Get Better Gear!

Premier Sponsors

TechRestore

Other World Computing

Top 5 Free Apps

Release Date: August 05, 2009
Genre: Games
Release Date: May 22, 2009
Genre: Games
Release Date: August 29, 2009
Genre: Games
Release Date: March 27, 2009
Release Date: August 07, 2009

iTunes New Music Releases

Release Date: September 29, 2009
Genre: Rock
Release Date: September 20, 2009
Release Date: September 15, 2009
Release Date: August 25, 2009
Genre: Rock
Release Date: August 25, 2009

Top 5 Paid Apps

Release Date: April 22, 2009
StickWars $0.99
Release Date: March 31, 2009
Genre: Games
Bloons $0.99
Release Date: April 05, 2009
Genre: Games

Discover New Music

  • Mystics Anonymous

    • 8 out of 10
    • Mystics Anonymous
    • Mystics Anonymous is the brainchild project of Jeff Steblea, a fantastic songwriter and good friend of mine, as well. In fact, I even played the drums on all but one of the tracks on this album. Jef
  • Gimme Fiction

    • 10 out of 10
    • Spoon
    • Gimme Fiction by Spoon is a terrific album by an Austin band that I was lucky enough to catch on an Austin radio station during a Christmas visit.

  • Wolfmother

    • 8 out of 10
    • Wolfmother
    • Black Sabbath, The White Stripes, The Stooges. There aren't many bands worth their salt that want to be compared to other bands, but when I listen to Wolfmother's self-titled American debut, I can

  • Chicago Transit Authority

    • 10 out of 10
    • Chicago
    • For those of you who don't know, Chicago didn't always suck, and everyone in the band didn't always play a keyboard. When the band started off they were pioneers of rock and jazz fusion, and guita

  • Trouble

    • 8 out of 10
    • Ray LaMontagne
    • At first, Ray LaMontagne might strike you as just another breathy-voiced knockoff of folk/rock guitarists like John Mayer and Jack Johnson. But he's actually got a better voice than either, he tell

Reader Specials

Visit Deals On The Web for the best deals on all consumer electronics, iPods, and more!

In-Depth Review

Remote Docking Station

Marware's Remote Docking Station is a simple dock with a nifty name. When it comes to iPod docks, that's not a bad complement in my book.

Marware
Marware Remote Docking Station

Countless solutions exist for charging your iPod while it's connected to your stereo or TV. Basic functionality is identical across these products�they tend to work just fine, so fit and finish become the paramount difference between brands, and it's in this realm that the Remote Docking Station shines.

Marware's dock is about the same size as Apple's, which is to say quite small and unobtrusive. A single USB port powers the dock, either from your computer or the included AC adapter. The AC adapter is a fine piece of hardware in its own right: not only is it one of the smallest we've come across for the iPod, but the plug tucks neatly into the unit when traveling. Unlike many power adapters out there, this one you might even be tempted to take with you on trips just to charge your iPod (you'll need to bring your own USB docking cable, however).

Marware

A/V hook-up is similarly well executed, with an attractively designed cable sporting a single plug connecting to the dock and your standard three composite signals connecting to your television or receiver. Like the power adapter, this handy cable is practical even without the dock, as it can be used independently and be plugged directly into your iPod to put its picture on a television. For those who demand higher quality, an S-Video port is built-in to the dock as well, but like other products we've seen no S-Video cable is included.

The dock's cradle is compatible with all iPods, although the lack of any adapters means things won't fit quite as snugly depending on which iPod you use. In our testing, however, this was not an impediment at all and across a variety of iPods models and never did we experience the iPod becoming loose or losing the dock connection. A blue LED on the front of the dock shines a bit of light on the iPod itself when everything is powered up.

Marware

Our only complaint with Marware's dock is that the remote is every bit as simple as the rest of the set-up, meaning you get your standard play/pause, forward/back, and volume up/down buttons but nothing else. The remote otherwise is absolutely first-rate. Unlike the button-laden remote of DLO's HomeDock (3 out of 5), which has problems operating at angles or distances more than six feet, Marware's remote had no problem talking to the dock at distances in excess of 20 feet and from a myriad of different angles.

Bottom Line

Marware's Remote Docking Stations scores a pile of points for its near flawless execution and then seals the deal with a price point that puts a number of other docks to shame: $75. While there's always room for improvement, there's little room to really complain about this dock.

Update As of February 7, Marware has reduced the price of the Remote Docking Station to $49.95.

Just The Facts

Remote Docking Station from Marware

MSRP US$49.95

Pros:video cable and USB power adapter can be used independently of the dock, remote sports excellent range, well priced

Cons:remote offers only the most basic controls

Post Your Comments

  Remember Me  Forgot your password?

Not a member? Register now. You can post comments without logging in, but they'll show up as a "guest" post.

Commenting is not available in this section entry.