iLounge

With many people finding new iPods under their Christmas trees this week, our Inboxes and iLounge Discussion Forums have been flooded with questions from first-time iPod users and more experienced users who are getting their first chances to try current iPod models.

In this week’s “Post-Christmas Edition,” we have selected some of the most frequently-asked questions this week, and will hopefully provide some much-needed clarification on the hottest issues that our readers are experiencing.

For our readers who are completely new to the iPod experience, our Beginner’s Guide to Filling your iPod provides a necessary overview of how to get your iPod set up once it’s “out of the box,” specifically how to get your music, videos, and other content loaded onto it as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Now, on to your questions…

Q: I received a new iPod for Christmas, but I’m not sure if it’s really the model I wanted. If I wanted to exchange it for another type of iPod, what are the differences between the current models?

A: We strongly recommend that you check out our 2008 iPod + iPhone Buyers’ Guide right away—it’s filled with easy visual and other comparisons to help you make your pick. A quick summary is that there are four current iPod models: The iPod classic, the iPod nano, the iPod touch and the iPod shuffle.

The iPod classic, available in 80GB and 160GB sizes, is the sequel to Apple’s first iPod and currently the only hard drive-based model. This means that it contains a hard drive similar to the one found in your computer. This model supports audio playback, video playback, photo display, games, and basic PDA features (read-only calendar, contacts, and notes). The large capacity is very well-suited to those who want to carry around a lot of music or video content, but the size of the device and the presence of a moving hard drive means it is may not be the best fit for someone with an active lifestyle.

The iPod nano, available in 4GB and 8GB sizes is Apple’s smallest iPod with a screen. Unlike previous generations of iPod nano, the 2007 iPod nano (video) supports all of the same features as its larger sibling, and in fact sports a virtually identical user interface. This means that the only practical difference between the iPod nano and iPod classic is the physical size and capacity. Of course, the smaller screen makes it slightly less desirable for watching video content, but the smaller form-factor and flash memory means that it’s very well-suited for those who want an iPod for working out. Although almost all iPod accessories work with both the iPod classic and iPod nano equally well, the iPod nano is the only model that is compatible with the popular Nike + iPod Sport Kit.

The iPod touch is a completely different type of device from the traditional iPod. Available in 8GB and 16GB capacities, it has more in common with the iPhone than the other iPod models. Instead of the Click Wheel interface, the iPod touch uses a touch screen for almost all navigation and playback control. The large screen makes it ideal for video playback, although the 16GB capacity will limit the amount of video you can carry. The iPod touch supports audio playback, video playback, and photo slideshows, provides an editable calendar and contact list (with two-way sync to your computer), and includes WiFi support, an Internet browser, and even a YouTube application. It does not provide any support for iPod Games (beyond those which can be played through the web browser in range of a wireless access point). The iPod touch is a more versatile device, but the most important distinction from the traditional iPod models is that there are no hard-button controls, even for things like volume. This means you pretty much have to take the device out of your pocket and look at it in order to do something as simple as adjust the volume. Further, the iPod touch does not provide any kind of “disk mode” support, so unlike the other iPod models, you cannot use it as a portable hard disk to transport other types of data.

All three iPod models provide the ability to output video to a TV via the Apple Composite or Component AV cables. Almost every other video-out accessory currently on the market is not compatible with these devices.

The fourth model, the iPod shuffle, tends to fit in a category of its own, since it has no screen, and provides support for nothing other than sequential or random audio playback. It’s a small and ultra-portable iPod for somebody who just wants to listen to a fixed (and relatively small) collection of music, and can also be well-suited for workouts. The iPod shuffle may be a fit for some users as a “companion” to an iPod classic or iPod touch for users who want a smaller device for working out, but still want the other features of the classic or touch.

Q: My iPod accessory doesn’t work with my new iPod.

A: The 2007 series of iPods have brought with them some changes in regards to accessory compatibility, and as a result, some older accessories may not work with these newer model iPods.

The biggest issue by far this season has been video accessories. Video was introduced with the fifth-generation iPod released in 2005, and there have now been almost two years worth of accessories produced to output video from the fifth-generation iPod to your TV or other video output device. The bad news is that virtually none of these are compatible with the 2007 iPod models..

This issue is discussed in much greater detail in our article, Apple locks TV Out in new iPods, breaks video add-ons and has also been covered in previous Ask iLounge columns.

If you have received a new iPod video accessory for Christmas and it doesn’t work with your 2007 iPod model, your best option is to return it for a refund, or exchange it for a compatible iPod video cable. At this point, your only viable options are the expensive Apple AV Cables, although we expect to see additional compatible video output accessories released in the new year.

