Hooking up a laptop to a system...

[bangman 10+ year member]

So I want to get a laptop and one of the Verizon cards for internet access anywhere. This would let stream music while I'm driving. Any idea how I would go about hooking up the sound card to the system? Is it possible?

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[Insomniac119 10+ year member]

Get a lap top with an audio out.

Is this going to replace the HU?

 

[supraman1379 10+ year member]

I didnt know you could hook up a laptop to your system. Im going to have to try this. I dont have a laptop with an audio out tho

 

[hoaxci5 10+ year member]

99% of laptops have audio outs in the form of a headphone jack.

 

[supraman1379 10+ year member]

o cool

So what do we need to get then?

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

Go to Radioshack and buy a 1/8" stereo to RCA cable...should be around six bucks, at least it was the last time I bought one.

 

[bangman 10+ year member]

Get a lap top with an audio out.
Is this going to replace the HU?

No it would not replace the HU.

Which is where I think it gets tricky...

 

[thejoker989 10+ year member]

Laptop ---> 3.5mm to RCA (or 3.5 mm depending on the h/u) -----> AUX IN (If your h/u has it)

If your H/U lacks an AUX IN, but supports an external cd changer, or an ipod, most likely you can buy something or make something that will add an aux in.

 

[bangman 10+ year member]

Ah AUX IN..

Thanks a lot!

 

[AJ²06 5,000+ posts]

Yep... I did that once... accessed my music thru my home net... all around the block... lol

 

[bballrrt06 10+ year member]

... or you could just load the music onto your laptop hard drive?

 

[thejoker989 10+ year member]

Unless your music collection is too big to fit on your laptop....

 

[bballrrt06 10+ year member]

get a bigger laptop drive.. and/or portable laptop drive

 

[3onDubs 10+ year member]

Get a bluetooth connection for your car, get a bluetooth dongle for your laptop (if it doesn't have bluetooth built-in), and stream it wirelessly.

I know that this works with Alpine's bluetooth module after you pair it with the laptop.

 

[PSturmer 10+ year member]

Get a bluetooth connection for your car, get a bluetooth dongle for your laptop (if it doesn't have bluetooth built-in), and stream it wirelessly.
I know that this works with Alpine's bluetooth module after you pair it with the laptop.

yeah that would be the best i think.

i dont know why you would want a laptop though. ipods do the same trick. if you really wanna stream from your house or what ever i dont see why you couldnt have a XM satelite thing in your car and then one at your computer at your house and just stream in that way.