CNET Editor's rating: 8.0 out of 10
Reviewed by
Donald Bell
Review date: 09/10/07
Release date: 09/07/07
The good: The iPod Classic is just like the fifth-generation iPod with video, only slimmer, tougher, and injected with a more visually rich graphical user interface.
The bad: Video output now requires a proprietary cable; audio quality has not improved; some older iPod video accessories may not be compatible; users are required to use the latest version of iTunes, which may not work on some older computer systems.
The bottom line: The iPod Classic is a refinement of the formula that put the iPod on the map. Few can match its combination of storage capacity, battery life, and advanced user interface.
Editor's note: This review has been updated to include battery life data resulting from CNET Labs' testing.
The iPod Classic is the latest revamping of Apple's iconic hard drive MP3 player, formerly known as the Video iPod or fifth-generation iPod. As Apple's only remaining high-capacity MP3 player, the iPod Classic comes in both 80GB ($249) and 160GB versions ($349), available in black or silver.
Design
Cosmetically, the iPod Classic's improvements over its predecessors are minor. An anodized-aluminum faceplate now replaces the glossy, all-plastic facade found on the previous generation. Overall thickness has also improved, with the 80GB iPod Classic now measuring 2.4x4.1x.41 inches--just a fraction of an inch thinner than the 30GB Video iPod we had in our lab. The screen, however, is still made from scratch-prone plastic (unlike the iPhone's and iPod Touch's), and the chrome found on the back cover still begs for smudges.
The iPod Classic is nearly identical to the 30GB fifth-generation iPod (right). The iPod Nano (left) now shares all iPod Classic's capabilities, but in a much smaller format.
The Classic's most impressive design improvement is its dramatically overhauled menu system. One of the most striking changes is a split-screen main menu that displays the selections on the right half of the screen and a picture related to the selection on the left. For example, highlight the Music selection on the main menu, and the right half of the screen displays a random, drifting close-up of cover artwork from your music library. This same effect accompanies menu items such as movies, podcasts, and photos. Some might write off this split-screen effect as pure novelty, but the end result is quite beautiful. The Cover Flow system, for browsing your music collection with an emphasis on album artwork, finally makes its Classic debut, although Cover Flow does lose some appeal when not on a touch-screen device such as the iPhone. We also found a noticeable amount of lag using Cover Flow. Users with large music collections to sort through will prefer browsing using the list mode or search function. That said, Cover Flow makes for a scenic and engaging, if slow, way to browse your music.
Features
The iPod Classic has very few new features to talk about. Support for video and music playback, as well as photos, podcasts, and video games, are virtually unchanged.
The iPod Classic supports H.264 or MPEG-4 video in MOV, MP4, or M4V file formats, with a maximum resolution of 640x480 at as much as 30 frames per second. You can buy videos through the iTunes online store or import them into iTunes and convert them for playback. (Many third-party software video converters also do a great job converting videos for the iPod.) The Classic supports many of the video features we look for in portable video players. For instance, the Classic can recognize and skip between the DVD-like chapter markers embedded in QuickTime movie files. It also does a dependable job automatically resuming video playback at the point at which you last left off. Closed captioned subtitles can now be switched on and off for video files that support them.
The iPod Classic comes packaged with a proprietary USB cable, a set of earbuds, and a universal dock fitting.
Looking past the obvious big-ticket improvements, the new Classic includes some small touches that are easy to miss. Apple's music shuffle function, for instance, has made a subtle evolution, now letting you easily engage and disengage the shuffle function on the fly, with just a few clicks of the scroll wheel's center button. By placing the shuffle setting options (Shuffle Song, Shuffle Album, or Shuffle Off) in a song's Now Playing window, Apple is effectively giving you the ability to randomize songs until you find an artist you like--a lazy listener's dream come true. We're also happy to see that Apple has bundled three video games into both the iPod Classic and the Nano, giving us yet another way to stay distracted.
