Ive noticed on some car headunits they have phono (red and white) sockets used for attaching a multi-changer input to just like the aux-in on your stereo in the home.... Anyway, does the HU-850 have these two phono sockets? If so has anyone attached a phono to 3.5mm jack lead to plug it into mp3 player with any success? I ve got a feeling it has a DIN input rather than phono in which case has anyone successfully done this? with a DIN to 3.5mm jack? Effectively all I want is a 3.5mm jack on a lead coming out the dash discretely to plug into mp3 player. I push the AUTO button and it picks up the signal from the mp3 player and plays it. I know there are other dedicated solutions for MP3 player control etc. but I dont want to go down that route.... Any advice is appreciated. BTW, before I get lambasted - I have searched for this and so far not found the answer! I apologise if it has been mentioned before!

Try searching again for something technical like "ipod" or just read the current thread that's call "FM modulator" :)

Hi Unfortunately searching doesn't answer my question. I don't need power and I don't want to spend money on an ipod adapter. From that post I've found out it's a din socket, so my question is if I have a 3.5mm jack to DIN: like this one: Can I just plug it into the back of the HU-850, push auto and listen to the output of my MP3 player which the 3.5mm jack is plugged into?? Could be a very cheap alternative.... To get to the point, I'm toying with buying a tom tom 910 with 12gb hdd, filling it full of mp3s and playing it through the headunit whilst using the satnav and bluetooth car kit (again through the head unit). I just want to keep it simple with the hardwiring to the HU-850.

Glad you feel undernined when ya ask a question on here, i feel the same, we're not all technically minded & understand the full ins & out of things !!

Hi, TomTom should be able to tell you what the output specs are for the port on the 910. Volvo, or whoever makes their HU, should be able to advise on the input requirements for the din socket. I would suspect that it will comply with some industry standard for input to the stereo.. That, in theory should tell you where you stand on whether the two will work together. The iPods should also have an industry standard output so why you need an "adapter" to be able to plug one into another, fairly industry standard unit, is anyone's guess. Unless, of course, apple still has it's own proprietary standards. Another reason to not bother with proprietary equipment.. Crappy apple. Des. . . ;)

Thanks for you help, I'm just going to use the headphone out on the tom tom, just need to know the input for the DIN on the volvo - I'll enquire. Cheers Chris

Jeez, the only way you'll get aux in (which is exactly what you're asking about!) is to buy one of the two input adaptors available, the cheapest being the USAspec. It may be a DIN plug/socket but it's an input for the CD changer which is completely different to what you desperately want it to be. Clear enough now?

Take a chill pill man!