If you own an iPod and wished you could watch videos on a long flight the MicroPack™ multimedia dock & battery might be for you. The MicroPack™ built-in lithium-ion battery offers up to 80 hours of audio playback or up to 8 hours of video playback. Your mileage may vary due to which iPod model and settings you use.

I remember a long flight to Central America a while ago, where my other half and I were trying to share a video iPod’s screen to catch up on some episodes of Lost. We first discovered the iPod had to be angled correctly to see the small screen. Using a plastic cup, tape, hair pins, and whatever else we could find to prop the iPod up for viewing as holding it for 6 hours was not really an option.

Next, we needed to get two headsets attached to hear the sound. OK, I lucked out here as I had a Y-adapter from RadioShack in my bag. But separate volume controls became an issue. Finally, the battery crapped out way before the flight was over.

The MicroPack™ from XtremeMac fixes all these practical problems of using your iPod away from AC power with its built-in battery that allows for watching video and listening to audio for extended times. The MicroPack™ provides two separate headphone jacks with their own volume control. Allowing you and your friend to adjust the sound to your liking while positioning your iPod screen at an optimal viewing angle so you can watch videos hands-free.

The MicroPack™ has a dock connector to connect to your PC or Mac with an Apple USB or Firewire cable for charging its internal battery plus charging and syncing your iPod. There is an on/off button on the rear of the MicroPack™ as well as an A/V Out that when used with the older Apple A/V cable allows for video and audio out to a TV or monitor. The A/V out works for outputting video and audio for the older 5G and 5.5G iPod with video. But due to changes Apple has made, the A/V out does not output video for the new iPod classic and new 3G iPod nanos. The audio out works fine for outputting your iPods sound to a home stereo. You can use a stereo 1/8 inch to two RCA cable available from RadioShack if audio line out is all you want.

The $79.95 MicroPack™ is compact and low profile and is the perfect replacement for an Apple Dock. It is compatible with most all iPods with a dock connectors. The MicroPack™ is not compatible with the iPhone or the iPod touch. The MicroPack™ has the facility to add the dock inserts Apple ships with most iPods these days to make the iPod fit better.

Charging the MicroPack™ is snap. Just connect the unit to your computer with the dock to USB or Firewire that came with your iPod. Turn on the power switch on the back of the MicroPack™. With the computer turned on the MicroPack™ will charge completely in about 8-10 hours when it is totally empty. The MicroPack™ will display a blinking blue LED that will turn solid when fully charged. The MicroPack™ will also charge and sync your iPod if it is in the MicroPack™ dock. While charging your iPod the LED will blink red.

The MicroPack™ is available directly from the XtremeMac website or your local Apple store.

In my use the XtremeMac’s MicroPack™ works as advertised and is a nice add-on to anyone wanting to use their iPod away from AC power for extended periods. Especially for frequent flyers. I think it is a great addition to my Bose noise canceling headset with no more using balancing acts to try to get the viewing angle so we can see the screen.

XtremeMac’s MicroPack™ is awarded 4 out of 5 Paws

    | Tags: iPod