Apple's audio file format support remains the same. Copy-protected AAC files purchased through iTunes are supported, of course, as well as MP3, Apple lossless, AIFF, WAV, and Audible files. We're happy to see that despite the iPhone's unique file management requirements, the iPod Classic allows for manually adding and deleting music and video files without the hassles of playlist syncing. The Classic can also double as a USB hard drive in a pinch.
While the iPod Classic is a top-tier product, we long for some additional features, including the ability to use the headphone jack as a composite-video output, allowing photos and videos to be played to your television set without a third-party interface. While we can understand removing the little-used AV output feature to save on construction costs, we're even more surprised that Apple has rendered all of the recently released iPods incompatible with a number of third-party 5G video accessories as well. If you're hoping to use a new Nano or Classic with an existing video dock, be sure to check that the product explicitly states it is compatible with the iPod Classic. Apple's own Universal iPod Dock ($50) and component AV cable ($50) are guaranteed to work, of course.
Plus, there's our standard list of long-neglected iPod features: FM radio, line-input recording, SD memory expansion, custom EQ, and native support for WMA and subscription music services. We're not holding our breath.
Performance
Despite the major interface overhaul, the iPod Classic's sound quality still sounds just middle-of-the-road. Although middling sound quality doesn't seem to affect iPod sales, you'd think Apple would eventually address this long-standing complaint--if only out of pride. Users do get more than 20 equalization presets to choose among--ranging from subtle enhancement to dramatic bass boosting. Compared to products such as the Creative Zen V Plus, the Cowon iAudio 7, or the Toshiba Gigabeat U, however, the iPod's sound quality still leaves room for improvement. That said, after listening with our Ultrasone HFI-700 headphones as well as a set of Shure SE310 earphones, we can say with confidence that the Classic's fidelity will certainly satisfy most users.
The Cover Flow mode on the iPod Classic is a little slow, but it's a beautiful touch.
Video playback was the most impressive aspect of the iPod Classic. While we were impressed by the crisp resolution of the iPod Nano's smaller 2-inch screen, the 2.5-inch screen found on the iPod classic is easier on the eyes. Both players share the same 320x240 resolution and are capable playing files encoded at 640x480. By purchasing an additional component AV cable from Apple, it's possible for users to output resolutions up to 480p (720x480) to a television.
Aside from the increased storage capacity and upgraded interface, the iPod Classic's enhanced battery life is one of the better reasons to fork over your money. The 80GB Classic is rated at 30 hours of audio playback and 5 hours for video, while the 160GB version promises 40 hours of audio and 7 hours for video. While products such as the Archos 405 will deliver similar results for video playback, MP3 players capable of 30 to 40 hours of audio playback are a rare find. Our CNET labs team found the 80GB iPod Classic is capable of 45 hours of audio playback and nearly 9 hours of video playback under realistic conditions. Although we didn't have the opportunity to test the 160GB iPod Classic, we think it's reasonable to expect that it will at least match, if not surpass, these results.
Is it worth upgrading?
If you're looking for an iPod that can store more than 16GB of music and video, the iPod Classic lineup is the only option now available to you. Those of you with more modest storage requirements of 20GB to 60GB will simply have to step up to the 80GB model or consider an iPod alternative. For file-hoarders anxious to break the 80GB Video iPod storage limitation, the 160GB iPod is a logical step forward.
Before you leap, however, you should know that the iPod Nano, the iPod Classic, and the iPod Touch, all require iTunes 7.4 or later in order to be compatible with your computer. We recommend testing the compatibility of the latest version of iTunes with your computer before making the purchase.
The iTunes factor
No iPod review would be complete mentioning Apple's iTunes music software. For better or worse, the integration between an iPod and Apple's iTunes music software is nearly airtight. If this is going to be your first iPod, it's worthwhile to download iTunes ahead of time to see if it works well on your computer and is intuitive for you to use. You should also be aware that most of the music and movies available for purchase on the iTunes online store will play only in iTunes or on an authorized iPod and cannot be transferred to a non-Apple MP3 player.
