ATO ISee 360i iPod Video Recorder Add-On : Dads and Grads Buyer's Guide: Part 3

ATO ISee 360i iPod Video Recorder Add-On

By Ed Tittel, published on June 4, 2007
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: dads, and, grads, buyers

Contents

1. Introduction
2. Toshiba TDP-FF1AU Mobile Projector
3. ATO ISee 360i iPod Video Recorder Add-On
4. PlusTek OpticSlim M12 Corporate Mobile Scanner
5. Languid Beauty & Blazing Beast USB Flash Drives
6. Ridata & Patriot 4 GB Flash Drives
7. Trimble AllSport GPS
8. Planon Universal Mobile Charger

3. ATO ISee 360i iPod Video Recorder Add-On

by Ed Tittel

Given that Apple sold millions of iPods before it released video-capable models in 2005, ATO Inc. is tapping into some serious gadget envy with the introduction of its iSee 360i device. It's essentially an iPod dock that adds a display screen to any fourth generation iPod, the iPod mini, and even iPod nano models, so they can play back any video files that someone might wish to view. (Unsupported iPods include those without dock connectors, third generation devices that use buttons instead of a click wheel, the iPod Shuffle, and the iPod photo.) Although the screen is just a bit larger than that of the video iPod (3.6" with 320x240 pixels instead of 2.5" also at 320x240) when it comes to parsing personal video, a bit bigger is also a bit better as well.

The iSee 360i docks the iPod on one side, and offers the video screen on the other.

Alas, the downside for this clever little gadget is a noticeable increase in size and weight from the iPod for which it provides the video dock: approximate dimensions are 5" x 3" x 0.7" with a weight of about 9 ounces (255 g). Interestingly, the iSee VidiScape software runs only on Windows (2000, XP and Vista) and requires DirectX9 to convert video, audio, and pictures for playback from the iPod through this unit - you'd think they would have also supported the Macintosh for this purpose!

On the plus side, the iSee 360i can also record video and audio from a variety of inputs, including TV, DVD, VCR, TiVo, camcorder, or other analog video sources and stereo analog audio only. It also provides power to both a docked iPod and for its own needs. Its replaceable 2,200 mAh battery permits users to run the device for audio and/or video for up to four hours. The iSee transcodes all video files into MPEG-4 format, courtesy of the VidiScape software included on the DVD bundled with the unit.

At prices that range from $185 to $270, the iSee 360i doesn't cost a lot less than a new video iPod: an 80 GB model goes for $259-$332. But for those grads and dads hooked on their current iPods who want a video fix, it could be just the thing.