First things first, lets get something clear so we're both on the same page when talking about a MP3 Wireless FM Modulator. Many people mix the terms FM Modulator and FM Transmitter so let's try to first clear up which is which.
A FM Modulator is designed to take an audio source, which in this case is your MP3 Player, and transmit it to a FM Radio (i.e. FM receiver). And if you are using it in a car, which is one of the most common places to use a FM Modulator, it will probably be hardwired into the car (i.e. you can't remove it and take it some other place very easily).
There are other limitations when using a FM Modulator. such as you can't change the frequency very easily once it's installed. Because of this you usually have to use a frequency that's not used by radio stations like 87.5, 87.7 or 87.9 FM. Plus you have to keep the modulator close to your FM Radio because they usually only broadcast a few inches or a foot or two at best.
The other alternative is to hijack a frequency that don't think you will ever need to or want to listen to that FM Radio station when driving in your car.
The second issue with a FM Modulator that only broadcasts a few inches or a foot or two at best is it requires the FM Modulator to be very close (i.e. "in-line") to the FM Radio's antenna. This means you typically have to pull out your car's FM Radio and install the FM Modulator so it can be close to the FM Radio as well as not be seen. This can pose a problem if you are not handy with electronics or don't want to pay an audio company to install it for you.
Also, don't forget that you may need to hire someone to install it if you aren't comfortable with dealing in electrical because a FM Modulator needs to be hardwired into the car's power system. If you don't know what you are doing you can hurt yourself or really screw up your car's electrical system.
PS. you may also run the risk of messing up your car's audio system if you don't know what you are doing.
Now let's talk about FM Transmitters. They operate on the same principal as a FM modulator but they are designed to be more flexible. (FYI, we are referring to personal FM Transmitters here not the big commercial ones)
You can gain some nice benefits from using a FM Transmitter instead of a FM Modulator, assuming you pick a good FM Transmitter. those benefits are:
* No Installation Required - FM Transmitters are designed to be mobile so you won't need to mess around with installation like a FM Modulator.
* No Frequency Limitations - Most Good FM Transmitters will let you cover the entire public band so you don't have to worry about fighting with a commercial station.
* Broadcast Further - A decent FM Radio will let you go more than a few feet. The really good ones will let you go 100 feet or more!
* More Mobility - No hard wiring means you're not forced to only using the FM Transmitter in your car. This is assuming you purchase a FM Transmitter that has more power options than just a 12V adapter.
* More Flexibility - A FM Transmitter will let you also use more than just one audio source since it is designed to be flexible.
As you can see a FM Transmitter is superior to a FM Modulator, assuming you pick a FM Transmitter that works well and this is usually what most people really mean when they say they want a MP3 Wireless FM Modulator.
So you may be asking "If a FM Transmitter is what I really want or meant to say how do I find the right one?" Keep reading and I can help you.
--- Finding The Right One For You --- To quickly find the right FM Transmitter (i.e. MP3 Wireless FM Modulator) you will have to sit down and think over a few questions first:
1. Do I want to be able to broadcast more than just my MP3 Player? - If you want to broadcast more than just your MP3 player you will need to make sure it offers more than just one audio design setup like a FM Transmitter only working for certain iPods
2. What power options will I want or need? - Is using batteries "OK" or will I want to also want to have the ability to use a 12V car power outlet (i.e. cigarette lighter) or an AC wall outlet or even a computer's USB port.
3. How far do I want to transmit? - A quality FM Transmitter will let you go a 100 feet or more but if you will only use it in the car them maybe 5 or 10 feet will be fine for you.
4. Where do I plan on using it? - If all you need is a 12V power supply because you will only use it in your car then you shouldn't have any issues finding a FM Transmitter that does just that.
5. What If Technology Changes On Me? - Since technology changes rapidly you wan to be sure you plan ahead on what FM Transmitter you will use. For example you may be using an iPod right now but in the future if you go with another device or iPods change the way they connect you may be forced to also buy a new FM Transmitter which can get expensive.
