Customer Reviews

Apple AV Connection Kit for iPod with Dock Connector (White)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

This box packages $135 worth of iPod accessories for connecting iPod to stereo and/or TV. If you do not plan on connecting iPod to stereo and/or TV, purchase what you need separately (you won't need Apple Remote and iPod AV Cable for sure). That said, included accessories are well built and stylish, perfectly complementing all but black iPod models. All that is missing is an S-video cable, which is a shame. S-video connection provides noticeably superior image quality over composite video connection. S-video improves color reproduction while reducing image artifacts, such as dot crawling around edges.

This package includes:

1. iPod Universal Dock provides an elegant way to charge and sync iPod, as well as letting you connect iPod to TV (for models of iPod with color display) or stereo. This accessory, along with the rest, is compatible with all but iPod shuffle and 1G and 2G iPods without dock connector. It includes adapters for discontinued iPod models. This accessory retails for $39.

2. Apple Remote controls the iPod wirelessly. This accessory requires the use of iPod Universal Dock. This accessory retails for $29.

3. iPod USB Power Adapter charges iPod without a computer. It requires iPod USB cable. This accessory retails for $29.

4. iPod AV Cable lets you connect iPod to stereo or TV set. This is a mini-to-analog audio + composite video cable. This accessory retails for $19.

5. iPod Dock Connector to USB 2.0 cable. Although one is included with iPod, this extra cable is good for connecting Universal Dock to USB Power Adapter for home theater installation. This accessory retails for $19.

Apple's iPod dock is not worth buying.

The remote control is extremely limited; you can't maneuver through the menus as you can with the controls on the iPod itself -- instead you can only really start and stop music. And the video quality was not especially good.

After trying this out (and returning it) I ordered Kensington 33164 StereoDock, which is much better. You have controls that let you control everything on the iPod -- slightly clunkier than the iPod's controls themselves, but at least workable.

There are further limitations that appear to be in the iPod itself, not the dock. You don't see the iPod screen mirrored on your TV -- *except* when you are looking at photos and videos. So you have to have pretty darned good eyes to see what you are doing from any distance. And even to get that, you have to manually choose settings (in 2 different places) that let you see photos and video, instead of having the iPod automatically mirror when hooked up to external video.

I agree with the other negative reviews -- the remote is too limited. You can't see the menu on the TV and you don't have a spin wheel on the remote. Thus you're stuck just going to the next song. Looks like the Apple designers spent too much time on the package (which is VERY sleek).
As far as the price goes, think of what you're getting vs a DVD player which cost around $50 or less (good remote that you can easily navigate DVD menus, cables and a the player). The reviewer who calculates $135 of value must work at apple or own their stock. They don't even give you an S-Video Cable,which is what you need for decent video. Can't see this costing them more than $5 to make.
I'd expect that Apple is designing a better unit as the remote is of absolutely no use. For now I'll just get a long cable that goes from a computer to the stero and wait for Apple to get tired of a lot of returns. I really can't believe Apple would ship such a product ... A remote with a "menu" key that does nothing??? Is this Apple usability??? or a quick grab for YOUR bucks?

Go to radio shack (or amazon of course)

buy a cable which plugs into your headphone jack (and then into the t.v. like an S-Cable /the three plugs, yellow,white,red.)

This will play video and music through your t.v.

Forget the remote. You can turn sound up and down with your regular t.v. remote and other reviewers have commented on the limitations of apple's remote. As for charging, you are going to have to bring the ipod back to your computer for upadates anyway and I'm betting if you are buying this kit you already have a car charger. The ipod doesn't run down that quickly. I doubt it is good for the battery anyway to charge every time you put it down (my old cell phone battery had problems because I never let it run low.)


Cost $10-30 depending on how snazzy a cable you buy. I spent about $15.
Also - I can take the cable and ipod to any stereo or tv in the house conveniently.

Sorry - no sleek pakaging included or snazzy apple attitude included. Just a cable in a baggie. You still have the remaining $85 burning a hole in your pocket? Buy a docking alarm clock stereo for the ipod in the bedroom. You still might have a couple of bucks left over.

I am a certifiable Apple nut. I absolutely love their products. That being said... Avoid this at all cost. The video feature in mine did not work. The audio is sub standard and the remote is almost useless. You cannot navigate through your ipod at all. Try Kensington 33164 StereoDock.

If you haven't bought any Ipod accessories and you want them, then this is a good deal for $100.
Seperately:
1. Doc:$40
2. AC Adapter:$40
3. Remote:$30
4. USB connector cable:$20
5. AV splitter cable:30 - It's kinda short
(If you want to play video though just make sure that you turn on the video out setting!)

Although the price seems somewhat high for wires and a small remote, this kit allows for you to use your home stereo like a jukebox and watch the videos on a full size screen. I have found it nice to play the videos w/o draining te battery in the process. I recommend this if you want to expand the use of your Ipod. I did hold back a star because it would have been nice to control the menu of the Ipod from the remote rather then having to go to the unit to go to the next video etc. Overall a nice accessory.

Like all things Apple this was a breeze to hook up and use. The remote works well, being able to keep the Ipod charged up while its sitting in the cradle is a definite plus. Wish I hadn't waited so long to buy this.

I've been trying to find an AC adapter to run my "old" 3rd generation ipod - the one with a click wheel and four round buttons. I purchased this dock to listen to music from a stereo receiver but found it would not charge my ipod, also the remote control had no effect, and occasionally the ipod would freeze up until it was removed from the dock. Through determined experimentation I found that this dock will work in every way if you power it from an older style AC adapter that connects with a Firewire to ipod cable. For the 3rd gen ipod I suggest this rather than the USB style cable and AC adapter that comes with the unit.

I am glad there's a way to use my older ipod, it still works well as a music player and with its 40 Gb capacity it can hold a lot of music.

I like all Apple products very much, which makes it harder to give this product a full 5 stars as Apple has implied that this AV Connection Kit is compatible with my ipod. This unit does however work well with newer ipods that connects via USB.

I love the sleek and snazzy box and packaging this connection kit came in: I have it proudly displayed on my sound system shelf and it matches & blends so wonderfully with my components. Same with the pretty, white cables (color-coded, too!!!) that came with this kit: they're also proudly displayed alongside the fancy box.

As far as the actual connection parts and remote that CAME IN THIS BOX, well, I don't use them, because they make life difficult for me: poor video, so-so sound, and useless remote functions. But hey, isn't there always throwaway junk in most packagings? with this kit it just happens to be the APPLE-DESIGNED CONTENTS !

But not to worry: I LOVE the beautiful, well-made, understated-design of the packaging SO MUCH that I decided to keep the purchase and just be glad that it wasn't as expensive as my actual iPod, which ALSO came with killer packaging & box.

At least there are still other companies out there with products that provide decent value for the money and fill in all the many shortcomings of these iPods.