Crutchfield - North America's electronics authority since 1974

1.888.955.6000
 
 
Free Shipping on Everything.  60-Day Money-Back Guarantee  |  Lifetime Tech Support
 

Panasonic CA-DC300U

iPod® adapter for 2006-up Panasonic stereos

Zoom Panasonic CA-DC300U
Front
Video loading and will display in just a moment.
Photos
Panasonic CA-DC300U Panasonic CA-DC300U
 
Videos
 

Item# 133DC300 offer details

Item# 133DC300

Review Sumary

 
DISCONTINUED
 
This item is no longer available to purchase.
 
Contact us for other options
 
Call   Email  
 
 
 
 
 
Panasonic

Our take on the Panasonic CA-DC300U

Panasonic's CA-DC300U adapter makes it easy to connect and control your iPod with a compatible Panasonic car stereo. Just use the adapter to connect your iPod to a 2006-up stereo — you'll see artist name and track information up on the display, plus you'll get the ability to control the iPod's playback functions right from the Panasonic's faceplate.

The CA-DC300U allows you to control track selection, scroll through albums, and even select from all of your playlists. And the adapter provides power and even charges the iPod's battery while it's connected.

The adapter is compatible with all dockable iPods and works with 2006-up, CD changer-controlling Panasonic stereos. Warranty: 1 year.

Compatibility Note: Be sure to check "Hands-on Research" for specific iPod model compatibility with this iPod adapter.

Get more info on this product
 

Hands-on research from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

Features and Specs

Features and Specs
General
Adapter Type
Loading...
iPod audio in w/ iPod control
Vehicle Specific
Loading...
No
Brand Specific
Loading...
Panasonic
Parts Warranty
Loading...
1 Year
Labor Warranty
Loading...
1 Year
iPod Compatibility
Full-Size
Loading...
Classic/5Gen/4Gen/3Gen
Nano
Loading...
Nano4/Nano3/Nano2/Nano1
Touch
Loading...
Touch2/Touch1
Mini
Loading...
Mini2/Mini1
iPhone
Loading...
Phone/Phone3G

Product Research

Product Research
What's in the box?

Download owner's manual

  • iPod interface adapter (has an attached 55" iPod cable and 55" head unit cable)
  • Instructions

Our Product Research Team

At Crutchfield, you'll get detailed, accurate information that's hard to find elsewhere. That's because we have our own in-house Product Research team — they open the box, verify contents, check the owner's manual, and record dimensions, features and specs. We stay on top of new products and technologies to help people make informed choices.

Features

Overview: This adapter allows an iPod portable digital music player with a dock connector to be hooked up to and controlled by a compatible 2006, or newer, Panasonic head unit. When an iPod is connected using the adapter, all of the iPod's controls will be disabled and the iPod will be controlled from the receiver. With this interface, you'll be able to play your iPod music files through your Panasonic receiver and in most cases have all the titling information appear on the receiver's display. When this interface is connected to the Panasonic receiver, you cannot connect a CD changer, unless you have an expansion module.

iPod Compatibility: The CA-DC300U supports the following iPods with dock connector.

  • 3rd and 4th generation iPod
  • iPod photo
  • 5th generation iPod video
  • 1st and 2nd generation iPod mini
  • 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation iPod nano
  • 80, 120, 160GB iPod classic
  • 1st generation and 2nd iPod touch
  • iPhone and iPhone 3G

Note: This adapter will not charge the iPhone 3G, 2nd generation iPod touch or 4th generation iPod nano without the Scosche passPORT (142IFWA).

Connections: The CA-DC300U has the following connections:

  • Receiver: 55" hardwired cable that connects directly to the Panasonic head unit; the cable is terminated with a rectangular 10-pin connector
  • iPod:  55" hardwired cable that connects directly to the iPod; the cable is terminated with a dock connector that is covered by a removable plastic cap
 

Product Reviews

Review this product

Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences about this product. Please be sure to focus your comments on the product itself. Read our Review Guidelines for more information.

