Getting the Video out of Your New iPod--for Cheap!
Pages: 1, 2
Connecting the iPod to Your TV
It takes a few steps to connect your iPod to your TV. Start by inserting the A/V cord's eighth-inch plug into your iPod's earphone jack. In it goes, schnickt. Couldn't be easier.
Here's where it gets a little tricky. In order to make your TV play back the iPod signal, you've got to redirect the outputs. You can't just plug the yellow RCA plug into the yellow RCA jack and the red into the red or the white into the white. No. Those geniuses at Apple send the video signal over the red RCA output. (Normally it arrives on yellow.) The sound comes through the white and yellow plugs.
I ended up going to an Apple store and testing this on iPod after iPod. They all have this quirk. It was intentional. But hey, it's proprietary. Woohoo. So here's what you have to do:
- Plug the red RCA plug into your TV's yellow RCA jack.
- Plug the yellow RCA plug into your TV's white RCA jack.
- Plug the white RCA plug into your TV's red RCA jack.
Figure 3. Left: TV jacks, unplugged; right: TV jacks, plugged with A/V cable
After making all of these connections, you're physically ready to begin playback.
Playing Your Video
On your iPod, navigate to the movie you want to watch and select it. Your iPod prompts you to choose whether to play the video with TV Off or TV On. (You set the TV Out option to "Ask," remember?) Choose TV On.
Figure 4. Choose TV On to redirect the video through the earphone jack
As your video starts, a status screen appears on your iPod and the video plays back on your television. The status screen tracks playback progress, just as it would in iTunes.
Figure 5. The iPod video status screen shows playback progress.
Leave the television volume control at normal levels and use the iPod volume control to adjust the audio. The audio and video should both sound and look excellent.
Figure 6. Success! The video plays back on the TV
Final Thoughts
Don't feel pressured to buy Apple-branded add-ons, particularly when there are workarounds like the one shown in this article. Here, you've seen how to use a cheap off-the-shelf product to bypass that whole high-priced white-colored gear thing. Shiny and white doesn't necessarily make it right.
Erica Sadun has written, co-written, and contributed to almost two dozen books about technology, particularly in the areas of programming, digital video, and digital photography.
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Comments on this article
1 to 118 of 118
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iPod Touch video
2010-02-17 09:18:06 Yonian [View]
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iPod Touch video
2010-02-17 09:21:12 Yonian [View]
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iPod Touch video
2010-02-17 09:17:36 Yonian [View]
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help please
2010-02-13 08:28:45 jsrosie13 [View]
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THANK YOU
2009-10-02 18:52:05 JOHNDRIVE [View]
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80 gig doesnt work
2009-09-09 14:42:12 jdawgg508 [View]
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It doesn't work for me
2009-08-15 11:58:46 cabardoc [View]
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Works a treat on my 80g video ipod!
2009-06-03 12:12:06 Tshari [View]
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I works great with my 5th gen 60gb
2009-04-23 17:21:39 registrationsucks2 [View]
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Shame on You
2009-04-04 04:48:35 Mac Junction [View]
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IT WON'T WORK!!!!!!
2009-03-24 17:33:25 dvnacouzi [View]
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IT WON'T WORK!!!!!!
