On the one hand, a classic car radio, which broadcasts CD or radio.
On the other, an mp3 player or a smartphone filled with your favorite music.
Small and discreet, the FM transmitter is the link between the two devices: it broadcasts the songs played by your walkman on an FM channel, adjustable manually.
All that remains is to tune the car radio to the frequency indicated.
The FM transmitter usually plugs into a cigarette lighter socket, but may include an internal battery or batteries, for added mobility.
On the connection side, most models offer a universal jack.
Some have an Apple cable, and still others a micro SD card reader ...
FM transmitter, mobile radio waves
If the car is one of its specialties, the FM transmitter is not limited to it. It does not attach to a device, but to a frequency: it can thus broadcast on any radio, wherever you are, the content of any connected device. Smartphone or mp3 player, tablet or micro SD card… An ultra-mobile device whose strength is also the limit, a radio frequency available in a city often not available in its neighbor. When interference disturbs the signal, you have to start a new search manually on the FM transmitter… then change the frequency of your car radio, all while driving! Not to mention that some car radios require automatic search, or auto-tuning, when changing station.Stopping on the frequency indicated by the transmitter can then be particularly complex.
The sound of the FM transmitter
On the mp3 files of a smartphone or a player, the sound is already compressed. Broadcast on radio waves, it still loses in quality… and in power. For example ? In the car, the antenna is normally located on the roof, while the transmitter remains inside the passenger compartment. The transmission is often interfered with by the bodywork. However, some models of FM transmitters provide correct audio rendering to your music: it all depends on the power of the device, the size of the frequencies and the configuration of the listening place. The loss of quality due to radio broadcasting can thus be compensated for by powerful speakers and Hi-Fi sound… options that are infrequent on a car radio. Are you looking for quality sound? Bet on a recent model, powerful and compatible with many audio formats,equipped with a screen and an automatic search ... or change the car radio.
Choose a car radio adapted to your vehicle
Today's car radios generally do not need an FM transmitter, since they are often able to read, from the base, mp3 files present either on a CD or on a USB key, for example. At a time when dematerialized technology is on the rise, there are also car radios equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, which has the advantage of allowing the use of mobile applications linked to music. If you want to change car radios, our guide to the best models of the moment can help you make your choice. First of all, make sure that the car radio you are interested in is perfectly suited to your car. In fact, just like FM transmitters, it is necessary to check that your vehicle is suitable for changing accessories. Therefore, before investing,make sure you choose a suitable car radio from our selection, which gives you the keys so you don't go wrong.