Onkyo DS-A2X Remote Interactive iPod Dock Reviews

• Weak Video Interface

  
  By A1VSBZ9PRZ3SRV on 2007-08-30
  I was pretty geeked when I read about the product and ordered the new Onkyo Receiver (TX-SR605) to go with this. The receiver gets deservedly great reviews, but this product is scrap. Setting it up is easy (3 plugs), but the remote is a step back in time from the ipod remote. On screen display of song lists, titles, etc. looks like it came from an old Commodore home computer. The display takes up maybe 1/4 of the TV screen, so if you have long lists, you really can't scroll through rapidly. With tousands of songs, it's impossible to get to the end of a list. I believe the Mac Ipod A dock supports the scroll-wheel functionality - this has nothing, but a very slow remote.
  
  Where the product is really poor is video. I was excited that I could download movies into itune, load them on the ipod, plug it into the dock and away we go. Unfortunately, it isn't that easy. First off, you have to essentially do the reverse in terms of menu options from displaying song information. Second, you can't view the video and photo menus on the TV screen - so you have to scroll and select on the ipod itself (although you can scroll and select music by looking @ TV screen) using the Onkyo remote. I'm still lost as to that feature/function.
  
  Probably my own missed expectation, but I was really hoping for a good UI to allow me to sit back with remote, thumb through a playlist and play tunes, go bck to main menu and select a video or watch a slide show of photos. For video/photo - the remote is useless since you have to switch it out of the mode that interfaces with TV, for audio, because you can't scroll easily through lists, it's pretty useless as well. But at least I can play tunes and video through my new receiver.
  
  

• Very dissapointing

  
  By AD82RPM5CT2BT on 2007-10-22
  
  
  Onkyo DS-A2X Remote Interactive iPod Dock
  
  I recently purchased a Onkyo 605 Receiver. As advertised, it is a superior product. I am very happy with it. I then purchased the IPod Remote and Adapter for the Receiver, figuring there would be advantages of using the Onkyo branded product with their Receiver. Well, Onkyo must have used the A engineers on the Receiver and put their B engineers on the Accessories. The DS-A2X Remote, is disappointing, at best. The interface is something out of the 80's. It is all text, like an old DEC terminal. Not very Ipodish.
  I would strongly suggest looking at other products out there first. There are many others (Tuneview, DLO Dock) which offer a more elegant user interface.
  This is the first product I have every had to return to Amazon.
  If you are taking the time to put together a top-notch system, you will be very dissapointed with this. I cannot understand why Onkyo would have released something like this this when they obviously did not spend the time to create a "best of class" product.
  
  

• Good dock, bad remote and even worse interface.

  
  By A1675X0VMXG1RO on 2007-10-05
  Looks nice, decent construction ...fits my Ipod okay once you adjust it. The remote is VERY counter intuitive. Not sure if it is my Onkyo 605 Receiver or the dock itself; but the way you choose your music and show video is both boring and also counter intuitive. What about the instruction manual that came with it you ask ...what manual? I learned nothing from that piece of paper. Don't forget to set the VIDEO SETTINGS on your Ipod to "Ask" or the video will not show through your TV.
  
  

• Does what it says it does...

  
  By A1KRHCYMFYE8ZQ on 2007-10-21
  Not great, but it works. If you plan to use this device to watch iPod movies on your TV, don't buy it. I bought this item to listen to my iPod through my stereo speakers, and it sounds great. The OSD (On Screen Display) is pretty bad, but does not really matter to me, I can read it fine and it works. Bottom line, it does what it says it does, not more.
  
  

• Onkyo IPod Dock

  
  By A3SUTW82QY49X4 on 2007-09-06
  The Ipod Dock has been great. I hooked it up to my Onkyo sr605 receiver, and it makes listening to the IPod selection of music easy. Installation was simple, and it works through all of the normal menus, etc. You can choose any input on the receiver, and use as the dock instead. I am distributing through whole home audio as well with no issues. It is also nice bc i can go back and forth b/w multiple ipods and they all drop right in the dock.
  
  
• Excellent for audio
  By A335QXPTV1RIV1 on 2008-03-10
  I've got an iPod Classic 80. I wanted a BLACK, well-made, good looking dock that has a LINE-OUT to my stereo that bypasses the iPod volume control. I also wanted a small, easy to use remote. Done deal. This dock is the ticket. You have to ignore the other functionality, but for this price that's ok. The Apple a/c adaptor alone would cost you $30. Here you get the whole package for $74. IMPORTANT: this dock's external video will not be compatable with the newest video ipods (since roughly Sept 2007). Also, this dock works fine without any external Onkyo gear, but you don't get the functionality such as timer, volume control of stereo with the dock's remote, etc unless you have Onkyo gear. I'm more of an audiophile and aim higher than Onkyo. BOTTOM LINE: works great as an audio line out dock, and it includes the a/c adaptor, so it's a good deal!!! Caution: the included RCA cables just did not sound good at all. Even inexpensive Monster cables sound MUCH better. I almost returned the dock until I tried some alternative cables.
  