2009-03-24 17:32:49 dvnacouzi [View]
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Won't work
2009-02-15 08:06:45 Manda09 [View]
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trouble
2009-01-17 15:25:03 azarath11 [View]
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trouble
2009-01-28 12:05:14 draught [View]
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this is amazing. works great
2009-01-04 03:44:29 nitin77 [View]
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rca cables
2008-08-21 21:02:37 lisalooh [View]
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Does not work
2008-08-12 23:20:32 Donshel [View]
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DVD to ipod - then watch on TV
2008-06-24 09:42:45 slevens [View]
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no go ipod touch
2008-05-14 11:26:55 ryan300 [View]
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switch colors
2008-04-29 20:30:26 Grimble Crumble [View]
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Doesn't Work
2008-03-11 18:40:56 NYGiants04 [View]
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blurry signal
2008-03-11 09:04:53 cahoone [View]
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a cable comes marked that way
2008-01-23 07:50:02 cj52 [View]
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Doesn't seem to work on the new Classic
2008-01-22 12:14:07 MAWilson [View]
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Doesn't seem to work on the new Classic
2008-01-24 14:56:43 timbostarfen [View]
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80g playing video on TV.. Help please
2008-01-06 05:40:09 attn2me [View]
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80g playing video on TV.. Help please
2008-01-17 09:22:47 Number6 [View]
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80g playing video on TV.. Help please
2008-01-06 05:39:57 attn2me [View]
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cables
2007-12-24 14:58:06 mmta1 [View]
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cables
2007-12-24 14:57:54 mmta1 [View]
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Thanks for the advise
2007-12-23 21:12:52 davidc418 [View]
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Same as others, NO VIDEO
2007-12-21 00:09:28 eia [View]
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ATTN: This doesn't work for the newest iPods
2007-12-19 23:14:02 hominid [View]
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ATTN: This doesn't work for the newest iPods
2007-12-23 21:08:51 davidc418 [View]
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ATTN: This doesn't work for the newest iPods
2007-12-20 09:51:20 hominid [View]
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VCR does work after connecting IPod
2007-12-19 08:19:03 Sis [View]
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VCR does work after connecting IPod
2007-12-19 21:26:08 hominid [View]
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can't get it to work
2007-12-05 19:58:09 rbearfld [View]
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can't get it to work
2007-12-19 21:27:57 hominid [View]
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can't get it to work
2007-12-05 20:01:41 rbearfld [View]
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FANTASTICAL!
2007-12-03 07:39:23 dr-gamma [View]
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ZOMGTHANKYOUUUUUU
2007-11-21 19:14:37 SaruNinja [View]
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ZOMGTHANKYOUUUUUU
2007-11-26 09:13:13 Bobbie25 [View]
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ZOMGTHANKYOUUUUUU
2007-12-25 08:37:27 rayloco024 [View]
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audio but no video with accurion ipod cable
2007-11-09 18:18:39 illiptical [View]
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Potential Problem
2007-10-08 01:09:43 fauxidiot [View]
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Can't
2007-10-04 17:31:00 hetman84 [View]
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screen black and white lines going up and down
2007-09-28 21:15:07 kleby4life [View]
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screen black and white lines going up and down
2007-09-28 21:14:38 kleby4life [View]
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My world is all flipped around!
2007-09-27 00:46:24 vernT [View]
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My world is all flipped around!
2007-09-28 00:18:19 vernT [View]
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PLEASE HELP!! AUDIO BUT NO VIDEO!!
2007-09-19 09:23:07 clarkm [View]
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thanks
2007-09-17 01:07:44 Bretman7 [View]
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Video out
2007-09-12 17:10:28 jehuchan [View]
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Hooking up ipod to a TV
2007-09-11 21:26:52 ask4reb [View]
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Audio but no video
2007-08-17 16:09:44 y0ungMJ2o6 [View]
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Audio but no video
2007-08-17 16:09:35 y0ungMJ2o6 [View]
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screen black and white lines going up and down
2007-07-31 13:18:52 chilipepperfreakey [View]
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screen black and white lines going up and down
2007-07-31 13:18:39 chilipepperfreakey [View]
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thanks
2007-07-28 21:26:58 ethan420 [View]
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thanks
2007-08-29 17:48:13 radawg [View]
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Video work but picture is blurry
2007-05-08 19:04:48 perocs [View]
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Video work but picture is blurry
2007-05-08 19:07:33 Erica Sadun |
[View]
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Video display during audio playback
2007-04-23 17:19:13 Bill4444 [View]
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Video display during audio playback
2007-04-26 10:46:08 Bill4444 [View]
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Video display during audio playback
2007-04-25 10:14:12 AvC [View]
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Video display during audio playback
2007-04-26 15:27:56 djramseyer [View]
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iPod use with vcr/dvd combo
2007-03-13 12:55:32 md91374 [View]
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Ipod TV Out
2007-03-09 08:39:33 mark187 [View]
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The advice is good, but...
2007-03-03 09:20:26 strijka [View]
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The advice is good, but...
2007-03-03 09:20:00 strijka [View]
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VIDEO TO PORTABLE DVD PLAYER?
2007-02-24 19:41:45 zulupriest [View]
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VIDEO TO PORTABLE DVD PLAYER?
2007-02-24 19:48:18 Erica Sadun |
[View]
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VIDEO TO PORTABLE DVD PLAYER?
2007-03-22 05:49:17 brendaba [View]
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VIDEO TO PORTABLE DVD PLAYER?
