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[Christoff Yurievich]

so can I get some updated impressions from those who bought a 160GB Classic? I've been thinking of getting one (an upgrade from a 4GB nano 2G) and was wondering how well it was working for you. Weight, sound, battery, looks, that sort of stuff. Thanks.

 

[RBH]

I second the request for some additional impressions of the Ipod Classic.

In particular, how is the responsiveness of the click wheel and Cover Flow, and did the recent firmware update completely fix the reported "sluggishness"?

 

[MercuryLS]

I'll be buying the Touch soon, how do I know if I have the week 38 machine before I buy it? I'd buy it online right now if it wasn't for this issue.

 

[Fafnir]

I preordered online for a Touch and received a 38, so you should be good if you order one online right now.

 

[MercuryLS]

I preordered online for a Touch and received a 38, so you should be good if you order one online right now.

Thanks for the post. I tried my hardest to convince myself that I don't want one of these things, it didn't work. Curse you disposable income :/

 

[koam]

question about the new nanos. They don't play xvid and divx right? what formats do they support and what res? Is there a tool to convert them?

 

[xsarien]

question about the new nanos. They don't play xvid and divx right? what formats do they support and what res? Is there a tool to convert them?

No iPod has ever supported xvid or divx. Your best bet is H.264 mpeg video, the specs are pretty much spelled out on Apple's site. Converting's easy; Handbrake has a great Mac client and a serviceable Windows client, and although I've heard great things about SUPER I've never gotten it to work properly.

 

[Mejilan]

Upgraded from a black 5.0gen 60gb iPod Video to a black 6gen 160gb iPod Classic.

And so far, I confess myself disappointed. Even with the update, Cover Flow seems to be a laggy bitch, and to make matters worse, where iTunes properly displays Cover Flow per ALBUM, the iPod seems to display Cover Flow by ARTIST.

Which means where in iTunes I have 1 entry per album (as it should be), on the iPod, I have as many entries PER album as I do artists contributing to that album. And it's sorting them not by album name, but by artist name. So far, the iPod's Cover Flow is utterly, utterly useless. And of course, there are no Cover Flow sorting options tweakable from the iPod itself.

On iTunes, I use the Album Artist field to consolidate multi-artist albums into one umbrella, and iTunes' Cover Flow handles that as it should. As far as I can tell, the iPod Classic's Cover Flow doesn't recognize Compilation or Album Artist, wreaking utter havoc on large, varied libraries. On top of that, not allowing us to sort the iPod's Cover Flow via Album (as iTunes allows), is absolutely criminal.

Edit - Doesn't help that they've totally changed how the sensitivity of the scroll wheel, so though my old 60gb iSkin eVo3 fits fine on my new iPod, the scroll wheel protective layer effectively disables the mechanism. *sigh*

 

[thetrin]

Alright, is there something wrong with me? I'm seriously thinking about going from my 30GB ipod video to a 16gb Ipod Touch. It seems utterly retarded of me to do this, but I can't help but think that I should do it...

 

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

Alright, is there something wrong with me? I'm seriously thinking about going from my 30GB ipod video to a 16gb Ipod Touch. It seems utterly retarded of me to do this, but I can't help but think that I should do it...

Do you want a device that plays music or do you just want to touch glass? You can do that with your windows at home and pretend it's launching a calculator.

 

[thetrin]

Do you want a device that plays music or do you just want to touch glass? You can do that with your windows at home and pretend it's launching a calculator.

I don't have windows.

 

[Captain Glanton]

I upgraded from an old 4GB Mini to the 80GB Classic and a Shuffle.

First, overall I really really like the Classic. The screen is incredible for its size, sound quality is great, and nothing need be said about the memory size. I find the physical size and weight to be perfectly fine, but I'm not really picky about such things.

There is some lag with the click wheel sometimes. In general, I wait for it to respond to each click before beginning to sort through the next menu, rather than breezing through super-fast like I did with my old flash-based Mini [may it rest in peace]. Also, the concerns about the easily scratchable back are not overstated. I have a slate tile coffee table, and I think setting it down on that [where my laptop is] has already scratched the hell out of the back.

I am glad that I splurged to get the Classic, and I really like it and give it an A-. But it's not perfect.

 

[rollingstart]

Alright, is there something wrong with me? I'm seriously thinking about going from my 30GB ipod video to a 16gb Ipod Touch. It seems utterly retarded of me to do this, but I can't help but think that I should do it...

the touch does have less storage size, but Safari and video playback are two things that are just amazing on it.

 

[thetrin]

the touch does have less storage size, but Safari and video playback are two things that are just amazing on it.

Internet and video are the two things that make me want to get one.

Well, by about 5pm tomorrow we'll know what the decision will be.

 

[blame space]

Alright, is there something wrong with me? I'm seriously thinking about going from my 30GB ipod video to a 16gb Ipod Touch. It seems utterly retarded of me to do this, but I can't help but think that I should do it...

