iPort
is the state of the art docking system for the iPod, offering maximum flexibity, upgrade choices and high performance. From an elegant free standing dock, to complete built in systems with full RS232 and video communication, iPort covers all the bases. As we’ll explain iPort is the most elegant way to link Control4 with your iPod and this follows for many other systems. With many options it can take a bit of effort to work out which is the right model but here’s our easy version of how to choose.
Why use an iPort instead of the cheaper little units that you’ll find in other stores? First up - it sounds demonstrably better. Care has been taken with the design of the audio circuitry and this is immediately apparent in a cleaner, more lively sound with less background noise. The iPort has a separate power supply to isolate the iPod and internals from the mains - and so it is an active device rather than something that just relies on the iPods output. It’s a much more safe, stable and robust cradle for your iPod as well. The umbilical cable from the cradle to the isolated connection box also has a USB connection allowing you to connect and sync your iPod while it is in the system. So it really is a quality device that will give you years of use and protect your iPod.
If you just want a simple high performance dock that looks great - in a choice of black or white finishes, the FS1 at NZ$249 is for you. To gain both front panel operation, volume control and remote control abilities, the FS2 at NZ$399 is required. The FS 1 and 2 are ideal for single room systems.
If you’d like to extend the abilities of your iPod to other rooms, iPort comes into its own. If you have CAT5 or CAT6 cable already installed in your home (or plan to) then it is possible to run music from your iPod to any room using high quality balanced audio over up to 150m of CAT5. The FS3 does this and adds both wall mounts and sophisticated circuitry for NZ$1,299 inclusive.
To integrate with Control4, the FS4 includes 2 way coms via RS232 for NZ$1,699. And finally to do all of the above and distribute high quality video over distance the FS5 at NZ$2,499 does as much as it’s possible to do with an iPod.
If you’d like a completely built in solution, the in wall versions of the iPort allow this, but we like the flexibility and good looks of the free standing units. If there is one certainty in life, it’s that change is inevitable and the free standing, modular and upgradable nature of the iPort FS series makes it likely that you’ll retain this particular item through many iterations and updates of iPod technology.
For more in-depth info on iPort options including full technical details jump to their own site here.
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