User profile for user: Daniel L. Smith
Daniel L. Smith Author
User level: Level 1
19 points

Alternative to Apple TV for composite video

Like 80% of Americans, I don't have a high-definition TV. My TV only supports composite video input (a yellow RCA plug) or analog coaxial input.

I had hoped to be able to use an Apple TV to watch video purchased from the iTS on my TV. It appears that this is not going to be supported, and that the necessary adapters would be far too expensive. So I'm looking for alternatives. Any suggestions?

A solution would need to support playback of FairPlay-protected media. I'd also prefer something relatively inexpensive -- $400 or less. And convenience is important -- I could just buy an iPod and move it between my desktop and my TV, but that's more manual work that I'd prefer, and doesn't have an on-screen interface (as far as I know).

I appreciate any suggestions. My impression from comments I've seen elsewhere is that I'm not the only one in this situation.

Mac Mini Mac OS X (10.4.8)

PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on Jan 11, 2007 7:58 AM

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23 replies
User profile for user: Daniel L. Smith
Daniel L. Smith Author
User level: Level 1
19 points

Jan 11, 2007 12:41 PM in response to Meme Infected

Yes, that does work. We've done it in the past. But it's not convenient enough for me. There are a few problems:

- I want to be able to access the media any time. For example, my wife wants to be able to watch TV shows while I'm using my laptop.

- The PowerBook has to sit somewhere, which is usually on the floor or propped dangerously on the side of something. Its lid has to be open. Entertainment centers weren't made for laptops. (Technically, you can get the machine to stay awake with its lid closed when attached to an external monitor, but the process is complicated and temperamental.)

- PowerBooks don't support Front Row or the Apple Remote. So there's no nice interface for accessing media from the couch.
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User profile for user: Daniel L. Smith
Daniel L. Smith Author
User level: Level 1
19 points

Jan 11, 2007 2:05 PM in response to Daniel L. Smith

One option I've found that's on the right track, but falls short: DLO HomeDock Deluxe. Total cost: $250 iPod + $150 dock = $400. It's got a remote control and an on-screen display. This approach has some crippling shortcomings, though:

- The dock's on-screen navigation works for music, but not video.

- No album art is displayed on-screen.

- The iPod has to be shuttled back and forth from the computer whenever new items are available. Not as big a deal to me as I probably made it sound in my initial post, but still a bit of a pain (especially if I want to watch video podcasts that update daily).
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User profile for user: Meme Infected
Meme Infected
User level: Level 3
515 points

Jan 11, 2007 2:39 PM in response to Daniel L. Smith

Well, if you go the iPod route, you might also consider the TuneCenter by Belkin(?). It goes for $100 at BestBuy. I believe that I have read that its menu is veiwable on the TV's screen. I am not recommending it--just referring it to you.

I do use my video iPod for viewing iTunes shows, podcasts, etc. The setup is this: video Ipod connected to S-video on LCD using a Monster iTV Link cable (this cable can also be connected to composite input on TV). It connects to the iPod via the dock connector. This cable also has left and right RCA plugs for sound. The cable is long--8-ft. This is NOT the most elegant setup, but it does work.
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User profile for user: Daniel L. Smith
Daniel L. Smith Author
User level: Level 1
19 points

Jan 11, 2007 9:30 PM in response to Meme Infected

Thanks for pointing to the TuneCenter. It seems marginally better than the HomeDock Deluxe -- it supports Internet Radio, which is a step in the direction of the Apple TV, I like the graphics better, and the remote at least works to navigate the iPod's video menus (but on the iPod screen, not on the TV screen). It suffers from the same problems I mentioned above -- no on-screen video menu navigation, no album art, and no automatic synchronization with my desktop computer. It seems to be my best option so far.

The fact that both devices have these shortcomings tells me that Apple probably doesn't provide an interface for third-party devices to access album art and video menus.
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User profile for user: Meme Infected
Meme Infected
User level: Level 3
515 points

Jan 11, 2007 10:34 PM in response to Daniel L. Smith

Let's not forget that if you use a good ole mini-to-vga adapter (Apple brand or other), you could connect an iPod, by way of the head phone jack, to composite RCA plugs on the TV. The Apple cord is 6-ft long, but longer cords (or extensions) should be available. The cost would be $20. I can tell you that shows from iTunes can look and sound great when played from an iPod to a TV when using such a cord. My TV is a 32" LCD (an inexpensive Protron model). The resolution for composite connection is standard 480 interlaced but it looks surprisingly good. I'd say nearly as good as a decent DVD player. With a video iPod, you would have portability, and the possibility of future devices (e.g., docks) that will come closer to providing functions that you really want.
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User profile for user: Chris CA
Chris CA
User level: Level 10
82,513 points

Jan 12, 2007 8:32 AM in response to Daniel L. Smith

The original Homedock Deluxe has only music navigation. The new one coming out in Feb has music, video and artwork navigation and shows album art.
I did put the link in my post above but it didn't take for some reason...

New HomeDock Deluxe
"It’s more than a dock — it’s total entertainment
Music. Movies. TV shows and more. The New HomeDock Deluxe makes it easy to browse, select and enjoy your favorite digital songs, programs and movies straight from your iPod using DLO’s full-featured remote control and advanced on-screen navigation."
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User profile for user: Daniel L. Smith
Daniel L. Smith Author
User level: Level 1
19 points

Jan 12, 2007 11:01 AM in response to Daniel L. Smith

Another thing I'm considering is that, according to this Wikipedia page, in March all TVs sold in the U.S. will be required to have DTV tuners (and so hopefully support 480p...), and in 2 years, all analog TV broadcasts will be shut off. Since I'm considering using iTunes accessed via Apple TV as an alternative to cable, it may be time to spring for a new TV anyway.
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User profile for user: Chris CA
Chris CA
User level: Level 10
82,513 points

Jan 12, 2007 11:00 PM in response to Meme Infected

Looks like video menuing is not supported.
Yes, it very much looks like it does.

Seems the new DLO Homedock Deluxe is the consumer version of the DLO Homedock Pro.
The Pro model has RS-232 & RS-485 ports.

See -> DLO HomeDock Pro
"the HomeDock Pro steps it up a notch by allowing you to navigate your music, playlist, and video menus right on your television"

Also, from MacNN -> DLO debuts 2G HomeDock Deluxe
"DLO's second-generation HomeDock Deluxe upgrades include complete video iPod navigation"
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Alternative to Apple TV for composite video

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