Here are some of the most frequently-asked questions
1. How do I get the most out of my video iPod battery?
Videos that are optimized for iPod playback should play for nearly three hours straight. If you really want to squeeze out an extra 20-30 minutes of video playback, you must have to scale down your video and compress it to the point where you WILL notice a difference. Compression can cause the file to lose some of its properties, resulting in slight blurring or strange contrast levels in the picture.
If you’re not willing to compromise picture quality, keep your settings at the following:
For H.264 format:
Size: 320 x 240 (most widescreen movies will come in at 320 x 176 or 320 x 144)
Bitrate: 600 Kbps
Audio: 128 Kbps, AAC Stereo, 44 KHz
Framerate: Same as source (or 29.97 for TV output)
For MPEG-4 format:
Size: 320 x 240 (unless you’re optimizing for TV output)
Bitrate: 1000 Kbps
Audio: 128 Kbps, AAC Stereo, 44 KHz
Framerate: Same as source (or 29.97 for TV output)
2. How can I avoid accidentally turning on the iPod in my pocket?
That’s what the 'Hold' Switch is for. The Hold Switch of your iPod can be found on the top near the headphones port. This helps prevent your iPod from accidentally turning on in your pocket or bag and draining the battery.
You can set the Hold Switch to hold just by sliding it toward the center of the iPod. You will know that the iPod is on hold because an orange bar is visible in the Hold Switch and a small Lock icon appears in the upper-left corner of the display.
3. At what temperature does the iPod’s battery work best?
Generally, you can use iPod anywhere between 0 degrees to 35 degrees Celsius (about 32 degrees to 95 degrees Fahrenheit). However, if you want to prolong your battery’s life, iPod works best at room temperature, near 20 degrees Celsius.
If you have left your iPod in the cold, let it warm up to room temperature before waking it from sleep. Otherwise, a low-battery icon may appear and the iPod will not wake at all. If, after warming up, your iPod does not wake from sleep, connect the power adapter, and press Menu and Play/Pause buttons until the Apple logo appears.
Here are some additional tips about the proper temperature for your iPod:
* Do not leave your iPod in a vehicle’s interior when parked in the sun. Temperatures may reach up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit (65 degrees Celsius).
* Do not leave iPod exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods of time.
4. How long does it take to fully recharge a video iPod battery?
The iPod is designed to fast-charge the battery to 80 percent of capacity within an hour. However, it can take up to 4 hours to fully recharge a battery. Even in sleep, iPod uses a small amount of current, and the battery slowly empties. Stored at optimal storage temperature, the battery will empty in 14 to 28 days, even if the iPod remains inactive.
If you want to get the most out of your battery’s life, make sure that you do not charge your iPod while it is in a carrying case or cover. Also, you should charge your iPod when it has been fully discharged, even if it won’t be used right away.
5. What other settings can I change with my iPod to save on battery?
The first is the backlighting. This can use a lot of battery power, so if you don’t need it, turn it off. You can do that as follows:
- * On your iPods display, Choose Settings
- * Scroll around for Backlight Timer
- * Choose Off to turn it off
Another setting in your iPod you can do without is the Equalizer. Turning off the Equalizer will extend your battery life. To turn it off, just follow the instructions above, only instead of choosing 'Backlight Timer', look for 'EQ'.
6. Is the iPod’s battery replaceable?
No matter how much you dont want to have to replace your battery, if you keep using your iPod you will eventually have to. The good news is that Apple has an official battery replacement program which they currently offer at $59.
The program requires that you send in your iPod (any model), and Apple will replace the battery and return it to you for $59 plus shipping and handling. Technically though, what Apple does is to replace your whole iPod with an equivalent new or refurbished model. AppleCare programs for iPod are also available in some markets outside the US and in Apple Retail locations.
7. Will the iPod’s battery degrade over time?
Everything degrades over time without exception. Over time, the battery will not retain the same charge as it did when it was new. This is natural and is true among all lithium ion batteries. During the life of the iPod, not many users will notice the effect this slow degradation brings. However, based on usage, environmental factors, and many other variables, some heavy users may notice a greater degradation than others. Just remember that lithium ion batteries degrade in exactly the same way, whether they are used to power up the iPod, any laptop, cellphone, or portable music player.