Ipod Control Solution For Oem Stereo Is200/300 Finally Found

[Sonnet]

Hi,

first of all thank you very much for this fantastic page. I’m really impressed about the discussions and the solution I saw over the last few years. But the often asked questions were not really answered for me yet.

Is it possible to connect an iPOD directly on the OEM stereo, without opening and modifying the radio?

And is it possible to control the iPOD over the stock headunit, while the POD is remaining in the glove box?

Since last week I can say:

It is possible, the sound is great, the control works perfect and the iPOD charge while connected!!!!

I found the solution in the American LOC. There is a little company in California called Grom Audio. They produce like Dension (ice link) AUX and iPOD adapter for OEM stereos. You can imagine that couldn’t believe my eyes when I was checking the compatibility list and found the IS300 from 1999 – 2005 on it.

http://gromaudio.com/index.html

I knew from former searches to find a possibility to connext external sound sources to the stock headunit that only one harness of the backside of the radio was equiped with a plug. The relevant 12 line karness where GromAudio wants to connect their interface were empty. So it was easy to plug the grom adapter inside and it just works!!!

So connection is possible :D Let have a look to the features:

------------

Toyota / Scion / Lexus GROM for iPod interface(GROM-IPOD-TOY)

-Original harness to connect to iPod (dock in cable)

-Original harness to connect to the back of the stereo

-Direct connection to the car stereo. CD quality sound

-Full control from car stereo or steering wheel

-Charge iPod while operating

-Most Toyotas, Lexus and Scions supported (year 98+)

-In-dash 6-CD will remain working !

It provides direct audio interface to a car stereo via the CD changer port. GROM Audio interface insures CD quality sound from iPod to car stereo speakers. It allow to "fool" your stereo into thinking that fully featured CD changer is plugged in. This way you can have thousands of tracks divided into playlists or full shuffle mode if you wish. Endless amount of music !

- Direct connection from iPod to car stereo provides CD quality sound

- GROM Audio translates button presses from your car stereo or steering wheel to the particular command iPod can understand

- Enables easy integration into the car system. Place it anywhere, control from the car stereo

- Charges iPod while connected

-----------------------------------------

Main distributor for the grom audio adapter is

http://indashpc.org/new/index.html

where you can order the iPOD interface (Toyota / Scion / Lexus GROM for iPod interface(GROM-IPOD-TOY) for just $ 79.

http://indashpc.org/new/ipod_adapters/grom-ipod-toy.html

The product details are as follow:

Direct audio connection will ensure the best sound quality non compromised by FM transmitter or cassette adapter. Just plug the adapter into the back of your stereo (or in the trunk), connect it to your iPod and enjoy crystal clear sound and full control ! Ultimate iPod integration solution will provide the following features:

- Integrate your iPod into car audio system easily

- Get CD quality sound from the iPod through existing car stereo

- Control and operate your iPod with car stereo buttons or steering wheel controls

- Convert iPod into virtual CD changer

- Disk 1 allow to control iPod from its clicking wheel. Select your music from iPod and have it played. Stereo will control iPod

- Disk 2-6 mapped to playlists you create on iPod. Full control from car stereo. The following information is displayed: Disk #, Track #, time etc

- MIX, REPEAT work as usual

- SCAN allow to skip +-10 tracks for faster navigation

- Playlist positions are preserved for fast operation

- Shuffle songs, switch between tracks, playlists and adjust volume - all by using head unit controls

- Have your iPod charged

----------------------------------------------

My package was delivered about one week after ordering. For $79,99 the package contents:

• Car stereo adapter in plastic enclosure
  
• OEM compatible harness to connect to the back of the car stereo
  
• iPod dock in cable (gen 4 and up iPods)
  
• Installation manual
  

I installed it in just one hour due to the OEM compatible harness an it just works!!!!!

The OEM stereo knows right now the following things:

• FM button -> regular Radio
  
• Tape button -> Tape
  
• Disk button (first time pressing) -> internal CD-Changer (on the left side of the display you will see then “CD”)
  
• Disk button (second time pressing) -> external CD-Changer -> Grom Audio iPOD interface (on the left side of the display you will see then “CD1”)
  

Even if your internal CD changer has an ERR3 fault it should run because the solution activate the EXTERNAL CD Changer control.

