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iHome IH36 Under-Counter FM Radio with TV, Weather Band Tuner, and Dock for iPod (White) by Sound Design, Inc.
Digital Photo Product DetailsManufacturer: Sound Design, Inc. Brand: Soundesign Edition: Electronics Format: CD Platform: Linux, Mac, Mac OS 9 and below, Mac OS X, Windows Model: IH36W Color: White Publisher: Sound Design, Inc. Studio: Sound Design, Inc. Music Label: Sound Design, Inc. Product features: - Listen to iPod, FM1, FM2, TV or weather channels in your kitchen
- Motorized drawer stores iPod when not in use
- 3 line display shows what's playing on iPod when iPod is hidden
- Clock with cooking timer
- Compatibility: iPod nano (1G only), iPod mini, 3G iPod, 4G iPod with click wheel, iPod Color, iPod Video, iPod shuffle (1G only)
Accessories:
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of iHome IH36 Under-Counter FM Radio with TV, Weather Band Tuner, and Dock for iPod (White)Customer Review: A Surprising Must-Have Summary: 4 Stars
When I was given this iHome under-counter speaker system as a gift, I was not thrilled. I already had Altec Lansing inMotion Portable Audio System for iPod for my iPod, and I was not a fan of kitchen electronics. Within minutes of its installation, however, I fell in love with it. The sound is much richer and clearer than what comes out of my Altec speakers. I use the iHome almost every day.
Most people will buy this for its iPod capabilities, although the other features are nice since they replace what many people might have already had in their kitchen. With a single touch, the iPod holder glides out and down. The adaptors that come with the system accommodate most iPod models (not the Shuffle and possibly not the new touch screen 3G, although I don't know about this last); while the iPods fit without these pieces of plastic, the improper support may bend the connections when the iPod is inside the unit. Once inserted, the iPod can be played either outside or inside the machine. Best of all, the iHome screen displays the song being played as well as the artist and the album, a great feature especially when you're listening to a new album or shuffling. The FM radio gets decent reception if you run the antenna wire under your cabinets; the weather radio is automatically tuned and comes in as good as any weather station will. (There's also a "tv" mode which I've never used.) When not in use, the unit displays the time. If you want to store the iPod in the sleeve, it acts as a dock, leaving your iPod always charged and ready to travel. If you leave iHome on and set your iPod's alarm, the music will play at the predetermined time.
The connectors for the unit allow for different hanging heights. Mine is installed with in a 5 ½ inch space, from the cabinet connection point to the lowest point on the unit, and it could take up even less space if I didn't have cabinet molding not flush with the bottom of the cabinet itself. The actual dimensions, not including connectors, are 13 inches wide, 10 ¾ inches deep, and 3 inches high.
The only flaw with this system is the occasional hiccup. When you start the iPod outside of the unit and then close the holder, the sound stops for a second or two, then resumes. Less often, my iPod, especially when left in an open holder, will display as though it has just been synched, and this prevents the alarm from working.
While not providing high-end range, the iHome under-counter player still provides good, relatively clean sound, especially for a kitchen setting where one isn't likely to sit and listen intently. This would make a wonderful gift for anyone who has an ipod. Don't be surprised if the recipient seems indifferent at first - that will quickly change! I highly recommend this.
Description of iHome IH36 Under-Counter FM Radio with TV, Weather Band Tuner, and Dock for iPod (White)Under Kitchen Cabinet Apple¿ iPod & Shuffle Stereo Player with FM/TV/Weather Band & Remote Control Save counter space in your kitchen or workshop while still enjoying your full iPod library with the iHome under-cabinet stereo. Boasting a built-in dock that charges your iPod, an integrated FM/TV/weather tuner, and a three-line display that tells you what's playing from a distance, the unit is perfect for space-challenged users everywhere. To mount the system, simply locate a cabinet, shelf, or desk with roughly 5 inches of underside space. Once you've determined the ideal location, the system installs discreetly using the included mounting hardware. Within minutes you'll have access to hundreds of iPod playlists, the full FM radio spectrum, the audio channels of select TV stations, or any of the built-in weather band channels, all in the comfort of your kitchen or garage. The motorized docking station is built to protect your iPod--a must in cooking and working environments--with a tray that slides the iPod out of sight while you listen. In addition, it's easy to switch from station to station thanks to the 12 tuner presets, which include four FM1, four FM2, and four TV presets. Best of all, the unit sounds great thanks to the Reson8 ported speaker technology, which delivers full, rich audio through the pair of 3-watt speakers. Other details include a 120-minute cooking timer for kitchen use, an easy-to-clean vinyl membrane keypad, a factory-preset clock with calendar, a battery backup function that maintains the clock settings after a power failure, and a remote control that adjusts the radio and iPod settings. The remote even includes a magnetic backing that attaches to the side of the iHome player. The unit, which measures 13.03 by 3.28 by 10.98 inches (W x H x D), is backed by a 90-day warranty iPod Compatibility iPod nano 1G, iPod mini, iPod 3G, iPod 4G (Click Wheel), iPod color, iPod video 5G/5.5G, and iPod shuffle 1G. What's in the Box IH36W under-counter iPod player, power cord, remote control, two AAA batteries (for remote), two AA batteries (for battery backup), iPod inserts, mounting hardware, user's manual.
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