New iPods - Video Support, TV Episodes, Music Videos [Archive] - Page 2

MrSugar

Oct 12, 2005, 05:51 PM

Ok, everybody on the planet knew they were going to release a video iPod so nothing new there, no big news. A video iPod is the stupidest thing I can think of, but hey there are a lot of stupid people out there that will probably spend $300 on one. Apple use to make computers didn't they? Oh yeah, they became a slave to Intel so they gave up on being the forefront innovators of the pc market. Where is the commercial for the Apple switch to Intel? Like I've been saying since the announcement of the SWITCH, Apple has just become another DELL. What am I going to use for live recording now? x86 processors just can't handle the bandwidth. Apple is dead. AppDell lives.

Hey there. You know I agree, apple really messed this one up by offering a better iPod with video capacity at the same price as the previous version. After all, it really doesn't make sense to make products better.

In fact, why didn't they update one of their computers today, you know the iMac is pretty slow, it could use a speed bump, since they are a computer company after all.

Oh and intel, you know, Apple really is their slave, good call, thanks for helping me realize that.

Edit: Sorry for the sarcasm here, but I really have to say that it seems some people just complain no matter what. The whole idea of going to intel was to increase the update periods and benefit the customer. Just because their chip is different doesn't mean they are a slave to intel.. or any less innovative than before.

Fiveos22

Oct 12, 2005, 05:52 PM

Will my new ipod nano play the tv shows?? does anyone know??

You might need a magnifying glass to see anything. I don't think I will be watching TV on my nano anytime soon.

quackattack

Oct 12, 2005, 05:56 PM

They just added the entire first season of lost for only 34.99, NOT 2 bucks a pop for a total of 50 something. I think more and more shows and episodes will continue to come out
Nice, that is more like it.

Plymouthbreezer

Oct 12, 2005, 05:57 PM

Is it just me, or can you hook in an old iPod cable to make it firewire?

??

:confused:
Smart person award of the day?? ;)

Some of you people are seriously babies. You complain to complain, and I haven't a clue why you post on this forum if you have nothing good to say... It's really a waste of your time and hand movement. I forget who said it once (I don't believe it was used in the same context though...) here, but "a little KY Jelly and long, easy strokes will probably bring you more pleasure" than bashing/whining to Apple/cynical postings on MR! :p

Anyway, I won't be getting a 5th gen iPod for a while at least. I just bought a Nano, and I sill like my 3rd gen's touch buttons much better then the click wheel. Although my battery is only holding a charge for about 4 hours max (maybe 2 with the backlight on for even short periods of time), I think I can get at least another year out of it before I'll need a new, regular iPod.

But, today proved to be good for most consumers, as the new iMacs are phenomenal machines. I guess I'll be asking for one this Christmas, to replace my aging G4 (which still runs great, but I've been itching for a new Mac for a while now) as my primary workstation. Can't decide if I want to spend the extra hundred on the 20", or save and get extra RAM on the 17". For the price, it's unbelievable what you get. It's quite the stunning computer, without a shocking price.

Either way, I'd rather get a good PPC Mac to last me until the line has fully switched over to Intel chips, at which time I'll get a high-end laptop (PowerBook... Whatever they end up calling them) for college (thinking early 2008 right now).

dan-o-mac

Oct 12, 2005, 05:59 PM

What a great product anouncement today!

But unfortunately not from Apple :-(
Check out this new breath-taking Nokia E61: (http://europe.nokia.com/nokia/0,8764,81719,00.html#).

It even has the same screen resolution QVGA and orientation as the new iPod. Apple should better ready their Smartphone project soon.

That's a phone? :confused:

fordlemon

Oct 12, 2005, 06:00 PM

You can buy the 24 episode DVD set of LOST in Dolby Digital 5.1 for under $40. Who would be stupid enough to buy ANY of these episodes through Apple? You HAVE to have them all or the show makes no sense. It's not a one show one story deal. Of course I am wrong. I'm intelligent.

Edit: Sorry for the sarcasm here, but I really have to say that it seems some people just complain no matter what. The whole idea of going to intel was to increase the update periods and benefit the customer. Just because their chip is different doesn't mean they are a slave to intel.. or any less innovative than before.

You're not sorry, but at the same time you are. "Slave to intel" are Woz's words not mine. Just read the Slashdot interview. If you knew anything about the history of Apple and what they USE to stand for you would understand.

They just added the entire first season of lost for only 34.99, NOT 2 bucks a pop for a total of 50 something. I think more and more shows and episodes will continue to come out

So for $4 more you can have the 24 episodes on 5.1 Dolby digital DVD. Hmmmm, gee I wonder what would be a better deal. Watch Lost on my HT or on my iPod. DUH!

Porchland

Oct 12, 2005, 06:06 PM

Lost (Pilot, Part 1) [Premiere] (42:29)

Kind: Protected MPEG-4 video file
Size: 210 MB
Bit Rate: 128 kbps
Sample Rate: 44.100 kHz

It took about 30 minutes to download, but I think a lot of that was probably attributable to start-up jitters and a huge crush of people trying to download what's available.

Season One of Lost: $34.99. List price on the Season One DVD box is $59.99, and Amazon has it for $38.99. Season Two available by episode.

Desperate Housewives Season One: also $34.99. Season Two available by episode.

That's So Raven: Season Three episodes available by episode.

Night Stalker and The Suite Life (whatever that is) also available by episode.

I assume we will see more things next Tuesday and every Tuesday. Will Roxy be talking about new TV on New Music Tuesday, or will there be a New Video Tuesday?

Exciting stuff!

Snide

Oct 12, 2005, 06:08 PM

What about 20Mbps DSL2? You can get it here in Europe for extraordinarily low prices. About €25 including free VoIP internet telephony and with some ISPs even with digital television. Can your cable connection hold a candle to that?

What about 50 Mbps fiber-optic cable into the home in many cities in Japan
for $30.00 US equivalent? Can your DSL2 connection hold a candle to that?

anastasis

Oct 12, 2005, 06:08 PM

For the record, if this had video in I would buy it in instant.

Knievel

Oct 12, 2005, 06:11 PM

Okay, okay. Let's all take a deep breath. It seems a lot of people are getting ancy and frustrated about this iPod update, and clearly some of you just aren't thinking right.

First, don't look at this as an iPod video, look at is a new iPod that now has an added bonus of playing video, only (and I emphasize this) if you want! They aren't charging more money so is there really anything to complain about?!?

Let's look at the bright side ---

for the same price as a 30 or 60 gig photo cost yesterday, you now get:

- Larger crisper higher color screens
- Thin and sleek looks that come in at just around a half an inch thick
- Black and White color offerings
- Video out, and video playback
- Ability to buy videos and TV shows from iTMS
- Longer battery life
- New iPod remote

Apple did it perfectly. They released a video iPod with content that is really solid. The idea of having TV shows at your finger tips any time, and keeping them as long as you want is pretty slick. Plus, keep in mind this is just the beginning. There is a high chance we will see more TV shows added, and maybe even eventually movies. Plus, in the end, the iPod is still an iPod!!! It's simple, sleek, sexy, and used to listen to music.

People need to realize what Apple just did, it's not like they are bludgeoning young children or something. Really, they just upgraded the iPod in a hell of a lot of ways for the exact same price. I don't give a damn about what people say, these new iPods are a great deal for the money. Regardless if you plan to watch video or not you are going to be happy with a half inch thick iPod with a nice crisp screen.

Can anyone logically argue that I am wrong?

Perfectly said, new iPods-- now with 80% more bitching from the "Power Users"!

Scarpad

Oct 12, 2005, 06:12 PM

I've been encoding alot of videos for my PSP using PSPvideo 9 in AVC format, it takes about 45 min on my Laptop for a 45 min show. My Mac mini 1.42 is dreadfully slow with QT AVC encoding. I'm taking a 45 min episode of Enterprise I encoded to xvid and reencoding it with QT7 pro and from the look of how long it's crawling I think it'll take about 6 hours. Does this sound practical to you? Will QT Even convert from a VOB file?

Superdrive

Oct 12, 2005, 06:12 PM

One thing I noticed that came with version 5 and makes more sense in version 6, is that from the source menu there is Library, Podcasts, Videos, and Radio. Why is it in the Library, I see all, and it defaults back to all with the search bar? If we keep the library viewing all, should we not have a "Music" section in the source? I sure think so. My library seems so diluted without it.

snowmoon

Oct 12, 2005, 06:12 PM

For the record, if this had video in I would buy it in instant.

Consitering how complicated that cicuitry is... it won't ever happen. Even if it could fit, just take a look as to get voice recording in 44.1 stero.

bankshot

Oct 12, 2005, 06:13 PM

Some of you people are seriously babies. You complain to complain, and I haven't a clue why you post on this forum if you have nothing good to say... It's really a waste of your time and hand movement.

Quite frankly, I think that coming here to do nothing but heap praise on Apple is a much bigger waste of time. What's accomplished there? 95% of us or more are big fans of Apple stuff. We all know that. Some of us care enough to point out flaws, in the hopes that others will join us in letting Apple know via feedback. Then maybe next time the products will be even better.

There are idiot posts on both extremes - idiots who bash without any basis, and idiots who praise incessantly. I come here for lively discussion that includes both the positives and negatives. I've been vocal in pointing out what I think are important flaws, hoping others might see my view and encourage Apple to improve. I also enjoy listening to other viewpoints, and in some cases have changed my mind after reading a well-presented argument. If this is the wrong forum for that, please let me know, and I'll let everyone get back to the worship service... :rolleyes: :D

ddrueckhammer

Oct 12, 2005, 06:13 PM

Ten minutes ago, I purchased Candy Shop by 50 Cent for $1.99 expecting to be able to watch the video in full screen on my Powerbook. Sadly, apple doesn't post the resolution for these videos and they are only 320x320 as far as I can tell. I can't even halfway full screen without the video showing pixilation. The file is only 18mb in size at 128 kbps. I am going to encourage all of my friends not to download videos off of the ITMS until they offer a better quality product. If people purchase these low quality videos for $2 a pop it will only encourage the MPAA and RIAA that they can charge more for higher quality downloads. The RIAA already thinks that songs are under priced because people are crazy enough to pay $3 for a ringtone. I understand that these video downloads are going to be geared toward watching your content on the iPod screen only and 320x320 is more than enough of that but c'mon Apple the resolution definitely makes the s-video dock seem like a waste of money unless you are going to rip your DVDs. What honest law-abiding citizen would ever consider committing such a felonious deed? (Stepping off of soapbox…)

Scarpad

Oct 12, 2005, 06:14 PM

i exported a dvd resolution h264 movie (1hr 15 min) to ipod in quicktim 7.03 in well under 5 minutes (1.5 mac mini). i was really shocked and surprised, expecting it to take hours. Also, the h264 was from a nero digital encode, so that confirms they aren't blocking that content out... they need to merge quicktime and itunes though. seems weird to have to use two programs to do this one thing.

How it's taking hours to convert from my xvid Avi...

dan-o-mac

Oct 12, 2005, 06:14 PM

Quick question, what kind of quality would one expect when you connect video out to a t.v.?

Superdrive

Oct 12, 2005, 06:15 PM

HBO boxing baby!

I'm going to have to go with the Curb Your Enthusiasm on the iPod. Here's to hoping HBO, Comedy Central, TLC, and other cable networks jump on the bandwagon. I'll buy shows to take them on the go because my DVR can't come everywhere.

sfwalter

Oct 12, 2005, 06:15 PM

Url to stream of today's special event http://stream.apple.akadns.net/

fordlemon

Oct 12, 2005, 06:16 PM

Nermal

Oct 12, 2005, 06:16 PM

I wonder how much longer before Apple Inc. renames itself iPod Inc.

iTunes S.à.r.l., 8 rue Heinrich Heine, L-1720 Luxembourg :p

Superdrive

Oct 12, 2005, 06:17 PM

tny

Oct 12, 2005, 06:17 PM

Just dropped an MP4 file of Battlestar Galactica that I exported from EyeTV into the library in iTunes - and it shows up in the Video source area. Hmm, I like that idea. It's VGA/NTSC, not QVGA (yet), so I imagine it wouldn't play on the iPod as is, but ...

ddrueckhammer

Oct 12, 2005, 06:21 PM

The resolution of your TV is much lower than that of your computer's screen. Trying to watch that content is obviously going to look worse on a higher definition screen than a regular tv or iPod.

So I guess watching these videos on my HD plasma is out? The point is, this is far from the video-on-demand option that we all know that Apple can deliver and (I'm sure) that Tivo and Netflix would like to deliver as well. If people purchase this low quality content for such a high price, the MPAA will keep pricing content for too much....

powerbook911

Oct 12, 2005, 06:22 PM

Will the iPod with the video output options, output video at full screen? They don't seem to advertise this, but can you buy a TV show, and then display it on your TV via iPod?

dan-o-mac

Oct 12, 2005, 06:23 PM

For the record, if this had video in I would buy it in instant.

Yeah I'm sure the television industry would love that too. ;)

tny

Oct 12, 2005, 06:23 PM

Quick question, what kind of quality would one expect when you connect video out to a t.v.?

It's QVGA - quarter VGA. A US non-HD NTSC TV has VGA resolution. Basically, it will have about the quality of a VHS tape on low speed, I imagine (I haven't tried it yet, but soon will).

fordlemon

Oct 12, 2005, 06:23 PM

Porchland

Oct 12, 2005, 06:25 PM

So you just spent $35 on a good TV show that will sound and look like crap on a TV that you could record for FREE in HD and 5.1 or buy for $4 more. Why would you want to watch 24 episodes of any TV show on an iPod?

No. I just spent $1.99 on Season One, Episode One.

Seriously, Apple could have announced full-resolution HD with 5.1 sound of every TV show currently in the Nielson top 25 and every catalog season of each of those shows, and someone would get on here to complain about the price.

If I had bought Season One of Lost, I would at least be able to watch it everywhere I go with the new iPod. I suppose you could do the same thing if you have the right software and about 20 hours to rip and encode the 6-8 DVDs to get to the same place.

It's cool. Enjoy it.

barneygumble

Oct 12, 2005, 06:26 PM

I will buy as soon as the 60gb drives are swapped out for 80gb, i think they are trying to get rid of the remaining stock they have ;)

fordlemon

Oct 12, 2005, 06:26 PM

So I guess watching these videos on my HD plasma is out? The point is, this is far from the video-on-demand option that we all know that Apple can deliver and (I'm sure) that Tivo and Netflix would like to deliver as well. If people purchase this low quality content for such a high price, the MPAA will keep pricing content for too much....

I have video (movies) on demand where I live. Watch it on my 100" HT screen, listen in THX audio, record it to HD-DVD. What do you watch you're favorite TV shows on?

ddrueckhammer

Oct 12, 2005, 06:27 PM

No. I just spent $1.99 on Season One, Episode One.

Seriously, Apple could have announced full-resolution HD with 5.1 sound of every TV show currently in the Nielson top 25 and every catalog season of each of those shows, and someone would get on here to complain about the price.

If I had bought Season One of Lost, I would at least be able to watch it everywhere I go with the new iPod. I suppose you could do the same thing if you have the right software and about 20 hours to rip and encode the 6-8 DVDs to get to the same place.

It's cool. Enjoy it.

For the record, I was just complaining about the quality, not the price. I think the price point is great but for a 1/2-3/4 dvd quality product would be fair...

LaMerVipere

Oct 12, 2005, 06:27 PM

And on a brighter note, at least the iPod U2 is finally history. :)

all-in-my-head

Oct 12, 2005, 06:28 PM

The resolution of your TV is much lower than that of your computer's screen. Trying to watch that content is obviously going to look worse on a higher definition screen than a regular tv or iPod.

I just got Madonna - Vogue to sample and got perfect image on full screen off G5 PM with 20" cinema display. Albeit 4:3, but its an old video.

One thing tho, iTunes doesn't allow continual play between videos and stops after each one. The loop/shuffle button is greyed out. Annoying for music videos & tv shows if your watching 24 or summin Anyone noticed this, know if there is an option!?

dan-o-mac

Oct 12, 2005, 06:29 PM

It's QVGA - quarter VGA. A US non-HD NTSC TV has VGA resolution. Basically, it will have about the quality of a VHS tape on low speed, I imagine (I haven't tried it yet, but soon will).

