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More…Given the brouhaha surrounding Apple's latest player, one might assume its name is the Video iPod. But it is simply an iPod, the fifth generation. I tested a 30GB model ($299 as of 7/21/06; Apple also offers a 60GB version for $399.). The big story is the iPod's ability to play videos, which it does well. However, the screen (like the screen on most players in this class) is too small to comfortably watch video for long. Nonetheless, the iPod is a really good audio player that can do video.
Apple Fifth Generation iPod 30GB
Pricing
$99.99 - $149.99 From 2 Vendors Get Best Prices »
- Spec Navigator
- Storage
- Battery
- Display
- Included Hardware
- Features
- General
- Included Software
- Interface Connections
- Software
- Storage Media
- Supported Audio Formats
- Supported Image Formats
- Supported Video Formats
Included Hardware
| Included Hardware |
|
| AC Adapter | No |
| Firewire cable | No |
| Remote Control | No |
| USB cable | Yes |
Features
| Equalizer Settings | 20 |
| FM Recording | No |
| Plays For Sure | No |
| Replaceable Battery | 0 |
| Video Output | No |
| Video Support | Yes |
| Voice Recording | No |
Interface Connections
| Firewire | Yes |
| Headphone output | Yes |
| Line Out | No |
| Microphone input | No |
| USB | Yes |
| USB Host Adapter | No |
Storage Media
| Compact Flash | No |
| Memory Stick | No |
| Memory Stick Micro | No |
| micro SD | No |
| mini SD | No |
| SD card | No |
| Smart Media | No |
| xD Picture Card | No |
4
7 User Reviews Add your own »
$99.99 - $149.99
From 2 Vendors
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- Lab Tested
- How We Test MP3 Players »
Pros
High audio quality High audio quality
Screen is bright and sharp
Cons
iTunes doesn't convert video for iPod
Bottom Line
Apple's latest iPod boasts a great screen and tons of storage, in addition to an easy-to-use interface.
Apple iPod (MA002LL/A)
Fifth Generation iPod 30GB Review, by Richard Baguley August 15, 2006
In new audio quality tests conducted by the PC World Test Center, the iPod earned an overall score of Very Good. Of the hard drive players we tested, the iPod reached the loudest level before introducing 1 percent distortion of its audio signal (an industry-standard measurement). Also, the iPod produced very little cross talk, which means that its left and right channels remained distinct, resulting in a broad stereo field.
The 2.5-inch screen is absolutely beautiful. The 320-by-240-pixel screen is bright and sharp, and videos look great on it. In my hands-on tests it offered a crisp image with very smooth movement. The unit played back videos at 30 frames per second, the same speed as a broadcast TV signal.
My only complaint with the image quality was that details--especially in shadows--were often hard to see, such as in the bunker scenes in the episode of Lost I viewed. Plus, the glossy surface of the unit's faceplate tends to reflect lights and other things (when I was watching a dark scene, I saw a hideous vision of a big face, only to realize it was my own reflection).
Apart from those minor issues, I found the screen very easy on the eyes--for short viewing periods, at least. Although the screen is top-notch, it isn't as big as those of some of the portable media centers I've tested, and that means you have to hold the unit fairly close to your eyes.
I tested the iPod's video prowess using videos I downloaded from the iTunes store. Video downloads are a new feature of iTunes 6, which offers episodes of several ABC television shows, as well as music videos, for $2 each.
Downloading videos from iTunes is simple: A 45-minute, 196MB episode of Lost took about 15 minutes to download into iTunes over my DSL connection, and about 2 minutes to transfer from the PC to the iPod (you can also watch the show on your PC). Additionally, I was able to subscribe to and view some video podcasts with IPod-specific feeds (such as Rocketboom). However, you can't grab just any video podcast and drop it on your iPod, and iTunes 6 won't convert videos to the right format for the new device.
In fact, iTunes' inability to convert existing video into an iPod-friendly format is its biggest failing. To make existing video into something you can play on the iPod, you have to convert it using either Apple's own $30 QuickTime Pro application or another video encoder that can work with the H.264 and MPEG-4 formats the iPod employs.
This makes converting videos for the iPod a real pain. Though third-party apps that can handle the necessary formats are emerging--such as Videora's free iPod converter program, which I had some limited success with--they are not prevalent. By contrast, Microsoft's Windows Media Player 10 can automatically convert videos into WMV format, which any Portable Media Center device can play.
Video-conversion nitpicks aside, this latest iPod is a masterful piece of design (though it's odd that Apple supplies the same white earbuds with the black model as the white model). The 30GB version is small (just under a half inch thick), light (a bit under 5 ounces), and easy to use. Returning is the click wheel, the only control (except for a hold button on the top). It remains exceptionally simple: Click on the marked spots for play, fast forward, rewind, and the menu, and scroll the wheel around to control volume and navigate through menus.
Videos appear as a new item on the top menu, and are divided by category below that (including playlists, music videos, TV shows, video podcasts, and a rather tantalizing movies category).
