A transmitter is what?

Music accompanies us throughout life, we hear it on the street, we savor hits in our players and phones, we learn about the news on the radio. Perhaps, more often than in other places, music can be heard in a passing car. Any motorist with great pleasure will create an additional musical background for his trip, but not all cars can boast of the availability of modern media systems equipped with a set of ports and a drive for CDs. The situation will help to fix a simple device, called the FM-transmitter.

The FM transmitter is ...

Morally obsolete technologies and so-called crutches are always a compromise, which is very often necessary for consumers, in particular motorists. This is due to the lack of more modern and advanced solutions in their cars. The transmitter is a radio electronic device that allows you to play audio files in various extensions and broadcast them to a nearby radio receiver. This gadget has become a partial replacement for cassette players. At the intersection of technology, when the flash cards have already gained popularity, and Bluetooth-players are not yet available, a different invention - a transmitter - was used. Radio tape recorders are rarely equipped with a full set of functions, especially those that are in the base assembly of a car, so a similar workaround has become a necessity.

FM Transmitter Description

FM-transmitter for cars is a small device that connects to a car cigarette lighter. In most cases, the gadget is made of plastic. Has a hinged case for more comfortable interaction and playback control. Often, devices of this category are equipped with a display that displays information about the data being reproduced or loaded into the transmitter's memory content. On some models, full control elements are installed, including remote options. The transmitter panel allows you to switch, rewind tracks, adjust the volume level, and select the playback order (for example, make the transmitter play music in random order).

It is important to know: the vast majority of cars supply a voltage of 12 volts, which is enough for gadget operation. The onboard systems of more massive machines operating on diesel fuel usually have a voltage twice as high, so the 12-volt FM-transmitters burn out.

How the FM Transmitter Works

So, we found out, FM-transmitter is a device for data reproduction. Why is it needed when there are replacements in the form of CDs and flash drives? Actually, this solution is for those who do not have those or simply prefer to use a phone or Bluetooth-player as a storage for music.

In the case of the transmitter, depending on the model, there are a number of communication elements:

1. USB port. For connecting flash drives, iPhone smartphones and iPod players.
2. MicroSD / MMC slots. For connecting more compact flash drives.
3. Bluetooth. To broadcast a sound signal from your phone or player.

FM-transmitter during its activity analyzes the contents of the connected storage for the presence of audio files in MP3 and other formats . After this, the process of converting the digital sound into an electrical audio signal begins. The transmitter sends a signal to the air, the power of which is sufficient to catch the radio receiver built into the car. Actually, it is the receiver that amplifies the signal, relaying it to the acoustic system installed in the car's interior. The surrounding people, in turn, hear the music from the media connected to the FM transmitter.

Important: the instructions of the transmitter (regardless of the model) state that the gadget should be tuned to an unoccupied frequency, so as not to interfere with other programs, do not create unnecessary interference and, in principle, function correctly.

FM-transmitter Ritmix FMT A705 - the most affordable option

A very decent and at the same time quite inexpensive FM-transmitter, perfectly coping with its main task and having a number of implicit pros.

In addition to the extremely low price (only about 350 rubles), one of the important advantages of the device is a universal battery that works perfectly with both 12-volt onboard systems and 24-volt ones. There is a simple equalizer for achieving an acceptable sound. The device works with flash drives of all types, supports massive file systems up to 32 gigabytes (a rarity for transmitters of this price niche).

Speaking of the shortcomings, we can not fail to mention a monolithic case, which does not allow you to adjust the display position, as well as the lack of support for any additional audio formats other than MP3.

FM-transmitter Rolsen RFA-100

Another representative of the budget segment of FM-transmitters, which will suit not very picky users.

First of all this device differs ergonomics and a successful arrangement of control elements. Even with poor lighting, it is not possible to make an erroneous click. At the same time, the body looks stylish and attracts attention. There is a soft, very nice backlight of the display, not straining the driver's eyes. Pleases and price tag, you can buy this gadget for a modest 500 rubles. The kit includes a remote control. Users note the high quality of signal transmission, even when working in parallel with other devices, which often have a negative impact on sound quality (for example, DVRs).

Of the minuses, you can allocate a limited amount of supported flash drives (no more than 4 gigabytes).

FM Transmitter Mystery MFM-80BCU

A great multifunctional device. Perhaps one of the best, if not the best Bluetooth-transmitter, capable of rewarding any radio tape recorder with an advanced, seemingly unattainable functionality.

The gadget is able to receive the signal via the wireless Bluetooth protocol, which means that the user no longer needs to take care of the presence of a flash drive and its filling. Moreover, the driver has the right to use this FM-transmitter as a headset. Control can be carried out with the help of two control panels. One of them is high-grade, equipped with a digital unit, allows you to dial numbers and make phone calls. The second console is simplified, mounted directly to the steering wheel, allows you to switch tracks, stop and start playback.

Also the device can boast with Clear Voice Capture technology for high quality sound transmission, without significant losses and additional interference (echo, rasping and other radio signal conductors).

Another important sight of the transmitter is a large display with a diagonal of 1.4 inches.

FM-transmitter Intego FM-105

When looking at the solution from Intego, the first thing that comes to mind is thoughts about a road navigator or mini-communicator. The reason for this is a large display, which is not typical for devices of this category. Actually, such a large screen is installed in the gadget for good reason, it's one of the few transmitters that supports video playback. The decision is ambiguous and it is unlikely to find enough supporters.

Speaking of the Intego FM-105, one can not keep silent the fact that this FM-transmitter for cars has a very impressive sound quality.

Is the game worth the candle?

FM-transmitter is a very specific device, which, in addition to the explicit, described above pluses, has serious drawbacks. First of all, of course, very low quality of sound. This fact will greatly affect those who rarely listen to the radio and prefer to enjoy their music with high bitrates.

Additional discomfort is created by the lack of support for massive hard drives, this limits the seated in the cabin, does not allow you to take with you any playlists and albums. This problem can be avoided by buying a Bluetooth-transmitter, but then the sound quality will drop even lower.

As a result, fans of FM transmitters are compelled to compromise, always losing something. In the dry residue, the only objective advantage of the FM transmitter over the modern radio tape recorder is its low cost.