Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
When Apple lately releasedits latest iPod , it was careful to term it theiPod with videorather than theVideo iPod — the eminence being that this iPod remained primarily a euphony player that just happen to play picture rather than the end - all - and - be - all portable video actor that some expected from Apple . In cause this eminence got lost , ina recentTimemagazine article , Apple ’s Steve Jobs made a power point of maintain that there is currently no market for portable video — that Apple regard these iPods to be music player with video thrown in as a bonus .
But lease ’s confront it , by now we have a pretty good idea ofhow the iPod menu as a euphony player . Video is this iPod ’s pavilion feature and while Apple may be wise to play down it — particularly given the dearth of video that can be easily transferred to the iPod and a small screen improbable to tempt you to cast aside your TV — Jobs and fellowship have understanding to be gallant of their first foray into portable video . With its shiny and crisp show and typically intuitive interface , the iPod with video recording may act as a perfectly serviceable Video iPod for many .
Getting physical
Apple touts the new iPod as the lean full - sized iPod yet—45 percent lean than the original 5 GB iPod . If you do n’t pass to have an original iPod for comparison , my 30 GB iPod is just a touch chummy than a standard CD precious stone box and noticeably thin than a 20 GB quaternary - generation iPod . The 60 GB model is just a fuzz thin than that 20 GB fourth - propagation iPod
At first glance the new iPod seems to be wider than other full - sized iPods . This is an head game convey about by the iPod ’s display . former full - sized iPods behave a 2 - inch display ( measured diagonally ) . The young iPod ’s display adds half an column inch ( again , measured diagonally ) and extends to within 3/16ths of an column inch of the iPod ’s right and leave alone sharpness . ( early full - sized iPods had nearly 1/2 inch of outer space between the display and edges . )
This large display offer benefit other than making television comfortable to view . It also ameliorate the iPod ’s interface . For instance , you could now see nine commands on a single screen rather than the seven commands found on previous full - sized colour iPods . ( The display is n’t the only factor that make more distance . On - screen point such as dictation textbook and the battery icon are smaller . ) The larger screen also hold more thumbnail images on a pic screen — showing 30 images on a 6 - by-5 grid in comparability to the 25 images display on a 5 - by-5 power system on early full - sized colour iPods . And Apple has made the text larger in Notes , Contacts , and Calendars and redesign the included games so the graphic are easy on the optic . ( you’re able to well discern the suits of Solitaire ’s cards , for example . )
This iPod marks the ending of Apple ’s Remote port wine — a now - missing four - rowlock ellipse port introduce with the 3 gigabyte iPod that allowsaccessoriessuch as FM transmitters , microphones , and outside control to work with the iPod . Apple read that the capability of the Remote embrasure are built into the iPod ’s Dock connector and you may be assured that a slew of compatible accessories are in the works , but that ’s little consolation to those with older appurtenance that wo n’t function with this unexampled iPod .
The new iPod also spells curtains for an include tycoon supply . If you need to charge your iPod from something other than your reckoner ’s powered USB 2.0 port , the $ 29 optional iPod USB Power Adapter is anything but optional . ( If you have an sometime dock connector iPod and its accompany FireWire business leader adapter and cablegram you may charge your unexampled iPod with them . )
The iPod ’s thin boxwood reflects not only the absence seizure of this adapter but a general scarcity of included accessories . Inside you ’ll find the iPod , a USB cable , Apple ’s standard white earbuds with two sets of foam covers , an iPod Dock Adapter ( for enjoyment with Apple ’s $ 39 iPod Universal Dock and approaching third - party computer peripheral ) , a arm that guard the iPod against smudges and scratches ( but offer no protection from swelled bumps ) , a thin Quick Start guide , and a CD that contains amplify iPod scout in PDF format and versions of iTunes 6 , iPod Updater 2005 - 10 - 12 , and QuickTime 7.0.3 for Macintosh and Windows .
USB 2.0 or bust
The latest iPod join its diminished siblings , the iPod shuffleandiPod nano , in endorse synchrony via USB only . As I mentioned , you’re able to charge the iPod with a FireWire cable ( as you’re able to with a nano ) , but it ’s not possible to sync the iPod over FireWire .
This is the greatest worriment to those with older Macs that do n’t have ( and ca n’t admit ) a USB 2.0 larboard ( some early iBooks and 12 - in PowerBooks , for case ) . While you could synchronize the iPod over a USB 1.1 connexion , doing so is painfully dense .
verbalize of slow , some people have suggested that USB 2.0 synchronise penalizes users because it ’s irksome than synching over FireWire . My tests disprove this claim . On a 2GHz Power Mac G5 , I synched 997 AAC files ( weighing in at 3.95 GB ) on a 60 GB iPod exposure using FireWire and a new 30 GB iPod using USB 2.0 . The raw 30 GB iPod ( USB 2.0 ) took 12 minutes and 37 arcsecond to sync . The iPod photo ( FireWire ) was just 2 seconds faster at 12 minutes and 35 second . On a Dell PC with a 3.2GHz Pentium processor , FireWire synching was dumb than USB 2.0 — ask 19 minutes and 12 seconds to sync a 996 runway subroutine library ( 4.57 GB ) versus 12 minutes and 4 sec for a USB 2.0 transfer . These figures hint that synchronizing time have as much to do with each operating organization ’s ( and estimator ’s ) carrying out of USB 2.0 and FireWire as they do with the iPod ’s synchrony capabilities .
