Works with
5th-Generation iPods
The Good
Provides solid protection of iPod
Makes watching video on iPod easier and more comfortable
The Bad
No clickwheel covering
The Price
US$29.95
Agent 18’s VideoShield Kit is a solid choice for protecting your 5th-generation iPod and solves one of the problems related to watching video on your iPod: arm/hand tiredness from holding the darn thing for 45-90 minutes. Thanks to an adjustable lever on the back of the case, you can now prop your iPod into place and enjoy your video without getting a hand cramp.
The VideoShield Kit consists of three pieces: a hard, clear plastic case (reminiscent of Agent 18’s NanoShock Kit), a metal belt clip, and the video stand.
The case does just what you’d expect — provides a hard shell around the iPod to protect it from scratches and dings. For the most part, it succeeds in this task. However, just like the NanoShock Kit, the VideoShield Kit fails to cover the clickwheel, which to me is a major omission. Without that covering the clickwheel is bound to get scratched.
The metal belt clip also does essentially what you’d expect: provides a tough, solid base to clip your video iPod to your belt. The clip is sturdy and seems durable, though the video iPod is a heavy device already, so your pants may sag a bit when wearing your iPod this way.
The standout element of the VideoShield Kit is the video stand. I’ve written previously about how watching TV shows or movies on your iPod can be a little tiring, in that you need to hold the device at an angle for the full duration of what you’re watching. This makes sense for travel, but perhaps not for watching video in the home.
The VideoShield Kit adds a detachable stand that can be added to the case when the belt clip has been removed. The stand can be set in four different viewing positions – from practically straight up to oblique – for your comfort. Though the stand likely won’t balance well on your chest or stomach for completely hands-free in-bed viewing, thanks to a foot attached to the stand, you’ll just need to hold onto that to keep the stand steady – a better option than holding the iPod.
The Agent 18 VideoShield Kit makes a good iPod case and a great accessory for watching video. It’s not perfect – I need a clickwheel cover! – but it’s a very good option for those who watch a lot of video on their iPods and want to avoid hand cramps.
