false, since no matter how good for FM it sounds, it's still FM :-\[br]Posted on: January 09, 2007, 05:39:07 AM_________________________________________________

Originally Posted by spot

You have to use the proper stations. When you select a station that is too close to another station you will get interference. That is why it sounds horrible. Every time you enter the range of another radio tower you have to change stations again. I have used the Monster version for iPods and it was good.

Hint, remove your antenna and it will sound better. (less interference)

http://www.lifehacker.com/software/m...ork-216696.php

I will try this next... it sound logical ;D

[Gow616]

FM Transmitter technology no matter how well done it is, is still crap compared to direct line forms. That is thanks to the FCC who have placed heavy restrictions on how powerful it can be, in effect nerfing all the transmitters down to a level of AM (Non-HD) Radio sound quality.

The methods from best to worst in terms of sound quality:
1. Aux in / USB
2. Cassette Adapter
3. Everything else except...
4. FM Transmitter

If you can get a Car Radio with a Aux In you are set for life (or the life of the car or radio), because all you would need than is a stereo to stereo cable that can be had for cheap at Radioshack and connect from the headphone port OR line out on the docking port and plug it into the stereo.

Unless they come out with an FM HD transmitter that is powerful enough to actually broadcast (probably not due to FCC) than go with other options.

[emarinelli]

Originally Posted by Gow

FM Transmitter technology no matter how well done it is, is still crap compared to direct line forms. That is thanks to the FCC who have placed heavy restrictions on how powerful it can be, in effect nerfing all the transmitters down to a level of AM (Non-HD) Radio sound quality.

The methods from best to worst in terms of sound quality:
1. Aux in / USB
2. Cassette Adapter
3. Everything else except...
4. FM Transmitter

If you can get a Car Radio with a Aux In you are set for life (or the life of the car or radio), because all you would need than is a stereo to stereo cable that can be had for cheap at Radioshack and connect from the headphone port OR line out on the docking port and plug it into the stereo.

Unless they come out with an FM HD transmitter that is powerful enough to actually broadcast (probably not due to FCC) than go with other options.

Thanks!

I'll see if I gather enough willpower to pull my car stereo out and put the cable... ;D