iPod as music maker
As I said , most of us have a fair whimsy of how the iPod performs as a medicine player so I need n’t go into great detail here . If you ’ve used an iPod of late you ’ll discover no surprises in the Music bill of fare or in the way you voyage through play list . I will say that my new iPod sounded every fleck as good as my 20 GB 4 G iPod through a couple of dissimilar dyad of quality in - ear headphone ( Etymotic ER-4Pand some custom - set in - ear monitor with Future Sonics ’ drivers ) , Sony MDR - V6 over - the - auricle headphones , and a couplet of B&W speakers . Someone with halcyon auricle and studio acknowledgment monitors might be able to tell the difference between the two iPod models , but I ca n’t .
Visions of video
Apple has nicely incorporate video into this iPod , make it just another synchronization selection in iTunes and command in the iPod ’s independent screen door . To synchronize videos with the iPod you’re able to elect to mechanically update the iPod with any new compatible video recording you ’ve added to your iTunes subroutine library via the Videos tab that appear within iTunes ’ iPod predilection . And as with music , you may synchronize the iPod with videos comprise in prime play list ( play list that contain just videos or a combining of medicine videos and audio cartroad ) as well as summate TV manually by dragging them from the iTunes depository library to an iPod that ’s been configured to be update manually .
Once you have TV on the iPod , select Videos in the iPod ’s independent concealment and press the marrow button — you’ll see a Videos filmdom that lists Video Playlists , Movies , Music Videos , television receiver Shows , Video Podcasts , and Video preferences . The videos you ’ve created and added to iTunes and any videos that have been marked with the “ movie ” tag end in iTunes Get Info windowpane seem in the Movies blind . ( This may let in video bundled with album purchase from the iTunes Music Store — Neil Young ’s “ This Old Guitar ” video included with hisPrairie Windalbum is just such a video . ) Music Videos holds medicine videos you ’ve purchased from the iTunes Music Store or those videos you ’ve attribute the “ euphony television ” tatter in iTunes ’ Get Info windows . Unlike other varieties of videos , you may play the audio cart track of these video as if they were songs . They ’ll appear in the Artists , Albums , and Songs lists ( leave they ’re mark with creative person and record album selective information ) and sport a video icon next to their epithet in those lists . Like other song entranceway , you may add these tracks to playlists in iTunes and add them to the iPod ’s On - The - Go play list by selecting the video within the Artists , Albums , or Songs screens and holding down the Center clit . ( You ca n’t add these video to an On - The - Go play list from within the Music Videos covert . )
TV Shows includes any television receiver shows you ’ve purchase from the iTunes Music Store . picture Podcasts , as reported byMacworld ’s Jonathan Seff , does n’t pretend as you ’d await — the video podcasts I download from the iTunes Music Store did n’t appear under this ledger entry .
Video options is where you direct the iPod to either play videos on the built - in screen or to a television or projector tie to the iPod with the optional $ 19 Apple iPod AV Cable . On this screen you also choose between the NTSC ( North America ) or PAL ( Europe , Asia ) video recording standard and alternate the iPod ’s Widescreen selection on or off .
The new iPod supports H.264 and MPEG-4 video in .m4v , .mp4 , and .mov format , which intend your iPod will bet the videos declare oneself by the iTunes Music Store and those hand - wrought video you ’ve properly encode . Apple ’s QuickTime Pro 7.0.3 ( or an coating such as iMovie or Final Cut Pro that takes advantage of QuickTime ’s encoders ) provide the good chance for winner in this attentiveness . Within QuickTime Pro ’s Export dialogue corner you ’ll find a Movie to iPod ( 320×240 ) selection that exports videos in the H.264 .m4v data file data formatting compatible with the fresh iPods .
remark that converting movies this means is dim — it took the better part of a solar day to exchange the first disc ofThe Lord of the Rings Special Extended DVD Editionthat I ’d initially ripped with Mac the Ripper . A faster agency to go isHandBrake , a videodisc to MPEG-4 ripper / convertor . Using its MPEG-4 option I was able to convertHouse of Flying Daggersto an MPEG-4 file compatible with the iPod in about 35 minutes on my Power Mac G5 . ( HandBrake ’s H.264 selection does n’t create files compatible with the iPod . )
It would be nice if Apple incorporate into iTunes tools for encode and convert video that work as elegantly as iTunes ’ audio encoders , but given Hollywood ’s concern over copyright misdemeanor and Apple ’s need to recognise that concern , I ’m not hold my breathing place .
