Apple iPod Video 5G

Reviews: Multimedia

Apple iPod Video 5G

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Bradford Day
Kurtis
TheTechLounge
Apr. 17, 2007

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Introduction

Yes, dear readers, it has finally happened. I held out for as long as I could!nearly 6.5 years. As a notorious iPod critic, I thought I'd be the last person on Earth to cradle Apple's musical jewel in my hand. But it seams that even I can't hold out forever.

The pod in question is the latest (5th) generation 30GB iPod Video. We chose to review the 30GB (as opposed to the 80GB version) as it is the direct competitor to the Microsoft Zune (not that the capacity will really make a difference in our review, aside from value). And seeing as how we just finished reviewing the Microsoft's 30GB Zune, what better time to take a closer look at the top dog?

But what can my review of this most popular of gadgets offer? As an iPod detractor, I've never previously owned or reviewed an iPod. I've always thought of the player as a well-designed, but more importantly, well-marketed product. Many other companies offer comparable and even better portable audio products but can't compete with the iTunes media distribution juggernaut. Basically what I'm admitting here is that I harbor a healthy respect for the iPod but you can expect no Apple fanboy, one-eyed reviews from me. Now, on with the show.

First Impressions

Describing an iPod to a denizen of the early 21st century is roughly akin to describing fire to a caveman. We are all fully aware of the icon that is the iPod. Yes it's gone through a handful of minor button re-arrangements and scroll wheel iterations but the general appearance has stayed the same. That said, the 5th gen iPod Video is the sleekest version yet and is rumored to undergo yet another redesign later this year!presumably after the release of that Apple phone thing, which has gotten hardly any press at all!in Antarctica.

Now normally when I discuss the iPod the first thing I reference, after taking a few cheap shots, is the pristine white, even pearlescent casing. That white exterior has spawned a culture of pearly white plastic. As it happens I am holding a black iPod. No matter, the player looks as slim and trim in black as in white. The dark pod has the same shiny steel posterior and sports a large 2.5" color screen boasting a 320x240 resolution. The hold button and headphone jack are up top and the uplink port is on the bottom!but you already knew that. The touch sensitive scroll wheel and center button handle everything else.

Apple is known for their level of fit and finish, not to mention their trend-setting style. As such the iPod comes seated in a handsome box designed to starkly and simply describe the contents inside with as few words as possible. A folding cardboard case snuggly houses the player inside an iPod-shaped hole in one flap. Those ubiquitous white earbuds, connection cable, protective case and user guide fit inside the opposite flap.

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Page 1: Introduction & First Impressions
Page 2: Testing: Software
Page 3: Testing: Hardware
Page 4: Testing: Daily Usage
Page 5: Conclusion

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7 User Comments

1 - Posted by socokid on April 18, 2007 - 6:15 pm

There is, however, one big difference between the 30 and the 80 GB iPods. The 80 gets 6 more hours of music playback (20 hours as opposed to 14 on the 30 GB). Just had to point that out...

2 - Posted by Kurtis on April 18, 2007 - 6:36 pm

Good point on the battery life of the iPod variants, socokid.

3 - Posted by handrail on April 19, 2007 - 7:52 am

indeed. obviously the 80GB is the sensible way to go if you can afford the extra dough. but since we wanted to compare apples to apples, zunes to ipods, as best we could...we got a 30gigger.

good to know that 80GB has better battery life too. thanks for the info!

brad.

4 - Posted by some guy on April 19, 2007 - 8:06 am

The often cited lack of FM support in iPods is not entirely true.

A prospective buyer (just) needs to shell out additional $49 for the Apple branded "iPod Radio Remote" which acts as iPod FM antenna and cable remote control.

5 - Posted by Kurtis on April 19, 2007 - 9:43 am

lol, i don't think anyone would argue you can't buy an accessory for that functionality. heck, you can buy an accessory for the iPod for anything. you can probably get a toothbrush attachment for the thing.

the problem people have is that as expensive as the iPod already is it is not as feature-rich as some other players out there which tout those features from the box.

6 - Posted by handrail on April 19, 2007 - 3:35 pm

i guess then one could also say that the iPod comes with a car as long as you shell out $20k for it, right? :)

kurtis has already pointed out...well, my point. doesn't come with it out of the box like the zune and so many other players. not that it appears to matter. i'm probably the last person on earth who gives a crap about the iPod not having native FM functionality.

7 - Posted by Rich on April 20, 2007 - 9:55 pm

I guess hell really did freeze over! Brad with an iPod. hah!

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