Anyone here have the Video iPod?

[Starbucks Anarchist]

I was thinking of getting the 30 gig one for my birthday.

Any problems with the batteries, loading time, etc.? Thanks.

[Hissyspit]

1. I don't own one, but someone showed theirs to me.

It functioned very impressively - don't know anything about the batteries, loading time, though.

[flygal]

2. I do - love it!

Got one for Christmas from hubby. I live overseas so it's a great way for me to get shows which I watch at the gym on the treadmil and bike. The quality is excellent. The shows are starting to add up though - I bought the Daily Show package and spend about $30-40 a month. There is also a way to watch dvd's you already own on it - not sure how but saw someone elses.

The batteries last long enough for me to watch almost an hour on cardio and then listen to music while doing weights. The battery looks like it's empty after about 45 mins of video but still goes for a while with music.

And this how lame I am - I have no idea which one I have. It cost $300. I think there are two out there and I have the smaller one. Not too tech savy here. The loading time is not too bad. The battery takes about 20 mins to charge and I download TDS while I'm charging. Hope you get it!

[Starbucks Anarchist]

3. Thanks.

I might get the one you have. It's the 30 gig one.

But the battery only lasts 45 minutes for videos? Maybe it takes a lot of juice to play videos.

And as far as TDS goes, I think they have a new package where it's $9.99 for a month of shows. I might be wrong, but you might want to check it out and save money if it's true.

[LeftyMom]

4. I like mine

I have the 30 gig model in black. It's very spiffy.

I have noticed that every now and then the software freezes up and I have to restart it, but that's my only real complaint.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

5. How long does your battery last?

[LeftyMom]

6. I haven't really timed it

If I listen to it in the car for 90 mins-2hrs my battery's maybe 1/4 gone. More if I fiddle with the menus a lot it runs down much faster.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

7. Thanks.

[bbernardini]

8. Check out iPodlounge.com for battery tests. Best reviews around.

At least I think it's ipodlounge.com. They have REALLY comprehensive tests of the video iPods, including battery time for both video and audio under different circumstances.

[sir_captain]

9. The 60GB model has a bigger battery than the 30GB

by about 33%--consequently, it's a tiny bit thicker and heavier, though I doubt you'd really notice. I'd say I get about 6-8 hours out of it, which is ok, though not fantastic. If battery life is your biggest concern, there are some better options out there.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

10. Thanks.

Are there any problems with loading videos from iTunes? I think I heard something about the software being difficult to work with.

[sir_captain]

11. Well, there aren't any problems loading videos

that you *buy* from iTunes. Apple didn't want to let anyone use non-apple video formats, though, and so most of the standard video formats, like divx or xvid, won't work.

Edit: it's increasingly easy to download videos that are specifically formatted for ipods.