Final thoughts
As the availability of high-capacity hard drive MP3 players seems to be on the decline, we're happy to see that Apple is continuing to develop them. The iPod Classic doesn't deliver the novelty of the iPod Nano or the iPod Touch, but it is still one of the best-designed high-capacity MP3 players on the market.
4 out of 10 - Mediocre revised model w/ very significant flaws
I've got the 80gb version of this and I simply can't recommend it, at this time. The new ...
I've got the 80gb version of this and I simply can't recommend it, at this time. The new eye candy introduced (imagery to the right of menus) w/ the iPod classic has made navigating the menus unacceptably slow. There are frequent pauses and delays as images are loaded on the fly.
With no way to de-activate these graphic elements, these navigation delays make the iPod classic very frustrating to use.
And Coverflow, though it looks cool, is too twitchy to be useful.
My advice: wait for either a revised model or, at least, a major firmware update before purchasing.
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by chrisjscott (see profile) -
September 12, 2007
3 out of 10 - Poor Slow clunky interface kills the deal
I'm curious as to whether CNet actually tested the video out ability on the Classic through the headphone jack? ...
I'm curious as to whether CNet actually tested the video out ability on the Classic through the headphone jack? Reports from iLounge and Arstechnica suggest that the video output has been disabled through the headphone jack and now only works through the dock connector, and that is limited to Apple supported products.
The interface is significantly slower and other users on the Apple forums are reporting that audio is even skipping whenever they attempted to browse through their music while a song is playing. This is absolutely unacceptable!
I know Jobs wants more people to buy the iPhone/iPod Touch, but if you're going to appease those of us who want more storage over cool screens, please make sure the product actually functions just as well or better than the last product.
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by LifeStar (see profile) -
September 12, 2007
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Holds Most Songs, With iPod Classic 160GB and use WinAmp and V-MODA Vibe Earphones!!!
I was using an iPod Video 80GB for about a year while waiting for the long-awaited Touch. When it recently ...
I was using an iPod Video 80GB for about a year while waiting for the long-awaited Touch. When it recently was introduced, like many others, I was disappointed. I loved and want all the features of the iPod Touch but since I was not able to fit my music collection on 80GB, going backward to 16GB flash memory was not acceptable. I settled on the new iPod Classic 160GB for the size of the disc. With the recent firmware upgrade, the new interface is very nice so ignore earlier negative comments about it being slow and clunky. I have tried most every player available and while I do like Creative and some of the Sansa's, the 160GB Hard Drive is the closer for me. I do wish the iPod had a radio like many other players, however, the radio I want is not found on any player and that is AM. The biggest problem with an iPod is based upon the ongoing battle between Microsoft and Apple. For that reason, Apple supports only iTunes for managing, downloading and buying music. All other players can work with most any type of file except the Apple AAC format and also support drag and drop. They will also work with all the music subscription services. The iPod works with none of them, if you need that. Apple plays the game by providing their music in AAC format, proprietary to Apple. Fortunately, those are easily converted to Lame MP3 format which is compatible with any MP3 player.
If you are a PC user, you will be frustrated with iTunes becasue Apple purposely has done little to make it completely compatible with Windows. On every brand of PC I have tried and with every release of iTunes, if you are downloading many songs at once, iTunes contastantly freezes up. If you don't believe me, go to the Apple website and read their user comments on the support section. Bottom line. If you want the most storage, ( I have more than 17,000 songs at 192 kBPS and am ony 2/3 full) slickest and easiest interface and overall good experience, dump iTunes and get the latest WinAmp 5.5 Pro. Unlike many programs claiming to be but are not compatible with the iPod, WinAmp 5.5 Pro is compatible and even supports Podcasts. It also finds cover art and does so much more than any software player there is no way to write about all of it here.
