Yesterday, Apple launched their new iPod that plays videos. iTunes was also updated, including music videos and TV shows which can downloaded to the iPod. Currently, only the US has TV shows, but I was more interested in the music videos.

Music videos were designed to promote music.

Think about this. Their purpose is to sell you music. You see the video, then go buy the music. Music sells on the iTunes Music Store for £0.79 per track. But get this: Music videos sell for £1.89 per video.

It costs £1.10 more to buy something designed to sell you music than it is to buy the music. If you want the music itself, that’s another £0.79 please.

Or, put it another way. You can buy Madonna’s videos on the store for £1.89 each. You get 320×240 resolution, which is way worse than TV quality. Alternatively, visit Amazon and get The Video Collection DVD for £12.97 + P&P. For 12 videos. Okay, so you can’t watch it on an iPod, but then who wants to?