IPOD question

[rh71]

My bro wants the 60GB Ipod with photo/video so I'm doing some research on it. $400?! G'damn... that's how much a new Treo would cost (minus that capacity, but an IPOD can't call people either) so what exactly are the benefits ?

More importantly, I'm reading it's now in the 5th generation... so it's gone through a lot of changes... are the prices on these things (4th gen, etc.) dropping at all or are they there to stay ? I notice the 30GB version is $100 less also. I don't want him to buy it now if it's just a new-to-market price and it's just gonna drop 3 months later.

How does the video work ? The damned apple.com --> ipod --> features --> video page keeps crashing my browsers. :| Does it only support Quicktime ? What res does it work at ? Any info / experience appreciated.

 

[randomlinh]

the ipod video supports h264 from quicktime, as well as simple mpeg4 encoding. the 5th gen is slimmer.. the 60GB is slimmer than the smallest 3rd gen (want to say 4th gen too.. but can't remember off hand).

you're paying for the name, and IMO, the amazing UI. That's strictly opinon.. some ppl don't like it at all. But it boils down to the name and size. It's still just an MP3 player for the most part, so if you want multiple functionality (FM, generic storage, voice, multi-video support, etc), this isn't for you.

Your treo doesn't have a 60GB HD on it btw. heh. I for one think the 30GB is worth it, not the 60GB. The click wheel interface is really what sells it for me. HOwever, you better really love your brother to hand him a $400 anything

 

[gigapet]

i went to the ipod store last week cuz i am getting the 30 gb one for xmas.

The video is great quality for the size screen its on and i was pleased with how thin and light weight it was.

Any depreciating asset is going to depreciate its a fact of life man.

 

[Crono]

$400 is too much IMO. I would go for a pmp with higher capacity, or a psp for that price. Can't play SNES rpg's on a video iPod

 

[pontifex]

i paid almost $400 for my 3rd gen ipod and it was 15GB. it pretty much went to hell after about a year though. i would not recommend an ipod.

i now have a creative jukebox zen thinger - 30GB. i don't use it much anymoere though.

 

[Baked]

If you have the $30 1st time customer coupon from Apple and student discount, the 60GB is the best bang for buck iPod you can buy. I use QuickTime Pro to convert QT movies to iPod video format. Those QT movie trailers you d/l from Apple.com look pretty damn nice.

 

[Mrfrog840]

this should be renamed to...

"I have an iQuestion"

 

[Syringer]

I've always wondered if people actually use the video capability of the ipod. When/where would you use it?

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: Crono
$400 is too much IMO. I would go for a pmp with higher capacity, or a psp for that price. Can't play SNES rpg's on a video iPod

PSP can't carry around 60GB's of data. they are completely different beasts, you can't compare the two. a portable media player would be a better option, unless the OP cares about size. but yes, $400 is too much, as i stated.

As for what video... honestly, i don't know. If I took public transportation, I'd definitely use it to watch tv shows. Screen is the size of old school portable tv's I don't think I could watch a movie though.

 

[effowe]

Originally posted by: Baked
If you have the $30 1st time customer coupon from Apple and student discount, the 60GB is the best bang for buck iPod you can buy. I use QuickTime Pro to convert QT movies to iPod video format. Those QT movie trailers you d/l from Apple.com look pretty damn nice.

This interests me, know where I can find one of these coupons?

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: Syringer
I've always wondered if people actually use the video capability of the ipod. When/where would you use it?

well on my Treo, I watch tv eps and movies during downtime such as waiting for the wife while she shops, etc. The difference between that and an IPOD, I'm reading is the battery life. Apparently on these ipods, they only last 2 hours on video (of course it's a more brilliant screen)... but that's hardly worth it if you're out and about... it's like bringing a laptop out with you for wifi and you have to worry about battery life. That sucks. Sure it can hold more... but you can't even watch it all.

I will try to talk him out of it... or just go for the 30GB model. $100 cheaper makes a big difference... and I honestly don't think he'll be using the video features (not the way I do anyway).

Originally posted by: effowe

Originally posted by: Baked
If you have the $30 1st time customer coupon from Apple and student discount, the 60GB is the best bang for buck iPod you can buy. I use QuickTime Pro to convert QT movies to iPod video format. Those QT movie trailers you d/l from Apple.com look pretty damn nice.

