AT&T Tech Support 360Apple iPod (60GB, video, black)
Manufacturer: Apple Part number: MA147LL/A
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Get the affordable, sleek, and sexy 5G Apple iPod for its audio virtues. Although video looks great, poor video battery life and a relatively small screen hamper its appeal to video heads.
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CNET editors' review
Apple iPod (60GB, video, black)
price range: $195.95 - $199.99
- Reviewed by: James Kim
- Edited by: Jasmine France
- Reviewed on: 10/20/2005
- Updated on:01/26/2006
- Released on: 10/12/2005
The good: Incredibly thin and intuitive design; beautiful LCD; supports photo and video playback; seamless integration with iTunes, which boasts the world's biggest music catalog and a new video store; smooth video; lots of extra features, such as a world clock, a stopwatch, and PIM applications; a galaxy of accessories designed for the iPod; great overall value.
The bad: No extras included, such as a dock, A/V cables, or a power adapter; poor battery life for video; slight delay when playing video; no guarantee that your non-iTunes Music Store video will play on an iPod, even after using converted third-party software.
The bottom line: Get the affordable, sleek, and sexy 5G Apple iPod for its audio virtues. Although video looks great, poor video battery life and a relatively small screen hamper its appeal to video heads.
Those who follow gadgets know that Apple didn't invent portable digital video; companies such as Archos, Creative, and iRiver have produced good if not stellar products that play back video--and on larger screens with better battery life. But if Apple can do for video what it has done for audio--that is, deliver a hardware/software ecosystem that offers a decent choice of content and makes it easy to get video on to the iPod--then this device, like it or not, will be remembered as the one that started the portable digital video revolution.
The 5G iPod, which is available in white or Nano black and comes in 30GB and 60GB capacities for $299 and $399, respectively, is the best one we've used to date. Yet because it has added a major extra feature--video playback--to its solid, audiocentric foundation, there's room for improvement.
User reviews
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What's all the hype about ?
by Chris131 on October 14, 2005
Pros: None that I can tell
Cons: No User replaceable battery, 2.5 inch screen, Paying for Free TV shows
Summary: Let me start by saying that I'm not an Apple hater. I think they are a smart company and make a decent product. What I'm trying to understand ...
Summary: Let me start by saying that I'm not an Apple hater. I think they are a smart company and make a decent product. What I'm trying to understand is... Why there is so much hype surrounding this "video capable" IPOD ?
I think people should do some research before they shell out hundreds of dollars on a unit like this one. I know I did before I made my decision and I couldn't be happier.
I own an Archos Av 420, and have for over 6 months now.
I have thousands of songs on the unit, numerous photos and a bunch of TV shows. And Yes folks, the shows I have were free. I didn't pay $1.99 for each show. The Archos AV420 allows the user to set it like a TIVO. I have my unit turn on several times throughout the night to record numerous shows on different channels. I then watch those shows during my commute into NYC the next morning. Try doing that with the new IPOD. Hey, If I get tired of my TV shows and I don't wat to listen to any of my Mp3's, I can listen to FM radio on the Archos. I guess Apple forgot to include that feature too. The Archos AV 420 has a 3.5 inch screen and a user serviceable battery. Do I need to keep going ?????
There are options out there people Apple is not the only game in town.61 out of 92 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Everything you liked about the last iPod - but with video!
by Ufotofu on October 17, 2005
Pros: Finally plays videos, beautiful screen, easy to use, thin, good multimedia playback.
Cons: Unstellar battery life, little format versatility.
Summary: This new iPod is not a PVP (Personal Video Player). Rather, it is an mp3 player with video capabilites as a side feature.
That being said, let's get straight ...Summary: This new iPod is not a PVP (Personal Video Player). Rather, it is an mp3 player with video capabilites as a side feature.
That being said, let's get straight to business. This new iPod takes everything that was great about the "old" iPod, and makes it better.
With the old ipod, one had to pay $300 to get 20 GB of space, which wasn't very competitive with other players on the market. Now, though, Apple has bumped the capacity to 30 GB (for the same price), making it a much sweeter deal for the money.
