My guess - the next gen Video iPod will have optical out

[rgbyhkr]

Firstly, let me say that this isn't based on any rumor site info I've seen anywhere. This is just my personal speculation. Secondly, I don't see this as some grand idea, just an educated guess based on what's believed to be true about the next gen video iPod. It probably could be classed as a logical conclusion to draw, but I really haven't seen it discussed and since it would benefit us Head-Fiers, I thought it was worth discussing.

Here's what is said to be true about the next iPod:

- The unit will have a larger 3.5" to 4" screen for better portable video viewing
- It's been speculated that the next gen screen will have a higher resolution than the current 320x240 to keep the larger screen area looking good.
- While there have been reports of technical issues and limited parts availability that are holding up the release, the other big issue is a deal with the movie studios to offer their content on ITMS. Jobs apparently thinks that full-length movie content is important to the success of an iPod squarely aimed at portable video watching and wants deals in place before launching it.
- If the screen res is higher, we could see higher res downloads for movie content. That would also make video output to larger displays more enjoayble. It would substantially increase download file sizes, so there's definitely a trade-off. But again, if the device is much more video centric, I could see higher res video offerings on ITMS.
- The current ITMS videos are Mpeg-4, which can technically include 5.1 audio encoding

Obviously, the current iPods could have had optical audio outs included. However, it may have impacted size, weight, battery life, and/or cost. For mostly music listening, they probably figured that it wasn't necessary (of course many here would disagree). The question is would the thinking change for a next gen device that was more video centric?

I think it will. The primary intention would be for video, especially Hollywood movie, surround soundtracks. This would be primarily useful for connection to external displays and surround systems. The side benefit is the ability to bypass whatever internal DAC they use, good or bad.

All speculation, but not a huge stretch IMO. What do you guys think?

Jeff

 

[smeerkaas]

it thought optical outs weren't used because it made sharing too easy

the music and movie industrie isn't too fond of this

 

[Bosk]

They wouldn't really need an optical out if they had a decent DAC and amplification in the first place though.

 

[smeerkaas]

you'll never get the quality of a microstack into a DAP

 

[wolfen68]

Apple would probably be the last company to implement an optical out. It's too far off the DRM bandwagen for them. Also, it's a feature that few people would appreciate, and they cater to the masses.

 

[rgbyhkr]

Well, every current Apple computer except the eMac offers optical outs. So does the Airport Express and the Hi-Fi has an optical in. So, it's obiously an I/O type Apple is comfortable with. Beyond that, those devices obviously can playback Apple's DRM ITMS content and I haven't heard anything about the record companies objecting to it.

Now, a portable device is a bit of a different animal as Apple doesn't actively prevent me from transferring music off a computer, but they do on the iPod (which is just about the easiest thing to workaround, of course). Just like with music upload prevention, I could see them being able to implement some form of copy protection flag on the optical out. It would be recognized by standalone burners which already have such measures in place to prevent copies of copies.

I mean, really, if portable CD players, portable DVD players, portable MD players, computers of all types, etc all have optical outs, it doesn't seem like a new frontier. Sure, Apple dominates the portable MP3 market and thus they can't "fly under the radar" like some products do, but in the end you're talking about real-time recording via an optical out. That's a huge PITA. The bigger issue is the music offloading which already can be done very easily. If the record companies aren't screaming to have that changed, I don't see how an optical out would be a big sticking point.

Jeff

 

[Oliver :)]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgbyhkr I don't see how an optical out would be a big sticking point.

Me neither. It would be a great thing to have, just use the same approach as with the Macs & APX (3,5mm combined analog/digital jack).

But then I'd buy a Micro DAC... and a new bag to hold it... and a little wagon to pull batteries after me... APPLE DON'T DO IT!

 

[nikongod]

the problem with an extra jack is that it is an extra jack.

in the intrest of making a portable player slimmer, and more "back pockateable" i would drop the jacks, and necessary circuitry. then i would save some board space, and get the case smaller.

small cases sell mp3 players. optical conections dont do jack for sales...

 

[rgbyhkr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikongod the problem with an extra jack is that it is an extra jack. in the intrest of making a portable player slimmer, and more "back pockateable" i would drop the jacks, and necessary circuitry. then i would save some board space, and get the case smaller. small cases sell mp3 players. optical conections dont do jack for sales...

I hadn't considered that and it's a good point. I've seen combo 3.5mm audio and video jacks as well as combo 3.5mm analog audio and optical jacks. What I've never seen is a combo 3.5mm A/V jack with optical out probably because you couldn't use a single cable to output the video signal as well as the digital audio (assuming again that the primary reason for putting it there would be for movie surround audio).

However, what about putting a combo line out/optical 3.5mm jack on the a new dock? It probably would be an optional item so it wouldn't be a forced buy for users who don't want it. It would be intended more for connection to an external system like the S-video jack is now and therefore might make more sense on the dock. That seems pretty plausible.

Jeff

 

[nikongod]

it really dosnt cost the "end user" more to have a "multi-board" except in space. it is quite clear that mp3 player size is a BIG consideration to people. adding the actual circuitry to the mp3 player would add very little to the price for people who didnt want the optional outputs, the problem coems in board space. board space trickles to total size for portable devices. it is pretty obvious that a smaller board can fit in a smaller case.

at this point:
it would be better off as 2 totally seperate mp3 players at that time. vacant board space is still space. 2 sq inches on an 8(double sided/16)sq inch board is VERY valuable. think of owning a city BLOCK in manhatan/nyc, and just letting it sit with no buildings.... BUT this tactic is comonly used on home based, and some older portables (with and without remote options for example) cd players. you have the equavalent of iowa to build a circuit on, and land is cheap.

the above mentioned 2sq inches is even more valuable when you think that it could be making the board "slimmer" (1.5"wide rather than 2") and then the battery could possibly fit better.... and the size DROPS.

please note: values for sizes are estimations, but should be reasonably accurate.

 

[Lad27]

iRiver should get a message now. They've dropped optical from H1XX series after upgrade to H3XX - that must've cost them thousands of lost sales and single handedly give H120 and H140 a cult status.
As for Apple? I doubt it very much, they didn't bother to sort out bad SQ on iPod in first place. Unless they planing to come up with Apple DAC as accessory for masses

- that doesn't sound right does it?

 

[K2Grey]

Something with cult status by its very definition does not have a huge number of fans, I doubt iRiver mourns the loss of the optical out and I doubt they are planning to add it back in.

 

[The_Duke_Of_Eli]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfen68 Apple would probably be the last company to implement an optical out. It's too far off the DRM bandwagen for them. Also, it's a feature that few people would appreciate, and they cater to the masses.

I agree. They're not going to give optical out or a decent headphone out anytime soon. I just hope they don't ditch the dock connector for line out. I will also guarantee tha the next Ipod will be bluetooth enabled to allow for bluetooth headphones (maybe included) and to share DRM protected music.

 

[mixxxer]

If the Apple Hi-Fi Boombox had optical IN then I would think they would follow up with optical out on newer ipoads... so i don't think they will do it...

 

[LFC_SL]

It's taken them 5 generations to offer black like I've always wanted...

Another 5 for gapless

Another 5 for optical out - by which time we'll all have 20gb flash players