Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
625 of 678 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Greatest music player, with video too!, October 14, 2005
The iPod first appeared four years ago, and the features continue to grow, with each update.
The iPod with video playback was introduced on October 13, 2005. However, one should not necessarily consider this player a video player, but a great iPod music player, with video capabilities as a fantastic bonus. Nevertheless, the iPod with video playback is the most capable and feature-rich iPod ever produced by Apple.
I have owned the 60 gig iPod with video playback, for several days now, and I continue to be impressed. Its physical appearance, quality, craftsmanship, and the wide array of features are keeping me entertained!
Video Playback - The iPod plays back H264 and MPEG4 encoded video. The iPod's new display is larger than ever at 2.5 inches, giving it a resolution of 320x240. What video content can you play on your iPod? This area is limited, at least currently. You can buy music videos on iTunes at $1.99 per song, which will play beautifully on the iPod. Furthermore, Apple has made available select television shows, for download on iTunes. They cost $1.99 per episode, for titles including ABC's hits Lost and Desperate Housewives. You can also watch the episodes you purchase on your computer. If you want to put some of your own video, onto your iPod, you will need to use an application such as QuickTime Pro to convert the video to the specific requirements to play on the iPod. You can also find video podcasts, which will play on the new iPod. Even if you do not plan to view video on the new iPod, its primary purpose is to be used as the world's best music player. You can still benefit from the beautiful new display, for it will help you find your favorite music faster, and you can view the album art that accompanies your music.
Size of new iPod - Does the picture of the new iPod make it appear larger to you? Well, it did to me. The iPod looked wider, in the photos I saw. However, it is not. The height and width of the iPod are identical to the previous generation iPod with click wheel. The only change in dimensions is the depth. The new iPod is actually thinner than what came before it! Yes, even this 60 gig is thinner than the previous 20 gig photo model. What does all this mean? The iPod continues get smaller, making it even easier to carry.
Capacity - This 60 gig iPod has room, for a lot of entertainment. With storage, for up to 15,000 songs, 25,000 photos, or 150 hours of video. The great thing I love about my 60 gig iPod is that my music, photos, and video only take up about 15 gigabytes. However, I use the additional space to backup data, from my computer. This is incredibly helpful, and could be a real saver, if something happened to your computer. See, the iPod functions as an external hard drive, so you can backup all sorts of data. Furthermore, with the video capabilities on the new iPod, you may find yourself needing the extra space that this 60 gig iPod provides.
New Software Features - Apple has added features, to the new iPod besides video support. First, they have a clock feature, which quickly allows you to view the time, in up to four different time zones simultaneously. Furthermore, there is a stop watch, and a screen lock, which you can enable to keep people from snooping on your calendar and/or contacts.
Battery - The battery life is one of the most important specifications that you, as an iPod user, are going to care about. This 60 gigabyte iPod sports a battery that will last up to 20 hours, when playing only music. Also note that repeatedly changing songs manually, and turning on the backlight will use up your battery considerably faster. Furthermore, the iPod's battery lasts a maximum of three hours, when playing back video. This version of the iPod no longer includes an adapter to charge the iPod, at an electrical outlet. You will have to buy that adapter separately, or always charge the iPod via USB 2.0. The charging works fine, from your computer's USB 2.0, but if you're traveling you might want the ability to charge, with the adapter. Also note that the iPod no longer supports syncing via firewire cable. You will have to use USB 2.0.
Mac or PC? This iPod works beautifully with either a Mac or PC. The iPod syncs your contacts, video, and music via the iTunes software.
Podcasting - The iPod continues to support podcasting. Podcasts are internet radio broadcasts, and there are thousands covering nearly every subject imaginable, and more are coming out every day. Podcasts are quickly becoming popular content on iPods around the world. Check them out, for this iPod supports Podcasts out of the box. There are also video podcasts, so with the new iPod, you will be able to watch video podcasts, on the iPod's display.
Appearance - The iPod is beautiful, but the back's chrome finish is prone to scratches, and the screen can become scratched as well. It is a very good idea to protect the back of the iPod and the screen in some way. There are many cases and protectors out there, and you will surely find something you like. The new iPod is available in a black or white finish. The black color is quickly becoming the most popular, but the white iPod is still the signature color. Do note that the black may show fingerprints and scratches more than the white iPod, much as a black car shows these blemishes more than a lighter colored car. Apple is including a small sleeve-type case, with this iPod, to help you keep it in good condition.