With the old ipod, the screen was good. With this ipod, the screen is great, with 320x240 resolution and much more colors than the original screen. The diagonal is also a nice but not absurd 2.5 inches, so album art and videos both look great. 320x240 may seem like a bad resolution (especially if you view it on a computer monitor!), but it looks very nice on the iPod.
Apple has also somehow managed to make this ipod much thinner than the last one. I don't know how they did it! It's very pocketable and feels great in the hand. The click wheel is as easy to use as ever, navigation is a breeze, and the menus really "pop" off the screen. Ipods have always been amongst the easiest mp3 players to use, and this one is no exception.
The actual multimedia performance of the iPod is exceptional. Songs sound great, photos are nice and crisp, and videos are fun to watch. If I'm not mistaken, the ipod had TV-out capabilities, so you can hook it up to any TV and watch your videos on a nice big screen wherever you want. If you were staying in a hotel, you could plug it into the wall and then set it up to play whatever you wanted on the TV- maybe "Rush Hour" instead of whatever crappy movies they show at hotels.
With all its merits, the iPod is not without its flaws. The battery life is a usable but unspectacular 14 hours for music. Photos run around 6-7 and video at about 3. 3 hours of video is kind of a drag, but who would use it for that long anyways? Just charge it whenever you aren't using it. 3 hours is long enough for me.
The fact that the iPod plays just MPEG4 and H.264 also kind of bites. It's fairly easy to get software that will convert files/rip DVDs into those formats, but I'd prefer if it played MPEG1/2, DivX, AVI, or other formats right from the start.
All in all, the new iPod is a great choice for an mp3 player. You will get lots of enjoyment out of it, I promise. If you want advanced PVP capabilites though, don't get this. The iPod is NOT a PVP. PVPs are primarily intended for video- this player is not. The video feature is just meant to add to an already great player. If you're set on a 30 GB PVP, spend $150 more and get one, I won't stop you. However, if you just want a good mp3 player and some videos too, look no further than the ipod. It's stylish, easy to use, bargain-priced, and has a great screen. It's also made by Apple, so you know you can expect quality and reliability.19 out of 35 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Good for me. For you? Maybe.
by Machiavelli on October 28, 2005
Pros: Great design, decent sound, extremely bright screen, easy to use interface, some nice features, slim form factor
Cons: Great design (I'll explain), sound could be better
Summary: I just bought a 5G iPod yesterday and while I'm not blown away, I'm pretty happy with it. Now in the pro and con section above I mentioned ...
Summary: I just bought a 5G iPod yesterday and while I'm not blown away, I'm pretty happy with it. Now in the pro and con section above I mentioned the design is both a pro and a con, let me explain way. The device is arguably the best looking MP3 player on the market; its impeccable. The glossy finish, stainless steel backside, and huge screen is nothing less than capitvating. But, that also means you're going to be afraid to take it places unless you have a case. While the player comes with a case, its more of a "I forgot to get a case when I bought it so I have to use this until I get a real one" case. Its a simple slip case that will prevent scratches but your screwed if you drop it. So, if you're somebody who is paranoid over their electronics and deathly afraid of messing them up the iPod may not be for you.
The sound quality, while good, didn't blow me away. Make sure to turn lower the treble when you first open it up, or else you'll get annoying hissing sound. One nice aspect though is the warmness of the music I didn't notice on my previous iPod--the mini.
I have yet to test out the video capabilities on it, but the screen is really bright and I expect it will be nothing less than breathtaking.
Overall, the player is just as easy to use as any other iPod, sounds good, has more features than other players, and is a great value. Remember, even if you don't plan to use the video, its still a great value for $299. Remember, this is 30GB we're talking about. I still maintain, however, that this iPod isn't for everyone. If you put a lot of wear and tear on your electronics I advise getting the Sony HD5. I hope that helped!5 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great Step in the Right Direction
by hamma69 on October 14, 2005
Pros: Great Crisp Screen, Excelent Video Quality, Great Battery Life
Cons: Screen Could Be Bigger, Need Bigger Video Selection on Itunes
Summary: This is the best ipod that I have owned yet, which includes the nano. It has a great battery life(20+ hours), Great Clear Screen. It is thinner than the ...
