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2. Normal CDs work, mp3 CDs work as well(although on that specific one it did not show any ID3 Tags). Radio: Excellent reception. Otherwise you can't see anything. It would have been nice to backlight at least some buttons. Could be the TV as well. No idea why.
Once I used an S-video cable it worked right away. Great sound. Got it Friday, 11/21 and set it up immediately. Here the display of the ID3 Tags worked right away.Two minor issues to complain about: 1. If you use the controls on the radio make sure that you have a bright light source close to it. Of course the remote helps but it comes down to what you have been used to. Normally there is a work around but I have not figured out yet what could be done about the 765i. Typically by default all DVD players only play the DVDs with a specific country code (which sucks anyway).
I connected it to the DVD and had difficulties with using a composite cable. I moved over from Europe several years ago. Did'nt know that there are so many radiostations out there. Also the ipod works flawless. As such I have a collection of europen DVDs (country code 2). Maybe someone can help here.
Middle of the night power failures happen, at least at my house.All in all, I am very happy with the radio and would buy it again. It easily fills the room with good sound. I thought it sounded much better. It would be worth checking as you may be able to save quite a bit over the price listed above by going direct to Cambridge.I believe it sounds great. I have not tried blasting bass and I doubt it has the strength to blow out any candles or break windows, but it fills this large room with ample sound volume.When I purchased this radio I borrowed a friends' Wave to compare the two. It is now November 2008 and the $300 price is still in effect. I purchased a Cambridge 765i about during June 2008.
I know of no other unit from any manufacturer, which will play a homemade mp3 data DVD. My twenty-dollar wall clock from cheap-mart can manage to set itself. The 765i is a bit larger unless the optional CD changer is added to the Bose. Others may reach a different conclusion.
They did not say that the price reduction had any time limit. The $300 appears to be available only on the Cambridge web site, the direct from them. I have not tried this. Without AC power, the display on the clock is blank - BUT - at least the alarm will sound off when I need it to.3.Suggestion to Cambridge: Make the clock self-setting.
Cambridge has a 45 day no questions full refund (probably less shipping) return policy when purchased direct.PRO's 1.Great sound2.Recent price reduction. Even the labels on the remote are pretty small but since you can hold it to the light near eye level, they are a lot easier to read.6.The S-Video connector on the radio is different from any I have ever seen. Whichever it is - this is insufficient if one actually wants to rely on an alarm. After listening, I was not even tempted to return the Cambridge radio. One spends a lot of time pressing the forward button to generic folder and track numbers.5.I agree with the other reviewer who mentioned the buttons on the radio were labeled in small type and were hard to read in dim light. This is the only stand-alone radio I have found anywhere which will play an mp3 DVD. Months ago, I found the list on the Cambridge web site but could not locate it today. Cambridge still shows a list price of $499 - EXCEPT - when buying direct from them using their web site.
The supplied cable is only 6 feet long. I found that using NO insert allowed me to use my 5G video iPod without taking the iPod out of its hard plastic aftermarket accessory case.9.The remote is powerful. A couple of times I even accidentally held the remote pointed backward and it still worked.10.I understand this radio will play movie DVD's into a TV. According to page 8 of the same manual says it lasts for only 3 minutes. It has a little LED to indicate that a disk has been inserted. It appears that the MSRP from all other vendors remains at $500.
When connecting to a TV, you will need to use the cable supplied with the radio. Then the price is $299 and if one watches a bit, shipping is also free.3.Works with the iPod as one would expect.4.Charges the iPod whether the radio is powered on or not.5.Plays audio CD's well.6.Plays mp3 CD-R's well. The audio is not.7.I recall reading somewhere that Cambridge is very picky about warranty work. My cheap-mart alarm clock will run for several days on battery. Not sure Amazon is one. Musical tastes vary. Also, the connector on the other end of the cable is a single yellow RCA plug.
I purchased mine in June from Cambridge and had the radio - double boxed - in 3 days. 8.I feel this is important: the internal alarm clock needs a real backup battery if one expects to rely on the alarm actually working all the time. I was looking for a way to plug in my iPod and listen without headphones. The radio is sitting on a bookcase in the middle of one wall of a 30 by 25 foot room. The connector on this radio has more or differently positioned pins from all my generic S-Video cables. I will not risk calling it non-standard as I am not sure of the actual standard is. I can point it anywhere in the room and it still works. I have not tried any.7.Plays mp3 DVD-R's and DVD+R's well.
