At first I would like to thank SoundGraph for sending a sample of their iMON SmartBay iPod/iPad dock for testing and reviewing.

 

About SoundGraph:

"SoundGraph is a compound word from ‘Sound’ which represents Audio and ‘Graph’ which does Video respectively. As the company name implies, SoundGraph provides various multimedia products and services applying the latest digital media technologies.

With the start of the 21st century, Multimedia contents have been made in digital format, distributed at an amazing pace and various types of service have appeared. They, SoundGraph, have suggested new concepts from the customer’s point of view and have released creative and innovative products based on such concepts.

They have developed:

- real-time control technology for compressed audio files by using analog turn-table.

- PC remote control technology replacing conventional keyboard and mouse.

- Multi-channel compression audio format technology which enables to control properties of musical instruments in each channel.

- Direct-Independent Touch Control Interface for multiple USB monitors in one system

 

Recently they have introduced a new concept of HTPC (Home Theater Personal Computer) which is controlled by wireless touch screen instead of keyboard, mouse and remote control.

People at SoundGraph will keep eyes on rapidly changing IT technology trends and developments and also keep providing creative and innovative products and solutions."

Product Features:

PC accessory For iPhone / iPad

Luxury with high-glossy black color finish

iPhone / iPad and design blend with your desktop PC

Structure, clean design that can open and close easily

iPhone / iPad battery charging capability (does not matter if PC is on or off)

iPhone / iPad sound output (does not matter if PC is on or off)

iMON Mini Remote to control the iPhone / iPad's music selection and play controls

Remote + provides a dedicated app, the iPhone / iPad as a PC remote control PC integrated management of all media content available to the library

 

Product Specifications:

1. Model - iMON SmartBay

2. Type - Built-in desktop PC (5.25 Bay)

3. Features and Functions

iPhone / iPad sound output (PC speakers used - Power On / Off all)

iPhone / iPad's battery charger (Power On / Off all)

iMON Mini remote control the iPhone / iPad control the music selection and play

Using the remote+ app for iPhone / iPad to PC Remote Control

PC integrated management of all media content available to the library

Desktop PC turns into Smart Media Center

4. IPhone / iPad connector - 30Pin

5. Interface - USB 2.0 x 2 (iPhone / iPad connection, iMOn Smart Bay Connections, Internal USB connector)

6. Remote Control - iMON Mini Remote Control

7. Remote control signal - 38KHz Infrared(IR)

8. Maximum reception distance - 15m

9. Radio reception angle - Pan 45 degrees

10. Windows Application - Remote+ Server, HD Frame, iMON Manager

11. iOS App - Remote+ Lite (App Store Download)

12. Color - Black

13. Size - 148(W) x 41.8(H) x 64(D) mm

 

iMON Smartbay, the hardware component that completes the HTPC solution from SoundGraph is shipped inside a medium-sized cardboard box, with a photo of the product on the frontal side of the packaging, list of supported devices and main product features:

 

 

 

On one side of the box we can also find the list of supported OSes, iOS devices, applications and languages; the software provided for the item to function is iMON Manger, HD Frame and Remote+ Server, which we took a look upon when looking upon the FingerVU 706 and Remote+ Pro Application products:

 

 

 

The opposite side shows us how we could fit an iPhone or iPad on the dock:

 

 

 

Lastly, on the back of the box we can find some drawings of the main product and its additional accessories; here we also get a small description of the bundled software:

 

 

 

After opening the top cover, we are reminded again that one of the first steps of installation is to download the Remote+ Lite application, in order to link the phone or tablet with the Media Server:

 

 

 

The dock and accessories can be found in separate cardboard packaging; the documentation provided is in multiple languages:

 

 

 

 

The smaller white cardboard box contains the infrared remote, a small board for audio output and necessary cables:

 

 

 

First we can take a look on the included remote (iMON Mini), which contains the necessary buttons to be able to control the HD Frame application; in case the HD Frame is not be started remotely via the Remote+ Pro iOS application, it can be also started manually by pressing the large HD button:

 

 

 

On the back of the remote we can find the battery compartment that can be opened with ease:

 

 

 

 

 

The little board that we mentioned earlier is baptized by SoundGraph “Sound Output Board” and contains two different RCA outputs; the pair from the left is to be inserted to the Line In jack of our sound card and the one on the right can output audio signal directly to the speakers:

 

 

 

On its PCB we can find a 6-pin header, where the iPhone/iPad audio cable connector (included) gets plugged in:

 

 

 

The cables that we will get in the box are the following:

 

-2 audio cables (one for connecting Sound Board to PC Line-in, one for connecting Sound Board to our speakers)

-2-wire cable for connecting the SmartBay to the Case PWR switch on our case

-5 screws

-iPhone/iPad, iMON USB cable

-iPhone/iPad audio cable

-24/3-pin power supply cable with stand-by power cable

 

 

 

For additional protection, the SmartBay is wrapped inside a transparent plastic bag:

 

 

 

On the frontal component of the 5.25’’ bay we get an additional warning on the transparent plastic film the product is covered with:

 

 

 

In the back of the unit, we can see the connectors grouped, where we need to insert the supplied cables; from left to right, we have:

 

-Stand-by power cable connector

-iPhone/iPad audio cable connector

-connector for Power Switch cable coming from the case

-power cable connector

-iPhone/iPad USB cable connector

-iMON USB cable connector

 

 

 

On the laterals we can find the pre-drilled holes, which will be used to fix the device inside our case:

 

 

 

The bottom comes with a large sticker, SoundGraph logo and certifications:

 

 

 

After installing all the necessary cables to the dock, we can see that quite a lot of cables must be routed inside our case to reach the needed components:

 

 

 

By removing the top transparent plastic film, we can learn about the location of the IR receiver and in the middle there is also an open sign:

 

 

 

By pulling down the frontal dock component, we can reveal the Data/Charge connector:

 

 

 

When the installation of the iMON SmartBay is completed, we can now turn on the PC without the need to use the case Power On button anymore, it’s like turning on a TV.

 

After opening the dock, we can simply insert our iPhone/iPad and it will start charging right away (even with the PC turned off). During this time, we can launch the Remote+ Lite/Pro application for using the current PC (or another one on our network that has the Server application installed) as a Media Center, or can run other different applications:

 

 

 

Of course, if we want to enter “Data sync mode”, for accessing the multimedia content from inside our iOS device, we can simply switch to that mode by using the Remote+ application:

 

 

 

Thanks to the iMON Manager application and the included remote, we can also launch and use the HD Frame Media Center application, without the need of using an iPad or iPhone. The remote can be also used while the PC is off, to control the multimedia content from inside our iPhone/iPad, while docked.

 

Another interesting feature of the product is the ability to listen to music from the Apple product while the PC is on, when the Sound Out Board is connected to the Line-in of our sound card; if we connect some active speakers to the Speaker Line-out RCAs, we can also listen to our favorite music while the PC is turned off.

 

When inserting an iPhone/iPod into the dock, no matter the case type, most people shouldn’t encounter any problems regarding clearance, because of its small size; if using an iPad, we must make sure that there are no other devices (like fan controller knobs or case components on the top of the case which can make the installation of the tablet impossible). This is why it is more recommended to use this device on smaller Media Center cases with a single 5.25’’ bay, which have a lot remaining space in the upper side.

The iMON SmartBay can be found in online stores for about 69.9 Euros.

SoundGraph iMON SmartBay Recommended For:

 

I would like to thank again to SoundGraph for making this review possible!