One special thing is maybe interesting for people who are planning to buy an iPOD but do not own one so far. They can also order the IPOD interface from Grom Audio and and add an extra cable called (AUX RCA cable + 3.5 mm phone jack (Cable-AUX-C)) for only $4.99

http://indashpc.org/new/accessories/cable-aux-c.html

This cable can be plugged into the iPOD interface box – instead of the iPod dock in cable – and allows you to listen to music from your regular mp3 player (without control from OEM stero for sure).

After I found out that the Grom box was working fine the next challenge was to find a place were I can store it.

After searching an testing a little bit I remounted the OEM stereo, lifted a little bit up and stored the box in the empty room o the left hand side inside of the middle console (on a LHD car it is on the right hand side). The place is perfect because it's close to the glove box where the player is stored and you can grab from the passenger side behind the middle console and change the iPOD cable against the regular AUX one if needed.

Another thing is that if your using the interface in the simple mode (disk 1) – in advanced mode you can surf with your stereo thru the play lists 1-8 - you can select manually on your iPOD every other play list over #8 for example play list 18 and navigate then with your stereo controls (track back and forwards) thru the tracks.

I hope this helps you to get mp3 in you car without loosing the original design inside of the car. If you have further questions, please ask.

The best – even it’s more iPOD nano 3. Generation specific - at the end. I’m an absolute electronic music fan. Due to this reason it was always a pain to listen to gapless mixed electronic sampler in mp3, because you hear a short break after each track. Right now with my new nano gapless play is POSSIBLE

So electronic beats, gapless played for hours in my Lex with full control over the stock headunit with a nonvisible iPod……could it be better?

Best Regards from Berlin – Germany

Sonnet

P.S. My Car has a 9 speaker Stereo with satnav and nav works with this solution a usual :-)) When beeing in iPod mode with satnav running, the driver side speaker fades out the music from time to time, so that you can hear the voice of the navigation lady as usual. After the orders were given the speaker switches back to the iPod music. Wonderfull!!! It works like factory build!!!

P.P.S. Unfortunately I did not find out jet how to post pictures in this board. If someone of you could help me I will add some interesting picture the show you how my adapter was fitted and that all IS stereos seems to have the relevant harness on the backside.

[Sonnet]

Hm,

274 views since posting in the beginning of December 2007 and no single reply :( This is really a strange board here Has anyone of you tried this solution so far?

Over here in Europe - in the UK lexusownerclub- , where I've posted this solution first, the thread contains 104 replies on six pages and count about 4600 views so far.

The overall result is: It's working for nearly everybody :D

So if you are interested in this discussion and perfect sound quality over your iPod/iPhone/MP3 player in combination with the stock look, please refer to the following link and find answers for all you possible questions

Ipod Control Solution For Oem Stereo Is200/300 Finally Found, Affordable self install plug ‘n play solution for iPOD/MP3 Player

Cheers from good old Europe

Sonnet

[hellraiser]

nice man!

[Sonnet]

nice man!

An answer :D !!! Thank you very much! I thougt nobody is intersted in high quality mp3 sound in the lex....

Hellraiser, did you try the Grom so far, or did just surf thru the UK threads? A lot of people in Europe and the US have the Grom iPod already it already in use. The only know alternative (regarding the usebility and sound quality) comes from Vaistech and cost over $ 300 US Dollar.

If you are interested in the US discussion regarding the GROM iPod integration please have a look on this link at the http://my.is site

Ipod Control Solution For OEM Stereo 1st-Gen IS300 / 200 Finally Found - Plug'n Play

I posted the same story in that giant US lexus IS board at the end of last year. The thread contains right now over 260 replies and has been viewed over 7000 times. Not bad The community found out some possibilites of improvement and hand them over to the manufacturer.

Result: If you decide to bring high quality sound via the Grom in you lex or altezza, problems should not occure. Finger cross!!

Best regards

Sonnet

[BIGANT]

Ha,

I installed mine over 4 months now with no problems at all

Easy to install and easy to use

Great sound through standard head unit

Cheers,

AVB

Hi,

first of all thank you very much for this fantastic page. I’m really impressed about the discussions and the solution I saw over the last few years. But the often asked questions were not really answered for me yet.

