iHome iH5BR Clock Radio for iPod (Black)

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Product Details

• Item Weight: 0.3 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 6 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000C7DQ66
• Item model number: iH5BR
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (179 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 16, 2006

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

With its built-in docking station and clean, contemporary design, the iHome iH5 clock radio is the perfect complement for your Apple iPod digital music player. Not only does the iH5 let you listen to your iPod music free from cumbersome headphones, it also lets you fall asleep or wake to music you've loaded into your iPod. You can also wake or sleep to FM/AM radio or wake to a traditional buzzer.

The compact unit measures roughly 9 x 3 x 6 inches (W x H x D) yet comes complete with stereo speakers, drift-free digital FM/AM radio tuning, a multifunction LCD with adjustable backlighting, and the ability to charge your docking iPod's battery right from its center seat. (The iH5 includes handy inserts to accommodate any type of docking iPod: gen 3, gen 4, iPod mini, or iPod photo.)

Immediately upon plugging it in and the clock will set itself, drawing on its factory-installed 100-year calendar (year/month/day, 2000 to 2099). The clock will maintain accuracy all on its own, even self-adjusting for Daylight Savings time and leap years.

Fall asleep to your favorite station or a carefully chosen iPod playlist using the unit's programmable sleep timer (15 to 120 minutes in 15-minute increments). Gradual Wake and Gradual Sleep features will increase (with on wake-up) or decrease (on sleep) the system volume so as not to startle you. Adjustable sleep volume lets you select a comfortable "sleep" volume level without affecting the wake-to or listening volume levels.

A supplied analog audio interconnect affords hookups with non-docking iPods, other MP3 players, cassette players, or other audio devices. Other features include automatic frequency control (AFC) for enhanced FM reception, an amber backlight on all primary buttons, and optical knobs for precise volume/tuning.

For extra security, if you've selected iPod as your wake-to source and your iPod isn't docked, a buzzer will sound instead. The clock also comes with Sure Alarm battery backup--just install 2 AA batteries to activate the feature. In the event of a power failure, or if you disconnect the AC power cord to move it, the Sure Alarm system will maintain your clock and alarm setting for the life of the batteries, ensuring that the alarm will sound at the set time.

The iH5 is "Made for iPod"-certified by Apple.

What's in the Box
Clock radio, a stereo analog audio interconnect, dock inserts for any type of docking iPod (gen 3, gen 4, iPod mini, iPod photo, iPod nano), an AC power adapter, and a user's manual with warranty information.

From the Manufacturer

The sleek iHome iH5 clock radio wakes you gradually and lulls you to sleep with your iPod music or AM/FM radio or buzzer. It does all this while charging the iPod with a built-in dock connector, so it's ready to go when you are!

Alarm Features

• Wake to your docking iPod, radio, or buzzer
• Easy-to-set alarm
• Alarm Reset turns off alarm and automatically resets it for same time the following day
• Sure Alarm battery backup maintains clock setting and ensures alarm wake time in case of power failures
• Gentle Wake peacefully wakes you with gently ascending alarm volume
• iPod alarm backup: If iPod is the selected wake to source and iPod is not docked, a buzzer will sound instead.

Sleep Features

• Sleep to iPod, AM/FM Radio,
• Programmable Sleep with 120, 90, 60, 30, or 15-minute scheduled shutdown
• Adjustable Sleep volume allows you to select a comfortable ÒsleepÓ volume level without affecting the Òwake toÓ or listening volume levels
• Gentle Sleep gradually decreases music volume

iPod interface features

• Play music from your iPod
• iPodÕs battery charges while docked
• Included dock inserts ensure a snug fit for any type of docking iPod (gen 3, gen 4, iPod mini, iPod photo, iPod nano)
• Patch cord included to connect non-docking iPods, other mp3 players, and otheraudio devices

Auto-Set Features

• Time and date are preset at the factory.
• Adjust preset time to any of seven different time zones at the touch of a button
• DST switch for quick daylight-savings time adjustment

Radio Features

• Clear AM/FM Reception
• Built-in Automatic Frequency Control (AFC) for enhanced FM reception
• PLL Digital radio Tuning
• Display of radio frequency/volume level
• External AM antenna for best reception

Display and Design Features

• 6 watts total power
• Aux/MP3 line in jack, patch cord included
• Clean contemporary design compliments the look of the iPod
• High-fidelity stereo speakers in specially designed isolated speaker chambers
• Extra-large, backlit custom LCD Display
• Display Indicators display clock/calendar, iPod info, radio tuning, volume level, alarm information
• Amber backlight on all primary buttons

iPod Compatibility
iPod nano 1G, iPod mini, iPod 3G, iPod 4G (Clickwheel), iPod Color, iPod 5G/5.5G Video

