There's no denying it: The iPod has become ubiquitous. As a result, there is now a slew of add-ons available for iPod owners. While many of these are merely cosmetic -- such as faceplates, cases, and wristbands -- there are a lot honestly worthwhile devices available that enhance or increase the iPod's functionality.

What follows is an opinionated examination of the most useful iPod add-ons out there. Keep in mint that this isn't a compendium of everything you could possibly have for your iPod. It's not.

It is a collection of devices for the home, office, or for on the go that I've actually spent time with. Some of them I actually bought for myself, and all of them are things you might seriously consider as add-ons for your own iPod.
Videos on tiny iPod displays are all well and good, but if you're sitting in your living room, you'd be a lot better off with DLO's HomeDock Deluxe, which lets you use your own TV as an iPod display.

The $150 HomeDock is easy to set up: Put the dock down on a flat surface, connect its AV and/or S-Video outputs to your TV or media center, plug it in, place your iPod in the dock, press the power-on button on the remote, and you're ready to go. (You'll also need to switch your TV or media center over to use its AV inputs, but you knew that, right?)
If any of that challenges your technological knowhow, the HomeDock Deluxe has a manual that explains everything you'll need to do -- but if you've ever hooked up a component AV system and/or used your iPod, you probably don't need it.

I would suggest that you stop by page 22, however, where DLO describes how you can use the HomeDock Deluxe as a substitute iPod docking port for your computer. It has its own USB port for that purpose (but you'll have to supply your own cable).
Although it's difficult to recommend the HomeDock Deluxe for audio-only applications, it will, if you need it to, also accommodate the original iPod, first and second generation Nanos, the Mini, and iPods with color displays.

An adjustable back plate is provided so you can custom-fit your iPod to the dock.
A remote gives you complete control of your iPod menu system -- including switching all of its video output to an external destination rather than the internal display. If you're wondering, "How is that two-inch picture going to look on a big TV?

" don't worry about it. I used it on a 37-inch digital set and there was no distortion or pixilation (which was honestly a huge surprise).
My only real complaint is that the remote control's response is slower than I'd prefer.

Other than that, the HomeDock Deluxe validates the video iPod as an honest video device that doesn't require earbuds and squinting.
Belkin offers a lower-cost ($90) alternative to DLO's HomeDock Deluxe with its TuneCommand AV. The device is not as elegantly designed -- it is simply a dock and a remote, both in white (to match the typical iPod), and comes with a range of adapters to accommodate most existing iPods.

Still, it works on the same principle -- but you might need to fiddle a bit.
Unlike the HomeDock Deluxe, Belkin's product doesn't produce an onscreen menu and doesn't interact with the iPod's menu system very well. For example, while you can use the remote to start and stop your video and adjust the volume, you need to start the iPod using its own controls.

On the other hand, you must use the remote to crank up the audio -- when, at first, I just tried to raise the volume using my TV and the iPod, I could hardly hear a thing.
Belkin is very generous with its accessories. You get a lanyard and belt clip for the remote so you can keep it on your person.

There's a self-adhesive surface-mount for the remote in case you want to hang it somewhere. The iPod AV cable that delivers audio and video is also included -- but you'll need to supply your own S-video and stereo audio output lines if you want to use either of those alternative connection methods. (S-Video should deliver slightly better image quality and the separate audio outputs will work with your component system without leaving a spare RCA plug hanging out.

)
I had no complaints about the video that came through the AV cable. The quality was the equal of DLO's HomeDock Deluxe. However, because it can get confusing as to which device -- the iPod or the TuneCommand -- you use to adjust different features, the reason for the price difference between it and the DLO HomeDock Deluxe is evident.