This interests me, know where I can find one of these coupons?

me too please.

 

[Minerva]

Two hours for video? LOL that STINKS!

Is it because the backlight is on continuously or is it due to load on the CPU for decompressing the stream or combination of the two. Most likely a combination but I'm curious of the breakdown of what is using the most.

 

[fs5]

iPod is music first, video second. which is why they are still calling it the iPod, not the Video iPod officially. If you want a kick ass music device a 30gb iPod is just fine.

 

[Cuda1447]

Well, I love mine. I play a lot of poker so I listen to music while I play + sometimes watch videos (music) or comedy shows etc on it. Quality of video is surprisingly good. Ive got the 30gig model, so its nice and slim. A HUGE improvement over my neuros.

 

[Vinfinite]

when in video mode the ipod gets just 2hours of play time, however the 60gb one gets roughly 3 hours. Another disadvantage is that you have to convert every video you have into mp4 format, which does tend to take a while depending. Also if the video isn't extra high quality to begin with, it will turn out pretty crappy and results in off timing of audio.

well at least it can play music for 12+ hours =P

just my 2 cents

 

[SuPrEIVIE]

2hrs? haha thats lame, and during the 3generations ipod didn't the cream of the crop culminate at 500$?

 

[cruiser1338]

2hrs isn't that bad if you break it down. For me, its a half hour commute to school in a car with music only, then a half hour back, but on the train. Half an hour of video used. Get home, and it can get on charge, plus theres still like 9 and a half hours of music left then. Unless you have a long ass holiday car ride, it is well worth it, and chances are you can spring for a $10 car adaptor for the road.

Break it down yourself on a normal day, and most will see that you wouldn't even use the full two hours.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

i would pay the premium since i actually need the 60 gigs

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: AznAnarchy99
i would pay the premium since i actually need the 60 gigs

Get a fricking laptop for $400.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: AznAnarchy99
i would pay the premium since i actually need the 60 gigs

Get a fricking laptop for $400.

a laptop would be cool to carry on trains and buses for music!

How can you suggest a laptop for the same purpose ?

 

I have the 60GB video. I have to admit the video looks great -- BUT -- the screen is too small and it only plays Apple formats AFAIK. I would be nice to be able to drop an xvid on it and play. No dice. For $400 you can get a like PMC device.

 

[rh71]

I just spoke to my bro again and he says the most important is that he has the ability to hook it up in his car stereo (stock Civic radio)... I believe IPOD can do that with accessories right ? Does that go through the tape deck or something ? I don't believe there's an input otherwise.

He needs at minimum 30GB. Are there any other products out there that can do this and has 30GB+ ?

 

[gigapet]

Originally posted by: rh71
I just spoke to my bro again and he says the most important is that he has the ability to hook it up in his car stereo (stock Civic radio)... I believe IPOD can do that with accessories right ? Does that go through the tape deck or something ? I don't believe there's an input otherwise.

He needs at minimum 30GB. Are there any other products out there that can do this and has 30GB+ ?

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/itrip30/index.php


the 30 gb is a solid choice. In reality i dont think anyone has use for more than 30 gb of storage in between docking it at yoru computer and copying over new data.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: gigapet

Originally posted by: rh71
I just spoke to my bro again and he says the most important is that he has the ability to hook it up in his car stereo (stock Civic radio)... I believe IPOD can do that with accessories right ? Does that go through the tape deck or something ? I don't believe there's an input otherwise.

He needs at minimum 30GB. Are there any other products out there that can do this and has 30GB+ ?

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/itrip30/index.php


the 30 gb is a solid choice. In reality i dont think anyone has use for more than 30 gb of storage in between docking it at yoru computer and copying over new data.

don't care so much about an FM tuner... just want to be able to play his mp3s in his car. I don't think that's what that itrip is for right ?

 

[xospec1alk]

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: AznAnarchy99
i would pay the premium since i actually need the 60 gigs

Get a fricking laptop for $400.

a laptop would be cool to carry on trains and buses for music!

How can you suggest a laptop for the same purpose ?

theres this guy that rides the metro north with me to stmafrod and he actually plugs is earphones into his laptop, and listens to his music....