InDigital Episode 16: Whoops [Discussion]

InDigital Episode 16 - Whoops!

Jessica looks at a couple ways to see your iPod on the big screen and checks out a flash based high def camcorder too boot. Wil explores the stars while Hahn finds out how a GPS unit know where to turn. Then Hahn answers the question - What's in a name?

Show Notes:

DLO HomeDock Deluxe
Available: Now
Price: MSRP $149.99

Viewsonic ViewDock PJ258D
Available: Now
Price: MSRP $999.99
http://viewsonic.com/products/projectors/pj258d/


Celestron SkyScout
Available: Now
Price: MSRP $399.99
http://www.celestron.com/skyscout/index.php


Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2
Available: Now
Price: MSRP $699.99
http://us.sanyo.com/entertainment/ca...productID=1456

DLO New HomeDock Deluxe
Available: Now
Price: MSRP $149.99
http://dlo.com/Products/homedoc_dx_P...2717 64208554

[kingkilr]

best episdoe ever:

because they told me systm was coming back

[linkiii]

Best solution... Firmware update for the AppleTV to allow you to plug your dock into it and interface with it -- it already has the USB port. If any one can do it right, it's Apple. Besides the hardware is already there.

[kingkilr]

That would also be a good solution for if they offer HD videos since Wifi is a bit slow to push 1080p.

[vekdigital]

I think Jessica nailed it when she said, "...who would buy this?". I haven't personally used either unit, but from the presentation and information given, I'd have to surmise that the term "iPod-compatible" is used very loosely by the manufacturers.

It would seem (even with Hahn's update segment at the end) that the DLO and ViewSonic systems are merely "iPod docks" (and I use THAT term loosely) with rudimentary video connections and little else to sync video data and control functions.

From an engineering perspective, it almost seems as though both of these manufacturers had to "hack" the iPod's docking port connector as they didn't have 3rd-party developer specifications from Apple to work from. If they did, don't you think they'd have had the ability to port the ENTIRE video functionality of the iPod (yes, including menus and such) to the external screen?

(Wil's gonna luuuuv this part )

It would seem that both these products were manufactured and marketed using the "8-Step Microsoft Mentality" (as I like to call it):

1) Identify a potential niche market
2) R&D a product concept and take it to Alpha
3) Have your design team "break & fix" the Alpha
4) Manufacture, package and ship your "killer new product" to your retail channel partners
5) Let the public do the actual Beta
6) Take the public feedback and create "upgrades"
7) Market the "new upgraded models" at a slightly higher price point to new customers while offering "upgrade pricing" to existing customer base
8) Use revenue from "upgrades" to fuel R&D on completely "new" design (which is really the same product - but now with more actual "thought" (see; customer feedback) put into it's design, implementation and overall functionality)

Jessica was right again. It all looks great on paper, but in execution? Both products leave so much to be desired in the control and functionality departments (even from a non-tech standpoint) that you just gotta wonder, "what the HELL were they thinking???". Had I personally been the CEO of either company, I would've fired whoever was responsible for letting such an ill-implemented product make it all the way to market with "our" company logo on it.

vEk

[yashar]

Is it just me or is the volume very low in the large.h264 version?

[shadowtech86]

I actually have the DLO HomeDock Deluxe.
I received it as a gift, even though I do not have a video iPod. (I use it to play music through my home theater system)

Although, I have tried video playback on it, and you guys are right, it is not a seamless solution. But, if you really want to watch those TV shows you downloaded from iTunes on your TV, it does at least work.

This product is for:
1. People who want to watch iTunes content on their TV, but want something a little more "home theater-integratable" than the official Apple iPod video cable. That's it, as far as I can tell.

[ryudo]

Man I want that Celestron SkyScout....and even when I saw the enterprise fly in the background I didn't even associate wil with trek until I later remembered so either I had a brain fart or wil does such a good job now you forget he was on the show..I like to think of the latter.

[rowlodge]

kind of quiet this show...

i wish they had these mini star searchers things when i was a kid, i used to try and make telescopes with anything lying around, old magnifying glasses and anything parabolic for a reflector.

[masherscf]

Originally Posted by Yashar

Is it just me or is the volume very low in the large.h264 version?

Ya got me. The large WMV format played swimmingly well on the XBOX 360.