Now that all the RDF has worn off, a few of the hard facts about Apple's latest are coming to light, and one of the nasties has to do with video output. Apparently the new
iPod classic and
iPod nano don't get along too well with currently video docks and cables on the market -- that is to say, pretty much not at all. A select few products with the 'spensive Apple authentication chips built-in do allow you to turn on TV out, like Apple's Universal Dock, iPod Hi-Fi (which doesn't have video output anyways) and the $600 Zeppelin from Bowers and Wilkins, but if you've sprung for products such as the Memorex iFlip and Sonic Impact Video-55 in the past, you're out of luck for the time being. It seems logical to us that Apple has the ability to unlock this function for existing docks if it so chooses, but for now you can always drop a fifty on those new
component cables from Apple -- and pray for a repeat in the "
contrite open letter" department.
posted September 7th 2007 2:51PM
I'm not sure about all the details on this issue, but with any a/v interface through the iPod dock there should be standard or protocol followed by the i-device and other manufacturers. I would think if Apple has revised this data protocol for the iPod interface that they would make the standard available to other manufacturers to follow. The idea is that companies have to follow standards for data interfaces whether it iPod dock, USB or HDMI.
Perhaps the standards have changed for more video bandwidth and it backward compatibility was not possible, but I can only guess. Hopefully its just a firmware update on the iPod that fixes this issue.
God I hate how greedy Apple is. And yet they get a bunch of idiots swearing by them.
You are forgetting the worst part. As an iPod user, I was this close to buying a cheaper-yet-functional-but-still-expensive cable, but then again, if I buy this I won't be able to use it on a new Classic in the future. So I just don't know if I want to buy neither anymore.
Tho, having a second thought, is the same DRM shit that people is trying to pull off related to HD content. They just want to be able to control what you watch, when and where.
Is like content is not entertaining anymore. It's a more and more dark region of business that can't afford loosing a pair of millons bucks when they earn zillions.
I might have missed this, but where does it say official Apple products won't work??
so i have a 3.5 to rca for my ipod with video, and it wont work to put video on tv with the new ipods? this wangs chung!
Bummer for all of those with the expensive units...
This will just keep people from upgrading as quickly as they might... had the accessories maintined their compatibility. Nobody can seriously claim that Apple makes it a habit to avoid backwards compatibility. My one year old Powerbook is running software that I purchased 8 years ago all because Apple went out of its way to ensure past compatibility.
If you think your getting a raw deal, don't upgrade. Or better yet go shop for some of the competing devices that are available. Somebody has to love the ugly ones too. Maybe that's you?
Of course they can seriously claim it. Apple is not just failing to support 3rd party hardware, they are maliciously breaking it. They don't deserve credit for providing a migration path for their machines either. Current windows platforms run apps written in the 70's. You're an idiot.
You can output video while docked with the apple hi-fi, since the ipod video can output video via the head phone jack, all you need is a compatible AV cable.
For a device like the iPod that seemingly has a pretty short life span (I've had three in 4 years), not allowing your newer models to work with older accessories is a pretty anti-consumer move IMO.
This change was most likely prompted by Hollywood. The new iPods can output a 480p signal over component, allowing for easy analog copying, resulting in a decent quality dupe.
Yeah, Hollywood is shaking in their boots over the ability to copy at a stunning 480p. What a quality, high definition source the iPod is.
Of course, you could just use the original file that was loaded on the iPod in the first place. Jeez.
Remember, you don't need to buy Apple's expensive A/V cable to do video out on a TV. You can use the 3 RCA 3.5mm mini-A/V connector (the three-banded headphone jack). All you do is put red male end into the yellow port on your TV, yellow into white, and white into red. The reason for this is because that port needs to support both audio mini-A/V jacks (two-banded jacks) and video/audio mini-A/V jacks at the same time. Here's the step-by-step walk through:
http://www.macdevcenter.com/pub/a/mac/2005/11/18/video-ipod.html
Gotta love proprietary crap.
Hear hear! It's a bummer to have proprietary power, audio, video, etc. connectors on everything.
Seeing trend towards usb recharging is encouraging...although you often need custom cables.
If product is so "small" that you can't fit a linein/out jack or hdmi without attaching a horrendous (and proprietary) dongle...then increase the size of the device.
When Mr. Nanooo says bend over... he runs over and steals your wallet, then kicks you in the nuts, but you say thank you because he still has some sort of golden aura that's jading your judgement, and buy something else with a payday loan. God I wish I got in on that apple stock you suckers! lmao.
did you see that? right there? that's my decision to buy a new nano going away... you'll be missed.
although: how long till a hack's out? this isn't an iPhone, it should take like... 5 minutes to hack
Steve Jobs is against DRM....
EXCEPT when it impacts his revenue.
Greedy Bastard, and HIPPOCRIT !!!
There goes the only reason I've continued to buy iPods: accessory interoperability.
I don't buy @ iTunes, and now I guess I don't buy @ apple at all.
I was about to buy the 160GB iPodClassic, and the 16GB iPodTouch (need to have them both :-) until I saw this. Now I have reservations.
I just bought the Memorex iFlip video player thinking it would work with all future iPods with the Dock connector (that would fit into the iflips dock size constraints)
I called Apple Sales this morning and they spoke to an iPod engineer. He stated that nothing had changed on the video out to the dock and that any video device that works with the 5th generation should work with the classic.
BUT, this is not happening from the few people that have tried.
So I can see three possible reasons...
1, The engineer didn't know something major has changed with Video Out (doubt this, if he was an engineer)
2, Its a glitch that wont turn on video out of the iPod when connected to some devices.
3, The video device is not recognizing the new higher resolution output. (also doubt this since the pictures show the ipod not allowing video to be turned on)
I'm hoping that it is #2 just a glitch that will be fixed with an update, but worried this is #1 and something was changed that makes it incompatible.
But unlike many of you that are always running around yelling "the sky is falling" If it was changed, I'm sure there was a reason (not to sell more cheap cables)
This is like everyone yelling that the mini jack Video Out of the iPodPhoto, and iPodVideo was different than a standard camcorder cable. And Apple only changed that cable to make you buy their "video out cable" (unless you knew to switch the video and audio wires) But they didn't bother to think that if Apple had used the same connection as a camcorder out, then normal headphones wouldn't have worked and you would only be able to buy special headphones designed only for the iPod.