iPod with video review roundup
By Peter Rojas 
posted Oct 23rd 2005 1:08PM
posted Oct 23rd 2005 1:08PM
You pretty much knew it was only a matter of time until we collected together a roundup of all the iPod (with video)
reviews we could find. Most of the reviews are glowingly positive, but you know our take: if you're looking for a
device that's primarily for video — rather than one where video's simply a nice bonus feature — there are definitely
some better options out there.
Read - PC Magazine
Read - ArsTechnica
Read - New York Times
Read - Wall Street Journal
Read - USA Today
Read - Playlist
Read - PC World
Read - Personal Computer
World
Read - CBS News
Read - Personal Tech Pipeline
Read -
iLounge
Read -
CNET
Read - TUAW
Read -
ZatzNotFunny
You should add Slate's review.
i think that the new ipod is a tramendous improvement over the last one. i would replace mine and buy a new one just to watch video podcasts alone.
I think Engadget's, and Apple's, point of view is correct - this is just an iPod that happens to play video, just like the iPod photo was just an iPod that happened to display photos. The primary feature is still music and probably always will be.
Wise conclusion, guys. :)
Yeah, which is why I think it'll be interesting to see if Apple does eventually release an iPod that is more geared to video, i.e. one with a larger widescreen display.
Review at insanecentral,
http://insanecentral.com/news.php?item.16.8
You know what would be nice, IF SOMEONE WOULD HACK THE IPOD PHOTO FIRMWARE SO THAT PEOPLE CAN WATCH VIDEO ON THEM AND NOT HAVE TO BUY A NEW IPOD.
They better not make it into a WiFi phone or I'll... buy one.
PC Magazine:
'Don't call it the Video iPod, the vPod, or anything that indicates that this is a video player.'
CNET:
'Those who follow gadgets know that Apple didn't invent portable digital video.'
PCWorld:
'Apart from those minor issues, I found the screen very easy on the eye--for short viewing periods, at least.'
iLounge:
'Implementation of video functionality is incomplete, lacking hardware support for popular standards, and free software to convert existing videos.'
Any questions? Buy an old one.
Yep, you really have the right angle to iPod with video. And maybe it's why Apple are so keen on leting people know it's an iPod with video. Not an video iPod.
I discuss it more in detail in my blog.
#6
that might just be me but i doubt that the ipod photo has the horsepower to decode video...
Does anyone know about a beefery battery replacement this be my first ipod so im not sure which generation battery it can take.
Cheers
for everyone bashing the video ipod please note that regardless of how well(or not well) it actually plays video, it's still the exact same price as the old ipod, except now with 10 more gigs, bigger screen and video support, for the extra gigs alone it's a nice upgrade, so quit all the bitching.(and if i remember correctly it's thinner also, so people c'mon, they basically added all this stuff for free[it's still 299])
For all those haters or skeptics out there, let me dispel a few myths about the iPod with video since I have one and I've been using it for a few days now.
Myth 1: The Screen Sucks
The screen looks terrific. It is very easy to see (although not as bright as a PSP). It is more than adequate for viewing video.
Myth 2: There is no free way to rip DVD/video
There is a free way to rip movies onto the iPod. You need two pieces of FREE software. It costs zilch to convert to iPod. First get DVD Decrypter, rip in IFO mode (in input, select just the main movie, in the stream processing tab enable stream processing and only check the video and english boxes). Second, download PSPVideo9. Rip at SP/325x240/29.97 fps, 1500kbps Stereo. In iTunes, import the file and send it to iPod. A 3 hour movie takes up about 1.6 gigs.
Myth 3: It lacks support for popular standards
In fact, it plays a very popular standard - mpeg4 (you just have to convert it to a newer, better format: h264). The file is smaller - sound and video are great.
It does have a drawback: the battery life on watching movies is horrible.
On the plus side, it finally comes with a simple carrying pouch (in both the 30 and 60 iPods). The USB 2 transfer is very quick. Sound is phenomenal (although I recommended spending $20 on a set of better headphones). The display is vibrant and wider than any other iPod.
