Altec Lansing intros mini-theater for the iPod

Milford (PA) - Speaker specialist Altec Lansing has announced a "mini theater" iPod dock that not only pumps out sound, but also displays video on a small screen.

By now we have seen virtually any imaginable iPod audio enhancement - ranging from floating speaker cases for the swimming pool all the way to toilet paper holders with a slot for your music player. But we really don’t have a choice yet when it comes to speakers that also have a video screen that can visualize the videos stored on the iPod.

Altec Lansing tries to fill that gap with the iMV712 mini theater. The system integrates an 8.5" screen with speakers that, according to the manufacturer, "concert-like" sound. A built-in four-inch subwoofer provides street-rumbling lows and is perfectly balanced with two three-inch speaker drivers for crisp, clear mids and highs.

If the screen size isn’t large enough - and in most usage scenarios it likely won’t be - the system has an array of connectivity options, which include S-video output (to connect a TV).

As most iPod accessories, the new Altec Lansing device isn’t cheap. Prepare to pay about $350 for the mini theater.