Wow that sucks. Maybe 6th Gen will have better resolution. Gonna go off and start a 6th Gen iPod next Tuesday thread, or is Wednesday the new Tuesday. :D

MacTruck

Oct 12, 2005, 06:37 PM

If I didn't buy that damn nano my wife would let me get the 60gb video black. I want that sucker for many reasons the main being my kids can watch their favorite tv shows on it when we are away. I think this is the greatest gadget yet.

Maybe I sneek that 60gb black onto the credit card tonight when she is asleep. Shhhhhhh.

jettredmont

Oct 12, 2005, 06:39 PM

5 authorized computers count for music and video. I was hoping they would be separate.

Then open two different accounts and use one for buying video and the other for buying music. Would be easier to muster with different OS X users.

williedigital

Oct 12, 2005, 06:41 PM

Scarpad

Oct 12, 2005, 06:47 PM

man nevermind what i said about good "export to ipod" speed in quicktime 7.03. I'm trying a different h264 file now and at the speed it's going now, i'd estimate maybe a 4-5 hour encoding time for a one hour and 15 minute file. x264 encoded dvd with aac 128. yeesh.

Yep I can't see the practicality of this yet I mean if itunes wants you to buy everything you watch on the new pod, then forget it, they need a faster encdng method. My PSP is still a bit better at video so far.

Mr Maui

Oct 12, 2005, 06:48 PM

Saw this earlier, must be a hoax...
http://zwebendesign.com/apple.com/powerbook.htmlWonder if the designer for the web pages let slip something they shouldn't have. Many links seem to work and link to areas in Apple's website, except for the small computer links up in the corner and a few others. They ask if you are looking for something (http://zwebendesign.com/apple.com/index17.html) on Apple's site. The Buy Now links to the current Powerbook setup. Very interesting. :)

iDM

Oct 12, 2005, 06:49 PM

I am having a slight amount of buyers remorse and i don't have anyone to rant to so feel free to disregard.

I told myself if they released an iPod Video I'd buy it especially if it came in the color black.
I also needed an external HD to back up all my pics and music so i can do a fresh install and then put all that stuff back on my drive.
I bought a shuffle but I have just not been happy with it because i can't change songs to ones I want.(I know the fun is hearing a random song, but i put gym and walking music on it, so when it goes from Rage Against the Machine to the Garden State Soundtrack to Nirvana......it kinda kills the mood)
I had a 3rd Gen(I had just replaced the battery myself) stolen from me in August so I've been stressing without the Rating option, Calendar and Screen
I went into the Apple Store and was blown away by how much i liked the nanos size color and screen.

So what happens Apple releases an iPod at 1pm(my class gets out at 1)i go to the computer lab check it out and so my whole time at my internship and on the city bus it's all i can think about how much i want one. I walk in my door sit down at my Powerbook look at it one time and without really thinking select black 30 gig and click proceed to check out then boom, all of a sudden i hear the ding in my Mail program that says i got new mail which is a receipt for the iPod...........why do i feel like Apple has made me addicted to their product line.

Anyway i got the external HD i wanted, I got the color I wanted, I got the video support i wanted, and i'm feeling a little better about not having the 20 gig anymore.....I'm feeling better about my purchase already! I wish i bought a 1:30 when i checked it was still shipping within 24hours now i gotta wait at least a week!!

madmaxmedia

Oct 12, 2005, 06:51 PM

Yeah video content should be subscription based, why the f**k am i going to pay for a show that my DVR is recording for me to watch tonite again?

Why would you pay for subscription OR an indivdual episode if you have Tivo to record it? Or are you suggesting that Apple/ABC should provide it for free?

We're obviously on step 13:
http://www.misterbg.org/AppleProductCycle/

Lynxpro

Oct 12, 2005, 06:55 PM

I don't understand why people think $1.99 for a TV show is a good deal. These aren't HBO or Showtime shows, these are shows that anyone with a TV can watch on ABC. Give me a easy way to transfer my Tivo'd shows to my iPod, then I'll be intersted. And $1.99 for a music video is beyond ridiculous.

Apple will tell you that more people in America have iPods and iTunes than TiVo. TiVo has not gone out of its way to support Mac OS X in the past year, so I don't see why Apple would jump in to support them.

And I say that as a TiVo fan. But the problem is, TiVo is its worst enemy. They are sitting on the HD stand-alone TiVo for Zoroaster-knows-what-reason. Its been done for 1 1/2 years, and yet they won't bring it to market because apparently they think consumers will pass on it unless it is compatible with CableCard 2.0 because PPV and On-Demand is SOOOO important for some reason.

I'm really at the point that I believe Apple seriously should just buy TiVo and sack its management team once and for all. Bring out the HD models, integrate it tightly with iTunes/iMovie/iPod, and make it even more successful.

jettredmont

Oct 12, 2005, 06:56 PM

Shattering Fast

Oct 12, 2005, 06:58 PM

Wonder if the designer for the web pages let slip something they shouldn't have. Many links seem to work and link to areas in Apple's website, except for the small computer links up in the corner and a few others. They ask if you are looking for something (http://zwebendesign.com/apple.com/index17.html) on Apple's site. The Buy Now links to the current Powerbook setup. Very interesting. :)

Well this should please a lot of people. Good find indeed.

I wish I wasn't 17 and could afford a Powerbook.

madmaxmedia

Oct 12, 2005, 06:58 PM

I will buy as soon as the 60gb drives are swapped out for 80gb, i think they are trying to get rid of the remaining stock they have ;)

I think these are new hard drives. That's the only way the new iPods could be so thin. The new 60GB iPod is thinner than the old B&W 4G 20GB, which is thinner than the outgoing Color 4G 20GB model...unless the layout inside has completely changed somehow.

Gingerbread Man

Oct 12, 2005, 07:00 PM

Does this mean video podcast? Can you tell were Im going with this? :D

ddrueckhammer

Oct 12, 2005, 07:00 PM

Wonder if the designer for the web pages let slip something they shouldn't have. Many links seem to work and link to areas in Apple's website, except for the small computer links up in the corner and a few others. They ask if you are looking for something (http://zwebendesign.com/apple.com/index17.html) on Apple's site. The Buy Now links to the current Powerbook setup. Very interesting. :)

Wow! 320x320 video downloads just in time for HD powerbooks! Hopefully, someone will come out with a download service to download content overnight...ie a Netfilx killer cause I can't see myself or anyone I know downloading 320x320 videos for $2 from the ITMS. I have 500 Gb of storage without anything legal to fill it up.

jettredmont

Oct 12, 2005, 07:02 PM

well, it's a dollar for the song... why by the song when you can get the video for twice the cost?

Ummmm ... because the video can't be burned to a CD or played in shuffle mode (so far as I can tell) ... even if the video soundtrack is the same as the song, I don't see the video as an "upgrade" from the song, but rather a related but separate item.

hvfsl

Oct 12, 2005, 07:04 PM

Does this mean video podcast? Can you tell were Im going with this? :D
There were quite a few video podcasts before the new iPod. Most of them were rubbish, but there is one or two good ones.

ITASOR

Oct 12, 2005, 07:05 PM

If anyone here is planning on buying the new iPod as soon as it's available in stores, or online, could you please PM me. :) I have to ask a favor! (take pictures, etc.)

Squonk

Oct 12, 2005, 07:05 PM

madmaxmedia

Oct 12, 2005, 07:08 PM

You can buy the 24 episode DVD set of LOST in Dolby Digital 5.1 for under $40. Who would be stupid enough to buy ANY of these episodes through Apple? You HAVE to have them all or the show makes no sense. It's not a one show one story deal. Of course I am wrong. I'm intelligent.

You would have to be stupid to buy songs off iTunes too, since you get better quality with CD's. But they've sold a jabillion songs or whatever.

Who cares!? Don't buy songs or TV shows. I don't buy music from iTunes, but I'm not raising a big stink over it.

I don't see buying a bunch of TV shows, but can easily see buying 1 or 2 on occasion. OMFG I SHOULD'VE GOTTEN THE HD DVD!!!!

You have to keep things in perspective. The video playback is a new feature to the regular iPod. In another year or 2 as the tech gets better, we'll have full VGA resolution. If you think the battery life is bad now for video, decoding VGA H264...forget about it.

excalibur313

Oct 12, 2005, 07:08 PM

Can you convert any type of movie file yourself into one that would be compatible with playing on the ipod?

madmaxmedia

Oct 12, 2005, 07:09 PM

Can you convert any type of movie file yourself into one that would be compatible with playing on the ipod?

Yes. ffmpegx is the best program I know of for now. I imagine in a few days they'll release an update with good presets for H264 and MPEG4.

harveypooka

Oct 12, 2005, 07:11 PM

No firewire either? They've gone USB!

danistheman50

Oct 12, 2005, 07:12 PM

I have a bunch of episodes of Family Guy and that 70's show, except they're in DIVX and XVID format. Can anyone tell me of a program (preferably free) that I can use to convert these to MP4 or h.264?? I ordered a 5G iPod today and now am trying to figure out how to take advantage of the video playing feature.

Peace

Oct 12, 2005, 07:13 PM

Wonder if the designer for the web pages let slip something they shouldn't have. Many links seem to work and link to areas in Apple's website, except for the small computer links up in the corner and a few others. They ask if you are looking for something (http://zwebendesign.com/apple.com/index17.html) on Apple's site. The Buy Now links to the current Powerbook setup. Very interesting. :)

The only obvious problem with that is it has a link to download iTunes 5..
Wonder if this person knew if iTunes 6 was coming out today :-)

vouder17

Oct 12, 2005, 07:13 PM

what tv shows??

come one CSI and Survivor!!

YEAH survivor!!!! I would love to have that on iTunes.

Go Judd!!

madmaxmedia

Oct 12, 2005, 07:16 PM

I just got Madonna - Vogue to sample and got perfect image on full screen off G5 PM with 20" cinema display. Albeit 4:3, but its an old video.

One thing tho, iTunes doesn't allow continual play between videos and stops after each one. The loop/shuffle button is greyed out. Annoying for music videos & tv shows if your watching 24 or summin Anyone noticed this, know if there is an option!?

That seems a little too good to be true (but great if it is true)...has anyone else bought a music video and played fullscreen?

The only other post was for a 50 Cent video, he said it looked pixellated full screen.

texasmafia

Oct 12, 2005, 07:19 PM

I have downloaded several music videos. It seems that they are all different qualities. The Nas One Mic video doesn't look near as good in full screen as some of the U2 videos.

dan-o-mac

Oct 12, 2005, 07:19 PM

That seems a little too good to be true (but great if it is true)...has anyone else bought a music video and played fullscreen?

The only other post was for a 50 Cent video, he said it looked pixellated fuss screen.

Well at 320x320 it's gonna look like **** on anything but an ipod, at least that's what I've been told.

madmaxmedia

Oct 12, 2005, 07:19 PM

I'm telling you, they're going to bring back the mini at Macworld.

I agree. 8GB or 10GB would be the perfect Mini to slot between the Nano and iPod. I think they can do $249 (8GB) or $279 (10GB).

Mr Maui

Oct 12, 2005, 07:20 PM

The only obvious problem with that is it has a link to download iTunes 5..
Wonder if this person knew if iTunes 6 was coming out today :-)If it's fake, it's very well done.

madmaxmedia

Oct 12, 2005, 07:20 PM

Well at 320x320 it's gonna look like **** on anything but an ipod, at least that's what I've been told.

Yeah, that's why it sounded weird. But who knows? Maybe some are in higher resolution?

minga

Oct 12, 2005, 07:22 PM

i haven't found the answer yet, but if you watch the event in quicktime, when sj uses the plugged in ipod, the images it shows is the video playing inside an ipod style enclosure on screen. ??? anyone found anything abouit this?

Loge

Oct 12, 2005, 07:22 PM

So the new iPod supports voice recording settings:

Low (22.05 KHz, mono)
High (44.1 KHz, stereo)

This is new, right?

Peace

Oct 12, 2005, 07:25 PM

If it's fake, it's very well done.

It IS very well done..
Here's the 17 year old kids homepage :-)
http://homepage.mac.com/dzweben/design.html

"Here you can see samples of my work- various logos, websites and icons i've made. Some are in use for actual products, some are just made up designs. If you have any questions about anything on this page"

AmericanIdiot12

Oct 12, 2005, 07:27 PM

Solver

Oct 12, 2005, 07:29 PM

Wow! If Apple bought Tivo they'd own the digital audio and video world.

Apple will tell you that more people in America have iPods and iTunes than TiVo. TiVo has not gone out of its way to support Mac OS X in the past year, so I don't see why Apple would jump in to support them.

And I say that as a TiVo fan. But the problem is, TiVo is its worst enemy. They are sitting on the HD stand-alone TiVo for Zoroaster-knows-what-reason. Its been done for 1 1/2 years, and yet they won't bring it to market because apparently they think consumers will pass on it unless it is compatible with CableCard 2.0 because PPV and On-Demand is SOOOO important for some reason.

I'm really at the point that I believe Apple seriously should just buy TiVo and sack its management team once and for all. Bring out the HD models, integrate it tightly with iTunes/iMovie/iPod, and make it even more successful.

berkleeboy210

Oct 12, 2005, 07:30 PM

Will we start to see "New Video Wednesdays"? Like with Music when Tuesday is the release day. I know Steve said the night after an episode has aired it will be put on iTunes. But I'm thinking New Shows Every Wednesday.

dan-o-mac

Oct 12, 2005, 07:31 PM

ddrueckhammer

Oct 12, 2005, 07:31 PM

Well at 320x320 it's gonna look like **** on anything but an ipod, at least that's what I've been told.

I think the videos are the same quality as the ones that were free to view a couple of weeks ago. I have already expressed my disappointment that Apple isn't yet going into the content distribution via the web business yet so I won't repeat it. I think the ITMS will have to be restructured and higher resolution (i.e. protected mpeg h.264 800x600) offered for $2 per download before this takes off. It could be that Apple just doesn’t have the bandwidth to offer this yet.

jettredmont

Oct 12, 2005, 07:33 PM

http://www.apple.com/ipod/specs.html

Look at the specs. I'll post the relevant ones. You can forget putting your movie library on the iPod and hooking it up to your friends tele, and watching them. Pay attention to the resolution. And check out battery life.

[...]

MPEG-4 video: up to 2.5 mbps, 480 x 480, 30 frames per sec., Simple Profile with AAC-LC up to 160 Kbps, 48 Khz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4 and .mov file formats

30GB: Up to 14 hours of music playback; up to 3 hours of slideshows with music; up to 2 hours of video playback

60GB: Up to 20 hours of music playback; up to 4 hours of slideshows with music; up to 3 hours of video playback

480x480 isn't a whole lot worse (on a non-LCD screen) than 720x480 (because vertical lines of resolutions on most sets are less than 720 in chrominance, although luminance is usually around there in recent sets).

Given that VHS is about 320x240 in resolution, and many people are still happy with that resolution, I don't think 480x480 is all that bad of a trade-off.

As for battery life: ever hear of a charger? I imagine if I was going to use my iPod for a night of movies I could afford the slight inconvenience of plugging the charger in!

All in all, I could certainly see myself plugging this in to a friend's TV set and sitting down to watch a few of my favorite movies or shows. "Could" because as of yet there's no way to get CSS-protected DVD data onto the iPod (without using gray-market DeCSS tools) and only two shows available that I'd be interested in seeing (and, frankly, I don't know anyone who's not already addicted to Lost and I'm not interested enough in DH to show it off to anyone).

Things will get a whole lot more interesting after this "test" project takes off and we get essentially the entire TV library on iTTVS, and/or the ability to rip DVDs to an iPod (which, as I've said before, is really just a matter of Apple getting the iPod certified as a CSS device and then licensing the CSS keys).

ddrueckhammer

Oct 12, 2005, 07:33 PM

So the videos are not good enough resolution to watch on your TV. Can you atleast encode your own videos at a higher resolution suitable for TV? I really don't get it what's the point of video output if it's gonna look like crap?

I'm sure they will look ok on a standard old TV but they won't look good on an ED? or HD model and the one I downloaded looked horrible on my 12" Powerbook at 1024x768.

Knievel

Oct 12, 2005, 07:35 PM

Ok - Here goes...

