twofish72's Full Review: Apple iPod 5th Generation Black (30 GB) MP3 Player
Some time ago, I got myself and iPod. My fiance already has one for a long time but I have avoided the MP3 player craze for so long (Apples MP3 wonder is in it's fifth generation and there are countless products out there that compete in the market...) but at some point I finally gave in. After all, it's an iPod, right? Big Daddy of MP3 players, if not grand daddy. So, does it live up to my expectations? Absolutely. Is it good? Without the shadow of a doubt. Is it flawless? Not quite. So lets take a deeper look at Apples 30Gb iPod with Video function, otherwise known as iPod Generation 5.
This review is meant for the potential first time buyer of an iPod. So if you already have an older version or you are familiar with hard drive based MP3 players in general, you might want to skip one or the other paragraph.
Technical details:
iPod's are far more than a simple MP3 player nowadays. If you only know portable music devices in form of USB-Memory sticks that can play MP3's, you're in for a treat.
Unlike most other MP3 players out there, Apples "big" iPod's use a built in hard drive to store it's data. The Mini-iPods, iPod Nano's, Shuffle and all the MP3 USB Memory sticks use flash memory. This means that there are some moving parts in your iPod that will not be as forgiving to rough handling or drops on the ground as a flash-memory based one.
Apples wonder device plays a multitude of different formats: 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, AIFF and WAV. Note that it doesn't play Microsofts Windows Media format... Remember, this is Apple.
Also, since it's a video iPod, it will play videos in the MP4 format. So it's not possible to just put your DVD on that thing easily. You will need either 3rd party software to convert a DVD or you need to buy the movie at Apples own iTunes music store (more on that later). When you purchase software to convert DVD's, be advised that some countries forbid the use of software that crack the copy protection of any given media.
Other specs are:
Capacity:
30GB hard drive
Holds up to 7,500 songs (80GB) in 128-Kbps AAC format
Holds up to 25,000 iPod-viewable photos
Holds up to 40 hours video
Display:
2.5-inch QVGA transflective, 65,000-color LCD display with backlight
320 by 240 pixel resolution, .156-mm dot pitch
Audio:
Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz
Impedance: 32 ohms
Power and battery details:
Built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery
Playback time:
Music playback time: Up to 14 hours
Photo slideshow with music viewing time: Up to 4 hours
Video playback time: Up to 3.5 hours
Charging via USB or FireWire to computer system or power adapter
Fast-charge time: about 2 hours (The battery will have about 80% of it's capacity at that time)
Full-charge time: about 4 hours
System requirements for MAC and WINDOWS based PC:
Macintosh computer with USB 2.0 port
Mac OS X v10.3.9 or later
OR
PC with USB 2.0
Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4 or later, or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later
You will need iTunes 7 or later for both systems.
What's in the box?
The iPod, earplugs (always white, even if you order a black iPod), a small protective suede "bag" for your iPod (without any openings though-you have to take it out to use the controls), a USB sync cable, a manual and a docking station adapter.
Apple doesn't include chargers for the iPod anymore (as it charges when connected via the USB port) or any drivers or iTunes on CD. You have to download the software yourself. That can be quite annoying if you are one of the (very) few who just want to put their own selection of CD's on the iPod, doesn't need or want iTunes music store and don't have a broadband internet connection.
I also don't like the fact that there is no charger in the box anymore. Unless you want to pay for a separate one, you can't charge your iPod unless you carry a computer with a USB port with you.
So what's iTunes?
Itunes serves a twofold purpose. First, it's the software used to organize all the files on your iPod and works much like Microsofts Media Player that way. And second, it's the portal to the iTunes music store, where you can buy music, movies and tons of other stuff for your iPod. Depending on how you set up the software, it will synchronise your iPod when connected and automatically transfer any files or playlists you select. If your computer itself is hooked up to a stereo system, it can also play all the contents much like the regular media player.
Everytime you put a CD in your drive tray, you have the option of importing the music into iTunes. The software will automatically connect to the iTunes server database to retrieve any information about the CD, it's tracks, artists, album name, etc, etc. Music that has been imported in iTunes can then be transfered to your iPod.
itunes can also burn regular CD's for you, once you put all the songs you want in a playlist.
Enough about all the other stuff... tell me about the iPod already!
The iPod itself is a handheld device about 5 ounces light and roughly 4x 2.5 x 0.5 inches in size. That makes it about the size of a pack of cigarettes but not even half as thick. The back of all iPods is chrome metal with the nice little Apple symbol. The front is nice polished acrylic plastic that either comes in black or white. The upper part of the front is made up of the very nice display which takes up a little more than one third of the front.
