Now that you've purchased your MP3 player and loaded it with music, you probably take it with you everywhere you go. You’ve got headphones when you're on the go, but what about listening in your car? If you're lucky enough to have a line-in or "aux" input on your car stereo or audio system, you're good to go. But if you don't, figuring out the best way to listen to your MP3 player in your car can be challenging. Fortunately, you have options. There are three easy ways to play your tunes through your car's audio system:

• Good: FM and cassette adaptors
• Better: Dealer-installed factory integration kits
• Best: Aftermarket kits and stereos

We'll explain the ins and outs of each option, so you can choose the best one for your needs and budget.

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FM And Cassette Adaptors (Good)

Most cars have an FM radio or cassette player. The easiest and most affordable solution for listening to your MP3 player in your car is either an FM transmitter or cassette adaptor. Simple and low tech, these connect your player to your car’s audio system using the existing capabilities of the system - the FM radio or the tape deck.

The FM transmitter broadcasts the signal from your MP3 player to the FM radio in the car. While most FM transmitters broadcast wirelessly, some must be hardwired into the car’s FM radio antenna cable. The wireless types are most common and ultra convenient, as they can easily be moved from car to car. While not portable, the hardwired type yields the best sound and least amount of interference.

As for cassette adaptors, they insert into your car’s cassette deck just a like a cassette tape. It connects to any MP3 player using the headphone jack. Like portable FM transmitters, it can be easily moved from car to car. The downside is that cassette adaptors deliver sub-par sound quality.

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Factory Integration Kits (Better)

If you own a newer car, it's possible that the vehicle manufacturer offers a kit that connects your MP3 player to your car's audio system. Factory-integration kits are a good choice if your vehicle's audio system cannot be replaced or if there is no vehicle-specific aftermarket kit available to fit your car's model year. There are generally two types of factory integration kits:

• Line-in jack: These solutions provide a mini-jack (or aux in jack) to which you can connect your MP3 player. They work with any player and also accept audio input from PCs, DVD players and other portable devices. Unfortunately, a line-in jack doesn’t allow you to control the player using your radio or steering wheel controls, plus it can't display song titles and other information. Also, an audio line-in typically does not power or recharge the player.
  
• Fully integrated solution: Some car manufacturers provide fully integrated solutions, for docking or connecting a portable player to your car's audio system. These kits are year-, make-, model- and sometimes option package-specific, and work with a limited range of MP3 players (typically limited to the Apple iPod and the Microsoft Zune). On the plus side, they typically offer good sound quality and control from the radio, steering wheel controls and voice command, if equipped. Many factory integration kits allow you to control the player and display song titles and information on the car's radio screen, navigation screen or driver's display. And in most cases they power and charge your player while it is connected.

Which options you have and which features you may use depends on what kind of car you drive.

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Aftermarket Solutions (Best)

There are many aftermarket solutions available to get you listening to your MP3 player in your car. Available from electronics retailers and specialty automotive electronics stores, solutions range from factory integration kits to new aftermarket car stereos that support MP3 playback and offer connection for portable players. Aftermarket solutions offer the most features and the best sound quality, plus they're more affordable than accessories you'd purchase from your auto dealer's parts counter. Generally aftermarket solutions fall into these categories:

• Aftermarket solutions for factory radios: Similar to dealer-installed kits, aftermarket integration kits add either a high-quality "aux in" or full-integration with the factory audio system. The latter let you control the player using either an included dash-mounted display and remote control or the car's radio and steering wheel controls. Many can also display song and artist information and let you browse playslists on the vehicle's factory screen. Best of all, since they're professionally installed, you can fully customize mounting locations and features.
  
• Stereos: The best way to connect your MP3 player and your car is a new in-dash audio system. In addition to controlling your in-vehicle multimedia experience, many units offer both "aux-in" jacks and accessories for connecting and controlling a wide range of MP3 players. With an aftermarket stereo system you can upgrade features, add external audio processors and amplifiers for premium sound quality and connect nearly any device you can carry into your car.

Aftermarket solutions — whether a simple integration kit or a brand new stereo — offer some very appealing benefits. They usually cost substantially less than automobile dealer-installed kits and in many cases offer more functionality. They also provide support for a much wider range of MP3 players and new technologies. Finally, you can get the benefit of choosing MECP (Mobile Electronics Certified Professional) installers to perform a top-quality custom installation.

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Summary

Connecting your MP3 player to your car audio system is easy. Here are your choices:

• Good: FM and cassette adaptors
• Better: Dealer-installed factory integration kits
• Best: Aftermarket kits and stereos