Creative Xdock Wireless Music System for iPod (Black)
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| List Price: | $232.02 |
| Price: | $115.44 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details |
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Average customer review:Product Description
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Product Details
- Brand: Creative Labs
- Model: 70SB085000009
- Dimensions: 11.00" h x 5.30" w x 9.00" l, 6.00 pounds
Features
- Specifications
- Xdock Connections
- - Audio out (shared optical / analog out via 1/8" jack)
- - Audio in (analog in via 1/8" jack)
- - Headphone out (1/8" jack)
Customer Reviews
5 Star Product, 1 star for the collateral damage it creates to your wireless network.
I agree with Rene's excellent review.
I have few myself and it works really well, 3 walls within 30 feet and no drop in quality. One major issue though...the X-dock/Xmod wireless screws up your wireless internet. I have tested it few times and come to a conculsion that wireless G networks get screwed up miserably when you turn this on. So any way ended up not using the wireless feature, that defeated my purpose of buying it.
But I did not trash the receivers as soon I will be upgrading all my laptops to wireless N and upgrading router to Dual Band simultaneous broadcast, so there wont be signal interference. If anyone tried this already please post a review. Cos it is a good product, good concept and I would like to leverage it fully.
It DOES work as advertised.
Ohhhh, this is so cool. I was kind of afraid that this wouldn't work at first from the negative reviews I've read about this. But really I found out what my problem with wireless was. It was a florescent lamp I had near my computer. Using a process of elimination I tested my network's WiFi with the Xdock on and off (unplugged even) and I got the same problem with my wireless. "That's odd" I thought. So I looked around to see what else would cause interference because I've been getting interference before. And on a hunch I turned off this floor lamp with a florescent bulb in it. I got better reception to the WiFi router. Even with the Xdock on. So for me it wasn't the Xdock. Be sure to check to see if there are any other sources of interference in your house. Especially florescent bulbs between your computer and your wireless router.
As for features, I couldn't be more happy. I can actually listen to my podcasts from my main computer in my living room by just connecting the computer to the line in of the Xdock and I still can have my main speakers hooked up to the computer by way of the Xdock. Of course it's just a straight connection from the computer with a plain old stereo miniplug, no controls for the computer, but now I can move through the house and still hear my podcasts. Nice. And of course it's nice to hear my iPod without having to have my computer on. It's a nice dock as well. Charging and data. All the controls are there for the iPod. It takes a little getting used to the remote control button way of controlling the iPod only because I'm used to the scroll wheel, but that's a small thing to get used to because everything the iPod can do is duplicated on the remote plus a couple things the iPod can't do with it's own controls. It's a nice little receiver and transmitter. The only mark I deduct is for bulkiness. Otherwise, for all it does, two thumbs up. I like it.
I got this from Woot!. Transmitter and a receiver. :)
[UPDATE: I've figured out two things that were complaints of other people. First the wireless problem. Yes, if you put the Xdock right next to the wireless router it will interfere with the signal. Move it 3-4 feet away and it doesn't interfere. I have mine on my desk and the wireless router on a shelf. Second, the problem with the remote for the receiver shutting off the base unit as well. The remote for the receiver is the same one that comes with the base unit except with less buttons. It can actually control both units and is not unique to each unit. It's like having two of the same model TVs in the same room and wondering why the remote of one controls the other. It's not hard to guess why. Both units are supposed to be in different rooms. That's the whole point. So put each unit out of the line of sight of each other so you won't accidentally turn off the wrong unit. The remote for one can control the other and vice versa.]
STAY AWAY IF YOU HAVE WIRELESS!!!!!!
The product itself is awesome. It really is. I was so impressed, that in addition to the dock being setup in the living room, I have 2 receivers. One in our bedroom, one in the office. SLICK!!! I was working in the garage all day, and took my wife's iPod bucket out there, and connected the receiver from my office to the line in of the iPod bucket. My wife loves it, because on laundry day, she can run the wash on the first floor, and fold her wash on the second floor without missing a single song. AWESOME!!!
Now for the bad news. First, NEVER, and I mean NEVER turn off ANY of the recievers. It sends the turn off command to the main dock as well, and the ONLY thing I found that works to turn it back on, is to reset the X-Dock transmitter. You do that by pressing both the next/previous buttons at the same time. It is happy if you press mute. I figured it out by myself. NO help on Creative's website on this issue. It puts it in standby mode. If you are running wireless, stay way the heck away from this. Nothing but nightmares. I have a Belkin N1, the fastest and highest end wireless available. Smooth as silk, until I added the X-Dock. Now I can be 2 feet from the router, WITH a matching N1 wireless network adapter in my laptop, and it doesn't find the wireless. H U G E N I G H T M A R E!!!! VERY seriously thinking about whether or not the incredible convenience of having the iPod in the living room, and playing it throughout the whole house is worth it. Already been to Creative's website no less than 3 times, and haven't found any help at all on this problem. A tip if you DO decide to get it. Program your router to be on channel 11. It helped a lot. I'm fortunate.... I'm an IT guy, so I have the skills to troubleshoot and try to find a workaround. Most people don't.
Bottom line, in my opnion..... if your home network is wired, this is freaking awesome. If you have wireless and you don't have the skill or patience to deal with the router, in terms of configuration or a LOT of reboots, S T A Y A W A Y from this product. You will go through a LOT of Excedrine Migrain.
Hope this review helped.





