[DeadlyDragon]

I just got the new iPod video for xmas, as on the manual it states to charge the iPod for 4 hours or until that icon appears (plug of some sort) i charged it today and i left it for a while, then it appeared to be fully charged after about 2-3 hours... when it says for 4 hours, so i left it on for longer..

Can i damage my iPod by letting it charge when it says its full, or its no problem, and when i watch a movie (part 1 which is 30 mins) i seem to lose alot of power, which i could maybe watch anothjer hour, but thats what im gonna try today.

Or maybe i should go return it.

Thank you for your opinons.

[flipster23]

usually overcharging a computer battery of any kind damages the battery life and makes its life shorter.

[ghporter]

The iPod WILL NOT OVERCHARGE. When the battery is fully charged, the charging circuit stops charging it. Period.

Do not consider the graphic representation of battery charge remaining to be anything more than a relative guide; you're not running down the battery as much as you think in 30 minutes of video watching (I think it's rated for something like 2 1/2 hours of video time). And sometimes the indication needs a few charge/discharge cycles to be properly calibrated. Give it time to figure itself out.

[Big Mac]

Glenn is essentially right, although there is a kernel of truth in what flipster says as well. While a rechargeable LiOn battery will never overcharge and get damaged under normal circumstances, if you leave a battery charging for a long period of time the charger has to let it run down and then recharge periodically. Every recharge is one cycle (or perhaps a half cycle depending on circumstances) lost against the lifecycle of the battery. it's really not a hugely important issue especially with new batteries, but it's good to take the point into consideration. That's my understanding, FWIW.