Apple's iPod Hi-Fi offers great sound, but what if you already have a great sound system that powers other audio devices and your DVD and TV? The answer: a number of dock
When Apple introduced the iPod Hi-Fi earlier this year, they billed it as a device that would offer audiophiles a high quality way to listen to the music stored on their iPods. While no one can really argue that the iPod Hi-Fi doesn't offer remarkable sound quality, the price for what is a bookshelf audio device can be rather off-putting to many consumers, particularly those that have already made an investment in home audio or home theatre systems. After all, if you've already paid hundreds of dollars for a home stereo/theatre system and spent hours placing and tuning the speakers in your living room for the perfect surround sound experience, you might hesitate before purchasing a separate $349 device.
Fortunately, there is an easy solution to attaching an iPod to an existing stereo system (several actually). Apple has produced docks for several iPod models, including the current universal dock that offers inserts for connecting any iPod model (save the original iPod, which pre-dated the current dock connector and the iPod shuffle). The current universal dock, which retails for $39, supports control by the Apple universal remote (a separate $29 purchase). Along with the requisite audio cables, this allows you to connect your iPod to virtually any home stereo or home theater receiver and to listen to your iPod without making a significant additional investment.
There are some downsides to Apple's dock solutions. First, the Apple dock only offers an eight-inch mini plug output with stereo sound support. Given good quality cables and a decent receiver, this shouldn't cause particularly reduced sound quality, though it may be less than that available through a digital audio connection. Most receivers include the ability to mimic surround sound from a stereo source - again a good quality system is assumed and required. Another downside is that Apple's docks don't support the larger visual display on the iPod screen that the iPod Hi-Fi does. Also, the Apple remote doesn't allows you to view or change playlists (on either a dock solution or on the iPod Hi-Fi). Lastly, the dock doesn't power the iPod unless you purchase a separate power cord or a dock cable to hook the dock up to a computer.
Other Dock Options
However, that doesn't mean you're completely out of luck. Several companies have produced competing dock products. The most exciting of which is Griffin's upcoming TuneCenter, a dock solution that offers many exciting features for $99.99. The TuneCenter allows you to view iPod song information on your TV screen and features a radio frequency remote (that does not require a line of sight to operate as Apple's remote does) that offers full navigation of the iPod's music and playlists. The TuneCenter also offers support for viewing of photos and videos stored on iPod models that support those features.
Kensington also offers a pair of iPod docks. One is for strictly audio use of the iPod and another for supporting video and photo viewing and retailing for $79.99 and $99.99 respectively. The less expensive model ships with an IR remote while the more expensive model utilizes a radio remote similar to the TuneCenter. Both devices offer a cradle that accommodates all iPod models without needing to use separate inserts for iPod models as the Apple dock uses.