Instead of the previously rumored nanoMadona in pink, I predict a standard size Madonna iPod in pink which includes:
1) The entire music catalog
2) The entire video catalog - have you noticed how many videos of hers are on the site already?
3) Engraved with her signature
4) Pink earbuds? Maybe?

Can I pay Apple $299 to not give me that skank's crap?? ;)

(Actually, I own the Immaculate Collection CD -- :) I admit.... but I need to cleanse myself with Motorhead twice if I ever play it.)

Plymouthbreezer

Oct 12, 2005, 07:35 PM

this thing can play your own videos right? meaning the nonpurchased ones as long as its mpeg4

also i think its really gay that this thing doesnt come with the power brick

anyone wanna trade a 30 gb 5g and its power brick or an a/v cable for a psp value pack w/ t.h.u.g.2 and a 15 gb 3g ipod and an itrip?
Very nice work on his site! But, he still gotta work on his wording if he wants to pass off his awesome looking creations as future Apple pages (the "...high definition in the 15" and 17"..." sentence sounds awkward and too "casual conversation" like to be on a main page at Apple).

ddrueckhammer

Oct 12, 2005, 07:35 PM

480x480 isn't a whole lot worse (on a non-LCD screen) than 720x480 (because vertical lines of resolutions on most sets are less than 720 in chrominance, although luminance is usually around there in recent sets).

Given that VHS is about 320x240 in resolution, and many people are still happy with that resolution, I don't think 480x480 is all that bad of a trade-off.

As for battery life: ever hear of a charger? I imagine if I was going to use my iPod for a night of movies I could afford the slight inconvenience of plugging the charger in!

All in all, I could certainly see myself plugging this in to a friend's TV set and sitting down to watch a few of my favorite movies or shows. "Could" because as of yet there's no way to get CSS-protected DVD data onto the iPod (without using gray-market DeCSS tools) and only two shows available that I'd be interested in seeing (and, frankly, I don't know anyone who's not already addicted to Lost and I'm not interested enough in DH to show it off to anyone).

Things will get a whole lot more interesting after this "test" project takes off and we get essentially the entire TV library on iTTVS, and/or the ability to rip DVDs to an iPod (which, as I've said before, is really just a matter of Apple getting the iPod certified as a CSS device and then licensing the CSS keys).

Most people are happy with VHS but VHS doesn't pixelate....These files will.

swingerofbirch

Oct 12, 2005, 07:41 PM

i can't figure out how to preview the tv shows, when i double click on it, nothing happens....

louisville

Oct 12, 2005, 07:41 PM

Does anyone know if I'll be able to back up the video(s) I download? It'd suck to buy a whole season and then loose it when my logic board goes again.

ddrueckhammer

Oct 12, 2005, 07:42 PM

480x480 isn't a whole lot worse (on a non-LCD screen) than 720x480 (because vertical lines of resolutions on most sets are less than 720 in chrominance, although luminance is usually around there in recent sets).

Given that VHS is about 320x240 in resolution, and many people are still happy with that resolution, I don't think 480x480 is all that bad of a trade-off.

As for battery life: ever hear of a charger? I imagine if I was going to use my iPod for a night of movies I could afford the slight inconvenience of plugging the charger in!

All in all, I could certainly see myself plugging this in to a friend's TV set and sitting down to watch a few of my favorite movies or shows. "Could" because as of yet there's no way to get CSS-protected DVD data onto the iPod (without using gray-market DeCSS tools) and only two shows available that I'd be interested in seeing (and, frankly, I don't know anyone who's not already addicted to Lost and I'm not interested enough in DH to show it off to anyone).

Things will get a whole lot more interesting after this "test" project takes off and we get essentially the entire TV library on iTTVS, and/or the ability to rip DVDs to an iPod (which, as I've said before, is really just a matter of Apple getting the iPod certified as a CSS device and then licensing the CSS keys).

I don't think the MPAA will ever allow consumers to rip DVDs to iTunes. I haven't read the whole DMCA but I think that ripping digital content in any form is illegal for any purposes. Please correct me if I am wrong.

plastikimo

Oct 12, 2005, 07:43 PM

im not gonna look through 14 pages to find this, but has anyone noticed that the iPod no longer comes with FireWire? I recharge my current iPod through FireWire, can i also charge it with the USB cable? And is USB 2.0 just as fast as firewire, or what?

dan-o-mac

Oct 12, 2005, 07:43 PM

I was really excited when this was announced, now I'm not so sure. I was almost ready to sell my Nano till I read this -} 30GB: Up to 14 hours of music playback; up to 3 hours of slideshows with music; up to 2 hours of video playback :(

Mr Maui

Oct 12, 2005, 07:44 PM

It IS very well done..
Here's the 17 year old kids homepage :-)
http://homepage.mac.com/dzweben/design.html

"Here you can see samples of my work- various logos, websites and icons i've made. Some are in use for actual products, some are just made up designs. If you have any questions about anything on this page"
I guess in my zeal for a new PB, I failed to see the Radeon 9700 image next to the X800 description and the like. Gotta give the kid credit where credit is due though. Nice job!! :)

dan-o-mac

Oct 12, 2005, 07:45 PM

GFLPraxis

Oct 12, 2005, 07:48 PM

The question is; can we burn shows to DVD, like music to a CD?

berkleeboy210

Oct 12, 2005, 07:49 PM

i can't figure out how to preview the tv shows, when i double click on it, nothing happens....

Yea, same happens to me too... If someone knows a fix for this please post.

Mr Maui

Oct 12, 2005, 07:49 PM

Yes you can charge through usb. usb 2.0 is a little slower than firewire.
I thought USB 2.0 was faster than FireWire 400 but slower than FireWire 800? Correct me if I'm in error on that. :confused:

Surreal

Oct 12, 2005, 07:49 PM

Black.

bigandy

Oct 12, 2005, 07:50 PM

AAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!

the death of the last feature languishing from the 1st Gen iPod - FireWire.

RIP.

:(

GFLPraxis

Oct 12, 2005, 07:50 PM

I don't think the MPAA will ever allow consumers to rip DVDs to iTunes. I haven't read the whole DMCA but I think that ripping digital content in any form is illegal for any purposes. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Cracking the encrpytion is illegal, but there is another law that states you can legally make a backup of anything you own. It's a legal contradiction. It's not illegal to rip if it's used as a backup and you do not:
1) Run it in two places at once
2) Distribute it to others

However, it is not legal to crack the encryption.

If Apple made some deal with the movie companies I'm sure they'd allow Apple to write an app that rips DVD's and applies a DRM, however, I think the movie companies are too paranoid to do that.

Anyone know if the shows can be burned to a DVD or VCD?

madmaxmedia

Oct 12, 2005, 07:51 PM

Most people are happy with VHS but VHS doesn't pixelate....These files will.

Why? It completely depends on the bitrate. MPEG4 and h264 are very efficient, and 60GB is a lot of space...

bigandy

Oct 12, 2005, 07:53 PM

I thought USB 2.0 was faster than FireWire 400 but slower than FireWire 800? Correct me if I'm in error on that. :confused:

firewire has a wider bus. more data can flow through it at once. the quoted speeds are 480mbps (USB2) and 400mbps (FW400) but FireWire does run faster and more reliably. notice nobody's ever made a video camera with USB for editing - it's not good for that. and don't even think of using a USB2 hard drive as a scratch disk.

firewire 800 is double the speed of FW400 = 800mbps.

dan-o-mac

Oct 12, 2005, 07:55 PM

I thought USB 2.0 was faster than FireWire 400 but slower than FireWire 800? Correct me if I'm in error on that. :confused:

No it's slower than both.

http://www.barefeats.com/usb2.html

bankshot

Oct 12, 2005, 07:57 PM

I agree. 8GB or 10GB would be the perfect Mini to slot between the Nano and iPod. I think they can do $249 (8GB) or $279 (10GB).

The iPod mini is dead. :p

Seriously, one thing that Apple learned from its mistakes in the 1990s was that too many options just confuse the general public. They had all kinds of different Mac models with overlapping features and no clear linear path from least to best. Several product lines with cryptic model numbers within each line, etc. Heck, it was confusing even for us techie people!

For several years now, there's always been a clear linear path from least to greatest. The laptops start with the lowest iBook, up to the best iBook, then the lowest 12" PowerBook, up to the best 17" PowerBook. There's a tiny bit of overlap between the best iBook and 12" PowerBook, but not much. Same on the desktop: Mac mini to iMac to PowerMac, with a few models of each.

They have 3 lines of iPods, with 2 models each. The progression in capacity and features is very linear, and thus very simple for the average consumer:

512 shuffle
1 gig shuffle
2 gig nano
4 gig nano
30 gig full/video
60 gig full/video

While I wouldn't mind 8/10 gig minis in there (and there is room with no overlap), I'll bet you anything Apple thinks this is the sweet spot. They're probably right. Many, many people don't have more than 4 GB of music, or don't care about taking more than that with them. Small physical size is more important to them, so they either go for a nano or a shuffle. For those who do care about capacity, the full iPod is bigger, yes, but it gives you so much more room for just a little more money. How can you go wrong?

madmaxmedia

Oct 12, 2005, 07:59 PM

The iPod mini is dead. :p

While I wouldn't mind 8/10 gig minis in there (and there is room with no overlap), I'll bet you anything Apple thinks this is the sweet spot. They're probably right. Many, many people don't have more than 4 GB of music, or don't care about taking more than that with them. Small physical size is more important to them, so they either go for a nano or a shuffle. For those who do care about capacity, the full iPod is bigger, yes, but it gives you so much more room for just a little more money. How can you go wrong?

Well, I don't think 1 more iPod would be too cryptic. ;)

But actually I do agree with you. Especially since the new iPods are much thinner than before...there's little incentive to get a $279 iPod Mini over a $299 iPod.

camomac

Oct 12, 2005, 08:00 PM

well i did read throught almost all 14 pages on this topic, and i would now like to post what i tried to do when it was only 2 page (but the server was slammed).

LACK of firewire, no matter if because of peecee is LAME, you can not longer use your ipod to boot off. how much more cost would it have been for add this... pennies, mere pennies.

2nd: MISSING of the extra port (i don't know the name) next to the headphone jack KILLS many extra's that were developed...hmmm no more wired remote...

3rd: Form factor, doesn't this also kill many aftermarket devices like the new numark (http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000757040098/)??

<<<NEVERMIND #3, it is the same size, dispite the wider screen>>>

ddrueckhammer

Oct 12, 2005, 08:04 PM

Why? It completely depends on the bitrate. MPEG4 and h264 are very efficient, and 60GB is a lot of space...

The bitrate is 128kbps on these. They will look fine on traditional TVs and the iPods screen but on ED/HD TVs via the s-video dock I don't think they will look too good. They certainly look like **** on my powerbook full screen at 1024x768. I want to be able to fill up my two external drives with 800x600 content from the ITMS at $1.99 per show for TV and $14.99 for new release feature films and stream them via 802.11n to my airport express video which will be connected to my HD plasma when it comes out. I have been dreaming of this since I first started using Netflix. The technology is here but I'm afraid that the content companies will be too greedy to let this happen...

Aqua Structure

Oct 12, 2005, 08:07 PM

skinEman23

Oct 12, 2005, 08:08 PM

The question is; can we burn shows to DVD, like music to a CD?

I was wondering that too... I haven't been able to find any info on it so I'm guessing no. If you can't burn these shows to DVD, a large number of people aren't going to go for them. I know I don't want to watch a lot of TV from my 12" PB screen.

bosrs1

Oct 12, 2005, 08:08 PM

Where's my new 15'' PB??? :(
Next year when intel is in them.

ddrueckhammer

Oct 12, 2005, 08:09 PM

Cracking the encrpytion is illegal, but there is another law that states you can legally make a backup of anything you own. It's a legal contradiction. It's not illegal to rip if it's used as a backup and you do not:
1) Run it in two places at once
2) Distribute it to others

However, it is not legal to crack the encryption.

If Apple made some deal with the movie companies I'm sure they'd allow Apple to write an app that rips DVD's and applies a DRM, however, I think the movie companies are too paranoid to do that.

Anyone know if the shows can be burned to a DVD or VCD?

I think you are dead on right about the movie companies being too paranoid. This goes for the music industry too. I think that if both the music and movie industry would get with the program and offer people what they want at a "reasonable" (i.e. not higher than it is currently priced) price then they would start raking in money by the truck-load.

texasmafia

Oct 12, 2005, 08:14 PM

The question is; can we burn shows to DVD, like music to a CD?

I just burned the 3rd episode of LOST to a cd. Didn't take long at all. It is encoded with the same DRM that the songs you buy off iTunes are so only those who are authorized can play videos you buy.

I'm guessing if you can burn onto cd than dvd is possible as well.

JavaNut

Oct 12, 2005, 08:20 PM

I notice the new iPod is USB-only. So the transition is now complete - none of the current iPods support Firewire.

I would love to use this with my iMac (iLamp) at home, but alas! only USB 1.1. I can't see syncing 60gb at 1.1 speeds. I am dying to buy an iMac but am thinking I might wait for the intel version or perhaps the FINAL PowerPC iMac. Anyone else feel this way?

nagromme

Oct 12, 2005, 08:20 PM

LACK of firewire, no matter if because of peecee is LAME, you can not longer use your ipod to boot off. how much more cost would it have been for add this... pennies, mere pennies.
Apple has no reason NOT to want Firewire--they are fully committed to it in other products. So if it's not there, I really think it IS for cost or size reasons. (Coupled with near-zero, although vocal :p , demand.)

2nd: MISSING of the extra port (i don't know the name) next to the headphone jack KILLS many extra's that were developed...hmmm no more wired remote...
Apparently the docking connector can handle all of that--so if someone wants to make a wired remote, they still can. The docking connector can also provide power, like the old connector could. (Today's newest iTrip uses the docking connector only.) So now we have just one special iPod connector instead of two. I approve of that, and I bet accessory makers do too.

3rd: Form factor, doesn't this also kill many aftermarket devices like the new numark (http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000757040098/)??
Every change in iPod physical size affects some accessories. It's a given. New ones will come out quickly for the new models. And there are still a lot of people out there to buy the old ones too. Nothing will be "killed" by Apple not keeping the same shape forever.

(And the new dock adapter helps future docking accessories keep working EVEN when the shape changes!)

LaMerVipere

Oct 12, 2005, 08:22 PM

I just burned the 3rd episode of LOST to a cd. Didn't take long at all. It is encoded with the same DRM that the songs you buy off iTunes are so only those who are authorized can play videos you buy.

I'm guessing if you can burn onto cd than dvd is possible as well.

If it's the same kind of DRM used on purchased iTMS tracks, I expect it to be cracked verrry soon. :p

swingerofbirch

Oct 12, 2005, 08:23 PM

At the end of Jobs' special presentation today he said, as he always does, "It's all about the music." He went on to extoll the virtues of the new iPods, point out that they have larger screens, more capacity at the same price, and that video is a bonus. That's a tricky suggestion.

How do you make an iPod that is video capable without making the video the main draw of the iPod? Well for one you can not call it the video iPod. Check.

Apple has never wanted the iPod to be a video player. However I would guess that whatever chipset they use inlcudes video playback whether Jobs wants it or not. Including video playback support probably costs very little compared to excluding it. And the whole world waited for Apple to introduce a video iPod, and lots of other companies are putting out portable video players.

Before Apple introduced videos and these new iPods, I thought that if Apple ever did video they would wait until they could do it in a big way to revolutizonie it. Jobs always talks about the scalability of H264. I conceived of some mechanism by which a user might downlaod a show or movie in high def and as it's being sycnhed to an iPod it's down scaled in quality (much as i THINK occured with the ipod photo????).

On the iPod front, the new models are probably nice, but the whole thing looks pathetic. All the arguments against a video iPod have already been made by Jobs time and time again. Who wants to look at a tiny screen? Who can walk and watch a TV show, or drive and watch a TV show? If you're sitting, why not just watch a TV! Or your laptop if you're on a plane! Laptops have better battery life for playing back video and the screens are exponentially larger.

And then there's content. 5 TV shows, none of which I would watch on a plasma screen if Apple was paying ME to watch them. Lol...