Summary: This is the best ipod that I have owned yet, which includes the nano. It has a great battery life(20+ hours), Great Clear Screen. It is thinner than the 20 Gb photo 5th generation. Furthermore, I really like the music videos and tv programs on Itunes, which are affordable ($1.99 each). Bottom Line, Apple just keeps outdoing themselves. Only complaints that I have is the screen is a little on the small side for watching movies and videos, and there should be more of a variety of videos on Itunes.
4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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If you don't expect the world, you won't be disappointed
by threat15 on December 12, 2005
Pros: This is a great mp3 player. It's easy to work, it's designed intelligently, and now it can play video too
Cons: Battery life is obviously not great when it plays video, scratch magnet
Summary: Okay, so to cut through all the bull, I think overall that the 5g iPod is great. My 3g got stolen this summer, and I have been bummed the entire ...
Summary: Okay, so to cut through all the bull, I think overall that the 5g iPod is great. My 3g got stolen this summer, and I have been bummed the entire time (until December). I used my iPod in my car, it held my entire library, and it was crucial when taking BART to my classes at SF State. I never bought a iPod photo because I'm a practical person. Spend $400 to have color menu's and look at tiny pictures? Why? Now that the iPod has video and is only $269 with the student discount, it seemed like a better purchase. I use my iPod for what it's meant to be: Music. Like I said before, photo viewing isn't something I NEED. It's an added convenience. Watching video is something I will use from time to time, especially if they start getting more shows on iTunes. I actually downloaded an episode of LOST when I moved since Tivo missed it, and I watched it on my new iPod yesterday. It looks great- the only thing I don't like is the black levels...it looks foggy when different blacks are shown. Aside from that, it drains the batter fast...but that's okay, it's only something that I will use from time to time. They don't call it the iPod video for a reason...there is most likey something better coming along in the near future. I don't personally care, I bought this for the music, and that's what it's getting used for. i really wish they had left the finish the same as the older, fatter iPods. I like it to look nice, but it looks so nice that you almost don't want to use it because you will ruin the nice display. I also don't like the controls for shuffling playlists...you have to click shuffle songs, then go to the playlist. It would be nice to have a playlist menu where you can do that stuff. All in all, I'm very happy with my purchase, don't hesitate to buy one if you are thinking about it. Just make sure to get some better headphones (Bose Tri-port are $150 and sound really good, theyre a step down from the Quiet Comfort 2's) and a good case.
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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After more week, more scratches than in Grandmaster Flash's lifetime
by LeopoldStoch on November 1, 2005
Pros: video quality is solid for the product, nice size, looks sharp when you open the box
Cons: scratches, scratches, scratches
Summary: I bought this item before it was released in stores. I spoke to a few Apple reps on the phone, who told me that the Nano scratching issues were remedied ...
Summary: I bought this item before it was released in stores. I spoke to a few Apple reps on the phone, who told me that the Nano scratching issues were remedied before the release of the 5G. Given my past experiences with Apple products (previous IPods), I felt like rolling the dice on this one and going for it.
I bought it in black and received it a week ago. At first glance, it looked great. I had already coverted some avi's and mpeg's, and loaded it all up no problem. Television programs looked great on it, and for a few days I was watching videos on my commute. As a "free" add-on to the IPod, the video function surpassed my expectations.
Another overlooked benefit of the wider screen is the ability to see all the music in a more organized manner. More other features were identical, but looked great on the beautiful screen. Altogether as far as functionality goes, it was a great upgrade from my fourth generation 40GB model.
As I moved closer to the end of the week, I noticed a few hairline scratches on the surface of the IPod, which was a surprise given that I always kept it in the case provided by Apple. While I planned to purchase a skin as soon as they became available, I assumed that the pleather case provided by Apple would suffice.
