iPod Photo startup noise: Inevitable?

[jonwallace]

Greetings!
I just moved from the 3gen to4th gen iPod photo, and, like many of you, hear the slight hard-drive noise as the buffer fills and, occasionally, a small amount of static. Right channel only.

My question is this. Is there much chance that, if I exchange the unit, the new unit would be noise-free? It seems that most, or at least many of you that have exchanged units still have the problem. [I have done several searches, but this question pertains to the value (or lack of value) in trying to return my unit.]

I really like the sharp screen, album art, and being able to show family photos when I travel, so I can live with this. (Not thrilled but not the end of the world either, kind of like the 3 red LEDs in my powerbook screen.)

Thus is it worth trying to exchange? What is the chance that the new unit would also have the problem?

Thanks,
JW

[dan500]

when you say 3 red leds on the screnn are they there all the time if so they may be dead pixles whice will never go away so yes i would take it back for this

[jhollington]

I'm not getting any strange startup noises (at least, nothing that I can hear), so I'd assume that the problem doesn't affect all of the iPod Photos...

[iPhoto]

Just how noticeable is this noise ? is it really offputting or just a slight static ?

[jonwallace]

Thanks for your comments. It is noticeable during the startup of an album but not too offputting. I wanted to know how common it is. From threads in other sources (HeadFi and Apple) it is rather common. I do not hear it with my Apple phones but, with more efficient (and more detailed) earphones it shows up.

I tried the tape trick (to isolate the case from the metal on my UE earphones) but this did not help.

This might be in the "live with it category," as I like the iPhoto otherwise.

Additional comments always welcome.
JW

[bluejacket]

I get, a sort of hiccup every time I start a song playing when the iPod's been "off". Weird. But I wouldn't replace my iPod photo for it.

[jonwallace]

Just a final note on this thread. Using my UE5c at the Apple store and tried about 7 of the display units. This was hard since they all were loaded with different music, however, there seemed to be a wide variation between units. My personal unit was on the bad end of things.


Given the wide variation in the startup static I was experiencing, so I took my unit to the Genius Bar. He claimed to hear it too (not sure if he did or not given the headphones he was using) but exchanged the unit. The new unit is great and I am happy!

I still hear the slight startup noise of the drive, but I actually like this since it means I hit the correct button. I do not know how many times I have started and stopped my 3rd gen unit because I did not have enough patience for the sound to start. There is still a little static, but it almost always ends before the music starts and I no longer hear it when the drive runs mid song.

Final note: It's not surprising that not everyone hears this. Even with my unit, which was on the "high end" of the problem, I tried several headphones and earphones, and it is only audible on a few . . . In my experience: (Apple ear buds, Bose Triports: not audible. UE10Pro: Clearly audible. UE5c: Most audible of all!)

[Matrixsjd]

Originally posted by dan500
when you say 3 red leds on the screnn are they there all the time if so they may be dead pixles whice will never go away so yes i would take it back for this

Apple won't take something back for dead pixels unless there is 5 clustered together. I tryed with my powerbook, and that's what they told me, so no he can't take it back. I'm pretty sure he's talking about his powerbook though and not the iPod if you read it more carefully.