Originally Posted By Big Thunder I'm hoping maybe peeaanuut and other ipod aficionados can help me. I have an ipod [30 GB video type] I mostly use it on planes and sometimes in hotel rooms. I don't like things in my ears so I rarely use earbuds [except in the case of airplanes] What I want is some kind of docking station that I can hook up to my entertainment system and/or other older stereo reciever so that I can play from my ipod playlist and hopefully even play the videos on TV hooked into the entertainment system. I *think* I have seen them in stores and online but I am not much of a techie or gadget person so I am seeking advice before I buy. Do these things work well? I presume they must, I was at a blues club this weekend and in between sets they were playing songs from an ipod hooked up to the sound system. I thought to myself, "hey I need that in my house & patio" I'd also like one in my car connected to my car audio [stock system] My buddy once had an adapter that was *supposed* to connect through an FM signal. While driving to San Diego the static was so bad I couldn't take it and begged him to play a CD or find a radio station. I have been told to stay away from FM signal devices. I have Sirius through FM signal, it's not too bad but a hassle sometimes. I'd like to be able to plug my ipod into a cable on my car audio. So any advice for after market gizmos for car audio is also appreciated in addition to home systems. Thanks in advance
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA Re: the ipod that you play through the radio. I agree -- blecch! The FM receiver ones don't work. When I lived in L.A., it was horrible -- couldn't get a clear signal. In my Explorer, I had a cassette player. I bought an adaptor which slid into the cassette player, and then connected to the ipod. It wasn't fancy or high-tech, but it worked great.
Originally Posted By CrouchingTigger Apple sells their own dock that connects to a stereo amplifier. That's what we use and it sounds fine. (YMMV - we are not audiophiles.) We also have a tiny little stereo system made for the iPod, made by Sonic Impact, which we can zip up and throw in a suitcase. People are consistently impressed by the quality of the sound it puts out.
Originally Posted By CrouchingTigger Oh, as for connecting to a car. I've used an FM tuner for my Neuros, which has a built-in FM transmitter, but it can be hard to find an empty FM channel in some areas (like Los Angeles). I'd recommend the cassette adapter, if possible, or doing some research and seeing if maybe your stock stereo has some hidden auxiliary input you can access from inside the glove compartment or under the dash.
Originally Posted By peeaanuut there are tons of ways to go with iPod docks. I have 6 in total and they are all different. here at work I have the basic apple dock. plugs right into the computer and easy to work with. For my home computer I have one that has a 6-in-1 card reader as well as the dock for the iPod. The list goes one. But probably the best one for a home user that has a video iPod would bed the DLO HomeDock Deluxe. It is a bit pricy at around $150 but it really does everything you need. It has on-screen navigation of music, podcasts and video. It includes an S-Video cable as well as audio RCA cables so it is an entire package. As a note, the Apple dock does include ports for S-Video and an 1/8" stereo dock. But will not allow for on-screen navigation. As far as the car goes, if you do not wish to install, or have not already installed an aftermarket head-unit (virtually all of them have some sort of i-Pod adapter setup), there are alot of ways to go. The worst being the FM modulator of course. It has bad sounds, poor reception and lowest reliability. However the best option I have found would be something like the USA spec I-Pod interface. They plug into factory units into some sort of existing plug. Most factory units have controls for a cd-changer that go un-used and this is the most popular way. Crutchfield.com is a great place to find one. Also you can call them at no obligation and they can help you pick the best ones too. I have purchased tons from them and they are a great company. Personally I went the aftermarket headunit route. I have a clarion that has an i-Pod contoller. I just tuck the iPod away and control it directly from the headunit. It is the best option for the best sound and ease of use. I have not gotten into the mobile speaker scene yet as I dont find much use for them on my end. I am nearly always somewhere that I can dock the iPod accept at the gym, which at that point, I have a bluetooth adapter and a pair of Motorola wireless stereo headphones. Any other questions, feel free to e-mail.
Originally Posted By TiggerPooh1973 <<But probably the best one for a home user that has a video iPod would bed the DLO HomeDock Deluxe. It is a bit pricy at around $150 but it really does everything you need. It has on-screen navigation of music, podcasts and video. It includes an S-Video cable as well as audio RCA cables so it is an entire package.>> This is what I have and I love it.
