Sony Bluetooth Wireless Transmitter for iPod (Black)
by Sony
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List Price: Our Price: $44.98 You Save: $25.01 (36%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $31.29 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sony Bluetooth Wireless Transmitter for iPod (Black)
Customer Review: Life Changing Device
Summary: 5 Stars
I recently picked up the Sony DR-BT21G/B Bluetooth Stereo Headset. My intentions were to use it as hands free for my cell and also to listen to music from my cell. After using it with two devices (Samsung Blackjack II and Sanyo Katayna DLX) I have come to the conclusion that the limiting factor in quality is definitely in the transmitting device. While phone conversations seemed equivalent in quality, there was a blatant gap in quality of audio between the two devices when it came to streaming MP3s. The Blackjack II provided a full rich sound where the DLX seemed to ignore several ranges of the audio leaving a very empty and lacking sound quality. Since I was disappointed by the sound quality on the DLX in addition to its poor organization of music and lack of video capability, I looked for a new solution...and found it.
The 32GB iPod Touch cured cancer, ended global warming, and created world peace. I will try to stay on topic here and not go on and on about how I love my iPod Touch. So here I am with a snazzy new iPod and no wireless audio for which I have become so spoiled by. It was a no brainer for me to run out at buy the Sony TMR-BT8IP iPod Wireless Bluetooth Transmitter. It was a snap to set up and provided very robust sound quality to the headset. I have been loving the freedom of wireless on my daily commutes. The headset still plays nice with my cell and will even connect to both devices so i can listen to music from the iPod, but kindly be interrupted if my cellphone rings.
Here is my quick breakdown for the two devices
Sony TMR-BT8IP iPod Wireless Bluetooth Transmitter
Pros
-Small (About the size of a nickle)
-No battery (Uses power from iPod)
-Provides a quality signal to receiving device
Cons
-Pricey (Retail $69)
-Drains iPod battery about twice as fast
Customer Review: Pairs great with 3G iPhone and S9-HD headphones
Summary: 5 Stars
PLUSES: Very small, good looking, excellent function with S9-HD headphones
MINUSES: Cost, annoying blue light,
OVERALL: A stylish and compact ipod/iphone 3g option that works flawlessly with the new S9-HD headphones!
Picked this up at Best Buy to use my Motorola S9-HD bluetooth headphones with my iPhone 3G at the gym. This is a winning combination that works great! Takes about 10 seconds after pairing before audio starts flowing. Audio quality sounds just like any decent pair of headphones (when using with computers make sure to use as headPHONES [stereo] rather than headSET [mono]). All functions of the S9-HD headphones work with this transmitter (i.e., volume, pause/play, fwd, rew). Range is great. I placed my iPhone at the back of my hotel room and was still able to get a clear signal at least 3 doors down through a closed hotel room door. A little pricey considering AD2P capability should be built into the iPhone for free, but a good bandaid until Apple gets it right. Another advantage of this product is SIZE. It is much smaller than the Motorola D650 and centered right on the dock input. If you use your iphone with one of the excellent incase slider cases, there is a cut out around the dock connector the EXACT size of the TMR-BT8iP so you don't have to remove the bottom part of the slider case to use it. Looks a lot more stylish and "Apple"-like than the Motorola, however, the S9-HD/D650 combo sold on Amazon is a really great bargain if you don't mind the semi-clunkiness of the D650.
Use is easy... plug in Sony transmitter, push power button for 1 second, turn on s9-hd, select music and enjoy!
The main negatives are #1 price and #2 the blue light is pretty bright and distracting especially when watching videos. It flashes twice intermittently when paired. Not deal breakers, just suboptimal.
Customer Review: Works readily with Phonak hearing aids & iPhone 3G
Summary: 5 Stars
I've have had hearing aid for almost 20 years. Phonak has a digital, wireless hearing aid that can play music and phone conversations to the hearing aids through a small device that you wear around your neck called an iCom (not from Apple). The Sony wirless device slips into the bottom of the Apple iPhone 3G and easily pairs with the iCom. You just use: Settings -> General -> Bluetooth, and turn on Bluetooth, and then the device pairs. Like other previously written reviews, you have have to get by the message from Apple that says that the attached device (Sony wireless transmitter) wasn't designed to be used with the iPhone 3G. The good news is that it works.