Review title
* Email
Your email won't be visible
Display name
(e.g., JohnD) Your review will be signed using the display name and location
* Your location
(e.g., Charlottesville, VA)
* Your rating
Click on a star to rate the overall product on a scale of 1-5
1500 characters left * Your review
Attach a YouTube Review
Crutchfield Video Review Guidelines
  • Only submit videos that you made or are authorized to use.
  • Do not submit videos that contain music, video or visuals that are copyrighted and belong to someone else.
  • Please see our Review Guidelines for more information.
Submit the URL of your YouTube™ video review or product demonstration. e.g., http://www.youtube.com/v/o79TWHh598U
500 characters left Pros
500 characters left Cons
* Agree to Terms
By checking this box you agree your review becomes the property of Crutchfield, that you are over 18 years of age, that you own or have owned this product, and that you are located within the United States or its territories. Please see our Review Guidelines for more information. We reserve the right (but are not obligated to) review all submissions and edit or remove any review in any manner which we deem necessary. Your review should be posted within seven days.
Share this product

1-10 of 12 items >> Sort Results By: Date Reviewed | Rating | Helpfulness
 
3 out of 5

Same with other reviews

Written By Robert, Folsom, CA on Friday, November 14, 2008
 
Similar to other reviews, this product performs the expected service for a reasonable price. It is easy to install, and it will play music from your iPod. I agree with other reviewers: 1) the cable is massive, but I would prefer it be too big than too small; 2) scrolling through your music is time-consuming. For long trips, preferably with a passenger to do the scrolling, it is not overly frustrating. The remote for the head-unit helps make searching for your music selection tolerable. I often select the 'random' setting (via the head-unit) and use the remote to skip through songs.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
5 out of 5

Panasonic CA-DC300U

Written By ROBERT, San Jose. Ca on Friday, February 08, 2008
 
This cable works great with my new stereo system, easy to install, just pull out the head unit and plug in,then hide the cable underneath the carpet and bring the end out where you're going to place your i-pod and plug it in. Lets you scroll through your i-pod menu on the head unit screen instead of that small little i-pod screen. Also charges your i-pod so it's always fresh and ready to go. EXCELLENT product.
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
5 out of 5

Panasonic CA-DC300U

Written By Corey, Greer, SC on Sunday, February 03, 2008
 
This iPod connection works as it is supposed to.
1 out of 2 people found this helpful
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
4 out of 5

Good Product

Written By Chris, CT on Friday, October 26, 2007
 
Product works great with my Panasonic head unit. However, if you have hundreds of artists on your Ipod like I do...the scrolling is awful. If you're trying reach an artist beginning with T, don't bother while driving...you'll most likely get into a car accident. It only displays 3 artists at a time and you have to continuously hit the down arrow until you get there. I wish you could utilize the Ipod controls instead. Other than that its a great product with excellent sound quality. I keep thinking there has to be an easier way to scroll, but I have yet to find it.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
5 out of 5

Great value

Written By Paul, South Jersey on Sunday, February 04, 2007
 
Bought this radio to replace the factory unit in my 2003 Passat. SOunds great, looks great and is easy to use. Installation was relatively easy. I mostly use it for Sirius (plug and play through aux input). My wife has used it with her IPOD and loves the sound. One negative - the optional cable for the IPOD interface is friggin HUGE. Bigger than the power cord on my radial arm saw. No good way to make it look decent coming from the dash. Other than that I'm very happy.
1 out of 3 people found this helpful
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
5 out of 5

Panasonic CA-DC300U

Written By Tom, Greensboro, NC on Monday, December 04, 2006
 
I installed this with a CQ-8303-U head unit. The head unit itself is fantastic. The iPod adapter works as advertised. I ran my cable to the glove compartment and the iPod hides comfortably out of the way while we ride and listen. The head unit makes navigation simple and scrolling through songs is very quick. I wish they would have integrated the volume control knob into the iPod interface to ease scrolling but I haven't seen a controller that does that (yet). The sound quality is perfect. My only "gripe" is that Genres and other top-level folders are not available. Only Playlists, Artists, Albums and Titles. However, that's all you really need.

I purchased a JVC head-unit and iPod adapater for my wife's car at the same time I purchased the Panasonic set. This adapter is much better for two reasons. 1) The controls are more intuitve and 2) The head unit displays more information at once.

I had had previous satisfaction with Pioneer head units and I was all set to ge the Pioneer see when poor reviews of the iPod interface made me re-think. I'm not sorry I switched. If you are looking for a head unit and iPod adapter combo - take a serious look at the Panasonic head units. I'm very satisfied.
5 out of 5 people found this helpful
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
5 out of 5

Got it right!

