[Macworld.com]

Dan Miller was skeptical that a 2-inch display would be worth watching. But a few days with the latest iPod nano changed his mind. [more]

[flybynight]

And they're SO cute! /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[derekm]

I was skeptical not only about the video quality, but that the pictures on Apple's site used a hand model with hands the size of Shaq in order to make the nano look so small. So I went to the Apple store...
Wow! The screen was small, but watching their preloaded episode of "The Office" and still being able to see Jim raise his eyebrows with that surprised/puzzled look made the screen more than just tolerable. And that nano's size? I guess it was the mini scrollwheel that threw off my perception and made me think it was larger than it actually was. And it being thinner than Kate Moss makes me actually consider buying it instead of scoffing at it. If it wasn't for that oh-so-tempting wi-fi model coming out in two weeks I'd own a new nano right now.

[lindaandtom]

I'm fascinated with the near-dichotomy of video today: At the same time we're bulking up home screens to sizes once unimagined to accommodate the most spectacular line-up of pixels ever, we're settling in to miniscule viewings of movies, TV shows and other video entrees that were manufactured for much larger display. Guess it's like having lunch at MacDonald's and dinner at Spago.
Or is there a techie way of explaining this condition?

[luomat]

I looked at one for about 10 minutes in an Apple store and immediately went blind. A few hours later it had improved to a mere headache. A few days later it's only a minor throb.
The original iPod with video was bad enough, but this is much worse. Yeah yeah higher pixel density. Still way too small.
I definitely suggest people watch one for themselves. For me I'd never get past 30 minutes.

[Moof_in_Charge]

I think the Nano was a superior no compromise iPod in its previous incarnations. This current one compromises the gorgeous form of the previous models to show you compromised video.
While I think it's cool that you can watch video on a nano, I am not sure the Nano-market was clamouring for this feature. the previous Nano was the best nano Apple had made.

In my opinion, the iPod Classic is redundant and iPod Touch is something that gives you the horsepower but not the fuel. I think Apple should have introduced the iPod Touch with hard drive capacity akin to the iPod classic and then dropped the iPod classic all together. It just makes no sense to position the classic between the current Nano and the iPod touch.

[greenacres_land]

Ok, 'Blind'? , who let the Zune employee in?

[Jason Snell]

Quote:

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I looked at one for about 10 minutes in an Apple store and immediately went blind.

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Wow! I would recommend that you consult your neurologist immediately.

[moose_n_squirrel]

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At the same time we're bulking up home screens to sizes once unimagined to accommodate the most spectacular line-up of pixels ever, we're settling in to miniscule viewings of movies, TV shows and other video entrees that were manufactured for much larger display...Or is there a techie way of explaining this condition?

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If you normally sit 6 feet from your living room TV, and you hold a iPod nano at normal viewing distance, like in your lap, and then you raise the nano in front of your face, a 2" diagonal nano screen is approx. the same size to your eye as a 19" diagonal TV screen 6 feet away. That may be why it doesn't really look so bad. I don't have a nano so I tried this with a ruler and tape measure. It's like what they say about the moon: The moon looks huge in the sky, but hold up a quarter at arm's length, and it will block out the moon completely.
One thing to remember is that the vast majority of TV content was not made for high res screens. DVD is also not high-res, only 640x480 or so. The nano has a 320x240 screen. That is about the same res as VHS tape or analog broadcast, which we have collectively watched millions of hours on without much problem.
Put those two theories together and maybe that is why the nano isn't as "miniscule" as it seems. Yes, it's a lot smaller than a TV, but it's a lot closer to your face.

[lindaandtom]

So what happens when I sit really close to my 42-inch HD screen? Is this Nirvana?

[booga]

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I looked at one for about 10 minutes in an Apple store and immediately went blind. A few hours later it had improved to a mere headache. A few days later it's only a minor throb.

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I looked at one in an Apple Store and immediately had a compulsion to kill kittens and fling puppies by their tails. A few hours later I just wanted to kick babies. A few days later I just wanted to tweak discussion group trolls who exaggerate their posts beyond the point of usefulness.
I'm fascinated to hear other folks' extreme reactions...

[windjinx]

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Guess it's like having lunch at MacDonald's and dinner at Spago.
Or is there a techie way of explaining this condition?

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How about a non-techie way: You don't have to hunt down the squirrel and cook it. You have the choice of taking your time and enjoying a luxurious meal prepared by a master chef, or you can pull off the road long enough to pick up a Crispy Chicken Club without getting out of your car. Of course, you could also grab something greasy and slathered with cheese, but we're not talking about the Zune here.

[kugino]

i just got a black nano...and i, too, was pleasantly surprised at how useable the screen is for watching tv/videos. i've started exporting all my eyetv recorded programs into h.264 so i can finally catch up on all the tv shows i've recorded but never watch...watch a program during my lunch break...while waiting for my wife at the mall...etc.
but i understand how YMMV and if it causes you a headache, don't buy one. simple as that.

[leary]

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DVD is also not high-res, only 640x480 or so. The nano has a 320x240 screen. That is about the same res as VHS tape or analog broadcast, which we have collectively watched millions of hours on without much problem.

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Just to clarify: Standard def tv, vhs and dvd are all 720x480. This is what's either called 480i (interlaced) or 480p (progressive).