Summary: I have downloaded several game trailers and DVDs to this iPod using just DVD Decrypter and PSPVideo9. It plays video very well at the high cost of battery life. It charges relatively quick, sounds fantastic, and has a vivid display.
fex, why should people "buy an old one?" The price hasn't gone up, and now you get a smaller device, a bigger drive, a nicer screen, better battery life, better recording quality, better software features, and hell, maybe even a video or two down the road. I'm tempted to trade up myself.
"There is no market today for portable video," [Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple] says. "We're going to sell millions of these to people who want to play their music, and video is going to come along for the ride. Anyone who wants to put out video content will put it out for this. And well find out what happens."
http://timecanada.com/story.adp?storyid=005∂=2&area=_toc
Hi - if you want a nice device that plays audio files, videos and does a whole bunch more (including synchronising beautifully with Outlook and running lots of Windows Mobile programs) then go for the Orange SPV (sounds, pictures, video)
http://www.orange.com/English/productsandservice/thespv3.asp?bhcp=1
http://shop.orange.co.uk/shop/show/handset/orange_spv_c550/detail/pay_monthly
The same model phone is also available in US from Audiovox:
http://www.mobiletechreview.com/audiovox_SMT5600_smartphone.htm
This does much more than the vPod ... and is much cheaper ..
^Shameless self promotion
#13 andrew - either tell me how many movies and tunes I can cram into my spv or stop being a bigus dickus. Seriously how much would it cost to get me up to 60GB or even 30GB?????
Rumble, your solutions are complex enough to be completely inaccessible for the average user (DVD Decrypter? You mean the one that "cease-and-desisted"? Oy). People don't want to download *multiple* programs to form some sort of video production-line to eventually get ipod-compatible video.
Well the SPV doesnt have a hard disk (which would be nice) - only mini-SD cards. 1 GByte is about the best currently feasible option. Obviously not as much as the iPod but then it is never a problem for me - swapping video or audio files is fast and easy. I wonder what percentage of such files are regularly used on the average iPod users device? Having a huge memory capacity just makes it easy to load up lots of files and not have to manage them as diligently ..
But really, the SPV is definitely an option for having a handy device for video & audio as well as being a phone, camera, extension of your PC, GPS navigator, and plenty of other stuff ..
#16 If people don't want to download software to do things like listen to music, then I recommend that they don't buy gadgets like the iPod because they do take a certain degree of tech-savyness.
It is certainly harder to find a decent peer-to-peer network to download illegal music than it is to go to:
www.doom9.org - dvd decrypter
www.pspvideo9.com - video converter
and install the software. I bet that a person who is willing to spend $300+ on an iPod is also willing to invest about 15 minutes to download and install movie ripping and encoding software.
You say that people don't want to download *multiple* programs? Two downloads is very easy to surmount.
Do you have an iPod video #16? Have you actually tried ripping and encoding to it? If not, then you don't have much room to speak. Try it, and if it's too complicated, give me a good thrashin', but until then - leave the reviews to those who have actually used the product.
NDawg, 2 programs... you have to use more then 2 programs to copy a dvd and burn it most of the time (if you want better quality than DVDX puts out). It takes no time at all. if you want to be lazy download the avi from BT and re-encode.... then you need one program. wait two if you count BT, looks like it is too much for the average user to handle. Cry me an iRiver as someone once said...
#8, why buy an old one? Surely, I wouldn't buy one for the video capabilities, especially with the 2-hour battery life when playing video - but the improved battery life and improved form factor are very nice. And at the same price, apple's ipod just got more appealing, even for people who don't care about video.
you only need 1 piece of software on your mac...Handbrake.
Search for "How to Rip to iPod"
SIMPLE.
i'm all for everything.
carry on.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE FORGETTING . . . . is that currently there is no LEGAL way to transfer DVD's or other copyrighted material to a portable device. Apple have made a an iPod that is first and foremost a m,usic player with video as an added extra. Sure there are better options with bigger screens and better battery life but they are usualy dedicated players.