Audiobooks - I'm always using my iPod, to listen to audiobooks. You can store literally hundreds of audiobooks on here that you buy from iTunes, or Audible. The iPod even has a feature that can slow down or speed up the reading of the audiobook, so that you hear it at just the right pace.
Output - The iPod connects to your PC or Mac via the dock connector at the bottom of the unit. You will connect the included cable, to the computer via a USB 2.0 port. Furthermore, accessories are being made that will also connect to the bottom dock port, and you may purchase Apple's Universal iPod dock, for easy syncing to your computer. The dock (available separately) also includes s-video output, so you can show off slideshows and video, on a television. There are also iPod A/V cables available that allow composite video and audio output, for connecting your iPod to your television. This might interest you, not only to display slideshows on a television, but also to display TV shows or music videos on a television, which you purchased from iTunes.
Value - This 60 gigabyte iPod is priced at $399, which is a great value. It provides a huge amount of storage space, and more features than ever.
Overall, this is another excellent product from Apple Computer. The design is elegant, simple, and intuitive. It will provide hours of entertainment and convenience. Enjoy your iPod experience.
|
|
|
66 of 71 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
I love my iPod but....., January 13, 2006
Actually I give the iPod itself a 5, but give Apple a 1 for how they supplied and distributed the iPod. Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy on their part.
I received my iPod video for Christmas. I love it. It does everything Apple says it will do. However, there are some things you should know before you buy one.
Note: I have a computer with Windows XP, and this review is based on my experiences using a Windows based computer. I am reviwing the 60 GB version.
1. Apple provides almost no documentation with the iPod. If you want to read the owners manual you have to download it from their website or from Amazon.com. Even then, the owners manual doesn't give a whole lot of detail on things like converting video to a format which will be playable on the iPod. You have to visit the online help section of the Apple website.
2. The iPod doesn't come with all of the software necessary to connect it to your computer. The iPod does come with a special version of iTunes, BUT it does not come with the proper version of Quicktime - you need version 7 to run the iTunes software they provide. You have to download this from their website too. When I did the download, I was visiting my folks and had to use their dial up internet access to download Quicktime 7 - this took 2.5 hours.
Another thing, when you install Quicktime 7 it also installs a version of iTunes. - This is important - This version of iTunes is NOT the correct version required to run the iPod. Once you install Quicktime 7, you need to install the iTunes software provided WITH the iPod afterwards. The Apple website erroneously indicates that the iTunes downloaded with Quicktime 7 is the latest version of iTunes - not true - The iTunes supplied with the iPod is the true latest version. I tried to connect my iPod to the computer using the incorrect version of iTunes and the iPod froze completely which brings me to my next criticism.
3. There is no way to re-set the iPod when it freezes like mine did. The screen stayed lit and the "Do Not Disconnect" message stopped flashing. When my laptop freezes up, if nothing else works, I can always remove the battery. Not so with the iPod. The battery is inaccessible. If you need to get a new battery, the owners manual says you have to ship your iPod to Apple, and pay about $ 60 to replace your battery. Also, Apple says that when your iPod comes back with the new battery, all of your music, videos and pictures will be gone. You will have to re-load them all again. It also (helpfully) says to make a backup of your files before you send it in. I had to wait for the battery to run out before I could try again.