You can eject a CD/DVD without powering on the radio.CON's1.Power supply is one of those wall warts rather than being built into the radio. Maybe RW's as well. Also, right now, all orders above $75. Why not this.4.Unless you hook the 765i to a TV, it is difficult to navigate through a dozen audio-books on a single mp3 media. The idea of having several days of music (or audio books) on a single piece of media appealed.Back in June 2008 Cambridge sent out E-Mail saying that they were cutting their on-line direct purchase price from $500 to $300. Suggestion to Cambridge: Put a battery in it. I have not tried DVD-RW's. Probably operator malfunction.
BUT according to page 6 of the manual, the battery lasts for 5 minutes. I was attracted to this unit because it played audio CD's, mp3 CD's and mp3 DVD's. Cambridge calls this a 765i rather than the I765 listed here. Apparently, only the video is transferred.
Suggestion to Cambridge: Put the power supply inside - where at least this user thinks it should be.2.The clock has a battery backup to keep the clock alive during a power failure. ("No.
I do not believe one cannot build a power supply into the radio without causing hum."). get free shipping.
Moral - be sure to buy it from an authorized dealer if either the warranty or the 45 day no quibble return policy is important to you. A recordable DVD with MP3's means days worth of audio, or a whole bunch of Audiobooks on a single disc.8.The radio comes with at least 8 differently sized inserts for the iPod socket to fit (virtually) any model iPod.
11.Cambridge customer support was great and very informed (and no pressure) when I called with questions prior to making the purchase.12.I do not understand the "Wide" mode but it makes the radio sound as if the internal speakers are many feet apart.13.The slot-load CD/DVD is new to me also but works like it should. I also recall that to obtain warranty service, one must buy the unit from a Cambridge authorized dealer.
PS.
I will be returning/exchanging this item for the SECOND time. Last night was the last straw, as the display screen on the system froze and then wouldn't allow me to eject the disk without unplugging and then re-plugging in the system. This new one worked fine for a few months, but now it's malfunctiong again.
This happened no matter what DVD I inserted. Now, it automatically shows subtitles when I play DVDs, no matter how many times I go to the setup menu to shut it off. The first time, the DVD player wouldn't work/read the DVD.
This time it's malfunctioning in a different way, though it is again a DVD problem. When I brought it to the Cambridge Soundworks store to exchange it, they were very nice and allowed me to get a brand new one even though I had forgotten to put the remote in the box. I thought they were just going to send it off to be fixed, but I walked out the door with a brand new one.
It seems to do this automatically 75% of the time when I watch a DVD. I will be bringing this back AGAIN for an exchange, hoping they have a new model out that has the kinks worked out of its system.
But once you listen to this unit you will forget about any small shortcomings. I admit, the clock numbers are small.
The sound is just stunning. Hard to believe the sound is coming from a clock radio.
I have owned this unit for several months now and have never regretted paying the price. I have no problem pulling in stations from 60 miles.
I have read two criticisms of the unit: 1) the clock display is too small and, 2) radio reception is weak. First, I have found the FM radio reception to be VERY good.
You won't be able to read them from across the room. Worth the price.
However, it is made in China and seems to be lacking in quality. I'm sorry the Cambridge did not work for me. I purchased this for my bedroom as I wanted a nice sound plus alarm clock. Customer service was exceptional. I have received my Bose and absolutely LOVE it. The buttons are a little awkward but you can easily get used to them. So, I am going to bite the bullet and buy the Bose instead.
Not major but a disappointment considering the stereo was defective. The sound is amazing.no question about that. Again, the sound is great but the craftsmanship needs a little improvement.Update: As it turns out, Cambridge did not pay for the return shipping which was about $15.00. I was not able to set the alarm time so when I called customer service they determined it was malfunctioning so they offered to send a replacement and free shipping for my return. However, I have decided to return the system because the display lights are so bright they lit up my entire bedroom at night.seriously.it was bright. Also, before I sent it back I tested the DVD funtion and it did not work either. The quality and sound of the Bose is so much better.
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