New iPods - Video Support, TV Episodes, Music Videos

[shane-o-mac]

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)

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]

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]

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:MESE:IT&rd=1

 

[madmaxmedia]

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]

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]

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 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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[blybug]

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]

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]

what if.

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[danistheman50]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

...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!