Suzanne just bought me the Sirius Replay radio for the car and boat!!!
For those of you who have yet to try Satellite radio, you'll never
listen to regular radio again. XM is also excellent.

For my B'Day Suzanne bought me the new Video Ipod 60 gig. For those of
you who don't mind mixing music with sailing, the Ipod holds about 1300
CDs. We have put nearly 150 CDs on the Ipod along with original Star
Trek episodes! It docks on board with the stereo and replaces the
jumble of CDs and tapes. We still will keep the DVD on board, but it
probably won't see much use.

For those considering an Ipod, here's my review...

The Apple Ipod G5 60 gig is the latest personal audio/video system
available from Apple. This latest version heavily plugs it's video
abilities. With these units you can transfer downloads music and video
to the Ipod and listen at your leisure. You may also download and watch
TV and movies as well as video podcasts.
Here's what you need to know:
The Ipod is very small and thin and is available in black or white.
Both versions are highly vulnerable to surface scratches to the point
of being ludicrous. You will have to buy a cover/case for the unit from
day one. The software included is Itunes and it's a somewhat clumsy and
dated chuck of software. Once you learn it you'll wonder that they
couldn't make it more intuitive. It does work fine after you've
mastered it and you can easily transfer CDs and downloaded music files
to the Ipod.
Navigating the Ipod's simple menu system is used with a touch sensitive
non-mechanical wheel. It works well, though it's a little to easy to
make a wrong selection. Practice won't make perfect, but it works okay.

The screen is bright and has good resolution, better than other units
currently out. Amazingly, Apple Quicktime and other common formats
won't play on the Ipod. Apple wants to you spend 30 dollars on software
to covert files for video playback. This bad business is easily solved
since free software is available online to covert files, but it's a
dumb step. You may also connect the unit to a TV set for video quality
that's worse than VHS tape, but serviceable, especially on smaller
screens under 20 inches. This is a good unit for video on a boat or RV.
Apple will try to sell you a cable for A/V output but any Mini to RCA
stereo plug will work as will any camcorder mini to stereo/Video plug
set. Apple switched one of the audio lines with the video to make
people think they needed the Apple cable. Just find the Video line of
the three and your done. Sorry Apple.
There's been a lot of complaints that Apple did not include the charger
with the unit. I have to say that Apple should be ashamed and if I had
not gotten this as a gift I'd never have bought it on that point alone.

The Ipod's audio quality is good, but not with the included ear buds
which may or may not stay in your ears. I threw mine away. They are
junk. A proper set of headphones will be a worthwhile purchase. There
are no user EQ adjustments on the Ipod, only volume. Older folks who's
hearing has frequency loss will be unable to adjust to suit them.
To summarize: The new Video Ipod is a stylish and useful player, but it
is marred by lack of features and Apple's efforts to force owners to
buy basic essentials that should have been in the box...such as a
charger, cables and basic video software. Apple's attitude has kept me
from being a fan of their products for many years and the Ipod, even as
a gift, has proven to me that they continue to abuse their customer
base while pushing style of substance.
Still, this IS a good player, once you buy the extras and it's fun to
use. In spite of my complaints 4 out 5 stars.
Capt. RB