2007-03-22 08:34:09 Erica Sadun |
[View]
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VIDEO TO PORTABLE DVD PLAYER?
2007-04-23 01:54:51 brendaba [View]
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ipod Cable Woes fixed!!!!
2007-01-23 12:24:01 SharkyS4 [View]
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Ipod video V5.5 30Gb
2007-01-12 07:23:15 viruzmex [View]
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connecting iPod to TV
2006-12-31 16:11:55 pronoah [View]
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Problem
2006-12-25 11:19:40 Paty77 [View]
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2 colors
2006-12-21 02:19:41 thizock [View]
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2 colors
2006-12-21 02:17:44 thizock [View]
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2 colors
2006-12-21 02:17:24 thizock [View]
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It worked perfectly, but now it doesn't! Please help
2006-12-07 16:04:45 cnsxii [View]
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video volume on my ipod
2006-11-28 16:10:18 aluraxune [View]
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video voluime on my ipod
2006-11-28 16:09:29 aluraxune [View]
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ipod cock up connector
2006-11-25 11:00:32 stevie_g [View]
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ipod cock up connector
2006-11-25 11:00:20 stevie_g [View]
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black and white still
2006-11-21 08:00:13 joner [View]
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black and white still
2006-11-25 10:47:59 stevie_g [View]
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I've tried it all!
2006-11-12 19:07:01 Davidd [View]
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I've tried it all!
2006-11-14 04:58:18 jcsjcs [View]
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I've tried it all!
2006-11-12 19:11:22 Erica Sadun |
[View]
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I've tried it all!
2006-11-13 13:43:24 Davidd [View]
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Actually a practical idea by Apple!
2006-11-11 23:35:41 jcsjcs [View]
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Actually a practical idea by Apple!
2007-01-30 12:08:01 titouenne [View]
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iPod to TV issue SOLVED!!!!
2006-10-07 00:06:03 Kingjperro [View]
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iPod to TV issue SOLVED!!!!
2006-10-07 00:09:05 Kingjperro [View]
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iPod Menu Videos???
2006-10-03 13:11:48 Trump48257 [View]
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iPod Menu Videos???
2007-04-17 18:24:26 jkorenst [View]
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i cant hear sound when i play videos on my 30gb. volumes up and everything, but no sound?
2006-09-27 16:25:05 orod [View]
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iPod stuck
2006-09-14 19:38:43 mohantom [View]
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iPod stuck
2006-09-14 19:46:54 mohantom [View]
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Check This Out
2006-09-10 20:26:00 jesuscrist [View]
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ITS NOT WORKING FOR ME HELP PLEASE!!!
2006-09-07 09:55:22 shegufz [View]
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ITS NOT WORKING FOR ME HELP PLEASE!!!
2006-09-07 10:10:15 Erica Sadun |
[View]
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Great Find
2006-09-06 09:54:01 hayden1095 [View]
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ipod av connector
2006-09-05 18:54:45 rabbit46 [View]
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Works on TV, but not on portable DVD player?
2006-07-24 10:00:54 willski [View]
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Works on TV, but not on portable DVD player?
2006-07-24 10:06:34 Erica Sadun |
[View]
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The white was right though
2006-06-07 17:24:18 dnoo [View]
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Does this one work?
2006-06-07 16:04:42 ipodmania [View]
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Video output while playing music?
2006-04-11 01:26:46 Pierceng [View]
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It May Sound Boring But Please Read It, Explain Plz, It ain't working
2006-04-06 02:24:15 Dralaquan [View]
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It May Sound Boring But Please Read It, Explain Plz, It ain't working
2006-06-15 11:10:52 dnoo [View]
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Yes, this works!
2006-04-05 10:37:48 groundling [View]
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HEY! It Worked. Thanks!!!
2006-04-02 21:23:15 robtekk [View]
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Av cable
2006-04-01 03:51:59 pmccarvalho [View]
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Av cable
2006-10-07 09:32:14 edbolson@mac.com [View]
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Black and White only
2006-03-06 03:13:48 wyrdness [View]
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Black and White only
2006-03-08 00:41:25 mamasama [View]
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Black and White only
2007-03-15 22:17:33 cambodiachris [View]
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Black and White only
2007-03-16 11:53:50 Erica Sadun |
[View]
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I NEED HELP WITH MY IPOD!!! PLEASE READ ASAP!
