FM transmitters for MP3

[Oleron]

I have a Creative Zen Xtra 40GB MP3 player.
Can anyone suggest which FM transmitter I should buy to be able to broadcast the music to my FM radio at home/in car ?

I have seen several models but reviews of them seem to be mixed and I live in the UK so it must be available to buy here.

I like the iTrip but I think it only works with iPod.

 

[Thumbo]

I have a Creative Zen Xtra 40GB MP3 player.
Can anyone suggest which FM transmitter I should buy to be able to broadcast the music to my FM radio at home/in car ?

I have seen several models but reviews of them seem to be mixed and I live in the UK so it must be available to buy here.

I like the iTrip but I think it only works with iPod.

I tried one of those but it was too fiddly - the tuning forever needed adjusting. If you have a cassette deck in the car, you can get adapters that go in there: one more wire, but much easier to use.

 

[Ian Osborne]

check their legality too - I belive they're illegal in the UK.

 

[richardm]

check their legality too - I belive they're illegal in the UK.

I don't know if it's been tested, but there were some doubts that you might be classed as a pirate radio station! However, at least one UK company is having a crack at it - have a look at this - only £27, but:

Please be advised that users of this product must comply with the Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1949. We will not sell to buyers who intend to use this item in areas where Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1949 prohibits use.

Hmm. So one of those things that are legal to buy but not to use. Perhaps if you promise to keep it unopened they'll sell you one?

 

[Oleron]

I ordered a transmitter (I chose the cheapest one just in case the whole concept sucks as Thumbo says) for £18. I reckon that if it doesn't work well then I haven't lost a lot of money.

It hasn't arrived yet but I'll give you a review when it does.

Stay tuned to OleRon FM!

(Legality be damned, they'll never take me alive!)

 

[cesium]

FM Transmitters are pretty easy to build, and there are many plans circulating the web. Depending on the type of transmitter that you build, it can cost less then $5.

If you choose to go this route, make sure that the transmitter includes a stereo encoder, also important is good tuning, mine simply has a coil which must be adjusted for each operation.

Regarding legality, in the US stuff under 100 mw is leagel, but in the UK these devices are illeagel.

Link:
BBC News

If you would like to use the transmitter in your car, it would probably be easier to get one of those tape dealies that goes in your tape drive and plugs into your player.

For your home, you should be able to buy a cable which plugs into the earphone plug of your MP3 and goes to stereos.

 

[Oleron]

Well, the device arrived and I have had a chance to play with it.
My verdict is an overall thumbs down.

Thumbo's points are valid. It is fiddly, awkward to use and utterly useless in a car. You've no idea how crowded the airwaves are until you try to find an unused FM slot!

At home the verdict is a bit better. Broadcasting to a hifi system works OK but the sound quality is not great. The other problem is that a lot of modern radios will 'hunt' for a stronger signal if broadcasting is interrupted. This means constant adjustment of the radio and the device.

I have found that you can spend a lot of time tuning the device just right only to find that the next day the setting no longer works and you have to begin the process again.

 

[richardm]

Thanks Oleron, that's useful to know.

 

[FFed]

I use the iTrip with my iPod and so far it works good. My only complaint is that I have to have it close to my cd player to avoid static. I don't have many radio stations in my area so I have lot's of empty FM slots to use. I am going to Vancouver next week so I will find out how it works in a crowded market then.