I could be wrong but cd players since the mid 90s have been able to read and play writeable discs. I think if a player is labeled mp3 then it is capable of running an auxilary source through the system such as an ipod or mp3. If I am off base someone let me know. I have not installed the shaker yet because i only want to do it once. Thanks

 

That is very true, they have been able to read writable discs for a while now. But there is a difference between a CD burned in the standard audio format and one burned with MP3 files. A regular CD holds about 70 minutes worth of standard format audio and is playable in any CD player, but a data CD filled with MP3s can hold (depending on the quality they were ripped at) hundreds of songs and is only playable in CD players that can decode, and are labeled, MP3. The player will even read the song title and artist, it's a cool feature. All you would need to do is burn 700 megabytes worth of MP3s off of your computer to a CD, and play it like you would any regular CD.

What I think you're after is an Auxiliary input for MP3 players, DVD players, etc. If your stereo has a button on it that says Aux, then you have options in that regard. Does it?

 

yes mine has the aux button and also labeled mp3 on the face plate, so I think that I am just missing a plug in harness for the back of the unit that would allow me to use my mp3.

 

Then I believe one of these is what you are looking for.

PIE Adapters

They add the capability to plug your MP3 player directly into your radio and in some cases even control playback through it. Playback control is dependent on your MP3 player being compatible, if it isn't, then you'll just have to control it on your player instead of the radio controls.

 

Just go get a nice aftermarket unit with AUX input and USB.
All I ever use now is USB.

 

If your head unit has "MP3" labeled on the front of it, that ONLY means you can play an MP3 formatted cd. It has nothing to do with weather or not you can add an input to plug your MP3 player into your head unit........