13 Best Home Audio & Theater CD Recorders

Bestselling Home Audio & Theater CD Recorders in 2023

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What Videos to Watch on the IPod

We often get lost in the notion that the iPod technology was only meant to replace CD players for playing music. But now we might be missing that X-factor that could change the hand held phenomenon from boom box to entertainment center.

To know this we first have to make a comparison on the device itself. There are two ways to watch an iPod video. The first is the classic manner, with headphones on the ears and holding the screen closer to your face. This way is best suited for any type of long term transportation (planes, trains, and automobiles). Perhaps the more upside way would be with the extension system, a cord and holder that connects to the television and projects the video onto a much larger screen. Believe it or not, either method actually has a different effect on the types of videos you want to watch on them. Before we go through those though, it's important that we factor in the types of videos that you absolutely do not want to watch on an iPod in ANY form.

One of the major drawbacks of playing from a small device is the difficulty of crafting proper visual detail. While there are fast coming more and more HD videos and the players to go with them, the fact remains that the small screens or the projection devices can never match the abilities of a DVD or Blu-ray disc. That is why anything, be it a movie or TV show that is heavily reliant on visual detail should be avoided. Any movie huge on special effects (Twister, Transformers, Avatar) are off limits. Television programs like the Planet Earth documentary or sporting events are better viewed live rather than re-hashed for the hand held. The heavy pixilation that often goes into an iPod video could potentially ruin the dramatic effects such stunning visuals can have. Don't fret, though. That is the limit of the drawbacks.

We'll start on the movie side of the video equation. Movies in general are long, almost always in excess of eighty minutes. Keeping the neck craned looking down at a small screen for that long is close to impossible. For this reason, it is best to view movies with the projection device onto the television so you may grab the popcorn or in some cases, the nachos; though heaven knows why you would do that without a slushi close by. Am I right? Boiling down to the type of movie, be very careful about any kind of epics, from Ben Hur all the way to the Lord of the Rings. These movies exceed the dreaded three hour mark (when the butt cramps start) and can chew up a remarkable amount of hard drive space. Better to keep it at the hour and a half line, permitting more choices depending on mood. Next, try to keep the genres to a fixed type. Horrors, actions and science-fiction don't translate well to the iPod, while comedies and dramas don't require the image presentation, relying more heavily on character and story, making them prime choices. Animation is also good, though there is still a dispute about hand drawn versus digital. The war goes on I suppose since both have ups and downs.

Television is another thing entirely. Behind music, TV episodes are the next best thing for a road trip. Ranging between 20-45 minutes in length, they can chew up the endless mile signs and gas stations at a fast clip, sometimes even negating the need for a bathroom break. Though of course nobody wants to pee their pants, so when nature calls, press the pause. Due to the episodic format of television, it is a great deal easier to leave for other activities. While there are still restrictions, the less viable nature of television special effects permits more opportunities for the inclusion of action and sci-fi shows. Perhaps no genre enjoys the small screens more than the good old cartoon. I'm not just speaking of the Animation Domination that the Fox Network is so proud of. I also speak of the old guard that was left behind in the '80s or the Snick toons when Nickelodeon was on top of its game. No genre has enjoyed a comeback quite like this because animation is good in any format, big or small, because the characters are easier to make out and thus, easier to connect with.

So the next time you have your iPod, you're getting ready to ride the train on the sound waves of another Lady Gaga album, stop for a second and think. Why put all my reliance into one sense when I could be using two? Forget the album; watch a bunch of music videos. You get the catchy tune and a freaky video sequence to go with it. Need a laugh? Go on another crazy adventure with Bugs Bunny or the Glee Club. Don't be shy about grabbing the sports highlights either. Maybe your favorite team had some memorable plays you want to treasure forever. Now you'll have it in the palm of your hand. The possibilities for the video parts of the iPod continue to grow, and it is my sincere hope that the day will come when we can abolish the storage shelves, look at that tiny black device on the cable box and say, "Dude, want to see my video library?" Scroll, scroll, scroll...