I ripped these two particular picture show for a intellect . Lord of the Rings , with its grand vistas and occasional indistinctly lit scene , was likely to lose detail on such a modest screen . And anything but a curt screen would make readingHouse of Flying Daggers ’ petite subtitles impossible . Of the two , House of Flying Daggersfared a number beneficial . Though both movies were watchable on the iPod , it was hard to discern some details inLOTR ’s dark scene . Although it took some doing inDaggers ’ brightly dismount scene to separate the subtitles from the background signal colour , it was possible to read nearly everything that flashed upon the screen ( save the opening move and closing credits ) . The exclusion was when I switch off the iPod ’s Widescreen option . When I did so , each close of long caption were veer off .
I view the resulting movies on both a television screen connected to the iPod with Apple ’s Ab cable and on the iPod . The tv set depiction was n’t bad , with character akin to a videocassette recorder . There was some banding evident in gradient arena — a sky moving from dark to light , for good example — but nothing bad than what I get from TiVo programme enter at Medium quality ( and far well than what you see on an airplane ’s TV monitoring gadget ) . These artifacts were less visible on the iPod ’s screen , which exhibit a film that was clear and nicely balanced . Although the film looks best when look at direct on , you could consider videos with the iPod more or less off - axis , arrive at it potential for two particularly chummy people to watch a moving-picture show at the same time ( given a headphone divider or a pair of portable speaker ) . The video played back smoothly on both the television and iPod .
Adding it up
This iPod incorporate the new feature article insert with the iPod nano , including the young clock ( which allows you to create multiple clocks featuring different time zones on a single scrolling screen ) , stopwatch , covert lock , and display of lyrics when you ’ve supply them in iTunes . For additional particular on these feature , see ourfirst smell at the nano . And like the nano , the raw iPod supports 21 languages versus the 14 offered on previous iPods .
Like earlier full - sized color iPods , the new iPod bear Apple ’s $ 29iPod Camera Connectorfor downloading pictures directly from compatible digital tv camera and medium readers . ( It does n’t , however , forge with Belkin ’s Media Reader for iPod w/ Dock Connector , as this equipment makes use of the FireWire capabilities lose from the new iPod . )
Slideshows gain six fresh transitions not found on other color iPods : Cube Across , Cube Down , Dissolve , Page Flip , Radial , and Swirl . Mac users will recognize the typical Apple Cube effect . Dissolve is welcome but I found the Page Flip and Swirl transitions a small cheesy .
This is also the first iPod to include the power to record high - tone spokesperson memos . When you plug in a compatible microphone the iPod offer you the choice to record in mono at 22kHz or in stereo at 44.1kHz ( the “ CD quality ” standard ) . This could be a huge blessing for field recording and for interviewers who presently channel minidisc recorders .
alas , no such mike currently exists ( compatible mics and adapters will plug into the iPod ’s dock connecter port ) so presently there ’s no way to try out this feature article . When a microphone or mic adapter becomes available , Playlistwill be all over it .
Good timing
And ultimately , how does the new iPod measuring up in regard to assault and battery life ? In most cases my 30 and 60 GB iPods performed as well as Apple suggests or secure . Apple severalise us that the 30 GB iPod will play music endlessly for up to 14 hours . play a program library of AAC files ( near all of which were encode at 128kbps ) , my 30 GB iPod ran for 14 hours and 4 minutes ( backlighting , Sound Check , and EQ were off ) . The 60 GB iPod play medicine continuously for 21 time of day and 53 minute ( Apple take up to 20 hours of uninterrupted music toy on this role model . )
The 30 GB iPod is also touted to work up to 2 hours of TV on the iPod ’s screen . Mine exceeded that design by 22 instant . The 60 GB modelling played for nearly 4 hours at 3 hours and 58 minutes . Apple does n’t bring home the bacon a barrage fire bursting charge estimation for picture projected to a television system . I was pleased to discover that it fares better when played this way . My 30 GB iPod ran for 3 hour and 29 moment before displaying the broken battery warning and the 60 GB iPod continued playing for 6 hours and 2 minutes .
The one case where the iPod did n’t do as well as Apple suggests is with on - cover slideshows attach to by music on the 30 GB iPod . Apple says this 30 GB iPod can play such slideshows for up to 3 hour . My iPod managed just 2 hours and 38 minute of arc . The 60 GB iPod , however , bested Apple ’s estimates , playing for 4 hours and 51 minutes ( Apple ’s eyeglasses claim 4 hours of slideshow playback with music ) .
The lowdown
Unless you own a electronic computer that does n’t have a USB 2.0 embrasure , it ’s arduous not to like this iPod . Even if you never utilise its video capability , you should be proud of with its sleek excogitation , crisp exhibit , intuitive port , reasonable assault and battery life ( and impressive shelling life with the 60 GB model ) , and the myriad curiosity we ’ve come to require from an iPod . And if portable video recording makes good sense for you ( and you have the wherewithal to pack your iPod with contentedness not provided by the iTunes Music Store ) , you ’ll witness this iPod even more appealing .
