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Video review
Since 2001, the word ‘iPod’ has loosely meant an Apple-made, hard-disk music player with a scroll wheel. But the lines have blurred. The Shuffle dropped the scroll wheel and the iPod Touch – well, that’s just a law unto itself.
The identity of the original iPod has become rather unclear, being known variously as the 5.5G iPod, Video iPod or, to the uninitiated, Big iPod. Always keen to make life as simple as possible for us, Apple has decided to clear things up: it’s now the iPod Classic.
All change
As well as bookending the iPod era, the Classic is new in a far more corporeal sense. Gone forever is the iconic white acrylic finish that spawned a million copiers and meant that every gadget was, for a time, gleaming white.
Now the Classic follows the new Nano, iMac and iPhone in adopting an anodized aluminium fascia that's far tougher than its predecessor. Happily, especially for those who like scratches and fingerprints, the shiny back remains.
The big story with the Classic is size. Storage capacity especially: there are two versions, an 80GB and a 160GB version. The latter will store a heck of a lot of 128kbps Pussycat Dolls tracks – in fact, you could have 37,647 copies of Don’t Cha on it, which is over 118 constant days’ listening. Or 4000 uncompressed tracks. Your choice.
In operation, the Classic is largely the iPod we know and love. It has a swanky new interface that uses half the screen to preview album artwork, images and movies.
Also, there’s the choice of navigating through your albums using Cover Flow, which is akin to thumbing through record sleeves – albeit tiny representations of sleeves on a 2.5in screen with your thumb resting on a touch-sensitive circle.
Slow on the uptake
Despite being cool, the interface is the weakest aspect of the Classic. It’s just too slow – probably because it takes a long time to get 160GB of data spinning. That said, you get used to two-second delays pretty quickly.
Nice touches include some genuinely impressive games – they’re surprisingly playable and the graphics are great – and a brace of useful PIM functionalities that integrate with your PC or Mac’s contacts and calendar databases.
Of course, performance is what really counts, and we’re pleased to report that the Classic shines. Others have suggested that it sounds inferior to the Classic, but to us they seem completely wrong.
It’s certainly a different performance, probably because of the new Cirrus Logic audio chip, but has considerable strengths, including being noticeably crisper. The Classic isn’t as loud as the 5.5G but it’s arguably more accurate-sounding and just as dynamic. We’d be astonished to find anyone genuinely disappointed with it.
Sharper vids
Video on the sharp QVGA display is somewhat clearer than it was on the 5.5G iPod as the material protecting the screen seems somewhat more transparent. Aside from that, it’s business as usual – except now you need a dock connector video cable as there’s no video output from the headphone socket. The upside is you get component video performance – much better than the composite it complements.
Why wouldn’t you buy an iPod classic? Perhaps it’s too big for you – though the 80GB version is marginally slimmer than its predecessor, both Classics dwarf their iPod brethren and the 160GB version is quite bulky.
Also, the hard disks mean you’ll want to take something else on your trampoline. That aside, you’re getting one of the best-sounding, most powerful MP3 players in the world for silly money. It’s a bargain.
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Comments
meredith
7 weeks ago
It’s certainly a different performance, probably because of the new Cirrus Logic audio chip Network+ Certification but has considerable strengths, including being noticeably crisper. The Classic isn’t as loud as the 5.5G but it’s arguably more accurate-sounding and just as dynamic. We’d be astonished to find anyone genuinely disappointed with it.
jonson
10 weeks ago
It has a posh new border that uses partially the screen to appetizer album artwork, imagery and Movie Theater.
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jonson
10 weeks ago
The small narrative with the Classic is size. Luggage compartment capacity particularly: there are two version.
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doibi
12 weeks ago
This is one of the good articles you can find in the net explaining everything in detail regarding the topic. I thank you for taking your time sharing your thoughts and ideas to a lot of readers out there. video to Flash converter / hulu to ipad / ipad 3 converter
jb4522jb
25 weeks ago
Apple has done such a great job with this. You cannot go wrong with it at all. There is so much that you can do with it. Yoga teacher training
petermarco
30 weeks ago
It's been 10 years since Ipod borned. I wonder what will iPod without Steve jobs aroud, I hope there will no problem at all.
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romanbalick
34 weeks ago
interesting and impressive review, thanks.
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gaudenzi90
35 weeks ago
Essential design, excellent quality of the sound. The new ipod has been a great success, confirming Apple's great sense of business (other than the high quality of its products).
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ggreen_007
38 weeks ago
Apple! The mere mention of Apple products and we vision quality and broad use. The continued lead in the market place hold little wonder when we consider the market passion for Apple products.
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adelino
40 weeks ago
As a photographer, I see that the collection of photographs that are here are very interesting. And also very artistic. Seen that they have enough experts in this field. safety signs
mierusozenito
41 weeks ago
Coincidence, that this was something I needed. I was not looking about this. However, I need it. So it is very coincidental. London Escort Agency
berlymegan
41 weeks ago
I want to know, if you say the course as a course that will be held at the Polytechnic University of Madrid. Thank you. memory foam mattresses
Susancai114
42 weeks ago
Very good review! We like what you say. They are very rational! hearing aid manufacturers
RogerK
1 year ago
The new Apple iPod Classic is more green than the older models, using recycled packaging materials and highly recyclable materials of its exterior casing. The display screen on the iPod classic may not be as good as those found on the iPhone and the iPod touch, but it is good enough for watching videos and playing games while you are on the go.
ashlesh pol
1 year ago
i had a 60gb 5g and still have a 30gb 5.5g
warsop1
1 year ago
Fantastic when I got it, fantastic still today.
shutternut
3 years ago
ipod classic is a great multimedia player. It has 120 GB memory of storage and play music for up to 36 hours. I just bought one on ikit.net at a discounted price. They also sell plenty of apple products. Share with u guys: http://www.ikit.net/apple-ipod/apple-ipod-classic/apple-ipod-classic-120gb-silver-uk-free-shipping-p-3206.html?osCsid=6ugn27pka07hoidrdn4pvm5vsjdlgbi4
JasonShaw
3 years ago
I've got the 80gb and it works like a dream. I even dropped it a couple of times and it works perfectly. I don't know who would need the 160gb though - I've only just filled 15gb on mine.
stevenscotland
4 years ago
i was thinking about getting an ipod classic or touch i need help cos i cant decide can anyone help me?