iPod on your TV, VCR or Projector
On their web site, Apple claims you can only use their special white iPod AV cable to connect your iPod to a television monitor, VCR or projector; a cable which they sell for $19 a pop.
They’re lying and in a brutish way. They simply switched the traditional video channel which is labeled “yellow” on most a/v cables and jacks with the right audio channel, which is usually labeled “red.”
Is that the meaning of “Switch” they’ve been trying to promote?
The fact is you can use other brands of stereo mini (.8mm) to RCA cables. In fact, many iPod owners probably already have one of these cables lying around since it’s precisely the kind that comes with most video cameras — or that can be bought at a garage sale or discount store for alot less than $19. (I’m using one right now.)
Et tu, Apple?
July 12th, 2006 at 5:35 pm
Because of the design of the AV jack in the ipod, they had no real choice. They could use a standard headphone output but it would not work with a standard video out jack, or they could use a standard video out jack but that would require a special headphone jack. Since it would have pissed off a lot more people to require special headphones, it was a smart decision for them.
July 12th, 2006 at 5:43 pm
I have no doubt they did the best job possible when it comes to their industrial design. However, this is a customer service / public relations problem.
They make a claim that is not entirely accurate. Many third party cables can be used following the above cited instructions. It’s a $20 question.