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There are several solutions for getting the audio out of your iPod and playing through your home or car stereo. Some vehicles and sound systems have iPod sockets, and there are various hard-wired connector options, plus cassette adapters (which also a wired connection between the iPod and the cassette deck).
Than there are wireless solutions, such as Zoom Technologies Inc's iHiFi Bluetooth Transmitter/Receiver products, one of which I reviewed recently in my 'Book Mystique column on PBCentral.
The iHiFi works quite well, but has the disadvantage of complexity, consisting of transmitter and receiver units - the latter which requires periodic charging of its battery from a computer USB port, an AC power adapter for the receiver, and an assortment of cables that facilitate connecting the receiver to stereo systems through RCA phone jacks, and the transmitter to a computer's USB port for charging. It is also unsuitable for use in automobiles due to the necessity of the receiver being plugged in to wall current.
The simplest and cleanest wireless solution is a low-powered FM radio transmitter, of which there are literally dozens on the market. Just plug one of these babies into your iPod and you have in essence a tiny radio station broadcasting (although not very far) your iPod's playback output to any nearby FM radio receiver. No wires, cables, power adapters (the transmitter draws power from the iPod's battery) or other encumbrances necessary.
The knock against iPod FM transmitters has been that quality of the signal can be iffy. with complaints about static and drop-outs, and if you are in an urban area, there may not be enough empty frequencies for you to receive our iPod signal. Consequently, when a Proporta iPod FM Transmitter arrived for review, I was curious to see how well it would perform relative to the Bluetooth iHiFi unit.
The Proporta iPod FM Transmitter is purpose- designed to be compatible with a range of Apple iPods including the 1st and 2nd generation iPod nano, 5G iPod with Video, iPod mini, iPod Photo, and 4G iPod, however, in shape and size it matches up perfectly with the 2G nano.
While the transmitter runs happily off the iPod's internal battery, it also includes a dock connector that allows you to use your Sync Charger cable spliced into the connection or daisy-chained as it were to power the transmitter from your laptop, car or other USB port.
The includes a dock connector which allows you to use your Sync Charger cable enabling you to obtain power from your laptop, car or other USB port.
Proporta iPod FM Transmitter is really small, with as noted the profile dimensions of an iPod nano, and a little over an inch in length. Since it is not compatible with my 1st Generation antique iPod, I checked it out using my wife's new nano.
The FM Transmitter is available in pink, black and silver, and the test unit was black, so it didn't match the silver nano in color, but otherwise looked like it was right at home.
The transmitter has three simple control buttons - a larger one on the left which when pressed causes the current broadcast frequency to appear on the iPod's display, while the two smaller buttons on the right adjust the frequency up or down the FM radio band. After a few seconds of inactivity, the display reverts automatically to the current iPod menu selection. Delightfully simple and intuitive.
I decided to first try the transmitter in my truck, and after a bit of experimenting with frequencies, found it worked better at, say, 107.9 than at the 87.9 MHz end of the supported frequency range for some reason. At the lower end I was getting a bit of static, but the signal cleared up in the higher numerical range. In my case, interference from a lot of FM channels was not an issue. Only three or four FM radio stations have the power and proximity to reach this isolated rural area. Once you find the right frequency, the performance is pretty impressive. I especially like the fact that you don't have to mess with cables or peripherals other then the tiny transmitter unit itself. It is, however, a radio signal, and thus subject to the interference issues associated with radio reception on the road, although it won't fade out in tunnels. The fidelity won't satisfy hardcore audiophiles, but for the rest of us it's not a bad tradeoff for no-muss, no fuss convenience.
Note again, however, that I'm in probably about the best of all possible environments for using these low-powered FM transmitters, and if you live in a city with a crowded FM dial, it may be a challenge to find a free frequency to use with this product.
