Product Description

Sonic Impact V-55 is a completely portable and rechargable LCD 7" LCD and Speaker system all in one with remote. This device allows a safe carrying case to bring and watch their i-Pod anywhere you want.

Product Details

• Color: Black
• Brand: Sonic Impact Technologies
• Model: 5090
• Released on: 2006-10-18
• Dimensions: 10.00" h x 7.00" w x 5.00" l, 4.50 pounds
• Display size: 7

Features

• Portable speaker/display system designed for all "dockable" iPods**
• Crystal-clear, 7-inch widescreen LCD display with 480 x 234 resolution
• Pair of aluminum cone neodymium drivers and Class D digital amp
• Built-in iPod docking station; 3.5 mm auxiliary input for other devices
• Measures 8.7 x 1.7 x 6.5 inches (W x H x D); 1-year warranty

Amazon.com Product Description
Completely portable and rechargeable, the Video 55 speaker/display system from Sonic Impact gives you the power to decide where, when, and how you watch and listen to your iPod. The Video 55 is distinguished by a carefully engineered hard case that holds a crystal-clear, 7-inch widescreen LCD display on the inside with a 480 x 234 resolution, letting you watch extended-length videos with friends or just enjoy TV shows on a larger, laptop-like screen. The hard case also doubles as a speaker cabinet for the pair of 1.25-inch aluminum cone neodymium drivers, which team with the Class D digital amp and advanced Maxxbass technology to deliver an enhanced bass response, minimal distortion, and an overall frequency range of 100 Hz to 20 kHz. The resulting audio sounds terrific whether you're listening to the latest OutKast album or watching a big-budget music video.

Users will also dig the Video 55's contemporary yet timeless design, which offers a perfect fit for just about any home or office decor. The Video 55 is also uncommonly rugged, making it an ideal companion for such outdoor activities as camping trips or backyard barbecues. And thanks to the efficient three-phase rechargeable battery, the Video 55 delivers a remarkable four hours of battery life. Other details include a convenient battery charge display light, which lets you easily keep track of the remaining power; a built-in docking station that works with any iPod with a 30-pin dock connector; an auxiliary input for older iPods, MP3 players, and other audio devices with 3.5 mm headphone jacks; such charging options as an AC adapter and a car charger; dual headphone jacks for long plane trips; and an infrared remote control.

The all-black Video 55 measures 8.7 by 1.7 by 6.5 inches (W x H x D), weighs 2.4 pounds, and is backed by a one-year warranty.

** Due to a recent change in Apple iTunes software, the 3rd-generation iPod nano and the 6th-generation iPod classic no longer will broadcast a video signal to the Video 55 when docked in the docking connector. With Apple's software change, the only way to view video on any existing video player, including the Video 55, is to purchase Apple's iPod Composite Video Cable, available at Apple retail stores and Apple online.

What's in the Box
Video 55 system, AC adapter, car charger, video cable, carrying bag, remote control, iPod insert adapters, cleaning cloth, quick setup guide, user's manual.

Customer Reviews

The REAL DEAL on the v55
What you should know if you are considering this device:

1) The screen is REALLY REALLY GOOD but not quite AMAZING. The case, however, is exceedingly rugged and well designed. It "feels" well built, if you know what that means.

2) Tactile button response can be a little frustrating at times. Sometimes you have to hit a button twice to get it to work. But this isn't a video game. You get it right once and then you don't touch any buttons at all for at least half an hour. Definitely not a deal breaker.

3) This device INCLUDES a stereo 8mm to three-way FEMALE RCA adapter. Very handy if you want to watch stuff on the "real" TV. In this setup, the much belittled hide-away remote is actually very useful.

4) The battery life is really good. Often better than your iPod video. That can get frustrating when your iPod Video dies but your V55 is still good to go.

5) HOWEVER, it does charge your iPod when it is plugged in so if you are in the car using the INCLUDED cigarette lighter adapter or are near a power outlet using the INCLUDED AC adpater, the above complaint does not apply.

6) Several reviewers have faulted this device for failing to properly select between 16:9 and 4:3 aspect rations. Unsuprisingly, the fault is ACTUALLY with the operator and not the device.

As it is described in the (admittedly somewhat lengthy but intelligently written) instructions, the 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratio selection is actually on the iPod and not in the V55.

I could cite several technical reasons why it HAS to be this way given the way the iPod handles video output, but suffice it to say that this one "tiny hink" is clearly explained in the little book that comes with your purchase if you choose to read it.

7) Next, the guy who said this product is for 2.35 aspect ratio videos doesn't know how aspect ratios work. Movies come in 1.33 (like your TV); 1.85 widescreen, and 2.35 (Panavision, etc) widescreen aspect rations. This product -- like widescreen HDTVs -- is designed in a 16:9 aspect ratio. Why? To make professional cinematographers (who rallied for a 2:1 aspect ratio) angry. No, really. I'm not actually kidding.

Anyhow, when you watch a 4:3 (old-style TV) video on this product, it pillarboxes the image. This means there are black vertical bars on either side of the correctly proportioned image.

Unlike some TVs, this product does not allow you to digitally zoom in to remove those side bars or allow you to perform a "cinema-wide" expansion. I believe this is because iPod video does not contain enough information to digitally (straight bicubic expansion) zoom in a pretty way and the chip that widescreens a 4:3 image (the aforementioned cinema-wide conversion) or performs an intelligent scalar algorythm would make this device ridiculously unaffordable.

8) All that said, in my opinion, this product plus iPod + iTunes plus free downloadable Handbrake software is really, bar none, the ultimate portable video set up. While the "menu-challenged" may experience a minor learning curve figuring out how to use the aspect ratio setting, the end result of these three products combined is nothing short of miraculous.

Neat little device
I got this for Xmas and love this little gem. I am able to watch movies that I converted from my personal DVD collection and let the kids watch them in the back seat while traveling. The reason why this is better than a portable DVD player is that you can store about 30 movies on the iPod which lessens the hassle of bringing DVDs while on vacation or traveling far distances. Also, the speakers are wonderfully loud and I use it to play my tunes when I use my home gym. I am also able to mount the unit on my treadmill and I can watch it there also. You can go to websites and download movies or cartoons or women in bikinis ([...]), convert it and watch on this unit. Speaking of converting, I don't find that my wide screen movies get stretched. Everything looks fine to me. Perhaps people are using a bad converting software? I converted my dvd collection of old television classics like Leave it to Beaver or the Andy Griffith show (all in 4:3 format) and wide screen movies like Ricky Bobby or Monster house. All look good and not stretched. The wide screen movies are smaller in order to fit the proper aspect ratio, but it is still good quality. Try using PQ DVD to ipod conversion suite.
The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that I wish the unit would use it's internal battery to power the ipod. Because I have a 5th generation (not 5.5 gen) 30gig iPod, the movies only last 2.5 hours on a single charge. After watching a movie, my ipod is drained, but the Sonic Impact still has more power. The Memorex iFlip is better here in this case. After hours of use, the unit is drained but the ipod is still fully charged ( or so I read in online reviews).
The Sonic Impact CAN charge the iPOD but the power adapter needs to be plugged in. Also, the ipod can stay inside the Sonic Impact and still sych to the computer via usb ports on the side of the Sonic Impact.

Great little item
I got this item about a month ago and I absolutely love it.
Great picture, great sound, could have a nicer carrying case
to come with it.
I do not have a problem with it not turning on after not using
it for a while, it turns on days after I used it last time. It
is a little tricky: Make sure you have it completely turned off
(none of the green lights on the side on no more) and then put
it on hold or it will still drain the battery.