Is it possible to connect an iPOD directly on the OEM stereo, without opening and modifying the radio?

And is it possible to control the iPOD over the stock headunit, while the POD is remaining in the glove box?

Since last week I can say:

It is possible, the sound is great, the control works perfect and the iPOD charge while connected!!!!

I found the solution in the American LOC. There is a little company in California called Grom Audio. They produce like Dension (ice link) AUX and iPOD adapter for OEM stereos. You can imagine that couldn’t believe my eyes when I was checking the compatibility list and found the IS300 from 1999 – 2005 on it.

http://gromaudio.com/index.html

I knew from former searches to find a possibility to connext external sound sources to the stock headunit that only one harness of the backside of the radio was equiped with a plug. The relevant 12 line karness where GromAudio wants to connect their interface were empty. So it was easy to plug the grom adapter inside and it just works!!!

So connection is possible :D Let have a look to the features:

------------

Toyota / Scion / Lexus GROM for iPod interface(GROM-IPOD-TOY)

-Original harness to connect to iPod (dock in cable)

-Original harness to connect to the back of the stereo

-Direct connection to the car stereo. CD quality sound

-Full control from car stereo or steering wheel

-Charge iPod while operating

-Most Toyotas, Lexus and Scions supported (year 98+)

-In-dash 6-CD will remain working !

It provides direct audio interface to a car stereo via the CD changer port. GROM Audio interface insures CD quality sound from iPod to car stereo speakers. It allow to "fool" your stereo into thinking that fully featured CD changer is plugged in. This way you can have thousands of tracks divided into playlists or full shuffle mode if you wish. Endless amount of music !

- Direct connection from iPod to car stereo provides CD quality sound

- GROM Audio translates button presses from your car stereo or steering wheel to the particular command iPod can understand

- Enables easy integration into the car system. Place it anywhere, control from the car stereo

- Charges iPod while connected

-----------------------------------------

Main distributor for the grom audio adapter is

http://indashpc.org/new/index.html

where you can order the iPOD interface (Toyota / Scion / Lexus GROM for iPod interface(GROM-IPOD-TOY) for just $ 79.

http://indashpc.org/new/ipod_adapters/grom-ipod-toy.html

The product details are as follow:

Direct audio connection will ensure the best sound quality non compromised by FM transmitter or cassette adapter. Just plug the adapter into the back of your stereo (or in the trunk), connect it to your iPod and enjoy crystal clear sound and full control ! Ultimate iPod integration solution will provide the following features:

- Integrate your iPod into car audio system easily

- Get CD quality sound from the iPod through existing car stereo

- Control and operate your iPod with car stereo buttons or steering wheel controls

- Convert iPod into virtual CD changer

- Disk 1 allow to control iPod from its clicking wheel. Select your music from iPod and have it played. Stereo will control iPod

- Disk 2-6 mapped to playlists you create on iPod. Full control from car stereo. The following information is displayed: Disk #, Track #, time etc

- MIX, REPEAT work as usual

- SCAN allow to skip +-10 tracks for faster navigation

- Playlist positions are preserved for fast operation

- Shuffle songs, switch between tracks, playlists and adjust volume - all by using head unit controls

- Have your iPod charged

----------------------------------------------

My package was delivered about one week after ordering. For $79,99 the package contents:

• Car stereo adapter in plastic enclosure
  
• OEM compatible harness to connect to the back of the car stereo
  
• iPod dock in cable (gen 4 and up iPods)
  
• Installation manual
  

I installed it in just one hour due to the OEM compatible harness an it just works!!!!!

The OEM stereo knows right now the following things:

• FM button -> regular Radio
  
• Tape button -> Tape
  
• Disk button (first time pressing) -> internal CD-Changer (on the left side of the display you will see then “CD”)
  
• Disk button (second time pressing) -> external CD-Changer -> Grom Audio iPOD interface (on the left side of the display you will see then “CD1”)
  

Even if your internal CD changer has an ERR3 fault it should run because the solution activate the EXTERNAL CD Changer control.

