Apple iPod Video 5th Generation White (30 GB) MP3 Player
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- Number of Songs: 7500
- Usage: Music Video Photo Viewing
- Interface: USB 2.0
- Screen Size: 2.5 inch
- Main Storage Type: Hard Drive
- Storage Capacity: 30 GB
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Merry Christmas Honey!! Can I use it too?
Pros
Design, interface, sound, all-around great device
Cons
Pricey, no extra charger, included case is nothing special
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
If you are new to iPods, don't be afraid to go for this one. It is a great device for all users.
Background
I purchased this model for my wife for Christmas. Our only past experience with an MP3 Player was a 10 Gig Archos from several years back. The old Archos is fine from a file storage perspective, but the interface is awful - that's were the Apple shines, but more on that later. The iPod was purchased from Amazon.com and cost the standard $299 (free shipping).
Packaging
The unit was packed very solidly - no moving around during shipment.
Included
The new generation of iPods do not come with a traditional power charger, but rather a USB cable that charges the unit when it is plugged into your PC's USB slot. Along with the USB cable, you get "ear bud" style headphones, a very simple slip case, and an install CD (for the iTunes software).
Initial Usage and Set up
I already had the iTunes software installed on my PC, so I was able to connect the iPod directly to the PC (Windows XP SP2) without problems. iTunes launched and then prompted me to set up the iPod (name of user, etc.). The only suggestion I would make here is that if you have multiple user accounts on the same PC, make sure you are logged in as the main user of the iPod - so it gets associated properly.
Registration with Apple
I had some trouble registering with the Apple site for two reasons: (1) It was Christmas Day and the site seemed overtaxed - I will give Apple a pass here. I was able to do it cleanly the next day. (2) The Serial Number is so small on the back of the unit (MAYBE 6 point type) that it takes good eyes to see it. Again, not a huge deal.
Getting songs there
In its most simple use, iTunes sends all music in the iTunes Library to your iPod each time you connect (anything new, changed, or deleted). Both iTunes and the iPod flash a message "Do Not Disconnect" when songs are transferring. Unless you are sending over 100's of songs it does the move VERY quickly.
Getting at the music
The iPod itself is very intuitive to use - don't think files and folders, think menus. I guess you could say all the songs are stored in one big folder, but the iPod uses the information "tagged" on the music file (artist, song name, album, genre, etc.) and lets you find the music through menus with those tags types. So... Bruce Springsteen's song 10th Avenue Freeze Out - would be listed under Bruce's name by artist, Born to Run as an album, 10th Avenue... as the song name... well you get the idea. It's a good idea to make sure all your music you are sending is tagged properly so it shows up nicely on the iPod - you can edit the tags easily in iTunes.
Design
People who love lots of buttons will not like the iPod - this model works exclusively with a "click wheel" - you basically slide your finger along the wheel to move up and down the menus and lists. There is a single button in the center of the wheel for "clicking" or selecting items and 4 other "buttons" on the wheel itself - really just points of the compass - for commands like pausing a song, turning off and on the device, going to the previous menu, etc. It takes a little while to get used to how much movement of the wheel it takes to scroll up and down lists, but you get the hang of it quickly enough. The iPod itself fits nicely into your hand and can be used with one hand with very little practice.
Sound
Just using the simple bud style headphones that come with the unit provides great sound. You can control volume while the song is playing using the click wheel and even maxed out the sound is clear (and loud). There is an equalizer with many presets (the same as the one with iTines) and that does make a difference on some songs (e.g., piano, pop, rock, etc.). You can even tag a song to always use a specific preset.
Video
I downloaded a music video to test the capabilities – and the display is amazing for such a small device. There was no lag or pixelization. The video does drain the battery much faster than just audio music. I don't see us using this feature much, but it is interesting for things like video podcasts and the like.
Battery
As I said, the battery charges via the USB cable and it is fully charged in less than an hour (if you are not using it at the same time). Playing around with it – not just listening to music exclusively – and the charge lasted 3 hours. Music only would probably go for a little longer. As a side note, you can buy a "typical" wall outlet dock style charger for it (Apple and other brands).
Misc.
"Playlists" is a neat feature that lets you create a…. well… playlist of songs. So… if you wanted to listen to 3 Jackson Browne songs, 2 Elton John songs, and 1 AC/DC song, you would add them to a playlist in iTunes and the playlist will get copied to your iPod. It doesn't make another copy of the song file, but just a list of songs. You then select the playlist and listen to just those songs (as opposed to all the songs on your iPod).
There's lots more to say – like shuffling songs, sending photos to your iPod, but I am sure other reviews cover that.
