Mp3 Cradle?

[tifosiv122]

Does anyone actually have Sony's Mp3 Cradle? I would buy it if it were around $19-29, but I think the price they want is way too high. I was just curious since I have never seen it discussed on the board.

Erik

[Oripaamoni]

I always wondered if there is a way to wire a cradle to have RCA audio outs... id use it in my car, i like the idea of listening to my music on headphones and then simple sitting it in the cradle and continuing my music. i imagine its possible, i mean how is it done with the audio cradle?

[tifosiv122]

I use mine with a radio shack headphone to RCA inputs.

Erik

[oripaamoni]

i do the same but it would be alot more convinent to able to just sit it on the cradle so it charges also

[ClieMarty]

1) thing
it's an audio cradle, not just mp3

2) price
well, all cliégear is overpriced IMHO; currently have the audio cradle, the gamepad, the car charger, wlan card, bluetooth stick; will sell the two last mentioned as a new nx with - hopefully - wlan and/or bluetooth onboard is jut around the corner
i paid around 60 euros for the cradle on ebay which is still a lot.

3) usage
it is actually an audio cradle mainly for nx. the box comes with the cradle, a power cable but NO usb cable for syncing. you need to have one (with mini usb at one end) ready; thankfully i could use the one of my sony camera. there is no need for audio cable with nx. just place it in the cradle and you are done; the cradle does feature an audio in plug for working i.e. with a t665/675 or any other clié with audio. in that case you need to use a cable (extra, not included) from clié audio out to cradle audio in. there is a switch for changing input source (clié connector or audio in).

the cradle has two speakers placed on the left and right and a mini-subwoofer in the middle (maybe the reason for the price). there is no volume control. you need to control the volume with your clié's software volume control.

do i use it. well constantly for charging (have the standard cradle in the office) at home and - every now and then for listening to some mp3 while working. my pc is rather old (p4 1.7mhz) so i like to not slow it down at all with mp3 decoding. as far as I remember also video sound or alarms came to the cradle speakers, so you may also use your clié as an "ultra-load" alarmclock ;-)

i do not remember whether placing the clié in the cradle does mute the internal speaker.

anyhow, the cradle's volume is quiete ok; at least it is loud enough to "fill" my working room.

hope that helped ;-)

[oripaamoni]

is there any program requierd to be installed on the nx for it to work?? and if you are using it with the nx do you have to conect an externall cable from the headphone jack?

[ClieMarty]

both time no; as said, the cradle get's it's signals to the buttom connector, no need for any other cable. but that's only the case with the nx from all i know.

[Token User]

Originally posted by Oripaamoni
I always wondered if there is a way to wire a cradle to have RCA audio outs... id use it in my car, i like the idea of listening to my music on headphones and then simple sitting it in the cradle and continuing my music. i imagine its possible, i mean how is it done with the audio cradle? REvealed at last months Los Angeles Palm User Group meeting by sony was a car kit for the Clie - complete with wiring harnes, charging cradle, MP3 ap with big buttons for contrl while driving.

Pretty pricey though ... I think it was about $300 :eek: and be available sometime in July.

Personally, I charge my Cie in the car using a Belkin USB/Car charger combination. When I am on the road with work, I charge and sync via the USB part of the cable, and when I am on the road in the car I plug that cable into an USB/Lighter adapter. Not a bad solution.

[ClieMarty]

i have the "mini-sync" cable in my notebook-bag. you can't beat that thing in terms of size and it sync's and charges both via the usb-port.

[aardvarko]

1.7GHz is "pretty slow"? WinAMP uses all of 1-2% of an AthlonXP 1700+ at top-quality MPEGl3 decoding, even with the SigSoft crossfader.

[Rick 098]

ClieMarty, can you open the NX (exposing keyboard) and have the cradle still stand up?

[ClieMarty]

you can; but that's obviously not the way it was meant to be; i only place the clié in the audio cradle i tablet mode which looks better and works better; give me your email address if you want to see some pictures with the clie in the audio cradle in two modes.

[crh3f]

Originally posted by aardvarko
1.7GHz is "pretty slow"? WinAMP uses all of 1-2% of an AthlonXP 1700+ at top-quality MPEGl3 decoding, even with the SigSoft crossfader.

Seriously...let's get off our high-horse a little bit! If 1.7ghs is slow, you must think that my 2 year old 600mhz is a dinosaur!

;)

[n2ifp]

LOL, 1.7GHz slow?

You can use a stereo Y-adapter, minuture 1/8 inch to RCA phono jacks or plugs to connect to almost any amplifier.

Just plug into the headphone jack of the Clie.

[ClieMarty]

i apologize; i'm just known for installing heaps of gadgets which slow down every pc; so it might just be misconfiguration what makes me think the box is slow ;-)

i was just thinking that everything under 2GHz is regarded "stone age" nowadays ;-)