Harman Kardon intros The Bridge II iPod / iPhone docking station

Almost three years after The Bridge was unveiled, the unit's successor has finally emerged. Harman Kardon chose today to announce the simplistically named The Bridge II, which effectively connects compatible iPods and the iPhone to any H/K The Bridge-ready component. Once connected, you'll find obligatory audio / video playback through your home entertainment system as well as on-screen iPod menus, remote control operation and charging. Folks looking for the standalone unit can acquire one this summer for $129, though it will be bundled right in with the AVR 354 receiver.

[deyanimay @ May 29th 2008 3:14PM]

aren't there already a million ipod docks out there.

[Low Ranked @ May 29th 2008 3:38PM]

I'd pay double this price for someone to convert this to a Zune interface.

[Low Ranked @ May 29th 2008 7:57PM]

Really, I would!

Its impossible to find a great dock for a Zune, with Apple having licensed their HID's to companies like Bose and Harmon/Kardon, an HK dock would greatly compliment my home receiver!

Hopefully we will see this in due time. Now why the low rank again?

Ah, yes! Almost forgot!

=Þ

[Heinz @ May 29th 2008 3:15PM]

Wow now that is classy!

Only thing though, when I sued the dock that came with the iphone it made so many scratches and gouges in the bottom near the connector.

[Eric M. @ May 29th 2008 3:16PM]

$129? Pass.

[Khris @ May 29th 2008 3:18PM]

You're paying for the name......nothing more.

[Kaiser-Machead @ May 29th 2008 3:30PM]

I love H/K's stuff, but $129?? Seems whoever's been setting the prices on these doodads has been smokin' the cheeba, cuz that's just plain barbaric.

My current dock will suit my model Soundsticks. Thanks.

[brad @ May 29th 2008 3:54PM]

Agreed, I love my AVR-354 (slghtly peev'd its now being bundled) its an awsome sounding piece of equipment, but $130.00 or a $5 cable from radio shack can do the same thing...setup a playlist and your good to go

[Tyler @ May 29th 2008 4:25PM]

Brad:

Where did you get an AVR-354? There's a pretty big thread ad AVSForum for people waiting on it and everywhere online is only taking pre-orders.

Exciting to hear it is being bundles since I'll be pickup up a 3G iPhone when they come out and also an AVR-354 when I can find one.

[Jake @ May 29th 2008 4:43PM]

I'm with Tyler. Gonna pick them both up when the iPhone drops in Canada (hopefully 32GB). The way I see it, it's about $50 more for the HK dock but at least it will be integrated into the look and feel of the setup. Plus the onscreen controls and integrated remote operation will be awesome.

Looking forward to linking into my existing ABUS too!

[Haikibutsu @ May 29th 2008 8:02PM]

I got soundsticks too.

[John @ May 29th 2008 3:45PM]

I wonder why there isnt a mini-usb standardized control interface for every other type of mp3 player out there

[Kaiser-Machead @ May 29th 2008 4:30PM]

I could be wrong, but it may be because the standard mini-usb being utilized for controllers would likely still have to be specific for one device, and who the heck knows which device to make this for. Some, like Sony, used to like docking their stuff with big ugly cradles, so you have a proprietary plug on the tiny mp3 player, but then have the standard mini usb on the cradle. I'd chance it to say that a lot of manufacturers just don't develop the means to control their players through the interface port.

[Bhavish Manshar. @ May 29th 2008 3:57PM]

Anyone else notice the bezel isn't shiny chrome...

[telepheedian @ May 29th 2008 4:10PM]

Anyone else notice that Bhavish has never seen an iPod touch...

[David G. @ May 29th 2008 4:26PM]

Anyone else notice it doesn't have the January Software Upgrade, being almost June.

[Chris H @ May 29th 2008 4:46PM]

anyone else noticed this has like the crappest perspectives on the planet?

[Kaiser-Machead @ May 29th 2008 4:49PM]

@Chris,

Are you referring to the tapering front end of the dock?

[Bhavish Manshar. @ May 29th 2008 5:00PM]

I was just implying its a touch cough cough, trying to cover up gaffe...technically statement could hold true

[Chris H @ May 29th 2008 5:49PM]

@Kaiser-Machead: No the actual iPod Touch looks kinda deformed...Ah well..maybe it's just me :D

[cliff @ May 29th 2008 4:51PM]

Until they can fix the interference from the gsm radio in the iphone, I find all of these useless.

[Kaiser-Machead @ May 29th 2008 5:23PM]

Unless of course, you own an iPod touch :P

[Shannin @ May 29th 2008 4:45PM]

looks nice, but the dock i got for free with my iPhone works just fine (i dont need video out)

[nVening @ May 29th 2008 5:57PM]

am i the only one that read that as hardon when scanning the page??

im worried

[Mum Bargo @ May 29th 2008 11:05PM]

Is that iPhone black?

[kidcanuck @ May 30th 2008 4:09AM]

It's not.

[kidcanuck @ May 30th 2008 4:10AM]

@Mum Bargo

[Sue @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:22AM]

Does the Bridge play any mp3 player? I have an insignia and would love to know how to hook it up to the AVR 247. Also, does anyone know if the AVR 247 will play two sets of speakers...such as an indoor and an outdoor? I am so confused by this receiver. I love HK but they used to be a lot easier to operate. I bought an HK in '96 that would run two sets of speakers at the same time or just one at a time. In fact, I just replaced it with the AVR 247. Please tell me the AVR 247 will do this also. AND HOW CAN I MAKE MY MP3 PLAYER WORK??? Do I have to buy the bridge? HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sue @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:22AM]

Does the Bridge play any mp3 player? I have an insignia and would
love to know how to hook it up to the AVR 247. Also, does anyone
know if the AVR 247 will play two sets of speakers...such as an
indoor and an outdoor? I am so confused by this receiver. I love HK
but they used to be a lot easier to operate. I bought an HK in '96
that would run two sets of speakers at the same time or just one at a
time. In fact, I just replaced it with the AVR 247. Please tell me
the AVR 247 will do this also. AND HOW CAN I MAKE MY MP3 PLAYER
WORK??? Do I have to buy the bridge? HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[peter @ Aug 11th 2008 3:52PM]

I got my Harman Kardon at www.consumerdepot.com they had the best prices around for them.