Finally, I would say this. Whatever device you use, if you want to increase the sound quality 100 times or more, get rid of the cheap earphones and get the V-MODA Vibe Earphones. They are in-ear type and noise cancelling and come with several sizes rubber ear pieces in clear and black and won't fall out if while running. The sound quality is comparable if not better than the best Shure or Bose. They retail for $99.95 but I have seen them as low as $69.95 at Costco and elsewhere. They are like wearing a high-end sound system from your living room on your head. I have 30 years experience in the sound industry so I know a little about this subject. I take my comments seriously becasue owning an iPod for me is almost Blasphemy. I am not an Apple fan and have tried their products since the apple 2E+ days. (1982)
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by Coto de Caza (see profile) -
November 10, 2007
7 out of 8 users found this user opinion helpful.
1 out of 10 - Abysmal Works okay if you only buy content from itunes
I feel like I wasted $350 hoping I would get more space from my 5th gen 80GB ipod that was ...
I feel like I wasted $350 hoping I would get more space from my 5th gen 80GB ipod that was perfect, and realized I just wasted alot of money. They took the 5th gen, made it pretty and deleted all of the features of the older ipod that I loved. Now I don't want to even use the new one, especially since it seems that Apple is ignoring every question I have for them. About playing content not from itunes, there will be problems, I promise, at least one if not more. And on top of that I was the lucky one who didn't get a million problems with actually using it (meaning defective ipods) there are tons out there, so be careful. Think and shop around before you are so quick to buy a new classic, just so that you also don't waste $350 without knowing exactly what you are getting. Be a smart buyer.
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by erikottowegner (see profile) -
October 20, 2007
7 out of 10 - Very good Very Nice mp3 player -- but you have to use itunes
I've never been able to find a portable mp3 player that would suffice for my needs. Thus, I've ...
I've never been able to find a portable mp3 player that would suffice for my needs. Thus, I've always played out of my laptop into a stereo system... so, this is actually my first (portable) MP3 player. My needs were simple - a huge drive and good battery life. I could care less about video abilities - that's strictly a novelty, in m opinion. I went with the Ipod Classic 160 GB because dollar for dollar - it can't be beat at this time. You get all the advantages of Ipod (accessories, ubiquity, etc) without the usual exorbitant fees of an Apple user.
The ipod classic is a fine piece of technology and you won't go wrong buying it. Lag time is really not bad, and with 80 gigs of music on it, I have yet to have any stutters or problems while scanning through cover art, etc.
The big negative for the moment is: Itunes. For the moment, it is the only software which will work with the Ipod Classic. No Winamp, No Media Monkey, etc. I sure hope (and expect) that will be solved very soon as this is the biggest downside to the ipod classic. Itunes is junk, if that's a news flash for anyone. Version 7.4.1 is still lacking and a real downgrade from plenty of other software - including Windows Media Player 11.
Sonically, the Ipod classic is fine. It's an mp3 player, you know? If you want flawless sound, don't play mp3's; and don't ever expect lossless files played through DACs that are tiny enough to put in a portable mp3 player to do the job as well as a true hi fi system.
btw - I'm a PC user and not a member of the cult of Mac. However, I know a good product when I see it, and the Ipod Classic is such a product. Once someone figures out how to make it work with WMP11, MM or WINAMP, it will rock.
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by sma_LA (see profile) -
September 15, 2007
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
6 out of 10 - Good standard iPod - which is a good thing and a bad thing
I bought the 160GB only for its storage capacity. I had recently re-ripped all of my music at lossless quality ...
I bought the 160GB only for its storage capacity. I had recently re-ripped all of my music at lossless quality so I could stream music at home at a respectable quality.
I am an audio snob, and the problem I have with the iPod is that the quality of their iPod hasn't improved. My zune playing a 160kbps MP3 sounds as good if not better than this iPod playing the same track at AAC lossless quality - in both cases through either Shure or Grado headphones. It's great that the iPod supports lossless formats (which the zune doesn't), but it seems pointless if Apple isn't willing to spend a few more dollars to build with better quality components.