One special thing is maybe interesting for people who are planning to buy an iPOD but do not own one so far. They can also order the IPOD interface from Grom Audio and and add an extra cable called (AUX RCA cable + 3.5 mm phone jack (Cable-AUX-C)) for only $4.99

http://indashpc.org/new/accessories/cable-aux-c.html

This cable can be plugged into the iPOD interface box – instead of the iPod dock in cable – and allows you to listen to music from your regular mp3 player (without control from OEM stero for sure).

After I found out that the Grom box was working fine the next challenge was to find a place were I can store it.

After searching an testing a little bit I remounted the OEM stereo, lifted a little bit up and stored the box in the empty room o the left hand side inside of the middle console (on a LHD car it is on the right hand side). The place is perfect because it's close to the glove box where the player is stored and you can grab from the passenger side behind the middle console and change the iPOD cable against the regular AUX one if needed.

Another thing is that if your using the interface in the simple mode (disk 1) – in advanced mode you can surf with your stereo thru the play lists 1-8 - you can select manually on your iPOD every other play list over #8 for example play list 18 and navigate then with your stereo controls (track back and forwards) thru the tracks.

I hope this helps you to get mp3 in you car without loosing the original design inside of the car. If you have further questions, please ask.

The best – even it’s more iPOD nano 3. Generation specific - at the end. I’m an absolute electronic music fan. Due to this reason it was always a pain to listen to gapless mixed electronic sampler in mp3, because you hear a short break after each track. Right now with my new nano gapless play is POSSIBLE

So electronic beats, gapless played for hours in my Lex with full control over the stock headunit with a nonvisible iPod……could it be better?

Best Regards from Berlin – Germany

Sonnet

P.S. My Car has a 9 speaker Stereo with satnav and nav works with this solution a usual :-)) When beeing in iPod mode with satnav running, the driver side speaker fades out the music from time to time, so that you can hear the voice of the navigation lady as usual. After the orders were given the speaker switches back to the iPod music. Wonderfull!!! It works like factory build!!!

P.P.S. Unfortunately I did not find out jet how to post pictures in this board. If someone of you could help me I will add some interesting picture the show you how my adapter was fitted and that all IS stereos seems to have the relevant harness on the backside.

[William]

Hello guys,

First of all, sorry for my bad english. My name is William, I'm from Holland (Europe) I drive a "99 Lexus IS200. Because the lexus IS200 is a very rare care overhere, I started to search on the internet for the answers to all my questions about this car. Finally I joint a forum on the other side of the world :) I hope you guys can help me.

In this topic I dicovered that an Ipod can be connected to the stereo in a Lexus IS200. Does anyone know whether its possible if the everywhere known ERR3 error is there or not?

In Holland it costs allmost 1200 euros (about 1800 U.S. Dollars) to repalce this stereo unit.

If this is possible it would be a great solution.

Thank you in advance.

[Sonnet]

Hi William,

the Grom solution does not care about ERR3 because it activates the EXTERNAL CD changer port!!!!

Everything you need to know about this solution you can find in a massive thread on the UK lexusownerclub (over 150 replies and 12000 views) . I'm retty sure that every questions you have, had already been ask and answered under the following link to the UK board

Ipod Control Solution For Oem Stereo Is200/300 Finally Found, Affordable self install plug ‘n play solution for iPOD/MP3 Player - UK Board

This is really funny that two European guys are talking on an Australian board

I run this solution sice december 2007 and it's the best I've bought for this car ever....

Cheers from Berlin

Sonnet

[Sonnet]

Over 2000 views so far!

But still no discussion......really strange....

Anyway. Since two month I've got the new iPhone 3G. The original grom unit - which has run really smooth over month - is not able to charge the 3G...

But there's light comming over the horizont:

- Griffin offers an interface which docks on the old ipod/iPhone doc and remap the power connertors that all new devices are connect corretly including

charging

- Gromaudio offers an new unit which charge the iphone 3G without problems

- Gromaudio will release a brand new interface shortly which connect iPod/iPhone 3G & USB hard disk to the stock Lexus head unit

Just check it under www.gromaudio.com

Best Regards

Sonnet

[AusIS]

Frankly i think you have layed it all out so well that there really is no room left for discussion on the topic, ALL the info is right there.

