[Help] iPod Problem - Seeking advice

Hi, long time lurker here.. seeking some advice on a few problems with my 3g 20 GB iPod.

First of all, there is a really audible crackling sound in the left earbud when listening to music with the volume higher than 50%. I just noticed it recently. It appears to be the headphones, as I cannot replicate the crackling while using a different pair. If i move the headphone jack (twist it) while it is plugged into the ipod, however, the crackling becomes audible once again.

The second issue I have is with the screen. At times, a rather large (I'd say almost 1.5 square cm) tinge of colour appears on the part of the lcd screen directly below the headphones. It looks like the lcd screen of a calculator when you apply pressure to it. It is not formed, rather just a blotch. I can discern several colours within it. I do not believe that this is normal, as it appears despite there being no pressure placed on the screen.

Does this warrant a replacement from Apple? I bought the iPod in June, so it's still under warranty. The problem is that I live in Canada, and there are no Apple stores in Toronto. If I do call in tech support.. which I avoided for now as there is a charge, and send the iPod to Apple, do I have to include the dock and remote as well? This is my first apple product so some advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance,

Michael

#248419

I'm pretty certain that you have to send everything in. Also, your music and data have a good chance of being lost in repair, so back everything up.

#248426

1. that`s the problem with earphones, it happened to me too when they fell on the floor. the driver got loose, the only solution is to get one.

2. that is normal, all iPods have it. some have it more, some less visible. that is due to how LCDs are made and there`s nothing u can do about it (nor Apple for that matter). The only solution is to get iPod photo

#248438