  
• Onkyo DS-A2X
  By A2GYNQYL4U2F39 on 2007-12-11
  Could not get compatibility to work with newest iPOD.
  Onkyo customer Service was no help and said not their issue to insure compatibility. Using a new Onkyo surround sound system.
  
  
• Not compatible with latest iPod models!
  By A301NORBA6QWIE on 2008-01-07
  None of the information in the ad for this product states which iPod models are compatible with this. I had to return it as it is not compatible with the newest iPods.
  
  
• Good iPod Dock -- Better than the Competition
  By AP4P5MN87GLUW on 2008-03-23
  This product sounds great, is easy to install, looks good. Best of all, it comes with RCA jacks (not a custom bridge plug like the Harman Kardon iPod bridge). So it will work with any receiver, not just a few Onkyo receivers.
  
  I don't have the Onko it syncs with, so I don't know about on screen display that others have complained about. But the remote works great for me, and the sounds is MUCH better than using a mini jack from your iPod.
  
  
• Very nice but...
  By A1NMJQOMM19K4E on 2008-02-17
  It works as advertised. Only one thing to be aware of. I use it with the Onkyo TX-SR705 receiver and video in/out have to be the same (component in and out or HDMI in and out or s-video in and out). When plugged into the dock, you lose the display on the Ipod itself. The only connection for the dock is component video. If you don't run a component video cable to your TV the Ipod won't display on the screen.
  
  
• Onkyo comes through again
  By A1O8XIG9095Y38 on 2008-04-07
  This product works exactly as described. The set up was breeze and I was initially concerned because of the age of my equipment. However, I have not experienced any issues. I would highly recommend this product to all ONKYO and iPod lovers like me.
  
  
• Do not buy it!!!!
  By A33CZLZ5ET9QMC on 2008-04-24
  I didn't buy this dock to watch movies on my TV. I bought it just to control remotely the music I listen from my ipod to my Onkyo home cinema system. Even for that, this dock is not capable enough to do so.
  
  I chose Onkyo dock because I have an Onkyo receiver and I thought that with this dock the integration would be perfect and it would look cool. I was wrong. Receiver's remote control through RI connection only has stop, play, pause, forward and backward functions for the ipod. For navigation through lists, albums, songs etc., I still need to use the small dock's remote control. So the fact that the brand was common didn't help much. I could use any other brand docking station if I knew that I would have to have one additional remote control on the table of my living room anyway.
  
  On screen display function is terrible. I had read reviews saying that it is not that good but I didn't imagine that it would be that bad. It really looks like an MS-DOS interface with white characters in a total black screen. So, by this means it doesn't look cool at all. Scrolling is also very slow and not convenient at all on the way you see lists. Characters are huge and very few songs appear on the screen at once. Furthermore it does not appear on the TV screen the Greek characters and I guess any other non Latin character too, like the ipod's screen does. So I cannot navigate my Greek music I have on ipod.
  
  Finally I wish it had an HDMI connection too aside the RCA since I have run out of RCA inputs on my TV screen.
  
  The only positive thing I can say about this dock is its minimal design that matches pretty well with my black ipod.
  
  At the end, I don't see much difference from having my ipod connected via the stereo jack. At least I feel somehow better that I bought it from the US and not from Europe where the price is almost double. If I could return it back, I would do it. I am sure there are much better ipod docks out in the market in similar price range.
  
  
  
• ipod remote dock
  By A8HJFUIVBFM7T on 2008-01-18
  This dock is very problematic. It only works with certain ipod models and only with the most current ipod update. The on-screen display only lasts about 15 minutes, and the remote only works pointed at the dock, not at the tv. Even on 5th generation ipods, we can't watch a downloaded video on screen. This remote dock is only good for connecting and docking an ipod directly to your home theater system for listening to your library, so there are other, simpler ways to do that. Maybe this concept will be improved over the next year. (And it is used with a companion Onyko receiver in this application.)Onkyo DS-A2X Remote Interactive iPod Dock
  
  
• Dock is nice but the the OSD Stinks
  By AP2FPBV550E8J on 2008-02-12
  If you can get another ipod interactive dock for your receiver, I would suggest it if it is cheaper. The OSD is archaic and is no fun to muddle through.
  
  
• Quick Review
  By AMSV50IMP5R1J on 2008-02-13
  We have been using the Onkyo DS-A2X for a few weeks now. It was easy to install and works as promised. The on-screen display is great and using the remote works well for typical tasks (volume, skip, etc.). I find the interface kludgy and searching for music is a chore. Actually, most tasks are more difficult than using the iPod interface. However, over all it is a great and clean way to connect your iPod to your Onkyo receiver and works well if you simply want to listen to a particular play list and/or charge up your iPod.
  
