Listening to nano through ipod dock and external speakers

I also have the JBL Creatures. I'm using my nano with the ipod mini dock & creatures. Sometimes when I put the nano in the dock I don't get any sound. Then I take it out and put in the dock again then it works.

David, here's my interpretation of what you just posted:

iPod nano Dock enables quick connectivity if you have a desktop computer without an easily accessible USB 2.0 port. No more reaching behind the computer to plug it in — just place iPod nano in the dock and it’s ready to sync with iTunes and charge its battery. <<</div>

This means that the dock connection connects to the internal battery and allows you to transfer data (sync w/ iTunes).

And you can plug a stereo mini cable to its line-out port and enjoy a clean, direct connection to a stereo or powered speakers<<</div>

This means you can plug a stereo mini cable into the same port you use to plug in your headphones. The other end would go into your stereo or powered speakers. Which means no dock connection with line out audio!

I would not be able to use the nano with my Altec Lansing speakers or my *** Imp (which is how I listen to my iPod mini in my Honda Element). So no nano for me!

Apple's marketing strategy is all too clear to me now. They didn't discontinue the mini, their best selling iPod, because that's what everyone is trying to copy. They discontinued it because they felt sales of the mini were cannibalizing sales of hte regular iPod. If you wanted something more compact than the iPod but wanted dock connectivity to all the various accessories, you bought a mini. Now you buy the nano for compactness AND the regular iPod to use with the accessories. So where one product satisfied two needs for the average user (not the afficianados that have iPod collections) Apple will now happily sell you two products.

To all those people who asked what the mini has that the nano doesn't, this looks like it: line out audio through the dock connection. A very important feature!

Hey,

I'm afraid your interpretation is incorrect. The nano dock has a line-out jack on it, giving it the same functionality that any other ipod has in it's own respective dock.

And the nano works with all kinds of accessories- in fact, a vast majority of the old dock-connector based accessories. I'm sure within a few months, there will be just as many iPod nano accessories as there are currently for the mini.

-Matt

Geez Ileen, I'm using my nano's audio line out just fine.

It might be better for you to wait for information before jumping off the cliff.

You may assign other evils to Apple's marketing, but not this one...

Charles, deciding not to buy a nano based on the published specs of the product is hardly jumping off a cliff. You may not realize it, but it's not a life or death matter, LOL. Perhaps you might want to apply your vast expertise in aiding David Flynn, who is unable to hear his nano through his powered speakers. Or do you only respond to posts that are a little more, shall we say, fired up?

Oh my... Judging by your response, I think you missed beating your dog today <g>.

I was referring to your rash conclusion that the nano does not support line out audio. This did not provide any help for a solution, so don't act so noble.

I'm sorry that being wrong stings.

Have a nice day.

Just for the record. I have a 2g 15gb ipod (hold just about all my stuff) and bought a Nano as a second ipod.

It does not output sound over the dock connecter with my Belkin adapter or my ipod dock. Sounds like a few here are saying otherwise.

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I will say it again...

The dock designed for the nano is not yet available. Although the dock connectors are identical between all post-3rd gen iPods inclusive and the nano, they do require the proper alignment and support to make reliable connection without risk of either damage or the possibility of open pins on some insertions.

Therefore, you are probably seeing a connector alignment issue causing intermittent electrical connection(s) depending on the geometry of the link. The dock connector type was not designed to provide primary support for cradling the device. An external receptacle or guide is required for that and this function is generically supplied by the plastic body of the current dock.

This of course points up something that I have always had difficulty with regarding Apple iPod accessory design. It clearly would have been better, easier and more satisfying if they had made a single dock with an array of adapter plates as has been done by some after Manufacturers like Bose, et al. It is quite bothersome that there is a different Apple dock for each different iPod thickness. To make matters worse, they are not obviously distinguishable with the exception of the photo dock. The universal dock adapter (UDA) supplied with the nano is clearly an attempt to try to make some of this better. The UDA unfortunately does not fit previous Apple docks.

I, for one, am glad Apple has finally tried to solve this issue with the launch of the nano.

Hope this helps.

I don't really care if the nano fits my 3g dock. I use the 3g ipod for that. But my belkin Auto Adapter should work. I chargers but no sound. I try again next time I have both ipods in the car so I can confirm that it the nano and not the adapter.

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_ID=149006

If it doesn't I would imagine many other similar dock plugs may have issues as well.

Hmmm... That should work as you have said.

All I can tell you is that since this issue came up, I have done some testing. All my Apple docks (3g, 4g, photo) successfully pass the audio signal. Also, both my SendStation PocketDocks (USB and Firework) work.

well, I just checked the nano again in my 3g dock and it works fine, but line out via the dock does not work with the previously mentioned Belkin Auto adapter were all other dock able ipods work fine. No clue why other than these Belkin Adapters have a volume boost on them. Clearly this should not be a problem.

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well... I was down in the truck with both ipods (3g & nano) . The 3g worked fine so I tried the nano and no nothing except chargeing. Then I switched back to the 3g and fine again, and then back to the nano and it worked.

Perhapes the dock port on my nano just needed some breaking in.

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