You know after looking at this thread again I don't think that I gave a complete answer. I don't think that this is an Apple issue. The part about not releasing any info 1st is something worth debating.
However, the video issue may have nothing to do with Apple at all. You can thank the MPAA for creating modern DRM issues and HDCP Compliance.
HDCP compliance is affecting a lot of HD monitors and recievers as well. I haven't really looked into this yet, but this is definitely a DRM issue that I am sure an organization like the MPAA is behind. The chip itself may have something to do with making the modern iPods HDCP compliant and able to play HD content on modern entertainment systems. What should be allowed is some sort of downscaling. So if you are not trying to play your HD content in an HD format it can still play.
Apple has a lot to lose if it doesn't comply. I am sure that all of the licensing in iTunes for both video and audio content has clauses that ensure that Apple will protect content and adopt MPAA standards.
That is possible, but it still would have been nice for Apple to inform it's customers. Say you go buy a head unit for your vehicle and it says "iPod compatible" then you go to buy an iPod and find out it doesn't work, wouldn't that piss you off? The problem is there are MANY products out there on top of head units that say "iPod compatible" my D3 wouldn't even play MUSIC using the new iPod classic, it would just freeze up, so I'd say there is NO compatibility on some head units, some will still do audio, but clearly not all.
I just got hung up on by the iPhone support tech....I was being fairly chill, but they don't seem to have any idea what is going on.
I am starting to look into this. A lot of people are pissed off about this. It isn't just an issue with your HU it also affects televisions, etc.
If it is a matter of a simple firmware update, or a new cable/docking system no big deal in my book. But if it is a hardware issue it could prove to be a real problem.
It looks like the issue may be more than just DRM, Apple may have also been trying to upgrade video quality. The catch is the lack of back wards compatibility.
EDIT:
OK, I called back and got sent to a 2nd tier tech. He did not have answers to my specific questions. He was an iPhone support tech, but I believe that these answers will apply to all of the newer ipods. Please correct me if I am wrong here as I don't own a D-3. But I think that what is going on may be better for all of us down the line.
I may post the full interview over at my site. But in a nut shell here is what I got from the convo:
He had no idea in regards to DRM and HDCP questions. But he did say could be part of what was going on.
It is possible that it is a software or firmware upgrade for 3rd party vendors, but he could offer no support for 3rd party producs. He did agree with me when I pointed out that we buy these devices because of the way that they interface with 3rd party devices.
Right now he said that you need to get an adpater that plugs into the bottom of the phone that will output video signal and it works with all of the newer devices. We knew this.
All of the older devices did video output through the headphone jack.
Correct me if I am wrong here, but did you have control over video from the D3 on older ipods or did you need to run a video connection out from the headphone jack, with no control over video form the head unit?
If this is the case then what has happened is that apple has made a harware change that shifts all video out to a pure digital format through the bottom of the device. This would definitely make all backwards compatibility impossible. But it would be better for many reasons.
Digital out would allow for much higher video resolution, and having the video and audio out put running through the bottom jack will probably allow for more control features from a headunit going forward.
The Pioneer D3 does Video and Audio through ONE iPod cable that plugs into the back of the D3, on my iPod video, I can watch videos, and play music and browse through the iPod through my D3...on the iPod Classic, I can't watch videos, and I can't browse through music. It is different on the Kenwood units, on the Kenwoods with the classic you can browse through music, but you can NOT view videos.
Savage, it sucks for the short term. But I have a very strong feeling that there will be a new cable or firmware update issued by 3rd parties, a hack, or a work-around soon.
Savage, it sucks for the short term. But I have a very strong feeling that there will be a new cable or firmware update issued by 3rd parties, a hack, or a work-around soon.
Meh, thats why I CONSIDERED keeping the classic...but I'm glad I didn't, it's been out what, three months? Still nothing, and that is a lot of time for a firmware upgrade, hacks and updates by 3rd parties on the iPods aren't very common, so I believe it's solely on Apple to fix this, and if it IS a hardware thing like they say it is (authchip) then we might just have to wait until the next generation of iPods. The cable ideas are fine, but it might take other companies a long time to product a cable after Apple has told them what to do to make the new iPods work on their head units or tvs.
I had no problem with my Ipod Classic (6g) 80gb for about the first month. The audio menu browsing and playback was flawless on my d3. The video even worked. Now the audio still works fine, but can't get the video to work at all. Guessing this happened after an update through Apple? (Rotten bastards)
If Steve Jobs took your lunch money as a kid dont buy his products.
I have issues with almost everything microsoft (xbox 360 is my vice). So I don't buy it. Why? It doesn't function the way I want it/like it to.
If your iPod doesn't do what you want put it on Ebay and I bet you won't be disappointed at the sale price. If you feel like it is better than the Zune or other options out there then quit crying about it, or invent your own.
As far as notifying all the aftermarket vendors??? One of the main reasons Apple is able to innovate like they do is because of their tight-lipped operation. Even on the internet that allows you to find out what happens to Harry Potter before the book is published, I challenge you to find out anything more than rumors about upcoming Apple products. That's why the dorky Steve Jobs in his black shirt and jeans demands so much attention at his keynotes, people are on the edge of their seats for the new products. Third party vendors are scrambling to keep up with or copy Apple, (microsoft vista anyone?) because Apple is leading. Apple (and any company with an upcoming product worth anything) will not release any more information about upcoming products than is absolutly necessary. I work in R&D in a market not near as fast paced as the electronics world, and I have to type in a keypad code and scan my fingerprint every day to get to my job.
It is crappy that there is a great car-audio product that is not currently compatible with the latest and greatest, but solutions will either present themselves, or iPod will probably lose it's 80%+ market share of mp3 players.
I do use a lot of Apple products, and for that I am probably biased.
But I can't stomach when people bash on a product and then buy it only to continue to complain.
DAMMIT! Why the hell would Apple pull some crap like this!? Jesus, and people wonder why I always "hate on them" for their monopolistic ways! GOD! Now we are going to have to buy a NEW cable or, we are just flat out screwed. I've been reading up and it seems it's because they removed a PIN on the bottom which allowed you to get video out...which means these new iPod classics (which are replacing all other regular iPods) will not allow video on pretty much every current headunit out there...I swear man, this is CRAP.
Man! You left out the Holy Ghost.
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Grok FJ
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