SendStation - Support

General

1. I have an iPhone/iPad/iPod with Lightning Connector. Is the PocketDock AV compatible with Apple’s Lightning to 30-pin Adapter?

The PocketDock AV works with Apple’s Lightning to 30-pin Adapter, but can be used for USB sync & charge only. It won't provide line out audio and as Apple’s Lightning to 30-pin Adapter doesn't support any video conversion, neither provides video output.

If you are looking for line out audio, we'd suggest to use the ultra-compact SendStation PocketDock Line Out Mini USB together with Apple’s Lightning to 30-pin Adapter.

For compatibility of all other PocketDock models see respective support sections.

Sync & Charge

1. Can I charge my iPod/iPhone using the PocketDock through a USB wall or car charger? Why do some chargers not work?

Yes, except for the 3G iPod (with touch wheel and 4 circular red-backlit buttons) and earlier models, which do not support USB charging.

Note that not all generic USB chargers will work:

The reason for this is the fast charging option offered by modern iPod models and iPhones. Instead of only 300 or 500 mA, an iPhone for instance may draw up to 1,000 mA from a USB power supply, thus charges twice as fast. An iPad with its large display is charged fastest at 2,100 mA.

The decision on how much power can be drawn (and thus to prevent the charger from being overloaded and blown), is done through specific resistors bridging the USB pins. If a charger is not equipped with these resistors, no power is drawn and the iPod/iPhone won't charge.

In addition to that, other points to be considered are:

The USB charger must provide enough power. The iPhone for instance requires min. 500 mA.
Many USB car chargers don’t make proper contact with the electrical pins inside the lighter jack. One should think that all lighter jacks are the same, but they actually aren’t. We have seen various chargers and cars which just don’t fit together, which means they don’t receive power from the car at any point or only intermittent. We therefore recommend to choose car chargers which provide feedback through an integrated Power LED.

If you are looking for an iPod-only car charger with built-in Line Out you should consider the SendStation smartCharge. (Make sure to check for compatibility with your iPod model before ordering).

Generic USB chargers which carry the ‘Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad’ or ‘Works with iPhone’ badge are guaranteed to work.

But how can I be sure that the PocketDock isn’t defective
and that the USB charger is the actual problem?

If the PocketDock works when attached to the USB 2.0 port directly on your computer, then it definitely is not defective.

2. Can I charge my iPad using the PocketDock through a USB wall or car charger?

Yes, however for fastest possible charging the iPad requires 2.1A USB power (which is up to 4x more than an iPod or iPhone). Furthermore the iPad requires the charger have a specific USB configuration. The latter is to prevent underpowered chargers from being blown when attached to an iPad.

Any charger advertised as being iPod, iPhone and iPad compatible (e.g. Apple’s iPod, iPhone and iPad USB chargers) works flawlessly with a PocketDock and the iPad, whereas the actual charging speed depends on whether the charger provides 500 mA, 1A or 2.1A of power.

3. Can I charge my iPod/iPhone/iPad using the PocketDock through a USB port on my computer?

Yes. Premise is a so-called high powered USB 2.0 port (min. 500 mA for iPod and iPhone, min. 2.1 A for iPad), which can be typically found directly on the computer or powered hubs. Low-powered USB ports (max. 100 mA) as often found for instance on older keyboards do not provide enough power to the iPod or iPhone.

4. How to play music from my iPod while charging it from my computer at the same time?

When connecting the iPod to your computer’s USB port, the iPod will likely display “Do not disconnect” and can no longer be controlled. There are two options to listen to the tracks stored on the iPod while charging on your computer:

Through the iPod’s headphone jack or PocketDock’s Line Out jack
Unmount the iPod from within iTunes using the eject button under “DEVICES“ next to the iPod icon in order to gain back access over the iPod’s control wheel/navigation. You can then listen to the iPod either through its built-in headphone jack or, if you prefer better sound-quality, using the PocketDock’s Line Out jack.
Through iTunes and the speakers built-in or attached to your computer
Within iTunes select the iPod from the “DEVICES“ list. Click “Summary“ on the first tab, check “Manually manage music and videos” from the list of options. Click on the triangle next to the iPod icon to expand the content list below the iPod, select “Music” and you access and play the tracks on your iPod.

Audio

1. Can I use the Line Out jack and charge and/or sync via USB at the same time?

Yes. USB and Line Out work totally independent from each other.

2. Is the Line Out signal provided by the PocketDock a true Line Out?

Yes. It bypasses the iPod’s/iPhone’s internal amplifier, thus is the raw, unaltered signal.

