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Sony Bluetooth Wireless Audio Adapter TDM-BT1

Reviewed by

Jeff Bakalar

on 05/18/2007

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CNET editors' rating: 3.0 stars Good
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Average user rating: Write your own review

Price range:

$58.99 - $129.99

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Add to my list Product summary

The good: Compatible with most Bluetooth-based audio devices; works as advertised; relatively simple to set up.

The bad: Steep price tag; only works with certain Sony audio systems; sound quality wasn't ideal and may vary depending upon source device.

The bottom line: The TDM-BT1 adds wireless Bluetooth audio streaming to compatible Sony receivers and home theater systems, but the relatively high price might drive you back to cheaper, wired alternatives.

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CNET editors' review

CNET editors' rating: 3.0 stars Good
Detailed editors' rating

Reviewed by:
Jeff Bakalar
Edited by:
John P. Falcone
Reviewed on: 05/18/2007

New to Sony's 2007 line of AV receivers and home-theater-in-a-box systems--with both its Bravia and component-based lines--is the Digital Media Port (or DMPort), a proprietary jack that offers connectivity to one of four optional accessories. The quartet of compatible add-ons include the TDM-NC1 (a Wi-Fi music streamer), the TDM-IP1 (an iPod dock), the TDM-NW1 (a dock for certain Sony Walkman MP3 models), and the TDM-BT1 (a Bluetooth adapter). By offering the adapters as optional accessories, Sony is theoretically keeping the cost of the main units down, but still is allowing users a "choose-your-own-adventure" option for the digital audio source of their choice.

The TDM-BT1 can stream audio from any nearby Bluetooth-enabled audio device--such as a cell phone or computer--so the music can be enjoyed on the big speakers of the compatible Sony audio system to which it's connected. Setup is about as simple as it gets: just plug in the BT1 to the Digital Media Port jack on the rear panel of the receiver or HTIB, and flip the audio system to the corresponding DMPORT input. Then pair the Bluetooth audio source to the TDM-BT1, and you should be in business.

The TDM-BT1 should be able to link up with any Bluetooth device that supports A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile). To connect, simply depress the OPR button on the BT1 to put it into pairing mode, and then lock into it from the source device (in our case, a Motorola Q smart phone loaded up with some MP3 music). It's the same process you'd use to pair your phone or music player to a set of Bluetooth headphones--you may simply need to enter a passcode (0000) to complete the process. Up to eight Bluetooth connections can be paired with the TDM-BT1; when you reach the ninth, the first of the original eight connections will be deleted.