Personally, being a music lover, i opted to fork out the money for an alpine iPOD headunit in my 200. Fits in very nicely while maintaining a near stock look with more than twice the power, the LCD display and module are all the same orange color as the rest of the dash lights. Even just using the stock speakers the sound was phenomenal, i couldnt recommend it more highly. (though i did have replacement speakers on order that were fitted a week after the head unit which in all honesty hardly performed better than the stock speakers... if i did it over again, i'd just get the head unit and use the existing hardware.)

But thanks for the post, im sure MANY people have used it and no even needed to ask a question :)

[MR13XS]

Hey Guys,

I just ordered mine today... ill post again to let you know how it all goes..

[BrettIs200]

Hey Guys,

I just ordered mine today... ill post again to let you know how it all goes..

can you get them here in australia, i just got a is200 yesterday and im sick of usin cds already, wanna use my pod...

[MatthewS]

Hey Guys,

I just ordered mine today... ill post again to let you know how it all goes..

can you get them here in australia, i just got a is200 yesterday and im sick of usin cds already, wanna use my pod...

So the options are either to go with the GROM which will cost around AUD$170 all up including delivery and then installing it yourself. Or to go via Lexus and have them install their ICE (I think it was called that anyway) for AUD$450.

As far as I can tell there are no benefits to going the ICE option apart from it being all done by Lexus?

[MrNine9Altezza]

Hi, I have an 1999 Toyota Altezza RS200 Z Edition. There is navigation in it and I dont want to lose it by installing an aftermarket head unit. I understand that the pop up nav screen is some how connected thru the stock stereo so if its removed you will lose navigation. Then I stumbled on to this post about the Grom Ipod/usb connection and it sounds perfect for me. The only thing im wondering is its explained on the web site that the connection you need to make should be unpopulated. If its populated disconnect and connect the Grom wiring harness . Im guessing the populated 12 pin connection is the GPS connection. Im not 100% sure if it is because I have yet to open the stereo up. I was just wondering if anyone else has GPS and installed the Grom unit without losing GPS.

Thanks for any help.

Oh wow I fail. I just read the orginal posters P.S. remarks. I guess the GPS will still work with the Grom unit.

Just thought of a other question... I should have no problem installing the Grom unit into an RS200? It should be the same as an IS200?

[norgan]

Hi,

first of all thank you very much for this fantastic page. I’m really impressed about the discussions and the solution I saw over the last few years. But the often asked questions were not really answered for me yet.

Is it possible to connect an iPOD directly on the OEM stereo, without opening and modifying the radio?

And is it possible to control the iPOD over the stock headunit, while the POD is remaining in the glove box?

Since last week I can say:

It is possible, the sound is great, the control works perfect and the iPOD charge while connected!!!!

I found the solution in the American LOC. There is a little company in California called Grom Audio. They produce like Dension (ice link) AUX and iPOD adapter for OEM stereos. You can imagine that couldn’t believe my eyes when I was checking the compatibility list and found the IS300 from 1999 – 2005 on it.

http://gromaudio.com/index.html

I knew from former searches to find a possibility to connext external sound sources to the stock headunit that only one harness of the backside of the radio was equiped with a plug. The relevant 12 line karness where GromAudio wants to connect their interface were empty. So it was easy to plug the grom adapter inside and it just works!!!

So connection is possible :D Let have a look to the features:

------------

Toyota / Scion / Lexus GROM for iPod interface(GROM-IPOD-TOY)

-Original harness to connect to iPod (dock in cable)

-Original harness to connect to the back of the stereo

-Direct connection to the car stereo. CD quality sound

-Full control from car stereo or steering wheel

-Charge iPod while operating

-Most Toyotas, Lexus and Scions supported (year 98+)

-In-dash 6-CD will remain working !

It provides direct audio interface to a car stereo via the CD changer port. GROM Audio interface insures CD quality sound from iPod to car stereo speakers. It allow to "fool" your stereo into thinking that fully featured CD changer is plugged in. This way you can have thousands of tracks divided into playlists or full shuffle mode if you wish. Endless amount of music !

