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The 'MAGIC' Hands-Free==>Audio Streaming Box....

xylstra

Feb 4, 2023
1
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Feb 4, 2023
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In their infinite wisdom, NISSAN's design department - presumably located in some other parallel universe! - decided to omit any cabled connector to their factory-installed, high-end BOSE audio system (i.e. NO 'AUX' input socket and NO USB port) from one of their top models, in this case my 2007 350Z. The only cabled connection is the hands-free mobile phone connector (see attached picture). They did however provide BlueTooth connectivity which I am vehemently resisting. The majority of the FM/Bluetooth audio adaptors do not review very well in terms of audio quality. The only dongles that rank well use plugged connections. Worse, only a few are capable of playing MP3 music files from a USB memory stick which is what I want to do. If you do want to go down the BlueTooth route, you can down-load an App onto your phone which ingeniously allows it to simulate an incoming call to the car's hands-free phone system but cunningly, streams audio files - from any source - through the vehicle's audio system. There are however, two big problems with this; 1) it's not free - there's call charges! and 2) it ties up your phone effectively diverting all your incoming calls to your phone's messaging system (which on my plan, also cost). Let's face it, the BlueTooth connection is just a proxy for a hard-connection cable plug/socket but since this App proves the point it should therefore be possible to directly connect some sort of media-player via the socket shown in the picture probably via some sort of dongle whose purpose would be to simulate an incoming call in order to connect the audio feed to the car's audio system via the hands-free phone system.
So my question is; is such a conversion dongle commercially available? or, if not, how straight forward would it be to make one? This project would be a little above my pay grade but would it appeal to someone clever who likes a bit of a challenge and might be interested to take it on in a collaboration? Given the number of used cars on the market with this type of hands-free connection I well imagine there may be quite a bit of interest.

20221116_122724.jpg
 

Martaine2005

May 12, 2015
4,932
Joined
May 12, 2015
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4,932
That plug looks like it connects to an amplifier? Possibly under the seat?.
Have you looked at the back of the radio unit itself?.
Nothing wrong with Bluetooth, try it.
If all else fails, you can change the radio (head unit) complete with dash/console plastic surround.

Apparently there is a PA15-NIS iPod connector that others have used which works well.

Martin
 

kellys_eye

Jun 25, 2010
6,514
Joined
Jun 25, 2010
Messages
6,514
Never understood the desire for high-end audio quality in a car..... if you want to listen to quality audio get some good headphones and take a seat at home.

BT/FM is more than sufficient for a daily driver situation or, if you want to 'get with it' look into getting your own DAB transmitter since all new cars seem to have this reception facility.

DAB is open-source these days and there are Raspi versions out there if you look.
 
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