Why don't they make a dedicated iPod just for...

Sorry - should have clarified... Primarily to listen with headphones. However, I would like the ability to plug it into my home system for low level listening, parties, etc.

Right - but I feel like I'm paying for something that I won't be using. Also, isn't it possible that an all audio version would have a better DAC than an audio/video version?

Thanks again!

Well, I feel that if it weren't for video I could get something smaller in physical size (and price) while still having a large capacity for music files... Also, it appears that the iPod John Atkinson references is an older model (i.e. not the video iPod). Perhaps the DAC has changed given the different models?

Also, when I'm paying $400 for a 60gb hardrive you can be sure that I'm certainly going to take into consideration things that I don't need and won't use...

Thanks though! Anyone know if Apple has any new iPod releases in the near future?

Thanks for all of your responses and links so far... I don't have a problem with moving technology forward. The caveat is that the product should be better. From what I understand from looking at previous posts on the topic, those "in the know" state that the 4th Gen Ipod has the better dac. So we have a case where we have added more features with the 5th Gen but we have made the music playback a lessor priority by using an inferior DAC. Why not perfect the audio aspect first (digital out, etc), then move into incorporating video?

Second, I really don't see how this video thing is going to work. Are people going to download movies onto a 2.5" screen via ITunes? Wouldn't burning onto DVD and watching on laptops provide a far better portable viewing experience?

Thanks again!

This has been an enlightening exchange... It has certianly shed some light on the topic of how Apple makes their business decisions. Just Micro 101 i guess....

Allow me to pose a final question... Are there any companies out there that offer a large capacity portable audio solution with a digital out that would be comptabile with Apple Lossless? I guess this is what I am (and I suppose other audiophiles) really after...

One more question... Using Apple Lossless about how many 4 minute songs could I fit on the 30gb and 60gb iPod Video?

Thanks again!

THanks Pabelson! I'm going to visit the Apple store over the weekend and report back...