Even so, watching anything on these players other than home movies or what you own copyright to is currenlt illegal.
Apple have stated this and have made something the movie studios will watch very closely. Perhaps the iPod wih video will be such a success that the movie studios re-think their draconian principles and like music, allow you to have a reasonable use policy for movies which allow you to legally watch movies on a portable device.
If this iPod with video helps achieve that then it's really hats off to Apple for bringing that to the table.
Remember, this is the only portable device that LEGALLY allows you to download and watch copyrighted material.
Anyone noticed how Steve Jobs had the EVERYTHING from his iPod's screen show up on the big screen? I called apple today, to say that I can see videos and pics on my TV, but nothing else, and why is it that Steve could.... after being on hold for a total of about 10 minutes he came back, and said it was not made to do that, and that's it. Sad, because THIS IS THE REASON I PURCHASED IT FOR! Moron's at apple! Steve, wake up! Let's start a petition for video output for EVERYTHING .... odd, my Sony T1 even shows it's 'boot' screen... hello apple, why are you not showing the menu's?! How the HELL are we suppose to see the screen from across the room using your new remote and dock (or the DLO dock, which is nicer)?????
Apple does it again. The new iPod is simply amazing, goodbye Creative, iRiver, Walkman and Dell DJ, find your spot next to Rio in the DAP graveyard!!! As for Micro$oft, they are irrelevant in the DAP market.
Re getting video on the iPod, it's just as easy as getting video on your PSP but less hassle since you don't have to continuosly swap media on and off your puny 1GB memory sticks.
Just pointing out, the Playlist link doesn't work.
Hold on, this might sting a little.
No one here is a typical iPod owner.
GASP!!!
Yes, it's quite clear that everyone here understands technology pretty well. But Apple products are designed to be comprehensible to
non-"tech savvy" people (which isn't to say that "tech-savvy" people can't enjoy/tinker with them). Many iPod owners use iTunes to buy music and rip CDs and that's it.
Yes, it's very simple for YOU to find illegal software on some mirror site and download it. That's not what we're talking about. The average user is not going to be able to figure out that they need software designed for the *PSP*. Good lord, you think *I* care about
the number of steps? Please, I could figure this stuff out too. But you can't seriously believe that the vast majority of iPod owners will understand:
"Second, download PSPVideo9. Rip at SP/325x240/29.97 fps, 1500kbps Stereo"
This isn't a personal insult or a complaint, guys. Most people just aren't as tech-savvy as you. Kudos for figuring out how to do all that stuff for yourself - it was easy for *you*. But simply by reading Engadget, I'd say you're not representative of many or most iPod owners.
If most iPod owners could do everything that you describe, then iTunes would sell virtually no songs and their new TV show downloads would be a complete flop. Now, will people do the "simple" thing and download them for free at better quality, albeit illegally? Seems like Apple thinks they won't. And they probably know their customers pretty well.
Of course, if you want to get the word out, you could set up a website with links and instructions. Or would that be too "simple"?
Any verdict on whether this one scratches as easily as the Nano? I want to pick one up, but no review I've read really tests this out. The black version is dead sexy, but if it scratches as easy as the black nano does, I'm sticking to white.
Just bought the new video-enabled iPod today and am
EXTREMELY disappointed. Sure, I can listen to my
piles of mp3s but that's it. On Apple's store, not
a SINGLE video to download for less than $2/pop -
ok... I paid $400 to watch a 3 minute music video for
$2? Can't even download movie trailers to it :(
If only can find a hack to get play tivo recordings
on it...
all i wanna know is if the black version scratches like the nano...
^^ same here.
One more, one more!http://www.revecess.com/index.php?title=hating_on_the_video_ipod_a_hypocrite_s_r
I like the way the CBS/Christian Monitor rag slammed it as an evil tool because your kids can watch porn on it. Dumb fockers. By their reasoning we should all trash our computers and tv sets too. Scary - because these people are taking over the country.
