iPod and iTunes Starter Kit (2nd Edition)

Connecting an iPod to your home theater system is very simple. On the back of almost any home theater amplifier are RCA input jacks. These are red and white, which are color-coded for left- and right-side inputs. If you are connecting a CD player, for instance, you connect it to your RCA jacks named "CD Player In" or a similar naming convention.

No "iPod In" jack exists on the back of your amplifier, however, so you need to use either an AUX IN jack, or any free RCA input. It does not matter if the jack is for tape or CD, they only refer to what setting you need to make on your amplifier to listen to the music or sound input coming through that jack.

The same cable you use to directly connect your iPod to your car stereo, the mini plug jack to RCA jack (such as the Monster Cable for iPod) can also be used to connect your iPod to your home audio system.

Plugging the mini jack into your iPod, and the RCA jack to your home amplifier, are the only steps involved. All you need to do to start enjoying your iPod's music library on your home theater is to set the amplifier to the input setting the iPod is using, such as AUX 1 or CD, adjust your volume, and you are ready to go!

You can also use an FM transmitter to send your iPod's music to your home receiver, but I have found that it is both cheaper to directly connect the iPod with a cable, and the sound quality is much better with a wire, as well. However, if you do decide to go the FM transmitter route, any FM transmitter works as long as it does not require you to plug it into a DC outlet, such as your car's cigarette lighter.