Phonak isn't much help with questions. They are aware that the iPhone doesn't support music without the Sony wireless device, but they don't seem aware that the thing does work.
When listening to music and you get a phone call, the call rings in your hearing aids. You just press a large button on the front of the iCom device, and you receive the call. The music stops during the call. When you are finished with the phone call, you end the call by pressing the same button again and the music starts up once more.
The Phonak hearing aids and iCom also work well with my iPod nano and the Sony wireless device. Using just my iPhone 3G, I use about 20% of it's battery capacity each day. Use of the iCom and the iPhone 3G with several hours of music seems to double the battery usage. There is still a lot of life left in the iPhone 3G at the end of the day!
Overall I am delighted with the Phonak hearing aids. Using the iCom, Sony wireless device, and the Apple iPhone 3G, I can listen to music, talk readily on the phone, and drive with my hands on the wheel. It's just wonderful for someone who has a very hard time hearing anything!
Customer Review: Works with iPhone 3G
Summary: 5 Stars
I can confirm this DOES work with iPhone 3G. You'll get the "This product not designed to work with iPhone..." message but it will work fine. The iPhone speakers will not play while you listen to music. No comment on battery life as I've only had it for a day. The sound quality is excellent with Motorola S9 bluetooth headphones.
There are only two reasons I can think of that Apple has not enable A2DP in their supposedly "multimedia" devices:
1. They are incompetent. (Hard to believe given the wonderful interface they have created, as well as all the other programs. Then again, they have yet to enable cut & paste.)
2. They are waiting to release a proprietary radio protocol to replace Bluetooth, so they can sell you their own radio stereo headsets and devices. This would would be consistent with Apple's extreme greed and need for absolute control over all their hardware and software, even after you, the consumer, have bought and own their product.
Either way, they need to enable A2DP in one form or another SOON. Almost every phone and mp3 player sold today has support for this excellent protocol. I have a $50 phone that can do it, for chrissakes.
Apple's "no authorized third party software" stance is like Ford or GM selling you a car, then preventing you, the owner, from making any modifications to the interior or engine! Okay I need to calm down. Sorry for the rant, but I have a kind of love/hate relationship with Apple.
Buy this product. Enjoy the stereo bluetooth. Try to ignore how it prevents your device from fitting into it's case or holster. Try to ignore the ridicule you will get from anyone who owns a non-Apple mp3 player or Windows Mobile device. Try not to be upset at Apple for not enabling this feature on hardware that can clearly support it.
Customer Review: Bluetooth Works Now
Summary: 5 Stars
Initially bought the transmitter together with some bluetooth headphones for my iPod Video. It can be paired with multiple devices (headsets, a pc, bluetooth stereo input adapter, etc) to let you play your iPod through just about anything. The configuration can even be completely reset if you pair too many items (I did this trying it out). I paired/used it with my Motorola S805 headphones, Sony DR-BT21G's, Jabra BT620s and also with a Dell Precision 6300 (sound through laptop speakers).
The sound is really good for bluetooth with little interference. I always had issues with bluetooth stereo before, so having great results with this even got me to write a review.
I tested it with an 80gb Video, an 8gb Nano and also an iPhone. With this and an iPhone you can get A2DP working (something the iPhone doesn't currently do).
I am able to keep my iPod inside my bag/pocket and control it with a headset remotely (and keep it out of the rain/out of harm's way while moving around). I can also lock my iPod and still fully control it with a headset (tracks, volume, etc). You can also use the button on the device to power an iPod on and off while it's locked. I have taken to placing my sleeved iPod upside down in my bag/pocket to make the transmitter button accessible for this.
My iPod's battery usage doesn't seem to be noticeably less when using the transmitter (I use it all the time now). Also, the iPod will still go to sleep after the normal period of inactivity, but hitting that button kicks it right back on.
The ONLY thing you have to be careful of is that this device sticks out of the bottom of the iPod and is potentially susceptible to damage (it's very small).
Overall a great buy.