A week after I received the IPod, the surface was covered in scratches. I was again surprised, as it had been in the Apple case, and I had only cleaned the surface with a microfiber eyeglass cloth. While most of the scratches were faint and could only be recognized in the light, one scratch was across the screen and significant enough to dampen the picture quality.
After a number of calls to Apple tech. support on this, I had little to no luck. I was simply told that "this was the first time
they heard of problems" and that "it is not covered under the warranty". Needless to say I expected tech. support to be more understanding given the lawsuit against Apple for the fragile Nano surface.
I latered scoured the net to find that a number of other consumers who recently outlayed a good $300-400 were also upset about the scratching. At that point, I had made a decision. After reaching an understanding service rep. in Apple's sales department, my 10% restocking fee was waived and my 5th generation IPod was on its way to Apple's return center in California.
I did really like the video capabilities and beautiful screen, so I'll be holding out to see how Apple addresses this issue before potentially buying either a new video IPod (and skin), or a competitor's product. It also explains my rating of 6. Features are great, but the lack of durability is simply not acceptable for a MOBILE audio/video device. So what's the moral of the story?
1)At this point, your 5th generation IPod WILL GET SCRATCHES even when using the case provided by Apple
2)If you buy this Ipod, don't customize it so that it can be returned within 14 days.
3)Always push to get the restocking fee dropped
4) Don't bother with tech support
5) Buyer beware (even with a strong brand such as Apple).3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great Addition but still Lacking
by TekSavvy on October 14, 2005
Pros: Slim Design, Color Options, Great-Looking Screen, Apple Product
Cons: No removeable battery, Lacks Firewire support
Summary: This is an elegant addition to the iPod family. The widescreen, the brightness, the fact that you can choose black or white, and the price is the same as the ...
Summary: This is an elegant addition to the iPod family. The widescreen, the brightness, the fact that you can choose black or white, and the price is the same as the previous Gen iPod color. I don't have a use for watching Music Videos on a 2.5" screen but they look great, if that's your thing. If you miss the real MTV, where they actually played videos, this may be the gadget for you...
Downside: How Apple could not include Firewire (which they own) is beyond me. If you are transferring 30 or 60GB of info, FW is much faster as far as real-time transfer goes. I assume that is how that were able to make it so thin. It's sad to see, again, that the battery is not removeable.
All in all, I am pleased with the Video iPod. Every product on the market has flaws and they may not be considered flaws because each user will have different needs. FireWire and a removeable battery may not matter to some users. This is close to perfection...3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Ipods #1 Priority is music, stop giving bad ratings for video.
by thummel1 on October 14, 2005
Pros: Battery life, Thinner, Larger Screen w/ vibrant colors, video feature, and the price.
Cons: Lacking screen size for video, but this is STILL a MUSIC player.
Summary: Apples recent product, the Ipod with a video feature struck my attention. I recently purchased the 60gb version of the ipod the day it came out (Oct 12th). The Ipod ...
Summary: Apples recent product, the Ipod with a video feature struck my attention. I recently purchased the 60gb version of the ipod the day it came out (Oct 12th). The Ipod is great. The larger screen is very nice for photo viewing and some videos. I understand that 2.5" isnt very much room to watch a movie on, but look at it this way. Apple's Ipods main purpose is for MUSIC. Video is second.
If you are buying a video player for watching videos, buy the archos or creative. Even buy the psp. They have the larger screens, but the Ipod is for music, and with that in mind they designed it with a form factor of having a small portable device to listen to music. The reason I prefer this over the archos and creative players is that this is smaller than those. It has the ability of giving you the movie feature with not all the space. If you are looking for a great music player, this is your choice. Apple's Ipod is known for MUSIC. The video feature is like another person said "The icing on the cake."
I gave this review a 10 to make up for the bashing that the new Ipod is getting. I would most likely have given the product a 9.
Overall, the Ipod is a superb music player. It has great features and it can play video.
