The Video iPod: What you need to know

PlaylistMag ^ | 11/17/2005 | Jason Snell

[Panerai]

Every time Steve Jobs gets on stage to announce products, there’s a flood of information. First, there’s what Jobs says. Then, there’s what the Apple press releases say. And then there’s all the information that Apple doesn’t broadcast right away, but trickles out gradually in interviews and on its Web site.

It can be a bit overwhelming. So we’re tackling the most common questions stemming from Apple’s October 12 press event, one product at a time. In other stories, you’ll find answers to your burning questions about new iMacs and iTunes 6. Below, we answer frequently asked questions about the video-playing iPod.

Is this new iPod screen really big enough—and good enough—to watch video?

It probably depends a lot on how good (or bad) your vision is and what you’re expecting when you watch video. People with poor vision aren’t going to enjoy staring at a tiny video screen, and if you appreciate all the sumptuous visual feasts that modern-day cinematography has to offer, you will likely be disappointed.

That said, I’ve spent many hours watching video at the same resolution (320-by-240 pixels) on a similarly-sized display on my Palm Treo 650 smartphone, and found it to be a pretty enjoyable way to while away my commute. Granted, I was watching Survivor rather than the great works of modern cinema, but it worked for me and it might work for you.

I was suitably impressed by the iPod’s screen—it really is bright, and the video looked quite smooth. You’ll never mistake it for a plasma screen, but then, you can’t put a plasma screen in your pocket.

[Panerai]

ping

[goldstategop]

Watch TV On The Go.... the question is, where can you download digital content to watch on demand? I guess that would be provided in the Itunes store.

(Denny Crane: "I like nature. Don't talk to me about the environment".)

[mongrel]

www.orb.com. A free service that allows you to provide whatever you want from your home.

[mongrel]

Although I don't know if it will work with the ipod. Right now it does work with almost any other portable device.

[Izzy Dunne]

Funny - Steve Jobs had the right idea (I think) when he said (something to the effect of) "People don't want to watch video on the go - the market isn't there".

Music is one thing - you want to hear a song many times.

But do you really want to watch the same episode of "Desperate Housewives" again, and again, and again?

I wonder.

[solitas]

ping

[Obadiah]

But do you really want to watch the same episode of "Desperate Housewives" again, and again, and again?

If it does catch on, every TV thing will become available. You won't have to travel far without being away from your reruns of LaVerne and Shirley!

[sittnick]

Funny - Steve Jobs had the right idea (I think) when he said (something to the effect of) "People don't want to watch video on the go - the market isn't there".

Music is one thing - you want to hear a song many times.

But do you really want to watch the same episode of "Desperate Housewives" again, and again, and again?

I wonder.

If you are already putting a nice screen into the device, and can add video playback for very little, you will attract new customers who like the idea. After all, audiophiles can still buy the non-video ipod. However, since the added expense is minimal for Apple, people who do watch video will like it. The podcasting thing WILL extend to video, I'm sure. And a surprising number will want it for its "cool" factor.

[uncbob]

But do you really want to watch the same episode of "Desperate Housewives" again, and again, and again?

Who would want to watch 90% of the slop on TV ONCE

[Panerai]

"Who would want to watch 90% of the slop on TV ONCE"

Plenty of people would, I guess you are one of those that's too good to watch TV.

[redheadtoo]

I have a lot of questions about the ipod. I am thinking of buying an MP3 player for my niece and I was told that the user could not change the ipod's battery by themselves but had to send the unit back to Apple for a new battery.

To me this sounds like such a ridicules design flaw that I find it hard to believe. Is this true or not?

The person who told me this seemed to be very knowledgeable about MP3 players. He felt that that the Zen by Creative was a much better product. I would appreciate any help in this matter.

[Question_Assumptions]

I've got an old iBook that only has USB 1.1 ports so the lack of Firewire is a problem for me until I get around to upgrading. But what would really make this useful for me was if I could either (A) rip DVDs and put them on the video iPod or (B) transfer content over from my TiVo.

[Swordmaker]

To me this sounds like such a ridicules design flaw that I find it hard to believe. Is this true or not?

It is NOT true. The Battery in the iPods can be easily replaced. I saw an advertisement for replacement iPod batteries just a few days ago starting at $7.95. There are many third party companies that will replace your battery for you, if you are a bit fumble fingered and don't want to do it yourself.

The person who told you that is not knowledgeable about iPods. Almost every review of MP3 players has put the iPod on a pedestal for other MP3 players to try and emulate... and none have succeeded. For ease of use, availability of music, etc. the iPod is the winner. There is a reason aside from the "coolness" factor that it holds 75% of the player market.

[uncbob]

Yep That's me

Except for Eagles Football-- Phillies baseball --Some History Channel--Boxing--HBOs Rome--The Wire