Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
After devoting many minute to ripping your compact disk collection — and perhaps even your videodisk collection — and spending a good chunk of money on iTunes Store purchases , chances are you want to use your iTunes library beyond just your computer and iPod . There are many iPod docks on the market that allow you to wreak your music and TV through your home stereoscopic picture and television systems ( file your iPod all the while ) , but two new docks have get in that improve the experience . DLO ’s $ 150HomeDock Deluxeand Griffin Technology ’s $ 130TuneCenterbridge the substantial gap between canonical iPod dock and the Apple TV by adding on - filmdom menus for navigating your iPod ’s library on your television screen . But unlike the Apple TV , which ask a wired or wireless internet connexion to the iTunes library hosted on your calculator , the HomeDock Deluxe and TuneCenter docks deliver a alike experience — at a considerable savings — by using your iPod as the media generator .
DLO HomeDock Deluxe
The HomeDock Deluxe is physically alike to the original HomeDock wepreviously reviewed . The HomeDock Deluxe hold back that modelling ’s big - than - mean dock size , 5.75 inch wide by 4 column inch bass by 1 inch mellow , as well as its handy slot for the remote control . The unit ’s color strategy has been reversed and now sport a black base with silver trim . Although the case is plastic , the passementerie resembles metallic element , and the unit of measurement complements current goggle box and A / fivesome system . Another utilitarian feature of speech shared with the original HomeDock is a jut out dock connector ; unlike a traditional recessed slot , the protruding connector , along with an adjustable rearward brace , set aside the HomeDock Deluxe to adapt any dockable iPod without feature to use dock adapter . This design also accommodate most iPod cases , eliminating the fuss of have to remove and exchange your iPod ’s case .
The HomeDock Deluxe retains the same band of ports as its predecessor : remaining / veracious RCA sound yield , RCA composite telecasting output , S - Video output signal , a port for the included AC adapter , and an auxiliary - input port for other MP3 histrion ( although , of class , you wo n’t have access to on - silver screen menus when using such players ) . There is also a USB port , but unlike the original HomeDock — and contrary to what ’s claimed in the manual of arms that shipped with former units — this port does n’t support syncing your iPod with your computer ; it ’s hold for performing software system update for the HomeDock Deluxe . The package include all of the necessary cables with the exception of a USB transmission line — you’ll have to provide your own should DLO release the aforementioned software system updates in the future . The inclusion body of the S - Video cable is a courteous touch .
Of course , the primary feature that distinguish the HomeDock Deluxe from the original HomeDock is the ability to browse your iPod ’s library using computer menu displayed on your television system . alternatively of using the iPod ’s screen for navigation , you could use the range of the HomeDock Deluxe ’s distant control condition to crop your iPod ’s contents — or at least most of them — from the comfort of your favorite chair . The on - projection screen menu mimic those on your iPod , but with 12 selectable color backgrounds ; however , the backgrounds and text quality show the effects of compression , so do n’t expect the high - resolution menu you might see using the Apple TV . You also get a selection of screensavers that aid keep projection screen burn - in ; although a nice inclusion , most are low - resolution and none will impress like the elegant screensavers on the Apple TV .
Navigation of the on - screen menu is performed using the solidly - build 18 - clitoris infrared ( IR ) remote control and is similar to navigating the iPod itself , except you apply the remote ’s directional pointer buttons instead of the iPod ’s Click Wheel . This solve well , but you ’ll quickly remember how tremendous the Click Wheel is when you try out to dig late into a tenacious leaning of artist , albums , or vocal using these buttons . The remote has great power on / off , play / intermission , forward and back ( skip and scan ) , shamble , repeat , deaf-mute , and screen saver buttons . There are also volume restraint used to adjust the HomeDock Deluxe ’s variable audio - output level . Since the remote is IR , you ’re modified to short letter - of - lot control , but I was able to insure the dock from as far as 20 fundament away by pointing straight at the docking facility .
You ’ll have no trouble pick out your music and videos from the HomeDock ’s onscreen menus , but see photo requires that you look at the iPod ’s own screenland , since the HomeDock ca n’t get to the exposure to expose menus on your TV . First you press the video modal value button on the remote ascendency to switch to the HomeDock ’s video recording mode ; this turns off the HomeDock ’s onscreen menus and returns control to the iPod itself . ( Only the normal video output of your iPod is sent to your television ; menus remain seeable on the iPod . ) you may then either use either the HomeDock ’s remote or the iPod ’s Click Wheel to select photos and start slideshows , which will look on your goggle box as expected . This pic - viewing process is a minor inconvenience that is likely due to a limit of the iPod ’s dock connector .
A standout feature of speech of the menus is the showing of record album prowess . If your audio tracks have relate record album artistic production , the HomeDock Deluxe will display that art both in the menu and in art - based filmdom saver . There are also fifteen other screen recoverer that kvetch in after a selectable duration of time . With a few exceptions , these are very simplistic and quite date in coming into court . However , they will prevent silver screen burn - in if your TV is susceptible to this .
The HomeDock Deluxe provides good sound and video quality . With the variable sound output signal , you ’ll have to play with the mass configurations on the HomeDock and your home stereo or television receiver to get the right mix without distortion . But thanks to the onscreen menus , you could now take in the pier volume level on your television — something you could n’t do on the original HomeDock . The S - telecasting connection is crisp — acquire the source video is crisp , of course — with no noise and consistent colors . The composite video connexion is a little less crisp , as expected . In either case , do n’t look the same tone of video as you would from the Apple TV .
