Yamaha YDS-10 Universal iPod Dock for Select Yamaha Home Theater Receivers Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I just got this iPod dock for my RX-V659. Popped it open. Plugged it in. And spent the next hour trying to figure out how to make it work! The instructions that come with it are really terse. All they say is to plug it in and put your iPod in it. Perhaps I'm the only on who struggled with this set up. . but in the event that there are others, I thought I'd give some additional instructons. Here are a few things you should know (that could save you an hour!).
1. You have to program your Yamaha receiver's remote with a code in order to control the iPod. Instructions for this operation are in the way-back of your receiver's owner's manual. Which has 3 separate sections on how to use an iPod. The first section for me was on p.24. The second somewhere around p. 100 and the third p. on 108. You need all three section to make it work!
2. After you program the code. . .here's the tricky part. .and I didn't see this in either the YDS-10 manual or the RX-V659 manual. . .here goes: The receiver's remote has a little switch on the right side that switches between "Amp", "Source" and "TV". If you just got your receiver, you may not even notice this switch. But here's the tricky part. The receiver won't control the iPod at all if this switch is in it's default position ("Amp"). You have to switch it to "Source". . and then low and behold. . .the amp says "Loading". . the iPod screen changes to a Yamaha logo. . .and you can see your song list on the TV screen!
The sound quality is top notch! Hope this helps someone else!


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There are several iPod docking stations on the market, but few are as convenient as the YDS-10, which is custom designed to work with Yamaha's HTR-5960, HTR-5950, RX-V659, and RX-V559 home theater receivers. Connection is easy--simply plug the dock into the Yamaha receiver's rear-panel port. Once connected, the dock not only charges your iPod and plays your favorite playlists through the receiver's stereo or surround speakers, but it also shows iPod images and movies through an attached monitor. It's the perfect setup for people who regularly download TV shows from iTunes but want to watch them on a big TV. The rest of the time, you can rock out to all your favorite songs with style.
Just as impressively, the YDS-10 lets you operate your iPod from across the room using the receiver's remote control and onscreen display, so you don't need to rise off the sofa each time you want to change selections. Connecting your iPod to a home theater system has never been easier or sounded so good. The YDS-10 is compatible with 4th and 5th generation iPods (with click wheels), the iPod mini, and the iPod nano.
What's in the Box Dock, connection cable, iPod adapters, user's manual.

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DLO 009-9765 HomeDock Deluxe for iPod Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this dock for the "onscreen display" capability as you navigate the iPod menus, to use it with my Ipod Video. Well, it took reading the fine print "note" in the manual to realize that onscreen navigation is only good for the "music" menus, NOT for photos or videos. When I read the box again I noticed the subtle wording difference: you can "navigate" and "select" the songs, but can only "display" and "control" the photos and the videos. In summary, when it comes to photos or videos, what you are getting is nothing more than you get with a $ 39.00 Apple iPod Universal Dock. Hmmm... I think this should have been clearly announced on the box, so that you can make an informed decision, whether you want to pay $ 110.00 extra just to see the song names on your TV screen. I returned mine.

