Recently purchased ALPINE PKG-RSE2 overhead DVD unit. I was forced to use the FM Modulator as my stock stereo does NOT have an external input. My wife had this professionally installed, because I am just too busy. They had 1 issue after the other (first install was broken DVD player, and second install they left a screwdriver and asked my wife to come back..blah blah...now wish I had just done this myself.

My problem is this....

When listening to the Radio, I can put the volume on 1/2 of MAX and it is very loud.

When watching a movie and listening through FM Modulator, I am forced to put the radio volume on 3/4 volume or more and I get a hissing noise and it's not very loud. Sounds like an old TV with a single speaker even though it plays throughout the vehicle) I have searched the manual to see if there is something that I can adjust on the ovehead monitor, but I get nothing. I changed the FM mod freq from 88.1 to 89.9 and everything in between....no improvement!

I'm wondering if this is normal? If not, I may just take it loose and see if they didn't plug the jack for the FM modulator all the way into the output jack. (maybe it's halfway in?) I know I should just check anyway, but am very busy with an addition on my home and don't want to tear into it if it is normal with FM Modulators.

 

Is there any kind of volume control on the DVD unit? I suspect the volume is turned way down, forcing you to turn the SUV stereo up.

The hissing is probably due to the high volume with nothing really pumping through the speakers.

Edit - I just looked at the manual online, looks like the unit has some Auto Level Control setting that adjusts the audio automatically. Try shutting that off. Worth a shot...

 

We ran into similar issues in a 04/5 Expy. The one we worked on had a glass mounted antenna which was a pain to get the modulator set up in it. You could have some wave issues, but I too suspect you need to turn the DVD volume up and the radios back down.

 

I tried turning off the Auto Volume, with no effect in FM Mode. There is no volume on the DVD player. The audio is superb when played through headphones. I noticed that when I sit in the front seat of my vehicle with the headphones on, the headphones exhibt the same symptoms as my FM mode. I get a lot of noise and the volume has to be turned up and I get audio clipping.

I'm beginning to suspect that the installers screwed me and installed a cheap FM TRANSMITTER instead of the Alpine MODULATOR that comes with the PKG-RSE2. When I click on the FM button on the Alpine PKG-RSE2, I can't get any other radio channels to come in, but when it is turned off, I get my stations back.

Also, It acts exactly like an old Belkin FM Transmitter that I had for the IPOD that I promptly returned after realizing it Sucked! There is a difference between a Transmitter and Modulator correct? The Modulator plugs directly into the stock radio antenna, and should easily be able to pick up the audio without the interference I am hearing.

Man, if they screwed me like this..... I guess the only way to tell is to remove the radio and look for the box.

 

Well, I was wrong with my hunch. I went out there and pulled the radio out (after trying desperately to get a look under the dash). Anyway, t I found the exact Alpine FM Modulator installed. I should call them and apologize for thinking they screwed me!

I tried turning off the IR (for the headphones), turning off the Auto Volume and still didn't help. I get the audio that 2 others above are describing as having the audio too low and trying to compensate at the radio. Unfortunately, there is NO ADJUSTMENT.

This really sux! Wish I could get it sounding better.

 

How about a gain adjustment on the modulator or maybe an input gain on the radio?

 

Nope, stock Ford Single CD and cassette Deck. No gain adjustment on radio, and I too thought of a possible gain adj on the modulator but I flipped it all around and saw nothing.

Like I said, it really acts like a transmitter, I was under the impression that when you plug the box into the radio and then plug the existing antenna into the box, that you get much better audio than a transmitter. This isn't the case. It doesn't make sense that I hear static and audio clipping driving around. I have verified that the freq I am using is not an actual radio station.

I am seriously contemplating a double-din replacement head unit with audio inputs. What really sux is that I could have saved the time and installed that first. Now, I have to run the wires from the overhead to the head unit. Which is the hardest part of installing the overhead that my wife paid money to have installed. I'm just too busy with work and the addition on my house to screw with it!

 

Have you tried contacting Alpine? Maybe a known issue and they have a workaround for it. It's worth it to prevent you from having to buy a new HU!!

 

Thanks, I just called them and they told me that they had a list of the best stations to use in my area:

#1. 87.9 FM
#2. 91.9 FM

Which doesn't explain why their 'authorized' installers (in my area) put it at 89.9 Mhz. Seems that if you are in the business of installing these things, you should know the best station to use I tried googling a similar list, but didn't find anything other than sirius satellite FM lists to use for my area code. They are all outside the range of my Alpine FM Modulator.

He also stated that he just installed one of these on Saturday, and it does sound noisy and requires customers to increase the radio volume to a higher level. hmmm... Thanks for the HONESTY! He also told me to turn off the Auto Volume, which I did previously and told him it didn't work, so he said it "helps just a little bit, not much"....lol Anything to get me off the phone.

 

Here's a link to a list from Belkin. Belkin : my best FM stations


Most, again, are outside the range of my FM Modulator, but in the 3rd best list are 2 that I can use...

91.9 FM
92.1 FM

The key is using an "Off Air" station. The problem is, I'll probably have to adjust this when traveling to other states, which we do OFTEN!

 

I ended up going with 92.1. I don't know why he gave me 87.9, when the Alpine is only capable of 88.1 - 92.1. It sounds much better, but still lots of noise and I am forced to put my volume at 7/8. I'm not happy at all with an FM modulator, so I will be switching soon to an aftermarket head unit with Audio Inputs.

 

Hey! I'm not a regular here, I just registered to post this. Anyway, I'm a professional installer (15 years and running) and an authorized Alpine retailer. I just put a PKG-RSE2 into a Toyota Sequoia (using the stock radio) and it's got the same problem you described (i actually found this thread while trying to find a solution). It sounds great through the headphones, but you have to crank the radio to get audible sound using the FM modulator. It doesn't seem to be anything adjustable via the menus, and it's highly unlikely to be an installation issue. I'll be asking Alpine about it as well as some fellow installers. If I find a solution, I'll post it here, please do the same.

 

As far as I know, there is nothing I/you/we can do about it. I spoke with Alpine and they told me to turn off the Auto Volume and gave me the "best" radio station to use. Nothing seemed to help, although setting to 92.1 did have better reception, it didn't fix the hissing noise. It's not alternator whine, just sounds like a gain issue that others described (lots of static). The guy on the phone @ Alpine told me that he experienced the same thing post install as you and I have experienced. It sucks, but, I'm just going to have to live with it until I get a head unit with rca inputs.

It prob has something to do with these newer cars. There is probably something that the head unit recognizes a drop on the antenna and causes signal loss? I don't know, just guessing. I have read of others who have installed a Scosche FM Modulator with Aux Iputs and an RCA amplifier...allegedly it helps... Too much work for a "test" for me. I'll go with aftermarket head unit.