Originally Posted By Big Thunder Dave; <<"Would this be for at home ??">> Yes, I first became interested in something I could connect to my stereo [older Yamaha receiver 1979 which sounds great with Bose speaker system] or connect to home entertainment system, surround sound, connected to big screen, but not as powerful and sound as stereo system in other room. I think I mostly planned on plugging it into the Yamaha which sat dormant for years at old house, but now want to hook it all up again here and connect outdoor speakers to it also. I have decent sound system on my office computer and listen to music in office a lot from it, but I don't necessarily need a dock for that, I basically use ipod on computer just to sync to itunes. So mostly for home, but then I realized that since I drive a lot for work, it would be neat to plug the ipod into car audio system, I have seen after market systems and newer cars that have that option and I now realize that it would be very cool instead of flipping through CD case changing CDs all the time. Only one of our cars has a cassette player, and I rarely drive that car, both mine and Mrs. Thunder's cars only have CD, her Explorer has both in face CD and a separate changer, mine just has one disc at a time CD player. Thanks Peeaanuut and everybody, I knew you'd come through with some good advice, the DLO Home Dock Deluxe sounds like the ticket for home. Thanks TiggerPooh for your vote of confidence on that also. I will check out Crutchfield and see what I can get for my truck's stock system. Can you install Peeaanuut?
Originally Posted By TiggerPooh1973 Oh I also have a DLO thingy for using the iPod in my truck and it works perfect. It's the kind that transmits over the radio. I've never had any issues with it at all.
Originally Posted By peeaanuut <<I will check out Crutchfield and see what I can get for my truck's stock system. Can you install Peeaanuut?>> of course....I got mad mobile audio skillz.
Originally Posted By Dave Followig peeaanuut's advice with crutchfield.com here is the one I almost got. I've heard from a couple peopleit works really well <a href="http://www.crutchfield.com/S-8NNcrrxwtAc/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?search=ipod&i=108DP1US" target="_blank">http://www.crutchfield.com/S-8 NNcrrxwtAc/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?search=ipod&i=108DP1US</a> For home how about something like an ITV <a href="http://www.crutchfield.com/S-8NNcrrxwtAc/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?search=ipod&i=108DP1US" target="_blank">http://www.crutchfield.com/S-8 NNcrrxwtAc/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?search=ipod&i=108DP1US</a>
Originally Posted By Big Thunder the DLO dock looks good, and so does the ITV cables, as well as the Harman Kardon drive and play. now I have to decide I presume the difference with a DLO dock is he remote control feature, I guess that's plus. The plus with the ITV cable is that it's easily mobile from one system to another. If the HK drive and play works on my car, that sounds good. [plus it's on sale]
Originally Posted By peeaanuut remember that thatthe drive +play is an fm transmitted item unless you have a true aux input on your stereo (usually a pair of RCA jacks)
Originally Posted By Big Thunder Dave: The car I will mostly use the ipod in does not currently have an external CD player or changer, it is built into the stock Dodge Ram radio CD player. I *almost* ordered the DLO deluxe station the other day, but I'm still trying to decide weather I want the dock or the ITV cables. I'm re-thinking the Harman Kardon drive & play since it is an FM module system. I'd rather have direct wired.
Originally Posted By peeaanuut BT: does the headunit you have now have cd changer controls or is the cd changer in the dash? Also, what is the exact year, make, model and trim level of your car? (e-mail it if you dont want to post it here)
Originally Posted By Dave >>>I'm re-thinking the Harman Kardon drive & play since it is an FM module system. I'd rather have direct wired.<<< But if you had a external cd player you could have disconnected it and plugged in the HK to it which is what I would have to do. One other thing is you could call them and they'll know how compatible your unit is. They were very helpful when I called. And I agree I dont want the fm module on mine either.
Originally Posted By Big Thunder Thanks for clarifying that Dave. I am rethinking the Harman Kardon Drive & Play, the only thing I dont like about it. is more things plugged into the dash [two parts + the ipod] I'd rather just have a cable hanging out and use click wheel on ipod. I will eventually call Crutchfield as soon as I gather all the information for my vehicle. [I will also e-mail peeaanuut] As for home, I am still thinking about the DLO deluxe dock. However I went ahead and ordered monster ITV cables. I got a spam mail message from overstock.com and I did something I rarely do, I clicked it. I entered search word "ITV" and the very same Monster 10' ITV cable that is available on Crutchfield and Best Buy for $49.99 plus $6.99 shipping, was only $31.99 plus $1.00 shipping. So I ordered it from Overstock.com. I almost decided to just pop over to Best Buy today and buy it at the store for $54.00 including tax, but I decided why not just wait the one week for shipping and pay only $33.00 I'm not in that big a hurry. Thanks again guys, I will probably eventually buy the DLO home dock also, and I still need something for the car.
Originally Posted By peeaanuut I have found that once you have one dock/plug in the house, you tend to want to have more. I started with 1, than I had 2 and now they are all over the place. I even have 2 at work now because I plug mine in and people are always asking me to charge theirs.
Originally Posted By Dave If you're referring to the ITV I mentioned just to carify I was talking Itv from Apple