Two more suggestions
Buy a "skin" or cover for your iPod to protect it – the shiny metal back gets fingerprint marks and you don't want the screen scratched. Buy a wall charger – you don't always have access to a PC for the USB.
Overall – a great device!
I purchased this model for my wife for Christmas. Our only past experience with an MP3 Player was a 10 Gig Archos from several years back. The old Archos is fine from a file storage perspective, but the interface is awful - that's were the Apple shines, but more on that later. The iPod was purchased from Amazon.com and cost the standard $299 (free shipping).
Packaging
The unit was packed very solidly - no moving around during shipment.
Included
The new generation of iPods do not come with a traditional power charger, but rather a USB cable that charges the unit when it is plugged into your PC's USB slot. Along with the USB cable, you get "ear bud" style headphones, a very simple slip case, and an install CD (for the iTunes software).
Initial Usage and Set up
I already had the iTunes software installed on my PC, so I was able to connect the iPod directly to the PC (Windows XP SP2) without problems. iTunes launched and then prompted me to set up the iPod (name of user, etc.). The only suggestion I would make here is that if you have multiple user accounts on the same PC, make sure you are logged in as the main user of the iPod - so it gets associated properly.
Registration with Apple
I had some trouble registering with the Apple site for two reasons: (1) It was Christmas Day and the site seemed overtaxed - I will give Apple a pass here. I was able to do it cleanly the next day. (2) The Serial Number is so small on the back of the unit (MAYBE 6 point type) that it takes good eyes to see it. Again, not a huge deal.
Getting songs there
In its most simple use, iTunes sends all music in the iTunes Library to your iPod each time you connect (anything new, changed, or deleted). Both iTunes and the iPod flash a message "Do Not Disconnect" when songs are transferring. Unless you are sending over 100's of songs it does the move VERY quickly.
Getting at the music
The iPod itself is very intuitive to use - don't think files and folders, think menus. I guess you could say all the songs are stored in one big folder, but the iPod uses the information "tagged" on the music file (artist, song name, album, genre, etc.) and lets you find the music through menus with those tags types. So... Bruce Springsteen's song 10th Avenue Freeze Out - would be listed under Bruce's name by artist, Born to Run as an album, 10th Avenue... as the song name... well you get the idea. It's a good idea to make sure all your music you are sending is tagged properly so it shows up nicely on the iPod - you can edit the tags easily in iTunes.
Design
People who love lots of buttons will not like the iPod - this model works exclusively with a "click wheel" - you basically slide your finger along the wheel to move up and down the menus and lists. There is a single button in the center of the wheel for "clicking" or selecting items and 4 other "buttons" on the wheel itself - really just points of the compass - for commands like pausing a song, turning off and on the device, going to the previous menu, etc. It takes a little while to get used to how much movement of the wheel it takes to scroll up and down lists, but you get the hang of it quickly enough. The iPod itself fits nicely into your hand and can be used with one hand with very little practice.
Sound
Just using the simple bud style headphones that come with the unit provides great sound. You can control volume while the song is playing using the click wheel and even maxed out the sound is clear (and loud). There is an equalizer with many presets (the same as the one with iTines) and that does make a difference on some songs (e.g., piano, pop, rock, etc.). You can even tag a song to always use a specific preset.
Video
I downloaded a music video to test the capabilities – and the display is amazing for such a small device. There was no lag or pixelization. The video does drain the battery much faster than just audio music. I don't see us using this feature much, but it is interesting for things like video podcasts and the like.
Battery
As I said, the battery charges via the USB cable and it is fully charged in less than an hour (if you are not using it at the same time). Playing around with it – not just listening to music exclusively – and the charge lasted 3 hours. Music only would probably go for a little longer. As a side note, you can buy a "typical" wall outlet dock style charger for it (Apple and other brands).
Misc.
"Playlists" is a neat feature that lets you create a…. well… playlist of songs. So… if you wanted to listen to 3 Jackson Browne songs, 2 Elton John songs, and 1 AC/DC song, you would add them to a playlist in iTunes and the playlist will get copied to your iPod. It doesn't make another copy of the song file, but just a list of songs. You then select the playlist and listen to just those songs (as opposed to all the songs on your iPod).
There's lots more to say – like shuffling songs, sending photos to your iPod, but I am sure other reviews cover that.
Two more suggestions
Buy a "skin" or cover for your iPod to protect it – the shiny metal back gets fingerprint marks and you don't want the screen scratched. Buy a wall charger – you don't always have access to a PC for the USB.
Overall – a great device!