I give it my approval.Updated
I ask you one question. If you went to randon civilized people and asked them "What is an Ipod?", and I could almost assure you that in one way or another they will respond with "Its a device that plays music." So, If apple were making a device with the sole purpose of making a pvp or pmp why would they give it their trademark name of the Ipod which is so highly known for its music! I can tell you. Its because Apple made this product to be a MUSIC PLAYER!
Also, everyone is complaining about needing a bigger screen. Well, if apple were to do that. They would need to make a better battery because that one would drain out quicker than ever. With a new battery its going to be bigger and heavier. The bigger screen than would make the entire Ipod bigger. Now, you've got the Ipod video with a 4 - 5 inch screen and now guess what. You will still most likely be able to only watch 4 hours of video. And now that the Ipod is much bigger, its going to make the ability to listen to music comfortably a hassle because it is so big its going to take up your whole pocket if it could fit in there the first place.
From my stand point I think apple made a great product. They designed it with music in mind. I think it is a great choice for music lovers that would like a little movie once and a while.6 out of 11 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Baby step towards iPod Video
by kapils25 on October 14, 2005
Pros: bigger gorgeous color screen, skinnier than ipod photo 20gb
Cons: screen still not large enough to enjoy a movie
Summary: That's what I feel like... this is really not a video iPod as it surely is not being called one. This one is just a regular iPod that "does ...
Summary: That's what I feel like... this is really not a video iPod as it surely is not being called one. This one is just a regular iPod that "does video" but how it does video on a 2.5" screen, I am not able to comprehend. I can't imagine seeing much detail in any type of video on a tiny 2.5" screen no matter how good the resolution is. I don't really see the point of this upgrade to 5G.
From what I can see, this is just one baby step towards a future video iPod that will likely have a bigger screen (at least 4or 5" & maybe wide-screen like PSP), better video handling capabilities, ability to transfer more video files (home-video, dvd, tivo-captured programming, etc) and perhaps even gaming capabilities to go head-to-head with PSP. If I were to buy an iPod with video, the first thing I would want to do is carry some of my dvd collection around on it plus some of my vacation video that I could play on my friends' tv. Although this iPod "does video", it only does video playback and offers no way to transfer your video collection. Though I do believe sometime in the future, we will get that capability.
I have been in the market to buy an MP3 player but was waiting to see what all the buzz was around this so-called video iPod. But now that it's here, I will be buying my personal favorite iPod Nano for now and wait till the REAL IPOD VIDEO comes out.Updated
I gave it a 9 despite my not-so-favorable review above and the reason is that at the core, it is still a music player and the best music player available in the market today. And who can question its tight integration with easy to use iTunes service that makes this package truly exceptional. Adding video playback is just icing on the cake though the icing could have been much better.6 out of 11 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Finally ponied up and bought one
by vwbuggy79 on October 14, 2005
Pros: Sleek form factor
Cons: Wish the hard drive was bigger
Summary: I had been waiting for this for a long time but was hoping for an 80GB to put all my high bit rate music in.
I have a visceral hatered ...Summary: I had been waiting for this for a long time but was hoping for an 80GB to put all my high bit rate music in.
I have a visceral hatered for 128kbps mp3. The only thing I can tolerate is 192kbps AAC. I have over 12000 songs ripped from CDs.
I am going to use this only for music but won't be able to fit all my music in one place.
Hopefully, Apple will get to an 80GB soon (Toshiba already has the drive for this) for those of us who want lossless playback or high bit rate play back.3 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Apple
- Part number: MA147LL/A
- Description: Witness the evolution of the revolution. First it played songs. Then photos. Then podcasts. Now iPod plays video, changing the way you experience your music and more. Again. In lighter, thinner model the iPod is music to your eyes. Time for the world's best music player to take the stage for another encore. Yeah, you've heard that tune before. Only now, you can watch it, too. With support for up to 150 hours of video and a 2.5-inch color display, the iPod lets you take music videos and TV shows on the road. Now you can put all your music in your pocket and still have room for, well, practically everything else. Catch up on your reading with audiobooks. Browse your memories with photo slideshows, complete with music. Watch video podcasts, music videos and your favorite TV shows. Consult your calendar or look up an email address. Even check the time in another city or time your fastest lap. The iPod keeps it all close at hand.