The levels are as follows:

1G/2G/3G iPod nano: 0.700 Vrms (approx. -0.88 dBu)
4G/5G iPod nano, iPod classic, 2G iPod touch: 0.800 Vrms (approx. +0.28 dBu)
all other iPod, iPad and iPhone models: 0.900 VrmS (approx. +1.3 dBu)

3. The audio from the Line Out jack is very loud and the volume can not be controlled. Is this normal?

Yes, as it is true Line Out with fixed level, which bypasses the iPod’s internal, amplifying, sound-altering components in order to get you the best possible audio quality. This Line Out signal is supposed to be fed into an external amplifier such as a home or car stereo.

To understand the concept: You can compare the situation with scaling a digital image on your computer. Blowing a picture up leads to blurry results, while scaling down renders crisp and clean results. Same with audio: With an amplifier it is better to bring the incoming signal down in volume (= less signal noise), than it is to actually amplify the signal (= more signal noise).

4. Can I attach a wired headset with microphone to the PocketDock’s Line Out jack?

No, because the PocketDock AV does not provide a Line Out signal when attached to the iPhone. While other PocketDock models do provide a Line Out signal from the iPhone, there are several technical major limitations, due to which we can not recommend this:

The sound output provided is a true Line Out signal with fixed level, which means it is not volume adjustable from the iPod/iPhone/iPad.
The iPhone typical in-cord remote control and microphone are not supported through the 30-pin dock connector.
The iPhone does not route phone calls to the Line Out jack. Phone calls can be only heard through the internal speaker, the headphone jack or Bluetooth.

5. One audio channel of my PocketDock’s Line Out jack is missing or intermittent. What should I do?

Every single SendStation product has to pass a strict Quality Control process. Despite these multi-pass controls, it is still possible that a defect arises at later stage such as shipping.

First of all you should make sure that the 1/8" (3.5 mm) stereo audio plug is fully inserted into the Line Out jack.

The next question in this case is, whether the PocketDock itself is defective or the supplied SendStation audio cable. To test this, simply connect your earphone plug directly to your PocketDock’s Line Out jack, then start the iPod playback. (Attention: High volume! Careful with your ears!).

If you clearly hear both channels, left and right, the PocketDock works flawlessly, but the supplied SendStation audio cable is defective. If the problem persists, the PocketDock is the trouble-maker. In either case contact SendStation Support for a solution.

6. I’ve connected the PocketDock’s Line Out signal to the Phono jacks of my home stereo. Why is the sound quality so bad?

Phono Inputs are designed to work with the millivolt signal from an unamplified turntable. Modern equipment however has a line level around 1 volt (an iPod/iPhone/iPad has 0.7 to 0.9 volts, see above for details). Make sure to use the RCA input jacks labeled CD, TV or AUX instead.

Video

1. Does Video Out work on all video capable iPod models and iPhones?

No. The PocketDock AV’s Video Out feature currently works with the 4G iPod photo and the 5G iPod video. We intend to release a version to work with all video capable iPod and iPhone models in the future. If you want to get notified when those become available simply subscribe to our newsletter by sending an email to news-on at sendstation com.

2. Can I output video and charge via USB at the same time?

Yes. USB and Video Output work totally independent from each other.

Dimensions, compatibility with cases, locking

1. Does the PocketDock AV block the iPod nano’s headphone jack?

Unfortunately, yes, although the PocketDock Combo is as small and compact as it can be. However there are slimmer models available: If you are seeking for USB only connectivity you might take a look at the PocketDock Line Out USB or the PocketDock Line Out Mini USB, for FireWire only connectivity the PocketDock FireWire or the PocketDock Line Out FW. Make sure to check compatibility with your specific iPod or iPhone model.

2. My PocketDock doesn’t lock properly when plugged into the iPod. Why doesn’t it have the hook-type latches with release buttons?

All our PocketDocks are designed with the smallest possible size in mind. In order to achieve the tiny size, our engineers had to choose a release-button-free design.

The so-called friction latches ensure secure locking, while still being easy to unplug when required (the best way to pull is to put the thumb on top and the index finger underneath). This release-type has been approved through nearly a hundred different cell-phone connectors which we’ve designed in the past. Meanwhile you can find the same locking mechanism even on Apple accessories, best known through the USB cable which comes with today’s iPods, iPhones & iPads.

A simple test whether the PocketDock locks secure enough is to plug in a cable into your PocketDock and the PocketDock into your iPod. Place a big, soft pillow on the floor, lift the iPod by the cable a few inches above the pillow and gently shake the cable. According to our tests the latches inside are strong enough to keep the PocketDock in place. If it falls out too easily, you can improve the locking stiffness by slightly pulling out the latches using a needle or some small pliers.

3. What are the dimensions of this PocketDock model?

Click here for dimensions of all PocketDock models.

Backing up from digital cameras etc.

1. Does the PocketDock allow me to sync my digital camera with my iPod/iPhone/iPad?

No.

2. Is it possible to attach a memory card reader (Compact Flash, SD Card, etc.) to a PocketDock in order to download images or data to the iPod/iPhone/iPad?

No.