The inclusion of the on - cover navigation is a welcome addition to the original HomeDock . The belated version provides a utilitarian set of features at one-half of the monetary value of the Apple TV , and it is a utile accessory for someone who already has an iPod filled with audio , photos , and video and desire a good room to use that content in their home entertainment system .
Griffin Technology TuneCenter
With no one-armed bandit to stow your distant control , the base of Griffin ’s silver TuneCenter is more heavyset than that of the HomeDock Deluxe at or so 4 inches wide and deep by 1 inch high ; however , a curved , vertically - orient bobtail back , just under 4 inch high , provides an elegant backdrop for your iPod . A large IR window is seeable on the front of the al-Qaida . The TuneCenter also include a traditional recessed iPod dock — one using Apple’sUniversaldesign — and includes three dock inserts to accommodate sr. iPods . ( Current iPods ship with the appropriate cut-in . ) Since the bobtail is recess , this form factor may need remove your iPod from its suit when you want to practice the TuneCenter .
The TuneCenter ’s connectivity includes an S - picture - out old salt ( cable not included ) , an A / Phoebe minijack ( similar to the AV - capable headphone jak on fifth - generation iPods ) , an Ethernet port , and a jack for the included AC adaptor . With no USB port , you ca n’t use the TuneCenter to sync your iPod with your computer . On the other hand , the TuneCenter include an A / V cable compatible with the above - refer iPod headphone jack ; you’re able to expend this overseas telegram both with the TuneCenter ’s minijack or directly with your iPod — the latter , for good example , if you want a straightaway and easy method acting to plug in your iPod to a TV and/or home stereophony while away from home . The ethernet port enables you to receive Internet radio stations ( more on this below ) .
Like the HomeDock Deluxe , the TuneCenter bring home the bacon onscreen menus through which you may surf your iPod ’s euphony library . However , whereas the HomeDock Deluxe allow browsing of video recording using these menus , you ’re limited to shop only your music library on the TuneCenter . To take TV ( and photos ) on the TuneCenter , you ’ll have to look at the iPod ’s own covert while using either the iPod ’s Click Wheel or the TuneCenter ’s distant ( similar to the manner you watch photos with the HomeDock Deluxe ) .
Onscreen menu and computer graphic are very well - designed ; they look much more attractive than those on the HomeDock Deluxe . However you do n’t get access to album art like you do on the HomeDock Deluxe . During playback , you get playlist , rubric , artist , album and time information along with shuffle , repeat , and equalizer position . There are no blind savers / visualizers , so persistent menu elements could damage telecasting susceptible to burn - in for extended manipulation . The screenland dims after 10 minutes of inactivity .
The TuneCenter remote has 16 buttons for superpower on / off , menu piloting , shimmer / interruption , skip forward / back , volume , and other various configurations . A welcome gain are the dedicated page up and down buttons . These greatly speed strain through multiple Page of subroutine library lists . Like the HomeDock Deluxe , the TuneCenter has a variable audio output with onscreen level indication . You ’ll desire to set both the TuneCenter and your base stereophonic system volume levels to find the best mix . The remote control is IR - based , so like the HomeDock Deluxe , you ’ll need a unspoilt line - of - spate and a space of 20 feet or less from the docking facility for good results .
One characteristic that separates the TuneCenter from all other docks is the ability to play Internet radio stations ; you do n’t even need an iPod to expend this feature . just associate the TuneCenter to your electronic web ( you must supply an Ethernet line ) and after a quick setup procedure , the TuneCenter downloads a list of Internet radio stations . Unfortunately , get an Internet radio post from the downloaded list can be hard ; since the lengthy inclination of 100 + stations is not sorted in any discernible fashion nor arranged by genre , you ’re left to the mercy of the data each post provides in their directory itemisation . For some , you get a skilful canonical verbal description of the station . For others , you might get just the station name or a call sign , and for some , you get almost nothing at all to go on ( e.g. one place only listed itself as “ digitally imported ” ) . What make this process particularly frustrative is that once you find a station you care , it may not be in the same place in the list next meter , and you ca n’t make unnecessary it to a preset . Still , this is an interesting capability usually requiring a computer or a separate Internet wireless twist .
The TuneCenter is a right time value in a compendious , elegant design with clean and well - devise on - blind menus . Sound and video caliber are unspoiled , but I urge purchasing an S - Video cable to attain the best picture quality . The Internet wireless feature could use some improvement , but it is a unique capability among iPod docks and gives you something even the Apple TV does n’t currently offer .
The Lowdown
Both of these iPod docks execute as advertised and add the welcome ability to browse your iPod subroutine library from a well-situated length with the restroom of on - screen card . Choosing between them depends on which features appeal to you the most . The HomeDock Deluxe get you browse your iPod ’s videos via onscreen menus and displays record album graphics ; the TuneCenter lacks such feature but boasts a better - looking port , offers cyberspace tuner listening , and costs $ 20 less . Of of course , to make the most of either product , you ’ll want an iPod with video - out capability .
[ James Savage is the host of theRetroMacCast , a hebdomadal podcast devoted to collecting Macintosh computer and memorabilia . ]