Written By Chris, Los Angeles CA on Wednesday, September 20, 2006
 
Returned a Sony CDX-GT300 and iPod Interface for a Panasonic CQ7203 along with this interface. Huge difference. Much faster access and stable performance. Tied in with the forementioned Headunit that gives you all the info you'd need, this is something that a true iPod wouldn't mind using. Can't say the same thing about the Sony setup, unbearable if you're a true iPod user. Having it free with the CQ7203, the setup costed me only an extra 10 bucks. The much, much smaller control box also means that I could mount it totally in back of my glove box instead of in it freeing up a bit of space for the rest of my junk. I'm sure all the shield probably helped the sound quality, but I wished the cables were a bit thinner to make them less bulky.
3 out of 3 people found this helpful
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
4 out of 5

Panasonic CA-DC300U

Written By busta, Fremont, NE on Wednesday, August 16, 2006
 
I installed this in my 2003 Dodge Dakota with the Panasonic MXE CQ-C7203U head unit. The cable works pretty good, though it doesn't always like to stay connected to the bottom of my iPod. (Which may have as much to do with the protector case my iPod is in, but I think a lot of people use these.)

Even if this hadn't been free with the stereo, I would be happy with owning and using it.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
5 out of 5

Consistent and Reliable

Written By Paco, Reseda, CA on Thursday, June 29, 2006
 
Much more reliable than the USA Spec unit I had for the factory stereo.

The sound is superb, and I get artist and title (something unavailable for factory stereo connector units).

Would definitely recommend.
3 out of 3 people found this helpful
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
5 out of 5

Nicely integrated, easy to install

Written By Orv, Auburn, WA on Thursday, June 01, 2006
 
I had originally looked at a Pioneer head unit and the CD-IB100ii adapter, but the poor reviews made me rethink that. I ended up buying this adapter along with a Panasonic CQ-C7203U.

Installation was a snap. I plugged it into the back of the head unit and that was it. While it has a right-angle plug, it does stick out about half an inch, and you should take this into consideration if space is tight in your dash. The iPods screen and controls are disabled while its connected to the adapter, so dont bother with any sort of iPod holder. I just ran the cable into the glove box.

This adapter makes good use of the C7203Us dot matrix display. You get artist/track or album/track info, as well as track length and position. When browsing, you can see a few list entries at once, helping you keep your place. Skipping tracks forward and back, and pausing, work with the arrow and play/pause buttons, just like with a CD, and are easily done without more than a quick glance at the head unit. Switching shuffle mode on and off is slightly counterintuitive, as it requires going through a menu.

Your music collection can be navigated by playlist, artist, or album. This is where the limitations of the interface are most obvious; scrolling with the arrow buttons is not as quick as using an iPod click wheel. Its not tediously slow, though; theres a delay of about one second you open a list, while the data loads, but scrolling after that point is snappy enough.

The verdict: This device does what its advertised to do. The iPod becomes a seamlessly integrated part of your car stereo system. Now that Ive tried it, I wouldnt want to be without it.
11 out of 11 people found this helpful
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
1-10 of 12 items >>

Learn more about iPod Adapters for Car Stereos

Learn more about iPod Adapters for Car Stereos

Video: Playing an iPod in Your Car

Video: Playing an iPod in Your Car

Zak Billmeier
6/19/2008
based on 102 ratings (5 comments)
 

This short video describes your options for playing an iPod through your car's sound system.

 
iPod® Car Stereo Adapter Shopping Guide

iPod® Car Stereo Adapter Shopping Guide

Robert Ferency-Viars
2/24/2009
based on 83 ratings (15 comments)
 

These days we can integrate iPod control with almost any vehicle's stereo by using vehicle- or stereo-specific adapters.

 
Getting the Best Sound Out of Your Portable Music Player in the Car

Getting the Best Sound Out of Your Portable Music Player in the Car

Robert Ferency-Viars
8/9/2011
based on 221 ratings (22 comments)
 

How to get the best sound quality from your portable music player when connecting it to your car stereo.

 
iPod® Installation Guide

iPod® Installation Guide

Todd Cabell
5/5/2009
based on 19 ratings (2 comments)
 

Step-by-step instructions on how to connect an iPod to your car stereo.

 
iPod® Generations Chart

iPod® Generations Chart

Ralph Graves
10/29/2010
based on 716 ratings (11 comments)
 

Sort out which generation iPod you have with these handy charts. Includes the iPod, iPod mini, iPod nano, and iPod touch.

 

For a more in-depth review and enhanced detailed information on the Panasonic CA-DC300U, please visit the Crutchfield website product page (/ISEO-rccbcspd/p_133DC300/Panasonic-CA-DC300U.html ).

Panasonic CA-DC300U