EDIT/ADDITION: bit torrent lets you download HD tv shows in a few hours...i missed smallville the other night, downloaded it by bit torrent, and it's better than DVD quality, it's illegal i'm sure, but it beats picking from 5 shows to watch at VHS quality

next up an imac review (it's much more positive)

BGil

Oct 12, 2005, 08:24 PM

If it's the same kind of DRM used on purchased iTMS tracks, I expect it to be cracked verrry soon. :p

Why even bother cracking it when you can just download the same shows and more from Bittorrent for free and often in high-def?
Either choice is illegal.

MarkCollette

Oct 12, 2005, 08:25 PM

ipod video (black) = $299
+$25 invisible shield = $324
- $30 edu discount = $294
- $50 i feel ripped off by my last ipod's battery discount = $244

my new ipod 5g $244

my fianceé telling me off for buying another toy then being happy because she gets my old ipod instead of her shuffle, priceless.

They come with a shield now.

jettredmont

Oct 12, 2005, 08:26 PM

What about 20Mbps DSL2? You can get it here in Europe for extraordinarily low prices. About €25 including free VoIP internet telephony and with some ISPs even with digital television. Can your cable connection hold a candle to that?

Exactly. Cable modem bigots are as funny as DSL bigots. It all depends on location. For example, where I live Cable and DSL both offer 3Mbit downstream and 768 upstream, but actual Cable speeds tend to max out at 1.5-2Mbit except in the middle of the day and the middle of the night. So, here, DSL wins hands-down. Next town over, though DSL maxes out at 1Mbit (although reportedly they plan to upgrade that) ...

Never understood the odd fanboism about cable modems. Just plain silly.

2.5 inch screen
320x240
260,000 colors
MPEG4, h.264 Video Support
Video Out to TV
Holds over 150 hrs of video

:confused:

150 minutes, maybe, but not hrs. Yeh, Apple's website says this!

Anyone care to explain why this is not an error?

Umm, because a 60GB iPod can hold 150 hours of H.264/320x240 video?

150 minutes... sheesh, a 4.7GB DVD can hold that with a nice high bitrate MPEG-2 compression. Obviously 60GB would hold a lot more than that, even without the lower resolution (4x) and lower bitrate per pixel allowed by H.264 for the same quality.

these new smaller ipods kind of nock the nano on its a**. Why would anyone buy a nano now that the new 30gig is so much more slender? unless you dont have many songs, I wuldnt see the point. Anyone here able to find a reason to own both?

Flash memory won't crash like a hard drive might.

Nano is lighter.

Nano is smaller in all dimensions.

Nano is $50 cheaper.

For certain people, each of those is enough to push them to Nano instead of iPod. Same arguments existed for Mini, remember? And Mini didn't have the Flash advantage going for it. And just which model was the best-selling iPod? Hmm?

So, do the TV shows have commercials? Any way to fast forward through them?

No commercials in the TV shows. That was stated directly by Steve in the keynote.

plastikimo

Oct 12, 2005, 08:35 PM

im not gonna look through 14 pages to find this, but has anyone noticed that the iPod no longer comes with FireWire? I recharge my current iPod through FireWire, will the new iPod be charged through the USB cable? And is USB 2.0 just as fast as firewire, or what?

1984

Oct 12, 2005, 08:37 PM

"Hours prior to Apple's October 12, sources have clarified to Think Secret recent confusion surrounding Apple's iPod announcement today. In brief: the iPod will be feature video playback capabilities but it is not the video iPod and Apple may not bill it as such."

Oh give it up already! You were wrong. Suck it up.

macam

Oct 12, 2005, 08:39 PM

The next person to say "No FireWire! AAAAAAAHH!" is going to put me over the edge.

The iPod still supports FireWire.

LOOK! (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/71808/wo/tt6vkTuzGPBH3oEPYyLvLUhEkCw/2.SLID?mco=7247AC6D&nplm=M9127G%2FA) You can buy a FireWire cable from the Apple Store for $19.00!

"Compatible with iPod models with dock connector, except iPod nano."

Yes, but you can only charge with the firewire now. You can't sync with it anymore, the nano has the same problem!!!!!! Therefore anyone who has a mac older or as old as mine has to sync all their songs via USB1 connector. And trust me - i have done this on a 4gig nano and it took long enough to tick me off - but to do this on a 30/60 gig... is taking the mick! I didn't know you couldn't do this when I got the nano and I wasn't best pleased as you can imagine! USB1 sucks... so badly I have only had the time to only do it twice with my nano - and I've had the thing 3 weeks!!!!!!! You do the maths my friend.

So if anyone wants to say 'No Firewire' then let them as they are so totally justified! Imagine sending 20gigs worth of video... oh man that would suck. Let them moan.... it's their perogative and if you ask me, they have a damned good reason to. :cool:

macam

cheekyspanky

Oct 12, 2005, 08:40 PM

Anyone got a better picture of what this free case will look like? They showed it very briefly in the keynote and it looks like a mini sack almost. But Steve said they had a hands on area so does anyone have a better idea? :)

KindredMAC

Oct 12, 2005, 08:43 PM

Hey folks....
I jsut tried to view a preview of the movies on the iTunes 6 store and nothing happened. I am up to date with everything and running 10.3.9 on a 900MHz G3 iBook. I checked the requirements on Apple.com and it actually makes comment of video needing at least a 500MHz G4.

I've done tests comparing my iBook to an original 500MHz G4 Graphite Tower and my iBook toasted it in Adobe CS Collection. Could this be a similar issue as the AV portion of iChat is to use a DV Camera instead of an iSight????

Anyone know anything more than me yet about this?

Thanks!

ddrueckhammer

Oct 12, 2005, 08:49 PM

podfuture

Oct 12, 2005, 08:52 PM

berkleeboy210

Oct 12, 2005, 09:01 PM

In fact, a honking mess right now.

Why? Because all of the videos many of you said would not be wanted are being bought at a blinding pace! (ok maybe the new will wear off).

USA please go to bed so I can download my shows!! :)

PodFuture, You've done it again my friend. Any more predictions for the future?

And Yes, the Movie Section is really slow for me too.

madmaxmedia

Oct 12, 2005, 09:02 PM

The bitrate is 128kbps on these. They will look fine on traditional TVs and the iPods screen but on ED/HD TVs via the s-video dock I don't think they will look too good. They certainly look like **** on my powerbook full screen at 1024x768. I want to be able to fill up my two external drives with 800x600 content from the ITMS at $1.99 per show for TV and $14.99 for new release feature films and stream them via 802.11n to my airport express video which will be connected to my HD plasma when it comes out. I have been dreaming of this since I first started using Netflix. The technology is here but I'm afraid that the content companies will be too greedy to let this happen...

I just downloaded the first episode of Lost. I have a 15" AluBook.

While obviously it can only look so good, I am actually extremely surprised that it is quite watchable full screen. There is enough trickery going on (interpolation, etc.) so that the video is not blocky. It's not razor sharp either, but from a normal viewing distance (maybe 2 ft.) I am actually impressed (again considering the original resolution.) I will say that the 2x viewing is better. I recommend you try it, it's only 2 bucks. ;)

For output to a regular TV set, I think these shows will look just fine. On anything better, of course you're stretching it! ;)

The problem here is that the tech is not ready for 800 x 600 H264 decoding in a iPod. So if you offer better resolution in the store, you then have to re-encode to transfer to iPod, which is a hassle. A major reason why any of this is taking place is because of the iPod.

In a year or so, I am sure they will up the resolution of the iPod and the video content (maybe VGA?). The iPod itself will still only display 320 x 240, but will be able to output say VGA to a TV set. Maybe the average broadband connection will be faster too, so download time won't be so bad with the bigger files.

jettredmont

Oct 12, 2005, 09:07 PM

I don't think the MPAA will ever allow consumers to rip DVDs to iTunes. I haven't read the whole DMCA but I think that ripping digital content in any form is illegal for any purposes. Please correct me if I am wrong.

It depends on if you do the CSS decryption.

You can copy the contents of any DVD to your hard drive. That's not the problem.

The problem is going from CSS-encrypted video to viewable video. While there are gray-market apps which do this (handbrake looks legit, but IIRC decoding CSS without a CSS license is illegal), Apple wouldn't want to get into that business, correct.

HOWEVER, the iPod CAN get classified as a CSS device, just like any DVD player can get itself so classified. All Apple has to guarantee is a "protected" (MacroVision) output stream, and following the various other tits and niggles of the DVD consortium (region coding support, forbidding fast-forward etc when the disk says to, etc).

That having been said, the "direct" route takes up a lot of iPod disk space per movie. The "indirect" route of decoding on the computer to a lower-bitrate codec/resolution for storage on the iPod would be trickier (you then have to guarantee that no one can get between the unencoded copy and the re-CSS step to capture the video), but not at all impossible.

CSS was designed for DVD players, but it is not limitted to DVDs. The DVD consortium hasn't permitted any other usages of it to the best of my knowledge, but there's nothing in their rules stating that this wouldn't be possible.

'Course, it would require a license fee per iPod from Apple, too. But I think that's pretty small these days (and the MPEG-4 license is, IIRC, larger than that anyway).

bankshot

Oct 12, 2005, 09:10 PM

Yes, but you can only charge with the firewire now. You can't sync with it anymore, the nano has the same problem!!!!!! Therefore anyone who has a mac older or as old as mine has to sync all their songs via USB1 connector. And trust me - i have done this on a 4gig nano and it took long enough to tick me off - but to do this on a 30/60 gig... is taking the mick! I didn't know you couldn't do this when I got the nano and I wasn't best pleased as you can imagine! USB1 sucks... so badly I have only had the time to only do it twice with my nano - and I've had the thing 3 weeks!!!!!!! You do the maths my friend.

That does suck, since Apple is essentially abandoning a large percentage of their faithful installed Mac base, in favor of selling to the almighty Windows market. However as others have said, this must be due to either cost or size constraints. It either cost too much to get FireWire in this iPod, or it made the thing bigger than they wanted. Sucks, but I'm sure it was a smart decision for the business.

If your Mac is a PowerMac of any kind, you can get a 4-port USB2 hub for cheap ($20 here in the US). I added one to my G4 733MHz tower last month, so I'm not too worried about this particular issue if I were to buy a new iPod (memo to Steve: make it truely gapless and I will buy... :p). If you have an older laptop or iMac, then yes it does suck. :(

jettredmont

Oct 12, 2005, 09:11 PM

I was wondering that too... I haven't been able to find any info on it so I'm guessing no. If you can't burn these shows to DVD, a large number of people aren't going to go for them. I know I don't want to watch a lot of TV from my 12" PB screen.

Slide in presentation says no burning to CD/DVD of videos.

All other FairPlay "rights" continue in video as they did in music.

podfuture

Oct 12, 2005, 09:11 PM

And Yes, the Movie Section is really slow for me too.

Worse than slow. Asia server is crashing regularly.

jettredmont

Oct 12, 2005, 09:13 PM

I just burned the 3rd episode of LOST to a cd. Didn't take long at all. It is encoded with the same DRM that the songs you buy off iTunes are so only those who are authorized can play videos you buy.

I'm guessing if you can burn onto cd than dvd is possible as well.

Correct, as data files DRM doesn't matter (but when you play the file elsewhere you'll need something that both understands FairPlay AND is authorized with your account).

What is NOT allowed is burning to DVD or VCD (aka CD) as video which can then be popped into any DVD or VCD player.

phreakout13

Oct 12, 2005, 09:18 PM

$1.99 isn't bad for a video I guess. $1 for audio, $1 for video. I downloaded Thriller :p Just in time for Halloween:)

berkleeboy210

Oct 12, 2005, 09:20 PM

Has anyone had any issues downloading TV Shows Tonight? I've been trying to d'load an episode of Desperate Housewives on to my AluBook and it finishes downloading, then right at the end a Music Store Error Pops up and says for me to try again later, even though it supposedly finished downloading.

wide

Oct 12, 2005, 09:31 PM

i just opened up Automator to try and make a workflow for exporting videos into the iPod format.

I didnt have much luck with that...anyone have an idea of how to do this? There is no function in automator to export a movie to another format.

Shattering Fast

Oct 12, 2005, 09:35 PM

I'm surprised this hasn't been mentined yet but... the new iPod is really wide and [expletive deleted] uuuuggglllyyy.

Seriously you couldn't even put that in your pocket.

Caaarn the BoonPod.

Southernlad

Oct 12, 2005, 09:43 PM

Sorry to correct you but the new ipod is THE EXCACTLY THE SAME SIZEG as 4th gen, only difference is bigger screen makes it look wider. I think it looks great especially after seeing the u2 advert the video quality is good, and in black looks even beter. Cant believe i bought my 20gb black and whit only 7 months ago!!!! Milliuons of ipod owners will be very pissed off at how frequent these updates are, but hey i cant get a new one (just hoping this one breaks before guarantee!!!)

ddrueckhammer

Oct 12, 2005, 09:46 PM

I just downloaded the first episode of Lost. I have a 15" AluBook.

While obviously it can only look so good, I am actually extremely surprised that it is quite watchable full screen. There is enough trickery going on (interpolation, etc.) so that the video is not blocky. It's not razor sharp either, but from a normal viewing distance (maybe 2 ft.) I am actually impressed (again considering the original resolution.) I will say that the 2x viewing is better. I recommend you try it, it's only 2 bucks. ;)

For output to a regular TV set, I think these shows will look just fine. On anything better, of course you're stretching it! ;)

The problem here is that the tech is not ready for 800 x 600 H264 decoding in a iPod. So if you offer better resolution in the store, you then have to re-encode to transfer to iPod, which is a hassle. A major reason why any of this is taking place is because of the iPod.

In a year or so, I am sure they will up the resolution of the iPod and the video content (maybe VGA?). The iPod itself will still only display 320 x 240, but will be able to output say VGA to a TV set. Maybe the average broadband connection will be faster too, so download time won't be so bad with the bigger files.

I think I will try an episode of lost. The 50 Cent video I downloaded earlier wasn't very good. But then again, for my purposes I would want to either stream or download the content to my TV from my computer or else watch it directly on my powerbook. I don't see a use in watching video on a tiny iPod screen and why use video out from an iPod when you can have your TV networked to iTunes? Hopefully in the future...

It depends on if you do the CSS decryption.

You can copy the contents of any DVD to your hard drive. That's not the problem.

The problem is going from CSS-encrypted video to viewable video. While there are gray-market apps which do this (handbrake looks legit, but IIRC decoding CSS without a CSS license is illegal), Apple wouldn't want to get into that business, correct.

HOWEVER, the iPod CAN get classified as a CSS device, just like any DVD player can get itself so classified. All Apple has to guarantee is a "protected" (MacroVision) output stream, and following the various other tits and niggles of the DVD consortium (region coding support, forbidding fast-forward etc when the disk says to, etc).

That having been said, the "direct" route takes up a lot of iPod disk space per movie. The "indirect" route of decoding on the computer to a lower-bitrate codec/resolution for storage on the iPod would be trickier (you then have to guarantee that no one can get between the unencoded copy and the re-CSS step to capture the video), but not at all impossible.

CSS was designed for DVD players, but it is not limitted to DVDs. The DVD consortium hasn't permitted any other usages of it to the best of my knowledge, but there's nothing in their rules stating that this wouldn't be possible.

'Course, it would require a license fee per iPod from Apple, too. But I think that's pretty small these days (and the MPEG-4 license is, IIRC, larger than that anyway).

I'm aware of MactheRipper and Handbrake...I have "tested" them out. I don't think its an issue of whether or not it is possible to do these things...I know from experience that it is. I think that Apple may have problems getting content from studios because they all want to start their own stores. What’s funny is that Apple really doesn't make any money on content and is really doing these guys a huge favor but they want complete control over everything as well the aforementioned paranoia that must come with being a media executive.

Shattering Fast

Oct 12, 2005, 09:53 PM

ExoticFish

Oct 12, 2005, 10:04 PM

i bought the Nine Inch Nails - Only video just to see the quality and such. not only is the quality not good enough to play fullscreen as they display on the new imac site but the video is flippin censored! i feel that Apple really dropped the ball here as this could have been great (even if a lot of people wouldn't pay for music videos). :confused:

macosxman

Oct 12, 2005, 10:04 PM

I would have bought one of the new video iPods if it supported FireWire as much as my old 60 GB photo did. I sold it before September 7th, hoping for better, newer 'big' iPods. However, I might just go iPodless for awhile; my accessories are obsolete.

