Apple 30 GB iPod video Black (5.5 Generation)

Apple iPod - Continuing its tradition of hardware and software innovation and design, Apple has released a new iPod that surpasses the last. This update to the 5th generation iPod with video playback features the same 2.5" display, but now it's 60% brighter! Perfect for iTunes 7, which ushers in movie and video game downloads. Another update that will help out with all that new content is the battery. This iPod has up to 14 hours of music playback, and up to 3.5 hours of video playback. You also get a newer set of white Apple earbuds, and best of all, a lower price! Ports - dock connector, Stereo minijack, composite video and audio through minijack Connectivity - USB through dock connector, composite video (with A/V cable - sold separately), and audio through headphone jack or line out on the iPod Universal Dock (sold separately) Charge Time - about 4 hrs. (2 hrs. fast charge to 80% capacity) Audio Support - AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Music Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, WAV, & AIFF Photo Support - syncs iPod-viewable photos in JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, PSD (Mac only), and PNG formats Video Support - H.264 video - up to 768 Kbps, 320 x 240, 30 fps, Baseline Profile up to Level 1.3 with AAC-LC up to 160 Kbps, 48 Khz, stereo audio in. m4v,. mp4 and. mov file formats / MPEG-4 video - up to 2.5 mbps, 480 x 480, 30 fps, Simple Profile with AAC-LC up to 160 Kbps, 48 Khz, stereo audio in. m4v,. mp4 and. mov file formats Backlight Timer Sleep Timer 20 Equalizer Settings Shuffle Songs or Albums Date and Time Unit Dimensions - 4.1 x 2.4 x 0.43 Unit Weight - 4.8 oz. Color - Black

Also available at our Macy's Herald Square location

Customer Reviews:

Truly stunning: iPod does it again.
The first of its kind: Small, sleek, and stylin' the iPod has many new features to offer. It now(as you already know) can play all of your favorite TV shows, Music Videos, and even Movies. It is now also slightly adapted to the gaming world. Some older classics such as Pac-Man and Tetris have been adapted for the Click Wheel but other new games such as Vortex are truly worth the very reasonable $5. The iPod video is truly one of its kind and is quite remarkable.

PROS:

Great Capacity

Vibrant Color Screen

Sleek

Next Generation

All-New Download types avalible on iTunes only avalible for this model

Can put already owned DVDs on it using QuickTime 7 Pro [...]

Fits and Syncs perfectly with iTunes unlike some other media players

Almost any accesory type imaginable is made for iPod

Runs on Lithium-Ion battery

CONS:

Short battery life for long trips

Apple Brand accesories are a bit pricy

No way to change dead battery except to send it back to Apple

Scratches and gets fingerprints on it easily

Few accesories in box that would be useful such as charger for outlets(it normally charges in computer USB Port)

Needs a new USB adapter w/ power cord for power for very old models of computer(2000 or earlier ABOUT)

There are more valuable Pros than Cons when you consider a weighted system for iPod score. I am not a music Guru and use my iPod about once or twice a week but even then it makes a great present for just about anyone at a fairly reasonable price. Not a "Must Buy" but definately deserves considering.

--2006-12-19

Review the product listed please..........
Please only submit a review on the product listed, and not one af an older, different model. Unless you are reffering to this particular model of the iPod, don't post a review.
--2006-12-17

My HD failed just as the warrenty expired!
When it works, the iPOD is a great product. However, I'm VERY frustrated by what happens when it fails (and it will). Apple's advice? Buy a new one. I bought a 40G IPOD Photo 2 years ago for $500 plus the AppleCare 2yr protection plan ($65), plus $500 worth of iTunes. It crashed 1 month after the plan expired. Apple says there's no way to fix it and suggests I simply go out and buy another one (for $350+tax). No way! I'd never spend more than $100 for an iPOD again. And I'll never buy a hard drive based iPOD again. If I did, I'd be spending an average of $400 a year simply for the luxury of owning an iPOD -- that's nuts.
--2006-12-15

Not ready for Prime Time?
Bought a 30G for my daughter's birthday. It lasted about 3 weeks before giving up the ghost. One day we just couldn't get any response at all from the unit. We went through all the reset procedures on the Ipod (excuse me, iPod) support site to no avail.
Amazon came through and paid the return shipping on the dead unit and sent us a new one before receiving the old one. The new unit got here 3-4 days later and probably lasted a whole 30 minutes dying exactly the same way as the first one.
These units weren't dropped or mishandled in any way; so I believe the failures are probably due poor design or quality control on Apple's part.
I've had an Iriver 20G for a couple of years now. I've traveled extensively with it and no problems. So it is apparently possible to produce robust HD based units.
Anyway, I feel badly for my daughter because I think she really enjoyed it while it worked but this product appears to be a triumph of marketing over quality.
.
--2006-12-15

Mixed Feelings
Excellent Product in terms of design, software functionality, evolution etc etc.

BUT they constantly have problems - I was on my 4th,.. (yes I have taken it back to Apple 3 times, from which they happily give me a new one) G4 60GB Ipod Photo. They constantly stuff up, freeze... I had one of them not work for 2 WEEKS, I tried everyday to start it and I got the unhappy Ipod face,.. I finally located an apple repairer, I took it in I went to show them what was happening and it turned on in the store (WTF???). I asked them to test it anyway. 4 Days later they said nothing was wrong with it. So I took it back,.. only for it to STOP WORKING AND NEVER WORK AGAIN about 3 weeks later.

All of these models I took great care of, they didn't get dropped,and were in protective hard leather casing.

BUT essentially you are walking around with a portable HD,.. so come on guys,.. I don't go exercising with my laptop,.. and it is fine. In terms of exercise all that shock can't be good for the Ipod. So what do you expect?

So yes they are great things to have... yes my experience are they stuff up all the time, Apple are good with replacements... and YOU SHOULD DEF get the EXTRA APPLE CARE PLAN... though an extra $100 sucks.

Better luck with my G5? We will see fingers crossed.

--2006-12-14

- Apple Computer