- Direct connection from iPod to car stereo provides CD quality sound

- GROM Audio translates button presses from your car stereo or steering wheel to the particular command iPod can understand

- Enables easy integration into the car system. Place it anywhere, control from the car stereo

- Charges iPod while connected

-----------------------------------------

Main distributor for the grom audio adapter is

http://indashpc.org/new/index.html

where you can order the iPOD interface (Toyota / Scion / Lexus GROM for iPod interface(GROM-IPOD-TOY) for just $ 79.

http://indashpc.org/new/ipod_adapters/grom-ipod-toy.html

The product details are as follow:

Direct audio connection will ensure the best sound quality non compromised by FM transmitter or cassette adapter. Just plug the adapter into the back of your stereo (or in the trunk), connect it to your iPod and enjoy crystal clear sound and full control ! Ultimate iPod integration solution will provide the following features:

- Integrate your iPod into car audio system easily

- Get CD quality sound from the iPod through existing car stereo

- Control and operate your iPod with car stereo buttons or steering wheel controls

- Convert iPod into virtual CD changer

- Disk 1 allow to control iPod from its clicking wheel. Select your music from iPod and have it played. Stereo will control iPod

- Disk 2-6 mapped to playlists you create on iPod. Full control from car stereo. The following information is displayed: Disk #, Track #, time etc

- MIX, REPEAT work as usual

- SCAN allow to skip +-10 tracks for faster navigation

- Playlist positions are preserved for fast operation

- Shuffle songs, switch between tracks, playlists and adjust volume - all by using head unit controls

- Have your iPod charged

----------------------------------------------

My package was delivered about one week after ordering. For $79,99 the package contents:

• Car stereo adapter in plastic enclosure
  
• OEM compatible harness to connect to the back of the car stereo
  
• iPod dock in cable (gen 4 and up iPods)
  
• Installation manual
  

I installed it in just one hour due to the OEM compatible harness an it just works!!!!!

The OEM stereo knows right now the following things:

• FM button -> regular Radio
  
• Tape button -> Tape
  
• Disk button (first time pressing) -> internal CD-Changer (on the left side of the display you will see then “CD”)
  
• Disk button (second time pressing) -> external CD-Changer -> Grom Audio iPOD interface (on the left side of the display you will see then “CD1”)
  

Even if your internal CD changer has an ERR3 fault it should run because the solution activate the EXTERNAL CD Changer control.

One special thing is maybe interesting for people who are planning to buy an iPOD but do not own one so far. They can also order the IPOD interface from Grom Audio and and add an extra cable called (AUX RCA cable + 3.5 mm phone jack (Cable-AUX-C)) for only $4.99

http://indashpc.org/new/accessories/cable-aux-c.html

This cable can be plugged into the iPOD interface box – instead of the iPod dock in cable – and allows you to listen to music from your regular mp3 player (without control from OEM stero for sure).

After I found out that the Grom box was working fine the next challenge was to find a place were I can store it.

After searching an testing a little bit I remounted the OEM stereo, lifted a little bit up and stored the box in the empty room o the left hand side inside of the middle console (on a LHD car it is on the right hand side). The place is perfect because it's close to the glove box where the player is stored and you can grab from the passenger side behind the middle console and change the iPOD cable against the regular AUX one if needed.

Another thing is that if your using the interface in the simple mode (disk 1) – in advanced mode you can surf with your stereo thru the play lists 1-8 - you can select manually on your iPOD every other play list over #8 for example play list 18 and navigate then with your stereo controls (track back and forwards) thru the tracks.

I hope this helps you to get mp3 in you car without loosing the original design inside of the car. If you have further questions, please ask.

The best – even it’s more iPOD nano 3. Generation specific - at the end. I’m an absolute electronic music fan. Due to this reason it was always a pain to listen to gapless mixed electronic sampler in mp3, because you hear a short break after each track. Right now with my new nano gapless play is POSSIBLE

So electronic beats, gapless played for hours in my Lex with full control over the stock headunit with a nonvisible iPod……could it be better?