According to Apple (http://developer.apple.com/devicedrivers/firewire/index.html) : "FireWire is integrated into Power Macs, iMacs, eMacs, PowerBooks, iBooks, and the iPod."

How hard can it be to 'integrate' back in a FireWire chip? Or implement gapless (after 5 generations :eek: )? Where is the 80 GB (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/12/14/toshiba_80gb_1-8in_hdd/) iPod?

autrefois

Oct 12, 2005, 10:05 PM

So the new iPod supports voice recording settings:

Low (22.05 KHz, mono)
High (44.1 KHz, stereo)

This is new, right?

Yes, it is new. Since Apple is secretly hiding the tech specs from previous iPod models, I can only go off of what iTalk's specs are

8-kHz, 16-bit mono

Griffin made it a point of advertising that iTalk (http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/italk/techspecs.php) was "iPod specified", meaning it wasn't higher quality because the iPod wasn't capable of doing higher quality.

So if this is correct, 8 kHz mono to 22.05 mono or 44.1 stereo would be a welcome addition, assuming anyone can find info on how to record to one of the new iPods! (Doesn't look like iTalk would work, maybe just a regular mic??)

JOD8FY

Oct 12, 2005, 10:06 PM

autrefois

Oct 12, 2005, 10:12 PM

Sorry if this has been mentioned before, but has anyone else noticed the lack of the communications port found on the "older" 4G iPods? On my iPod (the revision before the color display), the port sits right next to the headphone jack. Was this port discontinued when the color screen was introduced or just with the latest revision? Don't a lot of devices use this port?

Once again, sorry if this has already been stated.

JOD8FY

iTalk (http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/italk/techspecs.php) uses the extra port, and it apparently was still on the iPod photo since iTalk says it's compatible with iPod photo.

27ray

Oct 12, 2005, 10:15 PM

First, a moment of silence for the U2 iPod and the "We-Hardly-Knew-YE" Harry Potter iPod.

Ok, moving on from there.

First, there are lots of perhaps shady but still possible ways to rip video from a DVD and encode it for use on these new video iPods. I'll start on the Simpsons when I get home. A decent-quality MP3 or .H348gksh thingy should be about 40-50MB. Not GREAT, but certainly watchable. So, at 100+ episodes, I can get the entire Simpsons collection to date on my iPod in 5GB of so. For another couple gig's I can carry all my Family Guys as well...

So, the next question: Are there playlists for videos?

Also, will there be "video albums" with an artist's greatest hits videos packaged together for a discounted price? That would be nice.

I read someplace that the iPod photos currently in stores are software crippled to not play video, and they should be fully capable. Kinda frustrating.

However, not as frustrating at Tivo-To-Go being Windows only. Steve should have offered to make a Tivo-To-Go client that DRMs video taken off the Tivo the same way the Windows software does, so we can enjoy it on our Macs and iPod photos, and especially now that the iMac has this faux-media center aspect.

Which, for all the naysayers about the iMac's new features, let's remember that it doesn't cost buyer a DIME more than the old one did, so there's really not a lot to complain about other than wanting more, more, more. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's very American, but just to put a little perspective on things.

Finally, yes, I am also unable to access the story. Menus load lickety-split, can't get to any content. I am wondering if perhaps some server overload is taking place with all these Macrumors forum users downloading video to check out the quality (so they can complain about it on here). But really, with 2000 videos, an iTunes update and a QT update, that's a LOT of content those servers are slinging around the world. Let them catch up a bit before we write off the launch as "a mess" or disasterous or whatever.

Really sensible post.
Think about it people. ALL this extra function no extra money. Remember the iTMS only had 500,000 songs on launch, now over 2 million. Watch the videos on TV, Watch them on your iPod, what then on someone else's TV.

Down loading movies is no there yet, the bandwidth is not there yet, but in 3 years it will be, and this will be why people will pay for it.

The one thing I want is front row (wow, quarts lets you do a whole lot of neat stuff with the interface, all those slow window resizing issues seem like a good investment now, good job apple) I predict after the xmas sales season we will be able to buy it as part of iLife '06, for the rest of us. Oh well Apple spent a lot of money developing it, and the iMac they should be able to make some money back on it before "giving" it away.

Over all a really positive day. Powermac updates will come next week, and powerbook maybe as well, but i think the good stuff will come next june.

P.S. I think everyone is let down because they already know how it works, front row, they have been using the same interface going on 4 years now, but what it is doing is really amazing. Enjoy for a change you guys.

joe_adk

Oct 12, 2005, 10:16 PM

27ray

Oct 12, 2005, 10:21 PM

One more thing.... I think we have seen the change in how computers work. Music, Movies, Photos, DVD's all controlled with 6 buttons. Think you can explain to your parents or grandparents how to do play music, etc over the phone.

Think about it. this is a shift in how people will use computers. Apple has done it again, now we get to see how big a lead they can get before M$ copies them.

this will be a wild ride i think.

JOD8FY

Oct 12, 2005, 10:22 PM

iTalk (http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/italk/techspecs.php) uses the extra port, and it apparently was still on the iPod photo since iTalk says it's compatible with iPod photo.

Thanks for the info. As it turns out, the only accessory I own for my iPod is the iTalk :p. I guess my point of view was a bit skewed.

Thanks again,
JOD8FY

nagromme

Oct 12, 2005, 10:31 PM

has anyone noticed that the iPod no longer comes with FireWire? I recharge my current iPod through FireWire, will the new iPod be charged through the USB cable? And is USB 2.0 just as fast as firewire, or what?

Yes, it will charge through USB. USB 2 is about the same speed for short transfers. It's fine for longer transfers, it's just not AS good as Firewire. But most people don't regularly do long transfers with their iPod.

A cost-cutting move or a size-cutting move or both.

That does suck, since Apple is essentially abandoning a large percentage of their faithful installed Mac base, in favor of selling to the almighty Windows market. However as others have said, this must be due to either cost or size constraints.
A shame I agree, but they are only abandoning people who meet ALL of the following:

* Don't have a recent Mac.
* Aren't going to GET a recent Mac.
* ARE wanting to get a high-end iPod
* Can't tolerate slow USB 1 synching.
* Will not only be disappointed, but actually boycott the product.
* Would truly have bought one if it did have Firewire.

I think Apple knows that's a small number of people--smaller by the week.

I've transferred many GB by USB 1.1 and dealt with it OK, so I'm sure I'd do fine with USB 2. I'd prefer Firewire--but not for speed (that's part of it) as much as for booting. But I have no illusions that my desire to boot OS X from my iPod is a common one :) Very handy though! A nice consolation for having last years' iPod :o

Lebowski

Oct 12, 2005, 10:38 PM

the thing that is funny to me is, the pixar shorts.....

ok, anyone who wants to see them is more than likely a pixar fan. I am for sure, now, having said that, i own dvd's of all the pixar movies. Each of which has these shorts on them.....So why would I pay to dl a TINY res'd down version when I can easily drop a disc into my player and watch them on a stunning 57" HD set?

steveO trying to line his pockets a bit more i guess..... im actully suprised they arent selling only pixar stuff. that way he gets a bigger cut.

we get it steve, the ipod sells well and brings in cash... Lets not forget the ones who kept apple alive for all these years... I will give you a hint, it wasnt ipod users. How about some pro updates?

It kills me when i go to my local apple store, and salespeople walk right past me when i am looking at a G5powermac with the 30" so they can sell a shuffle to a 65 year old man - which is his first and last apple purchase im sure. Brilliant.

way to show your loyalty to your customers apple.... now, lets get another 10 versions of ipods out before another pro user update!!!!! keep it up.

nagromme

Oct 12, 2005, 10:39 PM

Sorry if this has been mentioned before, but has anyone else noticed the lack of the communications port found on the "older" 4G iPods?
You're right--but what's interesting to me is that docking connector has all along been able to do all the same things:

- Carry remote control signals.
- Carry audio.
- Deliver power from the iPod's battery.
- (Plus video, USB, artist/track info for external displays, etc. etc.)

So new accessories will just have to rely on the dock connector alone--like the newest iTrip does--making them more universal.

I like the trend towards making all iPods more compatible with the same accessories. One connector now instead of two, and a Universal Dock! :)

Peace

Oct 12, 2005, 10:40 PM

Firewire is great if you're transfering 40 gigs at once.Which some might do.Rarely.
In the short turn ( bandwidthwise ) USB 2.0 is just as fast as firewire is when transfering 10-200megs at a time..

I'd say no firewire is just a part of slimming the Pod down..
Hardly anyone will notice the difference.

nagromme

Oct 12, 2005, 10:41 PM

way to show your loyalty to your customers apple.... now, lets get another 10 versions of ipods out before another pro user update!!!!! keep it up.
Why should pro updates HAVE to be included in this consumer event? Why is that the only way to introduce pro updates? I think it's not.

Peace Frog

Oct 12, 2005, 10:54 PM

I'm pretty curious as to how all this music video stuff will shake out. I'm a music video director, and have 2 videos that I know of for sale on the new iTMS. What's interesting (to me anyway) is that my contracts with the labels specify that the music videos are works for hire used for promotion of the single/album. I have riders attached to my contracts stating that once a video is offered for sale I'm entitled to royalties (i.e. they release a "best of" DVD). These are supposed to be negotiated prior to a release.

Now, I know my videos would amount to about a $.15 check, but some videos (U2 vids come to mind) will get literally thousands of downloads. Who is getting this money? Apple? The labels? I'd think if all these directors and production companies started coming forward to get their piece of the pie, this whole music video thing may come crashing down. I don't think the labels would want to take the time or money to renogtiate contracts on 20 year old videos.

Just throwing that into the mix.

autrefois

Oct 12, 2005, 10:55 PM

You're right--but what's interesting to me is that docking connector has all along been able to do all the same things:

- Carry remote control signals.
- Carry audio.
- Deliver power from the iPod's battery.
- (Plus video, USB, artist/track info for external displays, etc. etc.)

So new accessories will just have to rely on the dock connector alone--like the newest iTrip does--making them more universal.

I like the trend towards making all iPods more compatible with the same accessories. One connector now instead of two, and a Universal Dock! :)

Thanks for the information! I'm sure new accessories will be coming out soon that work with the docking connector. Hopefully Griffin will have a new iTalk soon that works with the new iPods, which will be nice considering the better recording specs.

If so, I may be forced to get one of each... :)

mickhyperion

Oct 12, 2005, 11:02 PM

So, I notice that they have a IR remote, but, one of the best features of my current iPod (3G) is the connected remote so i dont have to reach into my pocket/bag when i want to change songs. With the new iPod I can change songs from accross the room, but not from my pocket.

It was very convenient to skip or change volume...

I agree! I really want one of these new iPods, but I can't live without my connected remote. Hopefully one will come out quickly that's been redesigned to use the dock connector.

madmaxmedia

Oct 12, 2005, 11:05 PM

Before Apple introduced videos and these new iPods, I thought that if Apple ever did video they would wait until they could do it in a big way to revolutizonie it. Jobs always talks about the scalability of H264. I conceived of some mechanism by which a user might downlaod a show or movie in high def and as it's being sycnhed to an iPod it's down scaled in quality (much as i THINK occured with the ipod photo????).

On the iPod front, the new models are probably nice, but the whole thing looks pathetic. All the arguments against a video iPod have already been made by Jobs time and time again. Who wants to look at a tiny screen? Who can walk and watch a TV show, or drive and watch a TV show? If you're sitting, why not just watch a TV! Or your laptop if you're on a plane! Laptops have better battery life for playing back video and the screens are exponentially larger.

The only conceivable way is to simultaneously download both low and high-res versions. It takes to long to re-encode in H264 with even current hardware. I think in a year, they will have a better video chip in the iPod capable of decoding maybe a VGA H264 video, and then the content at iTMS will be upgraded. Of course, on the iPod screen the video will be downsized to fit the screen resolution, but on a TV it will be VGA.

As far as the arguments against an iPod, you basically summed up the reasons for it. It's actually a pretty nice iPod upgrade even without adding the video. Adding the video was not that big of a deal, so why NOT do it?

Lebowski

Oct 12, 2005, 11:07 PM

so much for the year of HD eh steve?

nagromme

Oct 12, 2005, 11:17 PM

so much for the year of HD eh steve?
The year of HD referred to the year that HD content creation came to consumers. Which meant iMovie HD, and the advent of prosumer HD camcorders. All of which happened at MWSF this year where Jobs used that phrase. The promise was met on the spot. I don't see how it was a promise of any OTHER HD announcements. Reading more into that simple phrase was just guesswork by rumor followers.

That said, a HD 17" PowerBook option isn't impossible. I wouldn't count on it (and many people wouldn't appreciate all that tiny text) but it could happen.

autrefois

Oct 12, 2005, 11:20 PM

I see they now have a "Just for You" part of the music store. In other words, the system is analysing my purchases. It's so sweet of Apple to want to offer me music I might like, how thoughtful of them! But I'd rather you didn't spy on my purchasing patterns to do so. Thanks, but no thanks, Apple.

Don't know if it was there before or not, but there's now a link on the bottom of the Home page that says "Turn Just For You Off".

Thank you for giving us this option, Apple. I hate sites like Amazon telling you what you want to buy because I know it means they're keeping track and analyzing my buying patterns. I like to at least pretend on iTunes they're not doing this (or judging my taste in music :)).

neildmitchell

Oct 12, 2005, 11:21 PM

I have previously posted my thoughts that Apple would be releasing something in an attempt to enter the race for Control over the living room....
and I quote for those who Nay'd

Apple Unveils Video iPod, Disney TV Deal By Mark Boslet
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
"Analysts saw the remote control as a first step in an Apple strategy to place its computers at the center of living room entertainment in the home."

Read more @
http://www.smartmoney.com/bn/ON/index.cfm?story=ON-20051012-000745-1520

Peace

Oct 12, 2005, 11:24 PM

Don't know if it was there before or not, but there's now a link on the bottom of the Home page that says "Turn Just For You Off".

Thank you for giving us this option, Apple. I hate sites like Amazon telling you what you want to buy because I know it means they're keeping track and analyzing my buying patterns. I like to at least pretend on iTunes they're not doing this (or judging my taste in music :)).

That's odd.I don't see either one.

autrefois

Oct 12, 2005, 11:32 PM

That's odd.I don't see either one.

Maybe they are spying on (just) me! :D

Did you update to iTunes 6? If not, maybe it's just on iTunes 6.

If you have iTunes 6, maybe if you close it and reopen it, it will show up. It might be a caching issue. (?)

ipoddin

Oct 12, 2005, 11:41 PM

the thing that is funny to me is, the pixar shorts.....

ok, anyone who wants to see them is more than likely a pixar fan. I am for sure, now, having said that, i own dvd's of all the pixar movies. Each of which has these shorts on them.....So why would I pay to dl a TINY res'd down version when I can easily drop a disc into my player and watch them on a stunning 57" HD set?

The thing that is funny to me are the people who seem to think that if a feature isn't particularly appealing or useful to them and ONLY them, then there is something flawed with the product.

Just because YOU have all the Pixar movies and have no need to download the shorts contained on the DVD's, doesn't mean every potential ipod user also has no use for those Pixar shorts.

Why would you pay to download something you already have? Good question, you don't have to. But not everyone else in the world has every Pixar movie on DVD already and might not want to purchase the full DVD just to get the short.

It's day one of the new ipod. There's not a lot of video selections yet. Maybe they have bigger plans for more video content. I'm reserving judgement until I see more content because FOR ME, it's not very compelling but it MIGHT BE for someone else.

MontyZ

Oct 13, 2005, 12:07 AM

hotsauce

Oct 13, 2005, 12:19 AM

There still is no way to exclude podcasts from the Library tab. Is there to do this that I'm not aware of?

Chundles

Oct 13, 2005, 12:20 AM

Ah well, I guess in keeping with our background we Aussies can now be even bigger theives.

Illegal to copy music AND videos!!

I wonder if Apple will do a deal with Australian TV networks so we can get every episode of such high quality programming as "Neighbours" or "Home and Away"? ;)

Other than that - top release. Very very cool stuff, the new iMac is superb and iTunes 6's Video section is just pure iCandy.

