TELECOM Digest OnLine - Sorted: Questions and Answers: Apple's Video iPod

Questions and Answers: Apple's Video iPod

USA Today Staff (usatoday@telecom-digest.org)
Thu, 13 Oct 2005 17:38:12 -0500

Watching videos purchased at Apple's iTunes online store should be a
snap for tech-smart consumers. (Related item: Apple releases video
iPod)

USA TODAY's Jefferson Graham walks you through the process and answers
some common questions:

Q: How would I play a video on the new iPod?

A: Download the latest version of Apple's free iTunes software, iTunes
6.0 (www.itunes.com). The program manages digital media content on your
computer and takes you to the iTunes Music Store.

The iTunes store offers songs for 99 cents each, free audio broadcasts
from the likes of ABC News and National Public Radio and now 2,000
music videos, episodes from five TV series and shorts from animation
studio Pixar, the makers of Finding Nemo and The Incredibles.

Q: Once I download the video, what can I do with it?

A: Watch it on your Windows or Macintosh computer or on the new iPods.
You can burn the shows to a CD or DVD, but only as a data disk backup.

The files are copy-protected and can't be viewed on a DVD player for TV
playback.

Q: Can I connect a video iPod to my TV?

A: Yes. The video iPod has a video output and can be connected
directly to the TV. You could do the same with a laptop if it has a TV
output.

Q: How do I watch the videos on the computer?

A: Click the "Videos" tab in iTunes. Double-click on the video you
want. You'll see the TV program or music video begin to play in a
window at the bottom of the screen. Dragging and resizing the window
will give you a bigger image.

If you're savvy and know where the file resides on your computer, you
can also view it in your QuickTime media player by right-clicking on
the file (on Windows computers). The file won't play in Windows Media
Player or RealPlayer.

Q: How's the image quality?

A: The TV shows we downloaded Wednesday looked terrific, even at full
screen. Not as good as a plasma, high-definition TV image, but a good
sharp picture with excellent sound. The music videos, however, were of
lower quality.

Q: What's so revolutionary about being able to buy music videos online?

A: Music videos have been shown for free on the Web for years, with
Yahoo Music and AOL Music the two most-popular sites. Apple's iTunes
started showing music videos this year for free as well. However, they
are available for viewing only.

Wednesday marked the first major commercial deployment of online music
videos for sale.

Q: How many music videos are available?

A: Apple says 2,000. They are primarily from Universal Music Group and
include artists such as Kanye West, U2 and Shania Twain. Apple
wouldn't discuss its deals with labels Wednesday.

Q: Can I transfer other video content I own to the video iPod?

A: Yes, non-copy-protected videos (home videos, for example) can be
transferred, via Apple's $29.95 QuickTime Pro 7 software.

Q: Is the video iPod the first video player?

A: No, some personal digital assistants offer video playback, and
PalmOne's Treo 650 and several high-end cellphones even play live TV
on screens that are smaller than the 2.5-inch iPod.

Microsoft introduced portable video in 2004's Portable Media Center, a
bigger, bulkier and more expensive ($400 to $500) device from Samsung,
Creative Technologies, iRiver and other companies.

Copyright 2005 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

NOTE: For more telecom/internet/networking/computer news from the
daily media, check out our feature 'Telecom Digest Extra' each day at
http://telecom-digest.org/td-extra/more-news.html . Hundreds of new
articles daily.

For more USA Today headlines and stories, go to:
http://telecom-digest.org/td-extra/internet-news.html

Post Followup Article Use your browser's quoting feature to quote article into reply
Go to Next message: Catherine Arnst: "Online Dating"
Go to Previous message: Reuters News Wire: "Gemstar Sues Tribune Over Online TV Listings"
TELECOM Digest: Home Page