The good news is that most other accessories should work just fine with the current model iPod classic and iPod nano, with the following notable exceptions:

• The Apple iPod Camera Connector is no longer compatible with any current-generation iPod model. Although it was previously compatible with the fourth-generation iPod with color screen and the fifth-generation iPod, this compatibility has not been extended to the iPod classic.
• The Apple FM Radio Remote is not compatible with the iPod touch. The iPod touch simply does not contain the necessary software to support this device.
• The Nike+ Sport Kit remains compatible only with the iPod nano. This is not a dramatic change from previous years, but remains a point of confusion for some of our readers, particularly now that the iPod touch provides solid-state memory).

Q: How do I get video onto my new iPod? iTunes lets me convert CDs for my music, but when I insert a DVD, it doesn’t recognize it.

A: Unfortunately, since DVDs are generally copy-protected, iTunes does not provide any support for converting your DVDs into an iPod-ready format or transferring them onto your iPod, so you must either rely on content purchased from the iTunes Store (if available in your country of residence), or turn to third-party tools to convert your own DVDs (if legal in your country of residence).

We have written a number of tutorials on how to accomplish this, including an overview of the different resolutions and video formats for the different iPod models, guidelines on how to convert the video and some of the tools available to do so, and even a tutorial on how to properly organize and catalog your video content so it appears properly in iTunes and on your iPod.

Q: I just received a new iPod classic for Christmas, and cannot use it on my older PC or Mac.

A: The 2007 iPod models now require Windows XP SP2 and iTunes 7.4 as a minimum requirement. If your computer is running Windows 2000 (or any older version), or an older version of iTunes, your iPod will either not be detected at all, or will not be visible in iTunes, depending upon the specific model of iPod and Windows operating system.

For Mac users, the same logic applies, although the system requirements may be a bit more confusing. The iTunes application requires OS X 10.3.9, however the iPod models themselves require 10.4.8 or later (10.4.10 or later for the iPod touch or iPhone).

If your system does not meet these requirements, you pretty much have to upgrade your computer before you will be able to use your new iPod. Although this has taken many of our readers by surprise, it must be noted that both Windows XP and Mac OS X 10.4.x are already one version behind, and support for older (and now discontinued) operating systems cannot be guaranteed to continue indefinitely.

Third-party iPod management tools are available for users of unsupported operating systems, and some of these tools have specifically been updated to support the 2007 iPod models. However, in our experience most of these tools stop far short of providing a full-featured experience for iPod users—for example many of these only support the transfer of audio content to your iPod, not videos or photos.

While use of a third-party tool may work if you simply have no other choice, we strongly recommend updating to a more current version of your operating system to provide the best support and compatibility for your new iPod model.

Q: I received a new iPod for Christmas, but the included white Apple earbuds aren’t very good. Can you recommend a better pair for the iPod?

A: While the right set of earbuds can be a very subjective decision, our five-part series, The Complete Guide to Earphones is intended to cover most of the observations and experiences that we have from years of reviewing a wide variety of different styles and specific models of earphones.

If you’re looking for more specific information on a given pair of earphones, be sure to check out our Headphones and Earphones Reviews. Our very top picks are found in our 2008 Buyers’ Guide.

Q: I’m having problems with my new iPod. I have followed all of the instructions to set it up, but it’s not doing what it should.

A: It’s an unfortunate reality that out of the millions of iPods sold, some are going to have manufacturing defects or other problems. Fortunately, all iPod models come with a standard one-year warranty.

The key thing to remember is that in most cases, setting up an iPod should not be a complicated experience, and many of our readers mistakenly assume that if their iPods are not responding properly, they are the ones doing something wrong. Generally, the only exception to this is that problems with your computer can certainly affect your ability to connect and synchronize your iPod—if the computer cannot detect the device, then you will have a hard time getting it working. This can usually be diagnosed by simply trying to connect your iPod to a different computer, however.

If you are fortunate to live near an Apple Store, it’s definitely worth taking your iPod in to the local “Genius Bar” and having them take a look at it. This is a service that Apple provides as part of the iPod warranty, and in the very least they can help to determine whether or not the iPod itself is the problem. Diagnosing problems with your computer (unless it’s a Mac) will be beyond their scope, but even eliminating the iPod as a cause can help you focus on the real problem. Further, if the iPod is defective in some way, they can generally replace it for you on the spot.

Our article, Contacting Apple and Others For iPod, iTunes & Accessory Fixes provides some guidelines on how to troubleshoot your iPod, document your situation, and then contact Apple (or a third-party accessory manufacturer) to get assistance with your problem.