The iPort FS-2 is a multipurpose docking system compatible with all 30 pin dock connecting iPods.
The purpose of the product is to let you plug your iPod into both a stereo/home theater system and a computer in one fell swoop.
Now, it adds a decent amount of wires to your system, and I felt it would have been much more useful as a wireless product — letting you plug your iPod into the dock near your computer and beam music to the receiver end plugged into your stereo.
There are three situations where the iPort FS-2 is extremely useful. First, if you don’t have front A/V inputs on your home theater receiver, you can plug the iPort in the back and know it’s always there when you need it. Second, if you have a home theater PC used to sync songs on your iPod. Finally, it’s also useful if your household has more than one iPod — you can swap them back and forth and listen to your tunes on your home system.
I had preconceived reservations at first, but the iPort is one of the best A/V iPod docking solutions out there. It basically lets you plug all the audio and video wires into your receiver one time and forget it. Now all you have to do is drop any iPod in and you’re ready to go.
iPort created the product to allow users to plug into computers and receivers at the same time, but unless you have a computer a few feet from your stereo/receiver (or a laptop) I don’t see how that’s possible.
If you do have a computer or home theater PC nearby (and aren’t just playing music off that…) then it’s great.
The system supports A/V wires of up to 25 feet though, so you can definitely navigate across the room. The iPort company offers a bunch of in-wall solutions that go longer (up to 500 feet of audio in some cases), but this is their desktop variant, and it’s definitely a handy gadget.
Music and video are both crisp and clear. Give this one a shot.
Quick hits:
Developer: iPort
Platform: iPod
Launch Date: June 6, 2006
Overall: [rating:4/5]
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