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Questions about iPod classic and audio output

post #1 of 6
9/11/08 at 2:06am
Thread Starter 
I own a classic 80GB and 160GB iPod.

For Christmas, I am buying a family member their own iPod.

I have two questions...

Do the iPods still come with a dock cradle that allows charging
to USB or is just now a USB cord without the cradle?

If it does still come with a cradle, does it allow for audio output?
I want to get an iPod cable with the pin connection on one end and
RCA inputs on the other to plug into a stereo system so my friends
can listen to it on their hifi system.

Apple sells a connection kit for stereo hookup but it is outrageously
priced. I am hoping that all I need is the above mentioned cable that
plugs into the docking cradle (if the iPods still come with one).

Thanks for the advice.
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post #2 of 6
9/11/08 at 3:14pm

Re: Questions about iPod classic and audio output

I'm pretty sure they don't come with cradles any more. That's how they keep the prices low, and most people don't use them (other than to charge, and the cable is cheaper).

Even without the cradle, I would still prefer to use the Line Out instead of hooking up to the stereo through the headphones, because even though that "works", it ain't right

Instead of $49 for Apple's fancy cables, I would spend $30 on somthing like this, which gives you line out, the ability to charge with a plain USB cable, and even a set of regular headphone-to-stereo cables.

You can also spend $49 on the cradle -- called the "Apple Universal Dock" -- which comes with a remote. So that's $19 extra for a convenient place to put the iPod, it stands up, and you get a remote control. It has a stereo line out. It no longer has an S-Video out, you either buy the composite or component iPod A/V cables.

If you want to charge while in the cradle, then you either hook up the cradle to a Mac with the supplied USB-to-iPod cable. Or you can buy the $29 for the USB Power Adapter. It has power plugs on one side and a USB connector on the other. You plug the USB-to-iPod cable into that, and then into the iPod. If you're already using that cable on your Mac, an extra one is $19.

So they keep the prices low for the vast majority of people that don't want any extras. But for those extras, they really get you. Anyway, I prefer that PocketDock. It's even a buck off at Amazon
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post #3 of 6
9/11/08 at 3:24pm

Re: Questions about iPod classic and audio output

Read more carefully what's In the box:
  • iPod classic
  • Earphones
  • USB 2.0 cable
  • Dock adapter
  • Quick Start guide
The "Dock adapter" is the piece of plastic that fits this particular model iPod to the Universal Dock. So definitely no dock cradle.
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post #4 of 6
9/11/08 at 4:02pm

Re: Questions about iPod classic and audio output

Just bought one. No dock cradle. Just the cable [iPod proprietary connector to USB]. Need to buy an extra cable or dock for audio output. I'm using the firewire version of the Sendstation dongle that Ken linked to for connection to my stereo (have had that one for years, bought it back when I bought my 5G video iPod).

Note that many of the older accessories (like mine) which allowed for video out for the 5G might not work for video with the Classic. You need to apparently buy new cables to get video out of the new Classic models. Luckily I don't use mine for video, strictly audio. Apple's great at making us re-buy all of our accessories whenever we buy new iPods.
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post #5 of 6
9/12/08 at 1:38am
Thread Starter 

Re: Questions about iPod classic and audio output

The pocket dock looks excellent. Right there, that serves my needs
for hooking it to a stereo system via RCA inputs.

Do you get long enough wire?

I suppose I will have to spend the extra $50 to get the Universal
dock. Reason being, you want the unit to stand up on top of the
stereo.

I'll also have to spend another $30 for the power adapter so it
can be charged outside of a computer.


I don't remember a remote control coming with the last Universal
Dock I bought a month ago. Are you sure they come with one now?
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post #6 of 6
9/12/08 at 3:25pm

Re: Questions about iPod classic and audio output

There are actually two different kinds, 6 ft. each. From their site:
Quote:
The PocketDock Line Out Pack includes two 6 ft. ultralight and ultra-compact white audio cables: One with 3.5 mm (1/8") stereo plugs on both ends, one with stereo RCA and 3.5 mm plugs.
If that isn't long enough, there's always Radio Shack.

And yes, the remote is in the picture. Looks like they made the change back in 2007. Maybe you bought an original model, with the S-video?
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