Apple intros Component AV Cable for new iPods

Sure, you could always wait around for Meridian's wicked cool iRIS dock to output videos on your iPod in 1080p, but for those not looking to spend upwards of $370, Apple's got a new peripheral just for you. The Component AV Cables -- which are said to only play nice with the 3G nano, iPod classic, and iPod touch -- enables you to pipe those movie clips onto a television set via component outs. Additionally, the accessory touts stereo audio inputs, a USB adapter for charging your iPod while it's playing, and even an AC adapter in case your laptop (or any powered USB port) isn't nearby. Reportedly, the 3G nano and iPod classic can output imagery at 480p or 576p resolutions, while the iPod touch supports 480i / 576i. Shipping in two to three weeks for $49.

[Thanks, Mauricio T. and Nick D.]

[Erwos @ Sep 6th 2007 6:59AM]

That's kinda odd - why didn't they update the Touch to do 480p?

[Joe @ Sep 6th 2007 7:24AM]

Do you have a TV that will take a component cable and not deinterlace the 480i? I doubt it, unless it's one of those EDTV CRTs.

[711 @ Sep 6th 2007 5:23PM]

More like why didn't they color code the cables?

[Scooter @ Sep 6th 2007 7:02AM]

whaaa? you are saying the Touch can't do 480p or 576p?
This is the model with the wicked screen - the one video lovers would lump for (despite the lousy storage for video)?
Does not compute...

[SteveJ @ Sep 6th 2007 7:09AM]

"Reportedly"? Who reported it? Any reason to believe that info?

[SteveJ @ Sep 6th 2007 7:54AM]

Never mind. It's true. The info is reported in the listing for the "Apple Component AV Cable" on the Apple Store: "Note: Component video output to television is supported by iPod nano (third generation) and iPod classic at 480p or 576p resolution, and by iPod touch at 480i or 576i resolution."

[humpty @ Sep 6th 2007 7:11AM]

Yay. 320x240 video for the loooser

[SteveJ @ Sep 6th 2007 7:55AM]

Wrong. The iPod's with video output are all capable of 640x480 video playback, which is pretty close to DVD quality.

[Chekote @ Sep 6th 2007 8:43AM]

DVD quality *resolution* maybe. But DVD quality *image*?

[Iscariote @ Sep 6th 2007 9:29AM]

I have to agree with Chekote here, just because something is high resolution doesn't mean it looks good.

This comes up a lot in HDTV arguments; spec nerds think 1080p cheap LCDs are awesome, whereas most people who actually compare panels by looking at them agree that 720p plasmas look better than 1080p LCDs because they do better color reproduction and black levels despite their lower res.

[stretchsje @ Sep 6th 2007 7:52AM]

Since the recordings are generally at 30 frames per second or lower, 480p and 480i should look identical once properly deinterlaced.

[x20mar @ Sep 6th 2007 8:13AM]

Damm now I need to get a component switcher, any one knows one that works happy with a wii?

[bob @ Sep 6th 2007 8:16AM]

Will the iPhone be able to output video in the next software update? It seems to be getting all the other features of the iPod touch. I'd settle for 480i.

[dro @ Sep 6th 2007 8:21AM]

it should be able to do so right now i guess, it is listed under compatible devices

[Xzavier @ Sep 6th 2007 8:39AM]

"the 3G nano and iPod classic can output imagery at 480p or 576p resolutions, while the iPod touch supports 480i / 576i."

Looks like Apple is at it again with giving people *half* of what people really want. I guess within a month or to we might see a 20%-30% discount on this item.

Stop now while you are ahead Apple, you've been warned!

[Iscariote @ Sep 6th 2007 9:30AM]

Stop what now, making money hand over fist? Dell is the market share leader for PC sales, yet Apple's market cap is almost twice as large.

That's gotta hurt.

[Xzavier @ Sep 6th 2007 12:44PM]

Ok, so Dell's stock is around 28 bucks and Apple stock is around 138 bucks. Looking at ONLY those #'s you might think that Apple is financially pounding the living daylights out of Dell? Something like... "Ouch, *that’s gotta hurt*".