  
• Twice Bought
  By A3OLDT3LFYOC55 on 2008-02-20
  If you have an Onkyo device with ipod Dock entry, you need to get one. This is my second adquisition and comes with a small remote control which is very easy to install and use.
  You can also display your ipod's screen on your TV.
  
  
• fantastic
  By A1IHALITTQ5BYM on 2008-04-07
  the i-pod dock was really easy to hook up , and the sound quality was super. i suggest anyone with a ipod to invest into this dock.
  
  
• GOOD FOR THE MONEY
  By A35RP1UQ0WH4KU on 2008-04-12
  IT IS VERY GOOD DEVICE WORKS VERY WELL WITH MY SR605 THE SOUND IS VERY CLEAR AND IT IS WORTH THE MONEY NOT MUCH NOISE INTERFERENCE WORKS
  WORKS WELL WITH MY IPHONE
  
  
• Does the Job
  By A30ZRX285UOPMI on 2008-04-13
  Does a good job with the 605. I use the logitech remote and it woorks for me
  
  
• iPod must have
  By A28M5WGWTHPLCV on 2007-10-17
  Together with an Onkyo receiver makes this a top selection for playing as well as visualizing your iPod tunes and videos on your tv !
  
  
• Great Accessory for Onkyo Receivers
  By A20TH50MCY1R3I on 2008-01-02
  This is a great accessory for an Onkyo receiver. Very easy to connect and configure. Wonderful sound and look's nice. Perfect for listening music, however a little more complicated to view video. Receiver's (TX-SR605) remote control works ok with this dock using the supplied RI cable. The bad: The OSD is awful and old style. Forget it.
  
  
• Gotta Have Add-on To Onkyo Home Theatre
  By A1EWF51PR69FKE on 2008-01-09
  Works great, no issues. If you have an iPod library you like to listen to this add-on is a must have. Visual interface on the TV is very basic but functions well. Onkyo and Apple need to partner up and get the beautiful iPod interface with album art right onto the TV rather than the pixelated white on black block type with no album art images. Easy to set up and a good little remote. Great system upgrade.
  
  
• Works well, sound quality weak, poor interface
  By AEFFY0WDUVL9E on 2008-01-16
  I've had the DS-A2X for a few months now, and it's just OK in my opinion. Works well, but i'd prefer that I could read the menus on my receivers (805) display than have to have my TV on. I have a larger LCD but do not want to turn the TV on in order to scroll through the albums. You can set it so the iPod itself does not lock up and you can control the songs this way, which is what I do most of the time.
  
  Sound quality is pretty poor but I think this is the iPod's fault and not the DS-A2X. MP3's are so compressed. Playing CD's via my Parasound changer sound 10X better but for my wife this works well since she have an huge library at her fingertips.
  
  
• Good dock for audio
  By A1M2G5P3XPLVQ2 on 2008-03-18
  I use this dock to hook my Ipod up to an Onkyo C415 mini-system. The dock is well constructed with good quality cables and connections. It looks fine and holds the Ipod solidly at a nice angle. The sound quality is excellent, and it integrates well with the Onkyo system -- press play on the Ipod and the receiver automatically switches to the dock input, etc. The small remote that came with the dock works fine but I keep it in the drawer because the main system remote controls all the basic Ipod functions as well. I haven't tried any of the video features, but if you just want a way to get your Ipod audio into an Onkyo or other system, this is a great way to go.
  
  
  
  
• LOVE IT !!!
  By A1OCMNH605XGHT on 2008-04-15
  LOVE this little baby, if you're looking for a docking station with remote to pipe your music through your home stereo system get this. If you want it to work with your receiver remote (Onkyo specific) get this ...its a winner. The remote controls just about all ipod functions. I dont use the TV interface, so I cant comment on that aspect of it. Ipod sounds great when hooked up through the a2x ... and it stays charged too
  
  
• Basic interface, but effective!
  By A279YQ7ZQWE6MV on 2008-04-16
  Works wonderfully with my Integra DTR-8.8 receiver. Plus accepts all my universal remotes commands. The on screen graphics are a little on the crude side though. That's the only negative.
  
  Good product for IPOD people. (You know who you are...)
  
  
• iPod Dock
  By A2VIHN1V4FBJVG on 2007-10-31
  It was easy to install and use. I would prefer a better link to the video on my TV but still well worth the money.
  
  
• great buy
  By A18GZE34SV36ZF on 2007-11-21
  the Onkyo ds-a2x is a great choice if you want music with great sound and volume. This doc is easy to connect and easy to use, even more so if you have other onkyo products because the remotes interact.
  
  
• ipod Dock - Onkyo
  By A1NE6YOA9LPYEU on 2007-12-23
  This product was fairly easy to install and it gives me the flexibility to use my ipod with my other electronic equipment. Good Buy.
  
  
• Good product
  By AY5M712CAOKOD on 2007-12-30
  This is a good product but the hookup is not that easy to understand. I like that fact that hooked up to my SR504 that the unit will turn on my receiver and pick the right source and begin to play.
  
  

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