04 Solara SLE is XM radio ready? What's that mean?

[fotodad]

To wire up directly to the headunit, you will need the receiver/tuner, like the SRT100, plus an appropriate adapter and the antenna, of course. The adapter is what interfaces with hideaway tuner with the OEM radio, so you can SEE/READ the channels from the tuner on the OEM radio display. That's what the display for the FM-modulated unit does. Again, you can check with Blitzsafe. Last I saw, though they listed Kenwood & Audiovox adapters as "XM," but both are Sirius. Only Alpine & Pioneer (so far) use XM. I didn't see any Panasonic adapters.

The Kenwood model is KTC-SR902 and can be found here.

The Audiovox piece is SIRCK2 and can be found here. This kit comes with RCA output, thus you can actually just get a CD changer-to-AUX adapter from Blitzsafe again.

I know we have both the Kenwood & Audiovox pieces in stock, the adapters are relatively new, so haven't seen them yet. But we can definitely get them.

Luc,

Again, profuse thanks!

Sorry for having such a thick head about this whole satellite radio thing, but let me see if I got this straight.

Because of the hookups in the back of my factory radio (JBL), I can hook up either XM or Sirius. Since it appears Sirius is a superior service, let's say I'm going to subscribe to them. I want to hard wire the satellite equipment right to the factory radio. So I'll need an antenna which connects to a tuner which connects to an adapter (Blitzsafe) which connects to the factory radio.When hooked up this way, I'll be able to use my factory radio to control what satellite stations I'm listening to. Boy, I hope I got that right!

I've always heard good things about Pioneer and Alpine equipment. I would like to buy either of their products to make this all work. Is that possible?

I see you're in Chicago. Go Cubs! I wish you and your car stereo/installation business were closer to me. I'd be knocking on your door TODAY! I live about three hours from Chicago's outskirts in Wisconsin, near Oshkosh, so it would be tough for me to make the trip. It's tempting, however!

Thanks!

[Luc]

Yes, you got that right!!! Thus, OEM headunit -> adapter -> satellite tuner w/antenna. This way, you use the factory radio's display to see what channels you are receiving. All the audio will interface through the adapter to the OEM radio, thus no FM modulation!!!

Both Pioneer & Alpine units are XM, not Sirius. The Pioneer hideaway tuner costs $200 and Alpine costs $250.

The closest store to Wisconsin that we have is in Gurnee, near Great America. But 3 hours is still a long drive. Before you make that trip/decision, let me check on the adapter availability and price, since it isn't stock readily.

Indeed...GO CUBS!!!

[fotodad]

Yes, you got that right!!! Thus, OEM headunit -> adapter -> satellite tuner w/antenna. This way, you use the factory radio's display to see what channels you are receiving. All the audio will interface through the adapter to the OEM radio, thus no FM modulation!!!

Both Pioneer & Alpine units are XM, not Sirius. The Pioneer hideaway tuner costs $200 and Alpine costs $250.

The closest store to Wisconsin that we have is in Gurnee, near Great America. But 3 hours is still a long drive. Before you make that trip/decision, let me check on the adapter availability and price, since it isn't stock readily.

Indeed...GO CUBS!!!

Bummer! I spoke with Blitzsafe today on the phone. They do not make an adapter for the Solara which will allow me to use the factory radio to tune the satellite stations. They do make an audio adapter for the factory radio so I wouldn't have to use the FM modulator, but I still need to get a display unit to tune in the stations. They had no idea when a Toyota adapter which would allow me a direct hook-up and use of the factory radio for tuning would be available.

As much as I hate to do it, I think I'm going to wait until the complete adapter is available, unless someone can think of another alternative!

I was all pumped up to get satellite. Oh well, back to lousy sounding, commercial ridden FM or repititious CDs.

[fotodad]

Also, check out this review of XM vs. Sirius.

According to them, XM sounds much better!

http://www.blitzsafe.com/blitz_news/new ... 2002a.html

[Luc]

According to Blitzsafe, for '98-'03 Toyotas, the XM-Alpine adapter is: TOY/XM DMX ALP.1, XM-Pioneer is: TOY/XM DMX PIO.1, XM-Delphi is: TOY/XM DMX DELPHI.1, of all are on shipping status. You can ask them about these adapters, as I will also when I get to work. Check out this link.

Upon further reading of the Pioneer adapter, it seems like the Pioneer display will still be used. Thus, this only bypass the RF modulator, and not the display unit. I had thought that it would use the factory display. Come to think of it, factory display doesn't support scrolling text, like aftermarket head units. Thus, I wonder if the "XM-ready" headunit of your Solara is capable to displaying text...hmmm...interesting. Well, my original assumption of using the factory display was wrong, so all these adapters do is just to bypass the RF modulator, which is still a good thing.

The one that they may be referring to you is: TOY/AUX DMX V.1, which converts the CD changer port to AUXiliary (or RCA) inputs. This adapter can be use with, say, a portable MP3 player, iPod, or anything that has RCA outputs.

[fotodad]

According to Blitzsafe, for '98-'03 Toyotas, the XM-Alpine adapter is: TOY/XM DMX ALP.1, XM-Pioneer is: TOY/XM DMX PIO.1, XM-Delphi is: TOY/XM DMX DELPHI.1, of all are on shipping status. You can ask them about these adapters, as I will also when I get to work.

Since I have an '04 Solara and the Alpine, Pioneer, and Delphi adapters are for '98-'03, does that mean I can't use this adapter in my car?