Ya know... when I use to work at the NYSE one of my users use to tell me that those companies really don't have all of that money in stock wealth. They are really not worth what you think they are worth. Their wealth really only exist on paper.

e.g. Their real worth is *speculative*. It took me a long time to figure that out.

I really don't know too much about stocks and stuff, however I think the bottom line is this. Who is selling more of what/everything? And that is not speculative... that is FACTS/SALES!

Successful brick and mortar companies are created first, then comes IPO's.

[Klaus Burton @ Sep 6th 2007 8:47AM]

iPods have been able to output 640x480 to TVs for ages. I was doing that with my 5G iPod last year just using a cord made for a video camera, it cost $15 from a photo developing store.

[MGB @ Sep 6th 2007 9:50AM]

Will this work with the 5G Video Ipod?

[John M @ Sep 6th 2007 10:10AM]

I saw these yesterday and on Apples page it also says the the iphone is compatible...maybe they will update the iphone to have video out...certaimly wouldnt be the first time apple hid features in a device

[wheatie @ Sep 6th 2007 10:24AM]

So will my existing Apple A/V output cable I use for my 5G Video iPod work on an iPod Touch or will I need to updgrade to this new A/V cable, does anyone know?

[Ted @ Sep 6th 2007 5:18PM]

the old AV cable that connects to the headphone jack won't work with the new iPod touch. but there's this new composite AV cable that connects to the dock connector that works with the iPod touch AND your 5G iPod.

[Ted Capiendo @ Sep 6th 2007 5:28PM]

whoops, need link. new composite AV cable for dock connector:

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=185CC5FE&nplm=MB129LL/A

[Ray @ Sep 6th 2007 10:44AM]

This better work on the iPhone too!

[Tai @ Sep 6th 2007 10:53AM]

...or what?????

[Bandit @ Sep 6th 2007 11:13AM]

Yes, I would assume the hardware is there to do it and it would be quite unfair if the iPhone didn't get video-out also. Remember, the iPhone is supposed to be the "best iPod ever." It would be another kick in the butt to early purchasers if the touch ends up with *more* iPod functionality than the iPhone just released two months ago!

[iphone support @ Sep 6th 2007 11:00AM]

or he's gonna make a mean post on a forum!

btw, there's an iphone icon at the bottom of the page though people aren't sure if that's because the power adapter supports the iphone or if the cable really works with it.

[Peter K @ Sep 6th 2007 10:54AM]

So lets see I can get Appple tv or a pretty sweet iPod for $300, and watch itunes video content on tv? My hdtv does great at upscaling 480p to 720p so is there any reason at all to get an Apple TV over an iPod????

[johnzilla @ Sep 6th 2007 11:51AM]

Remote control?

[Raetus @ Sep 6th 2007 12:01PM]

If you go to the apple store it says in plain English that it is compatible with the Iphone. I guess that solves that.

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=184EAE7D&nplm=MB128LL/A

[RoCKSTaH226 @ Sep 7th 2007 3:39PM]

Either they replaced this page since you posted it, or you're finding something I'm not... the iPhone icon is gone, and it says iPhone nowhere on the page.

[Sameer Surampalli @ Sep 7th 2007 5:04PM]

Why didn't they include a composite connector as well, just like on the 360's HD Component cable? Not everyone has an HDTV on hand all the time. I use my iPod at other people's houses too.

[Sam @ Sep 17th 2007 1:19PM]

Are you saying that you have to have an HD TV to use the Apple Component AV connector???????

[Sameer Surampalli @ Sep 17th 2007 3:48PM]

Well, I'm sure you can use the normal AV cable for the new iPods too, but with this one, no.

[Sam @ Sep 17th 2007 1:14PM]

So do I need to use a HD TV with the Apple Component AV cable or will it work fine on a standard tv with av jacks and my new 80 gig Ipod Classic?