Note: compatible with second generation iPod nano with optional connector

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

211 of 221 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Product, But With a Few Gotchas, January 10, 2006

By	M. Chesner "Nomad of Mod-Blog" (Shelton, CT) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought the iHome after recieving a Black Video iPod for Christmas, thinking it would be the perfect companion to my new toy. I have had a number of alarm clocks in the past including many CD alarm clocks, and the important thing for me was (1) that I could choose the song to wake to, and (2) absolute reliability of the alarm. On those two counts, the iHome is a champ. Simply cue up your iPod to the song you want to wake up to, hit pause, and it will start right in when the alarm hits. And if power should be lost, the iPod unseated, or if you forget to plug in the iPod, no problem. It switches to a "beep" alarm which is loud enough to wake you, but not so obnoxious that you wind up in a bad mood all day. Sound quality is SUPERIOR. And the controls are pretty obvious, and nicely lit with a gentle red glow for night useage.

However, there are a few gotchas with this product that probably will mean I will be going back to my old CD alarm clock. First, the LCD display has no "lights off" feature. For some, this will be nice as it means the display is visible even in pitch blackness. But I have a sensitivity to light that sometimes makes it hard to sleep if there is too much of it. Even the lowest light setting (there are three) is sometimes too much for me. Second, there is not a whole lot of iPod integration as far as controls go. You can turn on the iPod, wake to it, and turn it off. That's it. If you want to change the song, you will want to pick it up OUT of the iHome, change the settings on the wheel, and then plug it back in. Not a bigee, but a step down from the integration that most iPod accessories have. Third, this is NOT a "portable" solution. If you travel, this unit will be too big and bulky to bring along.

Overall, a good product which I recommend if the gotchas do not worry you. But neither of these are mentioned anywhere on the packaging or any of the reviews I have read. Buyer beware... and then enjoy!

139 of 144 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Solid!, December 24, 2005

By	Ali Hasan "Filmmaker/Political Pundit" (Eagle County, Colorado) - See all my reviews

First off

this is the best integration I've seen of a speaker/alarm/iPod trio!

The iPod plugs in real easily, and it is charged while in cradle ---- from there, the music, for the most part, sounds great, and all the functions are very easy to use

I was also impressed that it came with batteries, so if the power goes out, the batteries will serve as a backup

and of course, the alarm is loud as heck!

The reason I purchased the iHome though is because of its 'gentle wake' feature, which plays music at a low volume, and slowly increases to wake the person up

Phillips was the first to introduce this feature into their alarm clocks, and I loved it! --- I hate waking up to a jarring sound, first thing in the morning

however, the gentle wake functions on this alarm are not as solid ----- don't get me wrong, the music does start out at its lowest setting and gradually increases

the music, even at its low setting, starts out too loud, and then gradually increases way too quickly

compared to regular alarms though, this is a HUGE difference, and I don't find the iHome's alarm to be 'jarring' in any way, but it can definitely be improved upon

for the most part though, I'm pretty happy --- its great waking up to one's favorite iPod songs and playing them while getting ready in the morning ---- in addition, every alarm, on this clock, automatically uses Gentle Wake, in comparison to the Phillips, which had to be set manually within this feature

if the 'gentle-wake' feature is more important though, then I suggest going with Phillips

otherwise, if you're looking for a great alarm/stereo package, then look no further!

HAPPY BUYING!!!!!

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Alarm Clock For All Who Have an Ipod..., December 2, 2006

By	Jack R. Langston - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Pros- I have had this thing for a year. It has been in a combat zone and some of the hottest weather on earth. It still works as good as it did the first day and sounds great. I thought the sound would be mediocre when I bought it but this thing packs a punch. I love the dimming light feature on the front, it is very nice when you have a dark room. You can have it bright blue, dim blue, or off. You can wake up to your favorite song viathe iPod or just have a pleasant buzzer wake you up. It's not pleasant in actuality, its an annoying beep, but it wakes you up with a gradual volume shift. If you are a light sleeper it wont be as annoying. I recommend buying the $11 remote. It is very convient if you are using it to jam in the kitchen or even in the living room. I haven't had one problem with this like I said in a year and give it 5 stars. There are no complaints other than my black color attracts lots of dust. Weekly wiping keeps this from being a problem. I hope this review helped.