Best Regards from Berlin – Germany

Sonnet

P.S. My Car has a 9 speaker Stereo with satnav and nav works with this solution a usual :-)) When beeing in iPod mode with satnav running, the driver side speaker fades out the music from time to time, so that you can hear the voice of the navigation lady as usual. After the orders were given the speaker switches back to the iPod music. Wonderfull!!! It works like factory build!!!

P.P.S. Unfortunately I did not find out jet how to post pictures in this board. If someone of you could help me I will add some interesting picture the show you how my adapter was fitted and that all IS stereos seems to have the relevant harness on the backside.

i have a grom unit and the second gen units are quite good, they support mp3 via any usb storage device, including a phone in mass storage mode. aux in via 3.5mm stereo jack and ipod. it can be selected between modes, sounds better then cd and works well.

very occasional freezes but then again i run 320k mp3's, all it requires is to be reset (power off and on).

all in all for the price it's a fantastic solution, i have a 120gb hdd with hours worth of music and i find myself never using the radio or cd anymore :)

[blacksthenewblack]

Hi,

first of all thank you very much for this fantastic page. I’m really impressed about the discussions and the solution I saw over the last few years. But the often asked questions were not really answered for me yet.

Is it possible to connect an iPOD directly on the OEM stereo, without opening and modifying the radio?

And is it possible to control the iPOD over the stock headunit, while the POD is remaining in the glove box?

Since last week I can say:

It is possible, the sound is great, the control works perfect and the iPOD charge while connected!!!!

I found the solution in the American LOC. There is a little company in California called Grom Audio. They produce like Dension (ice link) AUX and iPOD adapter for OEM stereos. You can imagine that couldn’t believe my eyes when I was checking the compatibility list and found the IS300 from 1999 – 2005 on it.

http://gromaudio.com/index.html

I knew from former searches to find a possibility to connext external sound sources to the stock headunit that only one harness of the backside of the radio was equiped with a plug. The relevant 12 line karness where GromAudio wants to connect their interface were empty. So it was easy to plug the grom adapter inside and it just works!!!

So connection is possible :D Let have a look to the features:

------------

Toyota / Scion / Lexus GROM for iPod interface(GROM-IPOD-TOY)

-Original harness to connect to iPod (dock in cable)

-Original harness to connect to the back of the stereo

-Direct connection to the car stereo. CD quality sound

-Full control from car stereo or steering wheel

-Charge iPod while operating

-Most Toyotas, Lexus and Scions supported (year 98+)

-In-dash 6-CD will remain working !

It provides direct audio interface to a car stereo via the CD changer port. GROM Audio interface insures CD quality sound from iPod to car stereo speakers. It allow to "fool" your stereo into thinking that fully featured CD changer is plugged in. This way you can have thousands of tracks divided into playlists or full shuffle mode if you wish. Endless amount of music !

- Direct connection from iPod to car stereo provides CD quality sound

- GROM Audio translates button presses from your car stereo or steering wheel to the particular command iPod can understand

- Enables easy integration into the car system. Place it anywhere, control from the car stereo

- Charges iPod while connected

-----------------------------------------

Main distributor for the grom audio adapter is

http://indashpc.org/new/index.html

where you can order the iPOD interface (Toyota / Scion / Lexus GROM for iPod interface(GROM-IPOD-TOY) for just $ 79.

http://indashpc.org/new/ipod_adapters/grom-ipod-toy.html

The product details are as follow:

Direct audio connection will ensure the best sound quality non compromised by FM transmitter or cassette adapter. Just plug the adapter into the back of your stereo (or in the trunk), connect it to your iPod and enjoy crystal clear sound and full control ! Ultimate iPod integration solution will provide the following features:

- Integrate your iPod into car audio system easily

- Get CD quality sound from the iPod through existing car stereo

- Control and operate your iPod with car stereo buttons or steering wheel controls

- Convert iPod into virtual CD changer

- Disk 1 allow to control iPod from its clicking wheel. Select your music from iPod and have it played. Stereo will control iPod

- Disk 2-6 mapped to playlists you create on iPod. Full control from car stereo. The following information is displayed: Disk #, Track #, time etc

- MIX, REPEAT work as usual

- SCAN allow to skip +-10 tracks for faster navigation

- Playlist positions are preserved for fast operation

- Shuffle songs, switch between tracks, playlists and adjust volume - all by using head unit controls

- Have your iPod charged

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My package was delivered about one week after ordering. For $79,99 the package contents:

• Car stereo adapter in plastic enclosure
  
• OEM compatible harness to connect to the back of the car stereo
  
• iPod dock in cable (gen 4 and up iPods)
  
• Installation manual
  

I installed it in just one hour due to the OEM compatible harness an it just works!!!!!