Once you have these basic questions answered you can then begin to decide which MP3 Wireless FM Modulator (i.e. FM Transmitter) you want to buy.
A FM Modulator is designed to take an audio source, which in this case is your MP3 Player, and transmit it to a FM Radio (i.e. FM receiver). And if you are using it in a car, which is one of the most common places to use a FM Modulator, it will probably be hardwired into the car (i.e. you can't remove it and take it some other place very easily).
There are other limitations when using a FM Modulator. such as you can't change the frequency very easily once it's installed. Because of this you usually have to use a frequency that's not used by radio stations like 87.5, 87.7 or 87.9 FM. Plus you have to keep the modulator close to your FM Radio because they usually only broadcast a few inches or a foot or two at best.
The other alternative is to hijack a frequency that don't think you will ever need to or want to listen to that FM Radio station when driving in your car.
The second issue with a FM Modulator that only broadcasts a few inches or a foot or two at best is it requires the FM Modulator to be very close (i.e. "in-line") to the FM Radio's antenna. This means you typically have to pull out your car's FM Radio and install the FM Modulator so it can be close to the FM Radio as well as not be seen. This can pose a problem if you are not handy with electronics or don't want to pay an audio company to install it for you.
Also, don't forget that you may need to hire someone to install it if you aren't comfortable with dealing in electrical because a FM Modulator needs to be hardwired into the car's power system. If you don't know what you are doing you can hurt yourself or really screw up your car's electrical system.
PS. you may also run the risk of messing up your car's audio system if you don't know what you are doing.
Now let's talk about FM Transmitters. They operate on the same principal as a FM modulator but they are designed to be more flexible. (FYI, we are referring to personal FM Transmitters here not the big commercial ones)
You can gain some nice benefits from using a FM Transmitter instead of a FM Modulator, assuming you pick a good FM Transmitter. those benefits are:
* No Installation Required - FM Transmitters are designed to be mobile so you won't need to mess around with installation like a FM Modulator.
* No Frequency Limitations - Most Good FM Transmitters will let you cover the entire public band so you don't have to worry about fighting with a commercial station.
* Broadcast Further - A decent FM Radio will let you go more than a few feet. The really good ones will let you go 100 feet or more!
* More Mobility - No hard wiring means you're not forced to only using the FM Transmitter in your car. This is assuming you purchase a FM Transmitter that has more power options than just a 12V adapter.
* More Flexibility - A FM Transmitter will let you also use more than just one audio source since it is designed to be flexible.
As you can see a FM Transmitter is superior to a FM Modulator, assuming you pick a FM Transmitter that works well and this is usually what most people really mean when they say they want a MP3 Wireless FM Modulator.
So you may be asking "If a FM Transmitter is what I really want or meant to say how do I find the right one?" Keep reading and I can help you.
--- Finding The Right One For You --- To quickly find the right FM Transmitter (i.e. MP3 Wireless FM Modulator) you will have to sit down and think over a few questions first:
1. Do I want to be able to broadcast more than just my MP3 Player? - If you want to broadcast more than just your MP3 player you will need to make sure it offers more than just one audio design setup like a FM Transmitter only working for certain iPods
2. What power options will I want or need? - Is using batteries "OK" or will I want to also want to have the ability to use a 12V car power outlet (i.e. cigarette lighter) or an AC wall outlet or even a computer's USB port.
3. How far do I want to transmit? - A quality FM Transmitter will let you go a 100 feet or more but if you will only use it in the car them maybe 5 or 10 feet will be fine for you.
4. Where do I plan on using it? - If all you need is a 12V power supply because you will only use it in your car then you shouldn't have any issues finding a FM Transmitter that does just that.
5. What If Technology Changes On Me? - Since technology changes rapidly you wan to be sure you plan ahead on what FM Transmitter you will use. For example you may be using an iPod right now but in the future if you go with another device or iPods change the way they connect you may be forced to also buy a new FM Transmitter which can get expensive.
Once you have these basic questions answered you can then begin to decide which MP3 Wireless FM Modulator (i.e. FM Transmitter) you want to buy.
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