Apple iPod Classic

Creative has announced a new product called the Xdock HD. It will be the only iPod dock that will upconvert video to resolutions of 720p or 1080i. This is very exciting for hi-def enthusiasts. The device will also convert audio to X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity. The good news doesn’t stop there. In addition to playing video on an HDTV in full surround sound the Creative Xdock HD will also wirelessly connect to remote speakers located throughout the home.

The Creative Xdock HD will allow you to browse your music, movies, podcasts and photos via an attractive HD-quality menu on your television. And it will allow you to do this wirelessly with its included remote control.

The product was designed with the goal to allow you to experience all the media you carry around with you on your iPod in HD in your home. Finally the bridge is made between portable device and high-quality HD entertainment system.

As far as connectivity goes you will have the option to connect your Apple iPod Classic via HDMI, component or composite video cables. For audio you can choose between analog and optical line out.

The Creative Xdock HD will include one X-Fi Wireless Receiver to wirelessly connect to a pair of remote speakers, and will be available in Spring 2008 for US$399.99. Additional X-Fi Wireless Receivers will be available for US$99.99.

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The iLuv Electronics I177BLK iPod Speaker System is the most recent development of a clock radio style device for your Apple iPod Classic (or any other iPod for that matter, including the iPod Shuffle). The iLuv I177BLK has a good and bright display with three adjustable dimmer settings including an option to completely turn it off. Additionally it has dual alarm settings so you can set it to go off at two different times, which is great if you are sharing it with someone who has to wake up at a different time than you do.

The sound quality on the iLuv iPod Speaker System is very good. It provides deep, rich and clear playback eventhough it is a smaller device.

The iLuv Electronics I177BLK iPod Speaker System includes a remote control, but also has function buttons on the system. The remote control is handy so you do not have to keep getting up to change songs. The iLuv has a built in charger and will charge your iPod as you sleep. It is good to know that your iPod will function as long as it is connected to the iLuv and you do not have to worry about the battery running down.

The built in AM/FM digital tuner provides good radio reception and gives you the choice to wake to the radio (or buzzer) if you ever wish to. Perhaps if you forget your Apple iPod Classic somewhere.

All in all the iLuv Electronics I177BLK iPod Speaker System is a great little device that delivers on it’s intended purpose. With two alarm settings, adjustable backlight, and superior sound quality you just can’t go wrong.

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The XtremeMac MicroMemo is a digital voice recorder for the Apple iPod. MicroMemo plugs into your iPod to record audio content directly. It can also record directly from a computer or soundboard. Unlike the Belkin TuneTalk, the MicroMemo includes a small speaker for instant playback of what you recorded.

Recordings are controlled via the iPod’s center button and are simple enough to make based on the selections that pop up on the iPod’s screen (record, pause, and so on).

MicroMemo features one-touch recording in 2 different quality levels: Low (default) and High. They are then saved as 16-bit audio at 44 kHz or 8-bit at 22 kHz WAV files. Recording time is displayed on your iPod screen. Voice recordings come out loud and clear; using a stereo mic brings even better results.

Recordings can be played back directly from the iPod and/or transferred to a computer via USB.

MicroMemo snaps into the bottom of the iPod and works without batteries or cables. The MicroMemo is available in black and white and comes in two versions: one for the iPod Video and one for the iPod Nano.

The XtremeMac MicroMemo is reasonably priced and does and excellent job of digital voice recording.

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The new iPod Classic offers little backwards compatibility with older model accessories.

The main frustration being experienced right now by iPod users relates to video cables. The iPod Classic requires the output cable to have an Apple authentication chip in it. Most existing accessories from third party vendors do not have the Apple authentication chip.

This “feature” was not well publicized and it appears consumers are running into unknowledgeable employees who are of the opinion that it worked in the old iPod so it will work in the Classic. But sadly this is just not the case.

The problem extends to the third party manufacturers themselves. They were not given advance opportunity to review the change in architecture so that they could roll out new accessories that would function with the iPod Classic right at launch. As it stands now they will be forced to play catch up for the next several weeks.

The real question is: Why the change? Is it a DRM thing? Is it a customer support issue where Apple was fielding too many calls that stemmed from poorly designed accessories? Or is it simply a money grab? Regardless it is unfortunate that anyone’s excitement will be dampened when they go to hook up their shiny new iPod Classic to their TV with their existing video cables and find out that it doesn’t work. And worse, they will have no idea why.

No Comments » Posted by Gregory / Accessories