I would like to wire an iPod into my sound system. is this possible? is there an input into which I could simply connect from the headphone jack - or a more sophisticated solution.
I have tried an FM transmitter - but reception is terrible.

I should have checked the posts before I posted my own iPod message regarding linking to the XC90. I would have found your posting and responses earlier.

Have you made any progress on your end? Doesn't make matters any better to know that BMW has introduced an iPod factory hookup in their SUV's!

If I could look at the back end of the stereo system and see if there were a 9-pin CD input, then I'd have a solution.

I recently took European delivery and hope to get this resolved before the car arrives here inthe States. Any progress you've made would be appreciated!

Kyle

sorry for late reply, have been away ffrm e-mail for a while....
I have talked to lots of people and have come to the conclusion that the XC90 system is a completely closed system, all based on optical wiring, etc.

Even the antenna cable is not standard (and feeds the navigaiton system, as well and should therefore not be messed with).

I have in the mean time used the Belkin FM transmitter with some mixed success - maybe better functionality than the Apple solution but a real mess of cables - and it comes with a small 2 amp fuse which I had to replace and could find no where in San Francisco - luckily the Apple shop replaced it without ant fuss.

so I suggest you join me in lobying with Volvo for them to get with the program and to intgroduce a retrofit like BMW have done - alternatively one could always consider cashing in on the rarity of the car and going for an X5 sooner than later....

I have a portable DVD player that I have been looking for a solution for using with my XC90. I think I have found it. It is probably similar to your Blekin but I am suspecting without all the wires. The Beamit Wireless Music Adapter model #400FM by irock. I paid $29.99 at Circuit City. It runs on both AAA's and an included Auto Power Adapter. I used it with AAAs and was able to move about 25 feet from the vehicle and could still here clear sound. Inside the vehicle, I had the stereo set to Pro Logic sound, it sounded crystal clear and in stereo, although I doubt Pro Logic quality. Even so it still sounded pretty dang close to a good home theater sound system. I was really surprised to found out how well it worked after reading so many posts on poor quality wireless transmitters. This one has the antenna integrated into the cable which plugs into your headphone jack. The cable is about 6 inches long. It did not seem to matter where it was in relation to the antenna while in the car. The website is www.myirock.com.

Chris
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2004 XC90 T6, 2000 S70 GLT

Good to hear there are other solutions our there.
as I said, in the mean time the Belking transmitter has been working well (once I figured out I had to increase the output volume onthe iPod...) and the advantage is that the mentioned cable tangle allows using one single 12V connector for the iPod and for the iPod. Also, you can choose frequencies freely, i.e. are not limited to a few pre-defined ones.

Volvo has plans for aftermarket integration options as well but I suspect it won't be backwards compatible:

http://www.swedespeed.com/news/publish/Volvo_News/article_283.html

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Have you tried the iTrip FM transmitter? It seems to work fine here in the Chicago suburbs. I guess it depends on how many frequencies are open where you travel.

You said you have a cd changer. many manufacturers like blitzsafe make a CD changer to auxilliary input adapters. some even have the option to switch between a factory cd changer or aftermarket cd changer and an additional input like an ipod. Blitzsafe is just one manufacturer. you will want to do a search on auxilliary input for stock car stereo (or some such search) and you will see all sorts of companies.

http://www.installer.com/aux/index.html this is one. I could not find an aux input for volvo, but they do have it for almost everyone else! you all may want to harrass blitzsafe or some other to see if they can make them for you.

They have the last resort option which is an fm modulator that connects in line with the antenna. this one seems to fix some issues with most which is interference on the fm channel, by terminating the fm signal when you are listening to your ipod.

hope it helps

bk

u can buy a adapter which coverts headphone jack into a 'tape'. i.e. as in an old casette tape, you simply play the tape as if it was real, and press play on ya ipod

ttah would be easy, but unfortunately the XC 90 does not come with a cassette player - there is only a CD changer.

any other ideas?