2006-02-10 19:32:01 KFree20 [View]
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Need help
2006-02-01 15:57:48 Anangel [View]
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Doesn't work
2006-02-01 08:05:48 Garno [View]
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Will these Radio Shack ones work?
2006-01-29 13:46:39 ProClub [View]
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The Easy Way
2006-01-23 14:23:07 flamingc0d3r [View]
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the path less traveled by...
2006-01-23 10:39:09 techsux [View]
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Thanks
2006-01-21 15:18:39 pfhyper [View]
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no color *tear
2006-01-20 05:27:32 rayjer [View]
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no color *tear
2006-02-07 15:01:50 NYMbaseball31 [View]
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Not poss with old av cable from ibook?
2006-01-19 08:08:06 legonuts [View]
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What about the photos
2006-01-10 11:19:18 compfused [View]
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What about the photos
2006-01-21 15:24:32 pfhyper [View]
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What about the photos?
2006-01-11 17:46:48 Cypher74 [View]
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no colour :(
2006-01-10 01:59:47 TaRaK [View]
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Playing Sound on TV
2006-01-06 14:11:52 ty83 [View]
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Playing Sound on TV
2006-01-06 14:29:43 Erica Sadun |
[View]
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Battery Life with Video Out
2006-01-05 13:05:26 woonsoo [View]
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Battery Life with Video Out
2006-01-21 15:22:12 pfhyper [View]
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Battery Life with Video Out
2006-01-06 14:31:26 Erica Sadun |
[View]
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This isn't working for me.!
2006-01-02 19:15:56 Caittt! [View]
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This isn't working for me.!
2006-01-06 14:32:39 Erica Sadun |
[View]
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Thanks - this was just what I needed!
2005-12-31 17:02:31 Barbarella [View]
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can you let the menu options out the AV connector
2005-12-22 18:24:13 pod_downunder [View]
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can you let the menu options out the AV connector
2006-01-06 14:33:19 Erica Sadun |
[View]
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An Engineer's Thoughts...
2005-12-20 19:20:10 iPod_Brett [View]
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An Engineer's Thoughts...
2005-12-29 18:29:06 GizmoGuy [View]
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Thanks
2005-12-19 15:59:39 BIGJ [View]
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scart?
2005-12-17 06:14:01 Nils07 [View]
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Scart?
2005-12-17 06:13:11 Nils07 [View]
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Worked perfect
2005-12-15 19:11:10 burgeke [View]
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Let's be fair
2005-12-13 12:59:13 mdamkier [View]
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S-Video Video iPod Playback
2005-12-11 13:05:29 indmriley [View]
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S-Video Video iPod Playback
2006-01-06 14:33:59 Erica Sadun |
[View]
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playing videos in ipod videu
2005-12-05 12:36:06 question [View]
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playing videos in ipod videu
2005-12-25 16:19:47 Stevanovich [View]
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Tahnk You
2005-12-25 08:33:31 Raj_Kumar [View]
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camcorder A/V cable differences
2005-11-29 10:36:06 petervo [View]
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Doesn't work for me
2005-11-25 18:42:20 twhid [View]
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re:Doesn't work for me
2005-11-28 00:05:38 eytanbernet [View]
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Easier Way
2005-11-24 11:51:25 SamKingston [View]
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Easier Way
2005-12-14 01:44:33 mdamkier [View]
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Easier Way
2006-03-08 16:38:41 outlaw-immortal [View]
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Easier Way
2006-03-08 16:37:32 outlaw-immortal [View]
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Easier Way
2006-01-09 13:37:48 Chopsuey [View]
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RE: Easier Way - Not!
2005-12-12 16:36:12 Derrick Story |
[View]
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RE: Easier Way - Not!
2006-01-04 03:40:10 smok [View]
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RE: Easier Way - Not!
2006-01-04 03:36:05 smok [View]
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Easier Way
2005-11-28 11:54:39 pcaddict [View]
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Easier Way
2005-11-27 13:47:26 monrvon [View]
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iPod Video v. Sony PSP
2005-11-23 16:05:49 kwolfhard [View]
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iPod Video v. Sony PSP
2005-11-23 23:03:28 eytanbernet [View]
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You are critical without reason
2005-11-23 01:03:40 eytanbernet [View]
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Shiny and white doesn't necessarily make it right.
2005-11-18 22:50:50 tonybeloni [View]
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