iPod (5th Generation) Review by LAPTOP Magazine

Don't call it a Video iPod. Apple is adamant that the fifth generation of its market-defining hardware is simply an iPod, albeit one that finally packs the long-rumored video capability into the two available models, in 30GB and 60GB capacities. To a certain extent, it works exactly as ordered, providing superb video playback in addition to excellent audio and photo delivery. But, is the video performance worth springing for an upgrade?

Instead of relying on Apple's excellent Quicktime format as expected, the new iPod plays video encoded to MPEG-4 and H.264. It's an odd choice since iTunes doesn't support MP4 encoding; to transcode videos (convert from one compression format to another) users will have to pay $30 for QuickTime Pro. Alternatively, there are free tools largely designed to support Sony's PSP, but none will create great-looking video.

Options are limited when finding video to play on the new iPod. The iTunes Music Store sells television episodes, music videos, and Pixar shorts for $1.99 per download. ABC is currently the sole TV provider, but as of press time rumors were circulating that CBS wasn't far behind.

We downloaded an episode of Desperate Housewives and found impeccable audio and video. On the iPod, that is. On a computer monitor the small file was less impressive. Even with that caveat, two dollars is a reasonable price per episode. It's difficult to stomach the same price for a music video, which seems like paying for a commercial. The one video we purchased (Tenacious D's 'Tribute') featured audio mastered at a lower volume than anything else that we imported.

To deliver impressive images Apple has enlarged the iPod's screen to 2.5 inches. That sounds small, but with the screen pushed to within a quarter-inch of the iPod's edge, it looks huge when held in the hand. Physically, this is the most impressive iPod yet. It's flatter than the Mini and seems quite broad, though at 2.4 inches across it's no more so than the original 2002 model. File transfers are done solely through USB.

More notable for previous iPod owners is that the remote port, once located near the headphone jack, has been removed, making many accessories incompatible. Several popular accessories from Griffin Technology (such as the iTrip) will no longer work, and Logitech's cool $150 wireless Bluetooth iPod headphones, which used the remote port to allow song selection controls on the headset, are useless. Expect most manufacturers to quickly make accessories for this iPod.

Previous models have featured poor battery life, but Apple claims this generation will run for 14 hours. (20 hours for the 60GB model.) After leaving a unit running overnight, the claim seems accurate. When playing video, however, the life is dramatically cut short. Expect only two hours for the 30GB model and three for the 60GB. Since Apple's best customers for television episodes might well be travelers, they'll really need more juice for viewing video. Note that music videos (but not TV episodes) will show up when the player is in shuffle mode, which could drain the battery unexpectedly.

For audio and photo performance, this iPod is as solid as past generations, if not more so. The pause glitch encountered in iPod Photo models is resolved, and to our ears the sound is exceptionally good within the realm of MP3 players. The larger screen improves the slideshow function (which we'll still rarely use) and some of the nano's software functions, like the stopwatch, have migrated to this model.

Without better options for encoding and purchasing video, it's difficult to recommend this iPod as an upgrade for current owners. Apple has a lot of issues to resolve before video content is as plentiful and flexible as audio currently is. Customers who have never owned an iPod shouldn't be discouraged by the first-gen video quirks. As an audio player, Apple's device is still second to none.

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iPod (5th Generation)

We asked for video and we got it, but the fifth-generation iPod delivers moving images on its own terms.

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