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The DLO 009-9765 HomeDock Deluxe for iPod is the world's first iPod dock that lets you view and select your iPod's music on your TV screen, allowing you to navigate, select and play your songs using the included 18-button remote control. The HomeDock Deluxe will change the way you experience your iPod, your music, and now your iTunes Movies, letting you browse through Playlists, Artists, Albums, Songs, Genres and more, even watching movies on your big screen at DVD resolutions, all from the comfort of your sofa.
DLO's 009-9765 displays your iPod's music content on a beautifully designed HomeDock TV interface that's as clear and cool as the iPod itself. You can even customize colors, choosing from four different color themes including Aqua, Forest, Teal or Metal to match the decor of any room in your house. You can also choose from several screen savers, such as a Status Bar screen saver that shows your iPod's current status, song and album information on a moving graphic billboard. The HomeDock Deluxe's intuitive remote control lets you navigate with ease through your songs and playlists to select just the right tunes for any occasion, letting you control 14 various iPod functions. The HomeDock displays the currently playing song info and progress at the top of your screen while letting you select another song from the listings below, with names and titles that are large and easy to read from anywhere in the room.
In taking the entertainment out of your pocket and putting it on the big screen, the HomeDock Deluxe offers two distinct modes: On-Screen Navigation Mode for music interface on your TV, and iPod Mode to play videos or photo slideshows on your TV directly from the iPod. You can quickly switch modes with the push of a button to watch and control videos and photo slideshows from your iPod, or browse and play music with on-screen navigation. This unit connects to your home entertainment system or stereo via standard RCA plugs, so you don't have to worry about any adapters or Y-cables. Your iPod's music is sent to your stereo through the superior audio line-out from the bottom of the iPod, which provides for a much higher-quality audio signal than if you simply plugged your iPod into your stereo with a Y-cable from the headphone jack. With no adapters, and no loose cables, all you have to deal with is great sounding iPod music coming through your existing home stereo.
The DLO 009-9765 HomeDock Deluxe works with all dockable, click wheel iPods including the: iPod Nano (1st and 2nd generation), iPod Video, iPod Color, 4G iPod and iPod mini models. Your iPod can connect to your large-screen TV via a standard A/V connection, or through S-Video, allowing you to not just watch movies, but view picture slideshows with music. The HomeDock Deluxe fully powers and charges your iPod while in use, and comes with all the necessary cables to get going right out of the box, including an AC power adapter and an A/V cable. The low-profile HomeDock Deluxe comes in black to match both your iPod and home decor, measures 5.75 x 1 x 3.75 inches (W x H x D), and it's backed by a manufacturer's 90-day warranty.
What's in the Box The DLO 009-9765 HomeDock Deluxe base module, the HomeDock 18-button remote control with battery, an adjustable iPod support, 1 x 6-foot A/V cable (left-right stereo audio, composite video), 1 x 6-inch RCA-to-minijack adapter, 1 x 12-volt AC power adapter, and a user's manual.

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Creative Xdock Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this item in Amazon for my iPhone 3GS. It works pretty well with iPhone 3GS even though the item description says it is for iPod.
Cons:
- The video out on Xdock will not work with iPod Touch, iPod Classic, iPod Nano (3rd generation), iPhone.
- Remote and the devise is bulky when compared with Apple Universal Dock
- The audio out (3.5 mm AUX) is present just beside the infrared remote port in the front of the dock. If you are using this audio out, speaker's cable some times block the remote signals and you have to come straight to the infrared port to use remote.
Pros:
- It really enhances the sound quality. I tested my speakers with and without using this dock and i can clearly notice the sound difference.
- Remote works perfectly. It has good range and has all the features you need to control iPod.
- It comes with different docking adapters so you can place your iPod and iPhone on the dock perfectly.
- It has video out, s-video out, audio line in and out, audio optical line out, USB connectors.
- The dock comes with universal charger and adapters, video cable and audio optical cable.
Overall it is a great replacement to Apple Universal Dock which is expensive than this. If you are looking for smaller device to save some space and want video out from iPhone, i recommend you to go for Apple Universal Dock. Take a look at both items if you are planing to buy one.

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Creative Xdock lets you connect to your home theater receiver for DTS surround sound. Xdock features both composite and S-Video outputs so that you can connect to your TV to share your pictures, videos, and shows that are on your iPod. Play, pause and skip through all your music and movies with the wireless remote control. It also lets your restore detail to compressed music like MP3s and iTunes. Xdock is a complete dock, it also charges your iPod while it's docked and even includes a USB port to connect and sync your iPod with iTunes.

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Sony TDM-IP1 Digital Media Port iPod Dock Review

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(More customer reviews)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.


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Display your iPod® on the smooth and modern Sony TDM-IP1 Digital Media Port iPod Dock and unleash the power of your music. Take full advantage of your DMP compatible BRAVIA® home theater system or audio receiver's sound when you connect an iPod® to the DMP. It lets you search through your music or view video from your iPod right on your television. For added convenience, the dock also charges your iPod's battery.