I was disappointed in the angle the Christian Science Monitor took too. Not because I am a fan of the iPod, but because I found the logic so outlandish. I would have been outraged no matter what PVP they tried to brand the portable porn machine tag on. I wrote to the editors and told them so too.
What disappointed me most is that the Monitor is not a right wing rag at all and is usually a good source for news.
Yeah it's simply NOT easy to convert video to a format that this thing likes. I have tried 5 different programs and not one of the get's it right.
PSP video 9 doesn't work all that well. If you have a video that doesn't have audio, it won't work.
http://www.pqdvd.com/ this ALMOST gets it right, though it really needs to allow you to be able to easily select spefic chapters to extract. I have some compilation DVDs that I would like to rip, but this makes it difficult. There's ONE setting, that makes me happy.
All in all, I think for a video player this is OK, I just wanted a new iPod for audio mostly, but I am animator too, so this is a bonus. I have a feeling other video players do this much better though.
I Also would like to know if it scratches the same, as the Nano
I want to buy a 60GB iPod, not so much for the video playing, but because I want it as a laptop replacement on my living room. I want to buy the new Apple Remote with the new dock to control the iPod while it displays the menus on the TV. I read that the TV-out feature is only active while slideshows or videos are showing. Could someone please confirm this? That would make sense for Apple financially, since the probably want to push that FrontRow crap, but for us Windows users that want similar capabilities, this would be a killer app.
You know, Quicktime Pro does have a Export Video to iPod option. Yes, I know, you have to pay for Quicktime Pro, but it's an easy option.
The only downfall I see with the iPod is its scratches issue. The video STILL scratches as the Nano, which is a total disappointment because you'd think, after they're little fiasco with the nano, they'd improve the video in order to avoid the complains and possible lawsuits
Thats why they threw in the .05 cent iPod sleeve, almost a last minute afterthought in an attempt to save themselves from more lawsuits. A much easier "quick fix" for themselves, although that still leaves the consumer high and dry if they dont use the cover. I'm sure apple will fix the scratch issues in future iPods, this lawsuit ensures it. But the timing of the suit filing was right before the 5G iPod launch, so they really had no time to do a whole re-production of their first batch.
If you have a 3g ipod or 4g black-n-white screen, its definitely worth the upgrade, with the storage capacity increase, slimmer form factor, bigger screen, and way better battery life than the 3rd and early 4th generation iPods.
Yeah these do seem to scratch easy I was at the UK Mac expo this weekend and the Apple guys showing them off seemed to have small scratches on the back. Lots of cases are starting to come out seen a few here
http://www.easyipod.co.uk/section.php?xSec=72
ipods do scratch easy but we all love getting cases and accessories for them and if they didnt then half the fun of the ipod would be taken away from us.
one million video downloads. yeah, it must really suck. it is amazing how few critical articles and comments are written about sony and creative's half-assed attmepts to catch up to apple. i guess it is because nobody really cares about poorly designed and programed products. just because you can't afford an ipod is no reason to write ignorant, childish comments about them.
http://macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/apples_itunes_music_store_sells_over_one_million_videos_in_under_20_days/
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1348
Correspondingly, just because you love your ipod is no reason to write a rebuttal to a point that no one made intelligently. Oy.
~13
Is it also possible to convert DVD's to iPod with subtitles?
How should this be done?
Thank you
I would say that the ipod with video is a really great product. However due to the lack of cases at launch everybody's iPod now are full of scratches. I feet cheated since apple said this wouldn't be the case. Apple informed consumers that at launch many protective products would be available. All they came out with was the ipod sock... I had socks for peet's sake.
Could somebody please tell me if you can put DVDs on to the new video ipod and if so what the transfer rate form itunes to the ipod is like? Thanks a lot
I like the ipod video. It was one of Oprah's favourite things! My favourite thing is that I got mine free. check out
question for rumblebottom... when i tried using your formula for ripping video, the psp program didn't offer me the exact quality you specified. Correspondingly i could not add the output file to the library. Any thoughts?. I was trying to rip a looney tunes dvd for my son.