Connecting A Walkman To A Usb Port In A Car

[CW1]

Does anyone know of a cable / adaptor that would connect a Sony Walkman to a USB port in a car ?

[-SharonA-]

In my Honda I use this to play music on my usb sticks. Goliton have other cables.
Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[EdmundD]

Which model do you have?
I have two - an older one which is AM/FM radio and is battery operated and a newer one which is FM radio and music storage and is powered by a USB cable. The USB also allows me to copy music to it from my laptop.

[CW1]

Can only play from a USB stick & neighbour wants to be able to play CDs in his car, notably not just copy to a memory stick.

[Hymie]

I think what CW1 wants is to plug a 3.5mm stereo output jack (Walkman) into a USB socket; or maybe they just want to power the Walkman via the USB 5V supply.

If it is an audio input to the car’s music system you want – does it not have an Aux input that would allow direct connection using a 3.5mm jack at each end?

[CW1]

Hymie, yeah, effectively plug the CD player into the USB port. Not to power it, just have it come thru' the speakers.

[CW1]

Don't think there's an AUX input on the radio (2019 Ford Ecosport).

[Hymie]

This may do what you want, provided the vehicle audio system has Bluetooth connectivity:-

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/373695467935?hash=item5701fc519f:g:upUAAOSwl8dhJIwY

[CW1]

Does have Bluetooth so could be the answer, thanks :)

[Hymie]

Here is a cheaper version of the same thing – which may suit better, as the USB dongle is not directly plugged into the USB socket.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313648841038?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20201210111314%26meid%3D814e49f25f01423a84d9e2dfeb845a8b%26pid%3D101195%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D373695467935%26itm%3D313648841038%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv9PairwiseWebMskuAspectsV202110NoVariantSeed&_trksid=p2047675.c101195.m1851&amdata=cksum%3A313648841038814e49f25f01423a84d9e2dfeb845a8b%7Cenc%3AAQAGAAABEIIp3bTCXFAKw6S9crk9CpCrrtOgadqFiC10NVPbN0936eprYVB4SXfDa52e1mbPLOCg34GcmdBXzqEhrAQi4akDWcb0o8EtK5h%252Bi9AEDrpjkZ4kdoWGAwJrylNJOA0lnO8KMW%252BQcMaAyzd%252FvGvzdzs1Gj%252FPVxwuOJ%252BCit9fOv84lJztaTrBpf%252FZAaUFeAxRzXR%252FCjB%252FSsbBdGaJfB0NdxrwquUN8koeo200wiLaZKb9G7s3zTiRVSfKi6JZIscOhKGRVVGlSLOPCqhMPzCd%252Bjx9grID0wWfNHvUYsHS2cc8ZKzFXtpFnKmqJ%252F9mBrj%252B2JqnjxGZx5muHfv4k5lEHPkFrVMfBw8c7ChEnnKUE%252F6o%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2047675

[CW1]

Would the Walkman not have to have Bluetooth tho' ?

[Hymie]

No, the Walkman CD player is plugged into the USB dongle using a 3.5mm stereo jack at each end of the lead (supplied with the product), the USB dongle power is provided by the car’s USB socket (again lead supplied). The device in then paired with the vehicle’s audio system.

Interestingly this cheaper unit works both ways – it can also receive a Bluetooth signal, giving an audio signal out at the 3.5mm stereo jack socket.
If you look at the second to last photo of the product, it can be switched in either TX (transmit) or RX (receive) Bluetooth mode.
So your neighbour will use the product set in the TX (transmit) Bluetooth mode.

[Togo]

These work. The jackplug plugs into the jack plug output and you listen to the output on the car radio. Choose an FM channel that does not clash with a local frequency, or National one, that is already taken by a radion station. You may need to have the Walkman powered by the car battery. It depends on how efficient the Walkman has stayed over the years. I used to use one like it before bluetooth and car technology caught up.

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[Hymie]

Togo – I was trying to find a listing for one of those for CW1 (which will also work), but I guess they have been superseded by Bluetooth products, which have the advantage of not needing to find a vacant rf frequency on the car radio.

[CW1]

I looked at those Togo, but he doesn't have a 3.5mm jack in his car apparently, just usb.
The Bluetooth option is looking increasingly complicated. Problem with the eBay links Hymie's given are they wouldn't be returnable if he couldn't get on with them. Got so close finding something from another site ;) but not quite, so ... this seems the favoured option now ...

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[Togo]

He doesn't need a 3.5mm jack in the car. The jack goes in the Walkman and the output from the walkman is converted to FM that can be picked up on the car radio. The usb is to charge the little FM transmitter.

[bhg481]

Togo's recommendation plugs into the headphone socket of the Walkman, not the car, so the car doesn't need a 3.5mm jack socket. I used to use one back in the day to play CDs in my car; you connect the gismo to the player, set it to an unused FM frequency and tune the car radio into that.
I still use mine in the house to synchronise the kitchen radio with the main radio so that I can tune to internet radio or play CDs and I can hear them in the kitchen. I find a frequency near the top of the FM range is best; I use 107.9 as that's free where we live.

[CW1]

Ahh, ok. Ones I was looking at with 3.5mm jacks seemed to be plugged into the car. Will have another look. I might try find one as you've both suggested, & order the player too. IF both work, it's his choice.
Thanks guys :)

[Hymie]

At £4.20 (free p&p) I don’t think it would break the bank if the thing does not work – the main problem is that the seller is in China, so you have to be patient and wait maybe a month or more for delivery.

The main difference between the two items (the one Togo posted and the one I posted links to), is that Togo’s connects to the car radio using a small inbuilt rf transmitter – transmitting an fm radio frequency between 88 – 108MHz (which the car radio is tuned to); whereas the device I posted transmits a Bluetooth signal, which requires pairing with the car audio system.

Both take the audio signal from the Walkman CD player’s 3.5mm stereo jack socket.

[Togo]

Here is another option. If the car usb is compatable. i.e. It will take the walkman output and put it through the audio amp and speakers on auxiliary.

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[CW1]

I did look at that very one Toga, but says it doesn't transmit sound. So confusing, & I'm not the technophobe !
At a stalemate now, CD player increased in price, now more than he wants to spend *sigh*