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Nyrius NIC708 Media Fusion TV Video Dock for iPod with On-screen Navigation, Remote Control, USB/SD & MPEG4/AVI/MP3/JPEG Review

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(More customer reviews)It may just be me, but it seems like each passing day brings us a new media docks nad servers. They offer a variety of things - steaming from your computer to your television, streaming internet radio, photo slideshows, ability to access you music content... and many, many more concepts. The cost can range from several hundred of dollars... to the price of the Nyrius dock.
Why do I like the Nyrius dock? It offers a simple way to watch/listen your iTunes/iPod media through your televison. The process is easy - you connect the three RCA cables from the back of the Nyrius into your TV and the set-up is complete. There is no network to configure or software to update. Another nice feature is that it is portable (roughly the size of two decks of cards) so it is easy to stick in your backpack or overnight bag making it (nearly) ideal for travel.
The screen interface is pretty straight-forward. While it may not wow you with advanced settings it is easy to learn and navigate.
A few of the features
- Will accept an iPod, USB flash, or SD Media card.
- Will accept an aux input
- Reads all standard files
- Basic but handy remote is included
- If you watch the video I demonstrate how you are able to stream Pandora, YouTube, and the audio version of MLB.AtBat.
- Will charge your iPod
- Installation that is so easy that your old crazy uncle could do it.Things that are not included/featured
- You can not stream live video - such as your iPod's Slingplayer app.
- Only uses RCA cables - Not much of an issue since the video from an iPod is rather resolution limited. However, an optical output would have come in handy for my stereo system.
- Pictures from your iPod will look grainy on your 55" HD television. This is not the fault of the dock, but it does highlights the limited resolution of the file that is stored on your iPod.
- It may have been a quirk within my unit, but the picture response on the slideshow (using a SD media card) was a little slow.Final Verdict - I think that if you are looking for a solid iPod dock you will be very pleased with the Nyrius. It will allow you to use your existing television or stereo (contrast this to all of the money people are spending on iPod stereo docks!) in lieu of more expensive options. The key to happiness is to recognize that this is a media dock and not a media server.
5 Stars
--Please Note - I received a early-release Nyrius Fusion Dock for reviewing purposes-------------

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Simply place your iPod in the dock and easily watch all your downloaded movies, listen to your music library, and view pictures from your iPod on your TV and home theater system.

