Customer Reviews

Sony TDM-IP1 Digital Media Port iPod Dock

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I work from home and listen to an iPod quite a lot. Recently, I purchased a Sony Home Theater System (model DAV-HDX 500). Initially, I connected my iPod to the Sony via the ubiquitous Apple iPod cradle; however, controlling the iPod manually got old in a hurry.

The unit came equipped with an attached digital media port cable, which connected directly to the Sony receiver's DMPort. A separate video cable was supplied, which I connected directly to the TV's video-in RCA connector. The unit can also be used with a separately purchased video cable connected between the receiver and TV.

Setup was very simple and after I configured my Sony receiver to "DMPort1" and the TV to "AV1", a facsimile of the iPod's screen appeared on the TV and I was able to control the iPod by way of the Sony remote.

Visually, the menu is a little on the chunky side, but highly legible. Screen color may be set to Red, Green, Blue, and a couple variants of Gray. There are also modest on-screen controls for a screensaver, song shuffle, and song repeat.

The only moving part on the TDM-iP1 is a button, which allows users to switch between the iPod's own controls and control by way of a remote control.

The TDM-iP1 does charge the cradled iPod. This, however, may be the unit's major weekness, since the AV system must be powered for charging to occur. A separate power input would have been a nice touch.

At present, the Sony TDM-iP1 is selling for just under $100. In time, I would think the cost might drop to about $50, which is what I believe it's worth, despite its functionality and appearance. The unit's high price is why I've given it four stars; otherwise, the Sony TDM-iP1 functions as advertised.

As an aside, the Logitech Harmony 520 remote control can be configured quite nicely to control a TDM-iP1 by way of the Sony DAV-HDX 500. Nothing like one remote for all your audio and video components.

I own a Sony surround system DVD player with a digital media port on the back of the player. Instead of buying external speakers for the iPod, I purchased this media port iPod cradle and thus connected my iPod to my surround system. I gained several advantages by doing this:

1. I saved money by not having to pay for expensive external speakers for my iPod
2. I saved on space, for my iPod was connected on existing speakers.
3. The sound is great, unmatched by any external speakers made for the iPod.
4. I can control my iPod with my Sony remote control. This saved me from having another remote control (as with buying an external speaker system for the iPod for example). With the remote control, you can control all the functions of the iPod
5. I connected my iPod to my TV, allowing me to watch the movies stored in my iPod on my TV screen. That feature alone is worth buying this iPod cradle.
6. The iPod cradle is cosmetically appealing.

Overall, this is really a great cradle for your iPod if you own a surround system with a digital media port.

I got this item to connect my 16GB iTouch with my new Sony HTCT100 Sound Bar with Sub-Woofer - Black. Simple to use, took less than 5 minutes to hook up. I especially like the fact that I can use the TV screen to navigate the iTouch.

I don't think that you can use this with an iTouch to view videos or pictures in your iTouch. I do not think that it is compatible. But I did not care about that part. I just wanted to use it to listen to my music and navigate my iTouch. BTW, you will definitely need to attach the included RCA cable to be able to view it in your TV. Also, the product description states that it comes with a remote control, but the one Amazon sent me did not. So they said they'll send me another one. But, not a problem for me though, I can use the Sony remote that came with my sound bar.

All in all, I am pretty happy with it.

This dock works with iPod but not iPhone. But it makes for great music from my SONY ES amplifier.

I was pretty excited to purchase this after reading the reviews and wanting a dock for my ipod video to go with my new Sony D265 Home Theatre system. It was easy to hook up, but aggravating to figure out how to get the images to appear on the tv versus the ipod. It was nice to see the song titles and such on the tv, but it looked like I was looking at an old time DOS program. It is not the same format as you see on the ipod. I would have probably kept the unit if the album artwork appeared on the screen just as it does on the ipod. The remote control function does work with the ipod so you can forward to the next song, etc.

The video play back was difficult to figure out as well, and then not impressive once it played. I now see why they say the video for the ipod is truly meant for an ipod, not to be played on a 42" widescreen HDTV.

So I didnt think the purchase was worth the total cost of $86 I paid so I returned this unit and got a regular mini stereo cable that hooks to the front of the dvd player to the ipod. There was not any difference in the quality of sound between the two items. Granted I do not have the visual on the TV, but after what I saw from the TDM-IP1 - I am okay with that. Plus now I only spent $8 instead of the over priced $86. Please note if this unit was under $40 (total cost) - I probably would have kept it for the remote control and charging dock functions.

This is a really good product. I gave it only 4 stars because it has an on-tv-screen display menu for selecting songs and the like, however, I couldn't get it to run the video through the DMI port of my receiver and out the HDMI cable to my tv. Instead, I have to run the supplied yellow composite cable to the back of the tv, meaning I have to turn my tv's input to a different input instead of the one the receiver is on. It does work in a round-about sort of way. It could just be that I don't have it set up right. It is pretty sweet to listen to my ipod and be able to control it with the sony (or my Harmony) remote. It was kinda expensive. I feel the product should have been about $[...], however, I can't beat the control of my ipod with a remote and listening to it through my kick-butt system!

I've owned the DMPort for the Sony HT-CT-100 soundbar system for about 3 weeks. It arrived in a well-packaged box system. Connection to the Sony soundbar system was intuitive and simple. My iPod began charging as soon as it was connected to the DMPort. The remote control for the HT-CT-100 soundbar system controls the iPod perfectly. The only limitation is the remote does not provide a a visual display that repeats the digital menu screen on the iPod so I must be within visual range of the iPod to select playlists, shuffle, etc. Not a big issue for me.

This is a great product to go with my 5th Generation 30 gig IPOD. Easily hooked up to Sony STRG-910 Receiver and video feed to TV input and I have on-screen display. To top it off the receiver remote control controls to IPOD to change songs and menus to go with on-screen display. This is a must have for IPOD users.

I have read all the reviews on this product, so I'm not going to repeat what others have said. I was concerned that TDM-IP1 could not play Ipod video, such as podcast and movie. The good news is that - yes, it plays Ipod video when you choose to control the ipod manually through the scroll wheel. If you use the Sony's software interface, it won't play Ipod video. Hope this information helps other reader. Overall, I like this product. I just wish the Sony interface works better.

I bought this and have had it for a while now.

It works; does what it is supposed to. It's just nothing special. Prior to owning this, I just had RCA cords that had an adaptor that plugged into my iPod. That set up worked fine.

With this item, the iPod charges, which is cool. Through a semi-complicated set up, I can get the video to work on the TV. Controlling the iPod through the receiver works, but the functionality of this gets frustrating. Not all of the normal iPod categories are there (notably, Podcasts). Also, when you have a couple hundred artists, scrolling to the one you want is a pain. It will start by scrolling slowly, and then go lightning fast until you are way past what you are looking for. Oh, and the menu is just plain ugly.

You can not watch video when using the receiver to control it. You can switch this function off, and then it will work. But, then you're basically paying $75 or more for an iPod charger and a video cord (not included).

So, all in all, the thing works. I can't say I would spend the money to buy it again.

It looks nice, though.