Below that you will find what is called the "clickwheel". Other than the keylock switch on the top of the device that is the only control the iPod has. It's a mixture between a touchpad much like from a laptop computer and a joypad. When you move your finger over the touchpad in circular motion you roll through the menus on the Ipod, control volume and fast forward/rewind. The button in the center selects whatever option you picked. If you press on the clickwheel top, left, right or bottom you can access the menu (or go back one step when in a menu), advance or go back a track and start or pause a track or video. And that is it. No additional buttons, no complicated controls. It's very intuitive, easy to learn and efficient.
One thing that the iPod does different than most other MP3 players is the way it organizes it's files. Instead of having them organized in folders and you going through the file names, the iPod makes then accessible through tags. You can pick songs by name, artist, genre, album, composer or your own playlists. This way you can find stuff pretty easy but it has one major drawback: If you import songs into iTunes that don't have those tags associated with them (either a CD that's not in iTunes online database or other single MP3 files) you have to add them yourself. If you don't, then the only way to find them on your iPod is through the name in the complete list of songs. If you have a lot of songs stored, that might be annoying.
One thing I keep mentioning is playlists. So in case you don't know, how those work...
Any song in your iTunes can be put into a playlist. You have your own favorite list of 80's songs you like to listen to? Cool, just drag and drop them into a playlist you create and name. You want lullaby music for your kids? Create another playslist and put the songs in that (hopefully) make your kids fall asleep. Playlists are not special folders were the songs get stored, though. They are merely another tag added to their attributes. One song can be in multiple playlists if you like. If you sync your iPod, the playlists will get transfered too, so you can easily manage your music on your computer and enjoy on the go.
Playlists also serve as the list of tracks to burn on a CD, in case you want to use iTunes for that.
You can also create and edit playlists on your iPod directly which in turn get transfered to your iTunes later. It's not as easy as you do that with the clickwheel instead of a mouse but it works fine.
All the other gadgets that make up the iPod
An iPod is so much more than just your average MP3 player. It can be your own little photo library which can show your favorite photos in a slide show including music. It also plays videos in case you want to see Pirates of the Caribbean on the go (and you don't mind the small screen). It has a built in world clock, you can download and install (special iPod) games. It can sync with your Outlook contacts database and your calendar and it includes a stopwatch with an automatic save function.
In real live though, you would probably not even use half of those features. The world clock is nice but you have to go through at least one menu to get there, it doesn't get displayed on the screen top bar or anything. By the time you reach the clock, you have looked on your wristwatch ten times. If you don't carry one (or not even a cell phone), then it might be a cool little extra.
The calendar, notes and contacts function are also nice but not that useful. You can't edit anything in the iPod - you can just display it.
And the games? Well, they are played over the clickwheel. Believe me, playing Solitaire over a clickwheel is not the most fun thing in the world. Maybe in the future there will be games that are better suited for the control capabilities of the clickwheel.
Okay, Okay, but the iPod is a music player. How good is it at that?
Very good. If not the best. I have read some test reviews on all kinds of MP3 players and some come out better in terms of sound quality. But realistically, most people won't be able to hear the difference. There is so much more stuff the iPod excels at:
1. The sound quality - even though some other MP3 players came out better, the quality of the music is beyond cool. There is a built in Equalizer function which lets you choose between 22 (!) different sound settings for your listening pleasure.
2. The size and weight - For a hard disk based player, this thing is way light and slim. Some others might be a little smaller, but they usually have less memory. And Microsoft's Zune? That thing is just huge compared to the iPod and ugly beyond anything.
3. The controls - The clickwheel is just one of the best interfaces out there. I have heard of people who can't get used to it and those people should probably look for something different. Me personally? I just find the controls on all the other MP3 players not even remotely as good.
4. iTunes - iTunes is a really good online music store and song database. It's easy to use, I have never had problems with it (I have heard/read stories of iTunes crashing all the time... I never had that happen). I never liked using the Windows Media Player for music but that might be personal preference.
And last but surely not least - The one reason why any other MP3 player is inferior to the iPod: Accessories.
The amount of extras, accessories and additional components you can buy for an iPod is just sheer amazing. The list is virtually endless: Car adapters and cradles, FM-radios, speaker systems that turn the iPod into a full blown home stereo (try the Bose one for $299), remote controls, portable speaker systems, tons of protective cases in all kinds of styles and so many more things.