The OEM stereo knows right now the following things:

• FM button -> regular Radio
  
• Tape button -> Tape
  
• Disk button (first time pressing) -> internal CD-Changer (on the left side of the display you will see then “CD”)
  
• Disk button (second time pressing) -> external CD-Changer -> Grom Audio iPOD interface (on the left side of the display you will see then “CD1”)
  

Even if your internal CD changer has an ERR3 fault it should run because the solution activate the EXTERNAL CD Changer control.

One special thing is maybe interesting for people who are planning to buy an iPOD but do not own one so far. They can also order the IPOD interface from Grom Audio and and add an extra cable called (AUX RCA cable + 3.5 mm phone jack (Cable-AUX-C)) for only $4.99

http://indashpc.org/new/accessories/cable-aux-c.html

This cable can be plugged into the iPOD interface box – instead of the iPod dock in cable – and allows you to listen to music from your regular mp3 player (without control from OEM stero for sure).

After I found out that the Grom box was working fine the next challenge was to find a place were I can store it.

After searching an testing a little bit I remounted the OEM stereo, lifted a little bit up and stored the box in the empty room o the left hand side inside of the middle console (on a LHD car it is on the right hand side). The place is perfect because it's close to the glove box where the player is stored and you can grab from the passenger side behind the middle console and change the iPOD cable against the regular AUX one if needed.

Another thing is that if your using the interface in the simple mode (disk 1) – in advanced mode you can surf with your stereo thru the play lists 1-8 - you can select manually on your iPOD every other play list over #8 for example play list 18 and navigate then with your stereo controls (track back and forwards) thru the tracks.

I hope this helps you to get mp3 in you car without loosing the original design inside of the car. If you have further questions, please ask.

The best – even it’s more iPOD nano 3. Generation specific - at the end. I’m an absolute electronic music fan. Due to this reason it was always a pain to listen to gapless mixed electronic sampler in mp3, because you hear a short break after each track. Right now with my new nano gapless play is POSSIBLE

So electronic beats, gapless played for hours in my Lex with full control over the stock headunit with a nonvisible iPod……could it be better?

Best Regards from Berlin – Germany

Sonnet

P.S. My Car has a 9 speaker Stereo with satnav and nav works with this solution a usual :-)) When beeing in iPod mode with satnav running, the driver side speaker fades out the music from time to time, so that you can hear the voice of the navigation lady as usual. After the orders were given the speaker switches back to the iPod music. Wonderfull!!! It works like factory build!!!

P.P.S. Unfortunately I did not find out jet how to post pictures in this board. If someone of you could help me I will add some interesting picture the show you how my adapter was fitted and that all IS stereos seems to have the relevant harness on the backside.

i have a grom unit and the second gen units are quite good, they support mp3 via any usb storage device, including a phone in mass storage mode. aux in via 3.5mm stereo jack and ipod. it can be selected between modes, sounds better then cd and works well.

very occasional freezes but then again i run 320k mp3's, all it requires is to be reset (power off and on).

all in all for the price it's a fantastic solution, i have a 120gb hdd with hours worth of music and i find myself never using the radio or cd anymore :)

Hey, just a quick question to save me having to pull the headunit out.... i run a big clarion vtec amp off the factory head unit, which would require an intermediate box to supply the amp cables. Does anyone know if that boxes plugs into that external cd changer port, or if it just uses the original speaker wires???? (might be a stab in the dark but im reaalllllly interested in this product!)

[mga363]

can you get them here in australia, i just got a is200 yesterday and im sick of usin cds already, wanna use my pod...

hey got mine from usa but now they sell them in oz: http://www.cushieaudio.com.au/vehicles/lexus/lexus-toy.html