Moving indoors, I got good, clear reception on my home stereo's FM receiver at a middling 99.2 MHz, so long as I didn't stray too far from the unit's location. It was fine anywhere in the room, but moving into other rooms manifested some drop-out. I would say that the practical, reliable range is about 15-20 feet. That's less than I got with the iHiFi Bluetooth setup (although the latter fell short of Zoom's claimed 70 foot range, which I found optimistic). Maybe under perfect, unobstructed conditions, but in my house (conventional wood frame construction), 30 feet was more like it. Bluetooth wireless technology provides high fidelity sound, and is less susceptible to interference and static than FM wireless solutions, but for some reason I found drop-out when carrying the iPod around to be less of an issue (within comparable range) with the Proporta FM Transmitter than with the iHiFi.
One advantage the iHiFi (and some competing FM transmitter products) has is that it will work with any device with a standard 1/8" earphone jack, and thus it's compatible with my old 1st Gen 'Pod and a gaggle of other devices. The Proporta FM Transmitter for iPod will only work in iPods with USB support.
A big advantage of the Proporta FM Transmitter for iPod is that it's inexpensive - just $ 24.95 plus $4.95 shipping worldwide, while the iHiFi Universal Transmitter/Receiver I tested has a street price of approximately $99.00, and though Amazon.com, for instance currently offers it for $64.99.
And there's the charming Proporta signature touch that orders ship with complementary packets of real British tea, such as English Breakfast Tea, Earl Grey, or Darjeeling by Taylor's of Harrowgate (Family Tea Merchants; est. 1886) that came with our review unit. Excellent tea!
Features
* Suitable for use with Apple iPod
* Power from iPod battery or use iPod Sync Charge cable in series to draw power from a USB port
* Simple to use - plug in, tune in and go
* Shows tuning information on your iPod’s screen
* Memory capacity to store up to 9 channels
* Frequency range: 87.9 MHz – 107.9MHz
* Dimensions: 40mm (1.6”) x 30mm (1.2”) x 10mm (0.4”)
* Weight: 10g (0.35 oz)
For more information, visit:
http://www.proporta.com/F02/PPF02P05.php?t_id=3485&t_mode=des
Proporta Alu-Crystal Case (Apple 2G iPod nano - 2GB/4GB/8GB
Also from Proporta, is this cool little protective case for the 2G iPod nano, is made from a combination of durable polycarbonate plastic (similar to the type used to make protective eyewear) and aircraft grade aluminum, giving you a lightweight, protective case without hiding the sleek lines of your new 2G iPod nano.
The Carabiner encases your nano in a durable polycarbonate plastic, which is proven in its use in the manufacturing of protective eyewear, the Carabiner Crystal Case is both shatterproof and shock absorbent.
The clear case front enables you to always see the screen, while access cutouts allow access to all ports and controls but still prevent them from being easily activated. I experienced no problems in manipulation the nano's controls with it inside the Alu-Crystal case.
There is also a recessed slot in the aluminum back for connecting a lanyard or belt clip, and soft rubber traction inserts on the sides of the case to provide you with a secure grip.
Traction material inside the case holds the iPod in place gently and snugly without need for mechanical fasteners or moving parts. There's nothing to break.
Because the Alu-Crystal Case's front is crystal clear, the nano's color shows through unobstructed.
Alu-Crystal Crystal Case Features:
* Shatterproof
* Shock absorbent
* Completely clear
* Covers screen for extra protection
* Cutouts give access to ports and controls
* Top and bottom guards hold device securely in place and prevent accidental opening
* Optional Karabiner clip
If you are looking for high-quality protection at a reasonable price without having to sacrifice the signature iPod look, the Alu-Crystal Case should fill the bill nicely.
The case sells for 28.95 (+ $4.95 shipping), and comes with a lifetime warranty.
When you purchase the Alu-Crystal Case (Apple 2G iPod nano - 2GB/4GB/8GB) you can bundle the Proporta Advanced Screen Protector (Apple iPod 2GB / 4GB / 8GB / 2G nano Series) for 8.96 (Normally $ 9.95)
For more information, visit:
http://www.proporta.com/F02/PPF02P05.php?t_id=2693&t_mode=des
Other Crystal Cases are available from the Proporta website:
http://www.proporta.com/
Charles W. Moore
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