Oh, and one more thing......

Peace

Oct 13, 2005, 12:23 AM

Maybe they are spying on (just) me! :D

Did you update to iTunes 6? If not, maybe it's just on iTunes 6.

If you have iTunes 6, maybe if you close it and reopen it, it will show up. It might be a caching issue. (?)

Yes..I have iTunes 6.0 also..
Cache,page and app have been cleared and restarted several times.
Still nada

thejadedmonkey

Oct 13, 2005, 01:17 AM

I'm surprised this hasn't been mentined yet but... the new iPod is really wide and f***ing uuuuggglllyyy.

Seriously you couldn't even put that in your pocket.

Caaarn the BoonPod.
Yeah...I have a 1G and 3G ipod, and I was hoping to go for a 5G too, but it's just so UGLY, and I still don't have any reasons for upgrading. the old ipods are just that good!

Also, what are the chances that the battery is even harder to replace? Photobooth looked cool tho..

danistheman50

Oct 13, 2005, 01:17 AM

Chundles

Oct 13, 2005, 01:27 AM

Yeah...I have a 1G and 3G ipod, and I was hoping to go for a 5G too, but it's just so UGLY, and I still don't have any reasons for upgrading. the old ipods are just that good!

Also, what are the chances that the battery is even harder to replace? Photobooth looked cool tho..

You do realise it's the same height and width as the old one?

Anyway, yes it looks a bit odd, it certainly LOOKS wide (although that's just because of the bigger screen and smaller wheel - our brains are thinking they haven't changed in size) but I WANTS ONE PRECIOUS!!!

Shattering Fast

Oct 13, 2005, 01:41 AM

You do realise it's the same height and width as the old one?

Anyway, yes it looks a bit odd, it certainly LOOKS wide (although that's just because of the bigger screen and smaller wheel - our brains are thinking they haven't changed in size) but I WANTS ONE PRECIOUS!!!

I have around $500 saved and I can't decide whether to get a PSP or an iPod. Even if they do look like they wouldn't fit in my pocket.... Maybe I should keep saving for an iMac.

Oh the calamity.

LuckyJim

Oct 13, 2005, 02:19 AM

If you care so much about quality, encode it yourself! Why is that so hard? If you care, you'll take the time to do it, thus defining how much you care!

"thus defining how much you care!" - Just cracked me up, I don't know why... You're getting a bit worked up over the usual complainers. I guess it feels good to gripe, and also feels good to gripe about the gripers. I know I'm guilty of both.

best,

LJ

Do you really want or need portable video? Sell it and buy a new one. Otherwise enjoy what you have. It's win-win, and either choice is better than having it stolen like my 60 GB was a few months ago... :eek: ;)

Sorry for your loss... I'm paranoid about my iPod getting ripped off - it's practically a new form of currency in NYC. What were the circumstances of the theft?

LJ

dontmatter

Oct 13, 2005, 02:32 AM

hrm, the latest hit TV shows aren't what sells on DVD's in episode form, though, right? What sells like nuts from TV is Family Guy, Arrested Devolepment, The Simpsons and Seinfeld. Once they get those on the store, and bump the resolution up a bit, so it would be satisfying to watch on the compy with or without owning the video capable ipod.... then we'll be talkin'. And if I do that and get a library built up, I'm going to really want video on an ipod, where as now, I really don't care.

autrefois

Oct 13, 2005, 02:34 AM

Yes..I have iTunes 6.0 also..
Cache,page and app have been cleared and restarted several times.
Still nada

This is odd. Can anyone else confirm having (or not having) "Just For You" on their iTunes Music Store home page (the page that first loads when you go to the Music Store)?

You have to scroll down to see it, but it's in the center of the page and it says "Just for you" (Beta). It shows four album covers on the left and a list of 10 songs on the right. If you scroll down to the very bottom of the page, you have the option to "Turn Just For You Off".

Maybe it only works if you've bought a certain number of tracks on the store?!?

In any case, I assume some people will like this new feature, but at least it can be turned off if you don't like it.

EDIT: I'm turning it back off again, and quickly. It lists one of my "Just For You" songs as "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston. This is the one and only song I truly hate since I heard it 347 million times when it came out. I think it's a sign that I should keep this feature turned off!!

BakedBeans

Oct 13, 2005, 03:02 AM

Loge

Oct 13, 2005, 03:08 AM

ive not read this whole thread (18 frickin pages of moaning about firewire no doubt :rolleyes:) but i doubt many have mentioned how much the british are getting ripped off.

US ipod 60gb = $299
UK ipod 60gb = £299 (or $522)

US music video/tv shows = $1.99
UK music video/tv shows = £1.89 (or $3.50)

i expect there to be difference but not nearly double

US 60GB is $399, not $299. These prices are the same as the old colour screen iPods. The UK price includes tax, whereas the US one does not.

I do agree that the UK prices for video downloads are poor value compared to the US though.

BakedBeans

Oct 13, 2005, 03:42 AM

US 60GB is $399, not $299. These prices are the same as the old colour screen iPods. The UK price includes tax, whereas the US one does not.

AHHHH thats the descrepency in that (the $399 not the tax, i knew about that)

I do agree that the UK prices for video downloads are poor value compared to the US though.

hmm , yep

Peer

Oct 13, 2005, 03:52 AM

This is odd. Can anyone else confirm having (or not having) "Just For You" on their iTunes Music Store home page (the page that first loads when you go to the Music Store)?

You have to scroll down to see it, but it's in the center of the page and it says "Just for you" (Beta). It shows four album covers on the left and a list of 10 songs on the right. If you scroll down to the very bottom of the page, you have the option to "Turn Just For You Off".

Maybe it only works if you've bought a certain number of tracks on the store?!?

In any case, I assume some people will like this new feature, but at least it can be turned off if you don't like it.

EDIT: I'm turning it back off again, and quickly. It lists one of my "Just For You" songs as "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston. This is the one and only song I truly hate since I heard it 347 million times when it came out. I think it's a sign that I should keep this feature turned off!!

I see it too (Netherlands). Haven't tried it out yet.
Edit : Looks like it gives recommadations. It looks at your bought albums and songs. So I guess you had to buy something for this feature to work or show up. It works quite good (yeah, new album from The New Pornographers !!!).

MontyZ

Oct 13, 2005, 04:17 AM

leenoble

Oct 13, 2005, 04:40 AM

To those complaining about lack of support for DivX etc, you have to remember that rightly or wrongly the TV corporations have been whining almost non-stop for the last year about BitTorrent killing their schedules and losing them revenue.

Regardless of your circle of friends, most people don't use BT, it's a bit too techy for them. An even smaller part of the population has the resources, and moreso the time to bother transcoding TV shows. They want them now.

By providing H.264 TV shows it not only provides an easy method for everybody else to download watchable content, it ALSO will go some way to reducing the impact of BitTorrent (from their point of view). There will be many people who currently download through BT who want to go mobile with their content. If they didn't transcode before, then they're unlikely to do so now and will take the easier option of paying a little up front to get their shows. It's a helluva lot more convenient than waiting overnight for a conversion.

I just wish they'd hurry up and get some TV content in the UK. I don't want to wait years like we did for the music store. What the hell happened about the joint BBC announcement? Not that I was expecting them to jump in with video anyway, they have their own iMP service to promote, although if Apple announced they were committing to iMP support that would be fantastic. I was expecting the BBC announcement to be that podcasting would be rolled out to all radio shows and not just the trial ones which have been going for a while now.

By the way, I think the iMP 7 day restriction is ridiculous. Most people go away on holiday for a week or two at a time in this country. Not having to set the video at all would be cool. It should be 3 weeks, preferably a month (yeah I know OT and all that)

840quadra

Oct 13, 2005, 04:50 AM

A really nice feature on the new iPods is the optional "iPod Camera Connector" that lets you use the iPod as a storage device for transferring photos from a digital camera. I wish they had done this sooner!

Hasn't this accessory been out since the iPod Photo?

840quadra

Oct 13, 2005, 04:52 AM

I am curious to see if the IR reciever in the new iMac is compatible with the origonal Apple Remote.

http://www.neuwerks.com/B5BAR/macrumors/remote.jpg

I am going to bring mine into the Apple Store, and test it out when they get their first new iMac comptuers in. I know the buttons aren't the same, but I am still curious to find out.

http://forums.macrumors.com/image.php?u=47064&type=profile&dateline=1127904880

whooleytoo

Oct 13, 2005, 07:06 AM

Can you buy the Lost episodes in iTMS UK? It's a real pity, but they aren't available here (in Ireland).

Actually, one thing I noticed in the Irish iTMS, is how bad it now looks! Unlike the US store which looks "full", there are gaps in the Irish page where US-specific features (Lost episodes, free songs etc.) would have been. Looks messy, very unlike Apple.

Edit: Ok, they've improved the front page since last night, but the Music Videos page is still a bit icky..

lord_flash

Oct 13, 2005, 08:26 AM

When it comes to TV shows, at the moment its for only the states. The Rest of the World don't yet benefit. I expect Apple haven't been arsed to start any negotiations.

Yeah, and it's not like they've done a fantastic job in the States either. Some awful-looking kids shows, Lost, and Ddesperate Housewives? You've gotta wonder whether they just couldn't get any more support from the networks.

And it's all 4:3 when 16:9 is taking over the world.

Why did I hear it was shown in the UK when there wasn't some sort of content deal with the BBC?

mattc

Oct 13, 2005, 09:05 AM

Great products and the ability to download video and TV is great, however once again Australia misses out because of no Music Store. Come on Apple, lets get it going!!! :mad:

840quadra

Oct 13, 2005, 09:15 AM

Great products and the ability to download video and TV is great, however once again Australia misses out because of no Music Store. Come on Apple, lets get it going!!! :mad:

I am sure it is more of an issue with your local government, and record companies as opposed to Apple. If apple could, I am sure they would be selling music via ITMS to world, however Lawyers don't really love Apple :( .

http://forums.macrumors.com/image.php?u=47064&type=profile&dateline=1127904880

no1

Oct 13, 2005, 09:19 AM

Mac_Freak

Oct 13, 2005, 09:24 AM

i am very dissapointed. i thought to buy new ipod, but i don`t know anymore. it`s too big and heavy for me. i have about 20g of music so i don`t want ipod nano either. I want small and silver (something that looks like silver ipod mini) 30g ipod.. without video support.

You know that the new iPod is smaller then the one that it replaced, right?
If you wanted something of the size of iPod mini with 30GB then your out of luck as there is now way for that to happen yet.

swindmill

Oct 13, 2005, 09:28 AM

I am sure it is more of an issue with your local government, and record companies as opposed to Apple. If apple could, I am sure they would be selling music via ITMS to world, however Lawyers don't really love Apple :( .

http://forums.macrumors.com/image.php?u=47064&type=profile&dateline=1127904880

It definitely is not Apple's fault, but you can't blame it on lawyers either. In cases like those, lawyers are just disinterested representatives. ;)

mflat5

Oct 13, 2005, 09:34 AM

So with the advent of the nifty, semi-gimmicky video iPod, Apple has done it again with smart strategy, timing and a cool new product.

Jobs and Apple know that the holiday rush is approaching / in the midst and that they need to capitalize in 2005 to maintain momentum. Fall seasons are crucial times for business to not only garner sales, but also maintain a sense of consumer awareness and "test out" brand loyalty.

The introduction of a video iPod will hopefully maintain momentum for Apple, help sales and act as a guinea pig for the future full-fledged video iPod. Analysts (Gartner, for example, I believe) have predicted that this iPod video is a test to see the market demand for portable video -- seems right to me.

Think about it -- Apple is not foolhearted enough to spend tons of cash on R&D, design, manufacturing, licensing (with film companies) and distribution on a new brand new, completely redesigned and expensive iPod with tons of content that may not sell well. Given the fact that Apple's shares have recently dropped more than 10% is an indication that they could be on the aggressive, yet cautious side on spending too much to get a minimal return. They are a business.

The new iPod, while not revolutionary in video content or design yet, is a step in the right testing direction. FROM A BUSINESS STANDPOINT, the new iPod has the following going for it:

- minimal design overhaul = less expenditure and time to develop and manufacture
- familiar design = furthering consumer loyalty and recognition
- brand loyalty is sustained b/c it's Apple, it's an iPod by Apple and b/c it's relatively the same
- larger screen = still does not compromise the integrity of the iPod from previous, yet provides a better amount of viewable area

Jobs / Apple is smarter than you think. The iPod has truly crossed over into the mainstream -- early adopters and "tech-heads" are relatively smaller than mass audiences and they would be foolish to abandon that. The bar has been set for them.

Now only if it could translate into eventual higher sales for its OS and computer products...

Riot_Mac

Oct 13, 2005, 09:55 AM

I'm sure this has been answered but I couldnt find it skimming over all the posts. Do we know if the iPod video will play mpeg4 and h.264 larger than 480x480. What about my movies that I export from iMovie? Or will it only play the video files from the itunes store? Will it scale down a movie that is in 720x480 to a cropped 480x480 so it looks right on a sd tv?
All in all i think it looks like a great product. I will mostly likely be purchasing one especially if it does what I am asking above.
Thanks!

snowmoon

Oct 13, 2005, 10:07 AM

Jobs / Apple is smarter than you think. The iPod has truly crossed over into the mainstream -- early adopters and "tech-heads" are relatively smaller than mass audiences and they would be foolish to abandon that. The bar has been set for them.

Now only if it could translate into eventual higher sales for its OS and computer products...

That would assume that he CARES is if transalates. iPods already account for something like 40% of the revenue of the company and it's growing at a substantial clip. If the iPod/iTunes does expand into iMeda and do Movie rentals or Movie downloads it will continue to outpace the computer sales as apples biggest seller. I'm personally in the market for a mac once the transistion is complete ( my laptop works just fine for now ) and Im sure I will be moving to mac accessories as they become appealing to me ( Airport Express and others ).

So, we may be over analizing this situation. Stevie may or may not care about halo as each part of this equation stands on their own. The only thing that is nice about switchers is they become dependant on Apple for 2-5 years for hardware and software ( or 3rd party profit sharing a-la "the dock" ). But apple is making more profits on the nano than they are probably making on the mac mini or the entry level iBooks. A good company will push it's strong suit and here is the iPod from both a consumer recognition ( all mp3 players are now ipods ) and from a profit motive standpoint.

achie25

Oct 13, 2005, 10:29 AM

I think the video ipod is great. But I will wait a year or so before buying one. I just got a 4G 20 gig photo ipod. so I will wait for future upgrades to the video ipod. It will be hard to do once the video library begins to expand

Mr Maui

Oct 13, 2005, 10:55 AM

It definitely is not Apple's fault, but you can't blame it on lawyers either. In cases like those, lawyers are just disinterested representatives. ;)
When there is money at stake, lawyers are VERY interested. They get paid no matter which way the ruling goes. Kinda like stockbrokers. :D

nagromme

Oct 13, 2005, 10:57 AM

I have around $500 saved and I can't decide whether to get a PSP or an iPod. Even if they do look like they wouldn't fit in my pocket.... Maybe I should keep saving for an iMac.
Go with the iMac. It LOOKS big, but it's deceptive. Fits easily in my front pocket ;)

A really nice feature on the new iPods is the optional "iPod Camera Connector" that lets you use the iPod as a storage device for transferring photos from a digital camera. I wish they had done this sooner!
That's been out for about a year :) And for a long time before that, Belkin made a similar product.

Now only if it could translate into eventual higher sales for its OS and computer products...
It has already begun :)

I'm sure this has been answered but I couldnt find it skimming over all the posts. Do we know if the iPod video will play mpeg4 and h.264 larger than 480x480. What about my movies that I export from iMovie? Or will it only play the video files from the itunes store? Will it scale down a movie that is in 720x480 to a cropped 480x480 so it looks right on a sd tv?
The iPod plays at 320x240 (4:3), and there will be black bars (of course) if you use other shapes. You can convert other QuickTime formats for iPod use using QuickTime Pro. (I'd like to think iTunes or maybe iMovie can do it without a $30 QTPro key, but I'm not sure. I expect there will be shareware or something to do the task soon if not.)

nemaslov

Oct 13, 2005, 11:35 AM

I would have ordered a new iPod right away if they released a 80GB version. My 60 is full and I don't want to delete songs. I don't care about the video storage so I will wait for the big one.. That rumour was wrong.

