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CNET editors' rating:
3.5 stars
Very good
Detailed editors' rating - Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 7 reviews
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Product summary
The good: The DLO HomeDock offers a single way to connect your iPod to your stereo, television, and computer. Thanks to its compact design, it does it all with a small footprint. The package includes a 12-button IR remote.
The bad: The DLO HomeDock doesn't come with an A-to-B USB cable or an S-Video cable, which some connections require. It also lacks a Universal Dock, so the snap-in adapters that come with the video iPod and the Nano won't fit. Unfortunately, the remote can't move between menus.
The bottom line: The DLO HomeDock is a great--though not the only--way to make your iPod another component in your home-entertainment system.
Price range: $89.99
CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 12/15/2005
- Released on: 10/20/2005
The HomeDock module measures 5.7 by 3.7 by 0.9 inches and comes in glossy black with a white top. It's an attractive device that fits right in with audio and video components. The top houses a dock for your iPod and a slot for the remote. You'll also find an S-Video port, three RCA jacks (left and right audio plus video), and a USB port on the rear. Judging by the packaging, the HomeDock was created before the last iPod launch, so it doesn't have a Universal Dock. Instead, a movable clear-plastic backrest supports your iPod. You can adjust it to fit any model with a dock connector. The design does the job, and it works with many iPod styles, but we'd prefer the snug fit of a Universal Dock. Hopefully the next version will have one.
The HomeDock comes with two A/V cables that let you connect the device to a home stereo, a television, or a shelf speaker. We're irritated, though, that it doesn't come with an S-Video cable (for some TV sets) or a USB cable, which you'll need to connect it to your computer. It requires a USB A-to-B cable (the kind most printers use), so there's less chance you'll have an extra one on hand. It supports USB 2.0 for fast transfers, but the next version should really connect to a standard iPod cable.
Hooking the HomeDock up to a stereo or a television is easy and requires only a few connections. If your stereo, television, and PC are near each other and your TV has an S-Video port, you can link the HomeDock to all three at the same time for maximum iPod connectivity. Our songs sounded great when played through the HomeDock to our stereo. Displaying pictures, videos, or slide shows on a TV was a breeze. Although the HomeDock seems to have been created before the fifth-generation iPod's release, it handles video fine, though take note that the iPod Nano can't do video out.
The infrared remote requires a line of sight to work. It has a decent range, but we occasionally had to press buttons twice to get them to register when we were across the room. An RF remote would have been a nice touch. The 12 buttons can control most iPod functions, including turning on the backlight, moving between songs and playlists, and scrubbing through songs and videos. What it can't do is move between menus, which is a shame. You'll need to get up off the couch to select a new artist. Furthermore, we'd love to use the video output to view the iPod interface, including album art, on a TV screen--that's probably Apple's problem to remedy, though. Also, you won't want to lose the remote, as the HomeDock won't power on without it, though you can still charge an iPod while the HomeDock is powered off.
iPod users do have another option closer to home: the $39 iPod Universal Dock and the $29 Apple Remote. At first glance, this solution seems more affordable, but to replicate the HomeDock's functionality, you'll probably want to spring for a USB power adapter ($29) and an A/V cable (Apple's is way too expensive).
DLO offers a 90-day limited warranty for registered HomeDocks. See the support page online for more information.
- See more CNET content tagged:
- DLO,
- Apple iPod,
- home entertainment,
- remote,
- stereo
User reviews
- Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 7 reviews
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
"Too Pricey, Remote Control has poor range, Sound is awful and not many features..."
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"Works very well right now.....a bit nervous after prior reviews"
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Where to buy
DLO HomeDock for iPod:
$89.99
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Amazon.com
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$89.99 | Yes |
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$89.99 | Yes |
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