I want to do this too. And I already am like 20 gigs over the limit on the 30 gig video...not even counting videos. ;_;

 

[rollingstart]

Internet and video are the two things that make me want to get one.

Well, by about 5pm tomorrow we'll know what the decision will be.

I will say that the internet on it is better than on most other handheld devices, it is fast and very easy to use.

 

[Tobor]

I will say that the internet on it is better than on most other handheld devices, it is fast and very easy to use.

Most? The Safari browser on the iPhone/touch is the best mobile browser I have ever used. The only way to get a better browser on a handheld device would be to plunk down the $2k for a OGO or a UMPC.

 

[nitewulf]

just checked out the touch after work this friday at the soho apple store.

THIS THING IS HOT!!!!

i was ready to walk out w/ one, but unfortunately they were sold out. guess which website i first browsed to. it was amusing to read ppl gushing over/or bitch about halo 3. heh.

i like the gyroscopic screen flip as well.

its perfect for me, cause i have an amazing phone already, and im not much of a phone person to begin with. the phone features will be lost to me. but the video and internet make the touch an absolute must buy.

so how do i know to look out for the ones with a good screen. where is the serial number printed?

 

[rollingstart]

Most? The Safari browser on the iPhone/touch is the best mobile browser I have ever used. The only way to get a better browser on a handheld device would be to plunk down the $2k for a OGO or a UMPC.

the only fault is no flash, I remember hearing other mobile web browsers have it, but that is the only real bad part.

 

[neptunes]

Alright, is there something wrong with me? I'm seriously thinking about going from my 30GB ipod video to a 16gb Ipod Touch. It seems utterly retarded of me to do this, but I can't help but think that I should do it...

Just hold out a bit longer, they should be releasing a 32GB flash version next year.

at least according to moore's law

 

[Christoff Yurievich]

so coverflow problems aside (something I'd never use anyway) how is the 160GB?

I don't have windows.

lol...he was talking about actual windows, not the OS.

 

[Sapiens]

Just hold out a bit longer, they should be releasing a 32GB flash version next year.

at least according to moore's law

Moore's law does not apply to RAM nor Apple's business decisions.


As a side, Moore himself mentioned how his law would soon terminate as we're hitting the wall in terms of the laws of physics as applied to processor design.

 

[Christopher]

Well it came out on Amazon today - so I should have it by Tuesday/Wednesday latest

 

[Quadrophenic]

Are there any good deals on getting the previous gen iPod Nanos (2nd Gen? I am not sure), preferably new?

I want to get a 2-4gb flash player since my stupid Sansa has been giving me problems. I would only use it at the gym so I don't need video playback or anything.

 

[El Pescado]

Is it just me or did Apple release an iPod Touch update that fixed the black level problem. I mean I thought it was a hardware problem, can there really be a software fix?

 

[BlueTsunami]

I was actually going to make a thread about it but its probably just me but, the iTunes update makes iTunes more responsive in Vista...I think it does :lol

 

[blame space]

Are there any good deals on getting the previous gen iPod Nanos (2nd Gen? I am not sure), preferably new?

I want to get a 2-4gb flash player since my stupid Sansa has been giving me problems. I would only use it at the gym so I don't need video playback or anything.

If your local Wal-Mart (or other large retailer) have any left in stock, they might be marked down.

 

[Memles]

You can always buy through Apple's refurb program as well.

 

[Particle Physicist]

so coverflow problems aside (something I'd never use anyway) how is the 160GB?

yeah. i'd like to know this as well. i'll never really use cover flow on the ipod.. just like i never really use it on iTunes...

 

[Christopher]

Cover flow is really neat and I've been using it a lot since I'm trying to put all the album pictures together - but I don't download/rip whole albums - I only get the songs that I like so it's even more tedious but I'm coming along...

 

[thetrin]

so coverflow problems aside (something I'd never use anyway) how is the 160GB?
lol...he was talking about actual windows, not the OS.

What do you think I was talking about? (hint: I run XP smartypants)

 

[Christoff Yurievich]

What do you think I was talking about? (hint: I run XP smartypants)

you know, I really did think you were talking about an OS.

my apologies on the mistake and also my condolences on living in a box.

 

[thetrin]

you know, I really did think you were talking about an OS.

my apologies on the mistake and also my condolences on living in a box.

:lol

I actually do have windows...they're just very hard to touch because of all the stuff in the way. T_T

 

[Tchu-Espresso]

Ok just bought a 16gb touch.

Trying to get a few episodes on it, so im playing around with handbrake for the first time. It doesnt let me encode the .avi i select (season premiere of the office). What am i doing wrong and how do i fix it?

 

[xsarien]

Ok just bought a 16gb touch.