Mr Maui

Oct 13, 2005, 11:55 AM

danistheman50

Oct 13, 2005, 12:22 PM

snowmoon

Oct 13, 2005, 12:27 PM

From whom did the 80GB rumor begin? We can add a new "strike" against their accuracy. ;)

Toshiba... their new drives ( the ones sourced for iPod's ) comes with 1 or 2 platter configurations each at 40GB. It's a natural expectaion that the iPod would update their capactiy as the drives came along. Actually I'm expecting that they will silently upgrade the iPods in the next month.

In fact people are scrating their heads since the reduction in thikness of the 5g iPod can only be attributed to thinner drives, but they are still advertizing 30/60 and that doesn't make any sense since those drives are sourced from Toshiba as 40/80 ( in theory of course ).

bankshot

Oct 13, 2005, 01:09 PM

Sorry for your loss... I'm paranoid about my iPod getting ripped off - it's practically a new form of currency in NYC. What were the circumstances of the theft?

LJ

It was stolen from a secure area at work, about the last place I would have expected. Since the story is off topic to this thread, I decided to post a new one. Read over there if you're curious:

What Apple stuff have you had stolen? (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=154601)

Jesus

Oct 13, 2005, 01:37 PM

I notice the new iPod is USB-only. So the transition is now complete - none of the current iPods support Firewire. Oh well. That said, it does still look nice and I'm glad I held off buying an iPod until now. The video probably won't do anything for me, but the thinner case and less weight are positives.

I phoned apple, the new ipod does support firewire.

Sorry if this has been addressed earlier

Jesus

madmaxmedia

Oct 13, 2005, 02:03 PM

Does anybody know of any free programs that will convert the myriad of video formats (especially DIVX and XVID) to h.264 at the proper resolution so I can watch my family guy and that 70's show episodes on my new 5g iPod?

ffmpegx (just google it)

I anticipate they will release a new update soon with a couple of good presets for outputting to the new iPod. Some possibilities-
-Best quality H264 (takes a long time, but great quality and good compression)
-Hi-Res MPEG4 (makes no difference on iPod screen, but should be better TV out, higher bitrate required.)
-Medium-Res MPEG5 (320 x 240, not as good as H264 but faster processing time.)

Riot_Mac

Oct 13, 2005, 02:09 PM

ffmpegx (just google it)

I anticipate they will release a new update soon with a couple of good presets for outputting to the new iPod. Some possibilities-
-Best quality H264 (takes a long time, but great quality and good compression)
-Hi-Res MPEG4 (makes no difference on iPod screen, but should be better TV out, higher bitrate required.)
-Medium-Res MPEG5 (320 x 240, not as good as H264 but faster processing time.)

if the ipod can only output at 320x240 to a tv, the picture is going to look bad. hopefully it is just 320x240 on the ipod screen and not on the tv.

madmaxmedia

Oct 13, 2005, 02:11 PM

The iPod plays at 320x240 (4:3), and there will be black bars (of course) if you use other shapes. You can convert other QuickTime formats for iPod use using QuickTime Pro. (I'd like to think iTunes or maybe iMovie can do it without a $30 QTPro key, but I'm not sure. I expect there will be shareware or something to do the task soon if not.)

MPEG4 video can be up to 480 x 480. It won't make a difference on the iPod screen, but may give better resolution with the TV out.

I learned one very interesting thing about H264. It supports objects (kind of like vector graphics), which scale better than pure bitmaps. So that may be one reason why fullscreen viewing of these H264 clips from iTMS actually looks okay. I bought the first episode of Lost, and it actually is watchable fullscreen on my 15" PowerBook (although 2x is definitely better.) Obviously the iTunes viewer is also doing various tricks such as interpolation, aliasing, etc. You can't make extra resolution and detail where none exists, but you can make it look reasonably sharp at 2x.

Another interesting thing about H264 is that it is more or less a platform than an actual codec. Improvements will be made in encoding quality, but will still be compatible with all H264 players. These are some of the reasons why H264 takes so long to encode videos.

if the ipod can only output at 320x240 to a tv, the picture is going to look bad. hopefully it is just 320x240 on the ipod screen and not on the tv.

Unfortunately, it is only 320 x 240. Decoding higher resolution video simply take too much power and juice for now. But on a regular analog TV, I think you will be surprised. Based on viewing 'Lost' on my PB, I think viewing on a TV will look close to regular broadcast TV (but obviously inferior to DVD quality.)

It's not ideal by any stretch, but represents a pretty reasonable compromise in an iPod that decreased in size and did not go up in price.

In time, we will get further improvements. I think next year we will have say VGA level resolution (both in the iTMS content and what the iPod can handle.)

I phoned apple, the new ipod does support firewire.

Sorry if this has been addressed earlier

Jesus

Did you ask them if you could load the iPod via Firewire? The Apple store indicates otherwise. If you look at the compatible devices for the USB cable and the Firewire cable, only the USB cable is listed as compatible with 'iPod with video'.

IF that is the case, it's too bad. I have USB 2 on my computers so no worries for me, but I know some people will be disappointed.

mongoos150

Oct 13, 2005, 02:19 PM

Does anybody know of any free programs that will convert the myriad of video formats (especially DIVX and XVID) to h.264 at the proper resolution so I can watch my family guy and that 70's show episodes on my new 5g iPod?

Are you sure you'll be able to transfer your own h.264 videos onto iPod? I know you can put your own home videos on it...If so I'm buying one.

devman

Oct 13, 2005, 02:25 PM

Unfortunately, it is only 320 x 240.

Do you have a link for that. Several other fora are asking what the TV Out resolution is. No-one seems to know for sure.

shane-o-mac

Oct 13, 2005, 02:34 PM

I just ordered my 60GB black ipod! can't wait till I get it.

Sweet...thinking about doing the same...but I just got a black nano (mmm maybe christmas) :cool:

Give us a heads up on what you think of it.

Oh and if it is the same acrylic suface as the nano( and I am going to guess it is) definatley want to keep it well protected.....my black nano is scratched to hell already.

Riot_Mac

Oct 13, 2005, 03:48 PM

Do you have a link for that. Several other fora are asking what the TV Out resolution is. No-one seems to know for sure.

I think the output for h.264 is only 320x240 and the output for mpeg4 is 480x480. If that is the case mpeg 4 will fine on a tv. h.264 not so much. what about if the mpeg4 file is larger than 480x480, will the ipod scale it properly? I would think so

jcshas

Oct 13, 2005, 03:49 PM

Geez, I've got to quit this game of buying a new iPod everytime Apple introduces a new one. I tried to talk myself out of it but couldn't so I put my 60 gig on eBay today. OK maybe next time. :)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5818998075&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1

madmaxmedia

Oct 13, 2005, 03:50 PM

Do you have a link for that. Several other fora are asking what the TV Out resolution is. No-one seems to know for sure.

I'm basing this off the Apple specs, which state 320x240 for H264 and 480 x 480 for MPEG4. That is what the iPod can decode, which should thus be the maximum resolution that can be output to TV.

However, that 320 x 240 H264 video might be upsampled pretty well, so that it still looks pretty good on a TV screen. Like I said, I watched 'Lost' fullscreen on my 15" AluBook. I was expecting a pixellated, smeary mess, and instead got a pretty watchable picture. 2X looked quite good, which would be 640 x 480 which is roughly TV quality.

But it would be nice if I was wrong! :)

I think the output for h.264 is only 320x240 and the output for mpeg4 is 480x480. If that is the case mpeg 4 will fine on a tv. h.264 not so much. what about if the mpeg4 file is larger than 480x480, will the ipod scale it properly? I would think so

I'm not so sure, I think the decoder can only process so many bits...if it could process a larger picture, then the specs should have reflected that.

illegalprelude

Oct 13, 2005, 04:08 PM

hhmm..I dunno if I was part of the few or what but I was not the least impressed. I dunno, id rather have a Nano then a Video iPod. I just think my PSP is way the hell more funtional in terms of video then the iPod. I got a good 30 movies on UMD for it and im set.

side question, can u ONLY load movies from iTunes or anything you have on your computer can go on it?

nagromme

Oct 13, 2005, 06:19 PM

Toshiba... their new drives ( the ones sourced for iPod's ) comes with 1 or 2 platter configurations each at 40GB.
Maybe Apple decided that demand for 80 was so low that it wasn't worth making a "thick" iPod for it. So they will wait until 80 becomes as thin as 60 before they jump on it?

I phoned apple, the new ipod does support firewire.

Sorry if this has been addressed earlier

Jesus
You have a name that suggests trust and credibility... but I'm not so sure about the person you spoke to at Apple :p I suspect the info on apple.com is true, and that like the nano, you can use a Firewire cable only for charging.

MPEG4 video can be up to 480 x 480. It won't make a difference on the iPod screen, but may give better resolution with the TV out.
Do you mean 640x480? Actually an MPEG4 file can be any size, HD or whatever. (Or do you mean that you can't convert larger sizes for iPod use?)

In any case, supposedly the iPod only stores and plays ONE version of the file, the one at 320x240 for its own screen. That same version plays if output to TV. I'd like to see iPods drive a larger version to TV, but they don't seem to have enough horsepower for that.

(My iPod Photo on the other hand DOES run a higher res photo to TV as near as I can tell. It's a really low-res screen, less than 320x240, and yet the photos are nice and crisp on TV. iTunes must prepare two versions of each image then--in addition to the optional third size, the full-res backup.)

Perhaps if you add EyeTV, but then how do you record digital cable? What about recording HD stations?
It's not a TiVo killer, although it would be cool if it became one. Mac-based HD PVR is my future, one way or another!

But ElGato has a whole range of products (US and non-US) beyond the EyeTV. They have cable-ready products and HD products. Including an HD tuner/PVR that connects via Firewire. I've been eyeing it, but I don't think it's worth the $ to me yet.

sjk

Oct 13, 2005, 06:41 PM

There still is no way to exclude podcasts from the Library tab. Is there to do this that I'm not aware of?
Nope. The Library is (and arguably should remain, which I elaborated a few weeks ago) all-inclusive of iTunes-managed content. You can create a Smart Playlist that excludes podcasts, video, etc.

Silly analog: if you visit a public library that magazine section you'd rather not see doesn't magically disappear for you. :)

Of course physical world metaphors aren't necessarily ideal for computers, the desktop/file/folder metaphor being my favorite example of one where we've gotten stuck with negative aspects of it as well as the positives.

AvSRoCkCO1067

Oct 13, 2005, 06:47 PM

Toshiba... their new drives ( the ones sourced for iPod's ) comes with 1 or 2 platter configurations each at 40GB. It's a natural expectaion that the iPod would update their capactiy as the drives came along. Actually I'm expecting that they will silently upgrade the iPods in the next month.

In fact people are scrating their heads since the reduction in thikness of the 5g iPod can only be attributed to thinner drives, but they are still advertizing 30/60 and that doesn't make any sense since those drives are sourced from Toshiba as 40/80 ( in theory of course ).

No way - they won't update the iPods anymore this year.

sjk

Oct 13, 2005, 07:02 PM

But ElGato has a whole range of products (US and non-US) beyond the EyeTV. They have cable-ready products and HD products. Including an HD tuner/PVR that connects via Firewire. I've been eyeing it, but I don't think it's worth the $ to me yet.And if you're interested in H.264 it's probably smart to wait at least for Elgato's next product revisions to see if it's supported. Hard to say how much of a priority that is since I'm sure they're keeping busy with the transition to Intel processors, especially with their products that make heavy use of AltaVec.

ccrandall77

Oct 13, 2005, 07:10 PM

But ElGato has a whole range of products (US and non-US) beyond the EyeTV. They have cable-ready products and HD products. Including an HD tuner/PVR that connects via Firewire. I've been eyeing it, but I don't think it's worth the $ to me yet.

The only HD tuner/PVR I see is the EyeTV 500 (probably a slightly different model for overseas). It will only record over-the-air HD stations and ClearQAM (i.e. unencrypted) digital stations. So basically, it's worthless since you can only really record your local stations.

I don't see anything that does HD recording outside of EyeTV500... EyeHome and EyeConnect don't and with EyeTV, that's all the products they offer.

What am I missing here?

DavidCar

Oct 13, 2005, 07:28 PM

And if you're interested in H.264 it's probably smart to wait at least for Elgato's next product revisions to see if it's supported. Hard to say how much of a priority that is since I'm sure they're keeping busy with the transition to Intel processors, especially with their products that make heavy use of AltaVec.ElGato's website says they can export to "any format that QuickTime supports, such as MPEG-4 or DV" so I assume that this now includes H.264.

nagromme

Oct 13, 2005, 07:38 PM

And if you're interested in H.264 it's probably smart to wait at least for Elgato's next product revisions to see if it's supported. Hard to say how much of a priority that is since I'm sure they're keeping busy with the transition to Intel processors, especially with their products that make heavy use of AltaVec.
Thanks. I'm waiting and seeing on EVERY front--H.264 included. I want to go HD, PVR, the works... but nothing is standardized to the point where I feel confident buying. (Of course, BD vs. HD-DVD is a big aspect.)

So I'm using rabbit ears on a TV you tune using a column of tiny wheels :o

blybug

Oct 13, 2005, 08:05 PM

ElGato's website says they can export to "any format that QuickTime supports, such as MPEG-4 or DV" so I assume that this now includes H.264.

Yes, you can export to H.264 and the resulting files work in iTunes (so I assume the iPod). It is pretty slow though, on my Dual 1.8 G5 it took almost an hour to convert a 30 minute "The Daily Show". Looks like a job for Automator...set EyeTV to record the broadcast and set up an Applescript or Automator to convert it and import it to iTunes while you sleep.

Elgato has been pretty good with updating their software and hardware to match Apple's standards. I wouldn't be surprised if they added native recording directly into H.264 to save this middle step.

snowmoon

Oct 13, 2005, 11:18 PM

Maybe Apple decided that demand for 80 was so low that it wasn't worth making a "thick" iPod for it. So they will wait until 80 becomes as thin as 60 before they jump on it?

The 80 is thinner than the 60... and the 40 is thinner than the old 20. I just don't understand how they acheived such thiknss reduction WITHOUT using the new drives.... I can't wait for an autopsy of one of these units.

http://www.linuxelectrons.com/article.php/20041214203223790

blueflame

Oct 14, 2005, 12:52 AM

This would be so cool, like the ibook or powerbook batteries, make a removable hdd, and battery. just like a little hdd cartridge to remove, then they can sell multiple hard drives, so your ipod can be a do it all machine
ak

DTphonehome

Oct 14, 2005, 01:06 AM

Maybe this has been discussed, but I've been away for Yom Kippur and no way can I read 20 pages...

Is there a way to rip DVDs to this device? It uses .m4v files, but how about any other formats? Is there an encoder/trancoder which can make .m4v's out of DVDs or DiVX?

--DT

devman

Oct 14, 2005, 01:13 AM

Thanks. I'm waiting and seeing on EVERY front--H.264 included. I want to go HD, PVR, the works... but nothing is standardized to the point where I feel confident buying. (Of course, BD vs. HD-DVD is a big aspect.)

yep and then there's HDCP (which I read somewhere that the current cinema displays do not have). There's a ways to go yet on the HD front.

Chundles

Oct 14, 2005, 01:20 AM

The 80 is thinner than the 60... and the 40 is thinner than the old 20. I just don't understand how they acheived such thiknss reduction WITHOUT using the new drives.... I can't wait for an autopsy of one of these units.

http://www.linuxelectrons.com/article.php/20041214203223790

Sorry? That doesn't make any sense.

Both the new iPod's, the 30GB and the 60GB, are thinner than the 4th Generation 20GB iPod.

There are no 40GB or 80GB 5G iPods.

So I'm guessing you were talking about the drives themselves but it doesn't sound like it.

Can you clarify this for me?

Maybe this has been discussed, but I've been away for Yom Kippur and no way can I read 20 pages...

Is there a way to rip DVDs to this device? It uses .m4v files, but how about any other formats? Is there an encoder/trancoder which can make .m4v's out of DVDs or DiVX?

--DT

I'm pretty sure .m4v is the file format used for the protected videos used by the iTMS. The specs on the iPod page say that it can play .mp4 encoded in either H.264 or MPEG-4 as long as they are within the 320x240 resolution and up to 768kbps.

