As some sources expected, Apple has launched its Video iPod series to replace its existing regular iPod series. The Video iPod comes in a capacity choice of 30GB and 60GB and both feature a 2.5" 320 x 240 resolution colour display, AV-out (requires optional cable) and a colour choice of black or white. Both support AVC video up to 768kbps @ 320x240, 30fps and MPEG4 at up to 2.5Mbps @ 480x480, 30fps. The 30GB model features a thickness of only 0.43" (11mm) and a battery life of up to 14 hours of music or 2 hours of video, while the 60GB model features a thickness of just 0.55" (14mm) and a battery life of up to 20 hours of music or 3 hours of video.
Apple has also launched its iTunes video store with a catalogue of over 2,000 music videos, shows and movies, including six short films from Pixar Animation Studios. The majority are charged at $2 a pop. The new iTunes version 6 adds support for the Video iPod as well as the video store. Like iTunes music downloads, music video downloads are DRM protected and according to a source, these will only play in QuickTime and are encoded in AVC with a resolution of 320 x 176. The Video iPod 30GB and 60GB versions are available for $299 and $399 respectively.
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The new iPod plays music, audiobooks, audio Podcasts, video Podcasts, home movies, music videos and popular television shows like 'Lost" and 'Desperate Housewives." The unrivaled combination of iPod and iTunes 6 now provides customers with a seamless experience for buying, managing and playing video as well as audio content, including over 2,000 music videos, six short films from the Academy-Award winning Pixar Animation Studios, and five television shows from ABC and Disney Channel, including the immensely popular 'Lost" and 'Desperate Housewives." |
According to another source, videos must be converted to QuickTime, such as using QuickTime 7 Pro in order to play these on the Video iPod. However, QuickTime's export features are limited to its premium Pro version, which means that consumers will likely have to purchase the full version if they want to use their own videos on the iPod. In my opinion, QuickTime is bad enough as it is to limit full screen viewing to its Pro version also.
With the addition of Video support, it seems like Apple has added pretty much everything it can to the iPod besides an FM radio and removable battery. Hopefully, these will come down the line as I'm sure that there are probably more consumers interested in either of these two features than video support.
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Source: Physorg
