How To: Connect Laptop through Stereo?

[93formulalt1]

I have an idea. I want an in-car PC, but I can't rationalize spending $1000 when I just paid more than that for my new Toshiba Satellite Laptop. I want to connect the laptop through my stereo in order to play MP3's and DVD's and all of that good stuff, but I have a dilemma. . . My Clarion CD player headunit doesn't have any inputs besides for the CD changer. I bought an adaptor to hook up my laptop through the RCA input that I thought was there but wasn't. It has a female 1/4" jack on one end, and 2 male RCA plugs on the other end. My stereo only has the changer controls, no RCA inputs, and my amp has only one RCA input. I would just buy a splitter for the amp, but I really want to be able to adjust the bass, treble, and all of that through the stereo instead of the computer. So, my real question is, how can it be done? Are there any cheap aftermarket stereos with RCA inputs that are better than the Clarion that I already have? and Can I do this with the equipment I have already?

[MattODoom]

Ive got a clarion MP454 I think? that was in my car when I got it. It was the $180 model. It has inputs for all that. But i swapped in my pioneer. What model is your clarion?

[93formulalt1]

I don't know right off the top of my head. I think it is the DRX-6575 though. It has a CD changer input, which is different than what I need, and 2 RCA outputs. I really don't want to have to buy a new headunit, but I really don't see any other way. Do you still have your old Clarion? Do you want to sell it to me?

[SS4Matt]

I've gotta Kenwood eXcelon reciever...it has all those inputs and stuff. i have my iPOD connected through one of those same wires you have...the little "headphone jack" thing...(technical term i know!) on one end...and 2 RCA's on the other. now when i hit my source button (CD/Tuner/Off...now i have Aux too for my iPOD) it's pretty kick ass. now i can just play my iPOD through my stereo. i want to get that new Alpine reciever that you can buy the iPOD interface for and use the reciever controls for the iPOD..... a friend of mine has that same reciever as you...or a similar one. im not sure exactly how you would be able to connect your laptop to your stereo. unless...maybe you could rig up and FM transmitter to your laptop? that would work for sure

[meissen]

If your headunit has an input for a CD changer, then you can very easilly get a special plug from Clarion (atleast Kenwood had it...) that plugs into the input plug for the CD Changer and has two RCA plugs on it, it's an auxillary-in plug. That's how my carPC works, atleast.. out from the motherboard to the headunit.

[93formulalt1]

I'm looking for the part you mentioned, Brian, and I was considering using an FM transmitter, but I don't want to have to worry about not being able to find a clear channel in all of the city driving I do. I also hear that the quality isn't as good as a direct cable connection, and I'm all about sound quality! lol

[93formulalt1]

Clarion doesn't have one that they sell directly. Maybe I'll just buy another headunit from EBay or something. I know about all of the risks, but I havent been ripped off yet. I am using the brand new Toshiba laptop I bought off of there right now lol. I might try to sell the Clarion I have now to fund this. I also have a JVC el Kameleon that has a broken CD player motor, and another JVC that I bought less than 2 years ago that is in perfect condition. I think I can make at least $150 by selling just those items. Not to mention the speakers and amplifiers I have laying around lol

[MattODoom]

I still have the clarion. It has a remote with it as well. I think the number is MP455. Maybe you can look it up online. It also has a pigtail on it to plug into GM harnesses, but the pigtail is really really long and needs to be shortened.

Shoot me an offer in PM if you want it.

[MattODoom]

I lied... its a "DXZ545MP". I have the unit, faceplate, faceplate case, trim ring, remote, DIN Sleeve, Gm adapter and what appears to be an antena adapter and the instruction manual.

[93formulalt1]

I don't have any cash right now, but I can try to sell my old stereos and buy it from you. I probably won't need the wiring harness, because the one in my car already is hard-wired in, not just the plug-in type. It should work with that stereo, though. PM me your lowest price, and we can go from there. I really don't know how much to offer you for it. How old is it?

[SS4Matt]

matt..."odoom"...that's the exact same CD player i was talking about. my friend has that one in his ram. yeah that is an antenna adapter....GM's have weird antennas that need that adapter..almost every other brand of cars has the same one that just fits into any reciever....GM had to get stupid on us and put in a different size antenna than everyone else lol....
yeah FM transmitter would work but sound quality is usually not as good. that's why i just directly hooked my iPOD into my reciever...my sister has the iTRIP for her iPOD and it sounds like crap.

[TrickyTransAm]

06Camarodude... The model Clarion you provided doesnt seem to exist on Clarion's website.

Whats the model so I can look up to see if there is an adapter for it.

If an adapter is not available, it would be cheapest to get an FM modulator, and go 3.5mm stereo jack out of the laptop, Into the FM Mod, be it RCA or 3.5mm phono.
Pyle PLMD2 FM Modulator that is wired in, for $24.00.

Just another word of caution - make sure you have a way to secure that laptop from flying around, otherwise your hard drive is gonna have fits. Bump your electronics coverage on your car, in case that laptop gets lifted.

Our competition vehicle got broken into, and $2100 worth of secured hand crafted wood enclosures and all the electronics within went too.
Danger Will Robinson!

Also, just to help out here.. That "Antenna adapter thingy" is actually called a "Type Motorola Male to GM Mini Female".
"Headphone jack thing" = Stereo 3.5mm phono plug.
The 1/4" phono's (The big ones) were the old style back in the 60's thru the mid 80's, but are still used today on professional audio equipment.

Corey

[SS4Matt]

HAHA i like my technical term of head phone jack thingy better.

[93formulalt1]

Yeah, I know. The stereo I have is really old, at least a couple of years old. That's the right model #, just do a google search, it'll come up, but not on the clarion site. I want the 1/4" input because I also plan on being able to play my guitar through the stereo. I will eventually purchase an in-car stand type mount for the laptop, and I won't have to worry about it getting stolen because it never leaves my sight. When I am in class, so is my laptop. When I am at home, it's right beside me. It cost me more than my Camaro did, and I am never more than 1000 yards away from the Camaro. The stand is only going to cost me about $30 to make myself. Also, I am in high school and cannot afford full coverage, so I have no insurance at all if my ride or anything in it is stolen. Sucks, huh?

[93formulalt1]

Yeah matt. If someone were to refer to anything as a "Type Motorola Male to GM Mini Female," I would be like "Are you on crack, or is that just that little antenna adaptor thingy?" lol j/k.