I'm hoping this is the case cause HandBrake (a free and good program) can rip a DVD to this exact format. It takes a long time though, my 1.2GHz iBook can rip a ~30min show to H.264 .mp4 file approx 160MB in size in about 1 hour 15 mins. This is at an average bit rate setting of 750 and with 80kbps AAC sound.

You can use the MPEG-4 decoding to encode faster but the quality isn't as good - for a 2.5 inch screen it would be fine but if I get a 5G iPod I'd hope to plug it into the TV to play shows every now and then and in that case I may as well have the best quality.

powerbook911

Oct 14, 2005, 01:28 AM

I think it can do 480x480 resolution, if you use MPEG4, instead of H264.

danistheman50

Oct 14, 2005, 01:57 AM

Does anybody know of any free programs for windows xp that will convert the myriad of video formats (especially DIVX and XVID) to h.264 at the proper resolution so I can watch my family guy and that 70's show episodes on my new 5g iPod?

DTphonehome

Oct 14, 2005, 02:20 AM

I'm pretty sure .m4v is the file format used for the protected videos used by the iTMS. The specs on the iPod page say that it can play .mp4 encoded in either H.264 or MPEG-4 as long as they are within the 320x240 resolution and up to 768kbps.

I'm hoping this is the case cause HandBrake (a free and good program) can rip a DVD to this exact format. It takes a long time though, my 1.2GHz iBook can rip a ~30min show to H.264 .mp4 file approx 160MB in size in about 1 hour 15 mins. This is at an average bit rate setting of 750 and with 80kbps AAC sound.

You can use the MPEG-4 decoding to encode faster but the quality isn't as good - for a 2.5 inch screen it would be fine but if I get a 5G iPod I'd hope to plug it into the TV to play shows every now and then and in that case I may as well have the best quality.

That sounds good, thanks. For TV, this iPod could be a winner. If you have a 30 min commute, you can watch last night's TV show there and back, with some time left over for the walk (when you listen to music). For movies, I don't think it makes much sense. And TV out has got to be terrible quality, if it only does the same resolution that the iPod's screen can display. I'm sure that once Apple announces how well ABC did with this pilot program (and ABC has been hurting for viewers lately), other networks will sign up. I bet FOX is next. Oh man, and how cool would it be if HBO signed up? Drool. VOD on POD ( I should totally copyright that).

Chundles

Oct 14, 2005, 02:20 AM

I think it can do 480x480 resolution, if you use MPEG4, instead of H264.

Yeah I just read that - it's interesting but I don't know of any shows in the 1:1 ratio that 480x480 implies. I just did a quick video resize on Handbrake and it looks funny. I don't know, just my 2 cents.

The screen is only 320x240 so it would have to downscale and probably crop it or stretch it again to something different..

Chundles

Oct 14, 2005, 02:28 AM

I'm crossing my fingers that the new iPod won't stretch out widescreen (320x176) TV shows. My episodes of Arrested Development and Coupling (the UK one, not that pale imitation US version) are in widescreen and don't look too bad.

As for the resolution of the video and TV output - when you view one of these shows at 2x size they are still very watchable (probably similar to VHS). So that's 320x240 video at 640x480 window size (close to TV) and it looks OK. That's going to be great for popping home and wanting to watch something they don't have or when I want to watch a show and work at the same time (no DVD player - no funds available at the moment, iPod will hopefully be a Christmas present from the folks - I hit them up after the nano for my birthday dream dried up and the new iPod is a much better solution for my music, photos and videos.

nagromme

Oct 14, 2005, 02:29 AM

So I'm guessing you were talking about the drives themselves but it doesn't sound like it.
He is talking about the drives themselves.

I'm guessing the confusion may stem from Apple having a different manufacturer for the new HDs? Should be easy to discover.

hulugu

Oct 14, 2005, 02:43 AM

...I'm pretty disappointed that Apple has basically eliminated FireWire from all iPods by now. I have a white iBook G3 and USB 1.0 won't cut it. Why can't the bus on these iPods do Firewire too?

This seems weird and you may not be able to use a dock or a dock to firewire cable in order to get around this limitation—are the two standards really that different. Apple seems to want firewire to go away, which seems odd considering USB 2.0's limitations.

I phoned apple, the new ipod does support firewire.

Sorry if this has been addressed earlier

Jesus

Really, the Apple website shows the firewire cables and dock connectors, but shows only the iPod Color as the system that use it, which led me to wonder why the 5G iPod wouldn't be able to just send the data via the dock connector and who cares what the other end is like?
I will have to go to the Apple Store and demand a demonstration! :D

Chundles

Oct 14, 2005, 03:05 AM

Really, the Apple website shows the firewire cables and dock connectors, but shows only the iPod Color as the system that use it, which led me to wonder why the 5G iPod wouldn't be able to just send the data via the dock connector and who cares what the other end is like?
I will have to go to the Apple Store and demand a demonstration! :D

Because all the new iPods (5G, nano and shuffle) do not have the firewire hardware in them, only USB 2.0

So it does matter what shape the plug is on the end of the dock cable, you can use firewire to charge (very easy to route the power from the firewire cable) but you cannot send data over it cause the hardware to do it just isn't there.

sjk

Oct 14, 2005, 05:41 AM

ffmpegx (just google it)Or just go directly to Mark Pilgrim's HOWTO Put Porn On Your iPod (http://diveintomark.org/howto/ipod-porn-conversion-guide/) tutorial.

ElGato's website says they can export to "any format that QuickTime supports, such as MPEG-4 or DV" so I assume that this now includes H.264.That info was written before QuickTime supported H.264. EyeHome doesn't support it and I think newer hardware would be required, not just a firmware/software upgrade.

[edit: I mistakenly thought you were talking about EyeHome, not EyeTV. Yep, EyeTV can export to H.264, as blybug mentioned.]

Thanks. I'm waiting and seeing on EVERY front--H.264 included. I want to go HD, PVR, the works... but nothing is standardized to the point where I feel confident buying. (Of course, BD vs. HD-DVD is a big aspect.)Knowing I wouldn't be migrating to HD for awhile, the necessity for wireless audio/video streaming to minimize living room cable clutter, and sensible budget considerations were reasons I decided to get EyeTV, EyeHome, and AirPort Express when I did. I'd rather get the most from what I have instead of having more than I can fully appreciate and that's how I've felt about this.

So I'm using rabbit ears on a TV you tune using a column of tiny wheels :oSounds like some of the analog cable TV reception here. ;)

Dr Riot

Oct 14, 2005, 10:06 AM

I just bought the 30GB iPod (white) :)
I'm just debating whether I should have got the black instead... :(

mflat5

Oct 14, 2005, 10:51 AM

Lopes

Oct 14, 2005, 08:19 PM

This Firewire-elimination is a bummer for me since my iBook only supports USB 1.1 (and I cannot afford a new computer at this moment).

Is there a firewire / usb converter out there so I can route usb connection over a firewire connection?

It's sort of disappointing to think that Apple wanted to originally put-forth Firewire as a "standard", yet is pulling away due to probable PC-USB majorities.

what the?!? This is the first i've read about them not supporting firewire....that's bull donkey. i don't want to have to buy a new computer becaues i want a new ipod! My TiBook is just fine!!! dammit....

Deph

Oct 14, 2005, 08:23 PM

An acquaintance is beta testing a DJ version of the iPod with pitch control (how could Numark be so stupid as to not include it on the mixer? they knew this was coming). He says Apple will announce it next month. Is this new or valuable information? Or do you all know this already? I don't follow the rumour scene, briefly thumbed and searched, found nothing about it.

MontyZ

Oct 15, 2005, 12:55 AM

rainmanx16

Oct 15, 2005, 12:56 AM

hi guys newbie here,

I just read someone in the thread talking about using HandBrake to get the H.264 320x240 resolution.

Any program for Windows?
(sorry in advance if this was already discussed)

Thanks.

powerbook911

Oct 15, 2005, 03:38 AM

How long are the Pixar short films (available in itunes)? Thanks.

eXan

Oct 15, 2005, 07:26 AM

what the?!? This is the first i've read about them not supporting firewire....that's bull donkey. i don't want to have to buy a new computer becaues i want a new ipod! My TiBook is just fine!!! dammit....

Yea this sucks... :(

My eMac has only USB 1.1, so it would take ages to fill iPod...

chaos86

Oct 15, 2005, 11:01 AM

fact is, theres only about one in every 25 ipod users who only have firewire and no USB2, maybe even less. all the PC people use usb, most mac people have both, theres only a few of us who are stuck with FW and USB1.1. It sucks, but Apple is a company seeking a profit. If it were any other feature that reached only 1 in 25 people, and it took more space and more money, you'd think they were crazy to put it in, but because it will slow you down it hurts.

fklehman

Oct 15, 2005, 01:53 PM

I already have the 60GB iPod...bought it in Dec. 2004, about 5 weeks before Apple lowered the price from $600 to $450. Ouch. Not interested in the new iPod until it gets bumped to 80GB or more and has internal blueooth for headphones. I'm up to 52GB at the moment and will soon be feeling the pinch. Video sounds cool but more space sounds even better.

fact is, theres only about one in every 25 ipod users who only have firewire and no USB2, maybe even less. all the PC people use usb, most mac people have both, theres only a few of us who are stuck with FW and USB1.1. It sucks, but Apple is a company seeking a profit. If it were any other feature that reached only 1 in 25 people, and it took more space and more money, you'd think they were crazy to put it in, but because it will slow you down it hurts.

Yeah, I'm one of those people...it sucks to be me but I understand where Apple is coming from and am not really bitter. I have Firewire 400 on my Pismo but USB 1.1, and boy does it suck when I'm transferring a lot to/from my 2gb flash drive. But on a nearly five-year old computer you don't really have any room to complain--what peecee could you be using happily five years out? God bles the pismo. My wife wants a nano, but her laptop pc (I know, I'm wokring on her but I don't think she'll ever switch) also has firewire (4-pin however) and USB 1.1. I don't know how she'd get it to work very well. I wouldn't be surprised if Apple killed Firewire 400 with the move to Intel and just offered USB2 and Firewire800 ports, since on paper USB2 outperforms Firewire400. It would still suck though, because my own few experiences with USB2 on other people's computers had it running significantly slower than 480, even slower than 400. But what can you do. I'll be getting a new PB if this update ever materializes, then I'll be in USB2 land.

Andrewk242

Oct 15, 2005, 06:14 PM

I rarely post on these forums, but since I have been thinking of nothing else but the new ipods the last couple days and having actually read through all 21 frickin pages of this thread, I thought I would add my 2 cents.
My current 4G 40 gig ipod has less than 1 gig of free space and I need to upgrade. When the new video-capable pods were released I was practically pissing down my leg, I even stopped by the local apple store with $500 in my pocket. I love the black ipods, I think they are so sexy and would match my car interior perfectly. I would have to paint my belkin ipod dock after getting a black one, perhaps a thread should be started on the best way to paint the various accessories we all have.

I think that the new pods are a great product and a good business move for apple. Obviously the quality and format of the video and itms offerings aren't the best, but they are really just extras to what is still a fabolous MUSIC player. I'm sure that these problems will be addressed in the future when apple develops a dedicated video product. If you don't like the video stuff, don't buy it! The current content is really all about convenience. Compare it to shopping for food at gas stations, it's ok for candy bars and such when you're in a hurry, but it's still not the place where you buy the bulk of your groceries. Video on our computers and ipods is cool, but most of us will still enjoy the best quality experience in the living room for the time being.

Having said that, I have decided to upgrade to the old 60 gig color ipod instead of the new one, I'll save a little money and wait for the next generation. I've been buying a new one every year and will continue to do so. Eventually I'd like to have 2 ipods, one large one that holds all my media and acts as the backup for my computer, and a small nano for working out, etc.

The firewire issues that everyone has been gripping about would be an annoyance, but it isn't the end of the world. I am not sure if my emac is equipped with the 2.0 ports or not, but I am planning on purchasing the new 20" iMac within the next 6 months. After the initial trasfer of files to the new ipod (I'll do it overnight), the routine ipod updating would not be signifcantly longer.

The main reason that I won't buy the new ipod is the lack of the connection for the wired remote and other accessories. My ipod spends 95% percent of it's time in either my car dock, or in my backpack in conjunction with the wired remote that is connected to one of the shoulder straps. I am very happy with this setup, I can change everything except playlists while I am on my bike or on the go. My only hope is that this issue will be addressed by apple in some form or another in the future.

Chundles

Oct 16, 2005, 07:16 AM

Hi, yes I'm bored so I thought I'd try and see how the screens compare between my 3G iPod and the new 5G iPod.

This is pretty much to scale, I drew it with a ruler so it's not totally accurate, I also Photoshopped out the sharp corners on the outside.

It shows how the new screen fits into the same form factor.

The Blue stripes are the new screen, the Red stripes are the old. The position of the 5G screen is I imagine pretty accurate however the 3G screen is a little lower in the drawing than it is in real life.

Pretty stunning how they fit the new screen in, the increase in resolution is pretty damned cool too, the 5G screen is twice the res of the old 3G one.

Carn Christmas....

Epicurus

Oct 17, 2005, 12:06 AM

Hi, yes I'm bored so I thought I'd try and see how the screens compare between my 3G iPod and the new 5G iPod.

.....

Pretty stunning how they fit the new screen in, the increase in resolution is pretty damned cool too, the 5G screen is twice the res of the old 3G one.

very nice job. i did something similar: I rescaled one of the PR shots of the new iPod so that its size on my screen was the same as my 3G iPod and sort of compared the two by eye. Your idea is better. Maybe I could dig through my library and find a picture of the old iPod and layer the new one on top with a little transparency. That would be cool....

killuminati

Oct 17, 2005, 12:29 AM

very nice job. i did something similar: I rescaled one of the PR shots of the new iPod so that its size on my screen was the same as my 3G iPod and sort of compared the two by eye. Your idea is better. Maybe I could dig through my library and find a picture of the old iPod and layer the new one on top with a little transparency. That would be cool....

I just did this, comparing the 5G and the iPod Photo. It's fairly accurate.

http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/3176/ipods1us.jpg

Chundles

Oct 17, 2005, 12:31 AM

It's pretty cool eh? That bigger screen is fantastic.

TMay

Oct 17, 2005, 09:33 AM

I ordered the 60G and the dock after the introduction (the 12th) and I just got a notice that 60G shipped today. The dock is backordered.

powerbook911

Oct 17, 2005, 10:42 AM

I ordered the 60G and the dock after the introduction (the 12th) and I just got a notice that 60G shipped today. The dock is backordered.

Wow. Congratulations. Makes me wish I had ordered from Apple direct. Hope you enjoy it! Share some pictures.

Did you get the white or black? I have a terrible time deciding on the color.

snowmoon

Oct 17, 2005, 10:47 AM

I ordered the 60G and the dock after the introduction (the 12th) and I just got a notice that 60G shipped today. The dock is backordered.

Details... black / white / personalized / when after the announcement?

Mine was a white 60gb personalized orderd on the evening of the 12th and I have not gotten notification of shipment yet.

TMay

Oct 17, 2005, 11:06 AM

[QUOTE=snowmoon]Details... black / white / personalized / when after the announcement?

I ordered about noon, as it was difficult to complete the transaction, received the order notice from Apple's email processor at 4:32 PDT on the 12th.

I ordered white, as it was more scratch resistant to my thinking, not personalized (in case there is a mega pod next year). My 1G Shuffle is white, as is my 4 G Nano (I got that a couple of weeks ago from friends for helping on a project). I tried driving with the nano, but, it's too dangerous (you want to look at it), so, I'm back to the shuffle (with etymotic ER-4p earphones).

For the record, there's a long stretch of freeway between Carson City and Reno, so I revert to radio when it starts getting crowded.

Were that I had saved up this quick delivery for a PowerMac Dual Duo...

I bought the 3 nightstalker episodes and I watched them on a 19 inch lcd. The quality isn't an issue for me and reminds me of a standard terrestrial network broadcast. I will let you know how it plays on the ipod.

Also, i downloaded Handbrake, but, it isn't optimized yet for ipod use, so I don't know if I'll be able to process my own dvd source directly to that format.