General
- Width 2.4 in
- Depth 0.6 in
- Product type Digital player
- Height 4.1 in
- PC interface(s) supported Hi-Speed USB
- Weight 5.5 oz
- Color Black
- Flash memory installed None
- Digital storage Built-in 60 GB Hard disk drive
- Dimensions (W x D x H) 2.4 in x 0.6 in x 4.1 in
- Voice recording capable Yes
- Included accessories Soft case, Docking station adapter
- Packaged quantity 1
- Digital storage media capacity 60 GB
- Software type Apple iTunes for Mac, Apple iTunes for Windows
- iPod Generation 5G
- Digital storage media type Hard disk drive
- Digital storage media form factor Built-in
Digital Player / Recorder
- Digital player supported digital audio standards WAV, AIFF, Audible, MP3, AAC, Apple Lossless
- Digital player response bandwidth 20 - 20000 Hz
- Digital player playback modes Playlist, All tracks repeat, One track repeat, Random play / shuffle
- Digital player edit functions Erase
- Digital player supported bit rate 16 - 320
- Digital player ID3 tags support Yes
- External hard drive function Yes
- Digital player additional features Variable bit-rate compatible
Video Playback Features
- Video playback support MPEG-4
- Still image format BMP, JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, PSD
Battery
- Required Qty 1
- Rechargeable Battery Rechargeable
- Battery Enclosure Type Integrated
- Technology Lithium ion
- Recharge Time 4 hour(s)
- Battery Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryIntegrated
- Mfr estimated battery life 20 hour(s)
- Battery Life Details Digital playback 20 hour(s), Slideshows with music 4 hour(s), Video playback 3 hour(s)
Audio System
- Sound output mode Stereo
- Additional features Hold button, Phone book, Built-in games, H.264 playback, USB 2.0 compatibility, Battery level indication, Rechargeable capability, MPEG-4 playback, Notes, Calendar, Upgradeable firmware, Date display, Photo wallet, Playback speed control
Cable(s) / Peripheral(s)
- Cable(s) included 1 x USB cable - External
System Requirements
- Peripheral / Interface devices USB port
- Min Operating system Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2 or later, Apple MacOS X 10.3.9 or later, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4 or later
Connections
- Connector type 1 x Docking station, 1 x Headphones / remote control / composite video Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm
Built-in Display
- Audio system built-in display LCD
- Diagonal size 2.5 in
- Resolution 320 x 240
- Backlight display Yes
- Display illumination color White
- Display menu language Spanish, Norwegian, Chinese (simplified), French, German, Finnish, Italian, Danish, Swedish, Dutch, Korean, English, Chinese (traditional), Japanese
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 1 year warranty
Audio Features
- Timer Sleep, Wake
- Built-in clock Digital clock, Timer
- Alarm wake-up modes Playlist
CD System
- Playback modes Program play, Skip playback, Repeat one/all, Random play
- Digital audio standards supported WMA, MP3, AAC
Equalizer
- Equalizer factory preset qty 20
Headphones
- Headphones type Binaural Ear-bud
- Sound output mode Stereo
- Response bandwidth 20 - 20000 Hz
- Impedance 32 Ohm
- Connectivity technology Wired
Product series
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Apple iPod (60GB, video, white)
Manufacturer: Apple
Specs: Digital player, None, AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF, Audible, Apple Lossless, 60 GB, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryIntegrated
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Apple iPod (60GB, video, black)
Manufacturer: Apple
Specs: Digital player, None, AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF, Audible, Apple Lossless, 60 GB, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryIntegrated
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Manufacturer: Apple
Specs: Digital player, None, AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF, Audible, Apple Lossless, 30 GB, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryIntegrated