candidate for most obvious question in audiio

Depends on how much control you want to have over it while it's plugged in. You can use the AUX jack that's built into the armrest compartment, or you can go with a full integration kit that can display artist and song info, charge the iPod, etc etc.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tigressa @ May 24 2007, 12:37 PM) [snapback]449129[/snapback]</div>

the aux jack is great and simple. Just go grab a double male stereo cable (radio shack sells one for about 6 bucks that does the job nicely) and you're in business. I sometimes plug a PSP in there too. So like today I heard the the sounds of a game as my daughter kicked Xiao Yu's you-know-what in Tekken 5. lol The sound through the jack is nice, and though it won't display info on your artist it is quick and simple.

 

You can also buy a more expensive car adapter that has a "cigarette lighter" plug, an ipod dock cable attachment, and a mini plug. I think Griffin makes one that you can find at Circuit City. The benefit being, you can charge your iPod at the same time, and you get "line-out" which, simply put, is better than the headphone jack output.

I don't have such a device. I use the afore-mentioned mini-to-mini (male on both ends) stereo cable, and a separate car charger. The problem with this setup is I get a "hum" noise when both are plugged in. Electric interference that I'm sure the more expensive doohicky will take care of.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ichabod @ May 24 2007, 10:50 AM) [snapback]449180[/snapback]</div>

What you need is a Ground Loop Isolator. You can get one either at Radio Shack (you'll need adapters) or Crutchfield.

 

Like many have said ... there are options:

output from the ipod comes in two flavors - headphone jack or docking connector.
connection to Prius also comes in flavors - wireless, aux jack, and straight to the radio (DICE unit).

What you choose effects the quality and cost.

We've done almost all of 'em (between two Prii). My wife didn't like wireless, but she loves the DICE unit. I'm happy with an Apple dock connector into the aux jack.

BTW - We never used the cigarette lighter connector to charge the ipod, so I can't speak about the ground-loop hum. The DICE charges the ipod with no background noise issues.