Is the "Apple Composite AV Cable" for Ipod touch a charger or power adapter

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Level 1

9 points

Is the "Apple Composite AV Cable" for Ipod touch a charger or power adapter

What I mean is that if it's plugged in all the time while playing it (on my stereo), is the battery being used (charger) anyway or is it directly getting the power from the power adapter therefore not using the battery therefore not using/draining the battery cycle (as a battery as a limited number of cycles in it's life). Perhaps it's not a charger/adapter thing but a Ipod Touch conception thing. If I use 24h a day the adapter, am I using the battery cycle or not? Who can answer me this for sure (Apple?)?

Also on a similar note, can I connect the Ipod touch on another PC to charge it (through the dock/USB cable) but without synching it (I know only one PC can synch but if I want to recharge the Ipod at my girlfriend's place on her PC without Itunes can I?)
Message was edited by: Macfisto

Message was edited by: Macfisto

Windows XP

Posted on Apr 9, 2008 9:37 AM

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Answer 1

Apr 9, 2008 2:38 PM in response to Macfisto

Firstly, the CAVC works as a charger and it will charge the ipod's battery while the iPod is playing a movie on a TV. Secondly, yes, you can charge-without-syncing your iPod on her computer, just press cancel when it says "erase and sync".

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Answer 2

Duddo

Level 4

1,470 points

Apr 9, 2008 3:02 PM in response to Macfisto

OK,

The AV Component and Composite cables come with a separate AC charger, essentially a powered USB socket for the mains supply.
You can use this to charge your Touch using the component/composite cable which has an integrated USB plug, although this is optional, you do not have to use the charger with the AV cable.
You can also use the charger with your standard USB cable (supplied with the Touch) for charging without need for computer access.

As for whether the Touch runs off mains or battery while charging I'm not sure, I would guess that it is using the battery but don't think this is detrimental to general longevity.

Hope this is clear enough.

Dud.

Message was edited by: Duddo

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Answer 3

Macfisto Author

Level 1

9 points

Apr 10, 2008 5:56 AM in response to Duddo

Anyone else has an idea on the issue of if the Ipod touch uses the power adapter/charger as direct source of power and not through the battery? If the battery is now fully charged and the Ipod is playing (and plugged in) is only the adapter working or is also the battery?

remember the good old days when electronics could work with the adapter or the batteries of the time (non-lithium). If you didn't have a battery in it would work. Even if you did have a battery in, the adapter would be the source. I currently have a 20g Iriver and it displays a "plug" symbol when plugged in and playing and not the battery symbol which lets me to believe the battery is not being used.

I am concerned that if a lithium battery as lifetime of 500 cycles for example, and I use 5 hours a day the player (plugged in all the time) that 1 cycle will be done within 5 days even though I wasn't actually away from the power outlet. Of course I will use my Touch often away as well but overall by using 2h a day away and 3h a day plugged in, if it's the battery working all the time, my battery lifetime will be decreased by a lot.

Any ideas? Any way to ask Apple officially? email address? form they will respond to?

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Answer 4

Duddo

Level 4

1,470 points

Apr 10, 2008 6:54 AM in response to Macfisto

Macfisto wrote:
I am concerned that if a lithium battery as lifetime of 500 cycles for example, and I use 5 hours a day the player (plugged in all the time) that 1 cycle will be done within 5 days even though I wasn't actually away from the power outlet. Of course I will use my Touch often away as well but overall by using 2h a day away and 3h a day plugged in, if it's the battery working all the time, my battery lifetime will be decreased by a lot.

Any ideas? Any way to ask Apple officially? email address? form they will respond to?

Worst case, if the battery used 1 cycle every 5 days and has a potential 500 cycles that equals 2500 days, just short of 7 years!
The Touch does display a "plug" symbol when fully charged but I still don't know if it is using mains then or battery.
To be honest I think you are being a bit paranoid, when you should be just enjoying your iPod.

Dud.

Message was edited by: Duddo

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Answer 5

Macfisto Author

Level 1

9 points

Apr 10, 2008 7:06 AM in response to Duddo

To be honest I think you are being a bit paranoid

Yes I tend to do this! 🙂 I just don't want to spend 500$ + and having to replace my battery (how much does it costs anyway?) in 1 or 2 years from now!

Of course my 5h a day was assuming music only. If I use the wifi or web/video/photo features, it would eat up more of this.

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