Another huge bonus: Tons of car stereos come "iPod-ready" nowadays. Which means you can connect the iPod to your car stereo and then use the car stereo controls to control the iPod. Many new cars feature built in iPod-ready car stereos that you can control with the controls on your steering wheel (if you have them-but that's more or less standard today). There simply is no MP3 player out there that can beat that.
Your iPod can literally be the center of your music world in your home, in your car, on the go - you name it. You just don't have those options with so many choices with any other MP3 player, period.
So, with all the good stuff going on... is there anything wrong with the iPod? Are there any catches or major flaws?
The iPod has some problems, but nothing I would call a major flaw or problem. Let's go through the things Apple could do better (or at least different)
- The outer shell: Most iPod users know it. The iPod's shell ist just way too fragile or delicate. It will not break easily (the back is metal after all) and I have seen iPod's survive drops that would have crushed any other housing, but the iPod just scratches way too easy. In addition to that, if you get the black one, you will have fingerprints all over it. So for as good looking as the design is... you will have to put a protective case around it. Which will make the iPod thicker and less attractive.
- some of the controls: Even though the clickwheel and the interface are very good, they are not perfect. For example: You are playing a playlist with songs out of your collection. As it always happens, the volume is not always the same on all the tracks - some songs will be louder, others not. So when you go through menus while listening to the music, there is no way to quickly access the volume control in case all of a sudden some music tracks blows your ears off.
There is a function to limit the maximum volume, but that won't help, if you are cranking up a very gentle, low level track to hear that and then the next one makes you deaf.
- The calendar, notes and contacts function is next to useless. You can't enter stuff thanks to the non existent keyboard on an iPod. So instead of putting in functions like that (which in my eyes are something more for cell phones), why didn't put Apple a function with song lyrics in? Or anything music/entertainment related for that matter. This thing is a music/video player and they put in very rudimentary office functions. They should have left that for the iPhone...
- The fact that the new iPods don't ship with a battery charger is just a shame. It's a mobile music device by nature and definition and you have no way of charging it on the go. Plus, a charger is between $20 and $30. So your $249 iPod will be more like $270. Not very consumer friendly.
- The price in general is a little high. But then again, it's Apple. We can't expect them to make a Mac for $299 either to compete with Dell, eh? Sadly though, in addition to that, most (original Apple) accessories are pretty expensive too. If you want to save some money, you have to use third party products.
People who should get the iPod:
- Apple Users: I guess it's probably a cult thing...
- Anybody who wants a versatile MP3 player for more than just carrying some MP3's on the bus. If you think about having a solution for home, office and car, you are best off with an iPod.
- Anybody who doesn't mind spending a little bit more money and having a standard that can be there for your entire household. Home and car - all iPod. Get your kids a iPod Nano and you can hook it up to the same equipment.
- iPod is pretty much a standard today. Most iPod accessories are interchangeable. So even if you get a new one later or your kids get a different one - you will still be able to use your equipment. If that is important to you, again, no way past an iPod.
-if you are looking for a portable music system that the most flexible for almost anything you want to do.
People who should probably not get an iPod:
- I have read opinions from people saying that iTunes is way too complicated to use. Well, if that is the case, then you probably shouldn't get an iPod, since that is an integral part of it. So if you are not sure, go to Apple's website, download iTunes and start putting up some of your CD's just for fun to see, if you get along with the interface. If not, then get something else.
- If $249 is just too expensive for you. Well, money is always an issue. There is no cheaper solution to an 30GB video iPod other than a completely different product. Video iPods come in two sizes: expensive (30GB) and way expensive (80GB).
- If sound quality is everything for you and you don't care about anything else (and you can actually hear the difference - congrats to you), you should look through the latest MP3 player reviews and get something else. Even though in my eyes iPods are the superior portable music system overall, it's a known fact that the sound quality itself is "only" very good, but not the best available.
- If you want to use it to go jogging and have lots of movement going on. For that purpose, a flash memory based MP3 player might be better as hard disk based iPods will more sensitive to drops. If you just want music for jogging, any USB-Memory-MP3 stick is fine. If you still want all (or most) of the cool iPod features, think about an iPod Nano.
My personal recommendation:
I recommend getting an iPod unless any of the reasons mentioned above speak against it for you. Other than that, there is no real reason to not get one. It is just simply the standard of portable music players today. And for a reason.
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