Apple Ipod AV Connection Kit

Designed to output direct to your TV or home stereo, the Apple Ipod AV Connection Kit is aimed primarily at those with Ipods that can store and playback images and video.

The dock connects to a TV via the supplied composite cables (or S-video, not supplied).

The remote can then be used to cycle through photo slideshows, music and videos.

Audio and image quality is good (depending on the quality of the source) and you can use the dock to charge the Ipod from the mains.

However, there are plenty of annoyances. Our first gripe is you need to put the Ipod into TV-out mode to view images and video, but this cannot be achieved with the remote.

Secondly, the menu screen isn't displayed on the TV either so, unless you've got hawk eyes, it's almost impossible to navigate.

Furthermore, the remote's menu button is rendered inactive when using the Ipod, so all that's actually possible to control is play, pause, fast forward, rewind and volume functions.

In other words, you can't switch between music, photos and video using the remote.

So the claim on the Apple website that the AV Connection Kit can 'control everything from across the room' turns out to be quite misleading.

It comes with a dock and various adapters for five types of Ipod. It will work with a further five types, but adapters will need to be purchased.

The Ipod Shuffle and Nano aren't supported. Check the Apple website for compatibility with your Ipod.

Costing up everything in the box suggests this is a good-value bundle. However, if all you want to do is get video and audio onto a TV and stereo, a far better alternative is to buy the Apple Ipod AV Cable separately for £15 and sacrifice limited wireless control in favour of a £51 saving.

See also:

Apple to take bite at Palm?

Speculation rife as investors call for sale of handheld vendors  06 Feb 2006

Apple 20in Cinema Display

Good value and image quality, but at a price  31 Jan 2006

Apple ILife 06

Application updates and a new web design tool make this the best version of Apple's home creative suite yet  31 Jan 2006

Apple Imac

Apple unveil the first Imacs with 'Intel Inside'  27 Jan 2006

Apple downloads outsell high street

Over 600 million songs sold to over 10 million subscribers  28 Nov 2005

Apple Ipod video

Fifth generation Ipod with video, but not one for movies  20 Oct 2005

Apple Mac OS 10.4

Improved security, searching and speed capabilities  22 Aug 2005

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