The battery life of the new iPod is reasonable: When I played back the aforementioned videos, the unit lasted around 2.5 hours--not great, but long enough for most commutes. Apple claims the iPod will last up to 14 hours when playing audio. You recharge the battery through the USB cable connected to your PC (the AC adapter is extra). A full recharge took around 4 hours.
If you are looking to play a lot of video, you'd be better off with a Portable Media Center or a similar device with a bigger screen than the iPod's, such as the Cowon A2-20WH. That said, this is a great choice for occasional video viewing. And the ability to quickly and relatively cheaply download TV shows might be useful if you've forgotten to set your TiVo to record the latest episode of Lost, and you want to watch it on your way to work.
Richard Baguley
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4 Comments | 3 Topics | Print Only This Review
PCWorld Lab Results
- Rating Breakdown
-
89
-
77
-
87
- See Complete Lab Results »
Performance Comparison with Similar MP3 Players
89
64
91
86
Performance
| Crosstalk, Average (dB) | -67 |
| Frequency Response Deviation, Average (dB) | 3.4 |
| Maximum Usable Output Level, Average (dBV) | -1.3 |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio, Average (dB) | 78 |
| Total Harmonic Distortion and Noise, Average (%) | 0.05 |
User Reviews
Average User Reviews for Apple Fifth Generation iPod 30GB
2 Reviews Add your own »
- Latest User Reviews 2 reviews
-
Reviewed by: pizzaisgood14
Duration of ownership: 1 Year
Strengths: Nice screen, Very compact and Extremely easy to use.
Weaknesses: The back scratches easy but all of them do so its not a big deal.
Overall: I decided to get an ipod after a freind of mine had one and it was not a dissapointment. Even after all the use ive gotton out of it, it still works like its brand new right out of the box. I must have thousands of hours of listening on this. In my opinion itunes is great but a dollar per song is a little much. Unfortunetely watching movies on this is completely impractical with a 2.5 inch screen. Tv shows are ok but its really good to watch music videos. For movies the zune is better but they are way to bulky for me. The sound quality to me isnt the best but that is probably just me. Thats why i didnt put it as a con. If you dont listen to multi thousand dollar home theaters you wont know the difference. My reccomandation would be to buy a good set of headphones or earbuds. Also i love the size of it. It can be just put in a pocket and you really dont know its there. I actually panic sometimes because i think it fell out. The battery life is excellent also and the song capacity is crazy. But thats a good thing. Bottom line if you are looking for a mp3 save up and buy this one. You wont regret it.
-
Reviewed by: BBBilly
Duration of ownership: 2 Weeks
Strengths: None vs the ZEN
Weaknesses: Apple keeps your money if you decide you do not like the product.
Overall: I will never buy an apple product again!! I had a Creative Labs ZEN Sleek Photo, loved it. It was stolen so I thought I would try an iPod. After having my iPod for a few days I realized how much better the ZEN is. The ZEN has an FM tuner (so does my wife's $49 MP3 player iPod doesn't) and a far superior looking screen. I decided to return the iPod. I come to find out Apple keeps 10% of the purchase price! How tacky is that! They not only lost a customer for good, they have motivated me to tell everybody I know two things. #1 Creative Labs ZEN is a far superior product. #2 Apple keeps your money if you decide you do not like the product.
Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
User Reviews From Around the Web
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Reviewed by:
Strengths: Can listen to music, non-stop
Weaknesses: Need to make replacements on parts, soon, and often.
Overall: Very popular gadget, got one for my birthday, and I enjoy it very much! Seems like the kids that use it more frequent, have more complaints. It's on every kids I know, wish list., So there you have it!
-
Reviewed by:
Strengths: Good interface, lots of gadgets available. Plenty of memory
Weaknesses: iTunes!
Overall: We bought this for my son a year ago. It's been through all the things an 11 year-old can throw at it. Still working and looking great (though it's been in a protective case since day one). We like to use it with a Griffin iTune in the car. 128 kbps is NOT high enough quality for this application. We'd use iTunes if music could be downloaded at say, 256 kbps, but alas, it can't. I'm about to buy one for myself!
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Reviewed by:
Overall: I was very impressed with this product. I bought it as a gift for my daughter but when we opened the box I wanted it for myself. Everything was included to get her started all she had to do was to plu
-
Reviewed by: luv2skee
Strengths: Great video and sound quality, sleek body, easy to carry, large memory space,
Weaknesses: viewing video and photos can take up a lot of battery
Overall: overall, ive been extremely please with my iPod. recently, ive had some troubles with it (its frozen), but i believe that its been fixed. its expensive ($300 is a lot of money!) but the fact that it can hold so many songs and video is incredible, and well worth the splurge.
-
Reviewed by:
Strengths: great sound, perfect size (compact), does many different things
Weaknesses: none
Overall: I reall want an iPod because I listened to my friend's iPod and the sound was great!!!!!!! I also love the size. it can go anywere with me because it can fit inside my perse. I think that it is an awsome gaget.
Shop for the Apple Fifth Generation iPod 30GB
| Merchant | Price | Merchant Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ConsumerDepot | $99.99 Learn More » | |
| GlobalElectronics | $149.99 Learn More » |
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