Griffin Technologies

Product Specifications

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Frequently Asked Questions

• How does the iTrip get its power?
  • It is powered by the iPod itself.
• How much power does the iTrip consume?
  • In our highly scientific testing, we found the power consumption to be imperceptible. In other words, it uses VERY little power from the iPod and has no real effect on battery life. You have more to worry about from the backlight on the iPod than the iTrip.
• What is the “best” station to broadcast on?
  • Assuming you could use anywhere on the FM band that you wanted to, the best place to transmit is the center of the band somewhere around 98-103MHz. The major improvement is you will get a better stereo separation effect, which makes the music sound “more stereo” or “wider” than transmitting at either the top or bottom of the band. It isn’t critical, but it does make a difference.
    
    However the real answer is - the best station to broadcast to is the CLEAREST station in your area with the least interference from other stations around. That will insure the best possible performance from the iTrip.
• Can I charge the iPod while the iTrip is in use?
  • Yes, you just rotate the iTrip so the small indent on one side is facing the Firewire port, and that gives you enough space to plug in a charging cable. The iTrip remains connected to the headphone jack so you can keep transmitting your music.
• What is the quality of the audio when played through the iTrip! Is it better than FM?
  • Simply put, FM radio is not the best quality audio in the world. It lacks some high and low frequencies, it has a fairly poor signal-to-noise ratio and it is no where near CD quality. The iTrip simply creates a mini FM radio station on top of your iPod, therefore it will never sound any better that the best FM radio station you've ever heard.
    
    However, it still sounds pretty good. With a clear frequency the iTrip will deliver your iPods music at a surprisingly clear and high level of quality. And unless you have an AUX input or cassette adapter - it's the ONLY way to play your iPod in your car. As far as comparing the iTrip to 'other' FM transmitters, the iTrip's sound quality will win every time.
• How do you turn the iTrip on?
  • Simply connecting the iTrip to the iPod turns the unit on. If the iTrip is already connected to the iPod then it will turn itself on after it detects audio for a few seconds. In other words, just press play!
• How do you turn the iTrip off?
  • The iTrip will shut itself off if it does not detect audio for about 60 seconds.
• Can I use the iPod remote control with the iTrip?
  • No, the iTrip does not have the physical space for the required female iPod headphone connector to provide a pass-through, and the iTrip occupies the iPod’s headphone jack so it is one or the other, not both.
• At volume levels above 70% I start getting distortion in the transmitted signal. Is this normal?
  • Yes. For typical rock/rap/pop music, which is recorded at full level and relatively low in overall dynamic range, the iTrip will start distorting above 70%. However, this is VERY dependant on the source music; a very soft piece of classical music may need (on average) a higher volume level to raise the music signal above the noise floor, or for any material recorded at substantially lower levels than maximum.