The video review notes that the device is pretty slim, but please realize that slim is only true on the 80GB version. The 160GB version is definitely not slim. It is almost as thick as my zune.
If I had never used anything other than the iPod over the past 5 years, I'm sure I would tell you that the menu system is genius, but that's not the case. I'm sure it is just user preference, but I think that the twist navigation on gigabeats, zunes, etc. is significantly better. The menu on the iPod is also pretty sluggish. I certainly would not call it responsive.
On a positive note, I can now listen to the 1 audiobook and 2 songs that I've downloaded from iTunes.
Before anyone comments that I'm just giving an average - good review because it is apple, please note that I have a mac at home and this is my third iPod. One of these days I'm hoping that they build some better quality into their iPods. Unfortunately, Apple can't release any updates to the player I just bought that could make up for its sub-standard DAC.
3 out of 10 - Poor dis **** B gettin robbed yo!
if ya wanna knock a brotha out and keep yo pimp hand strong iSmackin up ya hoes, dis **** be fo ...
if ya wanna knock a brotha out and keep yo pimp hand strong iSmackin up ya hoes, dis **** be fo ya. da white man be makin me rob lyke 45 banks fo dis foo, i aint no bank robber, i aint no denzel, my money aint be growin on trees, but my chronic do though.
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by JCirriSuxCox (see profile) -
December 18, 2007
3 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular good product that's why i bought it but pricey.
just make sure you power cycle this ipod once in a while and you'll be alright. i loved it ...
just make sure you power cycle this ipod once in a while and you'll be alright. i loved it when i first saw it. still lovin it.
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by HuskyDude (see profile) -
February 12, 2008
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Very Good MP3 Player
I've had this iPod for about 1 month and I'm very pleased with the performance. I had the ...
I've had this iPod for about 1 month and I'm very pleased with the performance. I had the iPod touch and honestly like the picture on the classic better than the touch. Also, the fact that it has 160gb of storage is fantastic. The only problem is that it can be a bit slow in swithing songs or going through the menus.
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by sjohns2 (see profile) -
February 6, 2008
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
4 out of 10 - Mediocre serious software issues
My husband and I ordered two engraved 160GB Black iPod Classics through the Apple website the day after it's ...
My husband and I ordered two engraved 160GB Black iPod Classics through the Apple website the day after it's release, and they arrived this morning (7/13/07). I immediately uploaded almost 4,000 photos while my husband left his laptop supposedly synching his songs in his iTunes program to his iPod. His songs won't upload...we'll have to investigate that when he gets home from work. My problem is that when I click on a thumbnail I get a black screen...only a very few photos actually would show up full screen (3 or 4). BUT...if I let it play a slide show of the photos, they will all show up fullscreen, which means the images are on the iPod, they're just not being accessed correctly in the normal viewing mode. I spent over 1.5 hours on the phone with tech support trying many things, including re-installing the iPod software, deleting all the photos and re-uploading only 8 as test photos...nothing resolved this issue.
They're supposed to get back with me within 3 business days in hopes of having a solution. I haven't tried to upload songs or movies yet...that'll be next...but I've spent all morning frustrated over what should've been a very simple process.
In regards to the iTunes program, you cannot just drag-and-drop photos to add or delete. It syncs every folder you checkmark on your computer...so, if you forget to checkmark something on your computer, it deletes it from the iPod when it syncs. To delete one photo from the iPod, you have to remove it from the folder on your computer, then sync, again, remembering to check every folder of photos you want to keep on the iPod. Not very user friendly for me!
I have a 2nd generation iPod which has worked marvelously for me...I wasn't expecting to have any problems with the Classic model. I hope it's fixed soon...I can't wait for a de-bugged, completely usable unit!!!
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by naosha1 (see profile) -
September 13, 2007
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