Trying to get a few episodes on it, so im playing around with handbrake for the first time. It doesnt let me encode the .avi i select (season premiere of the office). What am i doing wrong and how do i fix it?

http://handbrake.m0k.org/trac/wiki/Sources

 

[CrushDance]

What's the song/artist in the new iPOD commercial singing and changing colours, the quality won't be like that in reality will it? I dislike this "ipod" generation brats but it's intrigued me.

 

[Tchu-Espresso]

http://handbrake.m0k.org/trac/wiki/Sources

argh so i have to re-encode everything...

I hoping there was a prog that took care of all this for the ipod.

 

[Tchu-Espresso]

Ok i just spent way too long messing around with no results to show for it. MeGUI cant even open the damn file to create the avs script - giving me an "cannot load avisynth.dll" error. This is really getting on my nerves now.

And encoding one episode with handbrake from the dvd seems to stop at around 20%. Yeah.

 

[DefectiveReject]

What's the song/artist in the new iPOD commercial singing and changing colours, the quality won't be like that in reality will it? I dislike this "ipod" generation brats but it's intrigued me.

(Leslie)"Feist" is the artist, song is called 1,2,3,4, album is called The Reminder

it's okay album 2 or 3 good songs

 

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

argh so i have to re-encode everything...

I hoping there was a prog that took care of all this for the ipod.

VisualHub for Mac OSX is the best option. Anything else is messy and confusing in comparison. I tried 3GP Converter on Windows and it did a good job, but the filesizes were huge.

 

[Ichirou]

Edit - Doesn't help that they've totally changed how the sensitivity of the scroll wheel, so though my old 60gb iSkin eVo3 fits fine on my new iPod, the scroll wheel protective layer effectively disables the mechanism. *sigh*

This happened with the brand new cover I bought for my new third gen iPod Nano. It's basically utterly useless because the protective layer makes it so that the iPod doesn't react to your touching the scroll wheel!

Other than that niggling little detail, though, I'm really happy with my Nano. I'm not planning to use it for video, but it's the perfect size to fit in my front pocket and I can listen to it in the morning on the train on my way to work. Quite pleasant.

 

[Tchu-Espresso]

VisualHub for Mac OSX is the best option. Anything else is messy and confusing in comparison. I tried 3GP Converter on Windows and it did a good job, but the filesizes were huge.

I just tried Xilisoft video converter and managed to get it to work - very simple wizard guides you though it. The encoding process failed many times and crashed my computer once, but i managed to pop out a 106mb episode of the office at a bit rate of 512 - perfectly fine quality (given that the show is slow action). As a test, a bit rate of 1200 (higher than the source) give a 205mb file.

 

[captive]

so can I get some updated impressions from those who bought a 160GB Classic? I've been thinking of getting one (an upgrade from a 4GB nano 2G) and was wondering how well it was working for you. Weight, sound, battery, looks, that sort of stuff. Thanks.

It looks good, the screen is nice and bright the sound is the same pretty much. The battery is freaking ridiculous. My old 30gig was lucky to last a few days at school, the 160gig i only have to charge once every week in a half and i use it around 4-5 hours monday through friday.

My only problem is something between it and itunes, im still getting the problem where itunes uses 100% of my cpu when i plug it in. I have completely uninstalled and reinstalled itunes and i have it set to let me manually manage my ipod and it still acts like its synching or some crap that takes all the cpu.

 

[Christoff Yurievich]

nice, thanks for that. Good to hear about the battery, especially.

 

[MercuryLS]

I've got a WinXP PC and I was wondering what's a good program to convert video to the iPod nano? I ended up just getting that, I couldn't justify $500+ for the iPod Touch. I've got my laptop for internet, and video looks decent on the nano. Plus with the size of the touch I know I won't bring it along with me often when I go out, with the nano i'll have it on me all the time.

 

[Deleted member 10571]

So I just got myself a 4gb nano. I never was one of those Apple maniacs to begin with, but I have to say its pretty neat. Didn't expect such a smooth handling with that wheel thing.

Oh yeah, and I got it because my old Sony 20GB-Player was broken.

 

[6.8]

my 3G 20 gig died last week after 4 years of loyal service. I'm on the fence about the touch (waiting for more capacity) - so I got an 8gig nano to tide me over a touch with more capacity.

 

[guise]

posting from my new 16gb touch!

Upgraded from a 4gb nano, this thing is incredible, I'm faster at typing on this then on my phone

 

[TiVo]

My iTouch arrives via fedex today.

What is best bitrate for vids and resolution?

My 60 gig ipod video has all vids at 320 * 240 & 900 kbps.

What is the best screen/cover for the itouch?

 

[capslock]

My iTouch arrives via fedex today.

What is best bitrate for vids and resolution?

My 60 gig ipod video has all vids at 320 * 240 & 900 kbps.

What is the best screen/cover for the itouch?

I use for 480 x 320 and 1 mbps for it.