4. Apple doesn't supply a recharger with this iPod. Unlike previous iPods Apple cheaped out on supplying a recharger. You can recharge the iPod through the USB port on your computer, however this is not helpful on the road unless you happen to have a laptop or other access to a computer. Apple will sell you a recharger for $30.00, and according to several customer reviews on the Apple website, the recharger doesn't come with the proper connecting cord. Apparently this costs another $20.00
5. The iPod software doesn't come equipped to convert video files into a form which will play on the iPod. The Apple website says you need to upgrade to Quicktime 7 PRO for another $ 30.00. According to Apple Quicktime 7 PRO "easily converts video files". NOT TRUE - While Quicktime 7 PRO may convert some files, it does not convert "muxed" video files which I learned later from the Apple website (after I purchased Quicktime 7 PRO), that it will not convert "muxed" video. FYI "muxed" video is when your video and audio are integrated into one data stream. A search of the internet led me to the Ulead website. They sell a product called Intervideo CD Copy 4 Platinum, which will rip video from your home DVD's and convert them to a format suitable for the iPod video. However, the software costs $79.00 - you can download a free trial version. I ended up buying the software and it works fine. Buying Quicktime 7 PRO was a total waste of my $ 30.00
Other - Apple's website is geared towards Macintosh users. The video conversion section assumes you own a Mac. All of the screenshot examples they provide are for a Mac. If you use a Windows based computer, you are basically on your own.
Fortunately, I know quite a bit about computers and was, after some time to play around, able to figure out how to easily download music, video and pictures into the iPod - One word of warning - I strongly recommend that you set all of the download options to MANUAL. If you don't, the iPod will sync with your computer automatically, and if you have deleted music, video or pictures from your hard drive OR connect the iPod to multiple computers (as I do), you will find your music, video and pictures get deleted from the iPod. Setting to manual avoids the deletions. There are some minor clunks to the software too. I have been including album cover art with my music. Most of the time, the iPod diplays the cover art when I play my music, on occasion though it indicates that a picture has been added for the song, it won't display the picture on the screen. I think this is somehow related to the information line for the Album description. If this is blank or there are many albums entered at once for the same picture, it seems to get confused and not display the picture. In each case, playing around seems to have gotten the picture to show, although, I am not exactly sure which step seems to resolve the problem.
All in all I love my iPod. I am now fairly adept at using the software and can download music, video and pictures easily (and without deleting them). If you are a novice at using a computer, you may find it very difficult to use and learn the software. While the iPod itself is easy to use once loaded, if you are getting one of these for someone who is not comfortable with a computer you might want to load it up for them.
Also the iPod is a delicate mechanical hard drive. If you have very young children you might want to keep it out of their curious little hands - and don't drop it.
I hope that a piece of equipment this complex will last for many years.
Apple is not behaving in a customer friendly manner. They look like a company trying to squeeze every cent from their customer base. Raw greed is not becoming. Apple can get away with this right now, because they have the only player with these capabilities. You have to buy from them right now and they know it. They have a monopoly on players with all of the iPod features. Like Microsoft they are alienating their customers. Once a suitable competitor for the iPod comes along, Apple will be forced to make changes to how they market and package the iPod. As they will lose some of their customer base. It is marketing 101 that you want your customers to feel good about your company. Right now, I have a very low opinion of Apple, based on their money grubbing attitude. They make a really neat player, but don't treat their customers very well. This will come back to haunt them I'm afraid.
|
|
|
46 of 48 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reassurance on the scratches, November 29, 2005
I have the white 60 GB ipod video and my husband has the black. We purchased about 3 weeks ago. We both love it.
Feedback on watching video: There has been much feedback on the product not being a good option for video. I do not have the flexibility in my schedule to watch TV. I bought the entire second season of Desperate Houswives (8 episodes at the time of writing this review) and watched it on the ipod. The clarity and experience was amazing. The video quality is exceptional. I can watch during my ride to work or at any point when I have about 15 minutes to spare. The ipod memory feature picks up at the point where I stopped watching when I click on the episode. Fun! For me, it works very well as a video device too.I have ripped my workout DVDs to the ipod. I bought the TV connector. No more excuses not to work out when I am traveling.
Scratching: Neither my husband's nor mine are scratched yet. Please dont be scared to buy because of the feedback on the product being prone to scratches. I was concerned because I read this. All it takes is a little extra care - I keep it in the pouch as far as possible.
The only flip side - the battery life is not 20 hours. Mine runs out of charge much faster (about half this). But then I use the back lighting a lot even when listening to music because I have loaded album art or pics of the artist in lieu of boring album art and I still cannot get over staring at the awesome screen when listening to songs
Edited after a few more weeks since buying to say - Still no scratches! I recently picked up up a skin with a lanyard (available in Asia). Even wothout the skin, we had both managed to keep our heavily used ipods scratch free though.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
Saving...
