An unfair comparison? TX vs. iPod (part 3)

The third part of my review will compare the multimedia features of both devices.

The “media” programm of the TX is quite simple. It can show photos and videos, send them via email or bluetooth and you can paint on them. Photos and videos can be imported into PalmDesktop and synchronised with the handheld. Or they are moved to the extension card directly (therefore you need a card reader or software like CardExport). Music can be played with the built-in PocketTunes. It provides basic functionality, too. Songs can be sorted in playlists and the program can be controled with the 5-way navigator (start/stop, jump forward/backward, volume up/down). But you can not synchronise anything with your desktop. Wether playlists nor songs. You have to create and manage playlists on the TX. And you have to move your mp3s manually to the SD-card.

That’s the point where iPod and iTunes come in. Especially the “intelligent playlist” feature makes it easy to create playlists. You don’t have to select every single song, it’s all done automatically! Just enter some keywords, and iTunes does the work for you. And if you want to to it yourself: Just drag&drop the songs to a playlist. Trust me, that’s more comfortable than on the Palm. Pictures are also moved to the iPod via iTunes. But you only can select a whole folder to be syncronised with your iPod.

Videos on the iPod are a litte bit tricky. It converted one video via iTunes and moved it to the iPod. But when I wanted to watch it there, I saw it but could not hear it. I tried different software and finally found VLC. This programm is the only that converts videos the right way (out of the programs I tested). Now I have both picture and sound.

Navigating through the media libary on the iPod is very easy. Via the Clickwheel you can sroll through houndreds or thousands of songs very fast. With one hand.

At all, the easy synchronisation with iTunes, easy and fast navigation, and the high capacity of the built-in harddisc make the iPod an excellent multimedia device. The TX has basic media functions, which may be enough for most Palm users. But you need a SD card with enough space to make your Palm a multimedia device.

Related posts:

1. An unfair comparison? TX vs. iPod (part 1)
2. An unfair comparison? TX vs. iPod (part 2)
3. Blogger Confirms Pre’s “Media Sync” mode mimics iPod — What next?
4. HP buys Melodeo music streaming service
5. Ipod vs. Palm