Product Description

Sony Media Port iPod Cradle

Product Details

• Color: Black
• Brand: Sony
• Model: TDMIP1
• Dimensions: 3.10" h x .87" w x 3.50" l, 7.80 pounds

Features

• Connects with compatible Sony home theater systems and receivers with digital media port input
• Compatible with many iPod models (5G/4G/nano/mini)
• On-screen display feature to search songs and view iPod video on monitor
• Charges iPod when placed on dock

Amazon.com Product Description
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.

Customer Reviews

First Take on the Sony TDM-iP1
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.

A must have!
I own a Sony surround system DVD player with a digital media port on the back of the player. Instead of buying external speakers for the iPod, I purchased this media port iPod cradle and thus connected my iPod to my surround system. I gained several advantages by doing this:

1. I saved money by not having to pay for expensive external speakers for my iPod
2. I saved on space, for my iPod was connected on existing speakers.
3. The sound is great, unmatched by any external speakers made for the iPod.
4. I can control my iPod with my Sony remote control. This saved me from having another remote control (as with buying an external speaker system for the iPod for example). With the remote control, you can control all the functions of the iPod
5. I connected my iPod to my TV, allowing me to watch the movies stored in my iPod on my TV screen. That feature alone is worth buying this iPod cradle.
6. The iPod cradle is cosmetically appealing.

Overall, this is really a great cradle for your iPod if you own a surround system with a digital media port.

Worked as expected! Great little product!
I got this item to connect my 16GB iTouch with my new Sony HTCT100 Sound Bar with Sub-Woofer - Black. Simple to use, took less than 5 minutes to hook up. I especially like the fact that I can use the TV screen to navigate the iTouch.

I don't think that you can use this with an iTouch to view videos or pictures in your iTouch. I do not think that it is compatible. But I did not care about that part. I just wanted to use it to listen to my music and navigate my iTouch. BTW, you will definitely need to attach the included RCA cable to be able to view it in your TV. Also, the product description states that it comes with a remote control, but the one Amazon sent me did not. So they said they'll send me another one. But, not a problem for me though, I can use the Sony remote that came with my sound bar.

All in all, I am pretty happy with it.