Media offers reviews of new video iPod player

Commenting on Apple's fifth-generation iPod, David Colker of latimes.com remarks that the device "is clearly superior to that of other hand-held video players," but says "it might be prudent to wait [...] especially if you already have an iPod." Colker cites the fact that video content currently available for the player is meager, but states that "the screen was so good, that after a half hour or so, the novelty wore off. Suddenly, I wasn't conscious of watching a tiny screen, or testing out a new toy. I was just watching the ladies of Wisteria Lane." David Pogue of The New York Times wrote about the new video-capable devices, saying that "they play back beautifully, with no network logo in the corner, no yearlong wait for the DVD, and no commercials." Pogue calls the device "deliciously thin," and also remarks on the screen size -- noting that "watching video on the tiny, 2.5-inch screen (320 by 240 pixels) is completely immersive." Pogue points to the lack of included accessories as a definite downfall.

Walter Mossberg of The Wall Street Journal and his assistant both tested nearly every aspect of the new devices, concluding that "this new iPod is an excellent music player [...] plus, it's a surprisingly decent video player, with crisp, smooth vivid playback of TV shows, music videos, short films, video podcasts and home videos." Mossberg cites as downfalls the lack of content available, the annoyance of holding the iPod in one position for extended periods to watch video content, and "laughing out loud in public, like a deranged person, at a funny scene only you can hear or see."

Filed under: iPod