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Yamaha YDS-12BL iPod Dock (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this for my Yamaha RX-V567. I did not fully understand from the other reviews the features and limitations of this dock, so I will try to explain it clearly here. You can find the "User Guide" on-line, but it is utterly useless - in 11 different languages.
The YDS-12 connects to your Yamaha receiver through a proprietary connector. This connector has upwards of 60 pins, yet the device has very few features. These receivers are capable of firmware updates, so it is entirely possible that future enhancements may one day be available. Other Yamaha receivers have gotten enhancements for their docks in the past.
Once connected, you can plug your Apple device into the dock - and here is the first big negative about the YDS-12. Like most Apple docks, your iPod/iPhone stands nearly vertical on its own (it actually leans back about 20 degrees). It is expected to stay in that position while it is docked, putting a good deal of pressure on the Apple connector. It is far to easy for someone to accidentally hit the iPhone/iPod and snap the connector off (or worse, break the mating connector in your expensive phone). I really wish Yamaha would have provided the option of a corded cnnector and a cradle to rest your phone in. This product is an accident waiting to happen - but even the Apple Universal Dock has this issue. Repairs to Apple connectors cost $50-$100.
Once you insert your Apple device into the Dock and put the Yamaha in Dock mode, the Receiver Display will say "Ipod Connected" (even if you are connecting an iPhone). Pressing the "Display" button on your Yamaha remote brings up the control menu. There are two control menus available for commanding the iPhone/iPod: one is on the Yamaha Receiver display and the other is an On-Screen-Display (OSD) if you have the Yamaha hooked up to your TV. Some Yamahas have a dot-matrix display and the higher ends have an LCD display - both show you the same general menus. The nice thing about the menus is that they allow you to control play of your Apple device using the Yamaha remote.
Your menu choices are:
1) Play Video
2) Play Music
This brings me to another BIG limitation of this device: "Play Video" only refers to video from iTunes (i.e. movies that you have purchased or uploaded). It does NOT include video you recorded through your camera, nor does it include photos you took with your camera. Basically, it does not give you access to your Camera Roll.
You DO have the ability to play slideshows or recorded video, but NOT using the remote control. While your device is docked, you need to open your Camera Roll and start a slideshow manually. You then need to hit the "Display" button on your remote again to turn off your OSD on your TV. Only then will the pictures and recorded video appear on your TV. You can ONLY see pictures/video when it is playing as a slideshow. Because you need to do this while the device is docked, it means you are pressing on the screen, putting even more pressure on the poor little dock connector. I'm telling you, this is a bad mechanical design.
Yamaha REALLY needs to update the firmware to allow Camera Roll access through the menu. This limitation is truly a deal-breaker for a device that costs over $50. Read on for a cheaper solution.
Video playback quality is awful - as expected considering it is optimized for a tiny display. Even video recorded on a 4th gen iPod Touch (which is supposed to have the latest HD-quality video recording) looks blocky when played on a big TV. Video quality on a big screen TV is about the equivalent of watching SD video on the SlingPlayer App over 3G. Mediocre at best.
Movie playback of iTunes movies was quite a bit better, but still don't expect this to replace Netflix. Speaking of Netflix, be aware that almost no apps support playback of video through cables, so don't expect to be able to play Angry Birds on a 55" plasma. It's not going to happen. Given the two big cons I found with this device, I offer a less expensive alternative to it: Buy an Apple A/V Component (or Composite) Cable for about $40 (from the Apple store). You can get non-Apple ones even cheaper - but the Apple version is guaranteed to be compatible with just about all Apple devices. These cables have an Apple connector at one end and several RCA connectors at the other. You can connect the RCA cables to the back of the Yamaha Receiver and have the same quality picture and audio as you will with the YDS-12. Your device will be connected through a cable rather than perching on a tiny connector at a dangerous angle. About the only negative is that you won't be able to play back anything using the remote control - there will be no menus at all. You will need to directly handle the Apple device, but you need to do that anyway on the YDS-12 in order to watch recorded videos or see pictures. You still won't be able to play games on the big screen, though. And, the Apple cable includes an extra line to allow charging of your device while watching on your TV.Regarding a couple of confusing reviews:
* Several people mentioned that once a device is fully charged, the YDS-12 stops charging, so you wake up the next morning to a dead device. This did not happen to me with my 3GS, but since it's happened to others there may be defective units. Mine shows it is at 100% and still charging.
* Someone suggested that the YDS-12 is "easily portable". Yeah, it is....but so what? If you take it to a party, there had better be a new model Yamaha there to plug it into. This is not compatible with any other brand (nor is it compatible with most other Yamaha receivers). Another reason to choose the Apple cable over this - the Apple cable IS truly portable. You can take it to a party and plug it onto any component-ready device.
So, I'm not trying to knock this product unfairly. It's worth about $25 at most because of the very limited menu system. Unless Yamaha updates it in a big way, I would opt for the Apple A/V cable, knowing there will be no remote control. By the way, Apple DOES have a fancy dock that includes a remote, but it has even more limitations than the YDS-12, so stay away from the very expensive Apple Universal Dock.
In summary, YDS-12 vs Apple A/V cable:
* Both charge your device
* Both play back iTunes videos on your TV (but YDS-12 allows remote control)
* Both play back music through your TV or Yamaha (but YDS-12 allows remote control)
* Both play photo slide shows - NO REMOTE CONTROL
* Both play recorded video - NO REMOTE CONTROL
* Neither allows games or apps to be played on TV
* YDS-12 is menu-driven (Apple A/V is manually driven by you)
* YDS-12 is potentially dangerous to your connector (Apple A/V uses safer cable connection)
* YDS-12 won't work with iPad; Apple A/V Cable will
* YDS-12 is more expensive and only usable on specific Yamaha Receivers
* Apple A/V cable is cheaper and connects to most new TVs and almost all receivers
Unless you REALLY need to use the remote (with all its limitations), go with the Apple A/V cable.

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Yamaha YDS-12BL iPod Dock; Only compatiable with Yamaha RX-Vx67 series AV receivers.

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