Hey, I have the 3g nano... to connect it to the TV do I really need those $50 wires? Does anyone sell them cheaper?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPod Connecting nano to TV
- Thread starter agurlnamedgoo
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Alternative A/V cable for Nano
I happened to be in a Radio Shack today, and noticed that they had an A/V cable for the dock connector (made by Belkin, I think) that was designed for use with the 3rd generation Nano, and it sold for $39.95. Evidently, it has the Apple-licensed chip that allows video-out, and the box specifies that it will work with the Classics and the Nano 3rd gen.
While the Apple composite video cable is $49.95 (same price for the component version of the cable), don't forget that it includes the AC-to-USB 5 volt DC adapter, too, so it's not as bad a price as it first appears. Still, I wish Apple would still provide a $19.95 cable-only deal.
Something not often discussed is that the old Apple Universal dock (the one with the round infrared port on the front) will work for video output with the 3rd generation Nano. It's not quite as convenient as the newest dock-connected A/V cable -- you have to manually set the Nano to use external video, whereas the new cable actually switches it on automatically -- but it does work, and as far as I know, it's the ONLY way to get S-video output as well as standard composite output from the Nano.
I happened to be in a Radio Shack today, and noticed that they had an A/V cable for the dock connector (made by Belkin, I think) that was designed for use with the 3rd generation Nano, and it sold for $39.95. Evidently, it has the Apple-licensed chip that allows video-out, and the box specifies that it will work with the Classics and the Nano 3rd gen.
While the Apple composite video cable is $49.95 (same price for the component version of the cable), don't forget that it includes the AC-to-USB 5 volt DC adapter, too, so it's not as bad a price as it first appears. Still, I wish Apple would still provide a $19.95 cable-only deal.
Something not often discussed is that the old Apple Universal dock (the one with the round infrared port on the front) will work for video output with the 3rd generation Nano. It's not quite as convenient as the newest dock-connected A/V cable -- you have to manually set the Nano to use external video, whereas the new cable actually switches it on automatically -- but it does work, and as far as I know, it's the ONLY way to get S-video output as well as standard composite output from the Nano.
OH how interesting! Is this what you're talking about?
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=apple+universal+dock&oe=UTF-8&cid=16647265550948317075#ps-sellers
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=apple+universal+dock&oe=UTF-8&cid=16647265550948317075#ps-sellers
Blast, the cable i have for my 5th Gen Video isn't going to work with teh 3G nanos??
UGH. (i just checked and no, it won't)
UGH. (i just checked and no, it won't)
ya i need one of those new cables for my iphone...
waiting for the price to fall lower at the local Circuit City (closing)
waiting for the price to fall lower at the local Circuit City (closing)
The OLD Apple iPod Universal Dock
Well, sort of. I believe your link referenced the NEW Universal Dock, the one that has a smaller, rectangular infrared window on the front. The one I have is the older one, with a larger, round infrared window. I can only vouch for the latter, which I know outputs video from the 3rd gen. Nano.
The older one (round IR window) has an S-video jack, a regular iPod connector (for power and charging), and a 4-conductor 1/8" jack that outputs video as well as left and right audio.
The newer dock (rectangular IR window) has the iPod connector for the power and charging cable, but doesn't have the S-video jack, and only provides audio on the 3-conductor 1/8" jack. Apple prefers users get the special A/V cable and use it for video with this newer dock.
I got my older model from eBay, once I heard that it would work, and I think I ended up paying around $20 for it.
As an aside, what's fascinating about the 3rd gen. Nano is that it actually outputs video in THREE forms: composite, component, and S-video. Quite an amazing little device!
Well, sort of. I believe your link referenced the NEW Universal Dock, the one that has a smaller, rectangular infrared window on the front. The one I have is the older one, with a larger, round infrared window. I can only vouch for the latter, which I know outputs video from the 3rd gen. Nano.
The older one (round IR window) has an S-video jack, a regular iPod connector (for power and charging), and a 4-conductor 1/8" jack that outputs video as well as left and right audio.
The newer dock (rectangular IR window) has the iPod connector for the power and charging cable, but doesn't have the S-video jack, and only provides audio on the 3-conductor 1/8" jack. Apple prefers users get the special A/V cable and use it for video with this newer dock.
I got my older model from eBay, once I heard that it would work, and I think I ended up paying around $20 for it.
As an aside, what's fascinating about the 3rd gen. Nano is that it actually outputs video in THREE forms: composite, component, and S-video. Quite an amazing little device!
Bob - i have the older dock that you have, but i'm bummed that i have to buy a $50 cable to use the new Nano's in the car entertainment center. The new cable looks more cumbersome.
Sigh.... guess i won't mention to them doing this for now huh?
To the OP - thanks for the thread - i seriously did not realize that my old cable wouldn't work on the new 3g Nano's.
Sigh.... guess i won't mention to them doing this for now huh?
To the OP - thanks for the thread - i seriously did not realize that my old cable wouldn't work on the new 3g Nano's.
If anyone sees one of these older docks around, could you post a link?
I don't know how to tell, but I'm gonna check around and see if I can find the one you mean!!
I don't know how to tell, but I'm gonna check around and see if I can find the one you mean!!
If anyone sees one of these older docks around, could you post a link?
I don't know how to tell, but I'm gonna check around and see if I can find the one you mean!!
Old/Original
Current (i don't see a picture of the back)
older iPod dock
goo,
Just make sure you get the genuine Apple dock. A few third-party manufacturers made almost identical-looking docks, but I can guess that they wouldn't work for the video on the 3rd gen. Nano.
The Apple dock has the gray rubberized pad on the bottom, with the Apple logo
"iPod" and "Model No. A1153" embossed. And again, it's the one with the ROUND infrared window on the front.
TraceyS: thanks for the photos!
goo,
Just make sure you get the genuine Apple dock. A few third-party manufacturers made almost identical-looking docks, but I can guess that they wouldn't work for the video on the 3rd gen. Nano.
The Apple dock has the gray rubberized pad on the bottom, with the Apple logo
"iPod" and "Model No. A1153" embossed. And again, it's the one with the ROUND infrared window on the front.TraceyS: thanks for the photos!