The one that they may be referring to you is: TOY/AUX DMX V.1, which converts the CD changer port to AUXiliary (or RCA) inputs. This adapter can be use with, say, a portable MP3 player, iPod, or anything that has RCA outputs.

Yes, I think you're right. Is that how the Alpine, Pioneer, and Delphi units hook up to the factory unit? Or do they use a different type adapter into the factory radio?

Thanks again!

[fotodad]

I wonder if the "XM-ready" headunit of your Solara is capable to displaying text...hmmm...interesting.

Just an FYI, Luc,

My '04 JBL factory radio does have a "text" button on it. It's my understanding that when I press the button and I'm playing a CD that supports text, the name of the song, group, and album appear in the window. I'm not sure if this applies to the XM-ready capabilities of the factory radio, however.

Maybe this helps.

I wonder if the JBL radio in an 04 Solara is the same radio as in an 03 Solara? I'll post a picture (if I can figure out how to) of my radio for you guys to compare it to.

[Luc]

Since I have an '04 Solara and the Alpine, Pioneer, and Delphi adapters are for '98-'03, does that mean I can't use this adapter in my car?

Well, I can't imagine Toyota making changes even on your '04, since the current interface only dates back to '98. Their last OEM CD interface had a lifespan of 10 years, '87-'97, so I think it is fine.

Yes, I think you're right. Is that how the Alpine, Pioneer, and Delphi units hook up to the factory unit? Or do they use a different type adapter into the factory radio?

All the satellite systems that I've installed were FM-modulated, with the exception of an Alpine, which plugged straight to an Alpine headunit through its DIN cable. Typically, the FM-modulated route is cheaper since customers don't need to spend more for an adapter.

My '04 JBL factory radio does have a "text" button on it. It's my understanding that when I press the button and I'm playing a CD that supports text, the name of the song, group, and album appear in the window. I'm not sure if this applies to the XM-ready capabilities of the factory radio, however.

I just remembered (DOH!) that you have a NAV system, so, yes, it will support scrolling text, like CD text. So what Toyota's contract with an OEM manfacturer to develop their XM system is probably just an integration into the changer port, but perhaps there is another port on the back of the radio. If you want to be adventurous, you can pull your screen out and find out.

Lastly, I checked on those adapters from Blitzsafe, which are all special orders, meaning, we don't stock them. The Toyota-to-AUX is $90, Toyota-to-Alpine is $100, and Toyota-to-Pioneer is $109.

[JadedEMOlush]

next to Luc, I am next in line for Satellite radio expertise. I have installed 5 or so systems, and have had both XM and Sirius in 3 different cars.

Foto, I sent you a private message. Call me... its too late, and too much to type.

We will get you Sirius soon enough, and for MUCH less money then you thought.

~Jaded

[Luc]

fotodad, to give you a glimpse of what the back of your NAV could look like, here is what Japan offers for their equivalent of Gen4/Gen4.5 Camry.





As you can see, there is a collage of connectors, obviously, but the two main sets on regular headunits are the 1 white harness, with two connectors, and 1 white harness for the CD changer, next to the diversity antenna plug.

[fotodad]

My search for satellite radio information has led me to an XM executive. I spoke with him on the phone today. I explained to him that every person at the dealership and every car salesperson I've spoken with has given me a different answer on this "XM Ready" issue. This is what he told me. Whether he speaks the truth is yet to be determined. He said 2004 Solara SLEs that are listed as "XM Ready" only need to be activated and have a satellite antenna added. No receivers. No tuners. In fact, he said he'd call my dealership on Monday and explain to them how to activate my factory radio so I can receive XM. While I've heard more positive comments about Sirius, if this guy is right, I think I'm going with XM because it keeps the clean factory look. I hope this guy is right! I'll keep everyone updated.

[Luc]

Wow, that is very interesting. If that's the case, typically, how it gets activated is through the serial number of the tuner. Perhaps there are some key strokes you can enter to display that on the screen, without taking the unit out. That's definitely a different definition of what XM/Sirius-ready on aftermarket headunits.

[Raven]

Thought posting the toyota part number for the 04 solara jbl xm reciever kit might help, PT5460640 .They are expensive,lol, my dealer said it be $700, but I found it at http://www.toyota-parts.com for $515. I found alot of dealers dont have the lastest part numbers to order this, but I crossed checked with others that do and that is the part number for that accessory. Wonder if it be worth the extra money to have integrated xm controls? I sure wish a local dealer would have one on display. Hey maybe in time that will happen and the price more reasonable too.

[fotodad]

Thought posting the toyota part number for the 04 solara jbl xm reciever kit might help, PT5460640 .They are expensive,lol, my dealer said it be $700, but I found it at http://www.toyota-parts.com for $515. I found alot of dealers dont have the lastest part numbers to order this, but I crossed checked with others that do and that is the part number for that accessory. Wonder if it be worth the extra money to have integrated xm controls? I sure wish a local dealer would have one on display. Hey maybe in time that will happen and the price more reasonable too.

Raven,

This is interesting information! When I spoke to the XM executive guy he never mentioned anything about me having to buy anything other than a satellite antenna, activation, and the monthly fee. This $700.00 receiver kit is news to me. This Monday (10-13) the XM guy is going to call my dealership directly and explain to them how to activate my factory radio. I'm also going to talk to the XM guy about this Toyota XM receiver that you mentioned. I'll let you know what I find out.

[Raven]

yeah, it's not already there, the sales pamplet on the solara shows the receiver as a accessory and the side notes beside it say "functioning xm satelite radio requires xm satelite radio capability(which we have), xm satelite receiver + satelite monthly service fee". Some cars come with reciever part installed but solara has as an extra accessory to buy.